THIS is an historic era in the annals of St Mary�s High School at Newry where, for the first time, pupils are enabled to study for `A` Level examinations. So that unique centre of excellence should be on a par with grammar schools in the locality.

The progressive principal, Ms Geraldine McClory also reported: �Each of the pupils will be offered a programme to enhance learning. This will include study skills, computer literacy, business initiative, service to the community, health and fitness, as well as a wide range of extra-curricular activities.�

What a far cry from those early days of 1961, when such secondary intermediate schools were designed to cater for those who had failed the 11-Plus. The feeling was that the pupils would be simply passing the time until they reached school-leaving age, and then got some dead-end job.

Then, with the introduction to the school of the Junior Certificate, this opened a window of opportunity for transfer to a grammar school, in order to do 'O' Level and 'A' Level examinations. Some years later, students at the high school were able to study for their 'O' Levels.

But at the Silver Jubilee in 1986, the late Bishop O�Doherty spoke of how St Mary�s had �experienced difficulties, due to the effects on families and the community of the last 18 troubled years. Many pupils have never known what it was for their parents to have regular employment. Most of those leaving school had little prospect of obtaining employment, no matter how successful their studies had been.�

The transformation in the fortunes of this unique institution, administered by the Poor Clares and the Sisters of Mercy, can be gauged from recent examination results. These show that about 95 per cent of Year 12 students had achieved success in the GCSE, with 45 per cent gaining the highest level in five or more subjects. Some pupils obtained grades of A* or A in nine subjects, while a range of certificates was gained by other pupils.

Numerous past pupils have graduated from universities or training colleges, embarking on a range of careers including law, medicine, business, education or religious life. Some returned to teach in their Alma Mater. Maybe the most impressive were the five McConville sisters, - Geraldine, B.Sc., horticulturalist; her twin, Deirdre, B.Sc., Occupational Therapist; Marion, B.Sc., Speech Therapist; Patricia, B.A., Hotel management; and Caroline, S.R.N.

Incidentally, seven sisters of the Ryan family from the Warrenpoint Road in Newry all attended St Mary�s High School, - Colette, Juana, Martina, Sinead, Deborah, Bronagh and Geraldine. One of their daughters, Sarah Jane Beattie, is an outstanding athlete, and has represented Ireland.

A random sample of careers by past pupils include Catherine Larkin, solicitor; Deirdre Larmour, Careers Officer with the University of Ulster; Lisa Murray, Food Adviser to the Quinnsworth group; Kathleen Sloan of Reeds (now SCA) management; Davina Sands, journalist; Deborah Maguire with �Riverdance,� Maureen McGreevy, a nursing sister; Marita Mathers, librarian; Rosemary Murphy of �Nuts� hairdressing salon; Gemma Burns, film actress; Catherine Murphy, choreographer; Rozlyn and Edel Sheridan, School of Drama; Teresa Murphy, pottery and Deirdre Reavey, who manufactures vestments.

Incidentally, Marion McAteer, whose father was the late John `Covey` McAteer, first chairman of Newry and Mourne district council, has been secretary at St Mary�s High School for the past 32 years.

And what a wealth of musical talent has emerged for the school at Upper Chapel Street, - Eileen King, Clodagh Rodgers, Leon Scott, Patrician Grattan, Marita Mathers and many other members of Newry Musical Society. A T.V. documentary featured Clodagh Rodgers� return to her Alma Mater, accompanied by former classmate, Ann McAteer, when they reminisced about the �good old days.�

The tragedy of the `Troubles` had a deep impact on the school when popular teacher, Liam Prince from Warrenpoint, was shot dead by British solders in South Armagh. He had been mistaken for a member of the I.R.A. Meanwhile, Deirdre (Derry) Murphy, Head of the English Department, was killed in a car crash in 1984. Though brought up in England, she had strong links with the Forkhill area. The family returned and settled there.

Some members of staff have gone abroad. Olive Joyce, who produced many shows at the school, settled in Dallas, Texas; Anne Barry went to Vancouver; Maurice Fitzpatrick left for East Africa to become a volunteer teacher; Anne Petty made her home in Switzerland. Three past pupils who became nuns also went overseas. Sister Eileen Flanagan was a teacher in California; Sister Angela worked on the missions in El Salvador, while Sister Loyola served in California.

Elizabeth Wall, one of the original pupils in 1961, was the first to pass the Junior Certificate. She joined the Sisters of Mercy, and taught at Mayobridge primary school.

Newry�s new all-girls school, built at a cost of �175,000, had a roll of 644. Neither St Mark�s at Warrenpoint nor St Paul�s at Bessbrook were in existence, so pupils came to St Mary�s from a wide catchment area. This ranged from Newry, Warrenpoint, Burren, Clontifleece, Rostrevor, Killowen, Barr, Saval, Sheeptown and Hilltown to Killeavy.

Sister Pacifica was principal from 1961 until 1980, succeeded by Mrs Florence McMahon (1980 to `90); and Mrs Anne Vallely (1990 to 2001). Geraldine McClory is the present principal, with Mrs Margot Cosgrove as vice-principal. The school motto is: � Always to do one�s best.�

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