Butlerstown National School
School Details
Location
About
Scoil Mhuire Butlerstown National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the parish of Butlerstown on the outskirts of Waterford City. While the school operates within a Catholic ethos, it welcomes children of all faiths and backgrounds, fostering an inclusive community where staff, pupils and parents work together in a spirit of cooperation and trust. The school places a strong emphasis on the education of the whole child, promoting self‑esteem, respect, honesty and courtesy alongside academic achievement. The school provides a broad range of curricular and extra‑curricular opportunities. Pupils can take part in Gaelic football, camogie, hurling, athletics, dancing, swimming, equestrian activities and even surfing, as well as drama, music, choir, debating and various lunchtime clubs such as Lego, chess and drama. A newly established Students’ Council encourages democratic participation, and the school is part of a Creative Cluster for fabric and fibre art. Recent investment through the EU‑funded NextGeneration EU programme has upgraded the digital infrastructure, supplying iPads, Lenovo tablets, Chromebooks and licences for platforms such as Seesaw and Zoom, enabling blended learning and enhanced digital literacy. The school environment includes well‑maintained raised‑bed gardens tended by pupils, a spacious playground with modern markings and equipment, and a dedicated caretaker who looks after the grounds. The school is an AMBER FLAG designated institution with a focus on wellbeing and Gaeilge Neamhfhoirmiúl, reflecting its commitment to safeguarding and the promotion of the Irish language.
History
The original Butlerstown school was founded in 1889. A new school building was opened in 1981, and the former premises now serve as a community centre renamed in honour of Fr Rufus Halley, a former parishioner who was martyred in the Philippines. The school continues to build on this long‑standing tradition while expanding its facilities and programmes.