St Patrick's Grammar Downpatrick

31/08/2024

The final post on this page is from Mr McCann!
Thanks everybody - that’s a wrap for the Red High and this Red High page! 🔴🟡

In this our final post, I would like to pay tribute to all who have contributed to the success of the Red High since 1934.

While the current staff and students will be remembered as those living through the turbulent times of change, our school is the sum total of all those adults and children who have graced the corridors of four different buildings over 90 years. We can all be very proud of the contribution that our school has made to the lives of the families of East Down and beyond. The Red High has produced well rounded adults able to lead and serve the community locally, nationally and globally.

We are indebted to the De La Salle Order for their vision, drive and ambition but I am saddened by their decision making that led to the closure of this great school.

Finally, it has been both an honour and a privilege to work here since 1992 and ultimately lead the school since December 2017. The sense of community and family that lives out our mantra of ‘Red High ‘Til I Die’ has always been palpable and I thank our staff, governors, students, parents and other partners for their friendship, loyalty and generous support that empowered us to thrive.

I wish everyone ever associated with St. Patrick’s Grammar School every success in the next stage of their journey whatever that might be.

Joe McCann
Principal 2017-2024

31/08/2024

It’s only fitting that the penultimate post celebrates the careers of two Red High stalwarts and it’s quite ironic that they started their Red High careers on the same day and are also ending on the same day.

As a Teacher of English, Year Head, Senior Teacher and Vice-Principal, Ms McLoughlin was the rock that anchored our school. She was involved in every aspect of our school community and lead by example in everything she did. As Head of Pastoral Care, Ms McLoughlin ensured all members of our school community were well cared for and it was only fitting that her vision and tireless work was recognised last year when St. Patrick’s was awarded the Wellbeing Award for Schools. Thank you for your leadership and care Kathleen and enjoy the next chapter.

Teacher of RE, Head of Upper School, Head of Department, Vice-Principal and Principal, Mr McCann has worn many hats and excelled in every role over his 30 year career in the Red High. However, Mr McCann has always been happiest in the classroom sharing his love of Tertullian or popping into a class unannounced to enhance the lesson with facts on Mount Everest or update everybody on his latest PB. Serving dinners, wiping tables, sweeping floors, moving desks and chairs, online quizzes, coaching Gaelic football, athletics, mentoring staff and students, he’s done it all and all for the good of our school. Thank you Joe and best wishes for the future!

Best wishes Joe and Kathleen, and thank you for everything! You will be sadly missed by staff, students and the entire Red High community. 🔴🟡

31/08/2024

A few more posts to go before we sign off!

Before we share the penultimate post, thank you to everybody who has followed us and supported us on this page over the years. Its aim was to build the Red High community, share our news and celebrate achievements and endeavours of our Red High family. A very special thank you to the Admins who have maintained this page.

We’re moving on with great optimism for what the future holds in Lecale Trinity Grammar School. The Social Media Team is busy getting ready for the opening of the new school on Monday. Please continue to support us as we move forward. Click on the link below to follow!
https://www.facebook.com/share/gqk8zh9x3qtQprWw/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

School

31/08/2024

On our final school day in June, we said goodbye to some colleagues who were leaving us for pastures new.

To Conor and Ryan, former students turned wonderful CAs. Thank you for supporting our students and becoming fully involved in the life of our school. Best wishes for your next adventures.

To Mr Burns and Mr McClements who joined us during the year and fitted in straight away. Nothing was too much bother and you had a wonderful impact on our students. Thank you both and best wishes for the next chapters!

Mrs Morgan and Mrs Magee are leaving us for a while to do lots of exciting things. We will be keeping eyes on your exploits. While after a very successful season and a Tailteann Cup victory under his belt, Mr Morgan, is taking another year away from the classroom. Good luck, enjoy and hopefully we’ll see you all soon!

Ms Cushley is leaving us for a position closer to home - a much shorter journey home now after late nights on the stage. Ms Cushley was heavily involved in the backroom team of Beauty and the Beast and her wonderful organisation meant everything ran smoothly. Good luck Oonagh.

