School & Class News

READATHON April 20th-26th.Our school is turning into a world of magic, imagination and adventure as we launch our Read-a-Thon!  For one whole week, the boys are invited to dive into as many books, comics, magazines, newspapers (or anything they love reading!) as they can. The aim? To spark a love of reading… and raise some brilliant funds for our amazing PA.All money raised will go directly towards enriching the boys’ school experience — supporting fantastic extras like swimming, GAA, rugby, gymnastics and lots more fun activities throughout the year. How it works. Sponsorship forms will be sent home this week. The boys estimate how many books (or reading alternatives) they hope to read. They then ask family and friends to sponsor their reading efforts. Sponsors pledge an amount per book (for example €2 per book).The more they read, the more they raise.(So 5 books with a €2 pledge = €10 )The boys will have dedicated reading time in school each day, but it would be absolutely wonderful if they could be encouraged to keep the magic going at home too . We kindly ask that all sponsorship money is returned to the class teacher (or donated via the QR code on the form) on Monday 27th April. Let’s make it a week full of stories, imagination and proud little readers! 

HAVE YOUR SAY SURVEY: Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton has today welcomed the exceptionally high level of engagement in the national Primary School Survey, with over 200,000 households submitting validated responses, alongside strong participation from school staff and Boards of Management. Approximately 60% of parents in denominational schools wish to retain that ethos. Approximately 73% of parents in the 276 single‑sex primary schools favour a move to co‑education.Approximately 87% of parents in English-medium schools support maintaining English as the primary language of instruction. In the coming weeks, detailed school-specific reports will be issued to each of the more than 3,200 participating primary schools. These reports will support patrons, Boards of Management, staff, and parents in considering next steps and their future direction.

SCHOOL CLOSED STAFF TRAINING DAY:  Saint Mary's will be closed for all students on Thursday 30th April. It is the 2nd staff training day for the new Primary Curriculum Framework. 

FRÁSAÍ NA MÍOSA/ GAEILGE/ CONTENT LANGUAGE INTEGRATED LEARNING: Más féidir libh cabhrú le bhúr bpáiste frásaí na míosa a chleachtadh sa bhaile. / If you can please help your child practise these four Irish phrases of the month.  1.Lá Fhéile Pádraig/ Happy Saint Patrick's Day. 2. Éire Abú. / Victory to Ireland. 3. Beannachtaí na Cásca ort / Happy Easter 4. Buafaidh  Eire an Triple Crown,

FUNDRAISING WEEKLY DRAW:  The winners over the Easter Break and this week were, Kirsten & Sam, Peter & Cian,  and Dairine & Zayn. We congratulate all.  There was great excitement and rapturous applause in our school assembly as the winners were announced.  Please see the fundraiser link button on our website.  It would be hugely appreciated if you can contribute €5 for 3 lines, and you never know you might just win! Please pass the word on and invite friends and family.  Remember, if you are in you cannot win. 

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2026-2027: An email has been sent out to all parents/ guardians with the school holidays attached. The holiday dates are also available at this link. School Holidays 2026-2027.

TESCO COMMUNITY FUND: Saint Mary's BNS has been chosen by Tesco Merrion for inclusion in the store’s Tesco Ireland Community Fund campaign. Members of the Student Council visited the store and had a chance to put a handful of blue tokens towards Saint Mary's BNS. If you are doing your shopping in Tesco Merrion please gave a handful of blue tokens in our box. Please encourage your family, friends and neighbours to do the same. All support is greatly appreciated.  We hope that the Community Fund donation we receive will go a long way towards supporting our school. 

BOOTERSTOWN CHILDCARE SERVICES: Booterstown childcare service is now finalising the bookings for September 2026.Please contact Najwa Mc Guinn on the details below. Very limited places available. Contact 087 3446188. 

TROCAIRE BOXES & LENT: Lent began on Wednesday February 17th this year.  One of the areas we are asked to focus on during Lent is almsgiving which includes supporting the poor in our world. The Trocaire box campaign is an annual Irish tradition since 1973,raising vital funds to support international development and humanitarian work.  The campaign supports Trocaire's work in over 20 countries, focusing on climate justice, sustainable livelihoods and emergency relief.  Trocaire boxes have been handed out to pupils. Your generosity in supporting this worthy cause will be very much appreciated by Trocaire and those who Trocarie support. We ask that boxes be returned to the school after the Easter break. 

Kind regards, 

Noel Scully. Principal. 

AFTERSCHOOL CLUBS: 

All our afterschool activities are up and running. Please note that these afterschool activities are not run by the school, but by independent organisers who are responsible for your child during these lessons.  Please liaise directly with the afterschool organiser if you have any concerns regarding times, dates, costs, health & safety, child safeguarding, lesson cancellations etc.

GAELIC FOOTBALL/ HURLING & SOCCER: Junior and Senior teams will be notified of training days and match days and locations by their teacher coaches .

Science Club: Thursdays.13:15-14:10- Junior & Senior Infants. 14:15-15:10. There is a new booking system in place on the We Love Science website: If you have any queries at all, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or go to website welovescience.ie
Homework Club: Monday to Thursday 2:15pm to 3:15pm - (3rd to 6th Class only) Contact Sam Briggs on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
After School Sports: Mondays 2:15pm to 3:15pm (1st -6th class only) Aoife Cartwright. CONTACT This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Spanish: Thursdays. 1st to 6th classes  from 2:15 to 3:10. Please  contact   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further details. 
Johnny's After School Club: Johnny’s After School Sports for  Junior and Senior Infants https://signup.com/go/otqbDQv. After School Sports for 1st - 6th class. Thursdays You can click on the link below to sign up .1st - 6th class. https://signup.com/go/qfaMxde
Alto School of Music: Mondays, Wednesdays,  & Fridays. Piano, violin, ukulele and guitar. Contact Anna on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Art: Tuesdays . For Junior & Senior Infants please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For 1st to 6th Class 2:15pm to 3:15pm. Contact Anna at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Chess: An email has been sent out to all parents via Aladdin with more details and the registration link.