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St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Belfast

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St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School (St Mary's CBGS) is a Roman Catholic boys' grammar school in Belfast, Northern Ireland.[4]

St. Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School
Scoil Mhuire na mBráithre Críostaí[1]
Address
Map
147a Glen Road

Belfast
,
BT11 8NR

Northern Ireland
Coordinates54°34′57″N 6°00′03″W / 54.582527°N 6.000836°W / 54.582527; -6.000836
Information
TypeGrammar School
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Established1866/1929
Local authorityEducation Authority (Belfast)
ChairSean Mahon
PrincipalMr. Brendan McComb[2]
Staff157[3]
GenderAll-Male
Age11 to 19
Enrolment1170
Colour(s)   
Websitestmaryscbgs.com

History

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St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Glen Road
 
Former Barrack Street school entrance

The origins of the school can be traced to St Mary's School which was established in Divis Street by the Irish Christian Brothers in 1866. The Brothers had been invited by Patrick Dorrian, Bishop of Down and Connor, to educate the working class children of the area. In 1929, a new secondary school was built in the nearby Barrack Street. The students were largely drawn from the surrounding district but also began to attract some from across Belfast and wider afield.[5] Due to the growing student population, it was decided in the 1960s to build a new school. This opened in a site off the Glen Road in 1968.

The Barrack Street campus remained in use until 1998 when all students were accommodated in the greatly extended school on the Glen Road.[6] The original building on Barrack Street is now known as the Westcourt Centre and provides a range of educational and community services.[7] Edmund Ignatius Rice who founded the Irish Christian Brothers was born in Westcourt, Callan, County Kilkenny.[8] In 2012, the Barrack Street building was listed as a 'building of special architectural or historic interest' by the Department of the Environment.[9]

The school was originally entirely run by the Irish Christian Brothers but in the late twentieth century their numbers declined and the school is now entirely staffed by lay teachers. It is now under the trusteeship of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (NI).[10]

List of Principals

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  • Br. Magee
  • Br J.M. Murphy: c.1967-1970
  • Br. O’Neill (Stoneface): c.1973-1976
  • Br. D.M. McCrohan: c.1976-1979
  • Br. Larry Ennis: c.1979-1981
  • Br. Leo Kelly: c.1981-1988
  • Br. Denis Gleeson: c.1988-1996
  • Mr. Michael Crilly: 1996-97 (Acting)
  • Mr. Kevin Burke (An tUas. Caoimhín de Búrca): 1997-2008
  • Mr. Jim Sheerin: 2008-2014
  • Mr. John Martin: 2014-2018[11]
  • Mrs. Siobhán Kelly: 2019–2024[12]
  • Mr. Brendan McComb: 2024-Present

Facilities

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The school is located on a large site on the lower slopes of the Black Mountain. Besides various teaching classrooms it also has computer suites, a technology suite; art studios, music suite, science laboratories, as well as a large lecture theatre, an assembly hall and canteen. For sports, there are fifteen acres of playing field, including a 3G pitch, and an athletics track.[13] Indoors, there is a gymnasium and a swimming pool.[14]

Academics

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The school provides instruction in a broad range of academic subjects.[15] At the advanced level students are prepared for exams in Applied Business, Business Communication Systems, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, ICT, Computing, Art & Design, Geography, History, Religious Studies, Politics, English Literature, Drama, Irish, Music, Sports Studies, Media Studies, Home Economics, French, Spanish Travel and Leisure. St Mary's also offer a double award science option and a further maths option which pupils are chosen for.

