Welcome to Our School Website

As the principal of St. Mary's, it is my privilege to welcome you to our school community. We are proud to be a small, family-oriented Catholic school that thrives on inclusivity and nurturing each child in a safe, supportive environment. Our close connection to the parish of Dungiven, Gortnaghey Community Centre and St. Colm's Drum GAC enriches our community spirit, ensuring a strong bond between school, parish, and local life.

The original school opened in 1891 and is in a beautiful rural setting in Gortnaghey Village, four miles from the town of Dungiven. The current building opened in 1983 and we enjoy a bright and well equipped school in lovely surroundings. At our school, we believe in providing an enriching education that goes beyond the classroom. Despite our size, we are fortunate to have outstanding facilities; including an ICT suite, a set of tablets for each class, a well-stocked library, a sensory room, access to a 3G pitch, and the nearby Gortnaghey Community Centre. Our youngest learners benefit from our outdoor classroom provision, and we are committed to extending these opportunities to our Key Stage 2 pupils. In the 2024-2025 school year, we are excited to focus on enhancing our outdoor learning through initiatives such as Forest School, gardening with the community greenhouse, and improving our playground to offer diverse play experiences.

We take great pride in our Green Flag Eco Schools status, a testament to our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. Our students are active participants in these efforts, helping to shape a greener future for all. We provide our pupils with a variety of leadership opportunities, including Eco Council, School Council, Digital Leaders and Lunchtime Monitors. Our intention is that pupils understand the value of volunteering which will encourage their positive contribution towards wider society in later life. 

We have a thriving Parents and Friends Association, who are integral to the additional opportunities we can offer our pupils. In 2023-2024, our PFA raised funds towards re-surfacing the Outdoor Classroom with tarmac, funding buses for our KS2 pupils to attend Derry GAA school blitzes as well as funding the music provided for our school nativity in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Gortnaghey. A fabulous team of parents gave their time to paint walls, sills and outdoor playhouses. Not only were they painted, but the parents resourced them also. This is a perfect example of the community spirit we wish to instil in our pupils. Thank you. 

We are pleased to offer our pupils Gaelic coaching via Eimear McNicholl as well as meeting the PE objectives via Skill School who lead on PE for P1-P7. Key Stage 2 pupils have the opportunity to go swimming once in their three years in KS2. P6 and P7 pupils have the opportunity to experience school residential in both years with Woodhall residential centre, Kilrea. We vary between water and high ropes activities and forest-school, bush craft in alternate years. We are proud winners of the small-school Co. Derry schools final in Owenbeg, hosted in memory of our previous school Principal, Francis Lagan. 

This year, 2024-2025, is the first time in school history that we are over-subscribed with our enrolment at 86 of a possible 77. This is a testament to all school staff, which evidences the fantastic work going on here. Not only is there great learning, but staff and pupils have great fun too. The happier a staff member is, the better they contribute at work. The happier a child is, the better they learn. You will not find a better example of this anywhere than our school and we implore you to visit to get a feel for the wonderful energy that vibrates through the building. 

I hope this website gives you a sense of what makes our school such a special place. Thank you for your interest, and I look forward to welcoming you into our school family.

Warm regards,
Mary Jackson