ST BRENDANS MIXED N S
School Details
About
St Brendans Mixed National School is a small, rural primary school located in Newmarket, South Kilkenny. The school caters for mixed‑gender pupils aged four to thirteen and currently enrols around 56 children with a teaching staff of four. The learning environment is community‑focused, with a strong emphasis on holistic development through both academic and extracurricular programmes. The school places particular importance on health, wellbeing and environmental stewardship. It has achieved a Green Flag for biodiversity, litter, waste, energy, water and transport, and more recently earned its first Active School Flag, reflecting a commitment to daily physical activity, active breaks and outdoor learning spaces such as the “Active Walkway”. Facilities support a broad curriculum, including a well‑stocked PE shed, sports equipment, and dedicated areas for dance and movement. Inclusive education is a core principle; the school provides support for pupils with special educational needs and promotes an inclusive ethos that welcomes newcomers and encourages participation in national and international projects such as the Comenius Programme. Parental involvement is encouraged through a vibrant Parents Association and regular newsletters.
History
St Brendans Mixed N.S. has served the Newmarket community for several decades, with aerial photographs of the original school dating back to circa 1984. In June 2012 the school underwent a Whole‑School Evaluation by the Department of Education, confirming its standards and practices. Since 2011 the school has progressively earned Green Flag awards for biodiversity, litter and waste (2011), energy (2013), water (2016) and transport (2018). In 2020 the school was awarded its first Active School Flag, recognising its extensive programme of physical activity and health‑promoting initiatives. The school continues to evolve, integrating modern teaching resources and community projects while maintaining its rural, close‑knit character.