Cardinal Newman staff and students dedicate a new statue of Jesus, By Rory McNamara
Cardinal Newman High School celebrated its 50th anniversary on Monday with the dedication of a new statue of Jesus, a blessing ceremony and a visit from Bishop Robert Vasa.
The Catholic school first opened on Sept. 8 1964. It has seen many changes since then, some of them very recent, said Principal Graham Rutherford.
That includes opening the doors to female students in 2011 following the closure of the all-girls Ursuline campus, making Cardinal Newman co-ed. The first class of boys and girls will be graduating this year.
The school also has a new president, Laura Held, who has spent the last 35 years in education and was most recently assistant superintendent for faith formation and religious education for the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
Chief Custodian Avid Valentin. left, stands with Bishop Robert Vasa. Valentin led the project to create the new statue. Photo by Rory McNamara