THE HISTORY OF ST MARY'S

St Mary's was opened in January 1959 as a Secondary Intermediate School to serve the girls who did not go to Grammar School from the Parishes of Shankill, Seagoe, Magheralin and part of Tullylish. The first Principal was Sr M Aquinas. The initial enrolment was 374 pupils with a staff of 16. The principal and six teachers were Mercy Sisters.

During the 1960's the school flourished and increased. Between 1969 and 1971 extensions were added which provided much needed Science, Music and Art facilities, additional Home Economics rooms, extra classrooms and a second Gym hall. In 1972 pupils began to enter the new Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) which provided a much needed motivation for both pupils and staff.

1973 was a year of big changes. Sr M Aquinas retired, the school leaving age was raised to 16 and St Mary's joined the Dickson Plan. Miss K O'Reilly the new Principal had the task of managing a change to a non-selective school for 11 to 14 year olds. This change brought about a very rapid increase in enrolment during the 1970's, in addition the pupils who did not transfer to the Senior High School at 14 stayed at St Mary's (originally a temporary arrangement which became permanent). Enrolment peaked at over 740 in 1980-81.

Miss O'Reilly retired in 1981 and was succeeded by Miss M T O'Neill. In 1982 it became school policy for all pupils to be given the opportunity to enter for public examinations. The school joined the first cohort of schools in the 11 - 16 programme in 1984 and found it very beneficial because of the level of support.

Plans to extend the school grounds and improve the sports facilities were completed in 1988. A computer network was installed in 1989. Two Science rooms were refurbished and a Technology Suite was fitted in 1993. Home Economics rooms were refurbished in 1996. A second computer network and extra science facilities were installed in 1998. A further extension to the Technology Department was completed in September 2004. A Computer Suite was refurbished in 2005. There is internet access from each classroom.


MISSION STATEMENT

To provide an education which will:

* give pupils a knowledge and understanding of Catholic teaching

* promote in them tolerance for the beliefs of others

* enable them to develop their full potential

* enable them to acquire skills, knowledge and judgement so that they become happy, well balanced members of society.

SCHOOL AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

(A) To provide an education which will give pupils a knowledge and understanding of Catholic teaching and an appreciation of catholic values and instil in them a respect and tolerance for the beliefs of others.

Objectives:

To provide a caring and disciplined school community within which Christian values and Catholic faith are taught and practised.

To encourage self-respect, consideration for others and tolerance and understanding of other religions and cultures.

To develop an awareness of the normal issues in the modern world and the Catholic outlook on them.

To organise a carefully structured RE programme, taught throughout the school by well-informed and dedicated staff, supported by regular visits from the school chaplains.

To provide opportunities for communal worship, whole school and class assemblies and other forms of Catholic liturgy.

To foster an awareness of, and an interest in, our local culture and national heritage.

(B) To encourage in the school a Christian ethos and to create an environment within which individuals, both teachers and pupils, may develop their full potential for the benefit of themselves and the rest of society.

Objectives:

To ensure equal opportunities for each pupil regardless of ability and home background.

To encourage pupils to use their own initiative.

To provide motivation.

To stimulate the appreciation of aesthetic values.

To encourage pupils to view the process of learning as a pleasurable activity. To encourage pupils to express their views orally with confidence, ability and courtesy.

To encourage the co-operation and assistance of the parents in their daughters education.

To provide opportunities for involvement in the local community - especially with the elderly, handicapped, disadvantaged and underprivileged.

To foster positive attitudes to and respect for themselves, their peers and those in authority.

To instil in our pupils a respect for their own and other peoples property.

To provide opportunities for the staff to develop their professional expertise.


(C) To help pupils acquire skills, knowledge, judgement and practical abilities which will encourage curiosity, understanding and appreciation.

Objectives:

To set challenging yet realistic standards of behaviour and academic progress.

To ensure that pupils achieve as high as possible standards of literacy, numeracy, oracy and ICT.

To teach pupils to evaluate the mass media in a critical and discriminating manner.

To develop in the pupils an awareness of their talents and to encourage them to develop these to the full.

To ensure continuity in the pupils education through effective contact with contributory Primary Schools and Senior High School.

To develop study skills.

(D) To produce happy, well-balanced, independent members of society, with an informed idea of their role in adult life.

Objectives:

To provide appropriate career guidance for pupils of all abilities.

To provide opportunities to experience a wide range of activities which will be of practical use in adult life.

To develop links with Further Education, Youth Employment Services and employers so that our pupils know about and can avail themselves of a wide range of opportunities.

To make available a variety of extra curricular activities eg educational visits.

To provide an education that is acceptable to employers and prepare the pupils with a period of work experience in Year 12.

To develop in our pupils an ability and desire to utilise their increasing leisure time in a constructive and creative manner.

To prepare our pupils for life in a highly technological environment and to make them aware of the position of responsibility that they will one day hold in the world of work and/or parenthood.

To make pupils aware of and to help them cope with the problems of a rapidly changing society.