Archives : 2008-2009

Extra Curricular

Meitheal

Student Council

Transition Year

Amnesty

Board of Management Awards Night

New Prayer Room

Opening of External Sports Facilities

Basketball

We have had an excellent start to the season. It has certainly been a

reversal of fortunes from previous years with the Seniors enjoying most

success. The Cadette and Senior teams started their league campaigns

in early October against St. Leo's. Unfortunately the Cadette team lost the

match but the Seniors won by 10points. Just before mid-term the Seniors

defeated St. Mary's Nenagh 34-22. O. Fitzpatrick and K. Behan hit the top

scores with a solid contribution from J. Murphy. The u16 and u19 teams

both played Eurek (Kells) and St. Mark's (Tallaght) in the first round.

M. Hickey was top scorer with 10 points to her credit. The

u19 team scored a huge tally, 67 to 26 points. Each player scored baskets.

Next the u19 squad defeated Alexandra College 61-34. Top scorers were S.

Behan and M. Poutch with a well balanced performance from all players.

The Cadette team defeated Granard in the regional quarter final 30-16 and

the Seniors defeated Nenagh 34-21 in the Regional final, thus ensuring their

place in the Final. The Cadette team was unlucky to lose their regional semi

to Newbridge College. The score was level at normal full time and went into

extra time. Unfortunately Newbridge just grabbed the lead at the last minute

and the match ended 27-24. B. Doolan scored 14 points. Well done to all the

players and their coach John Clancy. Next year's team will be stronger again

with a talented and determined squad

On 11th December the Senior team faced St. Leo's in the Regional Final. St.

Mary's worked very hard and won the Final 47-29. K. Behan scored the

highest - 18 points. This team had not lost a single match in the League or

the Cup so far. The victory for many of the panel was long overdue as they

have been unlucky in years past and have now finally got their hands on a

well deserved gold medal. On 9th January the team played Ballincollig C.S.

in the all Ireland semi-final. The team hit top points with S. Behan scoring

26 points and being declared Most Valued Player. Marisa Poutch scored 15

with strong contributions from C. Hulgraine, O. Fitzpatrick, R. Healy, and J.

Murphy. C.Hill, B.Doolan, N.Gleeson, N.Howard James, K. Behan and S. O'

Donnell produced many fast breaks and attacks on the basket during the

match. The Final score was 67-46

Hockey

'08-'09 Season

St. Mary's has four teams entered in the Leinster schoolgirls hockey league at Senior, Junior, Minor and First Year level. The senior team are playing in the Senior A League, our Juniors and Minors are playing in the B League with our First Years placed in the A League.

Training for First Years who have never played Hockey before is on Monday after school with Mary O Sullivan, the Junior Co-ordinator of Naas Hockey Club. We are very grateful that Mary has volunteered to do this as part of an initiative to promote hockey. Training for Seniors takes place on Wednesday after school with Ms. Mc Mahon, with the Juniors and Minors training at the same time with Ms. Briody. Ms. Ramsey takes training on Tuesdays at lunchtime and all players are required to attend this session.

We wish all hockey players in the school the best of luck for the season ahead and hope that it is a successful one for everyone.

The highlight for everyone involved in hockey in St. Mary's last term was Caroline Hill's selection onto the Leister U18 Interprovincial Squad. This was a fantastic achievement for a player from a school not playing in the Premier League. Traditionally selectors confine their search for representative players to that league, so for Caroline to be picked is a credit to her undeniable exceptional talent and ability.We hope this is the start of a bright career at representative level for Caroline and are delighted to have her as a great role model for younger players here in our school.

SENIOR HOCKEY

The Senior Hockey team played Newpark Comprehensive school on 15th October. Naas got off to a very good start, getting a few shots on goal, but were unlucky not to score. The first goal of the match went to Newpark, but Naas kept attacking and were unlucky not to find the net. Newpark scored their second goal just before the half-time whistle. Caroline Hill scored the first goal for Naas and although Newpark came back strong against Naas, our defense held strong. Naas got their second goal when a shot, hit by Caroline Hill, was finished off by Amy Nolan. Naas gave it everything to the end, but were unfortunate to lose out on a final score of 3-2 to Newpark.

