Three Nenagh schools to become co-ed - bishop welcomes changes

Nenagh’s primary school landscape is set for a historic and all-inclusive refit for the next school year with three schools to become co-ed from Junior Infants to Sixth Class for the first time ever.

Saint Mary’s Primary School, CBS Primary School and the former Saint Mary’s Junior Boys School, Nenagh - now Nenagh Community National School (CNS) - will in the autumn open their doors for the first time to both genders. Separately, Nenagh CNS will also begin catering for pupils all the way to Sixth Class for the first time, having heretofore operated up to First Class only.

Both Saint Mary’s Primary School and CBS Primary School will remain under the patronage of the Bishop of Killaloe Fintan Monahan, with Nenagh CNS - the former Saint Mary’s Junior Boys School - to be divested by the diocese to Tipperary Education Training Board. The process of enrolment to all three schools will commence this February, with Bishop Monahan stating that the new configuration will serve the young people of Nenagh well in the years ahead.

“These are three schools with incredible history in Nenagh but with this change, the schools are now very much geared for the future and one that celebrates diversity,” he said. “Nenagh is very much an inclusive town so it’s right that we would have this level of diversity in all three schools.

“Co-educational facilities are a positive choice for families, not least by way of the social development. Diversity and inclusion is a priority across the world and for good reason, so we are really looking forward to what’s ahead.

“I want to wish the pupils, their parents and, of course, the staff of the three schools the very best on this new departure and I look forward to watching these schools and, more importantly, their students grow in the years ahead.”