St Angela's School
Waterford
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 937 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 64990D the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Angela’s School is a girls’ Catholic post‑primary institution in Ballytruckle, Waterford, operating under the Ursuline ethos. The school’s mission is to cherish the uniqueness of each pupil and develop her full potential through a curriculum that blends academic rigour with the gospel values of gentleness, kindness and respect. Religious education, daily liturgical practice and a strong pastoral care programme are integral to school life, fostering a community where Christian values are lived and taught alongside a commitment to collaboration with students, families and the wider community. The campus is centred on the modern “Brescia” building opened in 1981, named after the Italian birthplace of St Angela Merici. It provides a range of contemporary facilities, including indoor courts for basketball, tennis, badminton, soccer and hockey, supporting a vibrant sports programme. The school also benefits from well‑equipped classrooms, specialist learning spaces and a secure car park, creating an environment conducive to both academic and personal development.
History
St Angela’s traces its origins to 8 September 1816 when four Ursuline sisters from Thurles established the first school at the foundation house of the Ursuline Convent, Waterford, initially at Waterpark and later at Newgrove, Newtown, before settling at Elysium. A coach house was converted for teaching local poor children, and in 1842 a solid building became St John’s National School. Saint Joseph’s house was completed in 1868, and the Secondary Day School of Saint Anne’s (opened 1892) merged with the boarding school in 1967 to form St Angela’s Post‑Primary School. The present primary school, St Ursula’s, opened in 1953. In 1981 the new Brescia building was inaugurated, providing modern educational and sporting facilities. The Ursuline Order itself was founded in 1535 in Brescia, Italy by St Angela Merici and arrived in Ireland in 1771 at the invitation of Nano Nagle.
Applying to St Angela's School
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to St Angela's School. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about St Angela's School
How many pupils attend St Angela's School?
St Angela's School has 937 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St Angela's School a DEIS school?
No. St Angela's School is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of St Angela's School?
St Angela's School has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' post-primary school.