JUNIOR HOCKEY

The Junior team played two warm up games in October against Newbridge College and St. Leo's Carlow. The team had an excellent win against a very strong Newbridge College team, winning 2-1. The result came on the back of an excellent performance from the entire team who closed down the opposition players at every opportunity, forcing them to make errors while we took our attacking chances well when we got them.

The team's next match was against a very strong St. Leo's team in Carlow. We were asleep at the start and gifted them with an early goal, but great credit is due to the girls who fought hard and got back level early in the second half. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

On Tuesday October 21st we played our first league match against Loreto Balbriggan, in Balbriggan on an old style shale pitch. It was definitely advantage therefore to the home team but Naas were on top throughout the first half with several goal chances that we should have converted. Unfortunately we did not while Loreto played themselves back into the game and scored early in the second half. We chased the game with some excellent play from Helen O'Sullivan, Hannah Denver, Grainne O'Neill and Leah Whyte. But luck was not with us and we could not get the equallizing goal. The game ended with a 1-0 victory for Loreto Balbriggan. We are hoping to get back to winning ways against St. Columba's Rathfarnham after the midterm break.

The team's next match was away to St. Columba's. On a bitterly cold day in Rathfarnham, the girls played fantastic hockey against a much stronger team and held them scoreless until the last few minutes of the first half, when a short corner produced a goal for the opposition. Despite keeping their heads up and playing great hockey, the team were unlucky to lose 2 -0 at the final whistle. We played Akexandra College, one of the most dominant schools in Leinster Hockey, here in Naas just before Christmas. We were very strong defensively on the day but our attacking play in the last quarter of the match was again a weakness. The next match is a home venue on Jan 21st at 3.30pm against Our Lady's Grove Goatstown. Go n-éirí an t-ádh leo go léir.

JUNIOR HOCKEY PANEL: Susan Noone, Helen O'Sullivan, Naimh Aherne, Roisin Power, Jane O'Brien, Alison Kelly,Pauline Mc Keon, Fiona Hill, Hannah Denver, Grainne O'Neill, Emer Kenny, Megan Ryan, Leah Whyte,Heather Clancy, Kelly Byrne, Rebecca Low, Niamh Collins, Emer Woods, Maedhb Dillon, Bronagh Mc Manus, Jennifer Cassidy, Aoife Breen.

MINOR HOCKEY

The Minor team had a warm up match against a very strong Newbridge College team in Naas in mid October. We conceded four goals in the first half as a result of very poor defending. The girls worked hard on this part of their game in the second half, only conceding one more goal and scoring an excellent goal themselves. With many strong displays of skill from the First year players, hard work will be undertaken in our defense strategies. The team will play their first league game in the week after midterm at home against the Dominican school from Wicklow. We wish the team and Ms. Ramsey all the best of luck for the coming season.

MINOR HOCKEY PANEL: Niamh Tuohy, Grace Mc Loughlin, Robyn Furlong, Rachel McGinn, Colleen Redfern, Grainne Pyke, Megan O'Brien, Aoife Hyde, Pauline Mc Keon, Heather Clancy, Ann Marie Byrne, Jessica Low, Alanna Mulligan, Sarah Clancy, Laura Kiely, Lorna Laide, Leah Headon, Laoise Dillon, Peggie Mc Keon, Jane Fitzsimons, Romy Morrin, Cora Dempsy, Louise Madge.

The Minor Hockey team, led by a fantastic captain, Pauline McKeon, have had a fantastic start to this years's campaign. With one game still to play, against Loreto Stephen's Green, they have already won two matches and drawn one. If a good result can be secured in their final game they will hopefully top their group and qualify to play the runners-up of group G in the quarter finals.

