Pictures: Successful start to new co-ed era at Nano Nagle

NANO Nagle College, previously known as North Presentation Secondary School, began the new academic year with a brand-new name and school uniform, as the Farranree-based school ushered in a new era as a co-educational secondary school.

School principal Adrian Gibbs said the move to introduce male students was made after good communication with all the stakeholders.

“We [made the move to co-ed] because we were talking to stakeholders who are the parents of the children in the infants and they said that they wanted co-education. Principals of local primary schools and every stakeholder in the vicinity were involved in the process,” he said.

Mr Gibbs said there were other factors in their decision as well.

“We had conversations with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and there is a shortage of places for boys in particular with a diagnosis of autism on the northside. We felt we needed to change things.

“We are taking boys in every year group,” said the principal. “We have a 50/50 split between boys and girls in first year. We also have boys in second year and in fourth year. The first few weeks have gone very well. Everything has improved with the whole rebranding. Students will really enjoy the atmosphere in the school because they feel they are now in a modern school.”

The school principal said they will be offering three special classes from next September.

“We currently have two special classes for students with autism, previously we had none. We will have three next September.

“The refurbishment and reconfiguration will be for a suite of three special classes and will enable us to offer technical subjects such as engineering, graphics, metalwork, woodwork, and construction studies to all students.”

Mr Gibbs said the new name of the school was chosen in recognition of a person who was “innovative about education”.

“Nano Nagle educated both boys and girls in Cork going back to the 18th century. The name was chosen by the parents’ council, student council, teachers, and boys and girls from local primary schools.

“The design of the crest is taken from an old painting of Nano Nagle. It was a nod to history and the colours are the Cork and Munster colours.”