CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' HIGH SCHOOL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21829, 16 December 1932, Page 3

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' HIGH SCHOOL

ANNUAL PRIZE-GIVING The annual prize-giving ceremony of the Christian Brothers’ High School was held yesterday morning in the school assembly hall. Bishop Whyte presided, and lie had associated with him on the platform, the Mayor (Mr R. S. Black), and Mrs Black, the administrator (the Rev. Father Collins), the Rev. Father JVPDevitt, and, several representatives or the Old Boys’ Association. Prior to the distribution of prizes an enjoyable programme of musical numbers was presented by the pupils, a feature being the singing of the school choir, a Well trained little combination, which rendered “ The Music of the- Birds” and “Oft in the Stilly Night” with excellent balance. Sixteen selected voices gave a delightful rendering of “Killarney,” and others contributing were Master P. Glen (tenor horn solo), Master J. Kane (vocal solo), Master 0 R. B. Pringle (pianoforte solo). PRINCIPAL’S REPORT.

Before presenting his annual report, the principal (the Rev. Bro. O’Connor) extended the thanks of the school to Bishop Whyte for consenting to preside at the function and cordially welcomed the visitors, among w'hom he specially mentioned Mr T. Pound, the immediate pastpresident of the Old Boys’ Association. The report stated, inter alia:' The roll call this year reached a maximum of 374—149 in the secondary department and 225 in the junior school. , These are the highest numbers recorded in the history of the school. - The enrolment in the Sixth Form- (19) was encouragingly high, and we know of but four members of this form whose return to school this year was decided by the stress of prevailing economic conditions. We commend the wisdom of those parents who, sensing the danger of allowing their sons while awaiting employment to enter on a period of aimless inactivity, insist on their remaining at school. The present stagnation in all channels of business must be relieved within measurable time, and then the first and best positions will surely fall to the youths that have the highest educational equipment. Boys whoso parents cannot pay fees will be granted free places to enable them to continue their studies. The Rev. Father M. Scanlan conducted his annual examination in religious knowledge. His report reads: “ In the annual examination in Christian doctrine, held in October, the pupils in the primary classes manifested a very sound knowledge in the subjects examined, and showed that very great care had been bestowed by the teachers in imparting religious knowdedge to the pupils. A very high standard was maintained throughout the primary school. The teachers in the secondary classes deserve very special commendation for the results shown in the papers submitted. The papers were of a very high standard in all the forms, and the high efficiency of the past years was well maintained. It was a very great pleasure to find such excellent work being done in the whole school.” The Rev. Bro. J. C. M'Cann, representing our Provincial Executive, inspected the work of the school and examined in detail the various primary classes. He reports: —“The earnestness of the teachers, the spirit of work, and the - general tone of the pupils are most commendable. - The conduct, manners, and deportment of the boys are deserving of unqualified praise.” On March 14 Messrs E. Caradus and J. B. Mawson, of the Education Department, conducted an exhaustive inspection of all the secondary classes. By department regulation their report is confidential. I may, however, state that it was most satisfactory. Owing to pressure of work, the Otago Education Board inspectorate found it impossible this year to hold , annual inspection of non-State schools. In the public examinations the achievements of the students have been singularly noteworthy. C. F. Duggan passed with credit the University entrance scholarship examination, and qualified tor the Lissie Rathbone Scholarship. Eighteen candidates were > successful in the University entrance examination. Six others added Latin to qualify for solicitors’ general and medical preliminary., Vy. T Henaghan, our only candidate for the public service, obtained, third place in Otago. Twenty-four secured intermediate certificates, 52 were successful in tne recent proficiency examination, and three gained competency certificates. Bearing in mind the praiseworthy spirit of study that has been a feature, pf the classes during the year, we hope for a fair measure of success for our candidates in the public examinations just recently held. The dux of school this year is W. A. Cummings. This is the sixth successive year in which he has led his class. To give his full valuation I must add that he is the winner of the bishops prize for Christian doctrine, captain and head prefect of the school, head prefect of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin, n.c.o. of the School Cadet Corps, and captain of the first eleven. He has gifts of heart that match well these high attainments and achievements. The school’s athletic meeting, boxing tournament, swimming carnival, and tennis tournament, held April 6, August 8, November 16 and December 2 respectively, excelled previous standards in each case. Detailed accounts of these events have already appeared in the press, but it is noteworthy that in athletics five school records were broken and three equalled; and in swimming eight new records were established. For the first time the school was represented by a senior and a junior team at the secondary schools’ athletic sports. This meeting was held at Invercargill, and I must thank the Marist Brothers and those who conducted the meeting for their kindness and courtesy to our boys. Nine teams engaged in Rugby football. Our first fifteen had a very successful though strenuous season in the O.R.F.U. Fourth Grade competition. Our second annual match with John M'Glashan College, though played under unfavourable weather and ground conditions, provided an exhibition on a level with the best traditions of secondary school Rugby. The first fifteen’s visit to Invercargill was memorable for the splendid hospitality of the Marist Brothers and the friends. Upwards of 25 boys played Association football. Five teams represented the school in cricket The first eleven has done well in the O. Third Grade competition, and our second eleven, playing in the senior division of the Otago Boys’ Association, won the Hudson Shield. We have eight representatives in this year’s Otago Boys’ Association senior and junior elevens. Fifty seniors and 100 juniors competed in the annual Cross-country. In connection with the foregoing sporting activities I sincerely thank the trustees of the “Mullaney Fund,” the C.B. Old Boys’ Cricket Club, the 0.R.F.U., the Dunedin Football Club, St. Patrick’s and Nga Maara Tennis Clubs, the 0.8. A., the Otago Centre of the N.Z.A.A.A., Messrs J. Bond, Walter Strang, R. Maxwell, D. M. Beard, W. J. Duff, J. Kilmartin, A. Goodman, D. Boreham, W. Coward, J. Marshall, P. Mathieson, and W. Hindmarsh. Under the distinguished patronage of the bishop, a Scout troop was formed in the latter half of the third term. The Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmaster, Messrs J. O’Keefe and J. L. Hartstonge, directed by a strong and enthusiastic committee, have been doing effective work. The uniform has been selected, and in the new year the organisation will be well forward in its training. It is our pleasing duty to congratulate the Rev. Fathers T. O’Brien and F. Colnmb, who have recently been raised to the priesthood; Revs. A, Curran and W. Quinn, who received the sub-diaconate; Rev. Brother R. M. Moloney, who on Christmas Day made his final profession: and Rev. Brothers D. S. Mills and W. A. MlCrossan, who will have that privilege on the 25th inst. Mr A. W. O’Reilly, 8.A., B.Sc., Dip. Ed., ex-pupil and member of the staff for four years, accepted at Easter the appointment as teacher in charge of the secondary department of the Kurow District High School. While with us Mr O’Reilly proved a conscientious and successful form master, and took a lively interest in the literary societies. To him and to Messrs B. A. Qucleh, LL.B.. and W. M'Alevey, LL.B., both of whom have this year begun to practise law on their own account, we tender hearty congratulations. With these we associate the following exstudents who have had success in various faculties at the University:—Beard, B. I).; Cahill. T. V.; Hall, G. F.: Hall. ,T. J,; McCarthy. J. A.; M'Laughlin, J. U ; Meade, W. J., B.A.j Mooney. T. B.: Mowat, J. C.; Pledger, C. E. II.; Skinner, P. R. Finally, I desire to express my whole-hearted appreciation of the members of the staff, to whose loyal support and devotion to duty I attribute the efficiency of the school.

