What is past, passing or to come …

A reflection on Willow by Rev. Fr. Cormac O'Brolcháin, CSSp

Some of the great memories I have of my youth come from my time in Willow.

Very recently one of my classmates returned to Willow after fifty years; it seemed as though it was only a few weeks since I saw him last. When he turned around and looked at a tree on the front lawn from which a bough had been excised, he exclaimed: "Who cut down the bough from the tree?"

He remembered the tree; it was our tree, part of our life, part of our experience of being at home in Willow.

I remember so well that we loved going to school; we laughed and sang, prayed, studied and played games, went on outings and became involved in various activities in favour of those less advantaged that ourselves. We particularly dreamed of the missionary activity that the men who visited the school were involved in. It was a magic time.

Today Willow continues as a place of happiness and song, of praying, studying and playing games - a magic place.

And the outreach to the poor is ever present.

To see children, moving from the hall after orchestra practice into the classrooms and then on to the science laboratory and the art room, to be followed by a swim in the pool and then a stint of learning computer technology, to be followed by singing class and a social break and then on to further pursuits before finishing up the day with a game on the school pitches or in the gym, is truly a joy. To realise that all the while they are being encouraged to be who they are, to fulfil their precise gifts and constantly strive for excellence is so encouraging. To 'achieve' is not the aim but rather to strive their best to become who they are, to give life their best shot. In this way, they will know what their strengths are and where they will flourish, but also, they will know the areas that will need more support and attention.

There is a place for each child.

Each child has gifts and the child shares these with the other members of the group. They all travel together and support each other in their struggle to become who they are.

As President of the College it is possible for me to follow the progress of the boys from their beginnings in Willow to the launching pad that is Sixth Year. What a joy to observe a young child who at an early excels in mathematics or in some other academic field and who after following his dream in the College finishes Third Level with PhD. What a pleasure it is to discover a child in Willow with insights into form and figure and who after years of careful encouragement and perfecting of his gifts in the College and who following his dream goes on to attend Art College.

And then there are those boys who at an early age show significant potential in inter-personal relationships, who go on to the College and through various opportunities perfect their gifts. Later they ring me and explain what type of business they have embarked upon or what input they have made in society. Such news makes it all so worthwhile. It is also wonderful to observe how children who get deeply involved in helping others in Willow end up working for organisations and firms dedicated to helping the underdeveloped areas of the world.

Happily, life in Willow is not just about "getting quantifiable results" or wasting years of precious lives in fitting children into preconceived categories. Rather, Willow begins a process and the College continues it whereby the unique and special gifts of each child are released, allowing the child to play his own unique role in life. If having developed and perfected his gifts at school he proceeds to become a Cordon Bleu Chef or a First or Third Horn in an Orchestra or a Medical Consultant, a Farmer, a Businessman or a Nuclear Scientist or whatever and if all the while his life's work is lived with faith, hope and love of God and neighbour, then each child in his own way will have become a faithful disciple of Jesus the Christ and his years in Willow will have come to fruition.

Fr. Cormac O'Brolcháin, CSSp

Willow Park Preparatory School was founded in 1935

In 1936, seventy-eight boys moved to the ‘old house’ and as remembered by a teacher of the time, “ Because of its whole setting-stately mansion, broad lawns and great spreading trees - there should be an ever-pleasant memory for each boy of his early schooldays in the Preparatory School of Willow Park”.

Under the direction of Fr. Robert Stanley (‘Stanno’, as he was universally known), Willow grew and prospered as an educational jewel. As Dean of Willow Park for some 35 years, Fr. Stanley remains a telling influence. Extracurricular activities continue to thrive, with rugby, music and swimming (to mention but a few); and Willow Wheelers marry cycling and charity in a fusion of fun and goodwill and a host of other activities-from pitch to performance-continue on an ongoing basis.

In recent years, Willow Park Junior School, has blossomed and grown. As an independent, fee-paying primary school under the aegis of the Spiritans (Holy Ghost Fathers) and the direction of a Board of Management, it provides a rich and diverse Catholic education for some 640 boys.

Such growth requires adaptability and planning for the future. Willow is presently evolving and responding to the needs of our young 21st century pupils whilst preparing for a whole school rebuild over the coming two years.