About us – St Patricks Grammar School Armagh

Fratres In Unum

Achieving through excellence

St Patrick’s College had been established as a junior seminary by Archbishop Crolly in 1838 and was under the direction of priests of the Archdiocese of Armagh until 1861 when the Vincentian Order was invited to take charge of the school. The Vincentians continued their apostolate in Armagh until the amalgamation.

Generations of St Patrick’s students, from all over Ireland and beyond, owe a debt of gratitude to the Vincentians for providing an excellent all-round education. The Irish Christian Brothers arrived in Armagh in 1851 at the invitation of Archbishop Cullen, later to be Ireland’s first Cardinal.

Within a few years the brothers acquired the Green Park site and established primary and post-primary schools, Christian Brothers’ Grammar School. Green Park built up a strong academic and sporting tradition for which generations of students are grateful.

When the Vincentian Order signaled its intention to leave Armagh, Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich asked the Irish Christian Brothers to become joint trustees of the new amalgamated school. The great work in education started by Archbishop Crolly in 1838 was to continue Sandy Hill. Christian Brothers remained on staff until 1999, which was also the year that the long tradition of boarding at St Patrick’s came to an end.

Our Core Values

We develop, support and enable your son to succeed

Inclusive

Pupils in St. Patrick’s are inclusive. St. Patrick’s is a school community that values and recognises diversity and promotes tolerance and inclusion as the cornerstone of a vibrant and enriching learning environment.

Welcoming

Pupils in St. Patrick’s are welcoming. We pride ourselves on our welcoming and safe learning environment where all students are valued and respected as individuals.

Lifelong Learners

Pupils in St. Patrick’s are lifelong learners. All members of the St. Patrick’s community believe in the intrinsic pursuit of knowledge and continually strive to better themselves and enrich their individual learning.

Upstanding

Pupils in St. Patrick’s are upstanding. We encourage our young men to be honourable and principled in all their endeavours. The school community is committed to promoting the courage to challenge injustice wherever it occurs and to discourage being a bystander when wrong is done in our own, or the wider community.

Compassionate

Pupils in St. Patrick’s are compassionate. Compassion and kindness are at the core of all we do here in the St. Patrick’s school community, creating a caring and inclusive atmosphere, and encouraging all students to become advocates for positive change in their community.

Generous

Pupils in St. Patrick’s are generous of spirit. Generosity is a core characteristic of the St. Patrick’s school community and this manifests itself in all the voluntary and charitable endeavours of our wonderful students.

Respectful

Pupils in St. Patrick’s are respectful. Students in St Patrick’s have respect at the centre of all they do. Respect for themselves, for all in the school community and for their education and environment. We achieve best in a respectful learning environment.

Diligent

Pupils in St. Patrick’s are diligent. Diligence in all that we undertake is fundamental to members of our school community. All our efforts are characterised by steady and earnest effort and hard work.

Determined

Pupils in St. Patrick’s are determined. Determination enables us to persist in the face of difficulties. Here in St. Patrick’s we believe that with determination, we can overcome any obstacles in our way.

Responsible

Pupils in St. Patrick’s are responsible. Everyone in the St. Patrick’s community is encouraged to be responsible citizens and to take individual responsibility for their learning aspirations.

Appreciative

Pupils in St. Patrick’s are appreciative. Here in St. Patrick’s we are appreciative and show gratitude for all the wonderful opportunities we are given daily.

Optimistic

Pupils in St Patrick’s are optimistic. We encourage our students to embrace hope and optimism. We strive to see the positive in all the challenges in life and learning. Optimism encourages the resilience that is essential in a thriving learning environment.

Register your interest

To learn more on how we can help develop, support and enable your child to succeed, register your interest today.