Page 7 - The Gonzaga Record 1987
P. 7
EDITORIAL















The main work of a school is unspectacular. It consists of the hum-drum
daily grind of imparting, or acquiring, knowledge. But it would be a dull
year that did not have some moments of the unexpected, and even
sometimes the exciting. Such moments of the past school year are duly
noted in this year,s Record.
A word about the editorial policy for the magazine. A major effort is
made each year by the Editor to get contributions from the boys
themselves. It is his conviction that many a literary career was started by
that first thrill of seeing one,s name over one,s first successful appearance
in print.
The school year began under a new Headmaster, Fr Joseph
Brennan, SJ. Most regrettably, Fr Brennan for medical reasons had soon
to retire from that onerous post. The then Rector of the College, Fr Peter
Sexton, SJ, took over the duties of Headmaster.
As one reads through this Record one thing becomes noticeable: when
all the reports are in and printed one becomes more aware of the large
amount of effort the boys of the school put in to social works of various
kinds for the underprivileged. May it continue and even grow greater. At
the end of the 1986 school year we said farewell to Fr Noel Barber, SJ.
He had been Headmaster for four years, from 1982 to 1986. Just to keep
the school running from one year to the next without any major mishaps
is all that one can legitimately ask of a Headmaster. And he is doing well
if he succeeds in that task. This, Fr Barber did splendidly. But he did a
lot more than that, for which the school is very grateful to him. Our new
science block, together with its specialist rooms is a major addition to the
school. Now that we have it one wonders how we did without it. It was
due to Fr Barber,s steady and persistent pressure that it went up so
quickly and so successfully.
He was also a major factor in the resuscitation of the Past Pupils
Union. His enthusiastic encouragement was always at hand. He is also
largely responsible for the birth of the Gonzaga Record. That
achievement alone makes his Headmastership a memorable one in the
history of the College. And finally, as will be apparent from some articles
in this edition of the Record, he was earnest in trying to instill into our
pupils an appreciation of their social responsibilities in modern Ireland.
We hope that he enjoyed this year as visiting Professor of Education at
the Jesuit University <;>f Spokane, Washington State, USA.

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