THE BOYS ADDRESSED. Addressing the boys, Bishop Whyte first congratulated Brother O’Connor and his colleagues on the success of the year’s work as revealed by the principal’s report. It was pleasing to note from the report that parents were beginning to appreciate more and more fully the advantages of secondary education, and he would suggest that this was due to their Irish blood, as a love of learning had always been an outstanding characteristic of the Irish people. He adjured the boys, when they left school, to maintain as much as possible their 1 contact with the Catholic atmosphere, and to this end he would suggest that they should join one or other of the societies connected with the church, ‘especially the Debating _ Society, as in an organisation of this kind they would gain a knowledge of. important mat. ters, particularly current events, and learn to present their thoughts in a manner acceptable to their hearers. It was of paramount importance that the boys should be loyal to the Hag of their country as well as to their religion, and he thought they should be grateful for the services of the brothers who had devoted their lives t° the work of making their pupils good Catholic men and upright citizens. He again congratulated the boys on their successes and the brothers on the manner in which the scholars had responded to their efforts. He wished the boys a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. At the conclusion of the bishop’s address the Mayoress was presented with a bouquet on behalf of the scholars. The Mayor congratulated the dux on the honours he had won, but said it was not the deed, but the motive, that counted, and being dux meant nothing unless the winner of the honour carried on in after life with the lessons he had learned. He would remind his hearers that just as they trained their bodies for athletic sports, so the brothers showed them how to train the muscles of the mind, and unless they used these muscles .to the utmost when they went into the world, their minds would stagnate,, and all they had learned would be of little use to them. They should give heed to the bishop s injunction to be loyal to their country, their friends, and their church, but he •would warn them to avoid being men of one idea or of one job. They should work with pleasure for the benefit of someone else, and they would find that the more friendships they cultivated the more pleasure they would get out of life. Father Collins complimented the brothers and the boys on the success of the year, and said that they had now passed another milestone in the history of the school. He congratulated the winners of prizes, who, by their success, had shown evidence of application to study and work; but he would ask the boys who did not win honours not to be discouraged. The Almighty did not give equal gifts to everyone, and the boy who plodded along and made the best use of the talents he possessed was more likely to bring honour to the school than the man who possessed a superabundance of talents and was unmindful of them. No success could come without hard work, but with all deference to the boys, he would say that the hardest workers were the brothers, whom he thanked on behalf of the priests for what they had done for the boys. Mr Pound added his congratulations to those of the previous speakers, and paid a tribute to Brother O’Connor, to whose efforts and wise guidance, he said, it was largely due that the school had reached its present high pitch of efficiency. Messrs J. J. Marlow and Brother Magee also spoke briefly, and after the boys had given a haka in honour of the dux, the proceedings were brought to a close by the singing of the New Zealand National Anthem. The following is the prize list:— SCHOLASTIC. Form Via.—Christian doctrine: W. A. Cummings (Right Rev. Dr Whyte’s gold medal). Dux of school: W. A. Cummings

