Page 53 - The Gonzaga Record 1986
P. 53
HEADMASTER'S HOMILY
This homily was given by Fr Noel Barber SJ during the Mass to mark
the official opening and blessing of the New Wing on Sunday, 6 March
1983
The building we are going to open and bless this afternoon brings to
completion the plans devised in the late 1950s. In their completion, we
find ourselves for the first time since the foundation of the College in
adequate buildings. On these buildings gifted and devoted architects have
lavished care and attention; and engineers, builders and craftsmen have
splendidly executed their plans. To them all we are deeply grateful.
The existence of the New Wing and the Classroom Block is due, in
large measure, to the initiative of my predecessor, Fr Murray, whom we
are all delighted to have with us today. I can assure him that he is greatly
missed, that his contribution to the College is cherished and that his
continued interest in the College is much appreciated.
Above all, this is the parents' school. They are our great benefactors
and the school is a monument to their private enterprise. The parents
have funded each stage of the school's development. Their investment
over the years has expressed a confidence in the school and a belief that
the education it gives merits such generous support. It is the school's
hope that it will continue to be worthy of such confidence.
In our celebration today we are conscious of our history - albeit
short, of our present state and of the challenges we face in the years to
come.
As Fr Provincial pointed out in his introduction to this Mass, the
school in its foundation set out to do something different in Irish educat-
ion. By cutting itself free from the restraints of the state examination
system it hoped to release creative energy that would find expression in
the curriculum, organisation and structure of the school. I will leave to
someone more objective than I to judge to what extent it was successful.
It was, however, a school blessed by many remarkable teachers who gave
the school a distinctive spirit and ethos.
Increasing affluence and the effect of the O'Malley 'free' education
scheme resulted in greater numbers aspiring to third level education and
so the boys here found themselves competing for places in the university.
As university entrance became ever more stringent, the direction of the
school changed, shaped by public examinations and the entrance
demands of further education. In a sense, the ideals of the 1950s were
no longer realistic.
The school has adjusted well to the changed circumstances: there are
four applicants for every place. The school does very well in public exam-
inations and while one has to acknowledge the emphasis on examination
success and the acquisition of points, there has been, as if to balance this
utilitarianism, a flower of extra-curricular activities in games, drama,
51
This homily was given by Fr Noel Barber SJ during the Mass to mark
the official opening and blessing of the New Wing on Sunday, 6 March
1983
The building we are going to open and bless this afternoon brings to
completion the plans devised in the late 1950s. In their completion, we
find ourselves for the first time since the foundation of the College in
adequate buildings. On these buildings gifted and devoted architects have
lavished care and attention; and engineers, builders and craftsmen have
splendidly executed their plans. To them all we are deeply grateful.
The existence of the New Wing and the Classroom Block is due, in
large measure, to the initiative of my predecessor, Fr Murray, whom we
are all delighted to have with us today. I can assure him that he is greatly
missed, that his contribution to the College is cherished and that his
continued interest in the College is much appreciated.
Above all, this is the parents' school. They are our great benefactors
and the school is a monument to their private enterprise. The parents
have funded each stage of the school's development. Their investment
over the years has expressed a confidence in the school and a belief that
the education it gives merits such generous support. It is the school's
hope that it will continue to be worthy of such confidence.
In our celebration today we are conscious of our history - albeit
short, of our present state and of the challenges we face in the years to
come.
As Fr Provincial pointed out in his introduction to this Mass, the
school in its foundation set out to do something different in Irish educat-
ion. By cutting itself free from the restraints of the state examination
system it hoped to release creative energy that would find expression in
the curriculum, organisation and structure of the school. I will leave to
someone more objective than I to judge to what extent it was successful.
It was, however, a school blessed by many remarkable teachers who gave
the school a distinctive spirit and ethos.
Increasing affluence and the effect of the O'Malley 'free' education
scheme resulted in greater numbers aspiring to third level education and
so the boys here found themselves competing for places in the university.
As university entrance became ever more stringent, the direction of the
school changed, shaped by public examinations and the entrance
demands of further education. In a sense, the ideals of the 1950s were
no longer realistic.
The school has adjusted well to the changed circumstances: there are
four applicants for every place. The school does very well in public exam-
inations and while one has to acknowledge the emphasis on examination
success and the acquisition of points, there has been, as if to balance this
utilitarianism, a flower of extra-curricular activities in games, drama,
51
