Speech on the Occasion of St. Luke’s National School’s 125th Anniversary
Cork City, 28th November 2014
A Easpaig Colton [Bishop Colton],
A Dhaoine Uaisle,
A dhaltaí,
Tá an-áthas orm bheith anseo in bhur measc chun páirt a ghlacadh i bhur gceiliúradh ar 125 bliain de Scoil Naomh Lucais. Míle buíochas daoibh as an gcuireadh agus as an fáilte a chuir sibh romham.
It gives me great pleasure to be here with you all this morning, in Cork City, to celebrate the 125th year of St. Luke’s National School. I wish to thank Reverend Brian O’Rourke and the Board of Management for the kind invitation to come here today. May I also thank your Principal, Jacqueline Collier, for her introduction and – most of all – the pupils, for that great welcome in several languages and the beautiful music and poems. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.
These poems we have just heard – each of them a variation on the theme of “My school” – convey the pupils’ warm feelings towards their school, the wealth of impressions, feelings and memories they associate with it.
My wish for all of you, pupils, who are here today is that, like the generations who have gone here before you since 1889, you will look back on your days in St. Luke’s with gratitude and affection – that you will fondly remember the things you learnt, the friendships you made, the teachers who guided you along your learning journey, and the security that came with knowing you were part of this community of Saint Luke’s. Wherever you may find yourselves in the world in future years, may you always remain connected in a profound way to the people with whom you share this day; the people who have played such a significant part in your formative years.
Since it opened its doors, a 125 years ago, St. Luke’s National School has undergone many transformations: the wider society, the classroom itself, the tools and technologies used for educational purposes – all have changed. What has not changed, I trust, is the local children’s thirst for education, and the commitment of the teachers to support and nurture all the pupils in their care.
May I avail of this occasion to very sincerely thank and congratulate St. Luke’s teachers and the school staff who are so dedicated to providing what is the best of gifts to our children – a good education.
Irish people have always placed a high value on education and we can be rightfully proud of our country’s achievements in that field. In Ireland today, the vast majority of pupils remain in school until they have completed their Leaving Certificate. The number of students accessing and completing a higher education has also increased significantly in recent decades: within the European Union, Ireland now has the largest cohort of young people under the age of 25 with a third level qualification. The quality of the teaching children receive at the primary level is fundamental to such accomplishments, and I wish to salute all the primary school teachers in our country for the crucially important work they carry out day after day.
I know that the teaching delivered here at St. Luke’s National School has played and continues to play a crucial role in ensuring that all your pupils acquire the skills they need, not just to pursue further education, but also to engage with creativity and interest with the world around them – and to make their own valuable contribution to their families, communities and society. You are fortunate to attend a school that emphasises the ethical values of solidarity and responsibility and that encourages an appreciation for other cultures, as illustrated by the greetings in several languages you offered earlier on.
Your school’s “Mission Statement” clearly says that St. Luke’s focuses, not just on academic performance, but also on nurturing each child’s self-esteem and personal development. Pupils here are valued, not only for their results, but for the effort they apply to their work, for their curiosity and spirit, for their sporting and artistic skills, and for being good friends to their fellow pupils. These are qualities that will serve you well throughout your lives.
Finally, I am aware that your school benefits from the commitment of an extremely supportive Parents’ Association. We all know the importance that the involvement of parents, their attitude towards education, has in fostering children’s interest in learning. The voluntary work undertaken by both the Parents’ Council and members of the Board of Management also plays an important role in the day to day running of the school and in shaping the happy and productive schooling community that St. Luke’s is.
Mar chríoch, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil libh, uair amháin eile, as an bhfáilte mhór a chuir sibh romham anseo inniú. Ba mhaith liom gach rath a ghuí oraibh, a pháistí sna laethanta scoile atá romhaibh. Táim cinnte go bhfuil dea-thimpeallacht agaibh anseo a thabharfaidh gach deis daoibh teacht go h-iomlán faoi bhláth, ar bhur dtairbhe féin agus ar thairbhe bhur bpobal agus an domhan mhóir.
I would like to conclude by thanking you all, once again, for the great welcome you have extended to me here today. May I, in particular, thank the pupils for your attention during my remarks. I most sincerely wish you success and happiness throughout your schooldays. I am confident that you find, here at St. Luke’s National School, an environment that will enable you to reach your potential and to flourish within your communities and society.
May each and every one of you who are here today continue, as you grow up, to tackle the world with boldness and joy.
Go raibh maith agaibh as ucht bhur n-airde.