St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School

About The School

Is iad na Bráithre Críostaí caomhnóirí na scoile. Bunaíodh Scoil Mhuire sa bhliain 1866, thar céad is daichead bliain ó shin.

St.Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School belongs to the international group of schools served by the Irish Christian Brothers, a congregration founded by Blessed Edmund Rice in 1802.

('Westcourt' - the Home of Edmund Rice - Callan,
County Waterford)

The school was founded in 1866 on Divis Street, Belfast.

Osclaíodh an mheánscoil i Sr.na Baeirice i 1929.
The Secondary School was opened in 1929 in Barrack Street.

(Water colour by Fiona Kinney - former Art teacher)

St. Mary's CBGS is now based entirely on the Glen Road campus. This site opened in 1968. A major extension, The Edmund Rice Building, was officially opened and blessed by Bishop Patrick Walsh, a past pupil, in 1997.

The School's Ethos
The Religious and Educational Philosophy of St. Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School for boys is that of a Christian and Catholic School.

Catholic Education takes place in communities inspired by the Spirit of Christ.

Christ’s commandment to love God and neighbour inspires a caring ethos which is

expressed in relationships within and beyond Catholic schools.

Catholic Education is person-centred. It promotes the dignity, self-esteem and full development of each person who is made in God’s image and uniquely loved by God.

Catholic Education is inclusive. It is respectful of, and engages with people of all beliefs; it encourages the religious development of all in their own faith.

Catholic Education is rooted in the Gospel values of Respect for Life, Love, Solidarity,

Truth and Justice; it aims to harmonise faith and culture, build a better society and pursue the Common Good.

Together, Catholic Schools provide high quality, rounded education for all young people, so that they develop their full uniqueness and potential.

In Catholic Schools the person and message of Christ find expression in:

· Communities of Faith, Service, Prayer and Worship;
· The development of each person’s full potential in a climate of joy, freedom, respect, challenge, co-operation and celebration;
· The enrichment of pupil life – intellectual, physical, spiritual, moral, social and emotional;
· The promotion of a spirit of charity, social justice, global awareness and concern for others leading to practical outreach and partnerships;
· A culture of tolerance where people of diverse identities are recognised, welcomed, respected and cherished;
· Listening, mutual understanding, trust, reconciliation, healing and peace;
· The preparation of pupils to lead fulfilling and purposeful lives which will contribute to the Common Good.

Sources:

Proclaiming the mission – The Distinctive Philosophy and Values of Catholic Education, The Catholic Bishops of Northern Ireland, (Ara Coeli, Armagh 2001);

Building Peace Shaping the Future, The Catholic Bishops of Northern Ireland, (Ara Coeli,
Armagh 2001)

Life to the Full: A vision for Catholic Education. CCMS Council for Catholic Maintained
Schools. (Veritas1996)

An tOideachas Caitliceach – An Aisling
Spiorad Chríost is inspioráid do na pobail ina mbíonn An tOideachas
Caitliceach lonnaithe. Spreagann aithne Chríost i dtaca le grá do Dhia agus
do do chomharsa éiteas comhbhách ar léir é i gcaidrimh taobh istigh agus
taobh amuigh de scoileanna Caitliceacha.

Tá an tOideachas Caitliceach dírithe ar an duine. Cuireann sé dínit,
féinmheas agus forbairt iomlán an duine chun cinn, an duine a chruthaigh
Dia in íomhá féin agus grá ar leith Aige dó.

Rud uilechuimsitheach is ea An tOideachas Caitliceach.
Cothaíonn sé meas do dhaoine agus teagmháil le daoine, is cuma cén
creideamh atá acu; spreagann sé forbairt spioradálta an duine ina chreideamh féin.

Tá An tOideachas Caitliceach fréamhaithe i luachanna an tSoiscéil maidir le Meas don Bheatha, An Grá, An Dlúthpháirtíocht, An Fhírinne agus
An Chóir; tá sé de chuspóir aige an creideamh agus an cultúr a thabhairt
chun comhréitithe, sochaí níos fearr a thógáil agus Leas an Phobail a chur
chun cinn.

