Lecale Trinity in new STARS Finnebrogue partnership

23 July 2025

DOWNPATRICK’S Lecale Trinity Grammar has announced a new partnership with award-winning local company Finnebrogue to launch the STARS Reward Programme.

The school — which operates across three sites - is dedicated to fostering a positive and supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to excel both academically and in character.

The STARS programme is designed to reinforce the school’s core values — ready, respectful and responsible.

Students will earn merit points for demonstrating behaviours that reflect these values, whether through their readiness to learn, responsibility for their actions, or exceptional respect for themselves and others.

Throughout the academic year, students will work towards earning merit points that lead to special recognition and rewards, bronze for a rising star, silver for a super star and gold for a shining star.

Award recipients will receive a prestigious star pin badge as a symbol of their achievement.

Thanks to the generous support of Finnebrogue, the students will also be invited to a complimentary breakfast at Finnebrogue’s facilities — a unique and meaningful reward for their efforts.

Lecale Trinity Grammar principal, Dr Fionnuala Moore, said as a new school, it is very much a community school, grounded in the values of mutual respect and inclusion.

“We are delighted with our new partnership with Finnebrogue which allows us to reward our children for the values they display every day; values that are central to our vision,” she added.

Vice principal Grainne Lundy said for the school it’s about improving the learning outcomes, not just in the classroom, but in wider civic life and the partnership with Finnebrogue is crucial to that.

“Our community is the backbone of our school. It is our job as teachers to motivate 1,600 pupils everyday and the support of our parents and stakeholders in the wider community allow us to succeed,” she said.

“By working together, Lecale Trinity Grammar School and Finnebrogue are helping young people thrive, achieve success, and build strong character traits that will serve them throughout life.”

Finnebrogue’s Chris Overend said the partnership is a “great opportunity” to sponsor and partner on something truly beneficial for the students.

He continued: “It highlights the range of opportunities we can offer as they begin their journey into the world of work.

“Whether students pursue academic routes or apprenticeships, we provide a wide variety of career pathways, from engineering and technical roles to HR, IT, supply chain and finance.”

Mr Overend said Finnebrogue also offers post-university opportunities through placement years and graduate programmes.

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