What's New
2 September, 2020
Tom Gerrard: long-serving Rosmini principal
Remembered by current Rosmini principal Nixon Cooper.
Tom Gerrard sadly passed away on Thursday 13 August. He was born in Ireland in 1941 and came to New Zealand as a small boy.
Tom’s first connection with Rosmini College was as a teacher from 1966 to 1970. He taught a range of subjects and coached the 1st XV. Tom returned to Rosmini College in 1975 as principal after the college had had four principals in three years. He would hold the role for 39 years, until 2014.
An outstanding educator, Tom was a giant in Catholic boys’ education for four decades. A great thinker and philosopher, Tom had a clear sense of his mission in Catholic boys’ education. In essence, it was to produce a well-rounded young man whose morals were rooted in a strong spiritual foundation in the Catholic faith. This combined with academic rigour and co-curricular interests. He also never wavered from a belief in the need for firm discipline, to which many an old boy could attest.
Tom Gerrard was a larger-than-life character with a ready wit. He was exceptionally good company and could keep a packed room entertained for hours. Many of his former fellow principals readily attest to him being arguably the most colourful principal they knew during his long tenure in charge at Rosmini.
It was when others suffered misfortune that Tom especially showed his genuine human kindness, affection, warmth and care for those in the wider Rosmini community.
Tom was always quick to recognise the support and help of others. He was deeply indebted to many long-serving members of the Board of Trustees. Tom would also have been keen to acknowledge the 25 years of loyal service Jim Flanaghan and Owen Doody gave him as part of their close-knit senior leadership team.
Tom leaves behind an extraordinary legacy at Rosmini College. Just one aspect that can be seen by us all illustrates that legacy. When Tom arrived, the college had a roll of 572. It had 1020 by the time he left. Tom oversaw the fund- raising and construction of buildings including Foster Cooke, Catcheside, Tindall Auditorium, Sormany Science and Peter Maire Technology teaching blocks. Not to mention the eponymous Tom Gerrard Gymnasium, John Copson Sports Pavilion and seven extra classrooms.
He loved sports, especially rugby, horse-racing and W.B. Yeats.
Due to Covid restrictions, Tom was farewelled at a small gathering at the college chapel on 27 August. Family plan a memorial service on the anniversary of his death next year.
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