The Minor team are full of enthusiasm and team spirit and, with the addition of some new First year players are set to make their mark on hockey in St. Mary's.

First Year

Congratulationsl to the First years who have won all their matches comfortably against Loreto Dalkey, St. Mary's Arklow, Loreto Bray and had a scoreless draw in their final pool match against Our Lady's Terenure. Loreto Mullingar withdrew from the league before Christmas, a casualty of the Education cutbacks. The First years are now through to the knockout stages of the league and we are at present awaiting confirmation of their victory in their pool. Many thanks to Mary O'Sullivan, the Junior Co-ordinator of Naas Hockey club who both works with the First Years on a Monday after school and also regularly referees many of our matches. In February, the First years will be competing in the Kildare League and with two teams in the competition, training will continue in the weeks ahead. The First year panel is Amy O'Brien, Sine Kenny, Romy Morrin, Emma Caset, Cora Dempsey, Leah Headon, Orla Lynch, Laura Hegarty, Peggy Mc Keown, Lorna Laide, Loaise Dillon, Jane Fitzsimons, Sarah Clancy, Laura Kiely, Naoise Gallagher, Eileen Woods, Rosie Read, inead Sweeney, Rebecca Fallon.

Athletics

Summer 2008

On the June Bank holiday weekend last the school Athletics team competed in the Al Ireland Schools Track and Field Championships. On the day the girls won 3 individual medals and 1 team medal.

Ailbhe Enright won bronze in the long jump

Sandra Lawler won gold in the 100m hurdles and bronze in the 100m

The relay team of Ailbhe, Sandra and Sinead and Ciara O'Connor won silver.

In addition, Sandra then went on to represent Ireland in Poland at the World Junior Championships.

Well done to all involved and best of luck for the coming year.

All Ireland winners with Ms. O' Neill (Principal) and Mr. Campbell (coach)

All Ireland Track and Field Championships

Sandra Lawler was the star performer for the school at the Kit Kat All Ireland Schools Track and Field Championship held on Saturday June 2nd at a wet and windy Tullamore Harriers track. Her first event of the day was the 100m. With the 200m champion of the day in her race, it was always going to be a tough task to take gold. She got away to her trade mark good start. However, she was caught in the final stages and took a very close third place.

Within half an hour Sandra was again on the starting line for the start of the 80m hurdles, her favourite event. She got off to a very good start and led all the way to take gold.

As the day drew to a close all eyes were again on the intermediate relay team of Ailbhe Enright, Sinead O' Connor, Ciara O' Connor and Sandra Lawler who were looking for the school's first medal in the event. The girls got the baton safely around the first three stages and it was down to the final leg to determine the medals. Sandra Lawler gave her very best down the final straight, however it was Loreto on the Green who took gold with St. Mary's taking silver. This was a magnificent achievement as the school had not been represented at this level in a relay for many years.

Others who competed on the day were Aoife Sheehy who set a personal best in the 200m walk, Ailbhe Enright in the long jump and Ciara O' Connor in the 1500m. Well done to all the girls on their commitment and to Mr. Campbell for all his dedication. Congratulations to all and best of luck in the coming season.

Gaelic Football

The girls had a great start to the campaign with a resounding win over Athy in Naas recently. The team had excellent performances all round. Aoife Mangan, in her first game in goal, did really well. Others who played well included Orla Hanlon, Amy O Hara, Roisin Ellis, Fiona Trant, Sinead Keogh, Dairine Hoban and Cliodhna Mc Sweeney.

It was a different story in their second game against Cross and Passion, Kilcullen. who proved much too strong on the day.

The girls were missing some key players on the day due to injuries and work experience committments. However, we then qualified for the next round of the Leinster Championship against De La Salle Bagenalstown in Bagenalstown on Dec 10th.

Unfortunately, we made our exit from the championship mainly due to a poor first half performance. We improved hugely in the second half, scoring 5 goals and 2 points but it was not enough as we went under by 8 goals and 7 points to 5 goals and 2 points.

