CBS CELEBRATES 175 YEARS IN STYLE (Sept/Oct 2024)
Saturday 5th October 2024 The last six principals in CBS New Ross meet.
Sarah Rice principal since September 2024, Pat Rossiter principal from September 2009 – August 2024, John Michael Porter acting principal from September 1996 – January 1997, Brother Pat Bowler principal from September 1984 – August 1987, Billy O’Shea principal from September 1984 – August 1999, Ray Murray principal from September 1999 – August 2009
It was a very busy time in CBS Secondary New Ross as the school community celebrated 175 years of Christian Brother education in New Ross. Months of preparation led by a committee chaired by Jim Walsh delivered a very exciting and inclusive set of events and activities which took place at the end of September and the first week of October. The aim of the celebrations was to remember all the great achievements of the school over this period and to include all of the education partners in the events.
The Christian Brothers arrived in New Ross in September 1849 and it was fitting to open the celebrations with a mass celebrated by Bishop Ger Nash in St. Mary’s and Michael’s Parish Church. The school choir was led by Josephine Oakley. Readings and prayers and reflections were thoughtfully chosen by Roseanne Sinnott. All the stakeholders in the school, including parents and the Board of Management and extended family members were in attendance. Bishop Nash visited the school afterwards.
Later that evening, the school doors were opened to all friends of the school, particularly former students and teachers. This Open Evening provided a welcome opportunity for people to walk down the familiar corridor of the main building and venture through the wonderful new buildings. A photographic exhibition was compiled by Margaret Rowe and Susan Synnott. Photographs from the 1920s to 2024 were on display as well as many awards and roll books. These photographs transferred to the Gala Dinner in the Brandon House Hotel. Mr. Barry Fitzpatrick, Deputy Principal, spoke to the assembled visitors and outlined some of the reasons why CBS Secondary New Ross is so special. Musical performances by the Head of School Jesse McGrath and his classmates Covenant, Abbie and Grace showcased some of the talent in the school. A lot of connections and re-connections were made during the evening.
Monday 30th saw a novel, all-inclusive activity in the CBS Park. This was a New Ross interpretation of the famous and historic Tailteann Games. The organising committee of John Deely, Colm Browne, Eleanor Tighe and John Halligan chose activities which mirrored some of the events from long ago. Horse-shoe throwing, tug of war, 600 metres run and long puck, together with novelty events such as slow-bicycle race, horse and jockey and penalty shoot-out. Transition Year students organised, ran and mentored the class groups. With the overall theme of the day being participation and enjoyment there was something for everyone. Class 1.2 won the tug of war and Class 3.1 were the overall winners. 600 metre winners were Harry Bolger, Sibu Mpofu, Aaron O’Connell, Oskar Swiergiel, Owen Murphy, Cormac Crotty, Katie Nolan, Dylan Murphy and Conall Delaney. Congratulations to all!
On Tuesday 1st October, the entire Transition Year cohort of students travelled to Callan, where Blessed Edmund Rice was born. This was organised by teachers Joe Bridges, Aoife Codd, Jim Kavanagh and Roseanne Sinnott.
On Thursday 3rd a statue of Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice, the Christian Brothers founder, was unveiled in the school grounds by the two youngest students in the school Jason Roche and Ilomusa Tshuma, together with Heads of School Niamh Doyle-Maher and Jesse McGrath. The statue was gifted from Synge Street CBS through the generosity of Brother Dermot Ambrose. Monsignor Joe McGrath blessed the statue in a ceremony witnessed by the whole school community.
On Friday night present and past students, including the well-known Nomads and Shanbogh Folk (who were making their second appearance in fifty years) entertained a full house at St. Michael’s Theatre to a most enjoyable concert. Tributes were paid to Josephine Oakley for nurturing and developing the talent on display. Pat Rossiter, ex-principal and student at the school compered the show in his own inimitable style and thanked all the acts who gave so generously of their time. Tomás Kavanagh, Kate Doyle, Claire Wilson, Erica Owens and John Deely ensured a polished and professional show. Mr. Jim Sutton, local historian, gave a well presented and well-researched talk on New Ross as it would have been in 1849. The current students took to the stage and put on a mesmerising performance. Gianna De Perio, Ellie Rose Flynn, Jesse McGrath, Ethan Hattersley, Covenant Akinwande, Abbie Rowe, Grace Mullett, together with the school choir and the cast of the upcoming musical Matilda had the audience begging for more. The second half was as entertaining as any collection of performers the theatre has seen. Shanbogh Folk had a standing ovation. Jack Stacey, Tom Walsh, Mary Gorey and Larry Kirwan showed why they have a thoroughly well-earned reputation for harmony. Brother and sister, Jack and Jenny Ryan played like consummate professionals with the sweetest voices. Dakota Venn-Keane, one of the rising stars in the south east, entertained with a selection of his own songs. Fionn Murphy, world champion drummer, performed incredible feats on his drum. Lizzie Heffernan and Sean O’Brien, stalwarts of local theatre, brought the house down with their rendition of The Book of Mormon number You and Me (But Mostly Me). The Nomads took the stage for the final hour and captivated the audience. David O’Brien, Tomás Kavanagh, Dermot Kehoe and Sean Connick had just returned from San Francisco and regaled the crowd with stories and song. The night concluded with the entire company and audience joining in a masterful version of Hey Jude.
Finally, the week ended with a capacity gathering of former past students in the Brandon House Hotel on Saturday night for a Gala Dinner. It was a great night and really enjoyable occasion filled with conversation and laughter. Former students who hadn’t met in decades were delighted to catch up with friends. Principal Sarah Rice welcomed the guests and introduced the speakers. Brother David Gibson, European Province Leader was present and gave an excellent and well-received address. The chairman of the 175th committee thanked everyone for their support and paid tribute to the brothers for their selfless contribution to many Irish generations of boys by providing education and enhancing opportunities in life, through difficult economic times in Ireland. Many former students echoed these sentiments. It was also accepted that not everyone’s school experience was positive. A point recognised and acknowledged by Brother Gibson. Jim Walsh also thanked the members of the organising committee for their work over the past two years in putting together and implementing a challenging programme of events to appropriately celebrate 175 years of Christian Brothers education in New Ross. Margaret Rowe, John Deely, Shane Curran, Susan Synnott, Pat Rossiter and Tomás Kavanagh had successfully delivered a fitting series of events, which involved every section of the school community.