Newtown School, Waterford

Newtown School, Waterford
The Main Building of Newtown.
Location
Waterford, County Waterford, Republic of Ireland
Information
Type	Independent School; Boarding and day school
Motto	Education for life
Established	1798
Principal	Mr. Keith Lemon
Enrollment	Co-educational
Pupil Numbers	Approximately 350
Age Range	12 to 18
Denomination	Multidenominational through a Quaker ethos
Website	www.newtownschool.ie

Newtown School is a multidenominational, coeducational independent school with both boarding and day pupils in Waterford, Ireland. It is run by a Board of Management, but owned by the Religious Society of Friends.

Newtown School was founded in 1798 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker), on the estates of the former home of Sir Thomas Wyse. Its original purpose was the education of Quakers in the south of Ireland, and until 1858 no non-Quakers were admitted, although priority is given to applicants who are Quakers. In 1924 Newtown adopted a fully coeducational policy which it has maintained to the present day.

Newtown School is a co-educational boarding and day school. Boarding facilities are offered on a three-weekly basis. Some students may opt for weekly boarding. There are two residences, for girls and boys separately. Accommodation is mostly in dorms but there are also twin and single rooms. Day students have the opportunity to become day boarders and remain in school until after evening study thus allowing them to take a full part in all aspects of school life.

For the Junior Cycle, Newtown follows the curriculum for the Junior Certificate. All offered subjects offered are available in Higher and Ordinary levels. First Year Scholars have access to twenty-one subjects. In Second and Third Year, all Junior Certificate candidates study Art, Craft & Design and Science, all have access to French and/or German and all take a practical subject, either Materials Technology (woodwork) or Home Economics.

Newtown operates a compulsory Transition Year program. In recent years students have participated in kayaking, outdoor pursuits, Young Social Innovators, surfing, lifesaving courses, drama, media, personal development, nutrition, enterprise, crafts and fashion design. The programme also includes week-long work experience placements,and a European studies tour on themes pertinent to the programme, along with other courses that vary from year to year.