Shortland Catholic Schools.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2169, 16 December 1875, Page 2

Shortland Catholic Schools.

Christmas Examinations.

As Christmas draws near and the customary holidays approach, the schools generally go in for an examination of their respective pupils and award prizes for diligence,.'good conduct, and progress made during the previous part of the; year. Foremost on the list, it is our pleasing duty to record the two days' examination finished last evening at the Catholic Schools in Willoughby street, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy. On Tuesday the Sisters examined the children of

ST. JOSEPH'S SCHOOL, numbering upwards of 180. The chair was taken by the Rev. Father Chastagnon, and there were present also a goodly number of influential people, who take an interest inour educational affairs. r

Miss Annie Mcllhone instituted proceedings by delivering an address, wherein she thanked the ladies arid gentlemen for their presence and their interest in the progress of the school as evidenced by their being there, after vrhich the following programme was carried out :: —Becitation. "The Magpie;" examination in reading and spelling, Infant School; the "College Gown," recitation by Master Murphy ; song," The Minstrel Boy," by the school accompanied by Miss Ginn on the harmonium. Questions in catechism were then answered by the children in the 2nd class, and the Ist class were examined in scripture, after which the school sang "The old house and the old tree." The 3rd and 2nd classes were then examined in arithmetic, geography of N.Z. and general subjects, followed; by a recitation " Innisfail," after which was an examination of the Ist class in reading, grammar, mental arithmetic, and English History. This concluded the test of proficiency to which the youngsters weresubjectedj and without particularising it is, but fair to observe that they acquitted themselves with credit to the ladies who conduct the school, and to the evident satisfaction of their parents and friends. The remainder of the proceedings consisted of, first, the song " Home again" by the school, followed by a recitation by Misses Annie Mcllhone, E. McLoughlan, and Mary Cashen, entitled " Man's three guests; "The little boy that died" by Miss Kate Hanlen; " The countryman and his ass" by Miss Kate Quin ; "The Arab's farewell to his steed " Miss Cashen; and a song by the school " O steer my bark to Erin's Isle." Next came a dialogue " William Tell " in character, by Masters Murphy, Dodd, Smith, Mcllhone, and' Twohill. The recitations, songs, and dialogue also, like the institution, showed untiring patience and perseverance on the part of the children's instructresses ; the amount of proficiency manifested;by each and every one reflecting the highest credit on them. Then followed the part most interesting to the scholars, viz., the distribution of prizes. The subjoined is the list of prize takers :—

First Class: Miss Margaret Loughlan, proficiency in catechism; Miss Miss Mary Cashou, good conduct; Miss Annie Mcllhone, grammar; Miss Catherine Quin, writing; Miss Elizabeth McLoughlan, reading; Miss Catherine O'Brien, history; Miss M...-.A. Scanlon, general improvement; Miss Elizabeth Bcanlon, neatness; Miss Jane O'Hallorun, arithmetic; Miss M. Schedlar, writing ; Miss M. A. Ueddy, study; Miss A. McAniny, study.,

Second cJass: Miss Elizabeth Gleeson, good conduct; Miss Catherine Union, general improvement; Miss Julia Ann Eiley, grammar; Miss Johanna Mullins, writing; Miss Ellen Mullins, spelling; Miss Mary McGuire, tables; Miss Mary Mooney, geography; Miss Louisa Bettis, neatness r and Miss Sarah Ziegler, arithmetic.

Thirdclass: Miss Alice Langham, study; Miss Ellen Burke, work; Miss Ellen Russell, geography; Miss H. M. C. Moore, spelling; Miss M.- A. Mehan, grammar; Miss Aneva O'Conuell, good attendance. ? ■ \ h < i ■■;

Fourth Class: Miss Mary Ann Tooker, reading; Miss Mary Lawson, spelling; Miss Margaret Hendy, neatness; Miss Margaret Mcllhone, writing. The prizes being all awarded the reverend chairman addressed rthosc,present. Ho' said; that all could i see: how well the children were taught both in a secular and a religious point of view. Ho considered both should go hand-in-hand, and expressed it as his opinion that if religion wero neglected in the week, it Would be neglected oh the Sunday. He thought that the Thames people were a very religious class of people, and he bclioved that the reason of it was that they had: /been up; religiously. Ho went on further to I condemn the present system of state education as a tyrannical measure, and advocated that each denomination should bo free to have its own school, subject to examination in secular matters by the Government inspector. Ho concluded by

advising the children to make still greater efforts to learn and do well next year. The singing of the National Anthem brought the proceedings to a close.