OUR SCHOOLS. ST. DOMINIC'S COLLEGE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 52, 25 December 1902, Page 2

OUR SCHOOLS. ST. DOMINIC'S COLLEGE.

The annual breaking-np ceremony in connection with St. Dominic's College took place in St. Joseph's School on Wednesday evening of lost week in the presence of a very large audience, His Lordship Bishop Yerdon pre ided, and there were also present Very Rev. Dean Hoyne (Hobart), Very Rev. Dean Folep (Cnristcharoh), R^v. Father Murphy, Adm., and Rev. Father O'Malley. The pupils were grouped on the Btajre, which waa tastefuMy uVeorated, the whole making a pretty picture. Dari g the eve .ing 1 a programme of rare nurit, consisting of lterm of vocal and instrumental mueio, a recitat on, and a kindtirgarten ppiele, was oontribut d by the pupil', who acquitted themselves in a manner worthy of tin high reputa ion which the college enjoys as an educational osntre, and creditable alike to performers and teachers. The fr quent applause showed that the audience thoroughly apprecia c t»a highclaw programme which was submitted both fur their pleasure and criticism. That the musical portion would be of a high order of merit waa geae rally anticipated, considering the success of the pupils at the various examinations held under the auspices of the London college*, ana it is almost unnecessary to cay that the highest expectations wete more than fully realised. The programme opened with a bright chorus by the whole of the pupils. This was followed by a pianoforte duet, 'Cabaletta' (Lack), wa'ch waa playtd evenly and with good expression and execution by the junior pupile, the performers being Misses Collins (2), Callan, Gawoe, Morrison, and Byrne. The only voo&I solo on the programme, 'Hash my litiie one' (.Bevignani), was given by Misft.T. Duriamuir, and was received with warm appreciation. An instrumental trio by Miss Thompson (violin), Miss Montague ('cello), Miss Paton (piano), was fairly well played. One of the best items on the programme was a recitation, ' The Bivouac fire,' which was given with clear enunciation and finished dramatio effect by Miss Kathleen Collins. It was excel cut for such a youthful pupil and her Btyle might be copied with »dvantage by many adult reciters. The action song and dance by the kindergarten, with their bright pretty dresses, was not tbe least effective item. In her violin solo Misa Thompson displayed a knowledge of teohnique and good training. Miss Montague maintained her

reputation m the gold medallist of the Colony in the pianoforte ■010, 'Albnmblatt' (Hiller). A pianoforte dnet, <Val»e brilliant' (Moskowaki), played by the senior pupil*- Mines O'Grady, Paton, Sweeney, O'Oonnell, Wood, and Carey— was noted for {rood execution. An instrumental quartet, ' Belesario,' Miss Helps (harp). Miss Thompson (violin), Miaa Montague ('oello), and Miss Paton (piano), met with much favor from the audience, many of whom were delighted to have an opportunity of hearing that good old Irish instrument the harp. A part song, ( Angelas ' (Ohaminade), was well sang. The programme finished with an excellently played pianoforte duet, 'Ungarieohe tanze' by Misses Paton, Montague, Carey, O'Grady, Seeiye, and Griff en. At the conclusion of the entertainment his Lordship Bishop Yerdon, addressing the pupils, oomplimented them on the excellence of the programme. It was a pleasure to him to visit St. Joseph's School and St. Dominic's College, for he always saw there bright and cheerful children, whose very looks and deportment bore testimony to the edaoation they were receiving. He congratulated them on the successful termination of a successful year, and also congratulated those who had won prises for their diligence and application, whilst those who did not receive prices had no doubt profited very muoh by the year they had been at school. Here his Lordship read the annual report, which was as follows :— 'The scholastic year now concluding has been an exceptionally busy and suooessf ul one There has been a large increase in the number of visiting and resident pupils, whose docility and studiousness has been, in the average, highly satisfactory. High percentages have been scored in the various examinations in mathematics, hiptory, English grammar, and composition, Great progress has been made in the study of the French language and in French conversation, bnt it would be desirable that more enthusiasm were shown for the cultivation of other modern languages, such as German and Italian. The art students have done excellent work in the various branches of drawing and in the different Btyles of painting. In the School of Mnsio the gold medal for the Colony was won by Mies Myra Montague, and 46 candidates presented themselves at the different London examinations, without a failure. The nans return cordial thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who presented prizes.' Continuing, his Lordship complimented the pupils on their suooeeses at the musical examinations. It was at these they had the only opportunity of competing with the pupils of the other schools of the Colony, and as the Catholic children had been invariably successful at these examinations, it showed that the musical education given by the good nuns was of a very high order of excellence and was not surpassed by any establishment in the Colony. And if the Catholio children were to compete with other children in public examinations it would be found that they would be fully as successful in other branches of education. He said this because he knew the teachers were thoroughly competent and devoted to their work. He was sure, therefore, that the children were very thankful to the good Sisters, and he thought the parents and friends of the ohildren should feel deeply grateful to the good nuns for all they had done. They were devoted to the work of education, they had given up everything for it that they might benefit the ohildren, and they had produced wonderfnl results. Catholic people took great interest in the teaching Orders, and it was because of their work among the children that in other countries they had incurred the enmity of anarchists and such people. In conclusion, hie Lordship again congratulated the pupils and teachers on the good work that had been done during the year. He hoped the ohildren during their vaoation would employ their time to advantage and read good, useful books. On behalf of the Sisters his Lordship thanked the ladies and gentlemen who had given prizes. At intervals during the programme the prizes were distributed by his Lordship the Bishop, who was assisted by the Mother Prioress. The wreath for amiability was awarded by the votes of the pupils to Mies Annie McCarthy, and Miss T. Eilmartin was successful in securing the gold medal as dux of the college. The following is the prise-list : — BENIOB SCHOOL. Intermediate Grade Class B. — Class medallist, N. O'Sullivan ; Christian doctrine (silver medal), M. Walshe ; French prize, L. Collie ; Latin, F. Byrne ; arithmetic, K. Collins ; history, M. Gawne ; general improvement, M. Jopp. Intermediate Grade Class A. — Class medallist (silver medal), M. O'Sullivan ; French prise, E. Goldsmith ; Latin, M. Blakely ; arithmetic, M. O'Sullivan ; penmanship, A. Knott ; mapping, M. Murray; needlework, M. Graham ; calisthenics and deportment, M. Tobin ; freehand drawing, C. Hefferan ; application, M. Caldwell ; general improvement, M. McDonald and M. Murphy (equal). Senior Grade Class C. — Clbbs medallist (silver medal), E. Goldsmith ; art needlework, R. Rossi ter ; algebra, W. Martyn ; politeness, M. Jackman ; improvement in tinging, H. Sweeney ; application, E. Wood ; general improvement, M. O'Rourke. Senior Grade Class B. — Class medallist (silver medal), J. McCarthy ; Christian doctrine (silver medal), J. McCarthy ; arithmetic, G. Mellick ; French, K. Byrne ; application, K. M'Cort. Senior Grade Class A. — Class medallist and dux (gold medal, gift of Mr Reidle, Dresden Company), T. Kilmartin ; second prize for English (silver watoh, gift of Mr Montague), N. Kelly ; distinction in English and mathematics, M. Byrne ; deportment, M. Herlihy ; French, H. MoKaj ; mathematics, T. Eilmartin ; Latin (silver medal), H. McKay ; Bible history (silver medal), M. Collins ; painting, A. McCarthy ; attendance, H, McKay ; wood-oarving, A. McCarthy. Good oonduct prise, awarded by the votes of the pupils to Annie M 'Gar thy ; good conduct prize, awarded to Johanna M'Carthy. PHIZES : BOHOOL OF MUSIC. Local Centre Royal Academy — Honors (gold medal), M. Montague ; higher grade— distinction in harmony, L Edmonds, A.