Team members: A. O' Hara, R. Mellett, E. Buckley, C. Temple, C. Campbell, R. Dunleavy, N. Curtis, R. Conran, F. Trant, S. Keogh, C. Hill, R. Whyte, A. Doyle, D. Hoban, C. Mc Sweeney. Subs: J. Doyle, M. Nolan, A. Clarke, A. Caulfield, S. Manning, C. Mc Grath.

Scorers were Caroline Hill, Sinead Keogh and Cliodhna Mc Sweeney.

Special mention must go to Chloe Campbell who was the best player on the field for St. Mary's. Others to shine were Amy O' Hara, Emma Buckley, Roisin Mellett, Catriona Temple and Roisin Dunleavy.

St. Mary' s V Athy

St.Mary's 5-9 : Athy 1-5

The first half started very well with great scores from Aoife Caulfield and Sinead Lawler. Consistent good supply ball from mid field and accurate play from the forwards resulted in many points early on in the match. Brid Doolan and Grace Clifford were very accurate when given the chance and took their points well. Powerful play by full back Niamh Hedderman and excellent saves by her sister Aoife, denied Athy the chance of any scores for long periods of time. Grainne and Elaine were first to every ball, with Cliona picking up the passes around the middle of the field.

Unfortunately, St. Mary's lost two of their star players, through injury, early in the second half as Aoife Caulfield and Leah Whyte were forced to retire. Roisin Power and Shauna Gallagher came on as subs and were straight into the action. As the scores continued to mount up in St. Mary's favour, Fiona Fallon came on to replace Tara Carroll in the final minutes of the game. With the final score St. Mary's 5-9, Athy 1-5 it was home with a job well done to await the next match. Well done to all involved and to Mr. Wallace for all his committment.

Meitheal

Meitheal Slumber Party 17th Dec.2008

On 17th December 170 First Year students gathered in the Assembly Hallsporting pjs and carrying a variety of sleeping bags, douvets and bean bags. To celebrate the festive Christmas season, the Meitheal leaders had organised a movie night with all proceeds going to St. Vincent dePaul. The night was a great success and a chance for all the girls to get together and enjoy themselves after their Christmas exams. Due to the generosity of all the First Years €400 was raised for local families facing hard times during the Christmas period. A cheque was presented to a representative of St. Vincent de Paul by the Meitheal leaders just before the Christmas break.

Party Pictures

Student Council and Meitheal Leaders presenting cheque to Mrs Glennon,

Chairperson of St. Vincent de Paul Society

Meitheal Sept- November '08

When we were First years, the Meitheal Leaders were always the pupils we looked up to. We wondered if we would ever be as grown up and as responsible as they were.For many of us current Meitheal leaders, Meitheal was something we have wanted to be part of from the time we could understand what it meant. We wanted to be part of a team that the First Years admired.

Five years later, twelve unique and individual girls met one Sunday morning in June to embark on what was going to be one of the best experiences of our lives. While having loads of fun and partaking in some of the most weird and wonderful things could imagine, we all became closer and began to form a bond. While we were all part of the same year group in school we did not really know each other well. But by the time we left Castletown in Co. Laois some 5 days later we were not just a Meitheal team of twelve girls from Naas, we were like a new family, each of us surrounded by people we felt we could trust and work with in a way we never could have imagined.

September arrived and it was time to put into practice all the skills we had learned while on our training week. It was now our time to shine as the new Meitheal Team in St. Mary's , our time to prove why we were chosen and to show everyone what we were made of.

Through everything we do in Meitheal, teamwork plays a vital role. There is no such thing as 'I' in Meitheal, we all share not only our ideas but also our worries. This has taught us to be more aware of each others individual talents and skills and has helped us to mature not only as Meitheal leaders but also as people ourselves. Everyone has a unique role to play on our team.

