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Our School
Facilities
School facilities include:
Concert Hall 2 Science Laboratories
2 Home Economics Kitchens Dress Design Room
Computer Room Library
Language Laboratory Music Rooms
2 Art Rooms Geography Room
Tiered Demonstration Room Sports Hall
All-Weather Sports Pitch Courts
Career Guidance/Counselling Room Parents' Room
TV/Video Room Reading Room
L.C.V.P. Co-Ordinator Room T.Y. Co-Ordinator Room
Canteen Lift
Extra Curricular Activities:
Activity Weeks Amnesty International
Annual Retreat Art Exhibitions/Competitions
Athletic School Competitions Gaisce - President's Awards
M.S. Readathon Badminton & Athletics
Concern Fast Comenius
Debating Díspóireachtaí Gaeilge
Drama Environmental Week
European Studies Project French/German Exchanges
Irish Week Kellogg's P.E. Awards
Musicals Public Speaking
Outdoor Adventure Subject Related Trips to Theatre, Cinema, Museums, Art Galleries
Participation in Choral Competitions.
Sports: Hockey, Basketball, Camogie, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Soccer, Rounders, Circuits, Gaelic Football
Curriculum - Junior Cycle
Core Subjects
Irish
English
Mathematics
Choir
Civic Social & Political Education
Computers
Geography
History
Social Personal & Health Education
Physical Education
Relationships & Sexuality Education
Religious Education
Optional Subjects
Art
Business
French
German
Home Economics
Music
Science
Students are encouraged to pursue the higher level course for the
Junior Certificate Examination.
Curriculum - Senior Cycle
Core Subjects:
Irish
English
Mathematics
Guidance
Physical Education
Religious Education
Social, Personal and Health Education
Optional Subjects:
Accounting Geography
Art German
Biology History
Business Home Economics
Chemistry Music
Choir Physics French
All subjects are offered at Higher Level. Every effort is made to secure a student's first preference.
Parents/Guardians and students are advised of subject choices at a specially convened meeting each year.
Class and individual advice is also provided by the Career Guidance Teacher.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme
The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme, open to all our students with appropriate subject groupings, prepares students for life after school, for further education, the world of work and the business of making a living.
Students take the usual seven Leaving Certificate subjects plus three link modules entitled - Enterprise Education, Preparation for Work, Work Experience. The link modules course has continuous assessment and a final examination. The results of the L.C.V.P. examination (awarded as pass, merit, distinction) are included on the Leaving Certificate.
Transition Year
The aim of the Transition Year is to promote the personal, social, educational and vocational development of students and to prepare them to participate as responsible members of society.
The subjects available to students are:
Architecture Home Entertainment
Beauty Care Investigative History
Mini Company Irish
Chemistry Computers, ECDL
Gaisce Mathematics
Community Care Communications
Comenius Environment
Music Drama
P.E. - First Aid, Self Defence German
Personal Development English
Physics European Studies Project
Religion for Life French
Tourism Geography
Guidance Road Safety
Mental Health Swimming
Film Speech and Drama
These subjects may change from year to year according to availability of teaching resources.
Work experience with its attendant preparation for work and analysis of the work experience is an integral part of the course.
Freed from the pressure of examinations students are provided with an opportunity to grow and mature and to develop skills and insights, which will enable them to deal more effectively with the Leaving Certificate Programme.
Health Promoting School Network
St. Mary's College was one of five second-level schools chosen by the Department of Education to pilot the Health Promoting School Project. The Health Promoting School emphasises a holistic approach to health and extends the narrowly held view of health as diet and fitness to include and promote broader aspects such as self esteem and self confidence, decision making, relationships with peers and adults, appreciation and respect for the environment.
The following programmes developed from the H.P.S.P. and became an integral part of the school curriculum:
Personal Development for senior students
Induction Days for first year students
Induction Days for Transition Year Students
Focus Days for Form 5 students
Parenting Courses
Healthy Eating
Activity Weeks
Liaison Students
Student Council
Increased parent involvement in school activities
Enhancement of the environment
Leadership training for senior students
Rainbows Programme
In 1998/99 we registered as a "Green School". A Committee comprising, students, teaching and non-teaching staff, management, parents and the local community are working together on environmental issues. The aim of the "Green School" is to promote care for the environment through educating students to be responsible and accountable for their actions.
In June 1999 St.Mary's College was the first Secondary School to be awarded the EU Green Flag. Every second year we undertake a new environmental project and apply to An Taisce for a renewal of our green School status. To date we are in receipt of five Green Flags.
Pastoral Care
Year Heads
A "Year Head" is in charge of each year group. The Year Head is responsible for the general progress and discipline of students in his/her care.
Tutors
Each class in the Junior Cycle and Transition Year is assigned to the care of a specific teacher - the Tutor. The Tutor has a special responsibility for the students in his/her care. Within the pastoral care programme the tutor offers support and encouragement to each student and helps any girl with difficulties or problems.
Specially chosen Leaving Certificate students - "Liaison Students" are appointed to the first year classes. Their task is to ensure that new students are happy in school and they achieve this through regular contact with the girls. They welcome the students to the school, familiarise them with their environment and encourage integration and involvement in class and school activities. The Liaison Students refer difficulties that the new students may encounter to the Tutor or Year Head.
Parents are encouraged to contact the Tutor or Year Head if they are concerned with their daughter's progress.
Parental Involvement
An active Parents' Council, open to all parents, meets once a month to:
Career Areas to which our Pupils Aspire
The Guidance Counsellor in St Mary's College did a survey of the career areas to which our pupils aspire. Our students are literally involved in every area listed below:
A significant number have gone on to take their Masters and Ph.D. qualifications in a wide range of subject areas: scientific, engineering, business, communications and the Arts. Many others have their own business firms.
Our College endeavours to help every student develop her potential and to find the pathway in life which leads to satisfaction and happiness for each individual. We are happy that our students, past and present, generally achieve well and benefit from the efforts of a dedicated teaching Staff.