EDENDERRY CONVENT N S
School Details
About
St. Mary’s Primary School in Edenderry is a co‑educational Catholic primary school catering for children from Junior Infants to Sixth Class. The school’s ethos centres on the holistic development of each pupil – spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, socially and physically – within an atmosphere of love, acceptance and compassion. A strong emphasis is placed on creating a happy, friendly environment where learning is child‑focused and collaborative, involving parents, staff and the wider community as partners in education. The campus offers a wide range of modern facilities to support a varied curriculum. Dedicated digital technology spaces enable pupils to engage in word processing, coding and robotics, while the library, playground, school hall and specialist “Buddy Area” provide spaces for reading, recreation and peer support. Outdoor learning is encouraged through a school garden and extensive physical‑activity programmes that include football, swimming and other sports. A robust after‑school programme and numerous extracurricular clubs further enrich the pupil experience, fostering creativity, teamwork and confidence.
History
St. Mary’s traces its origins to 1904 when the Sisters of St. John of God were invited by Fr Kinsella to provide education for girls and infant boys in Edenderry. Five sisters, led by Mother Aloysius, arrived from Wexford and taught in the building now known as St. Joseph’s Hall. In 1911 a larger school was constructed under Fr Kearney, with further extensions added in 1929, 1954 and 1965 (including a kitchen and assembly hall funded by the Sisters). Two additional classrooms were added in 2004. In 2017 the school re‑configured to a co‑educational model, admitting boys from second to sixth class. September 2021 saw the opening of Realtaí Beaga, an early‑intervention preschool class for children with autism. Recent plans, approved by the Department of Education & Skills, envisage further development of the school’s facilities.