Meeting Kevin McArevey
An award winning headmaster from Belfast who loves Elvis and philosophy!
I left my smartphone behind and began to bumble through the streets of New York. I had no idea that I was about to watch a film which would be tipped for an Oscar, let alone meet the protagonist of the film, a headmaster from Belfast who loves Elvis and philosophy!
It was a cold brisk New York winter day, perfect for bumbling. Bumbling, or what the french call “flâneur”, involves wandering without your smartphone, without a plan, allowing yourself to serendipitously experience whatever the world has to offer. Apparently, there is scientific evidence for the benefit of bumbling or “street-haunting” as Virginia Woolf called it.
I read the newspaper in the Greenwich hotel and saw some films being advertised. I felt the urge to watch an indy movie. I knew I wanted to watch the sort of movie that tells a real story about a real person doing something really extraordinary instead of Fast & Furious 77.
I left the Greenwich hotel and bumbled from Tribeca to Soho and, as if by kismet, into an indie movie theatre called the Angelika. It was 6.18pm and the heavens opened with a torrential downpour. I saw Young Plato started at 6.30pm and bought a ticket based purely on the name.
Within minutes I knew I had bumbled onto a winner. In a beautiful, simple and profound way, Headmaster Kevin McArevey shows how critical thinking and pastoral care can empower and encourage children in Belfast to see beyond the boundaries and limitations of their own violent community. He shows how philosophy and philosophical inquiry can encourage young boys to question the mythologies of war and challenge the narratives given to them. He also shows how thinking gracefully, positively, and collaboratively can increase trust.
‘If you experience loyalty, see integrity, feel intimacy and note reliability then you, my friend are in the presence of real trust - grasp and hold on tight!!'
Kevin McArevey
Kevin McArevey is one inspiring human and Young Plato an inspiring film.
I got up from my seat thinking I need to learn more about this story and started to walk towards the exit. I then saw someone I thought I recognized. It took me a few seconds to realize that it was none other than headmaster Kevin! Aghast, I shook his hand and then had the fortune to sit with Kevin and learn more about his passion for philosophy.
Kevin was taught his philosophical method by the philosophy foundation, which has done remarkable work helping 64,000 children in the UK by teaching them philosophy, and is on a mission to spread the benefits of philosophy far to as many children as he possibly can.
One child he worked with said philosophy gave them “a reason to go to school”…
All this to say, Life is Meeting.
Kevin’s ask “ To all readers, not users, the good ship Holy Cross Boys welcomes all who dare to visit Belfast, Ardoyne. It is our hope that one day one of our lifeboats (containing positive philosophical thinking) could be your salvation whenever that dark cloud descends!
Digital technology is ever-expanding and the hardware quickly becomes outdated. We are continuously fundraising to have Promethean boards in all rooms and an Ipad for every child. Holy Cross Boys is very thankful to all who support us. Therefore, if you do decide to help us with this dream then in the words of the King........‘thank you, thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen!!’
If you would like to meet Kevin or donate to Holy Cross Boys school email: meeting@lifeismeeting.com
Free Life is Meeting subscribers will receive some ‘meetings’ for free because….
.