Students sit in a classroom. Photo: CNS / Tyler Orsburn. A Catholic primary school in Navan celebrated its fiftieth anniversary this week with Mass in the local church followed by celebrations at the school, with the Bishop of Meath praising the institution as a model of what Catholic education can and should be.
St Oliver’s National School, a co-educational Catholic primary school in Navan, Co. Meath, marked its Golden Jubilee on Wednesday, April 22, with Bishop Tom Deenihan, who is patron of the school, among those paying tribute to its staff, board and the generations of families it has served.
Bishop Deenihan said the school’s fifty-year record spoke louder than any words offered by the day’s speakers. He said the willingness of parents — past and present — to send their children to St Oliver’s was the greatest tribute of all. “That, in itself, is a tribute to the former and current principals and staff and is a better compliment than any that I or any of the other speakers could offer this morning.”
He praised the school’s ability to adapt over five decades to a changing community. “St Oliver’s is a school that has changed and developed over those years and adapted to a changing enrolment and demographic,” he said. “It is a school that welcomes all local students, cares for them, allows them to reach their full potential and caters for their many and varied needs.”
The Bishop was particularly warm in his tribute to the learning environment that staff and principal Mr. Farrell have created. “I particularly appreciate the warm, happy learning environment that has been created and I, like many others, realise the work and effort that takes,” he said. “That success is much more important for parents and students than a Fiftieth Anniversary celebration.”
He noted that St Oliver’s was among Catholic schools nationally that independent research had found to be the most inclusive, not just in terms of religion but across ability, socio-economic background, ethnicity and nationality. “St Oliver’s is no exception and I am thankful for and congratulate the school on that achievement. That is significant.”
Closing his address, Bishop Deenihan offered the school the traditional blessing. “The fact that the school has lasted for the past fifty years and has grown indicates to me that Catholic schools, like St Oliver’s, enjoy the support, esteem and gratitude of their community,” he said, before wishing the school Ad Multos Annos — many more years.