Waterford Secondary School launches exciting new Leaving Cert subjects

On Wednesday, September 11, three teachers and four TY students from Presentation Secondary School excitedly caught the train to Dublin.

All were delighted to travel to the Irish Film Institute in Dublin, to present at the official Department of Education launch of two new leaving cert subjects: Drama, Film, and Theatre studies, and Climate Action and Sustainable Development, which will be available for students in 100 schools from September 2025.

Presentation Secondary School is one of just 57 schools selected to introduce Drama, Film, and Theatre Studies for 5th year students in 2025.

This is not a new departure for the school, which prides itself on being at the forefront of developments in secondary education and was one of only 41 pilot schools introducing politics and society as a subject in 2016.

Therefore, it is no surprise that staff and students were invited to present at the official launch of the subjects on September 11th.

The delegation from Presentation Secondary School included four TY students, Holly Coogan, Oreoluwa Olajide, Ola Balant, and Chloe Byrne. They were accompanied by members of staff, Ms. Orla Bolger (Principal), Ms. Aura Matthey (Coordinator of Programmes), and Mr. Mark Scanlon (Musical Director). Present at the event were a number of key educational stakeholders from the DES, NCCA, NAPD, and SEC.

Norma Foley, Minister for Education, spoke at the event, and contributions and presentations were made by a wide variety of figures from the world of film and theatre, including David Puttnam CBE (Film Producer and Educator), Colm Bairéad and Cleona Ni Chrualaoí (Director and Producer of An Cailín Ciúin), Dearbhla Walsh (Irish Film Director).

Speaking at the event, Minister Foley acknowledged that these new subjects are an ‘opportunity not just to reflect the talent and skills and interests of our young people, but to validate them, so that a student who takes drama film and theatre studies or takes climate action and sustainability, that their achievement in education is on a similar par of the student who takes science or languages..’

The opportunity to offer this new subject as part of overall senior cycle redevelopment will place Presentation Waterford as a frontrunner in terms of offering unique educational opportunity for our senior students in creative arts education.

Drama, Film, and Theatre Studies will be offered as a two-year course at LC, with both practical coursework and examination elements allowing students to develop their skills and knowledge in the areas of drama, film and theatre.

At Presentation Secondary School, speech and drama, film studies, and music have always been an integral part of their curricular offerings.

With many current and past pupils are actively involved in extracurricular stage school activities, and several which have or intend to pursue further studies in these fields.

The school has strong and meaningful links the local community, including long-standing partnerships with Theatre Royal Waterford, Garter Lane Theatre and Waterford Spraoi Festival, where many students have performed, completed placements and engaged in educational programmes over the years.

Presentation Secondary School is the perfect environment in which to introduce this new subject. Since 1974, they have successfully produced annual school musicals as part of acclaimed Transition Year (TY) programme. Theatre and drama are integral to the curriculum, and all TY students are involved in the annual show.

Student talents are utilised in every aspect of production, from singing, dancing, and acting to stage and prop design, costume creation, lighting, sound, and even marketing and sales.

This production is undoubtedly the highlight of the school year, with the 2025 production of Beauty and the Beast already being touted as one to watch (tickets on sale soon!).

Speaking at the event, Coordinator of Programmes, Aura Matthey, noted that ‘the addition of Drama, Film, and Theatre Studies to our senior cycle curriculum marks a significant milestone in arts education. It is an investment in our students' futures, an investment in their personal and professional growth, and an investment in the cultural fabric of our society’.

Sharing her excitement for the introduction of Drama, Film, and Theatre studies, TY student Chloe Byrne added ‘we can now look forward to further developing our skills not just through another subject or through our activities outside of school, but as an official academic option.’

She added that ‘from the time we are in primary school, we look forward to getting involved in arts education at second level, both at junior cycle through speech and drama and in TY with our much beloved school musical.’

The excitement from both students and staff was evident throughout the event. This enthusiasm will continue at the school Open Night taking place from 7pm on October 3, providing an opportunity for prospective parents and students to learn about all the excellent academic and holistic programs on offer at Presentation Secondary School.

Speaking about the event and upcoming Open Night, principal Orla Bolger stated, ‘Our school has always been a dynamic environment where all aspects of student development are celebrated, and we are delighted to be at the forefront of educational change once again'.

A wonderful day was enjoyed by all, and Presentation Secondary Waterford are proud to be partners in the delivery of exciting and innovative new ventures in senior cycle education in Ireland in the coming years.