After a wonderful career as an English teacher in Downpatrick, starting in St. Mary’s and ending in St. Patrick’s, Mrs Paterson has decided to put away her books! Thank you for enriching the lives of so many students over the years Joanne and for being a wonderful colleague. Now that you have the time, good luck with all your artistic endeavours.

Also moving much, much closer to home is Ms Mitchell.Ms Mitchell and the Business Studies Department are responsible for many of our students choosing to study a business pathway at third level and maybe a few entrepreneurs too! And how could we forget the Young Enterprise and their many successes over the years. Good luck Cathy. The coursework won’t seem as heavy now with less miles.

Ms Walls, our wonderful Exams Officer is also leaving us for a new adventure! Ms Walls taught for many years in St. Mary’s and how lucky were we when she joined our staff. Not only did Marie look after the exams, as a talented camőg in her day and a super coach, she afforded our girls the opportunity to play camogie at senior level. No mean feat for a school with only 80 girls. Thank you Marie and at least your drive now will be shorter!!

Another former Red High student, Mr Toner, is leaving us for a new challenge. Mr Toner shared his love of French (and Spanish and German) with many students over the years and he was an outstanding Year Head. No more ferry trips! An islander no more!! Thank you Vinny and good luck!

Good luck everybody. We will miss you. 🔴🟡

31/08/2024

Our final event of the year was the Year 12 Awards Evening - an opportunity to celebrate our Year 12 Class of 2024. Congratulations to our award winners and to the entire group on the completion of your GCSE examinations. Every best wish for the future.

31/08/2024

The 2023-24 academic year was the 90th Anniversary year of St. Patrick’s Grammar School and throughout the year we had a number of events to celebrate this milestone, from Masses, quizzes, reunions and awards evenings to a phenomenal 90th Anniversary Concert and our wonderful show, Beauty and the Beast. The ‘Walk down Memory Lane’ brought hundreds of former pupils and staff members through our doors as they searched over 200 metres of photos, publications and press clippings.

As a staff, we closed out our year and 90 years, together, our last day in St. Patrick’s Grammar School. Thank you to Posh Nosh for the beautiful lunch and we even had entertainment from the Hairy Lemons, and Bon Jovi!!

It was an emotional day as we said farewell to some colleagues who were moving on to pastures new but also a day of celebration.

So, despite being a Saturday, today is officially the last day of St. Patrick’s Grammar School. We will have a few posts throughout the day and a final post this evening. 🔴🟡

30/08/2024

Positions available in Lecale Trinity Grammar School.

23/08/2024

Harry Miskelly visited on Thursday to pick up his awards for achieving the highest mark in the school in both Art & Design and English Literature from Mr McCann. Well done Harry on these outstanding performances.

22/08/2024

Another poignant moment as our Year 12 students received the final set of GCSE results in the Red High.
Well done to everyone on their great achievements and good luck as you embark on the next stage of your journey.
We look forward to seeing you at our Year 12 Celebration Evening on 27 August at 7pm.

21/08/2024

Good luck to all students receiving GCSE results tomorrow. 🎉🎉

Parking will be available at the rear of the school and results available from the Miguel Centre.

20/08/2024

Another ‘last’ in the Red High this evening - our last Year 14 Awards Ceremony and our final opportunity to celebrate our Year 14 Class of 2024. Thank you to special guest and former pupil Ryan Owens for presenting the awards this evening and for sharing his motivational words of wisdom with us.

Many congratulations to all students who received AS and A2 results last week - we are very proud of you! Our AS students will continue to shine in Lecale Trinity Grammar School, but for our Year 14 students, it’s on to bigger and better things. We have enjoyed seeing you grow over the past 7 or 2 years and excel inside and outside the classroom. We hope you look back on your time with us with fond memories and go forward with friendships that will last a lifetime. 🔴🟡

17/08/2024

Another great opportunity from St.Patrick's Choral Society.

Ready to cut Footloose?👀

Excited to announce that we will be staging Footloose the Musical this coming November!

The production will be open to ages 8-25, with Auditions next Sunday 25th August 🤩

For more info and to register interest please follow this link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQTAhSouXy2A7MwR1F8ZvoEFVJNwN3pTv0MxkAjceI17VqRw/viewform

If you have any questions feel free to message us or email [email protected] 😁