St. Mary's Academy CBS
The school is located in Carlow town beside the railway station. It is an all-boys school of 582 students. We have an open enrolment policy but because of the physical size of the building we have to restrict numbers so that they can be safely accommodated. Our enrolment policy provides details of how we select students, in the event of a greater number of applicants than can be admitted.
The school was under the trusteeship of the Christian Brothers until it transferred to the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST) on 1st September 2008. (See www.erst.ie and www.erstcharter.ie) It is run by a Board of Management. The board consists of 4 trustee nominations, 2 parents and 2 teachers. These representatives are selected every 3 years. The present Board will be in office until September 2009.
BOM Members, 2009 - 2012
ERST Representatives Eamonn Brophy (Chairman) Joan Sheerin Brian Broderick Parent Representatives Mary Clare Byrne Frank Neenan Teacher Representatives Louise Williamson Sean Kealy
The principal is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the decisions of the Board of Management and acts as secretary to the board.
Classes are non-streamed when students come into First Year but at the beginning of Second Year classes are banded for Maths, English and Irish. This allows students to be placed in classes (for these 3 subjects) that suit ability-level. Depending on test results, students may move to higher or lower ability-level classes. All other subjects are taught at mixed ability level.
The school has a proud tradition in extra-curricular activities. Many of our students have achieved distinction in Debating, sport, Quizze and Bridge.Two students, brothers Gregory and James Wall, have represented Ireland on the Maths Olympiad in 1995 and 2002 respectively. You will find further details of extracurricular activities here.
Facilities
The school has developed a classroom specifically for a new subject, Computer Design Graphics, that has been introduced for Senior Cycle students. This subject replaces Technical Drawing. The room has 24 new computers, printers and plotters, as well as the software required to offer the subject.
The Information Technology Room has been completely updated. Twenty five new computers and three new servers have been installed. An Internet-connected computer has been installed in every classroom. An administration software package called eportal has been installed in 2008 and this makes it easier for the school community to access relevant information. Usernames and passwords have been made available to every family and staff member.The IT room will open to students from 1.30pm to 1.55pm , Monday to Thursday.
The school Library has been developed thanks mainly to the generosity of parents and the great work of our Parent Council. It opens from 1.30pm to 1.55pm , Monday to Thursday.
The school gym has undergone major redevelopment in 2008, with the installation of new showers, shower room and changing rooms. New toilets have also been installed and the corridors have been tiled. The next job will be the replacement of the main floor. Students can now enjoy Squash, Handball, Basketball, indoor Hurling and Soccer in the new facilities.
The school has two Science laboratories, with permission from the Department of Education & Science for additional facilities. Similarly, we have also been granted additional facilities for Construction, Music and Art due to our increased enrolment over the past six years.
The school has two playing pitches at Oak Park .
Evening Study takes place after school and is supervised.
In November 2009 the school opened a Canteen facility, operated by Jonathan Dick Catering. Breakfast and hot lunches are provided daily. The school provides assistance to students in offsetting the cost of te lunch by providing vouchers to qualifying students. This measure is possible due to the grant provided by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.
Archive
BOM Members, 2006-2009
Trustee Representatives Paddy Brennan (Chairperson) Mark Mulhern Eoin Kehoe Brian Broderick Parent Representatives Mary Clare Byrne Eamonn Brophy Teacher Representatives Therese O'Neill Shaun Moloney
Front, L to R: Brian Broderick, Shaun Moloney, Eoin Kehoe and Eamonn Brophy.
Back, L to R: Mark Mulhern, Theresa O'Neill, Mary Clare Byrne and Paddy Brennan.
BOM 2003 - 2006
Front: Mark Mulhern, Fiona Gallagher, Eamonn Redmond, Margot Murphy, Shaun Moloney.
Back: John McHugh, Theresa O'Neill and Liam Fitzgerald (chairman)
