St. Patrick's Convent School, Lawrence

New Zealand Tablet, 11 January 1912, Page 32

St. Patrick's Convent School, Lawrence

The breaking-up of St.. Patrick's School for the Christmas holidays (says theiTuapeka Times) was preceded by a very pleasing little function. The afternoon was beautifully fine and there was a very good attendance of parents arid friends. The Very Rev. Mgr O'Leary presided' and presented the prizes at the Conclusion of the musical programme, which was as follows:—Pianoforte duet, 'Shepherd's evening song, K and S. Franklin; solo,. 'Pretty wavelets, Mr. Sandys; chorus, ( Adeste .Fideles'; duet, -'Waltz, P. and Hart; duet,,' Sleigh ride,' T. and M. Neiper; duet, 'Caballeta,' M. Paget and T. Neiper. In addition to the foregoing items, which were all admirably rendered the children repeated' The doll's house party, which formed so conspicuous a part of the programme at the recent concert. This included a good deal of speaking, singing, and no little acting, and it must be said that in every respect each one of the juvenile performers acquitted herself with the greatest credit, ine dressing of the children was also very pretty, in some instances quaint, and the effect was certainly pleasing to the audience. Another pleasing item* was Ihe nursery rhyme quadrilles. Not a. single mistake was made by the little dancers who appeared to thoroughly enjoy their exhibition. . Following is the prize-list: \. Standard I.—Class prize, J. Hoare; writing J. Neiper; arithmetic, S. Peal; improvement, A. Gordon. jl P. Standard ll.—Class prize, F. Hart; writing and needlework, M. McMullan-; improvement, B. McMullan; reading and writing, Z. : Simmers. |§ Standard Improvement, W. Rougnon and M. Fitzgerald; improvement in writing, G. Leslie. jig Standard lll.—Class prize, M. Sandys; composition, E. Higgins; needlework and arithmetic, A. Paget-; reading and' composition, M. Hoare; composition, S. Donohue. ■.',.,

S Standard IV.—Class prize, C. Hart; arithmetic; J. Real; writing and improvement, A. Gordon; neatness, M. Neiper. ; • - ;T .'.' " ; > .;• ■•■■'

I Standard V.—Class prize, M. Leslie; good conduct, E, Roughan; attention to studies, T. Roughan; politeness, S. Franklin. ; , -■-■. . • Standard -Vl.' B.—Class prize, A. Higgins; arithmetic and general knowledge, J. Sandys; home lessons and arithmetic, J. Hoare; drawing and mental arithmetic , J. Oliver ; neatness and application, G. Laffey. . f: Standard VI. A.--Class catechism, R. Donohue; attention to studies, T. Neiper. .' ._, n . : . Standard Vll.Composition and recitation, P. Higgins;- English and arithmetic, M. Paget. "' " General Prizes. -v Good conduct.—M./Paget (gold medal presented •by; Rev. Father Collins).' Attendance—R. Donohue (silver medal presented by Mr. Jeffery) and C. Hart. . Needlework—T.'Neiper. Second prize junior division religious knowledge— Higgins and ... M. Sandys. General satisfaction— Higgins. . Composition— R. Donohue (special prize presented by Rev. Father Collins). Dux—P. Higgins (gold medal presented by Rev.- Father Collins). Navy League prizes—Standard VII., M. Paget; VI., A. Higgins; V., M. Leslie. In Standard VI. four proficiency certificates were gained. - The Very Rev. Mgr: O'Leary, at the conclusion of the prize distribution, thanked the parents and friends for their attendance, and complimented the good Sisters upon the excellent entertainment provided 1 by the children, and also upon the result of their work throughout the year. The report of Inspector Bossence this year was the best ; they had yet received, and it ' showed that the ordinary school subjects were taught as efficiently by the good Sisters as in the State schools. He also reminded the children of the great privilege they enjoyed in being taught by the good nuns who, year after year, without "fee or reward, or consideration for • their, own health, devoted their lives to the training of the children of the Catholic Church. Not only were

they taught their ordinary subjects, of the school, curriculum, but also their duty to God, their parents, their neighbors, and "■ themselves He referred at some length h to the injustice that they, as Catholics, suffered through the refusal of/the-State to grant them the assistance to which they were justly entitled. Every child taught in the State school cost, he believed, about £4 10s;per annum, and though the Catholics contributed their © share through the general taxation they received no / allowance from the State for the enormous saving due to their maintenance of their own schools. He trusted the time would soon come when those in power would recognise the injustice they were inflicting on the Catholics of this country and do their duty by giving them the assistance to which they were justly entitled.