St Patrick's Grammar School, Downpatrick

Infobox Secondary school
name =St. Patrick's Grammar School
motto = "Signum Fidei"
established = 1934
address = Saul St. BT30 6NJ
city =Downpatrick
state =Northern Ireland
country =United Kingdom
type = Grammar School
headmaster = Mr. Ray McConville
students =725
colours =Red
magazine = Pulse
website = [http://www.spgs.org.uk www.spgs.org.uk]
footnotes =
picture =

St. Patrick's Grammar School (known locally as 'The Red High') is located in Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a grammar school owned by the De La Salle Brothers. It has an enrollment of around 725 students, with girls admitted at sixth form level. Pupils come from all over the East Down area. Working to support the ideals of this Lasallian School is a staff of 75 lay teachers. Recently, the school has been awarded the investor in people award [ [http://www.delni.gov.uk/index/press-releases/press-releases-oct-dec-2007/minister_encourages_business_improvement.htm Minister encourages business improvement | Department for Employment and Learning ] ] , and has been named a specialist school in humanities by the Department of Education [ [http://www.spgs.org.uk/index.php/content/view/144/2/ St Patrick's Grammar School, Downpatrick - Specialist Schools Award ] ] . Mr Raymond McConville is acting Headmaster until Christmas. The school is currently in the process of advertisng for Mr Dermot G. Mullans replacement.

History

The school was founded in 1934 and sited in Irish Street, Downpatrick. It moved to its present site off Saul Street in 1937. A new building is due to be built in the coming years to replace the old building.

chool and community

The school and its students are closely involved in the local community with events such as the Advent Appeal, where both students and staff raise money and collect Christmas hampers for the local charity, St. Vincent de Paul. There is also a Lenten appeal which is normally for a specific project in India and other Third World countries.

The school is involved in many local, county, and national leagues in sports such as football, gaelic football, hurling and athletics.

School Houses

Upon entry to the school, students are placed in one of five houses. These are:
* Down
* Killard
* Lecale
* Quoile(Saul was a house, however it has been abolished so only the current Form 5 student have a Saul class in their year)

Notable alumni

* Patrick Kielty, comedian [http://www.yell.com/find/DoFindLocations/lo/uk+County-Down+Downpatrick Yell » Downpatrick, County Down ] ]
* Colin Murphy, comedian
* Rigsy, broadcaster/DJFact|date=October 2007

References

External links

* [http://www.spgs.org.uk Official site]