2016 Valedictory Ceremony
-
May 29th, Union President, Lorcan Tiernan and Junior President, Ian Garrigan at the kind invitation of College Deputy Headmaster, Christopher Kinder and College President, Very Rev. Peter Slevin, CM, joined for the 2016 Valedictory Ceremony out at the College.
They report:
The whole school was in attendance so it is was real honour to be there and it felt like being part of something quite special. After College speeches and prize giving, we presented each of the boys with a Union Tie to mark their graduation from pupil to member of the Union. The 6th years were then given a Guard of Honour back into the School by the rest of the College.
So we welcome class '16 as the latest members of the Union, and a fine bunch they are as witnessed by the accompanying series of 6th year portraits.
The Vice-Captain of the House, Conor O'Hare, spoke on behalf of the graduating class '16:
I’m going to start off with an anecdote: so the school was closed for Easter break, but for our English class, there was a lesson to be held. The class was a typical lesson – that is, until a ten-minute break was called. Most students either grabbed lunch from their bags, or left the class to stretch the limbs. One classmate, however, did not conform to the norm. Instead, he calmly opened his school bag, reached inside, and stood up holding what looked to be a chequered blanket, which he proceeded to lay onto the table. Then, ignoring the puzzled look on certain students’ faces, he reached back into his bag, and placed onto the table a vase with a flower, followed by napkins, a china plate, cutlery, and a scented candle, and ensued to eat his steaming-hot pasta and salad. Bemused, our teacher questioned “Em… what is this?”. In a stern manner, he turns to the teacher and says: “Why, this is lunchtime; and at lunchtime, I eat lunch.” Nothing more was said. So this pupil sat there, quietly enjoying his “luncheon”, whilst the teacher wondered what sort of career she landed herself into.
Reverend Fathers, staff, fellow students, this is not your standard celebration. We will not muse over how we have matured over the years we have attended Castleknock College, and how we are now, to quote previous Valedictorian speeches, “leaving here as mature, typical men”. Rather, we will instead focus on the abnormality that is the Class of 2016. Over the years, I have had raw potatoes required for a biology experiment “accidentally” eaten by my lab partner, witnessed my other lab partner almost consume hydrochloric acid, because he was “thirsty”, and it “looks close enough to water”, and most recently, a picnic blanket strewn over my desk, because someone considered it fitting to delight themselves in the Italian experience and cuisine during an English class. Jesus, you don’t know how many times I’ve entered a class and seen people having a rap battle. Never in my life have I encountered a group as bizarre as these characters, and I would guarantee you that I never will. To use a common phrase in our year: “I would bet on it”.
No, no, this is not your standard year; but my God, how dull it would be if we were normal. I love this quote by General Patten, that goes: “If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking.” In my year, no one walks and talks the same. Each individual is mad in their own way. Why? Well, because the beautiful truth of our year – and I really do take so much pleasure in saying it - is that we simply did not care about being normal. We didn’t care what people thought of us, or about making utter fools of ourselves. Instead, we did the things that felt right, and enjoyed every minute of it; and my God, did I have the time of my life here. And I don’t think I am alone in saying that I am the only one that as considered these six years a blast. After all, to avoid using a clichéd Gandhi or Lincoln quote, and instead to use the words of Snoop Dogg: “It ain't no fun if the homies can't have none.” Profound. I advise those of you that are inclined to point out the double negatives to remain silent.
I think it is only just to firstly, offer my sincere thanks to the teachers we have had over the six years here in Castleknock College. I know a lot of you in the audience aren’t yet contemplating what you want to do when you leave here. Unfortunately, with the end of our secondary school days drawing to a close, us sixth years have the arduous task of making that decision; but with the help of our teachers that go above and beyond the call of duty, we could at least know where to take the first footstep out into the world. Particularly for a person who has altered their prospective career-path countless times, I cannot thank them enough. And don’t underestimate it: it really is a tough decision to make. I came into this school wanting to do music, but then I realised I had to listen to choral music, which wasn’t for me. I guess it’s an… a-choir-ed taste. So then I thought: “Maybe I should have a look at physics.” After all, I was very intrigued by gravity – it is a very attractive subject. However, after getting into the nitty-gritty of it, it just felt as though it was putting me down. At this stage, I was frustrated, but I persevered. “Would Irish be an option?” I pondered? After all, I would live a wealthy life, because the Irish people’s capital is always Dublin. Strangely, though, I felt a calling for chemistry. Oh what, you’re expecting me to say a chemistry joke, is that it? I’d rather not. I don’t think it would get a reaction. So I filled out my CAO, but then the thought occurred to me: what about mathematics? I used to loath mathematics, and thought that it had no purpose; but then I went to my teacher, and after the discussion, I realised that decimals have a point.
See what I mean? Abnormal.
But ultimately, and it is worth repeating, having a great education and taking part in the abundance of extra-curricular activities would mean little to nothing, were it not for the immense craic that we have had in this school. That is one of the things that delights me about being a part of this year; that you can somehow almost always forget about your troubles, and give yourself the opportunity to simply laugh. So if we cannot be regarded as “men” because we behave like children, I say “so be it” to that.
Of course, it is those that I have experienced great fun with that I am most grateful for: my classmates. When you look at the sixth years before you, you may only see faces. They are characters that you notice, but undoubtedly do not spare a second thought to; but let me tell you this: I consider it vital that you know, that they know, just how significant they are.