(Christian Brothers’ Old Boys’ Association prize). Captain of School: W. A. Cummings (Christian Brothers’ High School gold medal). Latin: W. A. Cummings. English: J. A. Meade. French: W. A. Cummings, J. A. Meade (equal). History: W. A. Cummings. Chemistry: J, R. King. Mathematics: W. A. Cummings. Additional mathematics: 0. R. B. Pringle. Form Vlb. —Christian doctrine: J. B. Cull (Right Rev. Monsignor Delany’s prize). Dux: C. J. Cummings, Latin: J. L. Hartstonge. English: J. L. Hartstonge. French: M. V. Ryan, C. D. Toomey (equal). History; S. E. Mee. Mathematics: T. J. Miles. Chemistry: R. J. Wilkins. Book-keeping; J. B. Cull. Company law: R. J. Wilkins.

Form V. —Christian doctrine: M. D. MWeigh (Rev. Father Buckley’s prize). Dux: W. T. Henaghan (Dr A. J. Hall’s gold medal). Latin: W. T. Henaghan. English; D. F. Ross. French: M. J. Michael, J. R. Rodden (equal). History: M. D. MWeigh, M. J. Michael (equal). Arithmetic: J. D. Richardson. Algebra: E. A. Byrne. Geometry: W, T. Henaghan. Chemistry: P. J. Wilson, J. S. Malthus (equal). Form IV. —Christian doctrine: J. E. Hartstonge (Rev. Father Collins’s prize). Dux: J. E. Keane, R. F. Hall (equal). Latin: J. E. Hartstonge, J. E. Keane (equal). English: J. N. O’Connell. English essays: B. G. Goughian. French: H. P. Ives, History; J. N. O’Connell. Arithmetic: J. E. Porter, R. J. Dougherty (equal). Algebra: I. J. Burgess, S. L. M'Allen, Geometry: R.' F. Hall. Public speaking; J. N. O’Connell, Form lll.—Christian doctrine; W, E. Anderson (Rev. Father J. Hally’s prize). Dux; P. J. M'Manus. Prox. acc.: P. G. O’Dea. Latin: J. A. Bacos. English: D. F. Creed. French; S. L. VHetstra. History: E. R. Dawkins. Arithmetic: J. P. Wilson. Algebra: M. P. Lovell. Geometry: M. A. O’Connell and C. R. Doherty (equal) 1. Physics: A. J. Quelch. Chemistry: S. L. Kavanagh. Public speaking: P. J. M'Manus. Form II. —Christian doctrine: G. M. Ryan. Dux: K. F. Kerr. Second: J. W. Fogarty. Third: C. T. Holland. Fourth: G. M. Ryan. Fifth: R. E. Kelly. Sixth: K. J. Johnston. Seventh: F. J. Marlow. Eighth: G. B. Casey. Form I.—Christan doctrine: A. J. De Courcy. Dux: R. M. Moylan. Second: A. J. De Courcy. Third: J. J. McCarthy. Fourth: J. T. Robertson. Fifth: E. J. Dolan. Sixth: D. N. Ryan Seventh: J. P. M'Alevcy. Eighth: H. U. Lawson.

