Presentation Primary School, also know as Scoil Mhuire, is located in the heart of Kilkenny City in the shadow of St. Mary’s Cathedral. It is a large urban school, catering for 430 children.
We have sixteen mainstream classes and two speech and language classes (for children who have been diagnosed with a developmental language disorder, DLD). We also have a large Special Education Team who specialise in Aistear, Literacy Lift Off, Reading Recovery, Accelerated Reading, Dyslexia support and Nurture Theory. We work very hard to ensure that all children are supported to reach their full potential while attending our school.
We have sixteen mainstream classes and two speech and language classes (for children who have been diagnosed with a developmental language disorder, DLD). We also have a large Special Education Team who specialise in Aistear, Literacy Lift Off, Reading Recovery, Accelerated Reading, Dyslexia support and Nurture Theory. We work very hard to ensure that all children are supported to reach their full potential while attending our school.
Mission Statement
Imbued with the dignity of the Presentation spirit, we promote the dignity of all our pupils by educating them in a caring Christian environment, nurturing a sense of self-worth, respect for themselves and others and an appreciation of a good work ethic, thus fostering their spiritual, emotional and academic development.
As a school, we pride ourselves on offering a rounded, holistic experience to all our children. Our number one rule is “Be Kind”. We expect a high standard of behaviour from all members of our school community and this enables us to provide quality teaching and learning our classrooms. Visitors to the school often comment on the warm, happy atmosphere.
As a Presentation school, our ethos is one of inclusion and diversity. We welcome children from across Kilkenny city and from all parts of the world. Our staff will always go the extra mile to provide a high-quality education for your child in a kind, respectful atmosphere. We look forward to welcoming you to Presentation Primary School Kilkenny.
Imbued with the dignity of the Presentation spirit, we promote the dignity of all our pupils by educating them in a caring Christian environment, nurturing a sense of self-worth, respect for themselves and others and an appreciation of a good work ethic, thus fostering their spiritual, emotional and academic development.
As a school, we pride ourselves on offering a rounded, holistic experience to all our children. Our number one rule is “Be Kind”. We expect a high standard of behaviour from all members of our school community and this enables us to provide quality teaching and learning our classrooms. Visitors to the school often comment on the warm, happy atmosphere.
As a Presentation school, our ethos is one of inclusion and diversity. We welcome children from across Kilkenny city and from all parts of the world. Our staff will always go the extra mile to provide a high-quality education for your child in a kind, respectful atmosphere. We look forward to welcoming you to Presentation Primary School Kilkenny.
Board of Management
We are supported in our work by the Board of Management. The Board of Management is comprised of eight members. They are the chairperson, appointed by the Bishop of Ossory, two Bishop’s nominees, the school principal, one teacher, two elected parents and two community representatives. Meetings are held monthly and follow the format of minutes, correspondence, Treasurer’s report, Principal’s report, Parent Council report and child protection. All aspects of school life are under the guidance of the Board. The Board of Management has a four year term of office. The present Board, and previous Boards, have been a wonderful source of support and guidance to all our staff, parents and pupils.
Parents Council
We have a very active Parents’ Council which meets monthly. The role of the Parents’ Council is to support the school community by fundraising and policy development. All parents are encouraged to join the Parents’ Council to use their talents and experience for the benefit of the children.
History
Presentation Primary School has a long tradition for providing high quality education in Kilkenny city, dating back to 12th October 1800.
Nano Nagle opened the first Presentation School in Cork in 1754. Ten years later, Nano had seven schools around Cork city. She taught the children how to read and write and she also taught needlework. She opened schools for boys as well. Nano also helped the sick and the poor. She became known as the “Lady of the Lantern” because, at night, she used to travel home by the light of her lantern. In Presentation schools, the lantern is still used as a symbol of hope and light today.
In 1775, Nano founded the Presentation “sisters”. Two of these sisters, Isabella and Catherine, opened the first Presentation School in Kilkenny in 1800. They intended to limit class size to twelve. However, on the first day sixty pupils arrived!
The school went from strength to strength despite the turbulent times of 1800-1950. By 1950, the Presentation Primary School in Kilkenny had about 700 children in roll. They were accommodated in various rooms from James’ Street to Chapel Lane. All of the time the numbers were growing and, in some cases, there were two classes per room.
The Presentation Sisters applied to the Department of Education for permission to build a new school in 1952. Eventually the go ahead was given. The school was to be built on a green field site in Parnell Street. On September 25th 1956, the foundation stone was blessed and laid by Fr. Patrick Collier, Bishop of Ossory. The new school, called Scoil Mhuire, was a two storey building with eighteen classrooms, a fine assembly hall with a stage, offices and specialist rooms. Facilities included two playgrounds with covered in areas for wet days. The school was surrounded by lawns, flower beds and had two basketball/tennis courts.
The estimated cost of building the new school was £102,000. One third of this was to be paid by the Presentation Order.
Since it’s official opening in 1958, the school has gone from strength to strength under the capable leadership of twelve principals.
Presentation Primary School has a long tradition for providing high quality education in Kilkenny city, dating back to 12th October 1800.
