School Opening 2024

The 11th of October 2024 was a day of celebration for the entire St. David’s community as we marked the official opening of our new school campus.  While today marked an opportunity to celebrate the modernity of the building which we are fortunate enough to enjoy every day, the enduring importance of the continuity of heritage was reflected in the event taking place on Margaret Aylward Day. As a result, a beautifully recursive dimension to proceedings was reflected in the symbolic acknowledgement of our past whilst also celebrating our present.

This sentiment was the thematic thread that was woven throughout the day. Countless members of our school community, as well as many friends and supporters of St. David’s, both current and past, were present for this momentous occasion. Former Head Boy and current Taoiseach, Simon Harris, spoke of his many happy memories in the school, as well the unique experience of talking with President Joe Biden and Mike Hassett in the same week. Ronan Lupton, head of the Past Pupils’ Union, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the welcoming and nurturing qualities of St. David’s.

Current Head Boy, Colm O’Neill, and Head Girl, Aoife Ryan, outlined how grateful they are to have had a multitude of varied opportunities over the years. Important stakeholders, who do so much behind-the-scenes work on a daily basis, were represented by the Chairperson of the Board of Management, Seamus Howley, and the Chair of the PTA, Aisling Carroll, both of whom underscored the sense of pride, warmth and passion that defines our school culture.

In keeping with the significance of Margaret Aylward Day, and the importance of the Catholic ethos of St. David’s, the liturgical time of reflection and looking forward was led by Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell. This period of contemplation and prayer was accompanied by a collection of beautifully-arranged choral pieces by our school choir and the recently-graduated Caoimhe Neiland. 

The formal portion of the day concluded with a series of speeches that captured so much of what makes the school a special place. St. David’s stalwart, Ms. Brosnan, elegantly expressed the powerful role of continuity and community. Sister Brenda Kennedy, of the Holy Faith Sisters, and Tony Lee, of Le Chéile, voiced the centrality of our school’s ethos, from Margaret Aylward’s commitment to helping others to our ongoing partnership with faith-based communities. 

Mr. Carey opened and closed the day by reflecting on what makes St. David’s such a unique and special place to experience. He reminded us of the four pillars (academic excellence, ethos, sports and arts) that form the foundation of everything we do on a daily basis, as well as how a shared passion, which unites us all, pervades the entire school community.

We would like to express our thanks to everyone who has worked so hard over the past 10 years to ensure this project could come to completion. Additionally, we are also grateful to all who worked tirelessly to ensure the school’s opening was so incredibly memorable.

Photos by Ella Andrews & Ben Roth