St Mary’s High School
Specialist School in Mathematics and Business In April 2009, the Minister of Education, Caitriona Ruane, designated St Mary’s a Specialist School in Mathematics and Business. 
St Mary’s celebrated the official launch of St Mary’s as a Specialist School on 29th September 2009. Many guests attended including the Education Minister Caitriona Ruane.
Caitrionia Ruane with Head Girl and Deputy Head Girls The Specialist Schools’ Programme will enable the school to continue its high levels of academic achievement and extend its partnership with other learning providers and the local business community. These opportunities will enrich the learning experience and employability skills of all pupils in the Local Area Learning Community. What is Specialist Status? The Specialist Schools Programme will help St Mary’s in partnership with other schools, local businesses and community groups, to increase the quality of education and learning in the local area through the specialism of Mathematics and Business. 
How will students benefit? - High quality learning and teaching
- Foster the high academic achievements
- Access to specifically purchased equipment
- Links with other schools
- Enriched learning through the involvement of the local business community
- Increased use of ICT
- Empower her to understand the world of work and develop employability skills
Our community partners St Mary’s will extend its links by sharing expertise and resources with the following groups: Primary Schools - St Clare’s Primary
- St Joseph’s Primary
- Ballyholland Primary
- St Malachy’s Primary
- St Patrick’s Primary
Post Primary Schools - St Colman’s College
- St Joseph’s High School
- Rathore School
Community Partners - Carnagat and Three Ways Community Associations
- St Vincent de Paul
- Crushan Munia
How will local schools and groups benefit? - Greater sharing of resources and expertise
- Planned projects between schools
- Professional development of staff
- Sharing of expertise with the local business community
Our Business Partners As part of the Specialist Schools Programme, St Mary’s has extended its partnerships with a range of local businesses. The local business community will be used to enhance the learning experience of pupils, not just in St Mary’s, but in each of our partner schools and community groups. The following businesses will support the programme: - Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency
- Heat (Belfast)
- Northern Bank
- Canal Court Hotel
- Newry Building Supplies
- Bank of Ireland
- McEvoy’s, Monaghan Street
- Rooney International Transport
- Enterprise Women’s Network
- Central Florists
- Granco Ltd
- O’Reilly’s
- Ace Taxis
- First Trust Bank
Caitriona Ruane and Principal Mrs Margo Cosgrove
Caitriona Ruane and Principal Mrs Margo Cosgrove and Vice Principal Miss Denise Crawley
Speaking after the visit the Minister said: “I want to congratulate St Mary’s on its new status as a designated Specialist Maths school. Specialist schools aim to assist in raising standards and tackling the barriers to learning by developing those areas in which the school is already strong and expanding it to other areas of the curriculum. “I know that by promoting co-operation and collaboration and building links with surrounding schools St Mary’s will ensure that this good practice is shared by all. Their increased collaboration with local businesses and the community will also give pupils increased access to new expertise and learning experiences. “Mar Aire Oideachais, is é an aidhm atá agam ná chun díriú ar mórcheisteanna mar – ag soláthar oideachais d’ardchaighdeán, ag aithint na héagsúlachta atá le sonrú inár sochaí agus ag cothú comhionannais sa soláthar do na daoine óga AR FAD. “As Minister for Education, my agenda is to focus on a number of issues including - delivering a quality education, recognising diversity and promoting equality of provision for all our young people. “I am determined that every young person in our post-primary schools will have not just access to, but an entitlement to, a range of courses that can meet their needs and aspirations and lead them into further and higher education, training and employment. I want to thank all the pupils and staff here at St Mary’s who have made me feel so welcome today. Finally I want to wish the Principal Margo Cosgrove and her team every success for the future.” Catriona Ruane |