St. Mary's College, Arklow

The Mercy Day Assembly, held as part of the Mercy Day celebrations, was addressed by the Head Girl, Síle MacCormaic and Deputy Head Girl, Eimear Fleming. They offered words of wisdom and encouragement to the students who listened attentively to the two very impressive head girls.

Síle and Eimear addressed particular words to each year group, taking it in turn to speak:

Síle's opening speech:


Sr. Sior, Mrs. Byrne, teachers and students, good morning and welcome back to a new school year. Welcome to all here, to 1st years, attending your very first assembly, right up to the 6th years on our very last start of year assembly. Welcome back to Ms.Dee Ryan, who spent last year in Africa, you were greatly missed and to Ms.O'Dea who has returned from India where she taught English to students.
St. Mary's is a centre for excellence. We pride ourselves on being the best that we can be. You have been a St.Mary's student not from the first day you walked through those foyer doors, but from the very first time you tried on that uniform. So wear it with pride.

Eimear addresses First Years;

Girls, take a second to look at your hands. Our hands are probably the most important part of our body. St. Mary's is like our hands, it's important to us and part of our everyday lives. Just like our hands without St. Mary's we'd be lost. Each and every one of us has a unique hand, a unique finger print, yet we share St. Mary's together. We know at times things may seem tough, but all you have to do is reach out your hand and someone will be there to hold it.
First years you are the baby finger of the hand, even though some of you aren't the smallest! Many of you have come from schools in the town and already have a great group of friends, but remember to extend your hands to those who know none, they, just like the baby finger feel like they're hanging out on the edge. Starting St. Mary's is a new beginning for you, so why not try something new? We have so much to offer, such as basketball, camogie, football, hockey and even tag-rugby. If sports aren't your niche, there's always debating, library council and green school. St. Mary's is the only school to have obtained 7 green flags!

Síle addresses second years:

Second Years. You're no longer the babies of the school, you're the ring finger, the most fashionable part of the hand,tan, make-up, big hair and short socks. It happens every year. We see second years come out of their shells. Your true personalities start to shine through. But remember, you have four more years here, so don't let that big hair blur your vision. Do your homework each night and don't let your standards slide. It'll make honours maths as easy as "pi" and the Junior Cert next year a doddle.

Eimear addresses third years:

Third years, you are halfway through St. Mary's just like the middle finger is halfway through the hand. Just because you're the longest finger doesn't make you the most important. Importance belongs to the 6th years. Keep your heads down, autograph your work with excellence and you'll be proud next September knowing you've achieved your best.

Síle addresses TY's:

To my index fingers, the TY's. Use your finger to point out new things and new people. Try everything once. Take this year in your stride and get involved in as much as you can. Because when you're sitting at a desk next year learning about cyclic photophosphonylation, you'll be daydreaming and wishing you tried tag rugby, or attained that ECDL cert. "Some people dream of worthy accomplishments, while others stay awake and do them." So stay awake girls and live your dreams. With the fun comes hard work, so stay on top of those projects and hand them in on time. Don't let your work experience daunt you. Pick something you'll enjoy. And try to wear matching shoes on your first day. A note of advice, when Ms.Ryan says break in those hiking boots . . . LISTEN.

Eimear addresses fifth years:

Fifth years, the transition from Junior Cycle to Senior cycle is vast, just like the space between the thumb and the hand. The thumb is strongest part of the hand and the hardest working. Be wise and start studying now because it will make all the difference next year.
We wish you all the best and most fruitful year ahead. Take every day as it comes, live everyday to the full. And remember never ever be anything less than everything you can be.

Síle addresses her own year group:

And finally, to the sixth years! You're probably wondering which finger we are and yes, there are only five. But we aren't just a finger. We are the palm. The palm has the most special job of all the hand. It's not fashionable like those 2nd years, or hanging on like those 5th years. We connect each of the fingers together. Without the 6th years, there would be no hand. Some of you I have known for five years, some of you I only got to know last year. One thing is true though, I've stopped seeing you as classmates, now we're a family. Take a minute to look at your palms, girls. Each palm has different lines. They are unique, no two are the same. Don't be afraid to be different. In the words of Marilyn Monroe - "Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it is better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." Let's all hold hands this year and take on the Leaving Cert together as a team. Our futures are bright. Just remember one thing, "Teachers open the door, but you have to enter by yourself."