All of us find being a Meitheal leader both theraputic and calming. Studying for the leaving Cert is stressful and there is a lot of pressure. However, having the opportunity to escape from that world through Meitheal really helps. When we visit our First years during the week, one cannot help but leave their classroom with a smile and a new outlook on the day.

Meitheal to us is an experience impossible to explain. What an amazing experience we have had so far, one that will remain with us for the rest of our lives.

Meitheal Reflections as we come to the end of our year

2007-2008

When we started in Secondary school, Meitheal leaders were people we admired and respected. People we looked up to as role models. We wondered how they were so grown up, how they always seemed to have the answers, and how they had time for all us silly First years.

Five years later we still did not feel all that grown up, but we wanted our chance to grow and to learn and to help others as Meitheal leaders in our school always had. Our chance came and it's been a rollercoaster.

In Castletown, while having loads of fun, we got to know and develop our group into what was just like a second family. We forged friendships that will last a lifetime, all because we have shared the weird and wonderful experience of the Meitheal training week and of being Meitheal leaders.

Back in school we had to put all the lessons we had learned into practice. It was time to show them what we could do!

The responsibility was on us. We were all leaders, our challenge to be much more approachable to these First years than the new teachers they were facing. We were the smiling faces, the open ears and the shoulders to lean on for the nervous new students.

Teamwork was important to get all the various activities organised. This taught us a lot - not only did we become aware of each others individual talents and skills, we became aware of our own. We learned to communicate, delegate,compromise and trust each other.

Patience was also very important, as was keeping calm with a million and one things to be done as the eager first years arrived early. But their anxious smiles and friendly hellos were returned and everyone was put at ease. We made sure to listen to and to include everyone, a lesson I hope we will always remember and practice.

Watching the First years develop and settle in gives us fulfillment. We feel proud of them and proud of ourselves in our efforts to lead them. We have tried to do our job as Meitheal leaders to the best of our ability.

As Meitheal leaders we respect every effort anyone puts in. Every contribution helps, no leader is the same but together we make a team. We have all developed, not only as Meitheal leaders, but as people.

Meitheal can't be described, it has to be experienced. And what an experience.It will last a lifetime. And we've had a great time doing it.

Thanks for the memories.

Aislinn, Meitheal 2007-2008,

Student Council

Adele Morrin - Head Girl

Sandra Lawler - Deputy Head Girl

6th Year Representatives

Rachel Byrne, Joanne Casserly,

Shannon Cullen, Sarah Dudley, Cliodhna O'Sulivan

5th Year Representatives

Jill Butler, Emer Caplice,

Ruth Healy, Gillian Heavey, Zoe Lawlor

4th year Representatives

Laura Griffin, Jane Mc Carthy, Lauren O'Grady

3rd Year Representatives

Robyn Campbell, Amy Dowling, Evie Sammon

2nd Year Representatives

Emma Keevans, Clara Lamming

1st year Representatives

Claire Kealy, Cheyenne Russell

March 2009 Update

The Student Council has been very busy in the past few weeks orgainising two

major events to be held in the school in the coming weeks.

On Thursday 12th March a GIG will take place in the Assembly Hall. This is to raise

funds to help clear the debt on the playing field development. The gig will start

7.30pm and tickets are available each lunchtime during the coming week.

Before Easter this year's talent show will take place. The semi-final will be on

Saturday 4th April. Application forms will soon be available to groups or individuals

from all second level schools in the town. Contact St. Mary's Student Council for

further details.

Student Council visit to Nás na Ríogh Community Centre

2009

On Thursday 20th November, the Student Council fulfilled an invitation from Marguerita Solan, Chairperson of the Nás na Ríogh Housing Development, to visit Mc Auley Place. Last year the Student Council held a very successful Talent Show and the proceeds were donated to Mc Auley Place.