In 2022, the school decided to abandon academic selection for entry.[16]

In 2024, 83% of students achieving at least 7 GCSEs at Grades A* to C. 94% of students achieved at least 5 GCSEs at Grades A* to C. A 100% pass rate at grades A* to C was achieved by students in Gaeilge; French; Spanish; Irish; OCN Skills for Business; Media Studies; OCN Religion and Sports Studies. Over 90% pass rate at grades A* to C was achieved by students in Art and Design; English Language; English Literature; Mathematics, LLW, Double Award Science, Single Award Science and Technology and Design.[17]

In 2024, 67.5% of its students who sat the A-level exams were awarded three A*-C grades. In addition, there was a 100% per cent pass rate at grades A* to C or equivalent for students who entered BTEC Extended Certificate in IT (Double Award); BTEC IT (Single Award); Art and Design; BTEC Sports (Single Award); BTEC Sports (Double Award); BTEC Sports (Triple Award); Biology; Applied Business; Irish; Cambridge Technical ICT; Further Maths; Media Studies; Music; Religious Studies and Spanish.[18]

In 2022, the school produced a video that described its academic and other activities, with original music.[19] [20]

Sport

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Gaelic Games

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The school hurling team has the Mageean Cup a total of 28 times - the most in the competition.[21] It won the title five times in succession in the 1990s and again three times since 2010. St. Marys also completed an Ulster Colleges double in 2008 winning both the Mageean Cup and the MacLarnon Cup for the first time in the school's history after beating St Columbs (Derry) 1–7 to 0–8 in the final at Healy Park in Omagh on St Patrick's Day.

The school has also had sustained success in handball and Gaelic football.

Soccer

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Since the lifting of the ban on school representation in soccer competitions in 2002 the school has become the most successful in Belfast. On St Patrick's Day 2006 at Lisburn Distillery's grounds the Year 12s won its first ever soccer cup, the Belfast Cup, defeating Boys Model School. They followed up the next year with its first NI Cup in 2007 (Year 12) as well as the 2007 Belfast Cup (Year 11).

This success was followed up in 2008 as they won the year 9 Belfast Cup as well as an historic double in lifting both the Carnegie Schools Northern Ireland Cup (Year 13/14) and became the first school in 20 years to retain the Malcolm Brodie northern Ireland Trophy (year 12) with a victory over St Columbs, Derry. The winning tradition continues into the last year of the decade with wins in the NI Cup and Belfast Cup for the U14s and the U15s winning the Belfast cup.

Golf

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St. Mary’s came 2nd in the Ulster Schools Golf championship on Tuesday at Spa Golf Club Ballynahinch.[22]

Water polo

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It is the only school in Ireland to have a clean sweep of All-Ireland titles at all age groups in consecutive years. A ninth Canada Cup in a row was won in April 2009 with several of the team continuing to represent Ireland at international tournaments.

Other sports

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The school also competes in inter-schools competition in trampoline, athletics, golf, and basketball.[23]

Clubs and Societies

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Debating

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The school runs debating societies in English, Irish and Spanish, and has sent delegates representing Ireland to both the European Youth Parliament and European Youth Commission.

The school has excelled in the European and Irish News inter-school quizzes, currently holding both trophies. The school debating team won the Northern Ireland Schools Debating Championship in 2008, defeating the team from Antrim Grammar School in the final at Stormont. This is the only time St Mary's has won the competition.

Arts

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The school maintains an orchestra and a recording studio, stages theatrical and musical performances, as well as entering students in art competitions.[24]

Other clubs

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  • Social Justice Advocacy Group
  • Eco Club
  • French Club
  • Computer Club
  • Drama Club
  • Creative Writing Club
  • Science Club[25]

Community activities

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The school also encourages students to participate in a range of community-oriented activities through the Eco Club, the Social Justice Advocacy Group and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.[26] The school also initiated Project Zambia (Irish: Tionscadal na Saimbia) which is designed to involve students in providing support for marginalised communities in Zambia.[27]

Awards

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  • In 2023, Raymond Herron, a teacher at the school, won the Pastoral Development of the Year award at the finals of the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education which was held in Worcester, England. The award was for his leadership of the school’s work in promoting restorative practices for conflict and dispute resolution.[28]

Notable alumni

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See also: Category:People educated at St. Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Belfast

See also: Past Pupils, St. Mary's CBGS, Edmund Rice Schools Trust [29]

