History of School

       
1825
Catherine O'Neill from Skibereen, bought land from the Duke of Devonshire, then owner of Bandon, to build a convent and school for the education of children.
While the convent was being built, Catherine and her mother lived in a small house in Hill Terrace. There she taught a small number of children.
1829
On 24th March the convent was ready (the middle section of the existing building). On 12th May the Bishop brought out three Sisters from South Presentation Convent to start Religious Life. Within a few monts three other girls joined.
1832
When seven were trained in Religious Life the three Sisters from Cork returned to South Presentation Convent in 1832.
1832-1837
About 400 children were taught in Convent rooms.
1848
A special room was opened for infants.
1858
The lace and crochet classes were established. This gave employment to to several girls in the town.
1869
Schools were registered under the Department of Education. The Convent rooms did not meet the demands of the Department of Education.
1875
The foundations for a new school were laid.
1876
The school was opened.    
1895
Two rooms were added - a cookery room and a boys classroom. Science was taught in the early nineties.
1919
Shorthand, typing, book keeping and busineess methods were introduced. Classes were given to adults four evenings per week from 6 p.m.- 5 p.m. Music was also taught.
1933
The playground was enlarged and a shed built.
1935
Partitions were erected giving each class a separate room.
1942
Further accomodation was required so sixth class got a room in the convent.
1961
The boys went to St. Fintan's school
1963
Due to growing numbers permission was granted by Department of Education to build an eight classroom school with cookery room, small library, staff room and Assembly Hall.
1965
The primary classes took up residence here leaving the old building to the secondary girls whose number had rapidly increased.
1970
A science room, needle work room, library and music room were added to this building.
1970
Mrs. Anne Leahy, the first lay teacher was appointed.
1972
The field below the convent was levelled and prepared as a camogie pitch for pupils.
1973
Numbers in the secondary could no longer be accomodated so the existing primary school was built. The new building consisting of twelve classrooms
1983
In 1983 an extension, consisting of P.E. Hall was added.
1985
On 25th February 1985 a class for special needs children was established, consisting of nine girls and boys.
1995
The teachers got their long awaited car park.
       
       
       
       
       
    return to top of page