NEWTOWN MARIST SCHOOL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2931, 17 November 1916, Page 3

NEWTOWN MARIST SCHOOL

; AN INTERESTING REPORT. During the course of the annual entertainment of. the- Newtown Marist School at the Grand Opera House last evening, the principal, Bro. Egbqrt, read tho following interesting report:— "This is our fortieth annual report, and it gives me groat pleasure to present it. The splendid Honours Board unveiled at the May celebrations, and tho photograph of the late Captain A. J. Short, an old boy,- who won tho D.C.M. and the Victoria Cross, now adorns the school wall. Tho roll contains the name of over 400 old boys, many of whom have been killed. A school that is playing its part so well is surely entitled to be an ally, more than an opponent, of the national system, which is really not national. Cardinal Gibbons says that tho Catholic School was "never intended "to replace the Catholic home, and though it may, and sometimes does, do so, the best results are obtained only when the home, the school, and the Church work together for the 6ame end. The aim of the Brothers, t'xen, is not to take the place of the parents, but to assist them in training their children to know, love, and serve God by the'faithful discharge of their religious duties, and 'by acquiring tho virtues of purity, truth, temperance, honesty, industry, loyalty to one's country, and, above all, thrift. To this end wo direct all the studies both Teligious and secular, and ive feel that our, boys are realising that, even from a worldly point of view, L the formation of rtheir character is of far more Importance than.the gaining of a proficiency certificate or the winning of a .football match. (Applause.) An exact record; of religious attendance is kept, and we'are pleased to say that only very rarely a hoy misses Holy Mass on Sunday, while upwards of 12,000 Holy Communions have been received hy tho boys during tho year. Most of the boys will gain a 'good, 1 or 'very good' mark for conduct, and some 'excellent.' Half an hour daily, is given to Christian doctrine, and sacred history, including the Holy Scriptures, and the boys regard this as the most pleasant time of the day. More than five hours a day. is given to secular studies, and the inspectors, who are always most welcome, report the -work as very satisfactory. Last year the boys gained forty-three proficiency certificates and other scholarships, which gave them free tuition, not in a Catholic College, but in colleges which, as Archbishop Redwood has explained, may bo secular, but cannot he neutral. I am pleased to say that every boy regretted the Government offer, and continued to pay for his education,_ as well as contribute to a! system which, however agreeable it may be to others, cannot bo acceptable to the Catholjc conscience. The school also gained first, second, and third places from sixty competitors in the Labour Day Essay Competition. _.Aye would nrgo parents to allow their children, to remain at school at least until they have passed' the Sixth Standard._ Onequarter of an hour daily is given to physical instruction. The boys won the swimming championship of tho Wellington schools and the diving banner. For tho first time tho boys competed in the Wellington Schools Rugby Football Union, and after an enjoyable season, owing to tho fine sporting spirit 1 shown by all the schools, just managed to win the banner. Tho fifth 1 grade cup and sixth division Charity Cup (soccer) and the schols relay race on Labour Day also camo our way. In all these contests 'wo are anxious only for' the pleasure and benefit of the ' game. Tho matter of winning or losing is of small consequence. '*\Vg wish to express our sincere thanks' to the Wellington Catholio Education Board, and particularly to the St. Joseph's Parish School- committee for its constant and helpful interest in the school, aud to tho parents, whose splendid boys-have been given to our care. \Vc tender our best wishes, and assure them, that-it gives us great pleasure to assist in training thoir boys to be a credit to their faith and country." (Applause.) A novelty wa3 introduced into the procudure of reading that part of the report referring to the trophies won duriDg tho season, by tho various cups and banners being brought on to the stage one by one as reference was made to them.