 
Joseph Devlin, politician
 
Albert Sharpe, actor
 
Seán MacEntee, politician, Tánaiste
 
Gerry Adams, politician
 
Martin McAleese, politician
 
Ronan Bennett, writer
 
Gerry Carroll, politician
Name Born Died Description
Joseph Devlin 1871 1934 Politician; Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons
George Martin 1877 1934 Gaelic footballer and administrator; one of the founders of the Ulster Gaelic Athletic Association
Albert Sharpe 1885 1970 Actor on stage and screen; famous for role in Darby O'Gill and the Little People
Seán MacEntee 1889 1984 Politician, TD, Tánaiste, member of the first Dáil Éireann
Michael MacConaill 1902 1987 Chair of Anatomy at University College Cork; active in the Irish War of Independence,
Frank Murray 1912 1993 Belfast doctor; interned in Japanese POW camp in Singapore and Japan[30]
William Conway 1913 1977 Cardinal Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland
Francis Hanna 1914 1987 Lawyer and politician; active in Labour politics
Alf Murray 1914 1991 Teacher, Gaelic footballer and President of Gaelic Athletic Association
Hugh Kelly 1919 1977 Gaelic footballer and soccer player
Joe Cahill 1920 2004 Chief of staff of the Provisional Irish Republican Army
Thomas Bartley 1926 2007 Vicar general of the Diocese of Down and Connor|
Noel Conway President, St Malachy's College, Belfast (1983-1995)
Patrick Walsh 1931 2023 Bishop of Down & Connor
Gerry Burns 1934 2020 Senior civil servant, Northern Ireland Ombudsman
James Dunwoody 1935 2012 University professor of mathematics
Muredach Dynan 1938 2021 University Professor and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Australian Catholic University
Jim McDonald 1938 2019 Chief Officer of the Labour Relations Agency (Northern Ireland)
Paddy Agnew 1942 2019 All-Ireland judo champion; rugby union player for Ireland
Bernard Davey 1943 Television weather forecaster
Paddy Morgan 1943 Professional snooker player
James Dougall 1945 2010 Journalist, writer and broadcaster
Séamus Mac Mathúna 1945 Irish language and Irish literature scholar, University Professor, Ulster University
Sir Richard McLaughlin 1947 High court judge, Courts of Northern Ireland
Chris Ryder 1947 2020 Journalist and author
Ciarán Carson 1948 2019 Poet, novelist and university professor; Founding Director of Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry; Elected member of Aosdána
Gerry Adams 1948 Politician, TD, president of Sinn Féin
John Cushnahan 1948 Politician in both Northern Ireland and Ireland; leader of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland and then as a Member of the European Parliament for Fine Gael.
Thomas Bartlett 1949 Historian, University Professor University College Dublin and University of Aberdeen
Seamus Finnegan 1949 Dramatist
Pat Finucane 1949 1989 Human rights lawyer
Thomas Frawley 1949 Northern Ireland Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints; Chief Executive Western Health and Social Services Board
Vincent McBrierty 1949 Physicist, University Professor, Trinity College Dublin
Daniel McCaughan Electronic engineer and executive; Professorial Fellow, Queen's University Belfast
Martin Lynch 1950 Playwright; Elected member of Aosdána
Martin McAleese 1951 Dentist, politician; husband of Mary McAleese
Micky Donnelly 1952 2019 Painter; Elected member of Aosdána
Paul Clark 1953 Television presenter - UTV
John G. Hughes 1953 Physicist and university vice-chancellor National University of Ireland, Maynooth; vice-chancellor, Bangor University, Wales
Éamon Phoenix 1953 2022 Political historian, author and broadcaster; Principal Lecturer Stranmillis University College
Gabriel Scally 1954 Public health physician; Regional Director of Public Health for South West England
Ciarán Mackel 1955 Architect and urban designer
Ronan Bennett 1956 Novelist and screenwriter
Donal O'Donnell 1957 Judge, Supreme Court of Ireland (Dublin)
John Ailbe O'Hara 1958 High Court judge
Máirtín Ó Muilleoir 1959 Publisher, 58th Lord Mayor of Belfast (2013–14), MLA (Sinn Féin)
Liam Creagh 1959 Journalist and businessman - BBC, RTÉ, Sky News
Paul Kennedy 1959 2016 Clinical psychologist; Professor, Oxford University; Head of Clinical Psychology at the National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Pól Ó Dochartaigh 1961 Scholar of German literature; University professor, University of Galway
Jim Magilton 1962 Professional footballer
John F. Larkin 1963 Attorney General for Northern Ireland
Declan McCavana 1963 French scholar and professor
Pól Ó Muiri 1965 Journalist and poet - The Irish Times
Barry Kelly 1966 Radiologist, University Professor
Seán Connor 1967 Professional footballer, manager of Sligo Rovers F.C.
Jim Magilton 1969 Professional footballer for Southampton F.C. and manager for Dundalk F.C., Cliftonville F.C. and other clubs
Jonjo O'Neill 1978 Actor: Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal National Theatre
Marty Rea[31] Actor
Gerard McCarthy 1981 Actor: BBC, Channel 4, Netflix, History Channel
Gerry Carroll 1987 Politician; MLA (People Before Profit Alliance)
Conor McLaughlin 1991 Professional footballer for Preston North End and Northern Ireland
Jackson McGreevy 1994 Hurler Antrim GAA

