About Us

A Proud Tradition Moving Forward – The Principal’s Welcome

Waterpark College warmly welcomes you and your son/daughter to a school with a pride in its history and tradition, and a clear mission and purpose for its future.

Founded as the first classical school in Waterford in 1892 and following one hundred and twenty years of service, Waterpark opened a new chapter in September 2012 with a change in status to co-educational.

This most progressive of developments has fitted perfectly with our tradition of academic excellence tempered by the comfort of a caring school community. Inspired by the vision of Edmund Rice, it is our commitment to ensure that Waterpark College will continue to grow in the spirit of a Christian community dedicated to caring, excellence and nurturing the talents of our students.

As a Co-educational Voluntary Secondary School under the trusteeship of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust, Waterpark College is ideally positioned to offer its educational philosophy and service in a modern setting attained to current demand and best practice.

Whilst doing so, it will continue to ensure that the school is a place of hope, happiness, courage and honest endeavour, where everyone is valued and respected, and where our mission is translated in a co-educational context that is transformational and enlightening.

Joe Hagan – Principal

Educational Philosophy

Waterpark College in all its endeavours holds true to its Mission Statement, its motto, and the charter of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust.
Vision: Promoting full personal and social development in caring Christian communities of learning and teaching.
Academic excellence combined with positive behaviour management, ensure that students grow up happily in a school that feels right for them.
Proper formation as students develop adults of principle and the highest personal standards. A distinguished list of Alumni bear testament to the unique translation of the philosophy into a very practical reality.
To provide opportunities for the students to experience God in worship and, true to the life of Blessed Edmund Rice, in the service of others.
To be guided in our work by the motto: Virtus Sola Nobilitat

The Value of the Individual

Waterpark’s optimum scale of operation affords unique opportunities to nurture the individual talents of our boys and girls.
Each year group is assigned a year tutor committed to the pastoral development and care of the individual.
Year tutors meet weekly to discuss the academic and personal development of individual students.
The college chaplain, guidance counsellor, social,personal and health education co-ordinators, and student council mentors, provide expert support and advice, allowing an individual focus in a caring community.

Our Location

Centrally located within Waterford City, the College
occupies a beautiful setting, between the Park Road and the
River Suir, with ease of access and a modern campus.

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Our Foundation

Waterpark College was founded by the Christian Brothers in 1892 as the first classical school in Waterford. The College joined the Free Education Scheme as a voluntary secondary school in 1968. In 2000, the college embraced the 21st century with the opening of a new €4 million extension.

Students are now facilitated with modern science labs, new classrooms, a purpose built Technology facility and a state of the art Sports Campus facility to the rear of the main building. The extensive building work carried out at this time also saw the old college building being completely refurbished.

In October 2011, Waterpark College was pleased to announce that a change of status had been authorised by the Minister of Education and Skills to that of Co-Educational Voluntary Secondary School, thus allowing the College to become the first school of its type within Waterford City.

Waterpark College operates under the trusteeship of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust, and is administered by a Board of Management working closely with the Principal and the In-School Management team.