CONVENT SCHOOL

Manawatu Times, Volume XLXI, Issue 3481, 15 December 1926, Page 8

CONVENT SCHOOL

Annual Conceit

■ AND PRESENTATION OP PRIZES The annual concert and prizegiving function of • the Palmerston North Convent School was held in the Opera House last evening, when, despite most inclement weather conditions, there was a large attendance of scholars with their parents and friends.

The proceedings commenced with a delightful concert by the Convent school pupils, after which the Rev. Father McManus introduced to those present tho speakers of the evening. Prior to tho commencement of the speeches a tiny tot presented Mrs. Nathan with a bouquet.

Rev, Father McManus expressed his sincere appreciation of the kindness of his associates on the platform, Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Nathan, Mr. A. J. Graham and Mr. C. Loughnan, on consenting to address the audience, of tho keen interest displayed in the work of the school by many of Palmerston’s prominent citizens, and extended heartfelt thanks to all those who had worked so hard in bringing the annual function to a successful issue.

The Convent School, and all similar academic establishments were institutions of which to be proud, for their work was guided by the highest of ideals. Father McManus referred to the excellent performances put up by Miss Cora Bartlett, who had been awarded the prize for general excellence, and by Miss Monica Healey, Who had the distinction of being dux in the secondary department. He then called on the Mayor (Mr. F. J. Nathan) to address the audience. "I must admit that I felt rather envious when I entered this hall," said Mr. Nathan, in commencing his ad-; dress, ‘‘and this you will readily understand when I tel) you that I came here from speaking to a small gathering, on the dry subjects of sewerage and drainage.” An occasion such as the present one, Mr. Nathan went on to say, could not be let go by without the extending of the most sincere congratulations to the teachers and pupils of the Convent School. Palmerston North wa s proud of this school for it cared for the needs of children who might take up any profession, especially in the scholastic and musical way, that might offer, and as fai the musical side of the question was concerned, he thought that the performance put up by tho infants of the school that evening spoke volumes for the excellence of the tuition given Mr. Nathan congratulated the prizewinners on their energy and perseverance during the past twelve months, and sympathised with those who had not been able to secure prizes. They would obtain their object only by perseverance, and he urged them never to falter in their work, but to keep steadily on and prizes would assuredly reward their efforts. Those leaving the school the speaker urged never to forget the place where they had received tho groundwork of all the academical knowledge that they might gain in the future. It would be their future part to become citizens of some town, and they would have to take their share of that town’s responsibilities and government—and it was here that the training received at the Convent school would stand them in good stead. Mr. Nathan concluded by conveying the citizens’ congratulations to those in control of tho Convent school of Palmerston North.

" ‘Brevity is the soul of wit,' ” said Mr. A. J. Graham, the next speaker, “and in this case I think, also the soul of good taste.” He expressed appreciation of the work done by Palmerston’s Convent school for education In all Its branches. The musical tuition of the school was especially worthy of commendation, for it aimed at a very high standard, and achieved it. The results of the examinations in Palmerston North had shown that the Convent school had fully warranted all the complimentary remarks which had been made about it. The workers of the world were divided into three classes, continued the speaker—scientists, who did marvellous things, and with whom New Zealand was well represented by .Sir Ernest Rutherford: secondly, those who did ordinary things in an extraordinary way (the speaker instancing Miss Rosina Buokman and Hr. Alfred Hill), and thirdly, those who did ordinary things in the ordinary way, but with such energy that their deeds approached to the realm of greatness. It was in this latter class that Mr. Graham thought the Sisters of Morey at the Convent school should be included, for in cases of sickness and distress these gentle ministers of comfort proved to be angels indeed; that they also did much for the causes of education and of charity was well known, and the public of New Zealand had every reason to bo proud of them. The next speaker, Mr. C. A. Loughnan, expressed his pleasure in endorsing the remarks made by the previous gentlemen, especially those referring to the work done by the Sisters of Mercy; these devoted ladies, he said, were the main spring of the whole edifice of energy represented by the Convent school. He had been asked, said the speaker,