Whole School Assembly, October 2019

Our Whole School Community gathered in Des Places Hall as we celebrated the excellent start to the new school year and the Feast Day of Claude Poullart des Place, co-founder of the Spiritan Congregation.

Fr. Cormac O’Brolchain, CSSp. told the boys that ‘this is your time’ and to use it wisely, not to spend hours on their phones when they could be building relationships with those around them. Oliver Bosworth led the community in the College prayer and the 6th Year House Captains – John Campbell and Michael Gadaloff, (De Valera), Oliver Bosworth and Jeff Kenny (Duff), Matthew Cullen and David Ryan (Ebernecht), Patrick O’Connor and Luke Reynolds (Leman), Stephen Kilduff and Tom O’Connor (McQuaid), Gerard Jones and Jack Kiernan (Shanahan), were commissioned.

The Libermann Cup, the award for the Best Overall House for 2018/19 was presented to Matthew and David, the Captains of Ebenrecht House. Jeff Kenny reflected on his recent Retreat and Tom O’Connor (both 6th Year) spoke about his experiences on the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

This is a very special occasion. It is a statement of community, of commitment, of conviction. The Cantors, Choir, Orchestra and readers were magnificent. I congratulate the student body, over 1000 strong, especially 6th Year, on their attention and participation.

I thank our Readers Oliver Bosworth and Tom Dooley (both 6th Year); Servers Jamie Yarr, Malcolm Rowe and Charlie O’Connor (all 6th Year); our Cantors Mark Landers and Callum Byrne (both 6th Year).
I thank my colleagues, Fr Cormac O’Brolchain, Mr Grumley Traynor, Mr Cavanagh, Mr Madden, Ms McGlynn, Ms Crimmins, Mr O’Reilly, Mr Herlihy, Ms Nolan, Ms Markey, Mr Orrock and our Deans, Tommy Moore and our maintenance and Household team; the members of the community and my colleagues in attendance, all of whom make it possible.