J&f*;,^- M G fffirpr (equal) ; lower grade— distinction in mnsio, M OSttllivan • distinction in harmony, A. Gilray ; intermediate grade (Trinity College)— honors in violin, V. Thompson; honors in pianoforte, J. Millar ; junior grade— Honors. K. Collins and M. Morrison. Associated Board of the Royal f Academy of Mnaio and the Royal College of Music (Looal Centre)— Senior pianoforte : Florence Courtis, May O'Grady, Mary Prendergaßt, Norah Murphy, Josephine Griffon, Gertrude Meenan; senior singing, Gertrude Meenan. Looal Centre: Junior pianoforte— Myra Montague (honors, gold medal); passed— Annie Kerr, Mary Jackman. Hannah Sweeney, Ethel Wood, and Maud Collins. School examinations (higher division) : Pianoforte— Annie Gilray, Minnie Ool?dHl G°y« n i Ma -Edmonds ; singing, May Anthony ; harp Lower Division— Pianoforte— Mary O'Snllivan (distinction); passed— Margaret Gawne, Mary Tobin, Jessie Millar, and Aggie Knott. Harmony (Local Centre): Senior grade— Mary M. Prendergaßt ; rudimente of music— Ethel Wood, Hannah Sweeney, Maud Collins May O'Grady, Nora Maloney, Florenoe Oourtia, Myra Montague, and Freda Clark. Sohool examinations: HigherdWsion—Annie Kerr (distinction), Ida Edmonds (distinction), M. M'Gregor (dietanotfon), K. M'Leod (pass), M. Helps (paas). Lower division— Annie GUray (distinction); passed— Nora Kelly, K. Goyen, M. Byrne, and H. M'Kay; rudiments— Hannah Moody (pass), Gertrude Taylor (pass). Trinity College, London.— Senior grade— Kate Cartwright (honors) ; passed— Geraldine O'Connell, Mabel King, Nora Joyce ; intermediate— Jeannie Millar (honors), Violet Thompson (honora, violin) ; junior— Myrtle Morrison (honors) ; passed— Winnie Martyn, Francis Byrne, Lucy Freed (violin), Winnie M'Tigue (Milton), Mary O Rourke ; preparatory : passed— Norah Angus (Milton), Maggie Jopp Bessie Laffey (violin), Mary Marphy, Maggie Walla (Milton), Olive White. Harmony : Senior grade— May Duggan Ethel Kirkoaldy ; junior grade— Mildred Carey (honors) ; passed— M. Dobie, 0. Ward, E. Ward, M. Walls, N. Angus, W. Tijrue. M. O'Sullivan, W. Martin, K. Byrne, M. Gawne. Junior Civil Service— A. Plunkett and T. Kilmartin. JUNIOR SCHOOL. Christian doctrine, Rachel Johnson ; good conduot, -Annie Rodgers ; regular attendance, Bella Laffey ; English, Nora O Donnell ; arithmetic, Dorothy Peters ; neat exercises, Mercedes M'Donald ; French, Nora ODonnell ; general improvement, Dolores M'Donald ; freehand drawing, Annie Rodgers. Class B : English, Annie O'Brien ; arithmetic, Amelia Woodger ; musio (violin), Kitty Byrne ; model drawing, Constance Petrie ; diligence, Ethel Trower • politeness, Freda Jeffrey.