St. Mary's Secondary School
Newport, Tipperary
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 719 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 348 girls, 371 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 65400H the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Mary’s Secondary School, Newport is a Catholic co‑educational secondary school that delivers a broad, quality‑focused curriculum for a diverse student body of over 700 pupils. The school prides itself on a caring, supportive and respectful environment that nurtures both academic achievement and personal development. It offers a wide range of subjects, with three optional choices at Junior Cycle and four at Senior Cycle, and places a strong emphasis on spiritual and human development in line with its CEIST ethos. The campus occupies a spacious site on the edge of Newport, providing excellent sporting facilities including a modern sports hall, basketball courts, a large grass pitch and provision for hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, rugby, athletics and soccer. Recent investment in information‑communication technology means every classroom is equipped with laptops, data projectors and interactive whiteboards, enhancing learning and preparing students for the knowledge economy. The school’s mission is to promote respect, community and justice while delivering high‑quality teaching and learning. It seeks to develop each pupil’s full potential, encouraging confidence, hope and readiness for life beyond school.
History
St Mary’s opened as a small co‑educational secondary school and has grown to a student population of just over 700. Since its inception the school has continually adapted its curriculum to meet evolving educational needs. In 1988 a Board of Management was established, comprising parents, staff and trustees, and a lay principal was appointed in 1989, marking a transition from the Sisters of Mercy’s direct leadership while retaining their involvement as trustees and teachers. The school now operates under the trusteeship of CEIST (Catholic Education, an Irish Schools Trust) and remains committed to the Sisters’ legacy of service, spiritual development and community responsibility.
Applying to St. Mary's Secondary School
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to St. Mary's Secondary School. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about St. Mary's Secondary School
How many pupils attend St. Mary's Secondary School?
St. Mary's Secondary School has 719 pupils enrolled, 348 girls and 371 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St. Mary's Secondary School a DEIS school?
No. St. Mary's Secondary School is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of St. Mary's Secondary School?
St. Mary's Secondary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.