‘Bitter-sweet’ last prize night

‘Bitter-sweet’ last prize night

1 November 2023

ST Patrick’s Grammar School held its last ever presentation evening last week.

While the school had a lot to celebrate in terms of outstanding examination results, the focus was primarily on the school’s 90-year history and its closure next year. 

St Patrick’s is to be amalgamated with St Mary’s High and  De La Salle High to form Lecale Trinity Grammar School, which will open in September 2024.

Mr Joe McCann, principal, described the evening’s ceremony as a “bitter-sweet moment”.

“On the one hand it will be wonderful to see our students walk across the stage and receive their well-deserved awards,” he said.

“On the other hand, it brings home the reality that this is the last time we will do this as the family of St Patrick’s Grammar School after 90 years of distinguished service to a wide and diverse catchment area.

“Family is about kinship, history, tradition, blood ties and in its Latin origins includes the idea of service. Families have a shared history; they go through good times and bad times together emerge stronger from the challenges they met along the way – this has been very true of our school in recent years.

“We have experienced sadness and loss at the untimely death of members of our immediate and wider school family and have rejoiced in great success in exams, sport, music, drama and many other areas of school life.”

Mr McCann also took the opportunity to thank the parents of the students for their unwavering support for the school and their children’s education.

“Despite the challenges, our number have grown, and I hope the 776 pupils currently on our rolls feel cared for and supported,” he said.

Recalling the early days of the school, he said: “The beginning of the story of this family dates back to 1934 when the first cohort of students made their way by train, bicycle and on foot to Irish Street under the leadership of Brother Alexis. While this was an era of short trousers, peeked caps, and rugby, that class of 1934 developed a brotherly bond that would last a lifetime.

“St Patrick’s Grammar School empowered generations of young men and woman to become leaders in so many diverse areas of professions, such as the arts, music and of course sport.

“Red High alumni can be found in all corners of the world as managing directors and chief executive officers of some of the world’s biggest companies and leading lights in so many different areas.”

Mr McCann paid tribute to former principals and vice-principals of St Patrick’s and to the De La Salle Order.

“Those of us appointed at a time when the brothers had a physical presence in the school have worked hard to keep that ethos alive since lay people were entrusted with the task of keeping the Lasallian spirit alive,” he said.

“Despite the unfortunate and avoidable decisions in recent years, the community of Downpatrick and beyond owes a debt of gratitude to the De La Salle order for their servant leadership for almost a century and the town is a better place for their often-understated presence. 

“It will be the task of the leaders of Lecale Trinity Grammar School to keep this alive as they begin a new journey. Hopefully, this will be a journey where the core Lasallian values, particularly in looking after the most vulnerable, will be central.

“As Lecale Trinity Grammar School begins its journey in 2024, one key challenge will be to continually lobby for the funding that will be needed to ensure that the facilities across each of the three buildings are fit for purpose and provide the best environment for learning.

Mr McCann welcomed the new principal of Lecale Trinity, Dr Fionnuala Moore, who, he said, would  “spearhead the drive to have everything in place” for the opening day of the new school on September 1, 2024.

“I wish her every success in what will be a busy, but exciting, journey in taking the steps needed to get things ready and I know that she is particularly enthusiastic about working with the most important players in this process, the current student body.

“Indeed, this week, arrangements have been put in place to provide opportunities for our students to work with Dr Moore in her first week in post on the new school crest and new school uniform – important components in shaping the identity of the new school and beginning a tradition to further develop the existing excellent traditions of the three parent schools.

“We should feel confident in the fact that Dr Moore’s experience of leadership in St. Ronan’s College, Lurgan will strongly influence her approach to this role.”

He added: “As this is my last opportunity to address such an important gathering, I want to say a few heartfelt words of thanks to the people who have journeyed with me along the way since 1992. To those former school leaders who have honoured us with their presence tonight, I am indebted to the role you all played in shaping and influencing my leadership journey. Your encouragement and constructive feedback have always been appreciated and more often than not have led to the right decision being taken.

“I thank my colleagues past and present for their support and collegiality over the years. But most of all, I thank the students that I have taught over the last 31 years. To this day, the best part of my day is always going to a class and doing what I still love doing best.

Finally, tonight is about our students, and I remain proud of your successes and achievements. Your award is the result of endeavour and application. I ask that you continue to give of your best and recognise those around who contribute to your successes – your immediate family, your wider family, your teachers, and your friends. Without their care and support, your success would be more difficult to achieve.

“School days are happy days and the small acts of kindness we show to others along the way makes the school a happier family.”