St. Mary's Secondary School
School Details
About
St Mary’s Secondary School, Newport is a Catholic co‑educational secondary school that delivers a broad, quality‑focused curriculum for a diverse student body of over 700 pupils. The school prides itself on a caring, supportive and respectful environment that nurtures both academic achievement and personal development. It offers a wide range of subjects, with three optional choices at Junior Cycle and four at Senior Cycle, and places a strong emphasis on spiritual and human development in line with its CEIST ethos. The campus occupies a spacious site on the edge of Newport, providing excellent sporting facilities including a modern sports hall, basketball courts, a large grass pitch and provision for hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, rugby, athletics and soccer. Recent investment in information‑communication technology means every classroom is equipped with laptops, data projectors and interactive whiteboards, enhancing learning and preparing students for the knowledge economy. The school’s mission is to promote respect, community and justice while delivering high‑quality teaching and learning. It seeks to develop each pupil’s full potential, encouraging confidence, hope and readiness for life beyond school.
History
St Mary’s opened as a small co‑educational secondary school and has grown to a student population of just over 700. Since its inception the school has continually adapted its curriculum to meet evolving educational needs. In 1988 a Board of Management was established, comprising parents, staff and trustees, and a lay principal was appointed in 1989, marking a transition from the Sisters of Mercy’s direct leadership while retaining their involvement as trustees and teachers. The school now operates under the trusteeship of CEIST (Catholic Education, an Irish Schools Trust) and remains committed to the Sisters’ legacy of service, spiritual development and community responsibility.