‘Girls allowed’: Cork's North Mon holds open day ahead of application to go co-ed

THE North Monastery Secondary School held an open day for students from six primary schools in their locality last Thursday which, for the first time, included female students as they prepare to become co-educational from September next year.

It was recently announced that the North Monastery Secondary School is to remain an independent school, but the Edmund Rice Schools Trust will submit an application to the Department of Education for the school to become co-educational.

Lisa Harold who is the Tranistion Year (TY) and enrolment co-ordinator said their recent open day was a huge success. “We had 150 students in the morning and 100 students in the afternoon who came and experienced a day in the Mon. Six of the local primary schools were represented. This included North Mon Primary, Scoil Padro Pio, Blarney Street, Scoil Iosagain, North Presentation Primary School and Strawberry Hills NS. It was a success,” she said.

The secondary school teacher said their decision to become co-ed from next September has been received very positively in the local community. “During their two-hour visit to the school, we tried to give them a sample of life in North Mon. The students had a great time and we had great feedback, especially from the girls. A lot of the girls were saying they are coming here next year.

“We are very excited that in 2023 we will be a co-ed school. It is a huge change but a very positive change. The feedback from the local community and the local schools has been very positive,” she added.

Ms Harold said the North Mon offers so much to all students. “One of our biggest selling points is our diversity. Last year we had students from 27 different countries who spoke 22 different languages. When girls come next September, we will be even more diverse again. There is a lovely atmosphere in the school.”