 St Aidan's CBS, Whitehall, Dublin, Ireland |
 |
| St Aidan's CBS, Whitehall, Dublin, Ireland |
|
The intention to open a new secondary school in the parish of Whitehall was announced from the pulpit during Sunday morning masses in the early part of 1964. Sean Quinn, a former pupil tells me that his mother was the first person to get to the sacristy to enroll her son on that fateful morning. However, one irrefutable fact is that the first student on the roll book, in alphabetical order, was none other than the current Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern. The Christian Brothers set up St. Aidan's at the invitation of Fr. Brady, parish priest of Whitehall parish at that time. The new school opened for tuition in September 1964 in the grounds of Larkhill Boys National School.
Accommodation was sparse to begin with- two prefabricated classrooms and a tiny staffroom for six teachers. Br. Paul Hayes was the first principal, a charismatic man by all accounts, ably assisted by Br. Tim Clarke and in subsequent years by Br. Walsh, Br. Redican, Br. M.W Donnelly and Br. Coffey. Lay staff Gilbert Hughes, Michael Coffey and Dr. Peader Slattery joined the team in these early years and continued to give sterling service up to the millennium and beyond.
In 1968 the school moved to a system built structure on the present site that had been part of the Albert College farm owned by University College Dublin. The dynamic Br. Loughran took over as principal at a time of burgeoning staff levels and student numbers, both of which reached a peak by the middle of the decade. The school building lasted way beyond its sell by date and was replaced by a permanent building in September 1995 thanks to the foresight of Br. Redican, the determination of Br. Cashel and the full support from the staff and the parents of this wonderful parish.
St. Aidan's is justly proud of the contribution made by former students to the sporting and business life of the country. The trophy cabinet and the photographs displayed along the corridors bear testimony to the achievements of these people. The roll call is impressive e.g. footballers Liam Brady, Mark Kinsella, Tommy Drum, Dave Synnott, Paddy Moran, Paul Clarke and Paddy Christie; Olympians Owen Casey (tennis) John Mc Quaide (cycling) and Niall Bruton (athletics). Mr. Edward Sullivan played a significant roll in this country as the secretary to the Department of Finance. David Brophy's appointment as a principal conductor of the RTE concert orchestra gives an artistic balance to our roll call. The majority of students enjoyed their years in St. Aidan's and they have forged successful careers in a myriad of professions. We must also remember those who were less adept at deflecting life's slings and arrows; they are also part of the history of this great school.
The parish has always played its part in the story of St. Aidan's. Bishop Kavannagh is fondly remembered in St. Aidan's. Former parish priests, Fr. Kelly and Fr. Fitzpatrick have served on the school Board of Management. Curates such as Fr. S. Green, Fr. Joe Jones, Fr. J. Mc Partland and Fr. Michael Carey P.P have provided spiritual guidance to generations of students. Parents and local parishioners Mrs. Molumby, Kay Philpot, Kay Hanly, Mary Brophy, Mary Mc Donnell have given the school tremendous support over the years. Mr. Flynn has sponsored the student of the year award since 1978 to the present day. We also owe a great debt to the many sporting clubs in the parish, especially Whitehall Colmcilles, St. Kevin's FC and Clonliffe Harriers!
St. Aidan's has managed its way through a transition period following the untimely death of Br. Cashel in 2001. We now have a lay principal, Mr. Jimmy Reynolds, in charge. Most of the teachers who were with the school from the earliest days have retired and more than half the staff has been appointed in the past five years. This has revitalised the school and has brought a fresh approach to teaching and learning and the areas of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. The Education Act 1998 and the decision by the Christian Brothers to hand over responsibility for the schools to a group of lay people, the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST) has set the school on a new journey. The impressive report that followed the recent Whole School Inspection by the Department of Education reflects the hard work of everybody involved in the school. In the words of the inspectorate "the school can make the most of these changes, holding onto the cherished values of Edmund Rice…while embracing new challenges and opportunities".
St. Aidan's currently offers the Junior Certificate, an optional Transition Year, the Leaving Cert Established and the Leaving Cert Vocational. These are supported by the necessary provision of resources and state-of-the art IT facilities. Students are also involved in a wide range of extra curricular activities including Gaelic football, hurling, basketball, athletics, water-polo, (all Ireland Senior Champions), table-tennis and golf. The less sporty types can participate in quizzes, debating competitions, young scientist exhibition, music, to mention but a few. All of these activities are showcased at our Annual Awards night, which also honours as special guests past pupils who have been particularly successful in their chosen careers. It is gratifying to know that the support of the parents as related in the 'race to the sacristy' of forty three years ago is as strong to-day as it was then.
Finally we offer congratulations to Whitehall Parish on its 50th anniversary and we wish Fr. Michael and his parishioners the blessing of peace and joy in the future.
Thomas P. Ward (Deputy Principal)
Article appears in the Church of the Holy Child Golden Jubilee Book