Monthly Archives: November 2023

The “ROW” Leaving Class of 1973 marked 50 years since leaving the school in June of this year (2023) and a group of 14 past pupils were delighted to pay a return visit to the school at the invitation of the Principal Ms Kate Byrne. The group was warmly welcomed by the Principal, her colleagues, staff and a wonderful group of students who showed us around the school. Many of the past pupils had not been inside the school for over 50 years and were pleasantly surprised by what we saw!

The Ground Floor, formerly the 2nd and 3rd year Primary School classrooms, is now the location of the school admin offices, staff and student meeting rooms, and a fantastic Domestic Science classroom – or Kitchens and catering area, where a hearty breakfast was kindly provided to the group!

We were then shown around the museum and all the classrooms and reminisced about teachers and colleagues from the 1960’s and 1970’s. Many stories were recalled as we meandered the corridors and classrooms of our youth. All were impressed by the displays from the Art and Craft classes and, particularly, the creations that were entered in recent National “Junk Couture” competitions – spectacular and innovative to say the least.

All agreed that the atmosphere is completely different to the 1970s and the school is a happy nurturing place for students, thanks to the work of the Principal and her dedicated colleagues. Obviously, the school is smaller in terms of student numbers and is now a successful Co-Education school that caters for students of every nationality.

The group really enjoyed meeting up again and also seeing where we spent so many of our school years. The class of 1973 thank everyone for the hospitality extended and wish the school every success for the future.

Some photos taken during the visit are set out below and hopefully, they will bring back some memories.

Dan Ferrari (Class of 1973)

As members will be aware, the Past Pupils Union has, in recent years, supported the school with various grants or awards towards the cost of students’ education. Thanks to the ongoing support of our members and to some very generous donations, the PPU was in a position to make a number of awards at the start of the latest academic year.

The 2023 awards were presented by PPU President Dan Ferrari and fellow committee member Pat Neill, to the following students who were nominated by the Principal and her colleagues.

Ayla Page – 5th Year

Russell Skalbe – 5th Year

Jennifer McGowan – 1st Year

Nikolozi Tsalughelashvili -1st Year

The PPU congratulates all award recipients and wishes them well in their studies in the years ahead. Again, thanks to the financial support of our members, we hope to be able to continue these awards for next year and beyond.

The Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell, will celebrate the above Mass at St. Andrew’s, Westland Row at 11.30am commemorating St. Andrew’s day. The Mass will also commemorate past pupils from CBS Westland Row who died during the past year.

The PPU has a list of eleven past pupil who died since early December 2022 as follows – Noel Halloran, Eugene Strong, Stephen Kenny, Michael Doyle, Paul Kealy, Ian McGarry, Martin Conway, Denis McKennedy, Bryan O’Higgins, Gerry Hammond and Willie Meier. If anyone is aware of any other past pupils who should be included please advise John Cullen on 087 2312728 within the next week. If any past pupils can make contact with the families of the deceased please let them know about the Mass and tell them that they would be very welcome to attend.

We look forward to seeing as many past pupils as possible at the Mass