St. Michael's Loreto Secondary School (Navan)
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Loreto Secondary School, St. Michael's, is an all-girls secondary school serving the town of Navan, Ireland and the greater Meath catchment area. The school is situated on the banks of the River Boyne, and entry to the school is via Convent Road, or the busy Boyne Road.
The Loreto Sisters abodes are adjoining the main and oldest part of the school building, with a day-care centre for the elderly situated at the back. The grounds are quite beautiful, with ample green areas for the students to sit. The staff numbers 52 which includes 2 Career Guidance Counsellors, 2 Home School Links/Pastoral Guidesl, teachers of academic subjects, specialist teachers, and ancillary staff.
The Loreto secondary school is renowned for its excellence in extra-curricular activities, especially Gaelic Football, Camogie, Hockey and Basketball. Drama also has a high profile in the school where many aspects of stage work and dramatic forms are experienced. Every alternate year a one act or three act is performed.
In the early 80's a decision made by the Loreto Order to focus on justice as a central part of the education of young people led the Navan school to look at the place of social justice in the school curriculum. As a result of this, a special post was created to promote social justice in the school. Initially this involved one teacher but now has developed into a committee involving teachers and students. The highlight of the school year is social justice week held in March every year. During this week guest speakers are invited into school to highlight issues of poverty and inequality, racism and refugees, human rights and care of the environment. Adi Roche, Founder and Executive Director of Chernobyl Children's Project, gave the opening address at this year's Social Justice Week, from 6 March–10 March.
Quite famous past pupil: Nina Carberry, jockey.
Loreto sisters opened the first Catholic school for girls in the Navan area in 1833.