Our Schools

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 52, 28 December 1905, Page 4

Our Schools

Sacred Heart Convent High School

(From our Christchurch correspondent.) There was a crowded attendance at the annual entertainment, prize distribution, and exhibition of pupils' work in connection with the Sacred Heart Convent High School, conducted by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, Barbadoes street. His Lordship Bishop Grimes presided, there being also present the Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Chesnais, S.M., V.G., and Rev. Fathers Marnane, Ahearn, Mahony, O'Connell, and Peoples. A choice programme of instrumental and vocal music was excellently rendered by the pupils as follows : Duet, ' Les Muscadens,' Misses N. Coakley, M. Ryan, E. McCarthy, A. Donnell, E. Murphy, M. Brown, A. Rainbow, M. Slattery, (violins) Misses L. Sim and A. Rantin, (organ) Miss L. Burland ; chorus, ' Come where the lilies grow,' pupils ; instrumental selection, ' Bairning of Rome,' (violins) Misses Sim, Rantin, Barker, (banjo) Miss B. Myles, (harps) Misses C. Barker and'R. Young, (piano) Miss J. McLaren ; trio, ' Les jeunes virtouses,' Misses E. Poff, E. Murphy, U. Williams, S. Ansen, L. Coakley, G. Thompson, I. Green, G. Wilson, A. Coakley, M. O'Malley, M. Strout, I. Grange, (organ) Miss A. Riordan ; vocal duet, 'In the dusk of the twilight,' Misses M. O'Connor and Cheevers, (piano) Miss A. Riordan ; duet, ' Echo of the waves,' Misses K. O'Malley, M. iMullane, G. Barker, M. Rodgers, A. Edser^ E. Derrett, A. Watson, G. Donaughey, (organ) Miss E. O'Malley ; song, junior pupils ; solo, with accompaniments, ' Salut d'amour," (violin) Miss L. Sim, (banjo) Miss B. Myles, (harp) Miss C. Barker, (piano) Miss M. O'Connor ; duet, ' Boute en train,' Misses L. Dwyer, D. Amyes, I. Rule, I. Sheppard, V. Barker, 11. Buchanan, D. Peachey, E. Poff, (violins) Misses L. Sim and A. Rantin, (organ) Miss O'Connor) ; song, with accompaniments, ' The blind girl to the harp,' Miss M. O'Connor, (harp) Miss R. Young, (piano) Miss J. McLaren; solo, ' Polka de la reine,' Misses J. McLaren, E. Washbourn, and M. O'Connor ; vocal trio, ' Sunset,' Misses M. O'Connor, B. Riordan, A. Riordan, I. O'Connor, (piano), Miss L. Sim ; duet, ' Lucrezia Borgia,' Misses J. McLaren, A. Gannaway, A. Riordan, L. Burland, E. Washbourn, V. Gardiner, M. O'Connor, G. Wilson, (violins) Misses L. Sim and A. Rantin, (harps) Misses R. Young and C. Barker ; chorus, pupils. After distributing the prizes his Lordship the Bishop said he must first of all congratulate the good Sisters on the charming programme furnished that afternoon, a judicious selection of • vocal and instrumental , items which displayed great taste in drawing up, combined with marked skill and aptitude in rendition. He was much struck with the exact time displayed in the* selections, in some of which thirteen performers were engaged. Their devoted teachers evidently rightly gauged the capabilities of the pupils. The results reflected great credit on the teachers, and on the part of the pupils diligent application was rewarded by the success attained. Although the results in the recent examinations were not yet known, he was assured their success last year was most creditable to their application to study and of great satisfaction to their teachers. Within the convent walls (the Bishop continued) was laid the foundation of their future lives. There the good Sisters took the place of parents. There authority was asserted, but not in a tyrannical manner. There love, not fear, was the prevailing incentive. The tasks allotted the pupils were from motives of love, the highest of all motives. Returning now home to parents and friends for the holidays with keen delight, the same dutiful love should be there manifested as prevailed at their school and convent. In conclusion he had much pleasure in expressing satisfaction and gratification on his own, and on behalf of all present at this year's example of industry and progress. He wished them a very enjoyable vacation, a truly ' Merrie Christmas ' in the good old English sense, and a bright and happy Newi Year.

The exhibition of wood-carving, lace and fancy work, oil and water color painting, studies in black and white, etc., were quite up to the average in point of number and excellence, if not exceeding in merit, the exhibits of former years. Some of the paintings and specimens „of wood-carving were of a distinctly high order. The kindergarten and preparatory classes also made an effecdisplay, the whole speaking eloquently of the untiring efforts of the talented teachers, whose patient industry is indeed beyond all praise. It is perfectly clear and a fact more amply proved year by year that we need not go outside our own convent institutions for all that is necessary in thoroughly equipping our young people in the arts and sciences.