When thirteen students (all girls) began their secondary education in the convent across the road from the present school in 1961, little did they think that 50 years later we would be celebrating our Golden Jubilee as a school of 500 plus, meeting the needs of the entire community in Rush. As a school that moves with the times, and recognising the need to provide an education for the boys of Rush, St Joseph’s became a co-educational school in 1981. It is a privilege to be principal of the school during the Golden Jubilee following the footsteps of Tom Loughnane, Sr Caitriona O’Hara(1983), Sr Kathleen O’Keefe(1975), Ms Teresita Durkan (1972), And Sr Patricia Finucane(1961). They have all left their mark on the character of the school leading committed and dedicated staff. A feature of St Joseph’s has been the close contact between past pupils of the school and the local community. My thanks in advance to those members of the Golden Jubilee Committee for their work in celebrating the life of the school and showcasing the school today.
2011 is a very special year for the St Joseph’s Community and our celebrations begin with the visit of President Mary McAleese on 28 January 2011. We are honoured that the President has found time in her busy schedule to launch our celebrations. In September we will hold a special Mercy Day Mass to mark the beginning of the academic year. Past pupils will be welcome to attend this very important day in tWe have planned many other events including:
· An Open Evening when past pupils can meet up with old friends, teachers and Sisters of Mercy
· A book celebrating ’50 Years of Golden Memories’
· Quiz
· Golf Classic
· Trad Session and Ceile
· Pamper Night
· Sculpture
· Christmas Carols
As you can see from the above, we want to provide past pupils with as many opportunities to visit the school and reminisce with old friends and colleagues. The Parents Association (many of whom are past pupils) is keen to set up an exhibition of memorabilia. Please drop anything of interest into the office with your name and contact details so that the items can be returned to you after the exhibition. Please leave your name, the year you started at St Joseph’s and your email address so that we can keep you posted about up coming events. Use our page to keep up to date with other past pupils.
