The school was founded in 1927 by Monsignor John Ward, Parish Priest of Magherafelt, to provide secondary education for Catholic girls of the area under the direction of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Bordeaux.
About Us
Ten girls were enrolled in the first year under the principalship of Sister Cassian Tracey. The school flourished and grew throughout the 40s under the principalship of Sister Marie Therese Harte. With the school's continued academic success, the need for more accommodation became urgent and in 1954 the first extension was built.
September 1978 marked a significant milestone in the history of the school: 37 boys were enrolled in St. Mary's along with 587 girls.
In 1984 new accommodation was again required. Under the leadership of Sister Immaculata O'Connor, Principal (1977-1995) the Friends of St. Mary's was formed with the purpose of raising funds to finance the building programme. The £6 million extension was formally opened by Cardinal Daly on 8 December 1994. It includes a large sports hall, fitness suite, science block, technology block -drama/lecture theatre, careers suite, Sixth Form study area and general purpose classrooms. Tennis courts, grass and all weather pitches complement the indoor sports facilities. In 2003, the school trustees completed the latest phase of the development programme when Cafe Bordeaux and the new classroom extension were opened. Improvements to the school estate continue annually as we are committed to providing the best possible environment for teaching and learning, living and working.
The school's first lay Principal, Mrs W A O'Kane (1995-2004) was responsible for further enhancing the academic reputation of the school and widening its extra-curricular portfolio.
Today, St. Mary's Grammar School has over eleven hundred pupils on roll, with an equal ratio of boys and girls and serves three counties:
September 2004 marked another beginning in the school's history with the appointment of its first male Principal, Mr D A Lambon.
