Tipperary national school makes history as it becomes first ETB facility in Premier County

History was made in Nenagh last Friday when the Premier County’s first multi-denominational primary school was opened by Minister for Education Norma Foley.

Nenagh Community National School, located on the site of the former St Mary’s Junior Boys’ National School on St Flannan Street, has become the first primary school in the county to deliver a co-educational and multi-denominational education programme, under the management and patronage of Tipperary ETB.

Minister Foley described the opening as a “landmark day for schools in Tipperary” and for principal John Gunnell.

And she revealed that Tipperary ETB had been given the go-ahead to purchase an adjoining property that would allow the school to accommodate classes right up to Sixth Class. She described plans for the school as “ambitious”.

Introducing Minister Foley to pupils and the school’s young student wellness committee, Mr Gunnell said to laughter that when they were asked if they knew who Minister Foley was, the students had described her as “the boss of all schools”.

Mr Gunnell pointed out the school had been oversubscribed for new students last year and the same applied for next year.

“We are now a beacon for the whole county,” he said, and they were looking to a “bright future”.

Tipperary ETB CEO Bernadette Cullen told the gathering that the 108-year-old St Mary’s JNS had always been at the forefront of innovation and development in education in Nenagh.

“The decision by Bishop Fintan, following consideration by the Board of Management of the various patron options, to reconfigure the school to a Community National School under the patronage of Tipperary ETB has provided the families in Tipperary with the first multi-denominational national school in the county.

“It’s a testament to Bishop Fintan’s leadership, and we look forward to supporting the school on its new journey," she said.

Earlier, Minister Foley, who visited all four primary schools in the town, asked the pupils if they had been waiting long for her eventual arrival at the school to which they answered a resounding “Yes”. Out of the mouths of babes, as they say.

Minister Foley unveiled the school’s new signage during the ribbon cutting ceremony attended by the Chairperson of Tipperary ETB, Cllr Mary Hanna Hourigan; Tipperary ETB Chief Executive, Ms Cullen; the Bishop of Killaloe Fintan Monahan; Oireachtas members, Tipperary County Council Chief Executive, Mr Joe MacGrath; school principal, Mr Gunnell; deputy principal, Bríd Walsh; past and present staff, members of the past and present Boards of Management and students of the school.
Minister Foley thanked all those involved in the engagement process which culminated in the creation of Nenagh Community National School.

“The school community now embarks on a new journey under the patronage of Tipperary ETB and I have no doubt it will continue to thrive,” she said.

She acknowledged the school staff for their passion and endeavour to educate the young people of Nenagh and the surrounding areas.

Mr Gunnell said he’s excited about the future of the school.

“Our school is a very special caring place where we put the children front and centre of everything we do. We are very proud of our caring, respectful school, our roots in the town of Nenagh, our heritage, and our bright future," he said.

He described the school as a “pioneering school”, which was not afraid to make big decisions and take on new challenges in the best interest of its pupils and its community.

“We are the first CNS to open in Tipperary and the largest school to divest to date to ETB patronage in the country. We are deeply honoured to be chosen as the pilot school for transition to CNS in Tipperary,” he said.

The reconfiguration of the former all-boys’ school was agreed between the Diocese of Killaloe and Tipperary ETB in late-2021, and Nenagh Community National School is in its first school year catering for pupils from Junior Infants up to Second Class, with Third Class students currently enrolling for 2023/24.

Community national schools have been developed in response to increasing diversity in Irish society, and a growing demand from parents for the provision of multi-denominational education. Nenagh Community National School is part of a pilot divestment project, the lessons from which will inform future projects.

Chair of Tipperary ETB, Cllr Mary Hanna Hourigan, congratulated everybody involved in bringing this project to fruition, saying it was an “exciting day”.

The process that commenced in December 2021 had involved all stakeholders, Tipperary ETB members, the Board of Management, parents, staff and the community.

This unity will continue to ensure a partnership approach to the future development of the school, she said.