IIt’s a story of overcoming obstacles, defying expectations, and striving for excellence — values that are at the very heart of our school community.

In January 2025, we proudly launched ‘McGrath’, as our official school mascot, inspired by Master McGrath’s incredible life. We did this not just to honour the history and heritage of Lurgan, but to inspire every single one of our pupils to embrace the same qualities that defined Master McGrath’s journey.

At our school, we are build upon the foundation of the 3 Rs — Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience — and McGrath’s life mirrors these values:

Respect – Just as Master McGrath earned respect from all who saw his determination, we expect our pupils to show respect for themselves, towards others and for their learning.

Responsibility – McGrath didn’t become a champion by chance. Success came through hard work, care, and seizing every opportunity — just as we expect our pupils to take responsibility for their studies, their behaviour, and their contribution to our school’s extra-curricular opportunities.

Resilience – Perhaps most importantly, Master McGrath is a living symbol of resilience. Despite his tough beginnings, he never gave up. That same spirit is what we expect from our pupils when faced with challenges — inside the classroom, outside the classroom and beyond.

Our new mascot comes with a powerful motto: “Swift to Learn; Ready to Lead.”

It reminds us that being part of this school means more than just turning up — it’s about being ready to learn quickly, to adapt, to improve, and to grow. It also means preparing ourselves to lead — whether through setting an example, helping others, representing the school, or striving for personal excellence.

Just like our greyhound, we want every pupil, no matter their background, their starting point, or their challenges to adopt this approach in every area of school life.