THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL
The original school building was built in 1956 on the site of an old fortification in South Bastion near Charles V Wall which had been surrendered to the Government by the military authorities. Bishop Fitzgerald School was officially opened in 1958. It was constructed because there was a need for more schools in Gibraltar. It was first planned as a two level school but then was modified to three floors. There were two classes in each year, about 36 pupils in each form and just under 300 children in the whole school.
The school had a gymnasium, art room and science room within the building.
Originally it was an all boys school but was later converted into a mixed school.
In an article in The Gibraltar Chronicle dated 11th November 1957, His Excellency the Governor described Bishop Fitzgerald School as a "blending of the old with the new" and "a token of the new Gibraltar which although still a fortress, was working with a loyal community anxious to run their own affairs."
Bishop Healy complimented the "happy relationship between the Government who provided the money, and the Catholic Church whose children would be educated in it."
The first headteacher (in acting capacity) was Mr O'Garra. When the school was officially opened in 1958, Mr
M Brennan was the official headmaster. He was later replaced by Mr O'Garra. He was then followed my Mr
C Pizarro, Mrs A Gladstone, Dr P Lyon and currently Mrs L Parral.
As the numbers in school grew, the main school building in South Bastion housed sixteen classrooms, the offices and school library. The specialist rooms were in the annexe at the back of John Mackintosh Hall. These included the gymnasium, science laboratory, art room, music room and computer room.
In September 1996 the school moved to New Camp site in Queensway in what used to be St. George's School. In September 2019 the school moved to a temporary location in Bayside Road while the new school building is currently being built in New Camp.
Ten days after Bishop Thompson resigned the new Bishop arrived on the Rock. He was Monsignor Richard Joseph Fitzgerald, an Irishman from Middleton County Cork and former Vice Rector of the Irish College at Salamanca, Spain. His term of officeproved to be the longest of all his predecessors - 29 years. He was not a Benedictine monk like his predecessor but a diocesan priest with a fluency in the Spanish language.
During his time as Bishop he made important changes to the Cathedral of Saint Mary the Crowned, these being the installation of four imposing marble columns and canopy to the High Altar as well as the reconstruction of the façade to the main entrance of the Cathedral from its original appearance.
The Right Reverend Dr Richard Joseph FITZGERALD
BISHOP of GIBRALTAR
1927-1956
During the Second World War he took an interest into the well being of all those Gibraltarians who had been evacuated and expatriated to such diverse places as the United Kingdom, Jamaica, Madeira, Northern Ireland and Morocco.
After the Second World War, when the civilian population returned to their homeland, a renewed system of education had been planned. This concerned the Bishop so much that he offered assistance to work in close liaison with the Government of the day. Both the civil and military authorities were pleased to have a man with such outstanding qualities. As head of the Roman Catholics in Gibraltar, he made it clear that he could contribute much towards the new education system on the Rock. He therefore brought back the Christian Brothers and the Loreto Sisters for the secondary education of the boys and girls of Gibraltar.
On 9th October 1952 Bishop Fitzgerald celebrated his Silver Jubilee as Bishop. On this occasion a series of events was organised by members of the Catholic Associations and by a good representation from the people of Gibraltar. The climax of these events was an open air mass at John Mackintosh Square, presided by the Apostolic Delegate to Gibraltar and attended by bishops and priests from England, Ireland and nearby Spain, including well known dignitaries.
Bishop Fitzgerald was a man of immense personality and a great scholar. he was a Doctor of Divinity and a Doctor of Canon Law. He achieved title honours by His Holiness Pope Pius XII, and Her Majesty the Queen invested him with the honour of Commander of the British Empire. He was truly a servant of God and a Loyal Pastor to his people.
He died on 16th February 1956 and his funeral was the occasion of a remarkable turnout of dignitaries including the Archbishop of Tangiers who officiated at the funeral.
His remains are interred in the Sanctuary in front of the High Altar.
In the formal opening ceremony of Bishop Fitzgerald School in November 1958 both Bishop Healy and His Excellency the Governor referred to the work of the late Bishop Fitzgerald in the educational field and were thrilled that the new school was named after him.
Researched by Mr Eric Sene