This article is from page 15 of the 2008-06-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
THE Christian Brothers have an- nounced that they will hand over trusteeship of their four remaining Clare schools to a specially formed lay trust from September.
Edmund Rice Schools Trust was established last week and will be charged with continuing on the edu- cational ethos of the Christian Broth- ers into the future.
The trust will have some role to play in the administration of the Ennisty- mon CBS Secondary School, the En- nistymon CBS Primary School (now amalgamated with the Ennistymon Convent), Rice College in Ennis and Ennis CBS.
Nationally the trust will take over from the Christian Brothers in 96 schools representing some 35,000 Students and more than 2,700 teach- ers nationwide.
The trust is being registered in the names of its members and directors, comprising a group of respected in- dividuals including former President of the European Parliament Pat Cox, The Honourable Mr Justice Peter Kelly (Chairperson) and Dr Daniel O’ Hare, Founding President of Dub- Tre O a Oko RIAs
While the Christian Brothers have appointed this list of members and directors, the appointment of all fu- ture members and directors will rest with the new trust company.
‘The announcement marks the be-
ginning of an exciting new chapter for both the Christian Brothers and for education in Ireland of which our schools form an integral part,’ said Brother Kevin Mullan.
“We wish to express our apprecia- tion and thanks to the members and directors who, on a voluntary basis, are taking on the important role of trustees into the future. Their gener- osity and spirit of service to Catholic education is most encouraging at this time of transition in the mission of the Congregation of Christian Broth- ers in Ireland.”
The Department of Education and Science and the Teachers’ Unions have been made aware of the estab- lishment of the trust, which has giv- en a commitment to working with all stakeholders.
“The establishment of the trust company will ensure a continuity of a tradition generated over two cen- turies by the Christian Brothers. As trustees we are extremely conscious not only of the tangible value of the network of schools but equally of the invaluable educational ethos estab- lished by Blessed Edmund Rice that has been entrusted to us,” said Pat Diggins, Chairperson of Directors of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust.
“We will be working in conjunc- tion with the Christian Brother Trustees and with all of the relevant stakeholders within our educational environment to ensure a smooth transition.”