News Category: Awards
ST. MARY’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL, MAGHERAFELT WINS FINAL OF NATIONAL LEGAL COMPETITION
Posted on 26th June 2019
Two Year 13 pupils from St. Mary’s have been crowned the winning team in a prestigious national legal competition.
Una Campbell and Luke McCallion competed against 8 other finalists from three schools across the UK in the “The Legal Apprentice” competition, hosted by law firm Kingsley Napley LLP in partnership with The Times.
Read MoreLIFEWORKS ESSAY COMPETITION
Posted on 03rd June 2019
For the third successive year, a St. Mary’s student achieved a top award in the LifeWorks Education National Life Advocate Essay Competition. Year 14 student, Anne McCoy, was Highly Commended for the excellent essay she submitted in response to the words of Pope Francis: “The right to life is the first among human rights.”
Read MoreMARTIN O’FARRELL CUP CHAMPIONS 2019
Posted on 03rd June 2019
After losing their opening game to Omagh CBS by one point, the Year 8 boys dusted themselves down to go on a run that would lead them all the way to the Martin O’Farrell Cup.
Read MoreST. MARY’S STUDENTS NAMED FINALISTS IN NATIONAL LEGAL COMPETITION
Posted on 24th May 2019
Two Year 13 students from St. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt have successfully reached the final of the ‘Legal Apprentice’ competition.
Una Campbell and Luke McCallion will compete against three other schools from the UK to be crowned the winning team in the final at News UK (Headquarters of The Times) on 19 June 2019.
Read MoreIRISH NEWS CRITICAL LITERACY PROJECT
Posted on 20th May 2019
In English, Year 8 pupils enjoyed their student edition of The Irish News every Wednesday for eight weeks as part of the Irish News Critical Literacy Project. The project is designed to deliver news and develop literacy understanding in the classroom. Highlights involved Student Bingo and The Scavenger Hunt which required pupils to compete to find articles on various topics. St. Mary’s was one of just three schools to win a day trip to The Irish News headquarters in June. We are confident that we have a number of future journalists in our midst.
Read MoreIN THE DRAGON’S DEN
Posted on 15th April 2019
On Friday 12 April 2019, Year 12 students - Declan Larkin, Mark Donnelly, Niall McAuley, Allana Campbell, Evelina McElhone, Beth Dixon and Helen Doherty - along with 500 other post-primary school students from across Northern Ireland travelled to Titanic Belfast for BelTech’s Education Day.
Read MoreHISTORY DEPARTMENT HOSTS TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION PLATFORM
Posted on 10th April 2019
As part of the Shared Education Programme, the History Department was privileged to host the Truth and Reconciliation Platform which was established to give victims of the Northern Ireland ‘Troubles’, regardless of their political, religious or cultural background, an opportunity to tell their stories. On this occasion, we heard Alan Mc Bride, Eugene Reavey and Stephen Travers speak.
Read MoreTALK THE TALK
Posted on 01st April 2019
Following the success of the first year of the cross-phase literacy project, the English Department was pleased to work with partner primary schools for a second year.
Read MoreFORWARD IN FAITH
Posted on 01st April 2019
Almost 80 pupils from St. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt have been presented with a faith award by Archbishop Eamon Martin in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh. The Pope John Paul II Award and the Muiredach Cross Award were presented to the young people at a special ceremony on Thursday 28 March 2019 in recognition of their volunteering work in parishes, communities and schools.
Read MoreLAYING DOWN THE LAW
Posted on 29th March 2019
In December 2018, a team of 15 Year 13 and 14 pupils participated in the Regional Heat of the National Bar Mock Trial Competition. The competition is facilitated by the Citizenship Foundation, a charity that aims to enable and encourage young people across the UK to actively participate in, and make a positive difference to, the societies in which they live. The team engaged in a simulated criminal trial - an immersive, active learning experience which afforded the team the opportunity to take on the roles of barristers, witnesses and court staff to prosecute and defend specially adapted, real life legal cases, against other schools.
