Principal's Welcome

We welcome you to our school website.  We hope that it will give you a sense of who we are and what our school is about, our values and what is important to us.

Our school is a vibrant and active, full stream Catholic school under the patronage of the Catholic Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin. Our aim is to promote Catholic education in the Catherine McAuley tradition, promoting values of respect, justice and integrity. We encourage positive behaviour and encourage our pupils to strive for excellence, to be the best that they can be. We hope that when our pupils leave us, they will be confident and happy. Our Ethos promotes the spiritual, moral, intellectual, social and physical growth of each student.

We aim to provide the best education possible for our pupils. The child is at the centre of everything we do. The Principal and teachers aim at making the school a centre of excellence in which high professional standards are maintained and where pupils learn in a safe and happy environment. All our staff members are committed and dedicated to nurturing, supporting and helping each pupil. The staff, Board of Management and Parent Association work together to advance the school in the best interest of the children. We value the support of the parents in our school. We have a broad range of school and extra – curricular activities to encourage the full development of the child.

Our building project is progressing and we are eagerly awaiting the completion of our new school.    We are very excited and looking forward to moving into our new school next year.

We hope that you will find our website useful. If we can be of assistance in any way, please contact us.

Jacqueline O’Reilly, Principal.

Mission Statement

Our school is a Catholic school and we aim to fulfil the aspirations of Catholic Education.

We therefore aim:

  • To affirm the pupils’ basic goodness, to promote their dignity, to honour their
    fundamental rights and to develop their gifts to the fullest
  • To educate the children to live responsibly, with God’s help, for the fullness of life that
    God wills for them and for others;
  • To convince and train the children to live knowing that their lives are worthwhile and
    have historical significance, that their every good effort advances the good of all.

Through our whole curriculum we aim to promote the ancient conviction of Iranaeus,
that ‘the glory of God is the human person fully alive’

School Origin


The Mercy Convent Primary School, Naas was founded in 1839 by the Mercy Order of nuns. We are committed to the Mercy Philosophy of Education, inspired by the vision of Catherine McAuley. Our school is a Catholic primary school under the Patronage of Most Rev. Denis Nulty, the Catholic Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin. The School is a full stream school which is co-educational in Junior and Senior Infants, and single sex (girls) from First to Sixth Class.


The Mercy Convent Secondary School (now St. Mary’s College) on the adjoining lands, was founded in 1936 by the Mercy Order and proudly continues the tradition and work of Catherine McAuley, to enable and empower our students to grow and mature into young women who will achieve their potential and go out into the world to live meaningful and purposeful lives.

School Ethos

The ethos of Mercy Convent Primary School encompasses collective attitudes, beliefs, core values, traditions, aspirations and goals. These are reflected in the actual practices which are carried out in the school on a daily, weekly and yearly basis. While it is impossible to outline all aspects of the school ethos, the following characteristics are experienced and promoted as essential elements in the establishment of a supportive and positive ethos.

In Mercy Convent Primary School, where the ethos is that of a Christian Catholic school, religious instruction, in accordance with the doctrine and tradition of the Catholic Church is part of the education given to children who belong to that Church. We have at our hearts, the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. As a formal agent of education within the Catholic community, the school models and transmits a philosophy of life inspired by belief in God and in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The policies, practices and attitudes of the school are inspired by Gospel values.

The pupils are prepared for the reception of the sacraments of First Confession, First Holy Communion and Confirmation, in accordance with arrangements in the diocese. The liturgical seasons are part of the rhythm of the school year and the children are given opportunities to participate in liturgical celebrations arranged by the school. Prayer is a feature of the school day.

The school aims at promoting the full and harmonious development of all aspects of the pupil, including his/her relationship with God, with other people and with the environment. A spirit of mutual respect is promoted within the school community. Pupils are drawn by example and teaching to appreciate and respect people of different religious affiliations and of different nationalities.

Close contact is maintained between school and home. Parents/guardians and teachers support one another and collaborate with one another in leading the children to the fullness of their potential at the different stages. The school’s Code of Behaviour reflects the Christian values promoted within the school, with an emphasis on forgiveness, reconciliation, new beginnings and hope. Teachers are sensitive to the needs and particular circumstances of the pupils.

The school identifies itself with its parish, working closely with the local priest/priests who visit the school frequently. The school aims at fostering a sense of community between management, teachers, parents and pupils and a sense of insertion into the wider community of the parish. Gradually, pupils acquire a sense of the Universal Church whose concern extends to all peoples.

The school recognises the dignity and value of each person made in the image and likeness of God. This is reflected in the organisation of the school (including our Admissions and Participation Policy). We aim to build an environment of care and concern for others.

The Principal and teaching staff aim at maintaining high professional standards and creating a safe and happy environment. Teachers are encouraged to develop their personal and professional talents through which they glorify God and serve those young people in whose education they play such a significant role.

The school celebrates the unique contribution of each student and seeks to facilitate and encourage the development of a wide range of skills and interests. This is achieved through the dedicated provision of various extra curricular activities including sport and music.

Those who share our values and ethos are invited to be part of our school community.

Board of Management

The Board of Management manages the school on behalf of the Patron and is accountable to the Patron and the Minister for Education and Skills. The Principal is responsible for the day to day management of the school and is accountable to the Board for that management.The Board adopts a child centred approach to all of its work. It must also uphold the characteristic spirit (ethos) of the school and is accountable to the Patron for so doing.

The Board of Management for 2015 – 2019 consists of:

Principal

Ms. Jacqueline O’Reilly

Patron’s Nominees

Tony O’Sullivan, Chairperson.

Fr. Liam Morgan P.P.

Parent Nominees

Ms. Yvonne Cooke

Mr. Richard Gibbons

Teacher Nominee

Ms. Laura McGlynn

Community Nominees

Mr. Tom Keegan

Mr. Joe Morrin