Bishop Fintan Gavin has welcomed the recent decision of the Minister for Education to officially sanction two new primary schools in the Diocese of Cork and Ross
Scoil Mhuire agus Bharra will open in Bantry Parish following the amalgamation of Our Lady of Mercy National School and St. Finbarr’s Boys National School in the town. The new co-educational primary school will be located in the existing school buildings.
Bandon Primary School will open in Bandon Parish following the amalgamation of Presentation Convent Girls National School and Scoil Phádraig Naofa BNS. This new co-educational school will be located in the current adjoining school buildings.
Two New Catholic Primary Schools to Open in the DioceseBoth new co-educational schools will open this September following extended consultation with many stakeholders including Boards of Management, school staff, parent bodies, religious trustees of the Presentation and Mercy Sisters and the wider parish community in both towns. Pupils have also been involved in a number of areas as well.
Both amalgamation processes have been guided by a voluntary steering committee on behalf of the Patron to future proof the provision of Catholic primary education in a co-educational setting. Bishop Fintan has expressed his gratitude to all those who have worked proactively in both amalgamation processes.
Several newly amalgamated co-educational Catholic primary schools have opened in the Diocese of Cork and Ross in recent years including Strawberry Hill National School, Holy Well National School in Carrigaline, Scoil Mhuire agus Eoin in Upper Mayfield, Bunscoil Chríost Rí in Turners Cross and Scoil Naomh Eltin in Kinsale. A number of other parishes and schools continue to explore amalgamations.
