The BelvedereSummer Edition 2017 | AMDG NEWS A WORD FROM THE HEADMASTER s I write the sun is shining, students have returned from Greece and Zambia with their teachers and the exams are Ain their final phase. It is a busy time and in a sense there is no “winding down” in Belvedere as the summer schools and Theatre head into a busy summer schedule. So, the Newsletter is a welcome opportunity to look back on a year of achievement, excitement, sadness and joy. I want to thank Joanne Ryan for the tremendous work done in ensuring the Newsletter is a wonderful snapshot of many, though not all of, the activities and experiences students have engaged in. I hope it conveys the energy and enthusiasm of all those engaged in the life of the College. None of this would be possible without the generosity of spirit of the College staff who are willing to give of their time and talent to ensure that education in the broadest sense engages our students and gives them an opportunity to discover their talents. Thanks also to the wonderful support of the parents and past pupils whose energy and generosity make sure that students have such wonderful opportunities. The Board of Management, chaired by Brian Owens, faced into a year with many challenges, including national industrial action, the development of the Masterplan, which will ensure our facilities will be outstanding, and the continued development of education in the College. The appointment process for two additional Deputies was demanding and the calibre of applicants was excellent. We welcome Lesley Byrne and Clodagh Culligan who will join Seamus Finegan as Deputies. I want to thank them, the Parent’s about the causes of such violence because fear and ignorance Association chaired by Loreto O’Byrne, the Past Pupils Union led by are the root of prejudice and bigotry. Our students face into a President Eugene Bent and the Ladies Committee chaired by Cecily world of amazing opportunity and they need to develop their Farrell. understanding of politics and international affairs. There is a need As a community we celebrated great achievements and small for moral leaders who have a profound sense of their responsibility ones too. We gathered together to mourn Ronan Beakey’s to strive for a fairer, more just society. That journey begins for death and we continue to keep his family in our thoughts and students by learning about their world. prayers. Sadly Fr. Derek SJ (RIP) died and he is greatly missed. Many of our students, particularly those just finished the Leaving We appreciate the continued support of the Jesuit Province Certificate, will set out on journeys this summer. We wish them and we welcome Fr. Paddy Greene SJ as the new Rector of the safe travel and look forward to all of our students returning safely College. Charles Jaryekonga will continue as a young Jesuit here in late August. Others will set out on journeys of the imagination in Belvedere and we say goodbye to Mateusz Basiejko who is as they read and discover the joy of the many worlds opened up by returning to Poland after two years of making a great contribution reading. Thankfully the choice of books for adolescents is superb, to the College. but some need their parents’ encouragement and support to read. At assemblies we stood in solidarity with the victims of Finally, may you have a wonderful summer and enjoy reading terrorism, which reminds us that we have an obligation to learn the Newsletter. In this issue: News & Music & Faith & Belvedere Sports Achievements Drama Services Union p2 p7 p10 p14 p17 News & Achievements Fr. Derek Cassidy SJ, RIP Irish By Gerry Foley hen we gathered in St. Francis Debating W Xavier Church, in Gardiner Street, we gathered in sadness, but we wanted to celebrate and give thanks for Fr. Derek’s life with his family and with the Jesuit province. Each of us knew Derek in a different way and we all have memories of a man who could laugh at himself, the world and laugh and talk with people of very different ages and backgrounds. In mourning him we fondly remember stories that highlight his wit, his willingness to confront what he perceived was wrong, even if that led to a difficult experience for both himself and whoever thought he was going to hold back, simply because This year saw our Irish Debaters James of his vocation. You did not have to Kirwan, Niall MacCaffrey & Diarmaid guess Derek’s opinions and views. He Tuckey become Gael Linn Senior Irish could be subtle or when required, bold Debating Competition Leinster Champions and forthright when subtlety failed. and go on to represent Belvedere in Derek’s response to illness made you Comórtas Náisiúnta Díospóireacht an realise that we should never take being Phiarsaigh. alive and having health, for granted. The theology of salvation was not theoretical for him, it was a lived example. On the table in Derek’s office is “The Simpsons and Philosophy, The D’oh of Homer.” It’s noteworthy that Richard Belvedere Dawkins, “Brief Candle in the Dark” is also on the shelf, so Derek was catholic in his sources of inspiration. The connection the Buildings Committee, and Jesuit Boys take may not seem obvious, but one of Derek’s Identity Committee, he was passionate favourite episodes of the Simpsons, which in providing the right environment to he used in his homilies, is the one where nurture community, friendship and part in Bart, declaring he does not believe in learning. having a soul, sells it, only to regret it Derek’s publican background gave him when he discovers that life without soul the skills to be fully present to people, Lollipop Day is a life deprived. By using the Simpsons, to hear their story and enter into it with Derek highlighted the challenge of Jesuit them. That is why so many students hold Education, to place the person of Jesus at his memory dearly and fondly. He was the heart of what we do. there, fully present, not just physically, but So, amid all Derek’s jocularity, there lay in his un-divided attention to them. a sincerity, a belief that life was so much There was the prayer on his wall, and I better lived if the gentleness of humility think it captures a lot of his humour and and care of Jesus was our inspiration. honesty. One of Derek’s many achievements Dear God, so far today I’ve done alright, in Belvedere was to develop the role of I haven’t gossiped, I haven’t been greedy, Rector, which was a challenge given we grumpy, nasty, selfish or over indulgent. I’m are not residents in the school, but we are very thankful for that. But in a few minutes a community almost without boundaries. God, I’m going to get out of bed, and from His presence as a man who was reflective then on I’m probably going to need a lot and invited reflection, has had an impact more help. on so many people and on so many Derek was that help for a lot of us different levels. and while extending our sympathy and In February our students braved the His dry wit often brightened the condolences to his community and his wind and rain to take part in the annual moment and his genuine question asking family, I want to extend, on behalf of the Lollipop Day in aid of the Oesophageal “How are you...” was never followed by a Belvedere family, a sincere thank you. For Cancer Fund. Despite the inclement hurried moment, he gave generously of 16 years, we enjoyed Derek as chaplain, weather, the spirit and resourcefulness his time and gave people space so they teacher, Form Tutor, Rector and Board of the Belvedere boys was not dampened could take time out of their hurried day, member. You shared him with us and we in the least. We had some students even to stop, think, and enter that space where are forever grateful for that. His soul will creative enough to devise their own prayer leads us. That appreciation of continue his work with the students and social justice rap song. Starbucks even the moment lay at the heart of so many families and we gain strength from his took pity on a few drowned rats and memories of him. example as a Jesuit, a priest, a friend and a offered them a cup of hot chocolate to With his untiring work in Fundraising, companion. May he rest in peace. help them carry on. 2 News & Achievements Neven Maguire visits Belvedere in aid of Jigsaw Poetry Trip to DCU Despite the bad weather, the Fifth Years made the most of their DCU campus tour back in March. Thanks to Johnny and all the reps for taking care of the students. It was lovely to meet past pupil, Conor The Home Economics Department were delighted to host An Evening with Gilligan (OB 2015), out there too! Neven Maguire in the O’Reilly Theatre this year. Many of our students had the opportunity to meet and learn from Neven while raising vital funds for Jigsaw. Students had been working hard in advance of this event and gifted Neven two hand-made cushions for his children Connor and Lucia. Jigsaw is providing vital support to young people in Ireland with their mental Library News health through a free one-to-one therapeutic approach and workshops within By Aileen Ivory, Librarian local communities. Chinese New Year of the topic, took the title in an unbelievably Sam Lynch McNabb and Eliott Gauvin Grennan.