Organisation and Structure

Clongowes is governed by a Board of Management. It includes members nominated by staff and parents who are appointed by the Jesuit Provincial as Trustee of the school.

The organisation and structure follows the tradition established in Jesuit schools for over four hundred years. The traditional Jesuit names given to the classes reflect a growth in self-expression, eloquence and wisdom.

There is both a horizontal Line System and a vertical House System.

Each year-group is looked after by an adult Prefect who acts in “loco parentis”. He lives close to the boys, talks and listens to them as they socialise, counsels and directs them, and is generally available to boys when they are not in class.

The Third Line comprises the first two years of Junior Cycle. The Third Line Prefect is in charge of the line but is assisted by a Rudiments Prefect while he himself takes special care of Grammar.

The Lower Line comprises the boys of Syntax and Humanities (Transition Year). The Lower Line Prefect is in charge of the line but is assisted by a Syntax Prefect, while he himself takes special care of Humanities.

The Higher Line comprises the two years of Senior Cycle (Poetry and Rhetoric). The Higher Line Prefect is in charge of this line but is assisted by a Poetry Prefect, while he himself takes special care of Rhetoric.

As a complement to the Line system, the school is divided vertically into sixteen “Houses” to encourage cooperation and integration between boys in different years and to foster a responsible attitude towards the community. Each House is made up of a cross-section of boys from every age group and is under the direction of a House Leader from Rhetoric, who is elected from among the boys in the Higher Line.  A school Captain and Secretary are appointed from among the House Leaders. Boys are encouraged to take on responsibilities together such as duties in the dining-hall, organisation of liturgies, and participation in inter-House Sports. Election of Year Councils and a School Council also encourage pupil involvement in decision making.

Fourteen of the Houses are named after Jesuit saints. Patrons of the other two Houses are Jesuits with close associations with Clongowes—Fr. Peter Kenney S.J., its founder and Fr. John Sullivan S.J. whose cause has been introduced in Rome.

Such organisation and structure bestows many benefits for the formation of young men. Living together in this way they learn tolerance and respect for others, loyalty, consideration towards those less capable, and how to care for each other in times of need.