Congratulations to Patrick Uzar, Andrew Coyne, Ismail Usman, Samuel Duffy and Joshua Corbett who are the 5th Yr Students of the Year of their respective forms. Their academic excellence was recognised at our recent Awards Day.

This year, the School Book Scheme extends to Senior Cycle Students. There are set lists of stationary type materials which can be provided by the scheme, and a specific ring fenced budget to cover it all. The lists attached here are those items which the Book Scheme does not cover and should be purchased by parents/guardians. Payments for materials may be made on this School App or to the school office by card or cash. The locker fee must be paid before your son returns to school. 

What has been covered by the Scheme? For the details for each Year Group please click on the relevant pdf icon below. In general: Hard back copies, subject specific copies for Business, Accounting, Maths, Science subjects and Music will be supplied to all taking those subjects. A4 Display folders are limited according to being either in Junior Cycle or Senior Cycle. Hard back copies are provided to supplement the subject specific copies mentioned above. Maths geometry sets, scientific calculators, 1 A4 Display folder per JC student and several for Senior Cycle students are provided by the Book Scheme. Depending on what the subject department specified in their book list, your son will get the overall equivalent across: small 120 page copies, A4 soft cover memorandum, specialist type copies mentioned above, A4 refill pads and A4 graph paper copies, etc to make up the recommended number of copies per student. After that, pens, pencils, markers, set squares, glue, drawing boards and a few other items must be purchased by you, the parent/guardian. 

Due to the wide range of practical subjects we offer all students, especially Engineering and Woodwork, where the cost of wood, steel and paper are rising every day, we cannot provide the quantity and quality of materials within the budget we have been allocated without a donation from each student. Therefore, you will find that several subjects will require your contribution in covering the cost of your son's materials. We do appreciate your contribution and realise that there are many demands being asked of you at this time, some of which we as a school also share, within our own limited budget. We ask that all subject fees be paid by the end of September. If you are unable to do so by that time, please contact the office to speak to the Principal who will be happy to make an alternative arrangement with you.

All year groups will receive their text books and stationary during the weeks of August 18th to 27th. Notices will be put out on this App for their collection.

First years will be asked to collect their books by Friday August 15th at the latest, in order for them to try to input their e-book codes before the Induction Day on Monday 18th August. If they are unable to do so for whatever reason, there is no problem, it will be sorted for them when they come into school on the 18th - 19th August for their Induction and IT Days. Collection will be according to alphabetical order of surnames. 

All students will receive a School Journal as part of the Book Scheme. 

The School Locker must be paid for up to the day on which your son(s) begins school, either on the App or by card/cash to the office. 

We look forward to the coming school year 2025-26 with great expectations of the many successes and achievements of all our students, whether it be on a personal private stage or on a wider platform, in sport, academic and other areas of achievement. Each year, our students are seen to expand their achievements - School Musical, Sports, Debating, Microsoft Office, Texaco Art, and more. This shows that we are building confidence in our students, who then use that confidence to test themselves outside of their comfort zone.

Those doing Transition Year are given an open field to explore, and so many of those have gone on to discover then prove their expertise. Those whose sons are going into 3rd year, I do ask you to begin having that conversation with your sons NOW about the merits of doing TY. It expands their horizons so much. It is never a lost year. If they choose to sit on their hands and not become involved, they have still matured, to their benefit. Who amongst us would disagree that we all needed that extra year of  maturity before landing in the open world of careers, courses, decisions. And it is a far more difficult world now than 20 or 30 years ago. 

There will be several more notices on the App before the lads start back to school so please turn on Notifications on your phone for our App. I want to wish you all a lovely summer where the days are still long and the air is warmer and we are able to relax more. We all need this brightness. God bless.

Regards,

Maura Murphy

⏰ Deadline Friday 30th ⏰
 Final TY Payment: €400
 Final TY Deposit for Carlingford: €100

These payments can be made easily via the school app .

 Please note: We cannot guarantee your place on the TY programme or the Carlingford trip in September without these payments.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch:
 pcahillane@portlaoisecbs.com

Best regards,
Paul Cahillane
Programme Co-Ordinator

We’re excited to invite you to the Transition Year Awards Night & Graduation taking place in the GPA on Monday, 26th May at 7:00 PM!  ️

 Students are asked to wear full school uniform for this special occasion.

This evening marks the conclusion of the school year for TY students. Let's celebrate their achievements together! 

 Tea & coffee will be served afterwards – a lovely chance to chat and reflect on a great year.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Our TY students have struck gold, representing our school at national level with their sold-out performances of the musical Grease.

On Friday morning, they received four nominations from the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) in the following categories:
• Best Direction

• Adjudicator's Special Award

• Best Cohesive Principal Team

• Best Overall Show

Yesterday morning, the cast gathered in school to watch the live stream of the final verdicts — and the cheers echoed through the corridors as St. Mary’s CBS was announced the winner of  Best Cohesive Principal Team!

We are incredibly proud of our students and our talented collaborators from Scoil Chríost Rí who have set the bar high for all future productions.

We are officially on the map as a school for the performing arts. 
Huge congratulations to all students and staff involved!

All third years are expected to be in school, on time, in full uniform, with their books and materials, until next Thursday, May 29th at 4pm. I am aware that some are telling parents the teachers or the principal said they don't have to go to class, come to school, or do work. This is not the case. In fact, it is harder they should be working as we get closer to the exam.

Fabulous weather such as we are having is not helping them to settle, but settle they must. We do not want to give detentions, either Friday or Saturday, for crazy or inappropriate behaviour, but we will. As always, you, the parents have been a great support to us and we ask you once again, please help us keep the lid on silly and unnecessary behaviour. Thank you. MM