To mark Catholic Schools’ Week 2025 (Sun 19^th – Sat 25^th January), the Diocese of Down and Connor recognised and paid tribute to the inspiring work within its schools. 

At a special ceremony held in St Mary’s University College, Belfast on Wednesday 22^nd January 2025, twenty schools from across the diocese received their prestigious ‘Spirit of Catholic Education Award’.

Bishop Alan McGuckian congratulated the schools on their award success which recognises their outstanding work, commitment and response to the call of Christ: “You Are My Witnesses” (Luke 24:48) – as well as their ongoing role in upholding the distinctive gospel – inspired ethos and values of Catholic Education within their school communities.

The ‘Spirit of Catholic Education Awards’ are presented annually in conjunction with Catholic Schools’ Week to celebrate outstanding contributions to Catholic Education.

Each year, Catholic Schools’ Week provides a timely focus on the role and significance of Catholic Education and the contribution it makes to providing an holistic educational experience that enriches and ennobles the lives of all its children and young people so that they have the opportunities to reach and fulfil potential. Within this gospel-inspired educational environment, pupils are brought to understand and appreciate the importance of their sacredness as children of God, caring for others in need within their school, parish, community, and wider society, contributing to building peace and reconciliation and being ecologically aware. It also provides an opportunity to affirm and pay tribute to the ongoing work of the governors, school leaders, teaching and support staff as they seek to form young people in their spiritual, intellectual, moral, and social development.

The Down and Connor Catholic Schools’ Support Service congratulates each award-winning school. These schools are representative of and showcase how teachers across the diocese monitor, evaluate, review, and embed an ongoing commitment to living out the Spirit of Catholic Education.

Spirit of Catholic Education Awards 2025 – Award Winning Schools

Nursery School Recipient

St Teresa’s, Belfast

Primary School Recipients

Holy Child, Belfast

Holy Family, Teconnaught

Moneynick Primary, Randalstown

St Brigid’s, Downpatrick

St Colman’s, Lambeg

St Comgall’s, Bangor

St Malachy’s, Castlewellan

St Mary’s on the Hill, Glengormley

St Mary’s, Kircubbin

St Oliver Plunkett, Toomebridge

St Patrick’s, Belfast

Post-primary Recipients

Aquinas Diocesan Grammar, Belfast

Blessed Trinity College, Belfast

De La Salle College, Belfast

St Colm’s High, Dunmurry

St Dominic’s Grammar, Belfast

St Genevieve’s High, Belfast

St Louis’ Grammar, Ballymena

St Malachy’s High, Castlewellan