SUMMER HOLIDAYS: Saint Mary's is closed for the Summer Holidays from 12:00 on Friday the 26th of June 2026. The school gates will re-open on Thursday the 27th of August 2026 at 08:25. May I take this opportunity to wish you, your family and friends, a safe, relaxing and peaceful Summer Holiday. Kind regards/ Le gach dea ghuí.
GOODBYE BUT NOT FAREWELL With heavy hearts we say goodbye to Coo Ballance, our amazing Deputy Principal, after 24 years in Saint Mary’s BNS, and Deborah McGrath ,our gifted SNA, after 23 years in Saint Mary’s. Words fail to express the measure of what you both have contributed to our school. Both your leadership skills, empathy, care, professionalism and sheer dedication have set the bar high for all of us to aspire to. All that you both did was done with an open heart, complete selflessness and was always centred on the needs of the children in our school. You both lived the ethos of Saint Mary’s BNS and for that we are eternally appreciative and grateful. Mile míle buíochas ó croí.
FUNDRAISING WEEKLY DRAW Winner 20/8 2026 S. Fitzpatrick. Winner 13/8/2026 C. Cussen. Winner 6/8/2026. B. Sparks. Winner 30/7/2026 A. O' Reilly. Winner 23/7/2026 B Sparks. 16/7/2026. Winner. C. McPhillips. .9/7/2026. Winner M. Lowry. 2/7/2026. Winner C. Toomey. Prizes will be given out when the school reopens. There is always great excitement and rapturous applause in our school assembly as the winners are announced. Please see the fundraiser link button on our website. Our Fundraiser Link. 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 not in you cannot win. Thank you for your support. The Parents' Association.
MULTICULTURAL DAY What a wonderful Multicultural Day we had - even the rain stayed away! None of this would have been possible without the support of all our parents. Thanks to all who prepared such a wonderful array of savoury food and sweet treats from around the world. Over sixteen countries were represented! Thanks to our 6th Class pupils who demonstrated great responsibility in helping today. On behalf of St. Mary’s pupils and staff, we thank you all most sincerely. Catherine Ballance. Deputy Principal.
HAVE YOUR SAY PRIMARY SCHOOL SURVEY We are writing to update you on the Department of Education and Youth’s Primary School Survey. This survey was carried out to understand the types of schools that parents and guardians prefer. Over 200,000 parents and guardians took part nationwide. We are now sharing our school’s survey results with you for your information and we would welcome any feedback you may have on the results.
Co-educational or single-sex provision: 76% Co-educational preference. 24% Single sex provision.
Patronage/ethos: 54% Denominational (religious patron.) 46% multi denominational (non-religious) patron.
Language of instruction (English or Irish) 85% English. 15% Irish.
The Board of Management will now review the survey results and think about what they mean for our school. As part of this, we want to make sure that parents/guardians, students, staff, and the wider school community can share their views with us. Once we have gathered all feedback, we will consider it carefully and then let you know about any decisions we make and next steps. For example, if there is a clear preference for a change, the school may submit an ‘expression of interest form’ for change to the department. If this happens, the department will provide us with a dedicated contact person and other supports, to help our school in this process. You can send any comments or feedback to us at
STAFF TRAINING SCHOOL CLOSURE Please note in your diary the staff training days during the 2026/2027 school year below. Training will be delivered by Oide. The school will be closed on both days. Wednesday 9th September Child Protection Procedures Training and Friday 22nd January 2027, Language Awareness Training. Please note that these training dates and days are not decided on by the school but by Oide, a support service supported by the Department of Education and Youth.
RUN DUBLIN RUN will be held in Irishtown on Saturday 19th September from 10:30-12:30. Please put the date in your diary. We ask that as many children and parents participate in this fun event that will raise money for our school and the Parents Association.
TEACHER, SNA & ROOM ALLOCATION 2026/2027 We have begun the recruitment process for teachers & SNAs for the next academic year. It is a very lengthy process and we have to adhere to Department of Education and Patron guidelines. When we have a full complement of staff for 26/27 I will inform the whole school community at the same time. Currently, the only teacher definitely assigned to a class in Ms Smith who will take Junior Infants. Ms Smith has already met with the parents & incoming students. I appreciate your patience in the matter.
NEW DEPUTY PRINCIPAL APPOINTMENT Following the completion of the Deputy Principal interview process Aoife Cartwright was nominated and approved as the successful candidate. Aoife Cartwright will take over the role of Deputy Principal from Ms Catherine Ballance on her retirement from 31st August 2026. We wish Ms Cartwright every success in her role. The Board of Management.
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.
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.
Kind regards, Noel Scully. Principal.