Standard IV.—Christian doctrine: N T. Ruth. Dux: J. H. Holmes. Second: N. T. Ruth. Third; O. J. Gavigan, Fourth: F. J. Lahood. Fifth: L. G. Mulqueen. Sixth: T. M. Collins. Seventh: M. A. Collins. Eighth: A. V. Kevin, Ninth: 11. J. Blair. Standard lll.—Christian doctrine: A p_ M'Alevey. Dux: O. J. Ryan. Second: Ik P. Fitzgerald. Third: I’. J. Ryan, Fourth: J. 11. Dougherty. Fifth: P. D. Shiels. Sixth: H. J. Marrow. Seventh; A. P. M'Alevey. Eighth: W. R. Watts, Ninth: R. J. Glen. SPECIAL PRIZES.

Athenaeum Prizes (membership ticket for proficiency in English and history).— W, T. Ilcnaghan. M. D. M'Vcigh, J. S. Malthas, AL J. Michael, D. F. Ross.

Public Speaking (Rev. Bro. Hughes’s cup).—J. L. Hartstonge I, J. A. Meade 2, . L. Manion 3 (Dunedin Hibernian S. and D. Club’s prize). Cross-country.—Dr Ross Cup: Senior, P. F, W. Porter (winner and fastest time)’. Junior, T. G. Wallace (winner and fastest time; prizes donated by St. Patrick’s Harrier Club). Cricket. —M. V. Ryan, J. F. Corcoran, M. P. Spillane (prizes donated by C.8.0.8.5’ Cricket Club). Tennis (Rev. Father Collins Cup).— Senior; B. W. O’Malley 1, J. F. Corco-

ran 2, J. A. Meade 3. Junior: G. F. Curran 1, D. F. Jenkins 2, J. M. O’Sullivan 3, Football. —The following have been awarded honour caps: —Cummings, W. A.; Henaghan, W. T.; M'Allen, W. R.; Maloney, H. T,; Manion, A. L.; Miles, T. J.; Moloney, D. A.; Percy, L. F.; Plank, B. E.; Rodgers, J. P.; Ryan, M. V.; Spillane, M. P.; Tarleton, A. J.; Troy, W. F.; Wallace. W. S.; Wilkins, R. J.

Marksmanship (Lady Godley Cups).— Senior: P. F. W. Porter. Junior: J. E. Hartstonge. Athletics.—Dr A, J. Hall Cup: B. E. Plank 1, W. S. Wallace 2, W. R. M'Allen 3. W. H. Cole Cup: J. P. Seanlan 1, F. J. Miles 2, J. N. O’Connell 3. J. B. Callan Cup: B. T. O’Malley 1, D. J. Connor 2, E. J. Wallace 3. Methven’s Midget Cup: L. V. Roy 1, R. F. do Courcy 2, F. 0. Grass 3. Swimming.—W. T. Henaghan Cup: .1. D. O’Driscoll 1, W. R. M'Allen 2, B. W. O’Malley 8. J. M'Grath Cup: J. W. Barry 1, T. G. Wallace 2, J. N. O’Connell and D. F. Jenkins (equal) 3. J. N. Smith Cup: A. R. Kay 1, M. A. O’Connell 2, W. H. Dyson 3. T. J. Hussey Cup: L. C. Marshall 1, F. 0. Grass 2, L. L. AVoods and R. Johnston (equal) 3. Boxing.—W. S. Wallace (school champion, 0.8. A. Cup), 1; AL P. Spillane (second school championship) 2, E. J. George (best loser, Mr A. Goodman’s medal) 3, At. A. O'Connell (most scientific boxer. Air J. Kilmartin’s medal) 4.