NASEBY ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 304, 26 December 1874, Page 3

NASEBY ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL.

ANNUAL EXAMINATION. _ The labors of this school for the past nine months,, during which time it has been opened under Mr. Hy. Sproule's management, were brought to a very en-: joyable close on Tuesday forenoon by the distribution of prizes, which were of a useful and instructive nature, consisting of handsomely bound books, etc. We were glad to see that the prizes were so judiciously awarded, according to the respective merits of the pupils. We were particularly amused at the anxious faces that - seemed to be studiously turned in the direction of those much-coveted trophies of juvenile proficiency that lay in profusion before their smiling gaze. It would be difficult to tell whether it was the intellectual treat, or the more juvenile delectable one, in the shape of buns and the inevitable "lolly," provided by the School Committee, together with a special present of sweets kindly sent by Messrs. Cogan and Bleach that attracted the most attention among the little ones—however, the almost magical disappearance of the latter, was satisfactory as to that point. The Rev. Father Roy er, the president of the school, opened'the proceedings by stating that, during the past week, the pupils underwent a very close examina-. tion upon- the various subjefcts taught, which will be observed by the prize list is ofa comparatively high standard. Healso stated that the final examination was concluded on Monday, 21st inst., in presence i o «mnv the parents, and other friends; 1 \ it* !t\. "axl that, owing to the election, iu L3nbc, of visitors was not as -numer-. ous as j. v Mould have been. The rev. gentii-ur-ui then read his report (which we appena) upon the working of the school, and expressed great satisfaction at the result of Mr. Sproule's labors. Mr. de Lautour,' M.P.C., having been requested to preside, and present the prizes, addressed the pupils in a few appropriate words, and particularly expressed the great pleasure it afforded him at being present on the occasion. After pointing out the great benefits afforded them by a good common sense education, and the necessity for conLinued study,. &c, referred particularly to the creditable specimens of writing,- &c., displayed before him, which reflected the highest credit both on the teacher and on the taught; The writing,of Misses Brookes, Donnelly, and Sproule were deservedly commended. The presentation of prizes was then proceeded with. The successful prize takers were called in succession, beginning with the junior classes. The chairman, in a very pleasing and encouraging manner, expressed his pleasure in handing them their awards. The radiant smiles that perceptibly crept with such ecstacy over the remarkably healthy, chubby-faced juveniles, as they watched the wished-for treasures, was quite amusing. The only objection to bookprizes, &c, is the difficulty and annoyance experienced in trying to please, not the "children, but some of the parents. We are however satisfied that there could be-no reasonable cause to. grnmble in this instance. The prizes, we believe were, the voluntary gift of the rev. president—Father Royer, whose indefatigable efforts in the "cause of education are well known. After the distribution of prizes, Misses Catherine Millar, Elizabeth King, Mary Cogan, and Margaret Doorley, recited some very pretty pieces. We were much pleased with Miss Catherine-Millar's rendering of Goldsmith's " Deserted Village." The teacher (Mr. Sproule) tnaflked Mr. de Lautour for his attendance, and also reminded the children of their duties, &cfc during the vacation. Masters Brookes and Bleach, in true British style, summoned the ear piercing hurrahs of their schoolfellows, and gave three hearty cheers as only boys can give for their pastor, Father Royer and accorded a like compliment to Mr. de Lautour, and the other visitors present. After being liberally supplied with buns, &c, the children separated, all. much pleased with the day's proceedings. ', . The following -is-,the revd; president's report, and prize list:— EEPOBT. The annual examination of the pupils attending the St. Patrick's School was concluded on Tuesday. The scholars were put through exercises in all the leading subjects in which they have received _ instruction during.the.past nine months. In every case the result was of the most satisfactory 'nature—the pupils showing i. considerable advancement in the various ' branches of education; but more, especially in the Christian doctrine—reading, ' arithmetic, grammar, writing, history, and i geography. The Catholic portion of the , pupils have a very excellent knowledge of • all the leading tenets of the Christian doc- ; trine—reading, spelling, *fc., being most >• satisfactory. In the mathematic depart- , ment,. viz., elements of algebra, euclid, • square root, and mensuration,-, the senior , pupils (both boys V racy in their answers', and se'emtoliaye a ■ fair knowledge-of' the essential principles r . of this science. In grammar—parsing, ! construction and-analysis o'f sentencesthere was almost general- correctness. ;. The caligraphy was of a very good deli' scription. In ancient! and modern his- ; I tory, the pupils appeared to have a sound f knowledge of what ttiey .evidently stur died with care. 'Geography appeared to i be a favored study, especially among the f junior classes. As to the New Zealand c" geography, the children familiarly pro--5 nounced the Maori names of the various 3 rivers, mountains, lakes, and bays in a ) manner that woxtfd teally astonish the

