ST. MARY’S COLLEGE ANNUAL 2011 111th* ACADEMIC YEAR PUBLISHED BY ST. MARY’S COLLEGE CSSp, RATHMINES, DUBLIN 6. COVER ILLUSTRATIONS This year our cover features a collage. If you look closely you will see each piece of the collage is, in fact, a photograph which appears somewhere in this edition of the College Annual. The collage was created using a specialised software programme designed for such a purpose. This beautiful snow scene (photographed on one of the many snowy mornings of this academic year) mimics the cover shot featured on the last edition of the Annual. However, this photograph shows the new railings which were installed in the school during the summer of 2010. We believe the former railings around the front pitch were in situ for at least a century. Our thanks to Ian Murray, father of student Willow Murray, for this and many other photographs which appear in this edition. The Arms of the College SYMBOLISM The Escutcheon is quartered. On the right base (as you observe it) there is the unchangeable five point silver star with golden rays, symbolic of fidelity to its purpose of shedding light and guidance in the pursuit of Him Who enlightens every man and Who is the “Bright and Morning Star”. (Apoc XXII. 16). The upper right bears the Cross, the emblem of trials and difficulties. It is in gold on a silver ground, symbolic of the precious outcome of trials well borne. These two symbols combine to produce the College motto: “Fidelitas in Arduis” (Fidelity in Difficulties). On the upper left quarter there is the Dove in silver, symbolic of the Holy Ghost, from which descend seven golden rays, the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, essential in the practice of “Fidelitas in Arduis”. The left base bears a red heart transfixed with a sword and encircled with golden roses. This is symbolic of the Holy Heart of Mary, suffering - the supreme purely human type of “Fidelitas in Arduis”. The golden roses symbolise the reward that comes from such fidelity. HERALDIC DESCRIPTION On the Sinister base, on a ground Azure, a five point star, Argent, with emanating rays, Or. on the upper Sinsiter, a Cross, Or; on a ground Argent. On the Dexter chief, the Dove of the Holy Ghost, Argent, descending rays, Or, ground Azure. On the Dexter base, Heart Gules; sword Proper; wreath, Or, ground Argent. Shield: Quarterings Or; Scroll outline Or, with ground Argent. Lettering Gules. Entire shield of Escutcheon Or. Contents Editorial 5 Staff Retirements 6 College Community, Boards of Management and Staff 8 Senior School Roll 10 Senior School Class Photographs 15 That Was The Year That Was! 33 6th Year Prizegiving 53 Transition Year 57 Senior School Prizegiving 64 1st Year Round Up 81 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers 2010 82 Senior School Rugby 84 Senior School Basketball 99 Senior School Cricket 102 Senior School Tennis 107 Senior School Other Sports & Achievements 110 Senior School Sportsday 2011 112 Life in the Spirit 116 St. Mary’s College Past Pupil’s Union 123 St. Mary’s College RFC 125 St. Mary’s College Parents’ Association 127 Obituaries 129 Young Scientists 2011 130 Formula One Technology Challenge 2011 131 Lorcan Gogan Speaking Competition 2011 132 Debating 134 Scouting Report 137 From the Archives... 141 The Variety Show 142 Boys in Blue 144 Junior School Roll 146 Junior School Class Photographs 149 Junior School Prizewinners 159 6th Classes present Oklahoma! 160 Junior School Rugby 162 Junior School Cricket 174 Junior School Tennis 183 Junior School Golf 187 Junior School Sportsday 2011 188 First Days for The Second Form Boys 192 *Academic Year: It is 121 years since the College opened but it was closed for 10 years during the last century. Editorial A great deal happened this year and the following pages chronicle much of it. In a College with over 700 students far more goes on and is worthy of note than could possibly be seen firsthand by the Editors. So we try our best but always rely on the students, parents, staff and the wider school community for their assistance and good will in getting the stories and photographs which make up each volume of the Annual. One of the most memorable events in this school year must be the snow. It snowed more this year than in any student’s living memory. The snowball fights were legendary and the days off added to the joy of the Christmas Holidays. The school looked very quiet and peaceful covered in a thick white carpet but snow has its drawbacks. Many found it hard to get to school and days were lost due to treacherous weather. Rest assured, however, these days were made up for by hard work on every ones’ part. The snow also caused the cancellation of several events