Waterpark College
Encyclopedia
Waterpark College is a secondary school in the city of Waterford
, Ireland
. The school was established in 1892 on the banks of the River Suir
as Waterford's first Classical school, and still provides a secondary education to boys from Waterford City, County
and the surrounding area. Its principal, Thomas A. Beecher, has held his position since 1990.
In 1986 Waterpark College received its first lay principal, Maurice O'Connor. This was the first time that an Irish Christian Brothers school had a lay principal.
Dr. O'Connor introduced a co-educational sixth year to Waterpark where girls could join the college to repeat Leaving Cert year. The co-educational sixth year was later discontinued due to policy changes.
Principal O'Connor also introduced a Transition Year programme to the college which continues to operate. He also established a Transition Year exchange with various schools in Spain which continued to operate until 2007. In 2008 the exchange was replaced with an annual Transition Year trip to Madrid.
in 1990 Dr. O'Connor resigned his post as principal in order to work in the oil industry in Saudi Arabia for a period. He later returned to the college to resume his teaching duties as head of sciences until he officially retired in 2008.
The current principal Thomas A. Beecher assumed his position in 1990 upon the departure of Dr. O'Connor after having taught Geography and History in Waterpark College.
In February 1999 the Foundation stone of the schools extension was laid by then Taoiseach
Bertie Ahern
. Mr Ahern also officially opened the modern extension in 2002.
The extension includes nine classrooms, a double length lecture hall, two science labs, a science tutorial room (known as "the demo-room"), a library and a dedicated technology room. The work also involved the housing of a computer room and a language lab in the old building while the classrooms on the ground floor of the old building were converted into a G.P. room. A modern gym was also built at the south end of the rugby pitch.
The original school and the new extension are connected by a glass link corridor.
Traditionally L are the top stream of pupils made up of those with the highest results from the entrance exams. All years except T.Y. are streamed as T.Y. is a limited program (limited to 24 pupils) where numbers don't allow for more than one class.
A class is referred to by a number, representing the year the boy is in and a letter, representing their stream. eg. third year, top stream is written as 3L.
In the academic year 2006/2007 the classes were renamed where R became A while L become AL (for alpha). In recent years, classes are no longer streamed coming in, but they A and AL designations are kept.
Waterpark students have performed consistently well in certificate exams with around 87% of students continuing on to third level education placing Waterpark as the top performing boys school in Waterford City and County in the academic years '06, '07 and '08 according to the Irish Times.
Waterpark has consistently produced high achieving debating teams since the 1940s. Waterpark also competes in public speaking, competitive quizzes and frequently send delegates to European Youth Parliament
Munster and National conferences. Waterpark College finished third in the 2008/2009 "Know your World" quiz, a national table quiz hosted by Concern.
Waterpark students represent Ireland academically in various fields, providing science and maths olympiads in recent years. The Irish 2008-2010 United World Colleges
scholarship was awarded to a Waterpark student.
since the club's foundation in 1925 in nearby Ballinakill, Waterford. The College achieved its greatest rugby accolade to date in 1964 when it reached the Munster A Schools final but was beaten by Presentation Brothers College Cork. All Waterpark boys are encouraged to take part in rugby within the college.
and track and field athletics. The College hosts an annual Junior Tag Rugby
tournament where teams from schools in the city are invited to participate. The College also field teams in GAA
and Association football.
is the official feeder school for Waterpark College. It formerly existed as Waterpark Junior School, a private, fee-paying, primary school which was originally sited in the main grounds of the college before relocating on the Dunmore road in 1969. The school was once again relocated in the 1980's to the building which was formerly used as a monastery by the Christian Brothers on the grounds of Waterpark College. When Waterpark Junior School closed in May 2001 a new National School was established on the same site. Waterpark National School, under the patronage of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, first opened its doors in September in 2001. The school caters for boys and girls and has an enrollment of over 230 pupils. The Waterpark site has now been officially split into two sites, one for the College and the other for the National School. Waterpark National School is situated at the north end of the college rugby grounds.
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. The school was established in 1892 on the banks of the River Suir
River Suir
The River Suir is a river in Ireland that flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Waterford after a distance of .Popular with anglers, it holds plentiful reserves of brown trout...
as Waterford's first Classical school, and still provides a secondary education to boys from Waterford City, County
County Waterford
*Abbeyside, Affane, Aglish, Annestown, An Rinn, Ardmore*Ballinacourty, Ballinameela, Ballinamult, Ballinroad, Ballybeg, Ballybricken, Ballyduff Lower, Ballyduff Upper, Ballydurn, Ballygunner, Ballylaneen, Ballymacarbry, Ballymacart, Ballynaneashagh, Ballysaggart, Ballytruckle, Bilberry, Bunmahon,...
and the surrounding area. Its principal, Thomas A. Beecher, has held his position since 1990.
