The new school had a large "baby room". The infant boom predicted certainly began to happen. Sometimes as many as eighty crying, screaming, silent or eager little 3'12 to 4 year olds began school life in that room. Next came "three letter" and "four letter". These names for Junior and Senior Infants were carried on from the old school much to the annoyance of Sr. Columbanus. "Senior Infants, child" she would say to the six year old who said he was in "four letter". No one is sure of the origin of these names.
Many guess that you learned three letter words like "cat" in three letter and four letter words in four letter. The boys still only remained in the school until the end of first class and were then marched off to whatever fate awaited them with the Christian Brothers. The girls however stayed on. In 1947 a new and wonderful opportunity presented itself for the first time. The school acquired a secondary top. Some new teachers arrived in that year to teach in the secondary school. Sr. Dominica came to teach Maths and Sr. Victoire taught History and Irish. Sr. Marie Therese joined the staff too. Sr. Stephanus reigned supreme in the new cookery kitchen. She also taught laundry to the primary school.
In the beginning it was difficult to persuade girls to go to secondary school, There was still a feeling of get out, get a job, get married. However, the first Inter Cert., was held there in 1949. For those who did not wish to sit the Inter Exam there was still a flourishing Commercial Course. Sr. Bertrand taught Book-Keeping, Shorthand and Typing. Because there was an increase in staff Mother Lelia acquired a second -hand van No. ZO 50 in which the nuns now travelled to school. This was dark green in colour and everyone got in at the back. John Furlong was the driver. He had to make two runs every morning because there were so many nuns travelling.
