NEW RECTOR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20932, 11 January 1938, Page 4

NEW RECTOR

; ST. PATRICK’S, SILXERSTREAM ex-geraldine boy , The Rev. Father John J. Kennedy. ‘ S.M., M.A., who will commence his I duties as rector of St. Patrick’s College, , Silverstream, at the beginning of the ' new term, is a son of the late Mr John Kennedy and Mrs Kennedy, of Ruaka- . puka, Geraldine. Father Kennedy. 1 who has had a distinguished scholastic ■ career, received his early education at I the Geraldine School where he was | dux in 1912. He was a member of the j first fifteen, the first eleven and the 1 rifle team. From 1913-16 he was at St. Patricks Colege, Wellington. On leaving College, in 1917, he commenced his studies for the priesthood at Mt. St. Mary's, Greenmeadows, and he was ordained priest in December, 1923.

Early in the following year he was appointed to the staff of St. Patrick’s College. From 1924 to 1930, Father Kennedy attended Victoria University College, graduating M.A. in the last named year. When the new college at was opened Father Kennedy was appointed to the staff and took charge of the military training of the pupils. A splendid shot himself, he stimulated great interest in rifle shooting, with the result that in 1934 the St. Patrick’s College team secured first place in New Zealand and third place in the Empire in the Earl Roberts Imperial Cadet Trophy Competition. As coach of the winning New Zealand team in the Imperial Challenge Shield Competition, Father Kennedy was awarded the King’s Medal. Teams coached by him won the Barton Rose Bowl for three years in succession for obtaining first place in the Central Command in the Earl Roberts Imperial Cadet Trophy competition.

Father Kennedy remained at Silverstream till 1935, when he was appointed rector of the Marist Fathers’ Novitiate at Highden, Palmerston North.