Last Saturday night, we were delighted to welcome back the Class of 1986 for their 40-Year Reunion and the Class of 1996 for their 30-Year Reunion at the College’s Old Collegians’ Association Pavilion.
It was an evening full of conversation, and as one Old Boy commented, plenty of “good food, good company and great memories”.
A special acknowledgement to those Old Boys who travelled to attend, with those efforts helping to make the evening a great evening to remember.
Thanks to 1986 College Captain Martin Healy and 1996 College Captain Lyndon Watson for delivering warm welcomes and toasts to their respective cohorts.
Thanks also to Allan McKinnon and Shane Hayes for representing the Old Collegians’ Association, and Deputy Principal – Community, John Richards for representing the College.
We also welcomed current staff member Colleen Pope (who taught the 1996 cohort) and former teacher John Cosgriff (who taught both cohorts!) back for the night.
A tour of the College buildings and grounds earlier in the evening drew interest and exclaim from the Old Boys about the high standard of facilities available to today’s students.
Memorabilia from both cohorts, including old photos and school booklets, also attracted plenty of interest.
It was also deeply touching for the Class of 1986 cohort to receive a letter from their College Headmaster at the time, Br Tom Kearney, all the way from Kenya in Africa, in time for their reunion.
“I came across a Facebook message inviting people involved with the Class of 1986 concerning the 40th 1986 Student Reunion. It took me back a little. I had not realised that 40 years had passed already,” Br Kearney wrote.
“I am sure there will be many stories shared, possibly about the memories of the six years or fewer that were spent at SPC, and surely about how life has moved on from then, hopefully in a positive way…
“When that year began, I had just celebrated my 40th birthday. It was an internationally recognised “Year of Peace” declared by Pope John Paul II. For the principal that year the challenges were mostly around the introduction of Group 2 subjects at HSC level.
“People were concerned that education standards would decline, but it was an opening to a much broader look at the needs of individual students.
“Great contributors in this were (staff members) Anne Scott and Frank Rice and the School Development Project. Look now at how the school has opened many pathways for the young men. I am delighted when I read these reports.”
After leaving SPC in 1988, Br Kearney went on to become a “Missionary Brother”, serving in Kenya mostly, continuing his work with young people through university teaching in education, spirituality and counselling.
He also assists in the two large informal settlements (slums) and is proud of the work of the Mirror of Hope (MOH) initiative and Edmund Rice Karibu Camps group. He is even prouder of the support provided by SPC today to help these communities through the College’s annual Edmund Rice Day fundraising efforts.
“I am pleased that MOH has become one of the supported groups by SPC, and the Student Council and the SPCOCA has pledged to support the Camps, which are organised to help young school leaders to exercise their leadership skills in organising camps for the primary students in the Kibera slum. Hopefully they will develop into good men like yourselves.”
In concluding, Br Kearney urged the group to enjoy their reunion.
“Best wishes to you and your classmates. I trust you have an enjoyable evening and know that our old Headmaster is still wishing nothing but the best as you take on the challenges of senior adulthood.
“We still have much to offer the younger generations as we fulfil the vision of St Patrick’s of ‘educating hope-filled, compassionate and confident young men for their place in the world’.”
Since the reunion, a What’s App group has been set up by members of the Class of 1996 to stay in touch. Check out this link here to join.
