Diocesan News
Opening of new Church of Ireland school – a cause for celebration
The official opening of a new school building for St Peter’s National School, Dunboyne, took place on Thursday, 5th June 2025. The ceremony was performed by the Minister for Education, Ms Helen McEntee. Bishop Pat Storey, local TDs and a range of local political representatives and dignitaries were also in attendance.
St Peter’s first opened its doors 20 years ago, on 1st September 2004. All other new Church of Ireland primary school buildings have had foundations which pre–date Irish independence.
St Peter’s is the parish school for Dunboyne and Rathmolyon Group of Parishes, in the Church of Ireland Dioceses of Meath and Kildare. Before it opened, there was no National School in the parish group, an area of some 200 square miles. At that time children had travelled to school in other parishes including Lucan, Navan and Castleknock, or attended locally.
The school began with 22 pupils and two teachers (Principal Ms Joy Smith and Deputy Principal Ms Gwen Steenson), with just two pupils in its Senior Infants class. The first classes were taught in Dunboyne parish hall. As the school grew, classes moved to Portakabin classrooms in the adjoining grounds, with new classrooms being added every year.
By 2014, St Peter’s had 98 pupils and six teachers. Whilst still being accommodated in temporary accommodation it looked forward to a time when it would be able to be housed in more permanent facilities.
The growth of St Peter’s has taken place under the leadership of many principals and boards of management – all of whom had the vision and determination to see a permanent building provided. The board of management is usually chaired by the local rector.
Ms Laura McGovern is the current principal of the school. She said: “We are so pleased that St. Peter’s National School continues to grow while maintaining its inclusive ethos. With four mainstream classes and two autism classes and 20 staff members, we are proud to offer a supportive and welcoming environment for every child. Our wonderful new building reflects our commitment to providing a space where all learners can thrive.”.
Bishop Pat Storey (Bishop of Meath and Kildare) said, “The opening of this new school building is the culmination of vision and decades of hard work by teachers, parents, pupils and volunteers. I warmly congratulate the team effort that has brought us to this significant moment. School children today, and in the years to come, will greatly benefit from your work.”
Whilst being the parish school for Dunboyne and Rathmolyon Group, St Peter’s welcomes children of all faith backgrounds. Joan Bruton, a member of the Board of Management and one of the original instigators of the project, has previously said that the school “is a symbol of how the Church of Ireland sees itself as a part of the community. We could not exist without the wonderful support of our neighbours”.
Diocesan Communications Officer, Meath & Kildare
086 342 0299
Mrs Jenny Horner
[email protected]
Captions:
Minister Helen McEntee, assisted by two pupils, cuts the ribbon to declare St Peter’s School opened.
Ms Laura McGovern (principal), Bishop Pat Storey and Minister Helen McEntee TD.