JUBILATION at the Ulster and All-Ireland GAA triumphs by St Louis Grammar School at Kilkeel was tempered for staff and students by sadness at the departure of the first lay principal, Dr CD Devlin.

But at least Dr Devlin can take pride from the fact that academic results over the past 10 years have been equal to those of any grammar school in the North, - and better than many. The lower Mourne co-ed school has been placed in the top 25 per cent, as published by the Department of Education.

A red-letter occasion at the school was the official visit by President Mary McAleese in 1999. The president’s three children, Emma, Justin and Sarah Mae had been pupils at St Louis Grammar school for five years, until the family moved from Rostrevor to Aras an Uachtarain.

Maybe the best-known past pupil would be Noel Doran, present editor of the `Irish News.` His father, the late Cllr Arthur Doran, a teacher, historian and noted Down Gael, was an Independent member of Newry and Mourne district council.

Also there was entrepreneur Roger Keenan, whose Eyretel company became one of the `Top 20’ in a Sunday Times survey. The engineer‘s stunning rise came when his digital hardware product was accepted by Dictaphone. He later diversified into other aspects of software, and became the top Fast Track company.

Meanwhile, a music teacher at the school, Alma Nicholson, was married to Gerry Brown, manager of the Down side which won the Sam Maguire Cup in 1968. A founder of Newry Mitchels GFC, and player-manager of the Mourne squad which collected the All-Ireland Junior Championship in 1946, he became Sports Master at the Abbey Grammar School.

Alma joined the staff of the Sacred Heart Grammar School in Newry, and played in the orchestra at Newry Musical Society productions, etc. Two of her daughters, Pat and Siobhan were award-winners at the local Feiseanna. By coincidence, a daughter of Barney Carr, manager of the historic 1960 Down squad, is on the staff of the Kilkeel school.

A legendary teacher at St Louis was Gerry Sheehan, who promoted camogie, hurling and Gaelic football, along with Terry Murnion, Tony Gallagher and Sean Rogers, the incoming principal. Indeed, the progress of sport can be traced back to the early 70’s, when that native of Co Cork joined the staff. His sons, (Fr.) Diarmuid and Eoghan won Ulster and All-Ireland hurling medals.

Founded in 1922, St Louis became co-educational in 1969, - one of the few Catholic co-educational grammar schools in the North. The first principal was Sister Louis, who stated: “The aim of education is to help pupils towards full and harmonious development, to render them broad in mind, wide in sympathy; to foster natural talent, and to develop the strength of gentleness and dignity.”

In the beginning, only the convent building was in use for students, with an enrolment of 24 day-girls. Boarding commenced in 1923. The number of pupils increased during the 30’s and 40’s, with several small extensions. Then, 50 years ago, a major complex, known as the `old school, was constructed. A new teaching block, with a boarding section for senior students, opened in 1971.

During the 90’s, an IT Suite and a new Tech Suite, as well as a block of six classrooms and science laboratories, were opened. Various facilities have since been extended, renovated and refurbished. Finally, in 2001, a Feasibility Study was carried out, showing that a new building was required. Approval is awaited from the Department of Education.

At present, the enrolment is 570, including 53 per cent girls and 47 per cent boys. 90 per cent of students travel by bus from Warrenpoint and Rostrevor, Mayobridge and Hilltown, Castlewellan and Newcastle, as well as the region around Kilkeel. The teaching staff consists of 38 full-time and one part-time; three language assistants and music teachers. Classes are kept small, - about 20/21.

As the retired principal, Dr Devlin stated: “Academic excellence has top priority. The achievements at GCSE and `A’ Level have placed St Louis Grammar School in the above-average category for grammar schools in Northern Ireland, over a number of years. Students exceeded by large margins the average percentage for grammar schools in the North. And in areas such as Art and Design, for the fifth years in succession, Year 14 pupils have achieved first place at `A `Level. Three students jointly gained that status last year.

“Large numbers of students have entered various competitions in the Irish language, poetry and history, gaining scholarships to the Gaelteacht. The school has also enjoyed great success each year in the Ulster and All-Ireland Schools Irish Drama Competitions, winning numerous awards.

“Examination results are very important for students, teachers, parents and all concerned with education. But results need to be interpreted with caution, taking into account many factors, such as academic ability, good teachers, hard work. All those factors have an effect on examination performances.”

And support for Romanian orphans was also highlighted by Dr Devlin. He reported that 14 students and two teachers had travelled to that country, spending eight days doing voluntary work in orphanages, hospitals, homes for the handicapped, as well as foster homes for older children. Pupils, teachers and the local community had raised about £6,000 to finance the operation.

Next Page >