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

Fouhy comes with an impressive background in Catholic education since 1971, teaching at St John's College Hamilton, Hato Petera Auckland, St Paul's College Ponsonby, St Bernard's Lower Hutt (as Deputy Principal) and St Peter's College Auckland as Principal since 1989, the first lay Principal of that college.

He has taken a keen interest in fostering music and sport at the college, with one third of thestudents playing musical instruments, and has been supportive with his presence at all sporting codes.

The college engages in group programmes with disadvantaged youth in and around Auckland, and makes a trip to India every second year.

He has a deep respect for the education vision of the Christian Brothers - to be liberating, to support justice based on Gospel values and available to all - and sees his role as Principal as that of 'chief catechist', supporting the special Catholic character in the Edmund Rice tradition. St Peter's is a college built on the strong foundation of education, faith, sport, music and service, working with families to make strong men of faith.

Kieran is a dedicated family man, married to Dianna with five daughters. When his wife and daughters were studying for their theology degrees, Kieran also took several of the papers and engaged with them in the lectures, dialogue and discussion. He is described as a reflective man, a man of faith, a man of hope.

Framed on the wall outside his office are the words of Teilhard de Chardin SJ, "Once we have done all we can ... we must wait on the slow workings of God." Certainly Kieran Fouhy has given his all to Catholic education, and as Monsignor Paul Farmer said, he is a most worthy recipient of this papal honour.

Source

• St Peter's College
• Supplied: Lyndsay Freer
• Image: Supplied