How about a tale of two schools merging into one? St. Mary’s Boys National School is a place of learning. It strives to provide a happy and secure environment. Here students’ needs are identified and addressed.
St. Mary’s Boys National School is a Catholic school. It welcomes children of all religious beliefs. The school aims to provide a stimulating education. It encourages language learning. It appreciates languages and their place in culture.
The school wants parents involved. This happens through home-school contacts. Parents also help via the Parents Association.
The school enhances everyone’s self-esteem. It promotes respect for others and property. It encourages personal responsibility. The school prepares pupils for a modern multicultural society. It promotes equality. It celebrates diversity.
Let’s step back to 1852. A granite building arose thanks to grants and local support. It became a place of education. Today that same building houses a Montessori school and a Youth Club.
The first roll book dates back to 1861. The old school had one room. It measured 13 by 10 by 7 meters. Children aged three to fourteen learned here. Later a smaller room was added. It measured 4 by 4 by 2 meters. In 1918 the school had 60 boys. This was about one-fifth of today’s number.
Éamon de Valera’s son was a pupil here. This was when he was President in 1932. He may have enjoyed a holiday. His parents voted in the old school.
The present St. Mary’s Boys National School building opened in 1968. It had 300 pupils until the mid-1980s. Then enrolment fell to 50. Since 1987 numbers rose again to 300.
In 2004 Mary McAleese visited. She recognized the school’s contribution to local life. This visit marked 150 years of education.
Since 2013 St. Mary’s Boys National School added extensions. Two classrooms and three SET rooms were added at the back. In the front a staff room was built. Also two offices and three classrooms were included.
The school now has many staff members. There are 14 classroom teachers. Three are special needs teachers. One is an EAL teacher. There are nine special needs assistants. Two secretaries work here. Also there is one caretaker. And an administrative principal is on staff.
The Parent Association is very active. It funds activities and resources. Swimming and gymnastic lessons are provided. Tennis coaching is available. A set of Chromebooks is provided too.
St. Mary’s Boys National School has a great sporting record. Gaelic football and hurling are loved. The school has had success in Croke Park. They participate in athletics events at Santry Stadium. The school also has their School Active Flag.
St. Mary’s Boys National School has been awarded several Green Flags. They also have Junior Entrepreneur flags. The school participates in the Science Foundation Ireland STEM awards. It has a proactive Student Council and Green School Committee. The school is part of the Erasmus+ programme. This enables them to work with schools throughout Europe.
St. Mary’s aims to develop its teaching. It responds to changes in pedagogy and technology. It reaches out to students and stakeholders. It provides a warm, creative environment. The school is holistic, pastoral and inclusive. It is a child-centred school.