Mount Sion Primary School, Waterford City
A photograph of Mount Sion Primary School, Waterford City. This is the school that Edmund Rice established in 1802. It still stands today.
© Waterford City Council Library Service.Mount Sion Primary School, Waterford City
© Waterford City Council Library Service.
© Waterford City Council Library Service.
Mount Sion Primary School, Waterford City
A photograph of Mount Sion Primary School, Waterford City. This is the school that Edmund Rice established in 1802. It still stands today.
© Waterford City Council Library Service.Educating the 'Quay Kids'
In 1802, Edmund opened his first school for the poor boys of Waterford City in a stable in New Street. The school moved to Mount Sion the following year.
The early years were difficult and lonely. His pupils were wild and unused to the discipline of school life. However, Edmund and the other Brothers persevered. He built a bakery beside the school so that the pupils would have something to eat each day. Many poor boys were fed and clothed.
Bakery Building, Mount Sion
Bakery Building at the Edmund Rice International Heritage Centre, Mount Sion, Waterford City.
© Waterford City Council Library Service.Bakery Building, Mount Sion
© Waterford City Council Library Service.
© Waterford City Council Library Service.
Bakery Building, Mount Sion
Bakery Building at the Edmund Rice International Heritage Centre, Mount Sion, Waterford City.
© Waterford City Council Library Service.By 1823, there were 600 boys receiving a free education at Mount Sion and a transformation had taken place among the 'quay kids' of Waterford. The original school still stands today.
As more men joined Edmund's congregration, a network of schools developed. By 1825, thirty Christian Brothers were involved in educating 5,500 boys for free, in twelve towns and cities throughout Ireland.
The Mount Sion school motto commemorates its founder:
'Through working together respectfully, we hope to learn, enjoy and achieve, in the spirit of Edmund Rice.'