As we near the end of a very different school year, a year where we will close the doors on Coláiste Éamann Rís for the very last time, we reflect on the rich and varied history of our school over 154 years In the Edmund Rice tradition. We are justifiably proud of our school community and its dedication to the education of our students. Our students are a credit to themselves and their families in the way they conduct themselves, they apply themselves, engage with our staff and visitors and for the spirit they bring to our school. We urge our students to continue to make the most of their talents, to always do their best and to realise their full potential. In the words of our former Principal, Brother Damien Brennan- “Proud of who we are, What we are and where we are from”
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for being part of our fantastic school community. To the students, parents, teachers, SNAs, our secretary, cleaner and caretaker- I would like to personally thank you for your dedication in maintaining the positivity and caring environment that makes Coláiste Éamann Rís the kind of school it is.
Our school has formed an important tenet of life in Callan and its hinterland since its foundation on West Street in 1868. I am heartened that the story in relation to the inception of the Christian Brothers and the onset of their provision of education to the young men of the area is covered in the history of the school book which has been complied in advance of amalgamation. We are busy planning an event to celebrate our school and launch the book on Sunday May 29th.
I wish to formally invite all our current and past pupils along with your families and the entire local community to join us on the day as our guests. We will celebrate all the many successes and reminisce on times past. There will be a photographic display from over the decades, musical entertainment, activities for kids and refreshments served.
This year has been no different in terms of the amount of extra-curricular activities provided for our students. Hurling, soccer, basketball, rugby, horse riding and boxing are some of the sports our students have represented the school in. Congratulations and thank you to the students, parents and teachers who so willingly give their time to these activities. So many students have learnt the skills involved in being part of a team, learning to win and lose, and being responsible through their commitment to training. There was also great success in the Rotary Youth Leadership Interviews where a fifth-year student won the Leinster title. The school has been a hive of activity in the TY Programme and with many school initiatives like Well- Being week, the ERST Cultural Day, TY European Parliament ambassador school’s programme and the annual 5K sponsored run for charity-all of which have been a great success. Thank you to all the teachers who become so involved in these extra-curricular activities. They give many hours to develop important life skills in our students which will serve them well in the future.
To conclude, we have been blessed to have the commitment of a wonderful group of staff, parents, and Board members alongside the foundations of the Christian Brother community in Edmund Rice education. We are grateful that you have entrusted us with the care of your son. Our school has prospered and gone from strength to strength, and now there is of course a degree of sadness and nostalgia as this secondary institution comes to an end. However, I am confident that the future is bright, and the dawn of a co-educational experience in Coláiste Abhainn Rí under the progressive leadership of Mr Anthony Leahy guarantees the future of education in Callan. Our job is simply to focus on the new, which is built on very solid foundations.
Joseph Brennan.
Acting Principal.
Coláiste Éamann Rís 