St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Belfast

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

Belfast
,
BT11 8NR

Northern Ireland
Coordinates 54°34′57″N6°00′03″W / 54.582527°N 6.000836°W / 54.582527; -6.000836
Information
Type Grammar School
Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic
Established1866/1929
Local authority Education Authority (Belfast)
ChairSean Mahon
PrincipalMr. Brendan McComb [2]
Staff157 [3]
Gender All-Male
Age11to 19
Enrolment1170
Colour(s)   
Website stmaryscbgs.com

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

Contents

History

St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Glen Road St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School - geograph.org.uk - 506346.jpg
St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Glen Road
Former Barrack Street school entrance Former school doorway, Belfast - geograph.org.uk - 1450640.jpg
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 the school later began to attract students 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

Facilities

The school is located on a large site on the lower slopes of the Black Mountain. In addition to classrooms, it houses computer suites, a technology suite, art studios, a music suite, science laboratories, a large lecture theatre, an assembly hall, and a canteen. The school's outdoor sports facilities include fifteen acres of playing field, a 3G pitch, and an athletics track. [13] Indoors, there is a gymnasium and a swimming pool. [14]

Academics

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

Gaelic Games

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

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

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

Water polo

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

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

Clubs and Societies

Debating

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

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

Community activities

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

Notable alumni

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

Joseph Devlin, politician Joe Devlin.JPG
Joseph Devlin, politician
Albert Sharpe, actor Albert Sharpe in Royal Wedding.jpg
Albert Sharpe, actor
Sean MacEntee, politician, Tanaiste Sean MacEntee portrait.jpg
Seán MacEntee, politician, Tánaiste
Gerry Adams, politician Gerry Adams - 26370225138.jpg
Gerry Adams, politician
Martin McAleese, politician Martin McAleese at the Deloitte Awards 2008.jpg
Martin McAleese, politician
Ronan Bennett, writer Ronan Bennett (49126247338).jpg
Ronan Bennett, writer
Gerry Carroll, politician Gerry Carroll 2016 (cropped).jpg
Gerry Carroll, politician
NameBornDiedDescription
Joseph Devlin 18711934Politician; Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons
George Martin 18771934 Gaelic footballer and administrator; one of the founders of the Ulster Gaelic Athletic Association
Albert Sharpe 18851970Actor on stage and screen; famous for role in Darby O'Gill and the Little People
Seán MacEntee 18891984Politician, TD, Tánaiste, member of the first Dáil Éireann
Michael MacConaill 19021987Chair of Anatomy at University College Cork; active in the Irish War of Independence,
Frank Murray 19121993Belfast doctor; interned in Japanese POW camp in Singapore and Japan [30]
William Conway 19131977Cardinal Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland
Francis Hanna 19141987Lawyer and politician; active in Labour politics
Alf Murray 19141991Teacher, Gaelic footballer and President of Gaelic Athletic Association
Hugh Kelly 19191977 Gaelic footballer and soccer player
Joe Cahill 19202004 Chief of staff of the Provisional Irish Republican Army
Thomas Bartley 19262007 Vicar general of the Diocese of Down and Connor|
Noel Conway President, St Malachy's College, Belfast (1983-1995)
Patrick Walsh 19312023Bishop of Down & Connor
Gerry Burns 19342020Senior civil servant, Northern Ireland Ombudsman
James Dunwoody 19352012University professor of mathematics
Muredach Dynan 19382021University Professor and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Australian Catholic University
Jim McDonald 19382019Chief Officer of the Labour Relations Agency (Northern Ireland)
Paddy Agnew 19422019All-Ireland judo champion; rugby union player for Ireland
Bernard Davey 1943Television weather forecaster
Paddy Morgan 1943Professional snooker player
James Dougall 19452010Journalist, writer and broadcaster
Séamus Mac Mathúna 1945 Irish language and Irish literature scholar, University Professor, Ulster University
Sir Richard McLaughlin 1947High court judge, Courts of Northern Ireland
Chris Ryder 19472020Journalist and author
Ciarán Carson 19482019Poet, novelist and university professor; Founding Director of Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry; Elected member of Aosdána
Gerry Adams 1948Politician, TD, president of Sinn Féin
John Cushnahan 1948Politician 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 1949Historian, University Professor University College Dublin and University of Aberdeen
Seamus Finnegan 1949Dramatist
Pat Finucane 19491989Human rights lawyer
Thomas Frawley 1949 Northern Ireland Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints; Chief Executive Western Health and Social Services Board
Vincent McBrierty 1949Physicist, University Professor, Trinity College Dublin
Daniel McCaughan Electronic engineer and executive; Professorial Fellow, Queen's University Belfast
Martin Lynch 1950Playwright; Elected member of Aosdána
Martin McAleese 1951Dentist, politician; husband of Mary McAleese
Micky Donnelly 19522019Painter; Elected member of Aosdána
Paul Clark 1953Television presenter - UTV
John G. Hughes 1953Physicist and university vice-chancellor National University of Ireland, Maynooth; vice-chancellor, Bangor University, Wales
Éamon Phoenix 19532022Political 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 1955Architect and urban designer
Ronan Bennett 1956Novelist and screenwriter
Donal O'Donnell 1957Judge, Supreme Court of Ireland (Dublin)
John Ailbe O'Hara 1958High Court judge
John Hannaway 1958Senior accountant
Máirtín Ó Muilleoir 1959Publisher, 58th Lord Mayor of Belfast (2013–14), MLA (Sinn Féin)
Liam Creagh 1959Journalist and businessman - BBC, RTÉ, Sky News
Paul Kennedy 19592016Clinical psychologist; Professor, Oxford University; Head of Clinical Psychology at the National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Pól Ó Dochartaigh 1961Scholar of German literature; University professor, University of Galway
Jim Magilton 1962Professional footballer
John F. Larkin 1963 Attorney General for Northern Ireland
Declan McCavana 1963French scholar and professor
Pól Ó Muiri 1965Journalist and poet - The Irish Times
Barry Kelly 1966Radiologist, University Professor
Seán Connor 1967Professional footballer, manager of Sligo Rovers F.C.
Jim Magilton 1969Professional footballer for Southampton F.C. and manager for Dundalk F.C., Cliftonville F.C. and other clubs
Jonjo O'Neill 1978Actor: Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal National Theatre
Marty Rea [31] Actor
Gerard McCarthy 1981Actor: BBC, Channel 4, Netflix, History Channel
Gerry Carroll 1987Politician; MLA (People Before Profit Alliance)
Conor McLaughlin 1991Professional footballer for Preston North End and Northern Ireland
Jackson McGreevy 1994Hurler Antrim GAA

See also

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References

  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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