07.12.2013
‘Be the Best You Can Be’ – Former Olympian Tells Alex Girls at Centre Opening
“If you want something badly enough you can achieve it,” Ireland’s first female Olympian told a huge gathering of students, teachers, special guests and former Alex girls at the official opening of the Henrietta White Centre. The ribbon was cut for the tremendous new space for sports and the performing arts by athlete Maeve Kyle yesterday evening, Friday December 6. The new building was dedicated by Archbishop Michael Jackson who is chairperson of the school’s council.
College principal, Barbara Ennis, said that the new centre acted as a reminder of Alex’s past, present and pointed to the school’s future. The centre is named after Henrietta White, a former principal of the school who fought for the right to a full education and a career for women in the 1800s. She said that the college continued to strive to provide the broadest education possible for its students today.
“I know many memories will be created here and I thank everyone for the commitment and generosity they have shown,” she said adding that the centre would be used by Alex girls but also by girls and boys from other schools and groups in the community.
Archbishop Jackson opened with a tribute to Nelson Mandela and paused to honour his life and legacy.
He said he was honoured to be there to mark the opening of the splendid new facility which would be enjoyed by pupils and staff and by families and friends. The Archbishop said that the pupils were given every opportunity to flourish as individuals and create a community spirit. Deep within this, he said, lay the spirit of what was most generous in the Church of Ireland tradition.
“Alex is an Anglican foundation and incorporates the best of open Anglicanism in the respect which our members show to those of diverse social, religious and ethnic origin and background. In the midst of excellence, it is always essential that we do not fall victim to elitism. In the midst of success, it is equally important that we remember with care and attention those who struggle. The very values of freedom and creativity must march with humility and compassion in a diverse human community. And this is, and ever will be, the challenge of values and beliefs and the test of how they become the DNA of a community,” he stated.
One of Alex’s most famous past pupils, Maeve Kyle was Ireland’s first ever female Olympian in Melbourne in 1956. She subsequently competed in Rome and Tokyo. In hockey she gained 58 Irish caps and represented three of the four provinces during her career. She was awarded an OBE in 2008. Introducing her, Mrs Ennis said she represented a tradition of risk taking and determination to succeed.
Mrs Kyle recalled the challenges she faced at the Melbourne Olympics where she represented Ireland alongside 11 men.
“The Olympics for me was about being the best you can be,” she said. “If you have a goal, make a plan and stick to it. We can apply that to any part of life… No matter what you want to do, no matter where you want to do it, if you want it badly enough you can achieve it. You have to have some talent but part of that talent is having the ability to stick at it. Only three people at the Olympics get medals – first, second and third and no one remembers who came second and third. It’s not about the winning. It’s about being the best you can be.”
The evening opened with a performance by the school orchestra under the baton of Mr Cooney and closed with a performance by the sixth year choir.
Photo caption: The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson; school principal Barbara Ennis; special guest, Irish hockey player, Olympian and Alex past pupil, Maeve Kyle; vice chairperson of the school’s council, Judy Woodworth; and chairperson of the board of management, Jimmy Menton