WElcome to St Mary’s Secondary School Edenderry
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School rETURN DATES
FAREWELL TO THE CLASS OF 23
Wednesday was a day of fun and celebration tinged with a bit of sadness as we bade farewell to the class of 2023. The day began with fun and games with all students getting into the spirit of fun, from bungee football to sumo-suit wrestling, to dunk tank and lots more. Later on that evening we had our celebration mass where the class of 23 were honoured. All the staff in St. Mary's would like to wish the class of 23 the very best in your exams and the very best for your future, where-ever it may bring you. And remember, you are always welcome to come back to St. Mary's for a chat and catch up
JCPA AWARDS
180 students gathered in our school gym to receive their Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement Awards. Well done to you all!
TY GAISCE HIKE
Well done to our TY students who took part in a 40km hike over 2 days in Glendalough. The hike was part of the Gaisce Awards.
FUNDRAISING FOR St Vincent De Paul
A big WELL DONE to our Laochra II students, Harry, Patrick, Kyle and Ryan who baked sausage rolls and sold them in school to raise much needed funds for St. Vincent de Paul. The lads raised a whopping €150!!! Well done to all involved.
Mental Health AwarEness Week
As part of our Mental Health Awareness Week our Amber Flag Committee organised a talk for Junior classes. The talk was given by Rory O'Connor from Rory'sStories.
SCIFEST
Last Wednesday, 15th March, St. Mary’s held our annual SciFest competition for TY students. Over 100 students were displaying all the scientific endeavour and investigative work they had undertaken over the previous few months. Their enthusiasm was infectious as they explained their projects which were based on an incredibly diverse range of topics. The quality of the exhibits was a real credit to all involved and really helped to showcase all of their super work.
Judging on the day began at 9.15am with our five judges, Alan Dunne representing SciFest, and four of our former teachers Mr H Gunning, Mrs M Farrell, Mrs M Droogan and Mrs M Connolly. They set about the tough task of choosing the 6 prize winners from the 45 group projects on display. After two rounds of judging and deliberating the results, they were in a position to reveal the following results: Most Innovative Project: ‘Purple Shampoo: Does it damage your hair?’ by Eleanor Cole and Joanne McRedmond Best Communication: ‘Blue light – its effect on sleep’ by Heather Richardson and Cillian Byrne SciFest Award: ‘How social media affects your memory’ by Anna Flood and Amy Evans Third Place: ‘Does the quality of my clothing affect UV protection?’ by Eimear O’Reilly and Sophie Waters Second Place: ‘Making a cloud chamber’ by Luke Melody, Adam Lewis and Dylan Furlong. First Place: ‘How do different feeds effect daily live weight gain in cattle?’ by Conor Flynn and Ben Monahan Well done to all who participated and made SciFest 2023 at St. Mary’s Edenderry such a success. A huge thank you to our judges for giving of their time and engaging so meaningfully with the students. And finally a massive thank you to the TY science teachers Ms Rigney, Ms Casey, Mr Costello, Mr Murphy and Ms Kelly for preparing the students so diligently over the last 3 months. WORLD BOOK DAY
GREEN SCHOOLS COMMITTEE
Congratulations to our Green Schools Committee who received their certificates for water ambassador training, educating the whole school about water conservation in St. Mary's.
TY ART VISIT
On Tuesday 28th February we had the Kell’s based artist Derick Smith give an artist talk to TY art students, 5th year art students and 6th year art students. Derick discussed his varied creative background including industrial and product design, architectural technician, photographer, teacher and artist.
Derick discussed his art practice, a day in the life, his education, examples of his process and how to make a living. The TY students took part in a pendulum painting workshop facilitated by Derick. This was a hands on activity where students used poster paint, thread and tape to create a pendulum painting. It was an extremely creative and interesting day. This was funded by the creative engagement initiative. 
JohnPaul II AwardsOur JPII Awards students were presented with their certificates this morning following completion of their training as readers and Eucharistic Ministers! Well done everyone!
Girls Senior Basketball
Huge congratulations to our U19 girls' basketball team, coached by Ms Duke & Ms O'Connor, on their fantastic Shield final win, 31-16 over Athy College in Portlaoise
TY ARTTY Art students completed a fantastic colourful mural using their own designs for the GaelScoil. The students were assisted by former student Ciara Kelly. Well done to all involved.
