On Friday 28th October, Clongowes Foundation along with the Headmaster Mr Lumb welcomed a group of Elements and Rudiments parents to the College to introduce the work of the Foundation and share upcoming ambitions for the College. The gathering took place in the Bellarmine Centre – the light filled learning centre for Third Line boys which opened in 2019. The Bellarmine is one of the most recent development projects in the College and reflects the best in modern learning practice with collaborative and adaptable learning spaces.
Development of the Clongowes campus is ongoing, ensuring that students have access to the very best facilities and amenities in the country. Clongowes in 2022 is made possible by the financial support of past pupils, parents and grandparents, and friends of the College, as well as the Jesuit Community and Province, who have given so generously in the past. The Foundation works with and supports the College in its mission to provide pupils with the highest standards of Jesuit Schooling.
Antoinette Kelly – Director of Development at Clongowes Foundation gave some background on the history of the College and the creation of the Foundation in 2004. The Foundation was established to support continued development of Clongowes as a boarding school suitable for the 21st Century along with supporting the Alberto Hurtado Bursary programme which was introduced in 2007.
Mr Lumb spoke of Capital development projects at the College such as the Science, Art & Technology building, Sports Hall & Pool, Bellarmine Centre & the most recent development, the Infirmary refurbishment with lift addition completed in 2022. The impact of these enhanced facilities on the boys’ experience at Clongowes was ably illustrated by some engaging words from School Captain & Vice Captains, Joey Kennedy, James Wyse and Patrick Smyth as they detailed how these amenities add to their experience of daily life at Clongowes.
Future development plans were also discussed – including plans for a new-build Performing Arts Centre to provide for the development of music, drama and debating in Clongowes.
The level of investment required to support these future Capital development plans was outlined, along with the need for annual funding of the Alberto Hurtado Bursary programme and investment into the Alberto Hurtado Endowment Fund with a nod to previous generations of Clongownians and their families whose legacies live on today in the school enjoyed by the current students.
Afterwards all enjoyed the opportunity to connect and chat about the future plans for the College over some light refreshments before the parents departed with their boys, keen to enjoy the Hallowe’en break together.
For more information on developments at Clongowes and how you can support please contact Antoinette Kelly 045 838215 / antoinettekelly@clongowes.net
