History & Ethos

St. Mary’s is a co-educational secondary school that offers a varied and wide ranging curriculum. The school is structured and geared to providing educational facilities suited to the needs, interests and range of abilities of its students.

The secondary school, which opened with a small enrolment, has continued to expand until it now has a student population of just over 500 pupils. Through the years of its development and expansion, St. Mary’s was always ready to meet the challenges posed by new ideas in curriculum in accordance with the ever changing and growing needs of its pupils. Since 1988 the school has been run by a Board of Management- comprising two parents, two staff members, and four appointees of the Trustees. In continuing the Sisters policy of sharing responsibility with their lay colleagues a lay principal was appointed in 1989.

The Sisters of Mercy, as Trustees continue to have a large involvement in the management of St. Mary’s and as members of the teaching staff. The Mercy Order itself has responded to the needs of today’s world and has matured and evolved. From this strength the transition to a Board of Management and lay Principal has been shaped and achieved. The Sisters are still committed to being involved in the educational process and their personal dedication is seen in a new and important way as teachers and as guardians of a trust that they have cherished for years. The school is now under the Trusteeship of CEIST (Catholic Education, an Irish Schools Trust).

As a CEIST school, St. Mary’s Secondary School is committed to:

  • Promoting spiritual and human development
  • Achieving quality in teaching and learning
  • Showing respect for every person
  • Creating community
  • Being just and responsible

St. Mary’s will continue to strive to meet its aim of developing and educating each individual student so that he/she is given the opportunity and encouragement to reach his/her full potential.

The School has achieved a justifiable reputation over the years through the dedicated commitment of its highly qualified and hard working staff. We hope that the future generations who come to St. Mary’s will benefit from the excellent tuition and facilities that the school can offer them so that they will face life filled with hope and confidence.