We are deeply saddened by the sudden death of our 3rd year student, Shane Hickey. We extend our thoughts and prayers to Paula and Richard and brothers alex and evan at this time. May Shane’s gentle soul rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis
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1st Years Welcome Mass
On Tuesday we had our Celebration Mass to welcome our new 1st Years to the school. Fr. Liam celebrated mass and Principal Mr. Mc Donnell welcomed the students into St. Marys as they begin their journey through secondary school. The 1st Year choir sang beautifully, accompanied by Ms. Cosgrove and conducted by Ms. Gallagher. Thanks also to our JP11 students who helped out at the mass and to Ms. Mc Cann for preparing the liturgy.
Sacred Space Prepared for Autumn
Our John Paul 11 students have been busy preparing the Sacred Space with a beautiful Autumnal display. Well done to all involved
LCA1 Class get green fingers
The 5th Year LCA class have been busy sowing and planting plants and fplowers around the school.. They have been preparing to grow some winter vegetables, growing microgreens indoors and getting the bulbs in for a splash of colour in spring.
6th Year Geography Field Trip
Our 6th Year Geography students recently took part in a field trip to Curracloe Beach in Wexford to study the effects of marine erosion and deposition. The students will now carry out a report on the trip as part of their Leaving Cert.
Award Ceremony for Sporting Achievements
St Mary’s was delighted to host an awards ceremony recently to honour a remarkable group of students from the school who achieved championship glory over the summer. Principal Mr Emmet McDonnell welcomed the return of past pupils, who joined some of our current students for the awards ceremony saying “these are amazing achievements for these young players. Our school community is quite unique in that our students are drawn from across 4 counties, and on this occasion students from St Mary’s have won championships for Offaly, Kildare, and Meath. Lee Pearson, Briain Nolan, and Gavin Young brought great joy to the county recently as Offaly’s first underage All-Ireland title since 1988. Lee is also on the U20 ‘20’ Team of the Year. Louise Coyne is a member of the All-Ireland winning Ladies Meath Senior football team, and Conor Ennis is a member of the U17 Meath football team who also won an All-Ireland this year. Conor was further honoured as ‘Electric Ireland’ Minor footballer of the Year. Lucy Cullinan and Aoibhe McKeon were both members of the Kildare team who were crowned U14 ‘A’ Leinster football champions. Paidi Farrell, was on the U18 Leinster team who won the IRFU Interprovincial Championship 2021. At national level, Transition year student Ruby Gallagher was recently called up to join the FAI U16 Republic of Ireland squad. We are delighted for these students’, their respective clubs’, and the honour that they bring to the school as ambassadors for their individual sports in our school community.”
1st Years Make Their Mark
First year students are currently experimenting with mark making techniques using brushes/tools made with reeds, twigs and foliage sourced in the bog and dipped in Indian ink. Students selected marks from research in class to place on individual squares. These squares were then added together by each student to form one collective piece which is currently on display.
Ty Bike and Hike
TYs embarked on their first of many trips this year to the Slieve Bloom Mountains where they enjoyed a day of activities, hiking and mountain biking through the mountains. By all accounts it was a very enjoyable trip enjoyed by both students and teachers. Special thanks to Mr. Mc Grath who organised the trip.
A new school year began on Friday 27th August when staff returned to school for a staff meeting. New principal, Mr Emmett Mc Donnell, welcomed back staff and also the new Deputy Principals Mrs. Brenda Lawton and Mr. Tom Rehill. He welcomed the new teaching staff and also sent best wishes to Mr. Halford, Ms. Droogan and Mrs Potterton on their retirement. There are exciting times ahead for St. Mary's, with the commencement soon of our new extension, and also the completion of the Sports Field.
Mrs Lawton, Mr. McDonnell, Ms. Ryan, Mr. Rehill
New teaching staff in St. Mary's
Tys Pumpkin carving
Equestrian Team Success
Our Equestrian Team took to the arena for the 1st time this year in Mullingar last weekend. We had 3 teams jumping in the Interschools competition. Niamh Staunton, Isabelle Lawless and Katelyn Forde represented the school at the novice level. We had 2 teams taking part in the open level..Team 1 Niamh Staunton, Amy Carroll and Lucy Carroll. Team 2 Paddy Smullen, Ana Lacey and Ruby Steuven. Our Team 1 riders placed 6th on the day. Well done to all
Congratulations to 42 students from last year's TY class who were presented with their Bronze Gaisce Award.
TYs go kAyaking and Golfing
St Mary’s Transition year classes enjoyed another sporting week in conjunction with Offaly Sports Partnership and Sports Ireland, kayaking along the Grand Canal and using the excellent facilities at Edenderry Pitch and Putt. The week concluded with a first year walk along the canal. All-in-all, another great week for students in St Mary’s!
Visit to Farm
As part of their Junior Cycle Preparation for Work module, St Mary’s students enjoyed a trip to Dalton’s farm in Ballymacwilliam. The visit was a great success, and the students were delighted to be hosted by Mr and Mrs Dalton both former members of St Mary’s teaching staff. The students toured the farm, fed the calves, and were spoiled with treats before returning to school with their teachers Ms Malone and Mr Guing. Commenting on the trip, Principal Mr Emmet McDonnell remarked “this really embodies the spirit of togetherness that has always been so important in St Mary’s. It’s really a tribute to the enduring ethos of our school community as a family.”
Welcome to our New 1st Years
Today over 165 new 1st Years arrived through the gates of St. Mary's to begin their journey through secondary education. We wish them all the very best and hope that they achieve their potential and take every opportunity they get over the coming years.