The Community Centre section of the development officially opened recently and so all pupils were delighted to accept the invitation to see the Centre. The building is a wonderful testament to peoples dreams, hard work and fundraising. Today no expense has been spared in the provision of all facilities. It consists of meeting and consultation rooms, a fully fitted kitchen, soundproof music room and activity room all of which are available to rent to members of the community for a nominal fee. The whole project is non-profit making with many people giving hours of their time on a voluntary basis.

The Student Council also held a brainstorming meeting with Marguerita to investigate what activities could be organised and held in the future for young people in the area and the Council hope to do a survey of pupils in St. Mary's to add to the list of possible ideas. The outing was a great success and as this year's Talent Show will also see the profits donated to Nas na Riogh Development, it is hoped that there will be a link between both committees for many years to come.

Christmas Activities.

The Student Council were kept very busy this December. They raised €1668.14 for

Outreach Moldova and then they set about organising a week long series of

activities before the Christmas holidays. The week began with a live gig in the

Assembly Hall from local group Touch Wood, followed by a lunchtime movie with

hot chocolate. Throughout the week over 1,000 candy canes were sold to students

to spread the Christmas cheer. Following years of tradition, the 'decorate a class'

competition saw 2A and 5S declared winners. The week concluded with a rag day

and in total almost €3,000 was collected. The presentation of the cheque to the

Chairperson of the local branch of St. Vincent de Paul took place on the day of the

Christmas holidays. Many thanks to all who organised and participated in all events.

Student Council with Touch Wood

STUDENT COUNCIL BOWLING OUTING 2009

On Thursday 8th January, the Student Council headed off on their annual outing.

The bus arrived at 2pm and all were in good spirits as we made our way to the

Leisureplex in Tallaght village. It was a great opportunity to take a break from

study and organising events and as it was the first time our First years joined

the Council it was an opportunity for all to get to know them. We spent time

in the bowling alley and then made our way to McDonald's for food. Returning to

Naas at 6pm, all were delighted with their afternoon and look forward to planning

events in school in the coming months.

GIG	TALENT SHOW
On March 12th, the Student Council organised a gig	After the great success of last year's Talent show, 'Naas has got
involving three amazing bands - Touchwood, Defex and	Talent', the Student Council decided to hold another one this
Miracle Bell. The admission cost was €7 for pupils and	year to raise funds for Amnesty International and the Nás na
€10 for adults. Refreshments were also sold and in total,	Ríogh Housing Development. Competitors from St. Mary's, St.
€552.01 was the outcome. This will be presented to Ms.	Patrick's and the CBS will take part. The semifinals are on Sat.
O'Neill after Easter to help clear the debt on the Astro turf.	4th April from 4pm and the Final will be held on Thursday 23rd
It was a brilliant show, enjoyed by everyone, the Council	April with guest MC and performers. Show starts at 7pm sharp.
members, the bands, the audience and the teachers who	Tickets are €7 for students and €10 for adults and they will be
peeped in to say hello. Many thanks to everyone involved.	available from the school from Monday 20th April.

Transition Year

The Year so far...

Transition Year got off to a great start with a gelling trip to Manchester. We visited

Old Trafford and in the evening went bowling. The next day was spent in Alton

Towers. The trip was a great success and a great time was had by all. All the

activities for T.Y. have commenced. The girls are undertaking Gaisce, which

involves a personal skill, community involvement, and personal development.

They are hoping to achieve the Bronze Award this year. Some are getting involved

in the Best Buddies programme. This is an organisation which helps fight the

loneliness and isolation often experienced by a person with an intellectual

disability. They will also have to run fundraising events and organise events and

outings for their buddies. They have helped fundraise for the homeless and Zambia

International.

As part of their P.E. programme, they are doing Yoga, step aerobics and fitness,

rock climbing and absailing and as part of their English course they will be attending

a day course on film studies in Kairos, Maynooth. They attended the National

Ploughing Championships in September.

The musical this year is 'Fiddler on the Roof' and practice takes place each Monday

and Friday. A very successful Market Day was held on which all students displayed

the products of their Mini Companies and projects for Young Social Innovators are

well underway.

