COLLEGE LIFE

from Clongowes Life Summer 2021

CLASS NOTES

INFIRMARY REFURBISHMENT

The Infirmary refurbishment could not have been completed at a more significant time in October in the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic. It means we can now offer a better standard of care and comfort to our students with the added benefits of a doctor’s surgery and physiotherapy room.

The Infirmary is one of the oldest buildings in the school and was built in 1872. College records tell us that the Infirmary was purposely designed as a tall freestanding building with large windows to ensure adequate ventilation and a top storey that could be turned into an isolation ward to contain infectious diseases! The Infirmary is an example of how the foresight of some came to benefit the generations of students who followed. It has served the College well for over the past century and a half and shall continue to serve students for many decades to come.

The upgrade and renovation of the Infirmary were made possible by those who support the Clongowes Foundation and we extend our thanks and appreciation for their generosity and altruism. The refurbished Infirmary has kept the charm and original features of the old Infirmary with the addition of new space bringing it up to modern standards. The aim was to make the Infirmary as comfortable as possible whilst also being conducive to seamlessly continuing student studies without disruption.

We hope that the visitors to the new Infirmary have a comfortable stay and are back on their feet quickly!

“THE UPGRADE AND RENOVATION OF THE INFIRMARY WERE MADE POSSIBLE BY THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE CLONGOWES FOUNDATION AND WE EXTEND OUR THANKS AND APPRECIATION FOR THEIR GENEROSITY AND ALTRUISM”.

LEFT: The old Infirmary with the long-serving nurse, Miss Ellison at the turn of the century

DUCK PUSH 2020

The Duck Push 2020 Committee made up of Jeff Hemeryck, Shane McNulty, Senan Noone, Eoin O’Regan, Magnus Runham expressed their thanks to everyone who supported their fundraising efforts for a Covid testing machine for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin. They thanked their Prefects and teachers, parents and guardians, students, friends, neighbours and Old Clongownians many of whom have pushed the Duck over the course of the last three decades.

While TY 2020 had to put aside many of the plans we had in place including the much anticipated ‘Cake for Crumlin‘ morning, the annual ‘Fun Run‘, the ‘Golf Classic’ and of course ultimately the ‘Duck Push’ itself they still managed to raise a substantial sum of money for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital.

Many mini-companies got off the ground successfully providing Clongowes Christmas cards, Christmas decorations, Clongowes caps and rugby balls. They were able to provide Clongowes wine yet again and special thanks go to Mr Hugh Farrington for supporting this mini-company. The students also managed to get in a number of bucket collections at the Aviva Stadium during terms one and two. Working together they raised €12,657.

In May the students launched ‘Click-4-Crumlin’, using the Gofundme platform, with the help and expertise of Mr Mike Wilson of Ditto TV. While still in lockdown in May 2020, 62 TY students ran a 6.5km route around our cities, towns and villages to raise awareness of the cause.

Our thanks also to the Parents Association of 2020 who made a much-appreciated contribution to the fund.

HOUSE LEADERS

Congratulations to the new House Leaders for the coming Academic Year 2021-22!

Arrupe: Shane Mac Nulty, Eoin Brady Collins: Myles Lonergan, Daniel Murphy Claver: Hugh Hanly, George McLoughlin Gonzaga: Eoin O’Regan, Alex Taaffe Hopkins: Jeff Hemeryck, Magnus Runham Kenney: Harry McDermott, Michael O’Connor Kostka: Alex Donnelly, Toby O’Donnell Loyola: Harry Browne, Johnny Kiely Sullivan: Sean Lannen, Senan Noone Xavier: Tom Kelly, Hugh Reddan

CLIMATE ACTION WEEK

The 4th annual Climate Action Week took place from October 12th to 18th and activities in Clongowes were led by our Green Schools Committee.

The annual awareness campaign on climate action highlights how climate change is impacting Ireland. The week-long initiative encourages students, teachers, and the wider community to talk about climate change and get involved in local climate action. Schools on the Green-Schools program will be actively reducing their carbon footprint through improved transport, energy, waste, water choices, or planting for biodiversity. By participating in the week their collective climate actions will resonate with the wider community, raising awareness of climate change.

The Green-School’s programme was set up by Joey Kennedy (Syntax) in January 2019. The programme has grown to now have 10 dedicated students who meet monthly to discuss climate change and how the College can continually improve its carbon footprint. As of last year, the College has also added a Green-Schools module for Transition Year students which is headed by Mr Burke.

As part of this year’s Climate Action Week, the school ran multiple initiatives and activities, these included art competitions, science experiments, evening showings of climate change documentaries, and the unveiling of this year’s Green Schools slogan.

A huge thank you to the Green-Schools Committee and all the teachers and students who took part in this week’s initiative. Climate change is an ever-present issue in all of our lives and it is amazing to see our boys taking such a keen interest at such a young age.

