First year Futsal
1st Years win Leinster Regionals in Futsal
St. Mary's 1st year team have been preparing since the 1st week in September for the Leinster Qualifiers in Futsal.
On Friday, the 10th November, the team of 10 girls took on 9 other schools in Kildare and the surrounding areas. Great team play and co-operation from all members of the squad saw St. Mary's emerge as winners. Well done to all the team and Mr. Langton, their coach.
Science Week and Inclusivity Week
From Monday, November 13th 2017. St. Mary’s celebrated both Science Week and Inclusivity Awareness Week.
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Flags, representing different countries of origin for many of our students, were placed on the windows near the school's reception area. Copies of the Equal Status Act, 2014, are visible throughout the school. The Act states that people cannot be disadvantaged because of the following nine factors: gender; civil status; family status; sexual orientation; religious belief; age; disability; race, including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin; and membership of the Traveller community.
The act envisions a fair, inclusive Ireland where human rights and equality are respected, protected and fulfilled for everyone, everywhere. In connection with this act, we celebrate five values this week. They are love, equality, fairness, generosity and inclusivity.
As we celebrate National Science Week, let us remember some of the greatest Irish scientists. Robert Boyle, the 'Father of Chemistry', was from Waterford. John Tyndall, who first explained why the sky blue, was born in 1893 in Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow. Mary Ward, from Offaly, was a famous writer on the use of the microscope and used it to study plants. Kathleen Lonsdale, born in Newbridge, made important discoveries about the shape of molecules using X-rays. Today, Eleanor Maguire, a Dublin scientist, uses brain scanners to discover more about how our brain works.
During the week, St. Mary's students did lots of experiments in class and, on Thursday, 16th November, nine of our 6th years took part in the annual ISTA science quiz in Maynooth University. We wish the best of luck to all future scientists in our school.
Parents' Council Sponsored Walk
Well done to all those who took part in The Parents' Council Sponsored Walk which was held on Friday 27th October. Halloween fog and mist, specially ordered for the day, added to the vast array of spooky costumed teachers and pupils. Congratulations to all the winners.
6th Year: Bonnie O'Halloran and Kia O'Brien, 5th Year: Alison Cox, 4th Year: Grace Duffy, 3rd Year: Emma Daly, 2nd Year: Kaela Hickey and Shauna Keaveney, 1st Year: Lauren Roker and Kate Gittens
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Irish National Youth Ballet Company
Congratulations to Isabelle Keogh, 3rd year, and Karen Murray, 1st year, who have been chosen to perform with the Irish National Youth Ballet Company. Both girls are rehearsing for the upcoming production of The Nutcracker in The Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire on the 8th, 9th and 10th December 2017. All in St. Mary's wish them every success.
Senior Debating success for St. Mary's
Congratulations to the Senior Debating Team on their excellent winning performances in the Rigby-Jones debating Competition.
The first debate took place on Wednesday, October 4th in Gaelcholáiste Chill Dara. St. Mary's were up against Patrician Secondary School and opposing the motion that "the Gardaí no longer enjoy the trust and confidence of the Irish people". 
Team captain, Mia Sherry, provided context on the plight of the Gardaí and how they are our first port of call in times of need; Cerys Walsh spoke about the high levels of incompetence and dishonesty present in other jurisdictions, and Bonnie O'Halloran drew attention to how distrust for the Gardaí is mostly aimed at senior management and how Irish people generally trust their local Gardaí.
In the second debate, on Thursday, October 19th in Piper's Hill, the girls opposed Holy Family Secondary School. The motion was "this house values social media". In the debate, Mia outlined the toxic effects social media has on the mental health of its most frequent users, Jessica Allen spoke on how terrorists and white supremacists have taken advantage of social media's power for their own insidious, dangerous purposes, and Bonnie spoke on the tragic topic of how anonymity online can enable cyberbullying and victimisation of vulnerable youth. They emerged from both debates victorious. The girls have already secured a place in the final of the prestigious competition even though there is still another round of debates on November the 8th. The final will take place at the end of November with the exact date and venue to be confirmed. Well done to all involved.
Written by Sinead Mooney.