There are people up there that have made me the happiest I have ever felt. There are times of foolhardiness, like when we played house-music and initiated a “rave”, as it is called, in a chemistry class, because, as we said, “you can repeat the Leaving, but you can never repeat the sesh”; but there are also times where I am overjoyed by the kindness of my classmates. Personally speaking, when I had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday in physics class with cake and music, I cherished that (though we were eventually greeted by the expression of our teacher that said “Jesus, their English teacher was right - they are a bunch of stark-raving mad lunatics”).
I have to question myself at this point: what is it that makes Castleknock College so special? You have fun people, nice people, and lunatics in other schools, right? Well, this is what I believe: I believe, in part, it is because, behind all of the laughter and fun, there is extraordinary support. I speak to every year here, but I want to convey this message predominantly to the first years. In your life here in Castleknock, you will experience bad times. You will become frustrated, upset and discouraged. These emotions are inevitable. They are a product of wanting to be the best person you can be. But how do you get yourself out of this situation? You might suppose I will say something in the lines of “from the advice and solutions of friends”; but oh, how wrong you are. I mean, an Internet article can do that for you. Instead, what I have seen, are those that share our pain, that stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, that tolerate not understanding, but continue to face the reality of our powerlessness with us. It is not their words that a struggling person needs, but merely their presence. That is someone who cares. That is a friend. That is what I have experienced a student here in Castleknock College to be. My classmates have stood by me in my time of need, and for that, I will always be indebted to them.
If you are to take anything away from what I have said today, let it be two things. The first are my hilarious puns; but the second is far more important, and that is this – and I need you to listen to this, because I wish I knew this as early on in my life as possible: never take your friends for granted, because those friends give your life meaning, a sense that you belong, and an innate desire to find something in life that makes you as happy as you are when you are with them. And what a wonderful gift that is. Also, don’t be afraid to tell them that you love them now and then. It won’t kill you; but what it will do is make that other person feel on top of the world.
And so I conclude by offering to you, the teachers, the students, my friends, my sincerest gratitude. I find C.S. Lewis’ words apt for this moment: “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.” In the passing moment in life that I have known you, you have provided me with joy, with love, and you have made me feel as if I mattered, a feeling I seldom experienced before; but most importantly, you have taught me what it is to be a good person, and proven to me that a good action is never lost. So although we may part ways, I will not be saddened, and I will not lament; because I will always carry you with me.
To the teachers and younger students, I say thank you. To my classmates, there is only one thing I can say: cya.
Lorcan Tiernan, President replied on behalf of the Union:
Good morning everyone.
I am delighted and honoured to be here on this special day for you all and to extend a welcome on behalf of the union to all of those who plan to join our ranks on leaving Castleknock. We have had a tremendous response from the class of 2016 with a close to 100% take-up on membership. Thank you all and we look forward to getting to know you better over the years ahead.
My name is Lorcan Tiernan of class '88 and I am this year’s President of the Union. I am joined by Ian Garrigan of class '09, who is the Junior President.
Today is a very special day for each and every one of you. There is a large part of me that is envious of you as you start on what will prove to be an exciting and hopefully fulfilling journey through life – and who knows where that journey will take each of you. If the experience of my classmates from 1988 are a measure it will take you to the four corners of the world and into every walk of life.
On that journey you will always carry with you the benefits of a Castleknock education: one of the very best in the country with the benefits of the Vincentian ethos to guide you and the hard work of your teachers and headmaster helping to form what is a very very solid foundation. Never forget how privileged and lucky you are and the sacrifices your parents have made to give you these opportunities.
Remember also that for ther rest of your lives, in whatever you do, you represent this great and old school and all the people who have worked so hard to bring you to this day.
I left the college in 1988 and while in many respects the college has changed hugely since then, in the most important ways I don’t think it actually has.
Over the intervening years since I headed out those gates I have drifted in and out of the College’s orbit and in and out of involvement with the union.
But despite this when I was drawn back into a role with the union I felt immediately comfortable and with friends – even though the others on the committee were probably as old as I am now. Equally when I had reason to come back to the college after those years away it felt very much like a homecoming.
I hope for all of you that you experience something similar.
One of the gifts of being a SVC past man is that you are automatically part of a larger family and that there will always be a welcome for you amongst your fellow past men and here at your alma mater. That support network will be there for you in much the same way as your family is and like your family there are no points requirements or CAO forms to complete in order to join.
Last saturday night I went out with some friends each of whom had been with me through 'Knock. That is not a highly unusual event in my life and I’m sure echoes the experience of many past men over the years. We had a great night.
My greatest wish for you as you finish up here is that in 10 , 20 , 30 or 40 years time you too will enjoy some great nights out with the lads that are sitting amongst you now. Because that ultimately is the best thing that I gained from my 6 years here.
That and becoming a member of the union!
We are constantly striving to make the union more interesting to younger pastmen so if you want to stay in touch and keep those threads in place I’d encourage you to join us at some events over the next few years. And if you drift away that is of course fine as like any good family the Union will be waiting for your return as it has been for all past men since 1896.
Gentlemen. Thank you for inviting me to be here today. Best of luck in your exams, enjoy and cherish your last few days in this wonderful place, and in whatever you chose to do in the next chapter of your life give it your absolute best and enjoy it to the absolute maximum you can.