Nano Nagle opened the first Presentation School in Cork in 1754. Ten years later, Nano had seven schools around Cork city. She taught the children how to read and write and she also taught needlework. She opened schools for boys as well. Nano also helped the sick and the poor. She became known as the “Lady of the Lantern” because, at night, she used to travel home by the light of her lantern. In Presentation schools, the lantern is still used as a symbol of hope and light today.
In 1775, Nano founded the Presentation “sisters”. Two of these sisters, Isabella and Catherine, opened the first Presentation School in Kilkenny in 1800. They intended to limit class size to twelve. However, on the first day sixty pupils arrived!
The school went from strength to strength despite the turbulent times of 1800-1950. By 1950, the Presentation Primary School in Kilkenny had about 700 children in roll. They were accommodated in various rooms from James’ Street to Chapel Lane. All of the time the numbers were growing and, in some cases, there were two classes per room.
The Presentation Sisters applied to the Department of Education for permission to build a new school in 1952. Eventually the go ahead was given. The school was to be built on a green field site in Parnell Street. On September 25th 1956, the foundation stone was blessed and laid by Fr. Patrick Collier, Bishop of Ossory. The new school, called Scoil Mhuire, was a two storey building with eighteen classrooms, a fine assembly hall with a stage, offices and specialist rooms. Facilities included two playgrounds with covered in areas for wet days. The school was surrounded by lawns, flower beds and had two basketball/tennis courts.
The estimated cost of building the new school was £102,000. One third of this was to be paid by the Presentation Order.
Since it’s official opening in 1958, the school has gone from strength to strength under the capable leadership of twelve principals.
PRINCIPALS IN JUNIOR SCHOOL
Sr de Lourdes Murphy 1958 – 1971
Sr Columba O’Regan 1971 – 1980
Sr Assumpta Walsh 1980 – 1985
Sr Eileen Glendon 1985 – 1988
PRINCIPALS IN SENIOR SCHOOL
Sr Augustine Mc Goldrick 1958 – 1971
Sr Aquinas Jolley 1971 – 1985
Sr Norah Merrick 1986 – 1988
PRINCIPALS IN AMALGAMATED SCHOOL
Sr Norah Merrick 1988 – 1991
Sr Eileen Glendon 1991 – 1997
Sr Maura Murphy 1997 – 2009
Mrs Maria Kelly 2009 – 2017
Ms Irene Deasy 2017 – Present
Sr de Lourdes Murphy 1958 – 1971
Sr Columba O’Regan 1971 – 1980
Sr Assumpta Walsh 1980 – 1985
Sr Eileen Glendon 1985 – 1988
PRINCIPALS IN SENIOR SCHOOL
Sr Augustine Mc Goldrick 1958 – 1971
Sr Aquinas Jolley 1971 – 1985
Sr Norah Merrick 1986 – 1988
PRINCIPALS IN AMALGAMATED SCHOOL
Sr Norah Merrick 1988 – 1991
Sr Eileen Glendon 1991 – 1997
Sr Maura Murphy 1997 – 2009
Mrs Maria Kelly 2009 – 2017
Ms Irene Deasy 2017 – Present
Left to right: Mrs Maria Kelly (2009-2017), Ms Irene Deasy (2017-Present), Sr Maura Murphy (1997-2009)
ACTIVITIES
SPORT
Camogie
Hurling
Spikeball
Basketball
Soccer
Tag Rugby
Swimming
Cycling
Run-a-Mile
Active Sports Week
Infant Fun Day
Sports Day
Cross Country Challenge
GAEILGE
Seachtain na Gaeilge
Ceilí
Ceolchoirm
Comhrá le Chéile
Seachtain na Gaeilge
Ceilí
Ceolchoirm
Comhrá le Chéile
SPHE
Nurture
Friendship February
Regular Assemblies
Health Promoting School
Green School
Nurture
Friendship February
Regular Assemblies
Health Promoting School
Green School
THE ARTS
Music Generation Kilkenny
Drama Classes
Irish Dancing
Choir
Debating
Public Speaking
Theatre Visits
Art Gallery Visits
Library Visits
Christmas Plays
End of Year Concert
Tin Whistle
Music Generation Kilkenny
Drama Classes
Irish Dancing
Choir
Debating
Public Speaking
Theatre Visits
Art Gallery Visits
Library Visits
Christmas Plays
End of Year Concert
Tin Whistle
LITERACY
Aistear
Reading Recovery
Literacy Lift Off
Power Hour
Accelerated Reading
World Book Day
Author Visits
Shared Reading
Buddy Reading
STEM
Maths Week
Mata sa Rang
Maths Stations
Science Week
Aistear
Reading Recovery
Literacy Lift Off
Power Hour
Accelerated Reading
World Book Day
Author Visits
Shared Reading
Buddy Reading
STEM
Maths Week
Mata sa Rang
Maths Stations
Science Week
OTHER INITIATIVES
Creative Schools
Challenge to Change
Junior Entrepreneur
Green Schools
Health Promoting Schools
Creative Schools
Challenge to Change
Junior Entrepreneur
Green Schools
Health Promoting Schools
FUN
Santa Claus Visit
Easter Bunny Breakfast
Ice Cream Van Visit
Trips, Tours, Outings
Raffles
Green Day
Santa Claus Visit
Easter Bunny Breakfast
Ice Cream Van Visit
Trips, Tours, Outings
Raffles
Green Day