The Conceut Schools.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2912, 2 March 1893, Page 2

The Conceut Schools.

PRIZE DAY. The concert and distribution of prise* . took place at the Convrtuc Schools ye*t«rday, and.attracted the usual large gathering of parental and friends. Owing to the infiuenzA epidemic in December, the gathering, which is usually held then, was postponed from th>»t urttnth.to a date - nearer Easter, and the Ist of March was selected. The weather was excellent, and the day being the weekly half-holiday, a good many ladies took advantage of the day to enjoy a cojple of hour*' really high class entertainment. The schoolroom was beautifully decorated, as in the custom, and the little girls were all in gala costume looking their very prettiest. The Very I- . Father O'Donnell, parish - priest, was chairman, and the programme was commenced immediately he had taken his seat. It was made up as follows :— Duet (piano), overture to " Zampa, ' Misses Sutherland and McCormick; song aud chorus, " Friendship," puoils of senior claw ; solo (two pianos), -'Lat&unambula," Mißaes McCormick and Sutherland;- recitation, " The Sun and the Stan," Miss Violet Johnstone ; solo (violin), "Parlour Orchestra No. 6,' Miss Hoult; song, "Pussy's Tea Party," pupils of junior class; due* (two pianos and harmonium), " Moonlight am the Lake," Miww McCormick, Dowling, Bourni que, Devane: (barmontam) Miss Sutherland; dnet (vocal), "List to the Consent Bells," . Misses Prendergast, Kelly, Vincent, and Thomas; recitation, "The Ant and the Cricket," Miss Annie O'Keefe; solo (two pianos and harmonium), " Martha," Misses Devane and Millichamp: (harmonium) Miss Bournique; e«lo (violin), " The Haalsman's Chorus." Mi* Sutherland; sons and chorus, " The Flower Gatherers,' pupils of senior class; solo (two pianos), " The Wearing o the Green," Misses McCormick and Sutherland ; duet {two pianos and harmonium) March, ''Brilliant," Misses Millicbamp, McLean, Itovane, and Sutherland; (harmonium) Miss McCormick The programme was gone through in , a manner that would have done honor to a troupe of professional mnsiciana; . The" instrumental work was admirabie. The violin playing by the two soloists on that instrument gave promise of something very superior from the young lauiasM theyprogresa in study and practice, and it would be difficult to find better piano work. When the two pianos were in use simultaneously the unison was so perfect that those of the audience who could see only one could not realise that two keyboards weie being handled. The introduction of the harmonium | secured reea effects that were very telling. The pare singing cif the pupils, both senior and junior, gave evidence of careful training and strict drill, and showed that the pupils had an intelligent conctfptinn of what was required of them in this kind cf work. Two little maidens gave recitations very archly, and were complimented afterwards by Father O'Donnell on the clearness of their enunciation-a compliment that was well deserved indeed. The distribution of prizes took place at the close of the concert, and rafter each child had received her prize, Father O'Donnell, on behalf of himself and the audience, thanked the children for the treat they had given them. He was Biire that all would accept that entertainment as a sign that whatever, else ma doing, the children entrusted to the sisters for education wore receiving a therough education. It had been his fortune within the last few d%ys to come across a work, the existence of which he had bflen aware of for some time, but had liever seen. He bought it tt a railway bookstall for Is 6d, and it was the wont investment he had ever made. Ihe book was entitled "Awful Doings in a Convent," and he read a portion of it. Had he not known the whole thing to bea tissue of lies, and had he been brought op with nonCatholic prejudices, hebelieved the book might have prejudiced him against such institutions. But those who were present - that day had only to look at the girls who had given that entertainment, tohote the excellence of their discipline and training, and the modesty which had characterised every one of them, to see, the example that was set before them in the Convent. Parents who had children at the Convent schools felt that the fees they paid for their children's education was the beat spent money they had ever paid away in. i their lives. The rev. gentleman then spoke with some feeling against the injustice inflicted on Catholics by ! having to support their own schools, while they received no share of ! the Government education grant, and yet were taxed to support an educational system with which they were wholly out | of sympathy, and of which they could not possibly take advantage. He advised his people to bear this in mind at the general election when their votes *ere sought by candidates who favored the \ perpetuation of this injustice, und took occasion to pay a ti ibute to Major Steward for the fair views he took of the Catholic claims in this connection, and for the outspoken manner in which he bad always given utterance to them. The rev speaker then made referer.ee to the high promise which the musicians of the school gave of being leaders among the local talent in the yean to come. He then made special reference to the excellence of the enunciation of the two little girls who had given the recitation numbers in the programme. Such things m these shown the attention that was. paid to even the smallest detail by the good sisters in imparting knowledge to the , children. The children were nof: crammed, but their faculties were evolve^, which was the truest education. Parents: ought to be proud to te»rn that theip children were looted after so well by the good nuns. Major Steward bore testimony to the great pleasure the entertainment had given. As Father O'Connell had said, he had always maintained the justice of giving to a community not belonging to his church a fair share of the portion of the public revenue devoted to education. It wos not always a popular opinion to hold, but it was justice, and he stood in this matter by the side of justice. There was no one present who would not heartiy endorse all the rev. father had said in re* gard to tHe excellent education imparted, at the epttverit, and he himself had. begg particularly §truck by the modesty, gentleness, and giace which characterised the pupils. It was education :n the best of senses, and would enable those reoeiv ing it to take their places in the best society and maintain the elements of happiness in many homes. In our education, not of the schools, but for public life, not enough attention was paid to the amenities of life, and the speaker drew a comparison between the suavity and courtesy of the French people and the brusqiwrie if John Bull, who prided himself up on being blunt, upright and downright—but there was a possibility of being all these and yet gentle and courteous i« social life, The labor of the nuns was one of love, and they must be pleased indeed with the result of their labor ig evidenced in the strict musical time kept" by the pupils, and the excellence of thejr expression. a> well as by the recit'stiqn§ with which, he with others had been, captiyated. He concluded by cpn* gratulating the scholars, the parents, and the management on the success of the g>thering, and Father O'Donnsll on having so excellent an educational institution in his parish. ThY following is the , PRIZE LIST.

