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Newbridge College

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Template:IrishSchoolInfoBox Newbridge College is a co-educational secondary school in Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland, run by the Dominican Order. The Dominican Fathers founded Newbridge College in 1852 as a boarding school for boys. Today, still under the care of the Dominican Fathers, Newbridge College is a co-educational day school with a student population of roughly 700 students.

Background and ethos

Dominican Education draws its original inspiration from a Spaniard, Dominic Guzman (1170–1221), founder of the Order of Preachers or Dominicans, who based his ministry and that of his followers on the life and work of Jesus. Many famous Dominicans throughout the centuries, for example St. Thomas Aquinas, stressed that all truth eventually leads to God who is Truth. For those imbued with Dominic’s spirit then, to study should be simply part of the joy of being fully alive.

The Dominican Order gradually spread throughout Europe. Although Dominicans were soon found in Ireland, the first record of Dominican women there is only found in the turbulent times of the mid-seventeenth century when religious persecution was rife. Records show that the sisters started schools, were forced to disband them, and when a measure of calm had returned, were able to open them once more. With Catholic Emancipation in 1829 came more foundations in Ireland.

The Dominican tradition values the importance and uniqueness of each person, encouraging students to realise all facets of their potential: physical, emotional, social, cultural, intellectual, moral and spiritual.

Motto

The College coat of arms bears two mottos. 'Veritas', ('Truth') is the motto of the Dominican Order. 'Cur me persequeris' ('Why do you persecute me?') is the motto of the Eustace family, who donated the land upon which the school is built. The reference is to the legend of St Eustace, who, out hunting, encountered a stag with a cross between his antlers (visible in the College's arms); the stag addressed the saint in the terms of the motto.

Boarding Students

The school was originally founded as a boarding school in 1852, but this was abolished, due in part to the fact that the falling number of boarding students made it less viable, but principally as a special event to mark the 150th anniversary celebrations in 2002.

History of rugby success

Leinster Junior Cup : 1950 Leinster Senioir cup : 1970 In November 2004, four Sydney University Rugby players (Ben Dewstow, Robert Borsak, Sam Wicks, Ben Fletcher) stayed in senior house and coached the first year(12 years+) Rugby Union teams alongside Head Coach and First Year Co-ordinator Pat O'Brien. The 'Aussies', as they were affectionately called, stayed at the college for three months under the watchful eye of Principal Pat O'Mahony who retired at the end of August in 2006.In 2005/2006 Junior Cup Team reached the semi-final of the Leinster Schools Junior Cup they put up a strong fight despite losing to Gonzaga 5-3.The 2006/2007 Junior Cup team reached the semi final of the Leinster Junior Cup.

The Newbridge College rugby teams are currently sponsored by Newbridge Silverware.The jerseys are manufactured by Irish company OB Sport.

Music and drama

Newbridge College puts on a musical drama every November which is open to the general public. Previous shows include:

  • 2007 - High School Musical
  • 2006 - Fame
  • 2005 - Disco Inferno
  • Little Shop of Horrors
  • 2001 - The Wizard of Oz
  • 2000 - Joseph
  • 1999 - Calamity Jane
  • 1998 - Grease
  • 1997 - Oliver
  • 1996 - South Pacific
  • 1995 - Oklahoma

Building Development

The recent building development costing roughly 6 million euro will be finished completely soon although some of the facilities are ready including boys and girls changing rooms, a number of new classrooms and a large new social area.

Fr Vincent Mercer

Main article: Vincent Mercer

Fr. Vincent Mercer, a former junior dean and headmaster of Newbridge College, was convicted in 2003 and 2005 of sexual assault on pupils[1]. Serious allegations came to light in 1995 but were not reported to Gardaí by the Dominican authorities[2].

Famous Alumni

References

  1. ^ Priest sentenced for 'reign of terror' over his young victims — Irish Independent article, 2 March 2005
  2. ^ Order failed to notify gardaí of abuse claim — Breakingnews.ie article, 1 March 2005
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