Activities & Sports
Gymnastics
St Mary’s students have access to a gym programme run by a qualified gym instructor, utilising our school based gym equipment (climbing wall, ropes, mats and gymnastics equipment), our children are introduced to age appropriate gymnastics from First Class onwards.
GAA
Hurling and football are an integral part of the sport’s programme at St Mary’s School. Students enjoy the benefits of a qualified GAA coach, one day a week. Students from Junior Infants to 6th Class have access to age appropriate coaching and game sessions.
Our students participate in Sciath na Scol competitions, both indoors and outdoors, throughout the year. Fourth Class students participate in an inter-school mixed teams hurling competition each year.
Tag Rugby
Over recent years St Mary’s has enjoyed a strong relationship with Carrigaline Rugby Club,in association with the Munster Branch. The club provides the school with accredited tag rugby coaching sessions during the year. Students participate in an inter-school tag rugby blitz involving the other primary schools in Carrigaline.
The Inter Schools Sports Association also organises a Tag Rugby Blitz each year.
Athletics
St. Mary’s N.S. Athletics Club is an after school activity open to pupils from First to Sixth class.Training takes place in the Summer Term and includes Sprinting ,Long Jump,High Jump and Relay Races. All pupils are eligible to try out for the Athletics team who go forward to represent the school at the Inter Schools Sports Association athletics competition which is held in MTU each year.
St. Mary’s N.S. holds the distinction of winning the competition and being awarded the Beamish Cup eighteen times since the competition began.
Hockey
Approximately 50 children are involved in the school hockey programme, held at Garyduff hockey grounds after school on Monday between 3 and 4pm. Competition commences with friendly matches held on the grounds of Ashton School on Saturday mornings. This is followed by a hockey tournament organised by the Inter Schools Sports Association held in March each year.
Finally, in April a hockey blitz, /Colours Day’ is held at Garyduff. This blitz involves one child from each school forming a team.
Trained coaches are provided for each class.
Congratulations Assembly
Each week in St. Mary’s congratulations assembly is held on Tuesday and Friday. On Tuesday the senior classes 3rd to 6th are presented with their award certificates and the junior classes, Infants to 2nd on Friday. Children are awarded certificates for showing success within aspects of their schoolwork and school life. Children are rewarded with homework passes or prizes for their achievements.
Dance, Drama & Musical Theatre
St. Mary’s NS, in conjunction with CADA Performing Arts Academy, provide Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre to all classes in the school. Pupils attend classes with Phill and hone skills such as speech, acting, improvisation, modern dance and team building .
Coming up to Christmas all classes in St. Mary’s NS put in a huge effort in rehearsing and practicing for either a play, concert or nativity play. The performance is eagerly attended by parents and family in our school hall where they also get to chance to hear our pupils singing our favourite Christmas carols.
Chess
St. Mary’s NS Chess Club runs on Wednesday afternoons from 2:30 to 3:30pm in the school hall. Students from 3rd to 6th class are all welcome to participate in the chess club. We partake in various tournaments throughout the academic year and have had great success to date.
Swimming
Swimming lessons take place in the Gus Healy swimming pool, Douglas on Friday afternoons from 3pm to 3.45pm. Swimming lessons are open to all pupils from Junior Infants to Sixth Class. Pupils may choose to swim for 12 weeks or 24 weeks within the school year. All pupils who participate in school swimming lessons are eligible to try out to represent the school at the Inter School Sports Association Swimming Gala which is held annually. Currently we have seventy pupils attending!