Read MoreST. MARY’S PUPIL SPREADS HER WINGS AND WINS MICHAELA FOUNDATION AWARD
Posted on 28th March 2019
A Year 13 student from St. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt has won the top prize in this year’s Michaela Foundation Wings Award Programme.
Laura Diamond was announced as the winner of the award at an Awards Ceremony in St. Mary’s University College, Belfast on Wednesday 27 March 2019. Nominating Laura for the award, Miss Burns (Head of Religion) described her as “a kind, compassionate and inspirational young lady, who has been a true example of living faith in the twenty-first century.”
Read MoreGAEL LINN SUCCESS
Posted on 27th March 2019
On 27 March 2019, Year 13 pupil, Ella McKenna, was placed First overall in the A Level group of the prestigious Gael Linn public speaking competition, Abair.
Ella, along with Treasa Ni Chathain, made it through to the All-Ireland finals, held in the Crumlin Road Jail, after qualifying in Letterkenny in January. The girls spoke exceptionally well and Mr McPhilomey and Miss McGouran are extremely proud of their achievements.
Read MoreUK CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD
Posted on 15th March 2019
Miss McCloskey (Head of Chemistry) pictured with participants in the recent UK Chemistry Olympiad competition.
Pupils Barry McErlean, Ella McKenna, Ciara Cassidy, Conor Bradley & John McMorrow (missing from picture) displayed a wide and diverse range of chemical knowledge and expertise to answer some very challenging questions - well beyond the scope of the Chemistry studied in the classroom. Congratulation in particular to Barry McErlean who achieved a prestigious Gold Award.
Read MoreLESSONS FROM AUSCHWITZ
Posted on 14th March 2019
In March, four Year 13 and Year 14 History students - Mirren Mc Kenna, Una Campbell, Caoimhe Mullan and Cate Bateson - participated in the Lessons from Auschwitz project. This amazing opportunity allowed the girls to meet a Holocaust survivor and visit Birkenau, the death camp at Auschwitz. On their return, the girls delivered a presentation to all Year Groups during Assembly to share their experience of being involved in the project with other pupils.
Read MoreSILVER FÁINNE AND BRÍD DEVLIN CUP FOR EXCELLENCE IN IRISH
Posted on 04th March 2019
Examinations for the Silver Fáinne took place in March with pupils in 10C and 10D also competing to win the Bríd Devlin Cup for excellence in Irish.
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JUNIOR CHOIR SUCCESS IN BALLYMENA FESTIVAL
Posted on 15th February 2019
Made up of more than 50 pupils from Year 8 – Year 10, the Junior Choir was awarded First Place in their competition at the Ballymena Festival. Conducted by Miss Donnelly, Head of Music, and accompanied by Miss G Meyers, the choir delighted the adjudicator by singing the ethereal ‘Hushabye Mountain’ from ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ and ‘Hail Holy Queen’ from ‘Sister Act’. The adjudicator praised the pupils on their beautiful tone and enthusiastic singing.
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THRIVING IN THEOLOGY!
Posted on 18th January 2019
Lauren Toner picks up second place in Chester University Religious Studies Essay Writing Competition.
Read MoreST. MARY’S PUPILS TOP OF THE CLASS IN GCSE EXAMINATIONS
Posted on 14th November 2018
The Principal of St. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt has expressed her delight at the news from CCEA that a number of pupils at the school have been included in the exam board’s 2018 list of top-performing students at GCSE level.
Read MoreACTION MS FUNDRAISING WALK
Posted on 26th September 2018
Action MS Chief Executive, Mrs Ann Walker, visited St. Mary’s Grammar School this week for a special Awards Presentation to thank Year 10 pupils for their tremendous efforts on behalf of people with multiple sclerosis.
Organised by Mr Brady (Head of Year 10), pupils took part in a Walk for MS in June at Meadowbank Sports Arena and raised a total of £2,346.98 in aid of Action MS, Northern Ireland’s Multiple Sclerosis Charity.
