Students entering First Year are placed into their base classes through a fair, balanced and transparent process that promotes inclusivity and mixed-ability groupings.

• Alphabetical assignment of students.
• Distribution of students from each primary school across different classes where possible.
• Consideration of entrance assessments, Irish exemptions, Additional Educational Needs, and information from primary schools and parents.

The assignment of students to class groups in all year groups is a matter for school management.

Once assigned to a base class, requests to move class groups or to be assigned to particular teachers cannot be accommodated in the interests of fairness and equality.

• Navy school crested V-neck jumper
• Navy knee-length pinafore with school crest
• Navy school striped tie
• Navy school jacket with school crest
• Navy school trousers with red stripe
• White shirt/blouse
• Black or navy tights/socks
• Black/navy shoes or all-black runners

The school pinafore must be worn at or below knee length.

Suppliers: Ivy & Bow, Pearse Street, Ballina and Toymaster, Crossmolina Road, Ballina.

• School crested T-shirt
• School crested Quarter Zip
• School crested leggings or skinny bottoms
• Suitable supportive sports footwear

School shorts may only be worn during PE class.

Supplier: Gerry Kenny Sports, O'Rahilly Street, Ballina.

PE uniform may only be worn on a student's designated PE day or when representing the school at a sporting activity.

Monday & Tuesday: 9:00am – 3:50pm

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 9:00am – 3:10pm

Morning Break: 10:20am – 10:35am

Lunch: 1:15pm – 1:50pm

Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds during break or lunchtime .

Mobile phones and smart devices are not permitted inside the school building unless under the direction and supervision of a staff member.

Students are issued with a Yondr pouch, which must be returned at the end of the school year.

• Students place their phone or smart device in the Yondr pouch as they enter school each morning.
• The pouch remains locked during the school day.
• Students unlock the pouch and retrieve their phone when leaving school.

This system supports student wellbeing, positive social interaction and focused learning.

Every student is provided with a St. Mary's School Journal at the beginning of the school year. The journal should be brought to school each day.

• Records homework and reminders.
• Supports communication between home and school.
• Should be checked and signed weekly by parents/guardians.

At the back of the journal is a Permission to Leave Class record. Parents are encouraged to review this regularly.

This helps maintain an orderly classroom environment and minimises disruption to teaching and learning.

Supervised Study provides a quiet, structured and supportive environment where students can complete homework, revise and prepare for examinations.

Places are limited to 40 students and are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Monday & Tuesday: 4:00pm – 6:00pm

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 3:20pm – 5:20pm

Each student is assigned an individual locker fitted with a combination locking system. No padlock is required.

Students are not permitted to change lockers during the school year.

• Downstairs: First Year, Third Year and Fifth Year
• Upstairs: Second Year, Transition Year and Sixth Year

The school canteen provides freshly prepared meals in line with Nutrition Standards for School Meals.

The canteen operates a cashless card system. Parents can top up accounts online and monitor purchases.

The first canteen card is free. An annual administration charge of €3.00 applies.

Compass School Manager is the school's Parent Portal and communication system.

• View attendance records
• Access school reports
• Submit absence notes
• Pay school fees
• Approve school trips
• Update contact details
• Receive school news and notifications

Parents are encouraged to download the Compass App and enable notifications.

Under the Department of Education's Free Schoolbooks Scheme, students receive core textbooks and classroom resources free of charge.

• Textbooks
• Workbooks
• Required novels and plays
• Past examination papers

Books remain the property of the school and must be returned in good condition at the end of the school year.

Parents/guardians are responsible for replacing lost or damaged books and providing personal stationery and additional subject-specific materials not covered by the scheme.