A very warm welcome to St Mary’s Secondary School, New Ross.

It is a privilege to be Principal of a school with such a proud history, strong traditions and wonderful sense of community. Whether you are a parent considering St Mary’s for your daughter, a current member of our school community, a past pupil or simply visiting our website, I hope you get a real sense of what makes our school such a special place.

At St Mary’s, we believe that education is about much more than what happens in the classroom. Academic achievement is hugely important, and we encourage every student to aim high and achieve her very best. But equally important is the person each student becomes along the way. We want our girls to be happy, to feel safe and supported, to develop lifelong friendships and to grow into confident, kind and independent young women.

One thing I believe strongly is that every student should feel that she belongs, that she matters and that there is someone in her corner. Each girl brings her own personality, strengths and ambitions to our school. Our responsibility is to recognise those qualities, nurture them and help every student discover what she is capable of achieving.

We are fortunate to have a dedicated and caring staff who work tirelessly to provide the best possible opportunities for our students. We have high expectations, but we also recognise that success comes in many forms. Whether in the classroom, through sport, music, the arts, student leadership or simply having the confidence to try something new, every achievement matters and deserves to be celebrated.

Our Mercy tradition is something we are immensely proud of. The values of compassion, respect, kindness and service to others, inspired by Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy, remain at the heart of school life. As a CEIST school, we continue to build on that legacy, ensuring that St Mary’s is a welcoming and inclusive community where every student is valued and respected.

St Mary’s has been an important part of the New Ross community for generations, and that sense of history and belonging is something worth cherishing. However, while we are proud of our past, we must also look confidently to the future. Schools should never stand still. We must continue to embrace new ideas, improve our facilities and create opportunities that allow our students to flourish.

I believe that the best schools are built on strong relationships. The friendships our students develop, the connection between students and staff, and the partnership between home and school all contribute enormously to a positive school experience. We want parents and guardians to feel welcome, informed and involved, knowing that we are working together in the best interests of their daughters.

“Ní neart go cur le chéile” – There is no strength without unity. This simple message captures what I believe makes a school community special. When students, staff, parents and the wider community work together, support one another and take pride in their school, great things can happen.

As Principal, I want St Mary’s to be a school where there is a real sense of warmth when you walk through the door, where students are encouraged to dream big, where hard work and kindness go hand in hand, and where every girl is given the opportunity to be the very best version of herself.

Above all, I want our students to look back on their time in St Mary’s with pride and happiness, knowing that they were supported, challenged, cared for and encouraged every step of the way.

There is a great deal to be proud of in St Mary’s and even more to look forward to. I am genuinely excited about the next chapter in our school’s story and look forward to working with our entire school community to shape that future together.

Thank you for visiting our website. I hope it gives you a flavour of the people, opportunities and experiences that make St Mary’s such a wonderful school.

Mr Anthony Reynolds
Principal