MERCY ETHOS

•    The central purpose of the School Community is the religious, moral, intellectual, physical and social education of the student.

•    The school community seeks to create an atmosphere of Christian care and concern in which each student can grow to maturity.

•    It is our goal to create a school where we care for each other and where all can be confident that each individual feels safe and valued.

St. Mary's provides an excellent Pastoral Care service and a healthy and safe environment.

   CLASSROOM TEACHERS:
The classroom teacher is the first and most frequent contact person for each student and is often the best placed person to have a sense of a student's well-being. Not only do they instruct pupils in the course content of a particular  subject but they work to ensure that each pupil is enabled to derive the maximum benefit from the class, develop a good pattern of study and homework and reach the highest standard of attainment that each girl is capable of achieving.

   CLASS TUTOR:
Each class has a tutor - a designated teacher who takes a special interest in the appointed class.  He/she aims to create a well motivated, happy class group, where each member is cherished and where standards of work, conduct and responsibility are striving towards excellence. As well as monitoring attendance and behaviour, the class tutor also takes a pastoral interest in each girl and as far as possible tries to be aware of the general welfare and progress of each student in the class.  Each girl’s class tutor is a source of immediate support and especially so for 1^st year students as they make the transition from primary to secondary school.  In the relationship of trust and  respect that develops between class tutor and class  there is an opportunity for individual or general concerns and difficulties to be discussed and dealt with. Class tutors will also consult as necessary with each subject teacher to alleviate any source of difficulty.

   YEAR HEAD:
The classes that belong to a particular year group are under the care of a Year Head who has a vital function of leading, co-ordinating and inspiring the students of the designated  year group. Year heads also monitor student progress and behaviour in their year group as well as the general welfare of each individual.

   PREFECTS:
Sixth Year students are elected as Prefects and their duties include the welfare of other students with each prefect taking a special interest in a particular class.

   MEITHEAL LEADERS:
Meitheal is a peer-support, anti-bullying programme run by our 6th.Years to help our 1st. Years.  The Meitheal leaders are 6th.Year students selected through interviews with the Wexford Meitheal Alliance at the end of 5th.Year. During their summer holidays those selected spend a week, along with leaders from other Wexford schools, training to deal with situations that might arise at school.
When school starts, the Meitheal role is to look after the incoming 1st.Year students by fostering friendships with and among the 1st.Years so as to reduce the likelihood of bullying occurrences as well as providing other valuable support.
The programme aims to tackle difficulties at an early stage, to build self-confidence and a sense of responsibility for others. Meitheal aims to make school a better place in which to learn.
The leaders are supported in their work by weekly meetings facilitated by a staff co-ordinator.

   LEARNING SUPPORT / RESOURCE TEACHING:
The school has a Learning Support teacher and a Resource teacher.  Students with special educational needs are welcome.  Mercy education is committed to holistic development and to the achievement of the full potential of each student. All teachers aim to prepare students by academic and practical training for adult living and to promote in them a co-operative spirit so that they can make a constructive  contribution to society.

   HOME SCHOOL LIASON:
The home and school are the primary and secondary educators of students. As such it is vital that communication between home and school are of a high standard.  As part of the Home School Liaison programme, the school will continue to monitor absenteeism and ring/contact home re. unreported absences or students’ well-being.   Formal meetings between parents/guardians and teachers take place on an annual basis. These meetings give parents/guardians and teachers an opportunity to review each girl’s overall progress in school.  Subject teachers will also be only too pleased to meet parents/guardians on an appointment basis throughout the year should the need arise.

   CHAPLAIN:
In co-operation with the Principal and R.E. teachers our Chaplain - Fr. Odhran Furlong  organises and develops pastoral contact with the students.

   GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS:
The school Counsellors are responsible for the planning and implementation of the school guidance programme. They provide support to pupils in connection with their educational, social and personal development and adjustment.  During an interview, counsellors create a confidential atmosphere, in which the student  can have the confidence to seek advice. What is told to the counsellor is confidential except when what is heard is thought to be of harm to the student or any other person.

The students may request the counselling themselves or may be referred by parents and/or teachers.

As well as personal interviews Counsellors also take formal classes with students to give career information.  In the process the Counsellors guide pupils to make their own career choices based on self-understanding and self -knowledge.

All of the people listed above are good listeners, they care for the pupils in their charge and they will often be able to solve a student's problem quickly.

   PRINCIPAL & DEPUTY PRINCIPAL:
The Principal and Deputy Principal operate an open door policy for all students.

   THE BREAKFAST CLUB:
Our canteen provides two services for students.
The Breakfast Club  opens daily from 8.00 - 8.45am. and provides cereal, tea and toast free of charge to any student who arrives in school extra early in the morning. This service  is especially  designed for country girls who have to leave home very early to catch a bus or a lift.

   LUNCH:
Hot and cold lunches are available daily at a reasonable charge. A sample menu  can be seen on the Facilities page of this website.

   LOCKERS:
Lockers are available to every student for the safe-keeping of books and personal property. Students must provide their own lock.