Gaisce Awards
Well done to our 39 students who received their bronze Gaisce Medals and also to Abby O'Reilly and Lauren Richardson who received the silver Gaisce medal.
POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARDS
Congratulations to our 3O students who received their Pope John Paul II Award medals today! We are very proud of you all. A special congratulations to Elyse Halligan and Leah Farrell who were presented with the Papal Cross Award, the highest award one can obtain, and the first recipients in St. Mary's.
TY ENTERPRISE DAY
There were lots of budding entrepreneurs in the school gym today as TY students had their Enterprise Day. Lots of hand crafted goods were on display, showcasing the many talents of this enterprising group of students. Well done to all students and teachers involved.
TY'S FIRST AID COURSE
TY's are currently learning important life skills by participating in a 1st aid course given by paramedic James Mullins.
JC RESULTS
There was much anticipation and excitement in school on Wednesday when the Junior Cert results finally arrived. Mr. Mc Donnell congratulated all the students on the fantastic results that were achieved. He praised all their hard work over the past 3 years and wished them the best for their future studies.
Well done to all....we're very proud of you!! 
SCIENCE WEEK
It was a jam packed few days of scientific wonder and endeavour at St Mary's this past week. Some of the highlights included a series of exhibitions by our very own Mr Kelly of his 3-month-old Goshawk and 7-year-old Harrier Hawk. All who were lucky enough to attend were simply captivated by these magnificent creatures. A huge thank you to Mr Kelly for giving of his time to showcase them.
Thursday saw the regional rounds of the ISTA Senior Science Quiz in Athlone TUS. St Mary's was represented by 3 teams, Ruby Foran, Olivia Craig, Andy Yan, Michael Martin, Cindy Yan, Riona Loughrey, Anneliese Von Engelbrechten, Ashlin Francis and Ultan McIntyre. They are all to be commended for their high scoring throughout in what was a very tough quiz! Our LCA 1A and 2A classes were also very busy throughout the week. They held a menagerie on Wednesday, where they brought in a selection of exotic animals with everything from a talking macaw to a lizard and a turtle called Turbo! On Friday we had a very informative lunchtime showcase of a range of fruit and veg from as far afield as Peru and Brazil to Zimbabwe and New Zealand. They had determined the carbon footprint attached to a selection of readily available supermarket fruit and veg items and the results gave plenty of food for thought! To cap off the week, our 1st Year Science classes took part in a fun science themed Quiz. There were super prizes on offer which meant it got very competitive! Well done to all involved for running what was a fantastic week. 
HALLOWEEN FUN
There were ghosts, ghouls and super heroes a plenty in St. Mary's on Friday. The prefects organised a fund raising event for Little Wishes with lots of students and teachers taking part in the fun. Click on the link below for more pics.
CAREERS NIGHT
A very successful careers fair took place in the school gym on Monday evening 24th October. Close to 50 exhibitors took part giving help and advice to our senior students about future career prospects and college courses. The evening was organised by the Guidance departments from St. Mary's and Oaklands. Well done to all who organised the evening and to those teachers and students who helped out on the night. A special thanks to all the exhibitors who attended.
MATHS WEEKMaths week is running this week from Monday 17th October to Friday 21st. There are a number of events planned for the week including a 1st Year Table quiz, TY bingo, Dice building challenge, Statistics talk by guest speaker Dr. Rafael Moral from Maynooth University, Estimate Challenge and daily problem solving challenges. Pictured below are the 2 winning 1st year teams from the quiz. Well done to all.
Laochra Students Visit The Garda Station
Our students from the Laochra centre paid a visit to the Edenderry Garda Station to learn all about policing in Ireland. The students had a great time learning all about life as a Garda and trying on the uniform and sitting in the police car. A big thank you to the Gardai for facilitating the visit.
SCHOOL EXTENSION CONTINUES ON TIME
The school extension continues at pace with a completion date of April 2023 still on target. The extension is the first part of a 2 phase development in the school consisting of 4 classrooms, a technology room, DCG lab, social areas and an internal courtyard. Other developments in the school include a completed extension to the Art room, a new entrance and an upgrade to the 6th year area, and as parts of the summer works scheme, a grant of €487,000 will ensure that all single glazed windows in the school will be replaced.
1st YEARS WELCOME MASS
Our new 1st Year students attended St. Mary's Church for the annual welcome mass celebrated by Fr. Liam. Thanks to Ms. Mc Entee and Ms. McCann for all the preparations for the mass.
