Extension underway at Nenagh College

Friday last marked another milestone in the history of Nenagh College with the sod-turning ceremony for a new extension. Plans are at an advanced stage for a significant extension to the current school. Central to the plan is additional accommodation to cater for the 550 pupils who are currently enrolled in both Post Primary and Further Education.

The new school will include a Special Class to cater for students who currently avail of supports in primary schools in the Nenagh area through ASD units. The school Principal, Damien Kennedy, acknowledged the input of SENO and NCSE in progressing the project. The school will open this unit in temporary accommodation from next September.

While still at the planning stage, Ms Breda Cuneen, Tipperary ETB Capital Development Office, expressed confidence that the project will be well advanced by September 2022.

Representing both parent and student bodies, Miss Sadbdh Clancy and Mr Declan Kinsella expressed their excitement at the prospect of the already state-of-the art facilities being enhanced with the addition of specialist rooms for TG, Engineering, Art, Science and general classrooms.

Liam McGrath (Acting CE) confirmed the commitment of Tipperary Education and Training Board to the further development of their facilities at Dromin Road, commenting that the second such programme at the school in ten years is an indication of the growth of the school with the extension required to incorporate not only the growth in student and staff numbers but also the increase in curriculum provision with the inclusion of LCA programme, Politics and Society, Leaving Cert Computer Science and Agricultural Science over the last five years.

It is envisaged that the school will be offering PE as an exam subject from September 2021.

The school’s recently appointed Deputy Principal, Mr Stephen O’ Meara, reflected on the growth of the school since his days as a student in the early 1990s, through his 16-year teaching career at the school, as an amazing journey for the school. A strong advocate of technology in education, Stephen commented on how the school had adapted to the recent need for remote teaching and the success of the school in continuing to support the students learning and pastoral support throughout the recent school closures.

The School Principal, Damien Kennedy expressed the gratitude of everyone involved with the school to Tipperary ETB for their support for the extension.

Coming quickly on foot of the 2013 project, the need for such an extension is an indicator of the growth of the school and the demand for places. He acknowleged, also, the pivotal role played by all the school staff in bringing to reality this much needed expansion.

ENROLMENTS

The school is still accepting enrolments for all years and PLC courses for September 2021.