August 2014
Schools
Mike O’Leary
On Thursday, 29 May, St Patrick’s College, Silverstream, officially opened its new gymnasium. It was blessed and named The Fr Peter Blake (SM) Centre for Physical Education and Sport. Classes and recreational use are now in full swing with everyone loving the new facility.
The building is the first major project accomplished by the recently established St Patrick’s College Silverstream Foundation. The opening was a unique celebration of contemporary St Patrick’s culture at its best, involving aspects of Catholic, Marist, Maori, Pakeha, Pasifika and Silverstream heritage.
The following excerpts include comments from Gerald Scanlan, Chair of the Board of Proprietors.
‘Kia ora Koutou – Greetings everyone’
‘Ko wai tenei whare? – What is the name of this building?’
‘Ko Pa Petera Perieka – Fr Peter Blake’
‘Mo Wai tenei whare? – Who is the building for?’
‘Mo nga tama O Hato Patariki Mawai Hakona, me te iwi whanui’ – It is for the boys of St Patrick’s College, and for the wider school community.’
The new gymnasium is a signature facility for the College and the wider community that began with college founders, the Society of Mary, who remain deeply committed to the awesome ministry of forming boys into men.
‘It is an unmistakeable sign of commitment to our identity and our aspirations from the Society of Mary, the College leadership and staff, the Board of Trustees, the Board of Proprietors and our many old boys and benefactors. Today we say loud and clear we want St Patrick’s College Silverstream to be known for academic, sporting and cultural excellence – in an environment that is thoroughly Catholic and Marist, that enables quality learning and teaching and that fosters a strong and welcoming sense of community.
‘The project was the result of years of vision and dedication by many who were widely acknowledged and thanked, with a particular tribute to Brian McGuinness. Brian’s vision, energy and sheer determination took this building from the seed of an idea to a superbly constructed reality.
‘It is a fitting tribute to his vision and love for Silverstream and a remarkable legacy that caps many years of service to the College. If the thousands of boys who will spend time in this centre in years to come catch from their physical endeavours even a faint impression of Brian’s character, values and ethic of service then our families, communities, church, nation and world will be the better for it.
‘No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatau katoa.’
Mike O’Leary is the Manager of St Patrick’s College Silverstream Foundation.