1st YEARS BOnDING DAY
Our new 1st year students enjoyed a day of fun and activities last Wednesday on their bonding day. The day was organised to help our 1st year students to settle in and make new friends as they begin their time in St. Mary's. Thanks to all teachers and students who were involved in organising the event. Great fun was had by all.
NEW YEAR BEGINS IN ST MARY'S
A Warm Welcome to St Mary’s
St Mary’s Secondary School reopened on Wednesday 24th August, and was delighted to welcome 176 first year students to the school. A fun induction day was organised for the newest members to St Mary’s school community on Thursday ably assisted by the schools Meitheal team and 6th year prefects. New students were welcomed by their year head Mr O’Connor and introduced to their tutors on Friday morning who advised them on school routines, support systems, and the fantastic range of extra-curricular activities they can join. A 1st year bonding day is planned for the students this week which will give them the opportunity to get together outside the classrooms and make new friends as they begin their journey in their new school. Principal Emmet McDonnell also welcomed newly appointed members of staff Ben Cox, Georgina Casey, Gwen Ni Hutáin, Aoife Cosgrove, Keith McGuinness, Brian Geraghty, Amanda Colgan and Dale Redmond to the school community. WELCOME TO OUR NEW 1ST YEARS
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TY GRAD
TY ACHILL TRIP
The TY's spent a fun-filled week in Achill, taking part in many activities including surfing, cliff jumping, hiking, bog-jumping and ceilis every evening.
2nd YEAr PE TRIP
Over 120 2nd Year students travelled to Russborough House last Thursday where they took part in various activities such as canoeing, archery, zip-lining, camp building, survival skills and team building skills. Thanks to Ms.O'Brien for organising the day.
SENIOR TEAM SUCCESS
Well done to the Senior Football Team who won the inaugural Red Og Murphy Trophy in DCU yesterday. The lads were undefeated on the day and came out on top from an entry of 24 teams. Well done also to Ben Kearney who was named Player of the Tournament.
MADRID TRIP
St Mary’s Transition Year group travelled to Madrid last Tuesday morning. 115 students along with 10 teachers made the journey for a four-day trip to the Spanish capital. Having safely arrived, the students had a walking tour of the Madrid Historical centre and visited the Las Ventas Bullring and San Maguel market.
On day two, the students had a tour of Bernabeu Stadium to see the home of Real Madrid. During the afternoon, a walking tour of the historical city of Toledo was enjoyed with bowling and mini golf for the evening entertainment. Day three started with a morning visit to Museo Nacional Del Prado, followed by fun at the Tirolinas forest zip-line park. The final day began with a visit to the beautiful El Cristal Palace in Madrid before an action-packed visit to the Madrid Theme Park for fun on roller coasters and fun rides before travelling home. 
TY ENTERPRISE FINAL
On Tuesday 7th March 6 TY teams travelled with their teacher Ms. Dunbar to Tullamore to compete in the Offaly County Enterprise Finals.
On the day one of the teams consisting of Ben Monahan, Conor Flynn, Liam McNamee and Callum Birmingham won the sustainability award. Well done to all involved and to their teachers Ms. Dunbar, Ms. Coughlan and Ms. Griffin. 
1st Year ART SCULPtuRES
1st year art students have been busy recently making delicious looking sculptures of doughnuts.
TY DRUMMING WORKSHOP
There was lots of banging and drumming to be heard around the school recently when our TY students took part in a drumming workshop. Students learned about various percussion instruments, how they are made, and how to play them. A very enjoyable experience for all!
MUSIC TRIP TO LONDON
35 music students along with 3 of their teachers had an early start on Tuesday 17th January, leaving the school at 3.30am for Dublin airport. From there they caught a flight to London Heathrow. For the next 2 days they walked and "tubed" their way around London visiting various sights including the British Museum, Leicester Square, Buckingham Palace, London Dungeons, the Science Museum and the highlight of the trip, the musical Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. We arrived back safe and very tired!! late on Wednesday night. The teachers on the trip, Ms. McEntee, Ms. Gallagher and Mr. J Lawton would like to compliment and thank the students for their superb behaviour and cooperation on the trip. Well done to all.
CHRISTMAS FUN IN ST. MARY'S
Lots of fun and excitement this week in St. Mary's as we prepare for the Christmas holidays. On Monday we had a carol service in the church, with beautiful singing from the choir, led by Ms. McEntee. Our Laochra students went to the cinema and bowling on Tuesday. Also on Tuesday 1st Years took part in a table quiz organised by the Meitheal Team.