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Kelly, Siobhan. "Letter to parents" (PDF). St. Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School Scoil Mhuire na mBráithre Críostaí. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  2. ^ McParland, Conor (30 August 2024). "Brendan 'humble and proud' to be new St Mary's principal". Belfast Media.
  3. ^ "Staff archive". St. Mary's CBGS. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  4. ^ "List of Voluntary Grammar Schools". Department of Education Northern Ireland. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  5. ^ "150 years of Christian Brothers Education in Belfast". ERST NI. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  6. ^ About the School, stmaryscbgs.com; accessed 2 November 2016.
  7. ^ "Westcourt Centre". Westcourt Centre. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  8. ^ "Heritage Centres". Edmund Rice Global Network. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  9. ^ "About the Westcourt Centre". Westcourt Centre. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  10. ^ Glen Road CultureNorthernIreland.org; accessed 5 October 2015.
  11. ^ Quinn, Ciara (15 May 2018). "John prepares to put down the 'chalk' after 19 years at St Mary's". Belfast Media. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  12. ^ "Past and Present Teachers". erstni. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  13. ^ Quinn, Ciara. "John prepares to put down the 'chalk' after 19 years at St Mary's". BelfastMedia. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  14. ^ "Facilities". St. Mary's CBGS. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  15. ^ "curriculum" (PDF). Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  16. ^ Meredith, Robbie. "St Mary's Grammar scraps academic selection for 2022". BBC NI. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  17. ^ "GCSE Results". St Mary's CBGS. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  18. ^ "A-Level Results". St Mary's CBGS. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  19. ^ "St Mary's creates original music video- 'Hang on to Tomorrow'". St Mary's CBGS. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  20. ^ "St Mary's CGBS create 'insane' video that wows even NI filmmaker Declan Lawn". Belfast Telegraph. 20 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  21. ^ "Mageean Cup history to be collected". Irish News. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  22. ^ "Ulster Schools Golf Championship". St Mary's CBGS. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  23. ^ Sport section, official website; accessed 3 July 2015.
  24. ^ "Governor-Parent Report 2018" (PDF). St. Mary's CBGS. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  25. ^ "Prospectus" (PDF). St Mary's CBGS. St Mary's CBGS. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  26. ^ "Governor-Parent Report 2018" (PDF). St. Mary's CBGS. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  27. ^ "Project Zambia". NICVA. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  28. ^ "St Mary's teacher wins prestigious award for pastoral care at the school". Belfast Media. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  29. ^ "Past Pupils, St. Mary's CBGS, Edmund Rice Schools Trust". Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  30. ^ Murray, Carl. "Frank Murray: Belfast Doctor". Frank Murray: Belfast Doctor. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  31. ^ "Actor Marty Rea". St Mary's CBGS. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
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