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A Unique Newry School Turns Failure Into Success


THE demise of Patrick Kearns, first principal at St Joseph’s Boys’ High School in Newry, was a reminder of the tremendous achievements by that unique experiment in education, over the past 46 years.

First voluntary intermediate or high school in the Diocese of Dromore, `St Joe’s` can boast of having produced a host of past pupils, who have made a major impact in many fields of endeavour, whether in business, sport, entertainment, religious or public life.

For example, soccer superstar Pat Jennings was one of the first pupils, after the official opening in January 1958. And Down’s most successful manager, Peter McGrath, was both a pupil and teacher, before moving to St Colman’s College. All-stars Tommy McGovern and Paddy Kennedy, along with other county players, attended the high school. And Terence `Banjo` Bannon has really scaled the heights, since leaving St Joseph’s.

Patrick `Patch` Connolly from Warrenpoint became a top actor and writer; Tommy (McLoughlin) O’Brien has starred in London’s West End and Broadway; Joe Canavan has designed the sets for RTE productions; Paul O’Hanlon is organist at St Catherine’s Church; Michael Connolly holds a top post at N.I. Ordnance Survey; Anthony Boyle is Head Chef at the Whistledown; Fr Fran Kearns is serving on the Missions, while Fr Paul Byrne, C.C., Lower Killeavy, celebrated Requiem Mass for his uncle, Patrick Kearns.

Among those on the teaching staff have been Seamus Mallon, M.P., Frank Mitchell of Ulster Television; Joe McNulty, (International Fund for Ireland); Raymond Turley, former Recreation and Tourist Officer; Oliver Magill, Sean Heaney, Oliver Mooney, Raymond McCourt, Colm Powell, Val Kane, Sean McGuigan, Kevin Bradley and Sister Eleanor.

Pupil, teacher and present principal, Hugh Mallon, B.A., M.A., previously taught at St Patrick’s primary school in the Meadow, and St Paul’s High School near Bessbrook. He joined St Joseph’s Boys’ High School as vice-principal in 2000, becoming principal in 2002. The vice-principal is Peter O’Hare.

Congratulating the fifth-year class in 2004, Mr Mallon stated: “You are the most successful in the history of this school. You arrived here at the age of 11 with low self-esteem, and viewed by society as failures. Through the enriched curriculum, the excellent pastoral dimension and the superb teaching, we saw the formation of each of you into confident young men.

“From this year group the Pioneer movement at St Joseph’s had its genesis, now with 250 members. Who would believe that a boys’ school could achieve this; as well as an editorial team, from which a very successful school newspaper has been published; and a Students Council has also been formed. These initiatives highlight your leadership qualities, and also how schooling has developed independent thinking,” the principal added.

Seamus Mallon, M.P., recalled how his first teaching post had been at St Joseph’s. “I had all the theories and enthusiasm of youth, but had to learn quickly that life does not run on theories, - that practicalities have to prevail. It is a lasting tribute to the vision, dedication and compassion of the other teachers that they did prevail so successfully.

“While the personnel has changed, the ethos of St Joseph’s has remained and will serve the students well. The friendships that I formed at school have stood the test of time, and I will always regard St Joseph’s with affection. And my experiences there have helped me later in life. I know that St Joseph’s will continue to be an important part of the educational structure of the Newry region,” the former Deputy First Minister stated.

The first principal, Patrick Kearns, who died last month, was a native of Hilltown, a noted author and historian. He had been in charge of Ballyholland primary school, and was principal of St Joseph’s from 1958 to 1979. He was described as “ a gifted communicator, who loved teaching; a man of sound sense, with a practical awareness of pupils’ needs.”

At a prize-giving in 1970, he declared: “Examinations, while having an importance of their own, and while buildings and equipment are also significant, the criterion for all within the school is whether they are doing their best, according to their talents and responsibilities.”

Indeed, `Patch` Connolly made the comment: “One never appreciated what a difficult task Mr Kearns and his staff had taken on. We had all failed the 11-plus, which was an educational disaster. I am proud of my achievements, the seeds of which were sewn at St Joseph’s.

“My drama teacher, Seamus Mallon, has risen to great heights in the political arena. One of his achievements was to encourage a spotty adolescent that the world of drama had much to offer. Dan Collins drummed into me and fellow pupils like Brian O’Neill, Mickey Evans and John Jones the finer points of grammar and spelling. I wrote two plays based on the `Point, and have been an actor and writer in films, TV and radio for 35 years, - thanks to St Joe’s.”

Pat Jennings disclosed that he had been involved in music and drama, as much as Gaelic football and basketball, at which he had represented St Joseph’s on teams, coached by Seamus Mallon and Kevin Bradley. In fact, he was singing in a choir at Newry Feis, long before his wife, Eleanor Toner had joined the Hilton Showband.

Big Pat described how he and Niall Clarke from South Armagh, who also lacked enthusiasm for academia, were sitting at the back of the class one day. In exasperation, the teacher called out: “Do you see you two numb-sculls, - neither of you will ever amount to anything.” Niall Clarke operates a successful oil business, - whatever happened to Pat Jennings!

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© Fabian Boyle 2001-2008