04.09.2013
Anniversary Service Marks 40 Years of Rathdown School
A year of celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of Rathdown School in Glenageary, Dublin, started this morning with a special service. Archbishop Michael Jackson presided at the service and afterwards unveiled a specially commissioned commemorative sculpture.
In his address, the Archbishop drew on the reading from Wisdom of Solomon 6:16: Wisdom herself searches far and wide for those who are worthy of her, and on their daily path she appears to them with kindly intent, meeting them half–way in all their purposes.
He said that the idea of Wisdom in this verse was caring and relaxed with Wisdom wide open to meeting new people all the time. “Wisdom seems to have a clear idea of what is good and she still can meet those who are: worthy of her and take them on her walk as she accompanies them on their walk. Wisdom seems not to rush to judgement, as we might say,” the Archbishop suggested.
He said that 40 years of Rathdown gave a new longing and urgency to walk with Wisdom in the life of the school.
“This is a proud day; this is a happy day; this is a joyful day for us all and for those whose memories of being members of this School are strong and joyful. Every school needs to change and to develop; as individuals we need to do the same. Our hope and our prayer is that this school will go from strength to strength and from joy to joy. Jesus teaches by parables and by stories; by touching and by healing; by serving and by leading; by praying and by listening. These are the sorts of activities which Wisdom encourages us to do too in our meeting with God. The parable which we have just heard tells us that we should seize the moment, or simply: Just go for it!” he concluded.
Following the service Rathdown Principal, Anne Dowling, said there would be many celebrations during this year. She said Rathdown School was founded in 1973 through the amalgamation of three schools: The Hall, Hillcourt and Park House. They were later joined by Glengara Park.
She said that the school emblem was the Tree of Knowledge from the Book of Genesis which had been the inspiration for the bronze sculpture which was unveiled by the Archbishop. The piece was sculpted by Maureen Bushe who taught in Rathdown School from 1999 to 2006. Maureen has a successful career as a sculpture in wood, cement, clay, stone and of course bronze. Her pieces are in the collections of President Mary McAleese , the European Commission , Office of Public works and other private collections in worldwide.
Speaking of the symbolism of the Tree of Knowledge Ms Dowling said: “I hope that this piece of art will act as a reminder to all who pass through these doors of the history of this school and what this school is about… acquiring knowledge and wisdom and growing and blossoming as our trees to develop into unique individuals”.
Photo caption: Members of the Board of Governors joined teachers and students for a service to mark the 40th anniversary of Rathdown School. Pictured are Nuala Jackson (Board member), Archdeacon Gordon Linney (Board Member), Barbara Tidey (Board member), Michael Irvine, Anne Dowling, Principal, Archbishop Micahel Jackson, the Revd Gary Dowd, Stella Mew (ex Principal), David Crawford (Chairman of the Board) and Avril Lamplugh (Junior School Principal).