History
Waterpark College was founded in 1892 by the Christian Brothers as a Christian Brothers College akin to CBC and PBC in Cork and as Waterford's first Classical school.In 1986 Waterpark College received its first lay principal, Maurice O'Connor. This was the first time that an Irish Christian Brothers school had a lay principal.
Dr. O'Connor introduced a co-educational sixth year to Waterpark where girls could join the college to repeat Leaving Cert year. The co-educational sixth year was later discontinued due to policy changes.
Principal O'Connor also introduced a Transition Year programme to the college which continues to operate. He also established a Transition Year exchange with various schools in Spain which continued to operate until 2007. In 2008 the exchange was replaced with an annual Transition Year trip to Madrid.
in 1990 Dr. O'Connor resigned his post as principal in order to work in the oil industry in Saudi Arabia for a period. He later returned to the college to resume his teaching duties as head of sciences until he officially retired in 2008.
The current principal Thomas A. Beecher assumed his position in 1990 upon the departure of Dr. O'Connor after having taught Geography and History in Waterpark College.
In February 1999 the Foundation stone of the schools extension was laid by then Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
Bertie Ahern
Bertie Ahern
Patrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 26 June 1997 to 7 May 2008....
. Mr Ahern also officially opened the modern extension in 2002.
The extension includes nine classrooms, a double length lecture hall, two science labs, a science tutorial room (known as "the demo-room"), a library and a dedicated technology room. The work also involved the housing of a computer room and a language lab in the old building while the classrooms on the ground floor of the old building were converted into a G.P. room. A modern gym was also built at the south end of the rugby pitch.
The original school and the new extension are connected by a glass link corridor.
Classes
Each year is divided into two classes, L and R. The classes are called so as traditionally first year classes were based in the classrooms to the left (L) and the right (R) of the main entrance of the old building. The boys are assigned to their class based on the results of an entrance exam held in the year prior to the boys admittance. The boys remain in their stream from first year until the classes are split up for Transition Year or 5th Year.Traditionally L are the top stream of pupils made up of those with the highest results from the entrance exams. All years except T.Y. are streamed as T.Y. is a limited program (limited to 24 pupils) where numbers don't allow for more than one class.
A class is referred to by a number, representing the year the boy is in and a letter, representing their stream. eg. third year, top stream is written as 3L.
In the academic year 2006/2007 the classes were renamed where R became A while L become AL (for alpha). In recent years, classes are no longer streamed coming in, but they A and AL designations are kept.
Academics
Waterpark College has maintained a strong academic tradition since its establishment. It currently offers twelve subjects to Junior Cert. level (Art, Business, C.S.P.E., English, French, Geography, German, History, Irish, Maths, Science, Technology,S.P.H.E, P.E (all rugby) and fourteen subjects at Leaving Cert. level (Accounting, Art, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English, French, Geography, German, History, Irish, Maths, Physics). Waterpark students are facilitated in the study of outside subjects with Leaving Cert students studying Classical Studies, Applied Math and Music privately. International students are encouraged to sit the Leaving Cert paper in their native language.Waterpark students have performed consistently well in certificate exams with around 87% of students continuing on to third level education placing Waterpark as the top performing boys school in Waterford City and County in the academic years '06, '07 and '08 according to the Irish Times.
Waterpark has consistently produced high achieving debating teams since the 1940s. Waterpark also competes in public speaking, competitive quizzes and frequently send delegates to European Youth Parliament
European Youth Parliament
The European Youth Parliament is a politically and religiously unbound non-profit organisation, which encourages European youth to actively engage in citizenship and cultural understanding....
Munster and National conferences. Waterpark College finished third in the 2008/2009 "Know your World" quiz, a national table quiz hosted by Concern.
Waterpark students represent Ireland academically in various fields, providing science and maths olympiads in recent years. The Irish 2008-2010 United World Colleges
United World Colleges
UWC is an education movement comprising thirteen international schools and colleges, national committees in over 130 countries and a series of short educational programmes. The UWC movement aims to make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future...
scholarship was awarded to a Waterpark student.