On Wednesday we started the day with bingo, followed by Lip Sync Battle in the school gym. 
RUGBY SUCCESSCongratulations to our Senior Rugby team who won the Leinster Schools 3A Senior Development Shield in Donnybrook. The team beat Kildare Town Community School on a score line of 39 - 14.
Click on the link below for match report
STAND-UP AWARNESS WEEK
A flag raising ceremony took place on Monday in the school to begin our Stand-Up Awareness week. There are many events organised for the week to celebrate this important event
sA beautiful collage of hand prints by our visual art students at the entrance to our school is one of many visual messages to mark this week.
ART TRIP
Art students enjoyed a wonderful trip with Ms Farrell to the Hugh Lane and National galleries as part of their senior Visual Art studies. Pre-trip planning and research was brought to life by two excellent guided tours through the wonderful spaces the wonderful spaces, with the work of the Irish Impressionist painters a clear highlight for the students. A timely trip to coincide with the new Visual Art Leaving Certificate course.
aCTIVE SCHOOL 5KM WALK
As part of the school's quest to gain the Active Schools Flag, the PE department organised a 5km challenge for the entire school. Each year group were set the challenge of walking 5km in an hour around the walking track of the new sports field. 6th years led the way at 9am with subsequent years throughout the day. The event coincided with the school's fancy dress day, leading to some very strange sights walking around the field . Well done to all who participated and to the PE department for organising the event.
OPEN EVENING
We held a very successful Open Evening in the school last night. The school gym was packed with parents and students who listened to our Principal welcome all and talk about all that St. Mary's has to offer to our students. Before and after the talk visitors were free to walk around the school to view the various departments, facilities and student groups in St. Mary's. We look forward to seeing you all again next September.
GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP
5th and 6th Year Geography students travelled to Glendalough on Tuesday 18th October to carry out a study on V-shaped valleys, glaciation and erosion. Thankfully the weather was perfect and a very successful trip was had by all.
GREAT TURN OUT FOR OUR INTERSCHOOLS QUIZLast Thursday night the school gym was packed with students from 13 surrounding National Schools for our annual interschools quiz. In a nail-biting finish, Scoil San Treasa from Kilshanroe just pipped St. Joseph's from Ballinagar. Thanks to all for attending and to Croi Laighean Credit Union for sponsorship.
NEW MURAL IN ST. MARY'S
On Thursday 29th of September the Irish graffiti artist SUMS visited the school to create the anti-bullying "BE KIND " mural. He gave a talk to our senior art students and discussed his early stages in his art career right up to his current art projects. The students got an insight into the many possible career paths in the arts. SUMS works as a visual effects artist in post production. We would like to thank SUMS for visiting the school, for giving his time and for producing the wonderful colourful mural.
DOPPLEGANGER DAY IN ST. MARY'S
Well done to our prefects who organised a very successful fundraising event last Thursday, Doppleganger Day. Students were invited to dress identically for the day, with lots of students showing great imagination and enthusiasm for the event.
TY TRIP TO LILIPUT
Our TY class took part in their first trip out of school last Friday, visiting the outdoor adventure centre in Liliput. A great day of fun and adventure was had by all with students participating in bog snorkelling, paddle boarding and team bonding activities.
MAGNIFICENT LEAVING CERT RESULTS
St Mary's Secondary School management and teaching staff extended warm congratulations to the 137 Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied students who received their examination results on September 2nd. Despite a multitude of challenges, the graduating class of 2022 received excellent grades. Principal Emmet McDonnell remarked on the variety of obstacles students overcame to achieve their successes. "The background to this year's examination was extraordinary. Students throughout the country faced immense uncertainty for months. However, our students-maintained focus, remained determined, and overcame personal and academic challenges to finish their second-level education with pride and honour.”Their results culminate years of demanding work, dedication to their studies and the desire to succeed. We celebrate and commend students’ resilience and are thrilled with the very good grades awarded. Equally, we celebrate the students who attained exceptional grades, thereby qualifying them for the most sought-after courses. One student Billy Yan was awarded the maximum of 625 points and plans to study actuarial studies at university. Eight students scored over 550 points, twenty-one students received 500 plus points, and 50% of our students received more than 400 points. Our students amassed a total of 43 H1’s and 107 H2 grades and for this we are very proud. 
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