President's Welcome

Céad míle fáilte and thank you for taking the time to visit our website.

St Nathy’s College is a Voluntary Secondary School located in Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon in the west of Ireland. It is under the trusteeship of the Diocese of Achonry.

In 2010, the College celebrated its bicentenary, giving thanks to God and to the many thousands of people in the past and in the present that have enabled this school to be justifiably proud of its history and confident of its bright future. The school traces its roots to the first decade of the nineteenth century. In 1810, the records of the Pontifical University of Maynooth show that one of its new first year students graduated from a Classical School in Ballaghaderreen before entering the National Seminary in Maynooth.

During its two hundred year history, the school has undergone many changes and experienced many developments. In 1995, St Nathy’s amalgamated with two other post-primary schools in the town: St Joseph’s Convent Secondary School and Ballaghaderreen Vocational School. St Nathy’s College has been co-educational since that time. Today, students from all nationalities, religious backgrounds, traditions and cultures are welcome to be part of our Catholic faith community where all persons are cherished and where each one’s potential is nurtured.

The school has state of the art facilities. These facilities, coupled with a vibrant and dedicated staff, ensure the delivery of top quality teaching and learning at all levels. Teachers are encouraged to employ a student-centred approach to education. This approach, together with the wealth of experience shared by the staff, ensures that the individual needs of each student are catered for. Students are encouraged and assisted to achieve their full potential, whatever their aptitudes may be. In keeping with the school’s commitment to holistic education, there is a strong emphasis on the spiritual, social and personal development of students both within and outside the classroom. There is also a wide range of extra-curricular activities in which all students are encouraged to participate.

Parental and student involvement is actively encouraged at St Nathy’s College. As the primary educators of their children, parents have a vital role to play in promoting co-operation and sympatheia (from Greek: community of feeling; syn = together + pathos = feeling) between home and school. The students of St Nathy’s are very much part of the school. Bodies such as the Parents’ Association and the Students’ Representative Association contribute very significantly towards ensuring that a strong partnership approach is adopted in school planning and development.

During its long and proud history St Nathy’s College has achieved much success: academically, on the field and within the sphere of the arts. This has been possible because the school sets high standards in all aspects of its life and because the school community – a living example of unity in diversity – endeavours as one to “excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in … love,” so that each person may also “excel in the grace of giving” (cf. 2 Cor. 8:7).

As you browse through our website, either as a past-pupil, a present day member of the school community, a prospective pupil or as a visitor with no immediate connection, I hope that you will enjoy reading about our school and that you gain an insight –in the strength of Nathy – Robur Nathaei – into the unique experience that is St Nathy’s College.

Dr Tomás Surlis, President and Principal Teacher