Blackwater Community School opened in 2003 and is an amalgamation of Lismore CBS, Presentation Convent Lismore and St Anne’s Secondary School, Cappoquin, making it a school of Mercy, Presentation and Christian Brother traditions. The school was built on a Greenfield site and opened with a student population of 400 students. The school has seen significant growth and development since then and the 2023-2024 school year has seen enrolment rise to 951 students.
Between 2003 and 2015, there was the construction of an extension building of 6 classrooms as well as the purchase of the County Library and County Council offices, which added to the school campus. We are currently undergoing a major new building development and reconfiguration of our school. In November 2022 phase one of the building project was completed. This consisted of a new two-storey building comprised of new classrooms, practical subject classrooms and office space. A new staff car-park, two new astro-turf pitches and an updating of our facilities in our P.E. hall were also part of this phase. Phase two of this project is currently underway and will be completed during the 2024-2025 school year.
All of these building developments have seen our school campus grow to provide additional classrooms, modern facilities and parking spaces for the increase in students and staff between 2003 and 2023.
Our school crest is inspired by the Salmon of Knowledge and was designed by current staff member and past pupil, Ms. Jane Prendergast.
The salmon is an ancient symbol of Christianity. The salmon and the spirals are enclosed within the circle of a united school community. The spirals represent the movement of the river Blackwater, the extended community around the Blackwater and our Celtic heritage. A sculptural representation of our school crest is situated in our school foyer and was designed and created by Mr. Billy Moore.
