ST. PATRICE'S SCHOOL, LAWRENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XX, Issue 1415, 24 December 1887, Page 3

ST. PATRICE'S SCHOOL, LAWRENCE.

The above aohool was examined on Thursday and yesterday by the Rev. Father O'Neill, of Milton. The examination, which was conducted on the lines of the public school syllabus, showed the teaching to be of a must thorough and practical character, reflecting great credit on Mr and Mrs fiyrne. We were much impressed with the order and discipline, which were perfect ; and the respectful demeanour andbearingofthechildrenshowed signs of careful supervision. Where the verbal answering as well as the written work generally were so good it would be difficult to specialise. Arithmetic came in for a large* share of attention, some rather difficult problems being accurately worked out by the children in the advanced standards, whilst those in the lower standards showed themselves well up to the requirements of the syllabus. In geography and the maps of various countries a practical and extensive acquaintance was shown throughout. The answering in history was particularly noticeable, the children, especially those of the upper standards, exhibiting an intelligent understanding of the leading | events of history, ancient and modern. Several smartly-written essays were algo tamed oat, one in particular by David Lachlan, a 6th standard boy, eliciting well • deserved praise. The subject was a description of the Blue Spur mines, and the different methods of working the same. Of the girls, the essay of Mary Gregan (sth standard), on the same subject was certainly the best, showing a pretty extensive knowledge of how the Spur is worked. For this work special prizes were awarded, and were richly deserved. The reading throughout was pronounced by the examiner to be exceptionally good, as also the comprehension and spelling. There were also some very neat specimens of penmanship, and a number of exceedingly well-drawn amps. Tbe needlework department under the superintendence of Mrs Byrne was a very attractive feature of the examination, there being a large display of useful and ornamental articles, including koitting and plain and fancy work. So keen indeed was the competition in this department that there seemed to be s»>me difficulty in fairly awarding the piizes. The prizas, we might add, were not so numerous as on previous occasions. In this respect Father O'beary is of opinion that the giving of prizes at school examinations is being badly abused, and does not at all produce the effect intended. A little less prof useness and more discrimination in this matter would certainly be a step in the right direeti- n. It was decided that only those ohildren who had given tokens of industry, and who moreover had been

recommended by their teachers for the cultivation of that invaluable habit throughout the year, should receive prizes. Songs and recitations, all capitally rendered, filled up the interval prior to the distribution of the books and other premiums.

In calling upon Father O'Neill to distribute the prizes, Father O'Leary said he considered these should be given only as a reward to industry, and not indisorimin- ! ately distributed amongst the children merely to please them. Prizes were very useful as an incentive to hard work, and should not be given away where they are not earned ; as if children got prizes without earning them, they were no longer incentives to industry. He hoped that those wh» hid to go without would not be disappointed, bnt work hard no* to be behindhand next year. With regard to the education th*t was imparted in that school, Father O'Neill had examined it most thoroughly, and was greatly pleased with the result. Peraonajly, he was very well pleased himself. Being; always with them, he knew what they could do ; and when he compared the school work there with the work of other schools, ha felt satisfied that the Catholics of Lawrence were advantageously situated in this respect. He had occasional opportunities of comparing the children attending S. Patrick's school with the ohildren attend ing the State schools— for there were children attending the State school in Lawrenoe w ho ought not to be there,-— and the comparison was not in the least unfavourable to them. The principle upon which the prizes had been allotted was the recommendation of the teachers. The master and mistress were the best judges of those who most deserved prizes ; they observed who were most industrious and diligent; and their obedience and progress were more evident to them than to anybody elne. He had to tell them, in conclusion that they were to have five weeks' holidays ; and he hoped they would make the best of their time and spend a merry Christmas and a happy new year. — (Cheers.)

Sixth Standard. — OirlB : Johanna DtW» 1; Maggie Joyce and Florence Hart (equal), 2. Boy ft: John Airey, 1; David Lachlan and John Drew (equal), 2. Fifth Stahdaed.— Mary Gregan, 1 ; Polly Kelleher, Maggie Nash, Norah O'Driacoll and Lizzie Fahey (equal), 2. Boys : James Airey, 1 ; Donald O'Leary, 2. Fourth Standard. — Girls : Polly White, 1; Maggie Kepple, 2 ; Maggie Drew, 3. Boys : Edward Curtin, 1 ; John Eoughan, John Joyce, and John M'Cann (equal), 2. Thisd Standard.— Girls : Ellen Drew and Bridget Joyce (equal), 1 ; Bella Moody, Ethel Hart, and Josephine Crisp (equal), 2. Boys; John Crisp, 1; James Spillane, 2; Michael fiOUgaaU (U1& JOIUI Kepple (equal), 3. Second Standard. — Girls: Mary Boughan, 1; Mary Collgan and Annie White (equal), 2. Boys: Edward Eoughan, 1 ; Patrick Boughan, 2. First Standard.— Girls : E. Pal&tchie, 1 ; Maggie Colgan, 2. ' *

Special Prizes.

Best conducted boy and girl (awarded by rote of school) — Johanna Drew and John Airey. Diligence— Wm. Cummiugs. Begulw attendance— Thomas Roughan. Best essay— David Lachlan and Mary Gregan. Christian Doctrine— Maggie Joyce. Popularity— John Drew and Florence Hart. Fancy work— Johanna Drew, 1; Polly Kelleher and Maggie Drew (equal), 2. Sewing— Maggie Joyce, 1; Lizzie Fahey and Mary Gregan (equal), 2 ; Maggie Kepple and Bella Moody (equal), 3.

Father O'Neill said he considered it a privilege to conduct an examination in a school like this, where the children were well advanced, and showed such aptitude in their work. He had tested their knowledge in the various subjects as well as coaid be expected in the time, and was thoroughly satisfied that they were well taught, and that the efforts of their teachers in improving their intellects were fully appreciated by them. The natural quickness and genius of the scholars which he had noticed during the course of the examination convinced him that the work of teaching waa not very difficult. The essays on the subject of the Blue Spur had surprised him greatly; for the knowledge of the subject which they displayed was somethiug whioh he really did not expect among young children. The essays which had tdken the prizes were written without a single mistake, the grammar, spelling, and composition being perfeoti In the Sixth standard arithmetic he had given them four sums according to the Government standard, and there was not a single mistake. The children had shown themselves fit for higher arithmetic ; but in order to agree with the Government standard they were given the standard questions, tie was astonished at their knowledge of geography, not only of New Zealand, but of the world generally, and particularly of Ireland. He liked to see children well posted in the geography of their native land and conversant wi f .h the history of the land from which their fathers had come. In the fifth and sixth standards the Tiistory was really capital. They had displayed a good knowledge of the history of England, exhibiting a most accurate memory for dates and events. As to the management of the school, he had tried to find fault with it, bat had failed to do bo. He had a fair opportunity of knowing what schools are and of how they are conducted ; and he must say that the Lawrence Catholic school was a credit to thftm and compared more than favourably with the State schools of which they heard so much.

At the close of the distribution of the prizas Johanna Drew presented Father O'Leary with a beautifully worked bracket made by herself, which the rev. gentleman acknowledged in flattering termß. Cheers having been given for Father O'Leary and Father O'Neill, and Mr and Mrs Byrne, the proceedings were brought to a oloae by the children singing the New Zealand National Anthem.