CATHOLIC SCHOOLS.

Press, Volume XX, Issue 2307, 23 December 1872, Page 3

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS.

The usual Christmas examinations for prizes previous to the holidays took place in the above schools during the week ending December 14th, and was continued on the Tuesday and Wednesday following. The greater part was conducted by the Rev. F. Ecuyer, who prepared and submitted written questions to the higher classes on the various subjects taught. The teachers examined the junior classes in his presence. There were several other friends present, but did not examine.

The distribution of prizes for boys took place in their large and epacious hall on Wednesday, commencing at two o'clock p.m. by Fathers Ecuyer and Boibieux, the former leading the prize list, the latter congratulating the eucceisful one previous to handjug him his reward. Previous to the distribtion, the Rev. Fathers addressed a few kindly words to the children, expressing their satisfaction with the general progress of the school, the manners of the children, their discipline, and preparing the unsuccessful for their disappointment in not being awarded a prize. The successful boys on being called, were received -with a buret of applause, which ceased only on resuming their seats. After the distribution, the Rev. Father Ecuyer again expressed his pleasure at seeing so many happy faces, and announced that on the following day (Thursday), a treat would be given for the boys and girle, after which the schools ■would dose and not be re-opened till Monday, January 13. 1873. After giving three hearty cheers for Rev. Father Ecuyer, Rev. Father Boibieiix, the schoolmaster (Mr O'Conner), and the pupil teachers, they separated apparently very happy. Much the same order was followed in the select and lower convent schools for girls as in the case of boys, except that in the select school for young ladies a greater number of visitors assembled. The examination was superintended by the Rev. Fathers Ecuyer and Boibieux. The ladies at the heads of these schools for pirla, cannot receive too ■'much praise for the admirable manner in which they are conducted. Haying been brought up for the great work they have undertaken —the Christian education of children — ; and having been trained in some of the best seminaries of Europe (not reckoning their gentle and noble bearing, which they naturally inherit as ladiee), they have acquired a tact and a way of imparting instruction unknown except to those who come in contact with them. It is needless to cay that the visitors expressed themselves pleased, not ajone with the ready answers given to some difficult questions, but especially with thejtaste, cleanliness, and most edifying demeanor of the whole school. Rev" Fathers Ecnyer and Boftrieux congratulated the Sisters upon their success in forwarding the great work of education. They afterwaixls retired to the select school, accompanied by a number of ladies, to inspect the drawings, needlework, &c, exhibited and arranged with artistic taste round the : ; room. After the inspection of the various articles, some of which would do credit to girls half as old again as the owners, the girls re-assembled, and the Rev Fathtr Bcuyer annonnced the holidays, which are %he same as the boys school. On Thursday preparations for the treat ■were commenced early by the teachers, so that by 10 a.m. the locality of the schools presented a lively appearance, there being about thirty flags of all sizes and designs waving in the breeze. From this time till about two o'clock the children, boys and girls poured in, and set about en joy hi" - themselves with the various games provided for their amusement till 3.80, when they wt re drawn np in ranks, and put through various evolutions, and finally marched to the Bailway station Christchurch to meet the children attending the Catholic school in Lyttelton, ■who were being conveyed by rail. On returning from the railway the children mutt have

three hundred. A sumptuous tea was supplied iv a large paddock for the boys and girls, by ladies of. the congregation. In addition to the ordinary delicacies, there were cherries, strawberries, currants, lollies, nuts, &c, and although fully 500 sat down, yet enongh was left to supply at least 100 more. The following are the names of the kind benefactors :—Mesdames Bonnington, Pender, A. J. White, Jacobsen. E. White, Williams, Donoghue, and Miss Ridley.. The treat being over, the boys and girls repaired to the boys' school, which was prepared and beitutif ally decorated for a juvenile entertainment, consisting of a concert given by the young ladies attending the school. None but the children were admitted, except those ladies who assisted at the tea. The evening's amusement came to a finish by the whole audience singing " God Save the Queen," and giving three cheers for those who had aided in catering in one way or other for their amusement. The following is the prize list:— boy's school. First Class—First Division—Grammar, Dictation, and Writing—l, William Hoban : 2, John Murphy, sen. Reading and Recitation—l, William Hoban ;2, John R. Courtney. Map-Drawing and Geography—Alfred Marshall ; 3, William Crownin. Arithmetic — 1, William Hoban ; 2. John Murphy. History (eacred and profane)— Edward Marshall. Second Division—Writing—l, John RJordan : 2, Edward Marshall; 3, Thomas Grey. Grammar and Dictation—l, James Swimborne ; 2, David Kennedy. Reading and Recitation—l, Edward Riordau ;2, Francis Pope; 3, F. Manning. Arithmetic, &c—l, Pat Malley ; 2, Charles Nee ; 3, William Garrigan ; 4, John Murphy, jun. Geography and History (sacred and profane)—l, James Harrington ; 2, Francis Harvey.