I dteannta a chéile, cuireann Na Scoileanna Caitliceacha oideachas cothrom d’ardchaighdeán ar fáil do gach duine óg, sa dóigh is gur féidir leis nó léi a fhéiniúlacht iomlán agus a mhianach iomlán a fhorbairt.

I Scoileanna Caitliceacha léirítear pearsa agus teachtaireacht Chríost trí:

Pobail a chruthú ina bhfuil áit lárnach ag An Creideamh, An tSeirbhís,
An Urnaí agus An tAdhradh;

Mianach gach duine a fhorbairt ina iomláine i dtimpeallacht a chothaíonn
an lúcháir, an tsaoirse, an meas, an dúshlán, an comhoibriú agus an ceiliúradh;

Saol an dalta a shaibhriú – an gné intleachtúil, fisiciúil, spioradálta,
morálta, sóisialta agus mothúchánach san áireamh;

An charthanacht, an chóir shóisialta, eolas ar chúrsaí domhanda agus
bá le daoine eile a chur chun cinn i dtreo gníomh a spreagadh agus páirtnéireachtaí a bhunú;

Cultúr caoinfhulaingt a chur chun cinn ina n-aithnítear agus ina gcuirtear fáilte roimh dhaoine atá éagsúil ó thaobh na féinúlachta de, le meas
agus le grá;
Éisteacht, comhthuiscint, muinín, athmhuintearas, leigheas agus síocháin;
Daltaí a ullmhú le saol comhlíontach diongbháilte a chaitheamh, le leas an phobail.

The facilities provided in St Mary’s include:
PC Computer Suites, Subject Suites, Extensive Technology Suite; Art Studios, Pottery Room, Music Suite, Resources Rooms, Library, incorporating ICT facilities, Careers / Counselling Suite, Lecture Hall, 12 Science Laboratories, Sixth Form Study Hall, Common Room and a large Assembly Hall and Canteen.

Among the sporting facilities provided by St Mary’s are: fifteen acres of playing fields, including an all-weather pitch, three grass pitches, an athletics track, gymnasium, multi-gym and indoor heated swimming pool.

The Curriculum:
St Mary's offers a broad, balanced curriculum relevant to the needs and aspirations of all pupils and is in keeping with the Religious and Educational Philosophy of the School and fulfils the requirements of educational legislation. At key stages, where subject choices have to be made, there is a systematic guidance process to assist pupils in decision making. Regular Parent/Teacher meetings are held to report and discuss the progress of each pupil.

GCSE:
All students take the GCSE examination, selecting their subjects on the basis of their ability, interests and career requirements. This selection is carefully monitored by the Careers Department. Each student takes a core of four GCSE subjects - English with Oral Communication, Mathematics, Religion and Science. A further five subjects are chosen from the following: Additional Mathematics, Art, Business Studies, Drama, English Literature, French, Gaeilge, Geography, History, ICT, Irish, Music, Sports Studies, Spanish, and Technology.

6th Form:
Successful GCSE students choose a course of study from a wide range of AS Level subjects. There are approximately three hundred students in the sixth form, a number of whom come to St Mary's from other secondary schools each year. The great majority of our sixth form students proceed to third level education.

Pastoral Care:

The school is organised on the form system and the form teachers have the primary responsibility for the pastoral care of their students. The Careers Department offers advice and guidance to all pupils. There are other forms of support in the School including a Co-ordinator of Special Educational Needs, School Chaplain and trained Counsellors.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Students are coached in a full range of extra-curricular activities. Sports include Gaelic football, hurling, basketball, athletics, cross-country, lifesaving & first aid, swimming, skiing, water-polo, handball, golfing and soccer. There are clubs and societies for drama, music, botany, computing, debating, the Mini Company, publications, school bank, science, video and community activities.

(Picture - St. Mary's football/hurling rig being modelled in Lusaka, Zambia)

We attempt to cater for all tastes and pupils are encouraged to become involved in the life of the school. Educational visits are organised to various parts of Europe. We also make an annual visit to our twinned communities and projects in Zambia.

General Information:
School uniform is compulsory in all years. Sixth form has a separate dress code.