House System
Back in February, we began an exciting journey to revamp our House System — a system rooted in tradition since 1959, but ready for a new era.
We explored House names that reflect our 3Rs (Respect, Responsibility & Resilience) and connect with our school, Lurgan and our wider community. We looked at new colours and logos inspired by the school badge we proudly wear every day. We also thought hard about how our House System could be more than just competitions — how it could shape everyday life at the Junior High.
Our ideas were shared with pupils, staff, the Board of Governors and parents, and we were thrilled by the overwhelmingly positive feedback and thoughtful suggestions. After a final vote, the new names were chosen.
We revealed our new House names, colours and logos on Friday 15th August at 12pm. A new chapter is about to begin — but the same house spirit lives on.
Wakehurst House
Lady Margaret Wakehurst, wife of Lord Wakehurst, Governor of Northern Ireland, officially opened our school in October 1959 and founded the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health (NIAMH) that same month. Shocked by the stigma surrounding mental illness, she opened Beacon House — the region’s first community mental health centre — lighting a path towards compassionate and ongoing support outside hospital walls.
Her courageous vision reshaped attitudes and services across Northern Ireland, inspiring the charity now known as Inspire, which supports over 25,000 people annually. Dame Margaret Wakehurst was honoured with a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) and a Doctor of Laws degree (LLD) from Queen’s University Belfast, for her significant contribution to public service.
Wakehurst House is proud to carry her name and her life reflects the values we believe in at our school. Respect: a swiftness to show kindness and courtesy to all staff, pupils and visitors to our school; Responsibility: to support and encourage each other in all areas of school life; and Resilience: to overcome challenges together. The logo for Wakehurst House is the tree planted by Lady Wakehurst in the grounds of our school for the official opening in 1959. The tree symbolises the values of personal growth and resilience that we strive to nurture in all of our pupils.
Lady Margaret Wakehurst
Wakehurst House's story began with Slessor and Gallion in the Intermediate Schools, along with the boys' and girls' schools, before continuing with Shane as we entered the Lurgan Junior High era. If you are a current pupil who was a member of Shane House, you are now a proud member of Wakehurst House.
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Waring House
Major Holt Waring was born in Waringstown and showed extraordinary bravery and leadership in the First World War. At a time when Ireland was experiencing deep division, he led men from both communities in Ireland through some of the most challenging moments of the war.
He earned the deep admiration from soldiers under his command, many of whom described him as the bravest man they had have ever met. He led from the front and inspired those under his command by knowing and using their Christian name. Major Waring was known for his care of others and he had an ability to unite people under pressure. In his final act of leadership, he led a counterattack that saved many lives and held the line — before succumbing to fatal wounds on 15 April 1918.
Waring House is proud to carry his name and his life reflects the values we believe in at our school. Respect: treating others with dignity at all times; Responsibility: stepping up to lead, no matter how difficult the task; and Resilience: displaying the ability to show strength and learn through life’s challenges. The logo for Waring House is the crown from our school badge which represents Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom.
Waring House's story began with Ferrier and Donard in the Intermediate Schools, along with the boys' and girls' schools, before continuing with Gosford as we entered the Lurgan Junior High era. If you are a current pupil who was a member of Gosford House, you are now a proud member of Waring House.
Major Holt Waring
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Ferris House
Mrs Mary Ferris left behind a remarkable legacy of leadership, dedication, and genuine care for the pupils and staff she served in our school. She became the youngest secondary school principal in Northern Ireland, leading the Lurgan Girls’ County Secondary Intermediate School when it opened in October 1959 and later leading the rebranded Lurgan Girls’ Junior High after the introduction of the Dickson Plan in 1969.
In 1992, she was appointed Principal of the newly amalgamated Lurgan Junior High School where her influence continued to shape generations of young people in our community. Recognised for her outstanding contribution to education, she was rightfully awarded Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), for her lifelong commitment to education and helping our staff and pupils succeed in all areas of school life and beyond.
Ferris House is proud to carry her name and her life reflects the values we believe in at our school. Respect: showing genuine care for everyone; Responsibility: demonstrating a readiness to lead, even at a young age; and Resilience: showing unwavering dedication to your studies and our school, always. The logo for Ferris House is the harp from our school badge which recognises Lurgan’s location within County Armagh.
Mrs Mary Ferris
Ferris House's story began with Nightingale and Croob in the Intermediate Schools, along with the boys' and girls' schools, before continuing with Carrick as we entered the Lurgan Junior High era. If you are a current pupil who was a member of Carrick House, you are now a proud member of Ferris House.
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Brownlow House
The Brownlow Family arrived in Lurgan in the early 1600s and their vision transformed the area forever. Without the Brownlow Family, there would be no Lurgan as we know it today.
In 1610, William Brownlow, an English settler and landowner, was granted land in this area. But rather than simply occupying it, William Brownlow and his family decided to invest in building a community — laying the foundations for Lurgan’s growth as a market town, encouraging trade, supporting the linen industry, and providing land for churches, schools, and public spaces. The most visible reminder of their legacy is Brownlow House, built by their descendants in 1833, still standing today at the heart of the town.
Brownlow House is proud to carry their family name and their legacy reflects the values we believe in at our school. Respect: for heritage and for the people in our school and our local community; Responsibility: taking action to develop and support our school and local community; and Resilience: to overcome challenges, by recognising that we can have a lasting impact on our school and our local community. The logo for Brownlow House is the flax flower from our school badge which is a tribute to Lurgan’s rich legacy in linen production.
William Brownlow
Brownlow House's story began with Darling and Divis in the Intermediate Schools, along with the boys' and girls' schools, before continuing with Dunluce as we entered the Lurgan Junior High era. If you are a current pupil who was a member of Dunluce House, you are now a proud member of Brownlow House.
House Totals
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829
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787
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779
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717
‘Echoes’ Poem
For the launch of our new house system in August 2025, we penned the poem ‘Echoes’ which we believe firmly encapsulates the spirit of our house system since 1959. Echoes recognises that whilst a new era awaits, the same house spirit from 1959 remains.
For decades, these grounds and halls have rung with shouts and cheers,
Through Gosford’s green, Nightingale’s red and Gallion’s yellow years.
Darling and Dunluce stood strong and proud, both beacons of the past,
Where families forged their loyalty, a bond designed to last.
The whispers of their footsteps, through decades gently fade,
but leave a legacy of competition where history was made.
We honour those who came before, the spirit they instilled,
Their stories woven in the fabric, their legacy fulfilled.
But time demands new chapters, built on the echoes of our past,
With heritage as our compass and traditions holding fast.
From our own soil and story, new guardians arise,
Reflecting values strong and true, beneath these Lurgan skies.
With colours and insignia born of the badge we wear,
Our logos rise from honoured roots, shaped by the history that we share.
So hear the names that lead us now, from history's proud embrace,
Each chosen with both heart and mind to guide us in this race.
Ferris, fearless in her youth, shaped futures with her grace,
Wakehurst sparked a kinder world, and gave all minds their place.
Waring led through darkest days with strength that did not yield,
And Brownlow built a thriving town from hope and open field.
A new era now begins marked by courage, pride and creed,
So rally now, with heads held high - swift to learn, and ready to lead.
Now Brownlow, Wakehurst Ferris, Waring; Let pride and purpose roar, Old roots run deep, new heights await - same spirit to the core.