Mercy Waterford

A Chairde,

On behalf of the Boards of Management of the Mercy Primary Schools, it gives us great pleasure to welcome you to our school website. This site is a guide to our schools which we hope will keep you up to date and informed of events happening throughout the year. Maria & Agnes.

Brief History: The first Mercy school opened on August 20th, 1900 at Philip Street, with an enrollment of 216. Its motto was “I am, I can, I ought, I will.” The new school catered for the poor and underprivileged of the city. It was so successful that by 1906, 400 students were enrolled. Night classes were also offered between 1906 and 1918. In 1920, a full Montessori programme was established in the Junior section of St. Otterans School, Philip Street, and was available free to the children of the vicinity. In 1961, the building was demolished and Montessori teaching continued in the new school premises on Military Road.

• The Holy Family Junior School was officially opened on December 9th, 1961.
• Our Lady of Mercy Senior School was officially opened in February, 1965.

The education of the children of the area has continued under the careful eye of the Sisters of Mercy. Among the many legacies of the Mercy Sisters are a love of art, drama and music which continue today.

St. Otterans school had never allowed itself to be confined by a narrow curriculum in the education of its pupils and every effort was made to provide pupils with a liberal education. The same philosophy is apparent in the present Mercy Schools.

The Mercy Schools have always responded to changes and challenges of economic development with vision and confidence reflected in our mission statement:

‘Together we enable, encourage and educate.’