Welcoming the recent announcement of a new secondary school for Gorey, the Bishop of Ferns, Dr. Denis Brennan has written to the priests and school principals of parishes in the Gorey school catchment area.
In his letter he has asked that they highlight to parents – of children in the 2nd to 6th classes in the parish schools – that the patronage of this new secondary school will ultimately be determined – by these parents themselves – through a voting process.
In the letter, Bishop Brennan has taken the opportunity to communicate his backing for CEIST, in its bid to secure a Catholic Post Primary School in the Gorey area.
(CEIST is a Catholic patron body that includes Mercy and Presentation schools).
“I think it’s important that we acknowledge the generosity of CEIST in this instance,” said Bishop Brennan. “Responding to requests received from within the Gorey area, they have undertaken to become involved – to make their gifts and experience available and to provide – if successful – an education to the highest of standards, in line with what can best be described, as a very life giving and well considered, Christian ethos.”
“CEIST approached me directly two weeks ago and I was delighted to support them in their application. Aware of the excellent work that is carried out by CEIST in the other main towns of our Diocese – St Mary’s Secondary School, New Ross, Presentation Secondary School, Wexford and Coláiste Bhríde Enniscorthy – my response was very clear”
said Bishop Brennan – “it would be great to see Gorey now join and complete that list.”
“My own thoughts on the matter of patronage are very clear” remarked Bishop Brennan, “parents are the primary educators of their children. This process allows them to vote for what they believe is best. I believe CEIST is best and I extend to this patron body every good wish in its bid to provide a co-educational school for 600 pupils.”
“The work of Ceist in 107 schools in Ireland makes them very deserving of a fair hearing in the north east of our diocese,” the Bishop concluded, “in their own words – they are ‘tried, tested and trusted’.”
Parents are invited to tune into a town hall meeting, hosted by CEIST in Gorey on Thursday 5th November at 8pm. The meeting can be accessed via www.ceist.ie. At the meeting CEIST will make its case for patronage of the school and will outline to parents, how they can participate and have their say – in a very practical way – about their children’s future.
Parents from 2nd to 6th Class are eligible to vote and can do so on www.ceist.ie or directly on https://patronage.education.gov.ie