including the Christmas Vigil Mass. Another Mass which was cancelled this year was the daily 8:30am one that this editor often served at. The hope is that it can be revived on occasion. There were many improvements to the school over the summer. The railings were completely renewed and the driveway widened. The large fir trees in front of the Chapel were cut down and while this was an integral part of the improvements, the perfect backdrop for photos has been lost. The Junior School entrance got a face-lift and proper access for people with disabilities was installed. There is a picture of this included on page 41. The Kenilworth showers were also upgraded with the assistance of the Parents’ Association. The Past Pupils’ Union continued its programme of funding Electronic Whiteboards in the Junior School and also generously contributed a set of blazers for use by the 6th Year Students. The Junior School made two dramatic changes to its sporting activities. Both the Rugby finals and the Sportsday were held in Kenilworth. This gave much better access to these very popular events for spectators. The format of Junior School Sports Day was also reviewed and renewed and is explained on page 188. The Junior School welcomed Rhian Maguire as 2nd Class teacher and Ruth Smith as Music Teacher. They said goodbye to Alice Neylon who is pursuing a career in medicine. The Senior School had three new teachers this year; Jamie Cornett, Angela Wall and Deirdre Walsh. Jim Kirby, Michael Brennan retired. So to did Dermott Flynn the Bursar and was replaced by Sean Gilheany who made the historic name change to Director of Finance and Services. Fr. Doyle was appointed as the new Leader of the Spiritan Community in the College. Two new Boards of Management were also installed and many thanks are due to those staff, parents and community members who serve on these Boards. Just as the school closed for the summer, the Spiritan leadership retired the role of President in all of its 5 colleges. Accordingly, Fr. John Flavin CSSp stepped down from that position which he has occupied since 1996 (also being Manager of both schools from 1996 to 2004). We thank him sincerely for all that he has done in these roles and wish him well in his continuing pastoral care and chaplaincy work for the St. Mary’s College schools and extended family. The Editors would like to add a particular note of thanks to Fr. Flavin as contributor and supporter-in-chief of the Annual. The successes of the students, the reason we are all here, are laid out in the pages ahead. The fantastic cricket results, the titanic battles and victories on and off the rugby field. Academic success and participation in fields as diverse as debating, musicals, engineering and charitable works. The students have done themselves, their families, the school, the province and in some cases the nation very proud indeed. We invite you to read all about it in the record of 2010/2011. JOHN NISBET and LEONIE BLACKBURN Editors, 2011 6 ST. MARY’S COLLEGE ANNUAL 2011 STAFF RETIREMENTS JAMES KIRBY (Senior School) Senior School Staff 1977-2011 A Retirement Appreciation by Denis Murphy Jim Kirby began teaching in St Mary's in September 1977, joining a teaching staff of eight priests and fourteen laymen. He began with Irish and History; over the years history gave way to computer studies, which along with Terry Newell he pioneered in the College. Each morning until his retirement he was installed in the staffroom by seven-thirty, at the head of the inner table, correcting his copies and going over the texts for the day. His preparations were meticulous and his teaching style noted for thoroughness and firm discipline leavened by a humour that could be dry and, especially with colleagues, subtle and hilariously subversive. His education philosophy led him to allowing students to learn through the process of doing. One of my personal memories is of many hours in the computer room helping Fourth Years to produce a school newsletter. With Jim's endless patience, the end result was always excellent but the students never felt a loss of ownership of the process. He believed strongly in the Transition Year project and worked at it both as co-ordinator and as a support to his successors in that role. Jim brought his enthusiasm for technology to his role as IT Co-ordinator and he championed the use of IT facilities alongside traditional teaching methods. His students were encouraged to write instructional software, build websites and use computers as naturally as they would pick up a pen. For many years he also ran the City and Guilds certification for Transition Year students. Most past pupils still proudly have this qualification on their CV.