LOWER HUTT CONVENT SILVER JUBILEE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 2, 28 September 1937, Page 13

LOWER HUTT CONVENT SILVER JUBILEE

25 Years In Retrospect

FOUNDING WELL-KNOWN PRIVATE SCHOOL

On October 17 the convent of the Sisters of Notre Dame des Missions, Lower Hutt, will celebrate the silver jubilee of its foundation. On October 17, 1912, the Sisters took possession from Mrs. Riddiford, Lower Hutt, of her property of 11 acres of land and a commodious, well-built house of 22 rooms. The grounds thou, as now. consisted of tennis courts, bowling green, and beautifully laid&ut gardens, and contained also an exceptionally large number of rare native trees. The whole made a magnificent setting for the boarding and day high school, which the Sisters immediately established in the spacious rooms of the main residence, and in which girls from all parts of New Zealand were soon to be found. The pupils increased so rapidly in numbers that before long considerable additions had to be made to the original building. The official opening took place on Sunday afternoon, February 2. It was honoured by the presence of the GovernorGeneral, Lord Liverpool, and Lady Liverpool. Archbishop Redwood was at the time in Rome, but among the distinguished visitors on this occasion were his Grace Archbishop O’Shea, his Lordship Bishop Grimes, Christchurch, Very Reverend Dean Regnault, Provincial of the Marist Fathers, Very Reverend Dr. Kennedy, rector of St. Patrick’s College, and Very Reverend Dean Lane, Lower Hutt.

The mayor, Mr. E. P. Bunny, congratulated the Sisters on their good fortune in having secured so fine a property in which to carry on their educational activities. The Governor-General declared the convent open, and congratulatory speeches were made by Dean Lane and Sir Thomas Wilford, M.P. Their Excellencies and the company were the guests of the Sisters at afternoon tea, which was served in the diningroom. The silver and the plate had been provided by Mrs. Burke and a committee of local women, who also provided beautiful furnishings and did all in their power to make the occasion a happy as well as a successful one.

In the following years the Sisters’ work increased from strength to strength. Their pupils achieved success in games as well as in school, music, elocution, and other examinations, developing as time went on a strong esprit de corps as well as devotion to their school and its beautiful surroundings. The most important addition in recent years has been the establishment of a Montessori school for the younger children, an addition that has enabled the little people not only to make progress in their school studies under the happiest conditions but. also prepares them to understand and appreciate music, art, drama and the many accomplishments that are to their advantage in after-school days.