Rugby
College rugby is tied to the local junior club Waterpark RFCWaterpark RFC
Waterpark Rugby Football Club is Rugby Union club in Waterford, Ireland.It was founded in 1925, and plays it home games at Ballinakill, Waterford....
since the club's foundation in 1925 in nearby Ballinakill, Waterford. The College achieved its greatest rugby accolade to date in 1964 when it reached the Munster A Schools final but was beaten by Presentation Brothers College Cork. All Waterpark boys are encouraged to take part in rugby within the college.
Other sports
The primary sport at Waterpark College is rugby but the College also competes in badmintonBadminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
and track and field athletics. The College hosts an annual Junior Tag Rugby
Tag Rugby
Tag Rugby, also known as rippa rugby, flag rugby league or flag rugby, is a non-contact team game in which each player wears a belt that has two velcro tags attached to it, or shorts with velcro patches. The mode of play is based on rugby league with many similarities to touch rugby...
tournament where teams from schools in the city are invited to participate. The College also field teams in GAA
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
and Association football.
Uniform
The current official uniform is:- Grey Trousers
- Grey v-neck jumper with Waterpark Crest
- White Shirt (This was grey in the 80's and early 90's)
- Waterpark Tie
- Black Shoes
Headmasters
- Br. Collins (?-?)
- Br.Gibson (?-?)
- Br. Breathnach(?-?)
- Br. Gravin (?-?)
- Br. Kavanagh (?-1986)
- Dr. Maurice O' Connor (1986–1990)
- Mr. Thomas A. Beecher (1990–present)
Notable alumni
- Martin CullenMartin CullenMartin Cullen is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Waterford constituency. Cullen was a member of Seanad Éireann and served as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government , Minister for Transport and Minister for Social and Family Affairs and...
- former TDTeachta DálaA Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
and Minister. - John HearneJohn Hearne (lawyer)John J. Hearne was an Irish legal scholar and diplomat whose role in the drafting of the 1937 Constitution of Ireland was so important that he was referred to as "Ireland's Thomas Jefferson."-Biography:...
- chief architect of the Constitution of IrelandConstitution of IrelandThe Constitution of Ireland is the fundamental law of the Irish state. The constitution falls broadly within the liberal democratic tradition. It establishes an independent state based on a system of representative democracy and guarantees certain fundamental rights, along with a popularly elected...
(1937) - Redmond O'DonoghueRedmond o'DonoghueRedmond O'Donoghue is the former CEO of the Waterford Wedgewood, he held that position until his retirement at the end of 2005. He is currently the CEO of Failte Ireland, chairman of Good Food Ireland and chairman of Waterford Institute of Technology. He also serves on the board of Greencore.-...
- former Chief Executive of Waterford WedgwoodWaterford WedgwoodWaterford Wedgwood plc is the former holding entity for a group of companies headquartered in Ireland, which specialised in the manufacture of high quality china, porcelain and glass. The group was dominated by Tony O'Reilly and his immediate family, and the family of Mr. O'Reilly's second wife,...
, current chairman of Fáilte IrelandFáilte IrelandFáilte Ireland is the National Tourism Development Authority of the Republic of Ireland. This authority was established under the National Tourism Development Authority Act of 2003 and replaces and builds upon the functions of Bord Fáilte, its predecessor organization... - Mario RosenstockMario RosenstockMario Rosenstock born 31 August 1971, is an Irish actor, comedian, impressionist and musician who is best known for his parody music singles and his role in the Gift Grub comedy series on Irish radio station Today FM....
- comedian, political satirist
Location
The College is situated on the junction of Park road and Newtown road. it lies between the Nineteenth Century Peoples Park and the banks of the river Suir. The colleges name derives from its location, "Water" in reference to the river Suir which banks the school games-field and "Park" in reference to the Peoples Park. Waterpark is located on R683Associated Primary Schools
Waterpark National SchoolWaterpark National School
Waterpark National School is a co-educational primary school located in Waterford City. It was established in 2001 and replaced Waterpark Junior School a private, fee-paying, primary school which closed some months beforehand...
is the official feeder school for Waterpark College. It formerly existed as Waterpark Junior School, a private, fee-paying, primary school which was originally sited in the main grounds of the college before relocating on the Dunmore road in 1969. The school was once again relocated in the 1980's to the building which was formerly used as a monastery by the Christian Brothers on the grounds of Waterpark College. When Waterpark Junior School closed in May 2001 a new National School was established on the same site. Waterpark National School, under the patronage of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, first opened its doors in September in 2001. The school caters for boys and girls and has an enrollment of over 230 pupils. The Waterpark site has now been officially split into two sites, one for the College and the other for the National School. Waterpark National School is situated at the north end of the college rugby grounds.