Drill And Drama At Convent Break-up

Northern Advocate, 16 December 1943, Page 7

Drill And Drama At Convent Break-up

The Whangarei St. Joseph’s Convent breaking-up ceremony was presented at the tennis courts yesterday, parents and friends overlooking il from higher ground. The weather held till the prizegiving began, when a heavy shower drove everyone indoors.

The entertainment was of two kinds, drill and drama. Parents had demonstrated the remarkable development in physical drill. From work it has been turned into play: or. rather, the purpose of if is concealed, yet better doin' than in the past. There is method in its arrangement. In carefully chosen order, every muscle of the body is exercised in a measured way. Energy rises to a peak in the middle of the exercises, after which it is made to taper off. The first of the plays done by tho infants was a dramatisation of "Wee Willie Winkie." Dianne Byrne announced. Old Mother Hubbard (Xita Hughes) consulted the Witch (Winifred Sheehan) about the late hours kept by her four children, played by Judith Goodwin, Sally Bill-hall. Max Palmer and Bill Crowley. Bill Crowley neglected the warning arid was in consequence turned into a dog with a fairly convincing bark. The audience, unfortunately, saw more humour than tragedy in the dreadful happening. Blil now goes to bed when lie is told. The second play, on the Nativity, was more elaborately set. up on the open-air stage. Maureen Townley, Kathleen Sheehan and Marie Hailes did excellently as (lie Three Angels. Patricia Ainsley and Michael Brophy took the parts of'Mary and Joseph. They are discovered in conversation in the cave, the angels being in the background. Softly from the school choir comes the air and words of the “Gloria in Excelsis.” The Four Shepherds listened trembling, and have everything made clear lo them. Finally the Kings, more richly robed (Henry Hughes. Billy Snedden and Billy Crowley) arrive and worship before the Divine Infant. The gentle strain of "Silent Night" fills the air. In both these plays no sign of self-consciousness could be detected in the tiny tots. In reviewing the year’s work. Father O’Connor, S.M., paid high'tribute to the ability and industry of the sisters, lie thanked very specially the physical wellare officer (Air. Stan Higgins). He was beloved by the children and his classes were the joy of all. THE PRIZE LIST

Christian Doctrine. Form fT. (’up: Noelinc Palmer 1. iVlervyn Taylor and William Buckley equal 2. William Wiggs 3. Form I: Marion Kernohan and Marie Sheehan equal 1, Fay Rowe 2, Noreen Marlowe 3. Stil. IV: Tony Vitali 1, June Palmer 2. Ann Sheehan 3. Std: HI: Joseph Adler 1. Patrick Neville 2, Kathleen O’Neill li. Std. LI: Margaret Ashcroft and Denis Brophy equal 1, Joseph Sheehan 2. Tony Bakalieh 3. Std: 1: Peter Derig 1. Robert Hirst 2, Venus Bakalieh 3. Infants: Winifred .Sheehan, William Snedden, Dianne Byrne, .loan AlcFarlane. Primer IV: William Crowley 1, Sally Birehall 2. Primer IT: Judith Goodwin I. Mario Hailes 2. Primer I: Barry Caldwell 1, Irma Harris 2. Class Places.—Dux of School, Form It: William Buckley 1, Noetine Palmer and Mervyn Taylor equal 2. Form 1: Michael Dennehy 1, Barry O'Donoghue and Fay Rowe equal 2. Std: IV: Merle Taylor i, Rona Kokicli and Barry Standring equal 2, Elmer Music 3. Std. Til: Xgaire Covey 1. Xoelino Harrison and Pat Byrne equal 2, Margaret Ryan and Norman Butler equal Std. II: Nola Ainsl.-y I, Pia Cocurullo and Fred Pewits equal 2, Joan Adler 3. Std: 1: Alary AlcFarlane 1. Shorril Donnelly and Nanette Harris equal 2, Terence Boa (son and Alary Cobalo equal 3.