About Our School
The House System
On entering the school each pupil is assigned to one of five Houses
Down
Lecale
Rathkeltair
Mourne
Strangford
The House colours are of historical interest and are reflected in the school crest.
Down – purple
on account of its ecclesiastical connection with the town. The Hill of Down (Dun being a fort) is the hill on which Downpatrick’s religious history is based. Down Cathedral stands on the Hill of Down.
Lecale – blue
an armorial colour of Lady Betty Cromwell, daughter of the 4th and last Earl of Ardglass, owner of Downpatrick estate. The name Lecale derives from the Gaelic Leth Cathail (Cathal’s portion), the land marked out by an eighth century warrior tribesman.
Rathkeltair – red
as Celtair, or Red Branch Knight who ruled the district in ancient times and who is buried close to the school site. The name Rathkeltair is often given to the Mound of Down, although it is likely that Celtair was in fact buried on the Hill of Down, where the Cathedral now stands.
Mourne – green
reflecting the major colour of the school and the countryside of the Kingdom of Mourne.
Strangford – white
reflecting the turbulent waters of the Narrows – mouth of Strangford Lough.
Every year group contains five form classes, each attached to one of the five houses. Regular House events - particularly in sport - foster a healthy spirit of competition amongst the pupils
