Influential role of Tipperary secondary school is celebrated with an anniversary ceremony

A Mass of Thanksgiving to mark the 125th anniversary of the CBS High School Clonmel was celebrated last Thursday.
700 students, current and former staff members , board of management representatives and parents of students packed into SS Peter & Paul’s Church in Clonmel for the occasion.

In a moving ceremony the influential role played by the school in the education, business, social and cultural life of the community for the last 125 years was acknowledged.
It was a solemn occasion that invited reflection on the journey taken by the High School family to date, an occasion greatly enhanced by the beautiful singing of the school choir.
Among the guests were Terry O’Callaghan, son of Olympic champion Pat O’Callaghan, and his wife Eileen.
A few weeks ago past pupil Terry presented the High School with a €250,000 bursary to support High School students doing Medicine.

“On this day we not only look back on the academic excellence that defines the school but look forward with optimism to what lies ahead,” a proud High School Principal Karen Steenson told the congregation.
She said that the High School had been at the heart of education in Clonmel. The school, she said, had fostered the growth and development of young men and prepared them to make their contribution to society by providing education not only for the mind but also for the heart and the soul.

Karen Steenson thanked former staff for their dedication and commitment. She expressed confidence that the current staff would continue that proud tradition through their professionalism, innovation and care to ensure that the High School would remain a beacon of excellence in education.
The chief celebrant for the Mass of Thanksgiving was the the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore Alphonsus Cullinan and the co-celebrants were Fr Michael Toomey and Fr John Treacy.

Bishop Cullinan said he he was privileged to be asked to offer the Massof Thanksgiving for such an important occasion.
He thanked the Christian Brothers who had served in the High School for their service over the years as well as thanking all staff .
He congratulated the High School community on the milestone anniversary and blessed the current staff and the 700 students who attended the mass.

On behalf of the Edmund Rice School Trust Gerry Berry congratulated the High School on such a moumentous day.
The milestone reached, he said, was testament to the excellence, dedication and community spirit that had defined the school for over a centuary. He said the Mass of Thanksgiving provided an opportunity for everyone to reflect on the achievements ands contributions of past and present students, past and present staff and the entire High School family who formed any part of the High School community in Clonmel.

He praised the work of the Christian Brothers who through their unwavering dedication had been instrumental in shaping the identity and mission of the High School.