Moneenroe School
The present building was first opened in 1913. It replaced the building beside the cemetery, which then became the Infants school. At first the building housed two district schools, Gazebo Boys National School and Gazebo Girls National School, each with their own separate entrances. Eventually the Boys and Girls schools were amalgamated into Gazebo Mixed National School. The closure of the entrance hallway to the Boys School allowed for the introduction of interior sanitary facilities, and later on, falling numbers reduced the number of classrooms in use to three and the fourth classroom was used to further increase the sanitary facilities in the building. The school remained as a three teacher mixed school throughout the 1950's and 1960's. In 1971 amalgamation was effected between Gazebo Mixed National School and Gazebo Infants National School. The new unit was restyled Moneenroe National School and the name Gazebo was dropped. The Department official who presided over the amalgamation felt it was "unseemly".
Moneenroe School
Although there was a change of name, no change was made in the buildings themselves. Both buildings were used as the staff now numbered four under the new arrangement. However, it will be recalled that the fourth classroom in the larger building had been converted some quarter of a century earlier. This state of affairs continued until the last year of the last century. In 1988 cosmetic changes were made to both buildings enabling pupils and staff to enjoy a slightly improved level of comfort. In 1994, application was lodged with the Department for a major extension to the school. This was completed in 1999 allowing for the former infants school, which had been providing for educational needs in the community since the 1860's with the minimum of modification, to be closed down. At present the school serves 114 pupils. The staff of 6 teachers are complemented by ancillary staff comprising of Secretary, Special Needs Assistant and Caretaker. The present newly extended building is tailored to the needs of pupils and staff and provides a cheerful environment in which learning is facilitated.
Most of our pupils progress to the Community School in Castlecomer at the end of their eight years with us. Many return for work experience during their transition year and some have come back to us for their teaching practice. The cycle is nearing completion.
Mission Statement
Moneenroe National School is a co-educational, Catholic Primary School which aims to provide a well-ordered, caring, happy and secure atmosphere where the academic, intellectual, physical, spiritual, cultural and moral needs of all our pupils are identified and satisfied.
While Moneenroe National School is a school with a Catholic ethos it also gives due recognition to all other religions and beliefs.
Moneenroe National School will positively promote individually and collectively the professional and personal development of staff members through appropriate development programmes.
Moneenroe National School will actively encourage the involvement of parents in education through home school contacts and through their involvement in the Moneenroe National School Parents Council.Moneenroe National School has adopted a policy of gender equality amongst staff and pupils alike.
DÉANFAMID IARRACHT AN TEANGA NÁISIÚNTA A COTHU AGUS A LABHAIRT