The
local guild of Muintir na Tíre purchased the Georgian
rectory and glebe (about 17 acres) for somewhat in excess
of £2000 (€2540).
|
A
loan scheme and a wide variety of fund-raising activities
were undertaken locally. |
Local
people volunteered their labour to convert the rectory for
use as a school. |
Co.
Cork Vocational Educational Committee agreed to rent the
school and grounds from the guild of Muintir na Tíre, now
represented by a Board of Trustees, for £75 (€95) per
annum.
|
Coachford
Vocational School/Ceárdscoil
Átha’ Chóiste opened for night classes only in September 1950.
|
Woodwork/Building
Construction and Domestic Economy (now known as Home
Economics) were the only subjects taught. |
Day
classes
began in September 1951
|
There
was one class of boys and one class of girls.
|
The
initial enrolment was about 30 students. |
The
curriculum was that of the Day Vocational/Group
Certificate Course. |
In
1952, there were four classes. |
In
1960 a student achieved first place in Ireland in one of
his Day Vocational/Group Certificate subjects.
|
In
1966 legislation allowed the introduction of Intermediate
and Leaving Certificate Courses to Vocational Schools. |
In
1969 students first sat Intermediate Certificate
Examinations in Coachford Vocational School. |
In
1971 students first sat Leaving Certificate Examinations
in Coachford Vocational School. |
In
1980 the school got its first computer. |
On
15 January 1991, the ‘Model Agreement’ between Co.
Cork Vocational Educational Committee and the Bishop of
Cloyne was signed. Under this agreement, the school is now
a designated Community College. |
In
1999 two students achieved maximum points in the Leaving
Certificate. |
In
2000 two students achieved first place in Ireland in one
of their Leaving Certificate subjects. |
The
Board of Trustees presents THE TRUSTEES’ AWARD annually
to a former student who is pursuing a recognised Third
Level course of at least three years duration. |
The
AWARD is currently valued at €750
per annum and is paid once yearly over a period of three
years. |
The
winner is chosen using a combination of excellent results
in the Leaving Certificate AND teacher assessment. |