SACRED HEART SEfcKCT BCHOOJ,. Good Cjonduct. —IJoardcrß—^argftrefc Me Cdrmiefc; day pupils -EJHh Millichampi 'Seventh Class—Engfish—Katie SutW landj ]?rencti—Mnrgaret McCftrimck ; ;V ;

Katie Sutherland ; Mapping—Katie Sutherland ; Arithmetic - Katie Sutherland; Algebra—Margaret McCormick; Euclid — Katie Sutherland ; Music (piano)— Margaret McCormick 1, E. Devane 2; (violin), Katie Sutherland 1, Mabel Hoult 2; Crayon Drawing— Margaret McCormick. Sixth Clans.-Christian Doctrine—Maiy Ellen Vincent; Sacred History—Mary Elltn Vincent; Grammar — Annie McDonnell; Parsing and Analysis—Ethel Kelly ; Composition Ethel Kelly; Geography—Maiy Ellen Vincent; Mapping—Efchel Kelly; Beading and Recitation Delia Nevin; Writing —Ethel Kelly ; English HistoryEthel Kelly; Arithmetic-Et il Kelly; Algebra — Annie McDonnell; Sinking — Nellie Brophy; .Needlework—Mabel Hoult. Fifth Class,—Christian Doctrine—Agnes Tho-nas ; Sacred History—Agnes Thomas ; Irish History—Agnes Thomas; English History—Agnes Thomas; Grammar —Nina Kelly ; Letter Writing—Nellie Brophy ; Beading and Reuitaticn—Emily Leahy; Writing—Katie Rail; Arithmetic —Nina Kelly j Algebra—Mabel Hoult; Geography —Katie Rail; Mapping—Mabel Hoult. Fourth Class.—Christian Doctrine—Marie Bournique ; History — Mary O'Brien ; Grammar—Edith Millicbamp ; Reading and Recitation—Fannie Leahy; Writing—Ada Felton ; Arithmetic—Mary Dowling; Geography— Mary O'Brien; Letter WritingAda Felton. Third Class.—Christian Doctrine—Margaret Brick ; Reading—Annie O'Keefe; Grammar — Lizzie Brick; Geography — Margaret Brick; Arithmetic — Esther Devane ; Transcription—Esther Devane; Mental Arithmetic—Lizzie Brick. Second Ciass. — Christian Doctrine — Auasta&ia O'Brien ; Reading — Margaret Small; Spelling—Rose Moisbn ; Arithmetic —Auastasia O Brien ; Tables Anastasia ' O'Brien ; Transcription— Cissy O Riely. First Class—Christian Doctrine and Spelling.—Mary McKay ■ Reading audTransoription—Trefina Devane.

St. Patrick's parochial school. Sixth Class.—-Good Conduct — Lizzie Spring ; Christian Doctrine—Nellie l;oyle ; Sacred History— NeLie Doyle ; Irish History—Nellie Doyle ; English Hi3tory— Florence Dudson ; Grammar—Annie Cirro!; Parsing and Analysis—Florence Dudson ; Composition — Nellie Doyle ; Writing— Annie Carrol; Beading and Recitation — Nellie Doyle ; Arithmetic—Lizzie. Spring; Needlework—Lizzie Spring; Regular At- ; tendance—Florence Dudson. Fifth Class.—Christian Doctiine—Gertie Adams; Sacred History—Gertie Adams; Irish History—Rose Smithel; English History—Rose Smithel; Grammar—Gertie Adams ; Reading and Recitation --Gertie Adams; Arithmetic — K*tie O'Connor; General Progress—Mary Kane. Fourth Class.—Curistian Doctrine—Katie Mummery ; Irish History—Katie Mummery; English Histoiy—Minnie Kenny ; Grammar —Margaret Moran ; Writing—Nellie Nolan; Reading—Mary OLoughlin; GeographyNellie Eden ; Arithmetic—Norah Spring ; General Progress— Hanna Bryant; Mental Arithmetic—Mary Twomey. Third Class.—Christian Doctrine —Minnie Moran ; Reading—MaryMah'ony; Grammar —Katie Carro l; Geography—Nellie Madden; English History—Maud Brankin ; Arithmetic—Mary O'Connor; Writing—Katie Carrol; Needlework—Mary Carey. Second Class. -Reading and Spelling— Nellie, Kane; Writing—Frances Hicks ; Grammar—Katie Dineen; Arithmetic— Mabel Dudson; Geography—Jane Earnshaw ; General Progress—MargaretM'Girr. First Class.—Christian Doctrine —Catherine Mahony ; Reading — Nellie Moriarty ; Writing — Nellie Spring ; Arithmetic— Anastasia Kane; Geography—Annie Nelan; Spelling—Florence Hicks; General Progress —Minnie Bowden.