Mr. Robert O'Reilly

Principal

Ms. Fiona Bourke

Deputy Principal

Welcome from the Principal

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the website of St. Mary's Secondary School, Ballina. Whether you are considering St. Mary's for your daughter, are a current member of our school community, a past pupil or simply visiting our website, I hope you gain a real sense of what makes our school such a special place to learn, grow and belong.

St. Mary's is a Catholic all-girls secondary school under the trusteeship of CEIST, proudly serving the young women of Ballina and the surrounding region for over 170 years. Throughout that time, our mission has remained unchanged—to provide an outstanding education within a caring, inclusive and faith-centred community where every student is encouraged to reach her full potential.

While we are immensely proud of our heritage, we are equally excited about our future. Since moving into our beautiful state-of-the-art campus in September 2022, our students have enjoyed exceptional facilities that support excellence in teaching, learning, creativity, wellbeing and sport. Our modern learning environment reflects our ambition to provide every student with the very best educational experience while remaining true to the values upon which St. Mary's was founded.

At the heart of everything we do is our commitment to our school motto:

A Warm Welcome, A Caring Heart and a Commitment to Excellence.

These words are more than a motto—they describe the experience of being part of the St. Mary's community. We believe every student should feel known, respected and supported. We celebrate each student's individual talents and encourage every young woman to become confident, compassionate and resilient, ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges of an ever-changing world.

Academic excellence is central to life at St. Mary's, but education extends far beyond the classroom. We offer a broad and balanced curriculum complemented by an exceptional range of extracurricular opportunities. Students can participate in music, drama, debating and public speaking, sport, Green Schools, student leadership, creative arts, STEM initiatives, wellbeing programmes, clubs and societies, community service and cultural activities. These experiences help develop confident young women with the knowledge, skills and character to make a positive contribution to society.

We are particularly proud of the culture of learning that exists throughout our school. From our modern library and our commitment as a Wellread School, to our emphasis on creativity, innovation and digital learning, we encourage students to become curious, independent and lifelong learners. Whether in our science laboratories, technology workshop, art studios, music rooms or on the sports field, students are inspired to explore their interests and achieve their personal best.

St. Mary's also has a long tradition of serving the wider community. We value the strong partnerships we enjoy with parents, local organisations and neighbouring schools, recognising that education is most successful when schools and families work together. Our school is proud to play an active role in the life of Ballina, regularly hosting community events, educational initiatives and national conferences that reflect our commitment to leadership, sustainability and civic engagement.

Above all, St. Mary's is a school where relationships matter. Our dedicated and caring staff work tirelessly to ensure that every student feels welcomed, challenged, encouraged and supported throughout her educational journey. It is this sense of belonging that defines our school and makes St. Mary's a place where students not only achieve academically but also flourish personally.

The continued success of St. Mary's is a tribute to the dedication of our students, staff, parents, Board of Management, CEIST and our wider school community. Together, we continue to build on our proud tradition while embracing new opportunities that will shape the future of education.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our website. I hope it provides you with a glimpse of the vibrant and welcoming community that is St. Mary's Secondary School. I warmly invite you to explore our website, visit our school and discover all that St. Mary's has to offer.

I look forward to welcoming you to our school community.

Robert O'Reilly
Principal
St. Mary's Secondary School, Ballina