PRESENTATION PRIMARY SCHOOL
School Details
About
Presentation Primary School is a Catholic primary school in Portarlington that delivers a holistic education rooted in the Presentation ethos. The school’s mission is to nurture each child’s spiritual, intellectual and personal development, placing respect, care and inclusiveness at the centre of daily life. A strong emphasis is placed on prayer and meditation, the appreciation of creation and the environment, and the cultivation of a sense of awe and gratitude. The curriculum is complemented by programmes that promote cultural and religious diversity, encourage students to reach their full potential and develop a compassionate response to injustice in the wider world. The school’s facilities have evolved from the original 19th‑century convent wing to a modern campus that includes a spacious assembly hall, dedicated classrooms, a refectory, a chapel and well‑maintained garden and sports fields. Extra‑curricular provision encompasses a range of sports, music, art and media activities, allowing pupils to explore talents beyond the core curriculum. The community ethos is reinforced by close collaboration between staff and families, creating a caring and secure atmosphere where children feel free to exercise their God‑given gifts.
History
The Presentation Sisters have been present in Portarlington for 152 years. The first foundation was in 1844 when Mother Mary Magdalen Breen and two sisters arrived, but the community withdrew after two years. In 1854, Mother Mary Angela Maher re‑established the convent with the support of local benefactors, receiving the house and grounds from Fr Terence O’Connell. The convent was blessed on 1 October 1854 and a schoolroom opened on 16 October 1854 with six pupils. A purpose‑built school wing was begun in 1855, and the new school opened on 21 January 1856 enrolling 100 children. Over the following decades the school expanded its facilities, introduced a broad curriculum including drawing, music and French, and survived challenges such as a fire in 1867. Major building works in 1906 added a new entrance hall, cells, refectory and modernised heating, and the school continues to serve the local community to the present day.