GREEN FLAG & CLIMATE AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME

In January, Joey Kennedy (Syntax), Chair of our Green Schools Committee was selected to join An Taisce’s Climate Ambassador Programme. The Climate Ambassador programme is Ireland’s first-ever initiative to train and support individuals taking action on climate change. In addition to this, Clongowes was awarded our first-ever Green Flag in June!

CHRISTMAS LUNCH

On Tuesday 8th December the school gathered in prayer to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Fr Shane Daly SJ celebrated Mass at 10.45 a.m. from the Sports Hall where Syntax students were present. Other year groups gathered in five other locations throughout the school to take part in the liturgy as it was streamed live. Parents and OCs also joined the school community via the live streaming service. The wonderful voices of the Schola Cantorum filled the Sports Hall under the direction of Mr Cyril Murphy, Director of Liturgy.

In his sermon, Fr Daly spoke of how, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, we recognise that God chose to save us by sending his son to live amongst us. Fr Daly reminded us that we honour Our Lady on this special day because in many ways she is a model for all of us. Our Lady was invited to participate in God’s plan for salvation – she had a role to play and freely chose to become part of God’s plan. We all have different roles to play and God is inviting us to play our role. It is a question of listening to discern what God might be calling us to do and to trust God’s plan for each of us and, in the words of the Gospel, nothing is impossible to God (Luke 1:37)

Our Mass was followed by the traditional Christmas lunch in the Refectory. This year’s event was different from the previous due to Covid protocols however the levels of excitement and anticipation were not diminished! The Refectory staff prepared, as always, a delicious meal – three courses, with a starter of leek and potato soup, followed by a traditional turkey and ham dinner with all the trimmings. The final course was a dessert of profiteroles and locally produced ice cream.

The boys very kindly placed a gift for every staff member under the big Christmas tree in the Refectory as a token of their appreciation for the support of all of the staff in the school this year.

SCHOOL CAPTAIN

Congratulations to our new School Captain, Andrew Percival and his two Vice Captains, Josh Dunne & Fiachra Lambe.

And, thank you to our outgoing Captain, Rory Morrin and his two Vice Captains, Jack Moroney & Matthew Cassidy.

From L to R: Josh Dunne (Incoming Vice Captain), Fiachra Lambe (Incoming Vice Captain), Andrew Percival (Incoming School Captain), Mr Lumb, Rory Morrin (Outgoing School Captain), Jack Moroney (Outgoing Vice Captain), Matthew Cassidy (Outgoing Vice Captain)

From L to R: Richard White, Jay O’Leary, Oisin Devitt, Harry McGrath and Charlie Reilly

RHETORIC GRADUATION

The Rhetoric 2021 graduation took place on Saturday, May 29th and was the first to be streamed live in the 207 years of graduation ceremonies at Clongowes. Due to Covid restrictions, parents and family members were unable to attend in person but we hope they still felt very much part of this great day of celebration.

Niall McGeady was presented with the Aloysius Award from Mr Lumb and Jake King was awarded the Ethos Medal from Rector, Fr Michael Sheil SJ - congratulations to you both!

Wishing Rhetoric 2021 all the very best for the future!

ELEMENTS BBQ

Elements boys enjoying a BBQ after evening study at the beginning of May. House Leaders stepped up to the plate and volunteered to man the grill!

ABOVE: Rhetoric man the grill BELOW: Mr Anderson and Mr Grey

HEADMASTER’S BIRTHDAY

At the end of February, the school came together to celebrate with our Headmaster, Mr Lumb, as he celebrated a significant birthday!

FINE ART EXHIBITION

The Ladies Association Annual Fine Art exhibition took place online this year - with proceeds going towards the AHP Bursary Programme. Over the years the Association has exhibited the work of students, OCs, their parents and relations. This is an eclectic exhibition that featured the works of professional and amateur artists alike, all of whom have a connection to the College. As always there was a vibrant mix of subject matter and muses, be it paintings of the school, landscapes, still life or botanical paintings, the exhibition catered for all tastes.

ELEMENTS CAMP OUT

Our Elements boys were treated to a camp out during the weekend of May 8th on the College grounds!

Tents, campfires, stories and games were the order of the evening.

Thank you to our Facilities Team and Prefects who set up everything and to the staff who camped out with the boys.

CAPTAIN’S HALF DAY

The Captain’s Half Day is a tradition in the College where the School Captain requests a half day during term in which the boys can have a well deserved half day from school.

HIKING IN GLENDALOUGH

A spectacular day in September for the boys to go hiking at Glendalough with Mr Dawson in late September!

FUN AT ABBEYFIELD FARM

Great fun at the beginning of term with our neighbours at Abbeyfield Farm where the boys got to try their hand at some clay pigeon shooting!

MASS FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

To celebrate the start of the new school year, we gather together as a community and this year was no different (apart from the location!). We were blessed with good weather and to have Fr Sheil SJ and Fr McGuckian SJ celebrate mass for staff and students.