Second Class—First Division — Grammar and Dictation—l, David Kearney; 2nd, Thomas Clarke ; Reading—l, William Crownin ; 2, David Kearney ; 3, John Shea. Writing- 1, William Lye ; 2, Daniel Curtain. History—l, Baymond Hornbrook ;2, Edward Hughes. Arithmetic—l, Heury Harvey ; 2, Thomas Walls ; 3, David Mahoney. Second Division—Reading and Spelling— I, Maurice Murphy: 2, Charles Carrigan; 3, Alfred Sexton. Arithmetic and Tables — 1, James Hoban ; 2, William Doughal; 3, A. Snell, 4, Robert Farrell. Writing— 1. William Hamilton ; 2, John Cusack ; 3, H. M'Kegan. General Improvement —James O'Neill.

Third Class—First Division—Reading—l, Henry Gamble ; 2, Charles Duffy : 3, James Comer. Spelling—l, Charles Duffy; 2, James Comer ; 3, John Harrey. Writing— 1, James Haymoss; 2, Thomas Benn; 3, George Hicks. Arithmetic—l, John Ferrick :2, Peter Hamilton. General Improvement—William Foley, Charles Harvey, William Dunn, Pat Hennelly, A. Cunningham, James Pope. Second Division—Attention to Instruction and General Progress—William J. Brandon, William Thompson, James M'Guinness, William Vizer, A. Bucbannan. SELECT SCHOOL. Conduct—Miss Theresa Bradley. Diligence and Punctuality—lst class, Miss Grace Graham ; 2nd do, Miss Theresa Jacobsen. Politeness—Miss Florence Jones. Catechism—Miss Katie Hefl>rman. General Improvement—Miss Lucy Philips. Reading—lst class, Miss Phoebe Goodger ; 2nd do, Miss Lillie Bobertson ; 3rd do, Miss Eliza O'Brien. Writing—lst class, Miss Katie Hefferman; 2nd do, Miss Clara Clark ; 3rd. do, Miss Ada Butler.

Grammar and Composition—lst class, Miss Grace Graham ; 2nd do, Mi.'s Rachel Nathan.

History and Geography—lst class, Miss Grace Graham.

Arithmetic—lst class, Miss Katie Hefferman ; 2nd class, Miss Clara Clarke. French—Miss Phoebe Goodger. Needlework—Miss Teresa Jacobsen. Music—lst, Florence Jones ; 2nd, Rebecca Philips. Drawing—Miss Theresa Bradley. CONVENT SCHOOL.

Conduct—Margaret Harrington. Diligence and punctuality—Mary Dunn. Catechism—Joanne Burke, Emily Dethier, and Cecilia Harvey.

General improvement—Mary Evans and Emily Tbomas. Reading—lst class, Julia Howan ; 2nl do, Sarah Mac Sherry ; 3rd do, Jane Murphy ; 4th do, Theresa Hontmorency.

Writing—lst class, Kate Holloway ; 2nd do, Julia Brett; 3rd do, Kate Macdonald ; 4th do, Minnie Davis. Grammar—lst class, Mary Roach ; 2nd do, Mary Hoban. History and Geography—Julia Stoward and Mary Roach, equal. Arithmetic—lst class, Mary Dunn ; 2nd do, Elizabeth Mac Donald ; 3rd do, Lizzie Proctor. Needlework — Jane Wartha and Mary Murray, equal.