He was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

"As a Catholic community, we are delighted to see him acknowledged in this way for his contribution, over decades, to education in Catholic Colleges," said Paul Ferris, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Catholic Education Office.

Fouhy was Headmaster of St Peter's College for boys in Epsom for 27 years before leaving in 2015 with ideas of retirement.

In a sign of his commitment to Catholic schooling, he took up the role of headmaster at St Paul's College in Ponsonby, his commitment is already making a difference in the school.

Reflecting on his 27-year tenure at St Peter's College Fouhy said at the time to the New Zealand Herald "Parents of boys want their sons to be good men," he said.

"In my mind, character trumps achievement. And if you've got good character in the student body, you've got good achievement."

"Kieran Fouhy has over a long period of time been a dedicated educationalist and advocate for quality education in an authentically Catholic environment," said Bishop Patrick Dunn, Bishop of Auckland.

Dunn said it was clear to those who know him that the award is a recognition of the passion he has for his work.

The Bishop said that there is much Fouhy and his family can be proud of in his contribution to the education and formation of so many young men.

"Kieran is married to a teacher and his five daughters are also in education - so clearly he has passed on his passion for learning!"

Source

• Supplied
• Image: facebook.com

At 68, the life-long schoolteacher was contemplating retirement and the prospect of spending more time with his grandchildren.

But after becoming convinced St Paul's College in Ponsonby would benefit from his experience, he will instead become the Principal there at the beginning of next year.

Fouhy, who is married to a teacher and has five daughters who are also teachers, said he hoped to use what he had learned from teaching in boys' schools his entire career to help St Paul's.

"Parents of boys want their sons to be good men," he said. "In my mind, character trumps achievement. And if you've got good character in the student body, you've got good achievement."

He was extremely proud of his time at St Peter's, particularly of some of the initiatives he had introduced, including all boys taking music, and the requirement for each student to do a service outreach.

But he doesn't expect to cut-and-paste the St Peter's model.

"There are some things that will be the same - you need routines, structure, rituals of belonging - but this is a unique school with its own history," he said.

"I don't know much about it yet but I do know it has potential.

Fouhy's appointment will coincide with a $7 million classroom redevelopment to be done by 2017.

Five things learned from a life in boys' schools

1. To be successful, you need to enrol families, don't just enrol kids.
2. Have a single gate. That way you can meet each student as he comes in for the day.
3. It's important to gather each morning. It helps to create a sense of belonging.
4. University Entrance is a key indicator of success, whether or not students go on to university.
5. Boys never ask for help, they act for help.

- Kieran Fouhy

Source

• nzherald.co.nz
• Image: FaceBook metromag.co.nz

The school had been struggling against negative local perceptions while trying to cater to at-risk students.

Roll pressures saw the boys' school take on more at-risk students, causing issues with engagement, behaviour and academic achievement, said the Principal Mark Rice.

But the school has made big changes during the past decade.

Fewer than 20 per cent of NCEA level 1 students passed in 2007.

In 2014, the school had its first two students pass level 3, endorsed with excellence.

One of those students was awarded the University of Auckland's New Zealand Vice-Chancellor's Committee Scholarship and has gone on to study law and business.

St Paul's College is a Catholic state-integrated decile 2 school in the heart of Ponsonby, one of Auckland's trendiest and more affluent suburbs.

Two thirds of its students are from outside the local area.

Most students come from multi-lingual backgrounds, which often meant their literacy skills were not where they needed to be to pass NCEA.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• Image: facebook.com

The land is being subdivided from the school and is therefore yet to be assigned a capital valuation.

Ponsonby is one of the Auckland's most sought-after post codes. There were 14 residential sales in Ponsonby in April, with a median selling price of $1,469,500, according to latest Real Estate Institute figures.

St Paul's chairman of the board, Denis Wood, said the land up for sale was surplus to what they needed at the school.

"We have around 6 hectares of land - more than enough land to accommodate a growing school."

Mr Wood said the Marist Brothers' Trust had agreed that all proceeds from the sale of the land would go back into the school, to help with a new redevelopment project.

The project involves new classrooms, an administration block and a new middle school being built by February 2017.

Source

• nzherald.co.nz
• Image: nzherald.co.nz

The retreat provides an opportunity for student leaders who are seeking a transformative experience that links faith and life in a way that is relevant to young people.

Over the 4 days that they are together the students will engage in a variety of activities designed to challenge and motivate them in their roles with a renewed sense of purpose.

This year the retreat begins on 17-20 April, held at Te Unga Waka Marae, a Marae founded by Dame Whina Cooper.

There are 22 students representing Marist, St Dominic's, St Peter's, St Paul's, Liston, Pompallier and Campion Colleges. Although Campion is not within the Auckland Diocese, the Logos Project never deny young people the access to their programmes.

This year theme is "Our own backyard"; it explores the concept of Turangawaewae. Literally turanga (standing place), waewae (feet) is translated as "a place to stand".

Turangawaewae are places we feel especially empowered and connected. They are our foundation, our place in the world and our home. Throughout the retreat the students will go on a journey to discover the Turangawaewae of their own lives as well as both the Christian story and the New Zealand Catholic story.

This process allows them to recognise the gift of our faith tradition that connects us all as one people. The students will also have the privilege to hear the story of 2 Josephite Sisters who lived and worked alongside Dame Whina Cooper in Panguru.

The Logos team are deeply excited about delivering this retreat and say it is definitely one of highlights of the year for them. They say young people are looking ever more for a sense of meaning, healing and belief in something bigger. This retreat is sure to nourish and incite this hunger.

The Logos Project is a Marist Youth Development organisation that has been operating for over 10 years in Auckland. They offer a range of programmes and services in 3 key areas: School, Church and Community. Each year they work with over 10,000 young people.

Source

• The Logos Project
• Image: The Logos Project