CATHOLIC SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 757, 23 November 1876, Page 3

CATHOLIC SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH.

The boys attending the above school spent a pleasant afternoon on Wednesday, at least those of them who were fortunate in carrying off some of the special prizes. Some months ago, Mrs Courtney, of Woolston, gave a handsome prize (a writing desk), and the H.A.0.8.5. another (a musical box), to be given respectively to the first and second boy. The donors wished not that their gifts should be given to the two best boys in the school, but to the two making the most progress in their studies within the space of six months ; consequently every boy, no matter how deficient, or in what standard at the time, had a chance of taking one or other of the two prizes. Marks were accordingly taken each day, and on Friday each week after the usual repetition, added up, the boy’s name having most in his class being placed first, and the next second on a credit card hung in a conspicuous part of schoolroom. This course was adopted for six months, at the end of which time it was ascertained that Edward Comer (third standard) was the winner of the writing desk, and William Heslip (second standard), of the musical box.

The following boyshaving come very close to the winners, were recommended by the teacher to the school committee for some recognition of their merit, and with their usual liberality and willingness to do everything in their power to encourage progress in their schools, they voted a sum of money for special prizes for those boys. Fifth Standard—James Hoban, John Shea, George Arnold, Jer. McCarthy, Jas. Harrington, John Flahavan. Fourth Standard—Maurice Murphy, Path. Broderick, John Cusack, John Qarty, Arthur Haughey. Third Standard—John Gilmour, S. Murphy. Tim Moriarity, William Brandon, Second Standard—Thomas Garrigan, Fred Mohre. First Standard John O’Neill, John Screetch, John Fuss, Con McGuinness, Edwin Sexton, Frank Holly, The Rev Father Oherayer made the distribution, and addressed the children in a kind and fatherly manner, exhorting them to a spirit of emulation, and encouraging those unsuccessful ones to study and perseverance. He then presented Charles McSwigan with a very neat morocco bound writing desk, the gift of the whole school, where he has been acting monitor for the last three years. During his time as monitor he treated his pupils with great kindness, and they wish him all prosperity in his new undertaking.