St. Edward's National School Sligo

History and St. Edward's N.S.

St. Edward's NS is situated on a 3 acre site in Ballytivnan, Sligo, beside St. Joseph's Church and The Famine Graveyard. Sligo IT is adjacent to our school and The Clarion Hotel, where we go swimming is on our other side. We moved to this building in 1994.
However, St. Edward's NS has been around much longer than that!

The school was originally situated on Forthill, Sligo. In fact the first national school was built on Forthill in 1875. It had two classrooms, one for boys and one for girls. In 1887 the school was extended.
In 1940 a four classroom school was built on "Handkerchief Field" on Forthill. It was opened by Bishop Edward Doorly on 16 th May 1942. The school was named St. Edward's NS as a mark of respect to Bishop Doorly.
In 1960 the school was extended, but still consisted of a boys' school and girls' school.
In 1975 the two schools amalgamated.

In 1994, St. Edward's NS moved to its present building in Ballytivnan. The facilities were more modern and bright, classrooms bigger, but the ethos remained the same.

"Give everyone the same respect
That you deserve and you expect"

Meanwhile, the old building became a Community Centre, providing a wide range of services for all ages and groups in Forthill and surrounding areas.St. Edward's NS in Ballytivnan continued to grow and in 2003 a large extension was opened.
It now compromises of 12 classrooms, Parents' Room, Computer Library, PE Hall, Resource Rooms, Sensory Room, Staffroom and Offices.
The school's best resources throughout its history have been the supportive
parents, dedicated staff and valuable pupils. That continues to this day.

Recently pupils from our school visited the old school. They compared life in school long ago with life in school today.

Katelyn and Dayo sat in the old school desk.
"My Daddy sat in a desk like this in this school," Katelyn said.
"My Dad went to school in Nigeria," said Dayo.

They looked at the old blackboard that the teacher wrote on with chalk.
There is now an Interactive Whiteboard in St. Edward's NS, and we will soon have two more.
Back in school they recorded their project on the computer.

They read about Mr Michael Connaughton who was Principal of St. Edward's NS from 1934 to 1970. Connaughton Rd is named after him. He was renowned for the interest in gardening he fostered in his pupils

John Joe Rooney is a founder member of Forthill Men's Group, who have started "The Organic Gardening Project." They have developed an organic garden at the Northside Community Centre. John Joe remembers Mr Connaughton and his love of gardening.
The Forthill Men's Group have offered to help the pupils of St. Edward's NS with their wildflower garden and vegetable plots. The pupils in St. Edward's NS continue to enjoy growing flowers, vegetables and herbs.

Spike Milligan OBE was a pupil in St. Edward's NS in the 1920's.
Sligo Town highlighted its connections with the famous Goon Show star and writer Spike Milligan by unveiling a plaque at the former Milligan family home at No. 5 Holborn St.
In fact when the new building was erected Spike Milligan sent a contribution towards the building costs.

"A Silly Poem" By Spike Milligan

Said Hamlet to Ophelia,
"I'll draw a sketch of thee,
What kind of pencil shall I use?
2B or not 2B."

Question: How old was Spike Milligan when he died in 2002?