NAOMH PADRAIG N S
School Details
About
Rosenallis National School is a small, rural primary school situated in the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in County Laois. Catering for roughly 80‑87 pupils, the school operates four mainstream classes alongside two dedicated autism provision classes, supported by a staff team of sixteen. The learning environment is deliberately calm, structured and empathetic, with a strong emphasis on fostering enjoyment and curiosity. Modern high‑speed broadband, delivered through the Department of Education’s School Broadband Programme, underpins the integration of information technology across the curriculum, enhancing both everyday lessons and special projects. The school places a high value on cultural heritage and community involvement. Irish (Gaeilge) is actively promoted both formally and informally, and pupils regularly participate in local sporting and cultural events such as hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, athletics, and the annual St Patrick’s Day Parade. A vibrant Parents Council organises fundraising activities, while senior classes engage in charitable initiatives, for example supporting Laois Hospice. Extracurricular opportunities extend to arts, poetry, handwriting competitions and local quizzes, encouraging a well‑rounded development of each child. Facilities have developed steadily since the original 1945 building, with a new purpose‑built school opened in September 2005 beside the community centre and an additional classroom added in 2009. The school’s physical setting, combined with its supportive ethos and broad programme of activities, aims to nurture students academically, socially, culturally and physically.
History
The original school building was erected in 1945, replacing an earlier premises that had served the community since the early 1900s. In September 2005 the school moved to a new, modern building located next to the local community centre, and a further classroom was added in September 2009 to accommodate growing enrolments. Over the decades seven different principals have led the school; the current principal is Mr Rory Walsh. In recent years the school expanded its special education provision, opening its first autism class in 2022 and a second in 2023, bringing the total staff to sixteen.