greatest linguist in the Maori idioms, and were as much at home in physical, political,, and mathematical knowledge of it as if they had been residents in the Colony since its foundation. The number of scholars on'the roll is sixty; the daily average attendance is fifty-four. "I cannot close this, my notice of the examination.of St. Patrick's School, without expressing my entire satisfaction in witnessing the order and good management, united to the excellent proficiency, of the pupils. ..From what I have seen■ of Mr. H. J. Sproule'" s capabilities as pre T sident of this school, I willlingly en this occasion award to him my humble meed of praise. The school duties will be resumed on the.lSth January, 1875. —lam, &c, Emanuel Royeh, Catholic Pastor. PBIZE LIST. _ First Class Boys:—Catechism, " Christian Doctrine," Master P. Bleach ; grammar, etc., Patrick Bleach and Michael Brookes, equal; geography, Michael Brookes, 1, Patrick Bleach, 2 ; arithmetic, Michael Brookes ; mensuration, Michael Brookes; geometry (first book). Patrick Bleach; writing, Michael Brookes; dictation, Patrick Eleach and Michael Brookes, equal; history, ancient and modem, Patrick Bleach ; elocution; Michael Brookes and*P. Bleach, equal. First Class Girls: Grammar, &c, Bridget. Brookes and Jane Donnelly, equal; geography, &c, Jane Donnelly ; arithmetic; Jane Donnelly ; mensuration, Jane Donnelly; euclid, Jane Donnelly ; writing, Bridget Brookes, Anne C. -Sproule ; dictation, Jane Donnelly, Anne C. Sproule ;" history, Bridget Brookes ; reading, Jane Donnelly, Bridget Brookes; essay (subject, " Naseby"), Jane Don- . nelly, 1, Bridget Brookes, 2. Second Class Boys:—Grammar, Andrew Stephens, W. G. Donnelly; geography, W. ■G. Donnelly ; arithmetic, Andrew Stephens; writing, Andrew Stephens, Patrick Fennessy ;' reading, Patrick Fennessy, Andrew Stephens. Second Class Girls :—Catherine Millar, Eliza Donnelly, Mary Boyce ; recitation, Catherine, Millar ; arithmetic, Mary Boyce; grammar, Mary Boyce, Catherine Millar ; writing, Mary Boyce ; geography, Eliza Donnelly. Third CJass Bdys : Reading, John Brookes; arithmetical tables, J. Brookes, Hy. T. Sproule; Grammar, Hy. J. Sproule, D. Meehah; writing, Hy. T. Sproule, D. Meehan; geography (New Zealand), Win: Bleach, John Brookes.

Third Class Girls:—Heading, Mary Cogan, W. Boyce;- arithmetical'tables, Mary Doorley; grammar (definition), lucy Doorley, Mary Cogan. Fourth Class Boys: -Reading and spelling, Richard Chapman, John Bradley ; arithmetical tables, P. H. Sproule, Richard Chapman; grammar- (definition), John Bradley; ...W. Brookes ; Writing, W. Brookes, R. Chapman; geography, (New Zealand), Richard Chapman. Fourth Class Girls:—Reading and' spelling, Margaret Linnane, Catherine Fennessy. Junior Class.:—D.Costello, E. Costello, ,M. Cogan, A. Brookes, J. Clancy. General satisfaction and attendance :—. W. Donnelly, W. Bleach, Lucy Doorley. Attendance at Sunday School:—Patrick Bleach, Bridget Brookes.