The Religion Department organised two wonderful services- the Harvest Festival

in October and the Advent Service in December. In November all students did one

week of Work Experience. This was a very valuable experience for them and

allowed them to sample a wide range of work environments. In April they will

complete a further five days.

All students completed a Law Course in November- three barristers spent a day

teaching them about the Irish Legal System. They have been examined on this

course and will receive their certificates later in the year. On December 4th they

had their Christmas Outing, during which they visited Croke Park in the morning,

Dublin Castle and the State Apartments in the afternoon, shopped for a while and

completed the outing with skating in the RDS.

A Selection of T.Y Mini Companies

Amnesty

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights on December 10th, our school Amnesty group began organising an event to raise awareness and promote human rights. We placed posters of our own designs and ones

from the Amnesty International group around the school to inform the students about human rights.

We organised a bun giving event for the 10th December. Each bun had its own human right attached to it. These buns were distributed on the Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights and at the same time two petitions were organised.

Photographs were taken, the petitions were signed by many teachers and students and we received much support on the day. The event was a great success and helped to raise awareness about human rights in our school.

Members of St. Mary's College Amnesty Group

Board of Management Awards Night

An awards night that pointed to the holistic nature of education in St. Mary's College was held on Friday 28th November. This is an annual event

and tribute was paid to the award winners from the 6th year class of 2007-2008

The overriding criteria for consideration for these awards was the girls' ability to use the many talents that they had. While academic achievement

was also taken into account so also were artistic accomplishments, sporting prowess, courage in the face of adversity, personality and overall effort.

At an enjoyable ceremony held in the school staffroom, principal, Marie O'Neill and Board of Management chairman, Moling Ryan, both spoke of

the honour these girls have brought to themselves, to their families and to the school. They are to be heartily congratulated and are living proof of

the school's ethos which encourages both talent and effort.

The girls who received awards were Rosemary Cassidy, Derbhla Connaughton, Amy Hanrahan, Aine Hennessy, Fionnuala Nevin,

Caoimhe O'Leary, Iolanda Pearse, Aislinn Russell and Deborah Walsh.

New Prayer Room

September 2008

Thanks to the generosity of the Principal, Ms. Marie O'Neill, the old staff room was

given over to the Religion Department as a prayer room.

By its very nature, a prayer room must be available and clean and tidy at all times

if it is to fulfill its function as a quiet, welcoming, sacred space. It is not simply a

class room to which religion teachers take their classes. It is a place to pray, to

meditate, to be with God.

It is hoped that the prayer room will be used not just by religion classes, but by

individual pupils and staff members at times during the day where they may be

free to go and spend some time in meditation or prayer.

When the religion teachers first approached Ms. O'Neill over a year ago, they were

accutely aware of the necessity for such a sacred space in the school.

For many of our young people the spiritual and liturgical experiences they receive

in St. Mary's may well be the only such experiences in their adolescent lives. Thus

it is vital that such experiences take place in a special place with a special

environment.

The new prayer room has been redesigned and refitted to meet the needs of such

an environment. It has been repainted and new strip lighting installed. New spot

lights on dimmer switches have been added together with black-out blinds on the

windows. A water feature adds to the soothing atmosphere in our sacred space.

Special panels have been added to the existing windows to produce the effect of

stained glass and the altar has been sanded and revarnished.

Finally, a small group of students have been commissioned to ensure a welcoming

atmosphere at all times.

Photographs of the new Prayer Room in St. Mary's

Opening of

External Sports Facilities 2008

A Taste of the Day

Lady Gaelic players enjoying the celebrations

Members of the Student Council

St.Mary's Senior Basketball Team

Eamonn Coughlan officially opens the facilities

Gymnastics display during opening ceremony

Dance routine

The Unveiling

Head girl and Deputy Head Girl make presentation.

Ms. O' Neill and Student Council