Donor Funds At Work

ALBERTO HURTADO PROGRAMME

From September 2007 seven boys will be attending Clongowes with the full financial support of the Alberto Hurtado (Bursary) Programme. The goal of the programme is to have up to 42 boys throughout the school benefiting annually from bursary support by 2014.

An Endowment Fund Investment Sub-Committee was established during the year in order to build a secure source of funding for the AHP into the future, and the decision was taken to invest the Fund in the Irish Life Consensus Fund. The Irish Jesuit Province pledged 1 million to the programme during the year.

The Jesuit Community, Board, and college management and staff are fully committed to ensuring the success of the AHP at every level and to making it a permanent and very valuable feature of the life of the school.

BUILDING PROGRAMME

RENOVATION & INTEGRATION OF THE CASTLE AND SERPENTINE GALLERY
The Castle and Community living quarters were given a new lease of life in 2004 when they were completely renovated and restored. Along with a new dining-room and kitchen, there is now a lift to that serves all four floors. The major structural change of the project was the new Serpentine Gallery which now links the Castle to the School. The fine presentation showcases on the ground floor enable some of the exhibits from the College Archives to be displayed to best effect, thanks to the large glasshouse-type roof, which provides great light and the impression of spaciousness. One of the main aims of the renovation project was to ensure the reintegration of the Castle into the general life of the school. This has been achieved through the relocation of the Headmaster’s office to the Castle and the completion of a new staff room, staff computer room and a proper archives/museum room.

VINCENT MURRAY PARK
 A new floodlit all-weather sports pitch was added to the sports facilities of the  College in November 2004. The pitch was a gift from parent Sean Dunne, who  dedicated it to the memory of Mr Vincent Murray, much beloved late assistant headmaster and senior rugby coach who made such a huge contribution to the development of rugby at the College. The pitch has become a very popular, integral feature of the sports campus of the College and has allowed the boys to train in all weather and later in the evenings during the winter. The pitch is also used for training purposes by the Irish rugby team and other professional rugby squads.

LIBRARY 
The plans for the new Library of the college were approved and submitted for planning in September 2007. Work is due to proceed early in 2008. The new facility will include a library of c.10,000 books and periodicals; a computer area, peer tutor rooms and areas for formal and informal study, reading and research. It will add a new dimension to the academic life of the college, giving pupils access to quality books and reading/ study materials throughout their schooldays. Architects for the project are A&D Wejcherts and Partners Architects, represented by Mr Patrick Fletcher. A&D Wejcherts also designed the masterplan for the long-term physical development of the college campus.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ART BUILDING
Plans for the new Science, Technology and Art building were drawn up by architects Murray O’Laoire during 2007. They will be finalised in October 2007, with building work due to commence in 2008.

The new building will encompass three dedicated laboratories and classrooms for each of the Science subjects. It will also include a demonstration/ lecture room, an art studio with clay workshop and a Technical Graphics room. The new facilities will ensure that Clongowes can provide the best facilities for the teaching of the Sciences and Art, thereby encouraging more pupils to study these subjects to Leaving Certificate level.

INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE AND SWIMMING POOL
Building is due to commence in 2008 on the new Indoor Sports Centre and Swimming Pool. The new facility will bring together the impressive outdoor sports facilities of the college with new indoor sports facilities. Plans have been drawn up and will be approved in October 2007. The building will include a 1000m² gymnasium complete with climbing wall and playing courts; a 25 metre, six lane swimming pool with facilities for new watersports activities; and significant changing facilities for outdoor and indoor sports. It will be located adjacent to the Vincent Murray Park and is expected to become the new hub of sporting activity within the college.

RENEWAL OF CLASSROOMS AND TEACHING FACILITIES OF 1929 BUILDING
Clongowes Annual Fund 2006-7 provided the funding for the refurbishment of several classrooms in the 1929 Building and the College’s lecture room, Room 3. As a result of this the classrooms have been renewed, with the installation of multi-media presentation and interactive equipment. They have also been freshly painted and wired with full internet access, adding a new interactive dimension to classroom teaching.

RENOVATION OF BOYS’ CHAPEL.
Clongowes Annual Fund 2005-6 supported the renewal and renovation of the Boys’ Chapel. During 2006 the project was completed with new lighting installed to take advantage of the contours and architecture of the chapel, and a new sound system which has improved the sound quality. Over the year the interior was also repainted, masonry restored, and a new carpet fitted for the altar. A number of friends of Clongowes also assisted the project by kindly directly assisting with the renovation work, helping to keep the costs of the project down.

RENOVATION OF LOWER LINE STUDY
The support of parents and friends of Clongowes Annual Fund 2005-6 was directed to the Lower Line Study. In 2005 it was renovated, refloored and repainted with new desks, lighting and computer access points installed. In time it will be integrated into the new Academic Resource Centre. It now stands as a fitting resource and wonderful facility for the boys to study and work.

THANK YOU

Clongowes Wood College S.J. is deeply grateful to the many individuals and families who through their support of the college in so many different ways have made these developments possible. They not only enhance the living and learning environment of the College but also make an invaluable contribution to the spirit of our school. We thank you most sincerely.

May our Lord God, who does not leave without reward those who act charitably, give you generous recompense and prize in the heavenly country.

(St Aloysius Gonzaga S.J.)