Read MoreANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY
Posted on 13th September 2018
Sharing Vision, Sharing Effort,Sharing Success
On Thursday 13 September 2018, St. Mary’s Grammar School held its Annual Awards Ceremony to acknowledge the achievements and successes of pupils throughout the last academic year.
The theme for the evening was: “Sharing Vision, Sharing Effort, Sharing Success”.
Read MoreGCSE EXAMINATION SUCCESS FOR ST. MARY’S
Posted on 24th August 2018
The Principal of St. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt has described this year’s GCSE examination results as “outstanding”.
Read MoreSt. Mary’s Students have achieved outstanding ‘A’ Level Examination Results
Posted on 17th August 2018
A Level students in St. Mary’s Grammar School had cause for celebration following the publication of this year’s examination results. Ms Gillespie, Principal, reported that an outstanding 95% of all examinations taken by students resulted in A*-C grades. 81% of all entries resulted in A*-B grades while 44% of all entries resulted in A*-A grades.
Read MoreSuccess for St. Mary’s!
Posted on 12th February 2018
On Saturday 3 February 2018, Year 13 student, Cate Bateson, was placed 2nd in the Northern Ireland Final of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland’s Public Speaking competition.
Read MoreSt. Mary’s Triumph at TIMONS!
Posted on 01st February 2018
Two gifted Year 13 pupils from St. Mary’s and their friend impressed judges in the TIMON Open Data Hackathon at Queen’s Computer Science Building last weekend.
Read MoreCELEBRATING EXCELLENCE St. Mary’s Students Top of the Class
Posted on 20th December 2017
It was with immense pride and joy that we learned that St. Mary’s students were among the highest performing candidates in Northern Ireland in various subjects in the 2017 GCSE and A Level examinations.
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SPEAKING OUT
Posted on 16th November 2017
On 16 November 2017, six pupils represented St. Mary’s in the regional heat of the Soroptimist International Public Speaking Competition in Ballymoney.
Read MoreCongratulations Blanche!
Posted on 03rd October 2017
The Children’s Texaco Art Competition has an annual entry of up to 50,000+ entries throughout Ireland each year.
Blanche Cases, Year 9, has been awarded a ‘Highly Commended’ Certificate which means she has been placed in the top 18 in each category for her artistic entry. The judges of the competition commented on the exceptional standard of this year’s entries in each age category and we are so proud of Blanche for rising to the top as one of the best entries. For this we would warmly congratulate her on this truly superb achievement. Well done, Blanche.
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MID-ULSTER COUNCIL Civic Reception
Posted on 19th September 2017
On 18 September 2017, Mid-Ulster Council recognised the sporting achievements of St. Mary’s pupils at a Civic Reception in the Seamus Heaney Home Place in Bellaghy
Read More2017 Awards Ceremony
Posted on 14th September 2017
Celebrating the successes and achievements of the academic year 2016-17, the annual awards took place in the school on Tuesday 12 September. As well as celebrating the outstanding attainment of pupils in recent GCSE and A Level examinations, the evening also provided an opportunity to recognise the accomplishments of pupils in a range of extra-curricular activities, ranging from sport to public speaking.
Read MoreGCSE Success at St. Mary’s
Posted on 25th August 2017
Principal Ms Gillespie has described the 2017 GCSE examination results as “simply superb”. Ms Gillespie reported that a remarkable 100% of students achieved 7 grades at A*-C, including English and Mathematics. Impressively, 63% of all grades were A*/A
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A LEVEL EXAMINATION SUCCESS IN ST. MARY’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Posted on 18th August 2017
A Level students in St Mary’s Grammar School had cause for celebration following the publication of this year’s examination results.
Ms Gillespie reported that an outstanding 95.2% of all examinations taken by students resulted in A* to C grades. 43% of all results were an A or A*.
Read MoreOisin McGurk wins the prestigious Sky Sports Living ‘Sport Student of the Year for Northern Ireland’
Posted on 03rd July 2017
On Friday 9th June more than 100 inspirational students, teachers and Athlete Mentors attended the Sky Sports Living for Sport Awards at Twickenham.
