Diocesan News10 Apr 15

Official Opening and Dedication of Ashton Comprehensive School, Cork

As second–level students prepare to go back to school next Monday, the minds of staff and students at Ashton Comprehensive School, Cork will go back to the final day of last term, Friday, 27th March. They return to a new school building that was dedicated that Friday by the Bishop, co–patron of the school, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, and officially opened by the Minister for Education and Skills, Ms Jan O’Sullivan, T.D.

It was an historic and momentous occasion for everyone in the school. Principal, Adrian Landen, Deputy Principal, Anne–Marie Hewison, the school staff, prefects, and the Board, under the chairmanship of John Deane, had everything arranged to perfection. The school gymnasium was full for the Church Service led by school chaplain, Drew Ruttle. John Deane acted as Master of Ceremonies. The Principal thanked everyone who needed to be thanked. The Minister added her good wishes and congratulations. The Bishop spoke on behalf of himself and his co–patron the Cork Education and Training Board. He remarked that he himself had been there as a student on 10th March, 1975 when the previous school building on the site was officially opened, and held up his school blazer from that day as ‘exhibit a’ in evidence. On behalf of everyone, the Bishop singled out the tenacious commitment and work of one man – John Deane – who, with successive principals – Charles Payne, Bertie Smith and Adrian Landen – had worked to get the school a new building and to bring the project to completion.

Also present were: Mrs Susan Colton, Mr Ted Owens (CEO of Cork Education and Training Board), Dr Edward Gash (Principal of Midleton College), Mr Ian Coombes (Principal of Bandon Grammar School), Bishop Samuel and Mrs Noreen Poyntz, Bishop Roy and Mrs Eileen Warke, Bishop Michael Mayes, the Very Reverend Nigel and Mrs Isobel Dunne, the Venerable Adrian Wilkinson, Mrs Marjorie Bond (wife of the school’s first Principal, the late Victor Bond), Mrs Barbro McCutcheon (wife of the late Sam McCutcheon, Principal of Cork Grammar and Rochelle School), Charles Payne (former Principal), Bertie Smith (former Principal), the Reverend Elaine Murray (Bishop’s Chaplain), and many former board members including, Department inspectors, representatives of the former Cork City VEC. The choir assembled especially for the occasion was under the direction of Malcolm Wisener, Director of Music at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork. 

More images are available on the Diocesan news website www.churchofirelandcork.com