SCOIL OILIBHEIR NAOFA
School Details
About
Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa is a co‑educational Catholic junior primary school serving children aged 4‑9 in the Bettystown/Laytown area. The school provides 16 mainstream classes from Junior Infants to Second Class together with five specialist classes, supported by a team of special‑education teachers and a language‑support teacher. Its inclusive ethos celebrates diversity and promotes the formation of pupils in the Roman Catholic faith while fostering the full development of intellectual, physical, cultural, spiritual, emotional and moral dimensions. The school operates from a modern, well‑resourced building opened in 2010 and benefits from high‑speed broadband connectivity delivered under the Department of Education School Broadband Programme. Facilities are designed to support a rich variety of learning experiences, including specialist resources for special‑education and language support, as well as access to virtual tours and STEM activities. A strong partnership with parents underpins the learning environment, encouraging respect, courtesy, kindness and teamwork both in the classroom and throughout school life.
History
Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa opened its doors on 1 September 2005 under the leadership of Mary Carpenter, with 79 pupils and a staff of four. Initially located on the premises of Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, rapid enrolment growth led to a temporary building while a new purpose‑built school was constructed. The new school was officially opened on 19 November 2010 by Bishop Michael Smith and Minister Mary Hanafin. Following Carpenter’s retirement, Denise Kelleher became principal in February 2011, and Maria White assumed the role in August 2015, becoming the longest‑serving principal. A video featuring former principal Maurice Daly discusses the school’s origins.