The day was held at the home of rugby, where Sky Sports Pundit and World Champion boxer, Johnny Nelson kicked off the day’s events and led a full day of activities and celebrations alongside twenty amazing Athlete Mentors.
Catriona McCoy picks up second place in National Essay Writing Competition
Posted on 03rd July 2017
Year 12 student Catriona McCoy, has been awarded second place in a national essay-writing competition for senior cycle students.
The Life Advocate Awards were set up to encourage research and critical-thinking on human rights and right to life issues.
Students were asked to discuss the words of Martin Luther King who said: ‘Our lives begin to end, the moment we become silent about the things which matter’.
Read MoreSt. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt, flying the flag for the Irish language!
Posted on 03rd July 2017
The Gaelbhratach has finally arrived in St. Mary’s!
St. Mary’s Grammar students received the prestigious Purple Flag award at a ceremony held in Leopardstown recently. The Gaelbhratach is awarded to schools who not only incorporate the Irish Language into the school community in a planned, structured and fun way but also those who carry this through outside of the classroom.
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ECO Schools Green Flag awarded to St. Mary’s Grammar school, Magherafelt.
Posted on 03rd July 2017
St. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt, has been awarded a prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag by the environmental charity Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.
Read MoreSixth Form pupil Hugh McKenna wins the Concern Worldwide Fundraising Newcomer Award.
Posted on 03rd July 2017
A Sixth Form pupil from St. Mary’s Grammar School has won the Concern Worldwide Fundraising Newcomer Award.
Read MoreSuccess for St. Mary’s students at the Salters’ festival of Chemistry
Posted on 03rd July 2017
St. Mary’s students enjoyed great success at the Salters’ Festival of Chemistry held at Queen’s School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.
Read MoreSt. Mary’s Grammar School enjoy success at the British Physics Olympiad competitions
Posted on 03rd July 2017
Congratulations to fourteen of our Year 12 pupils and eight of our Year 13 pupils who recently took part in the British Physics Olympiad competitions. Year 12 pupils completed the GCSE Physics Challenge while the Year 13 pupils completed the AS Physics Challenge.
Read More10C win Children in Crossfire Maths Challenge
Posted on 03rd July 2017
Year 10 pupils from St. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt have won first prize in Quiz 5 of the Children in Crossfire Maths Challenge which was held recently.
Read MoreOur Leading Lady
Posted on 03rd July 2017
A Year 13 student from St. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt has attended the CCEA Celebrating Excellence ceremony at Titanic Belfast.
Read MoreSpeech and Drama Success For St. Mary’s Pupil
Posted on 25th June 2017
SPEECH AND DRAMA SUCCESS FOR ST. MARY’S PUPIL
Congratulations to Year 9 pupil, Roma Boyle, who enjoyed huge success at the Ballymena, Coleraine and Portstewart Festivals in recent months.
Read MoreSt. Mary’s Achieves the Fair Aware Award!
Posted on 28th April 2017
St. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt has recently become a Fairtrade School and has been awarded ‘FairAware’ status from theFairtrade Foundation. The ‘FairAware’ award represents the first of three tiers; the School aims to work towards the highest of these and win ‘FairAchiever’ status as part of its ongoing commitment to the charity.
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MacRory Glory for St. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt
Posted on 27th March 2017
St Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt has become the 2017 Danske Bank MacRory Cup.
Making its third appearance in a MacRory Cup final on St. Patrick’s Day, the school made history when it collected the trophy for the first time following a 0-19 to 0-13 victory over St. Colman’s College, Newry.
Read MoreICT EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR ST. MARY’S
Posted on 09th December 2016
St. Mary’s has been announced as a 2016 Capita and C2K ICT Excellence Award winner. Having been shortlisted in the category for ‘Transforming Teaching and Learning through Technology’, the school was named as the overall category winner at an awards ceremony in The Merchant Hotel, Belfast on 8 December 2016 which was attended by Miss Hagan, Director of e-Learning, and Mrs Gillespie, Principal.
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