Our Schools

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 51, 21 December 1905, Page 33

Our Schools

ST. DOMINIC'S COLLEGE

CLOSINQ EXERCISES

St. Joseph's Parish School was crowded in every part on Friday evening when the annual entertainment of and the distribution of prizes to the pupils of St. Dominic's College took place. The Rev. Father Coffey, A dm., presided, and the other ciergy present were the Rev. Fathers Cleary, Howard, M. Ryan, O'Malley, Hearn, Liston, Buckley, and D. O'Neill. The programme submitted was highly enjoyable and showed the varied and superior education imparted at the college. It opened with an orchestral selection. Incidental music to Shakespeare's ' Henry V 111.,' which was admirably played. Then followed a chorus, ' Mild as the moonbeams, V— an excellent item. The pianoforte duet (3 pianos), ' Spanische Tanze,' by Misses Ralph, Gawne, Martin, Moritzson, Clarke, and Goldsmith, was a fine example of the musical training given at the college. The club exercises by four pupils were performed with a grace and precision which shoved that physical training receives special attention. The pianoforte solo, ' Allegro from Appassionata Sonaio ' (Beethoven), by Miss Myra Montague, A.T.C.L., was an exceptionally fine performance and fully up to the standard for which this gifted young performer is noted. The song 4 Bid me discourse' by Miss Violet Fraser (Certificated Vocalist) was rendered in a finished manner. A very popular item was the scene from ' Julius Caesar,' ' The quarrel,' in which Miss W. Martin took the part of Brutus, Miss E. Goldsmith, Cassius, and Miss M. Gawne, Lucius. The principal characters, ' although so difficult for female performers, were well filled, the delivery showing both young ladies to be possessed of dramatic ability. In the song 1 Nobil Signor ' Miss Hannah Sweeney, A.T.C.L., had an opportunity of showing to advantage her voice and training. The violin solo, • Obertass Mazurka,' by Miss Maud Sandilands was brilliantly played. A very fine item was the ' Militar March ' (3 pianos) by the Misses Paton, A.T.C.L., King, and Ralph. The entertainment was brought to a close with the part song, ' The Lord is my Shepherd,' by Misses Fraser, Dall, Heffernan, Ralph, and Clarke, which was a good finale to a good programme. At the conclusion of the musical selections the Rev. Father Coffey read the following Report on the work of the college during the past scholastic year :— This evening brings to a close our scholastic year — a year in which much that is new and igood has been introduced into our training system. Every care has been taken to secure that the education of the, pupils should be a ' preparation for complete living,' and a drawing out and \itilising of all that is best mi them. The pupils themselves have, by willing co-operation, developed mentally and morally. They have worked unsparingly, and they have learned to find in hard work and in the study of all God's beautiful gifts to .earth, 1 never-failing sources of happiness There has been during the, year a desire for knowledge, and a keen though kindly emulation. Last year our college^ was affiliated to Oxford— the famous old University ; and in June of the present year the first Oxford Local examinations in New Zealand were held in St. Dominic's. The results lately to hand were highly gratifying. A list of the successes is appended to the prize list. This affiliation has not only given a fresh stimulus to study in the senior grades, but it has also provided for the junior classes a splendid incentive to work. In the Teachers' D Examination, Matriculation, and Junior Civil Service college pupils were successful. Physical development has not been overlooked. iMiss Mowat, who is to be warmly congratulated on the success of her efforts, has reason to feel that her pupils have fully appreciated her labors in their behalf. In the School of Music three of the pupils secured diplomas of Associate (A.T.C.L.) — two in pianoforte playing and one in singing. Another pupil obtained fthe title of Certificated Vocalist and Local Exhibitioner of Trinity College. There were in all twenty successful candidates, three of whom secured honors— two in the senior grade and one in the junior. Much good work has been done in the Art Class in drawing, flower painting from nafure, animal andUyandscape painting. In the various departments of the school, from the kindergarten upwards, there has been a steady increase in the number of pupils. Each of the Sodalities has received an influx of members, and the

sodalists, especially) the Children of Mary, have, by the silent but effective teaching of good example, done much to secure that the tone of the school should maintain its usual high standing. Good feeling .has, existed between teachers and pupils, and the intercourse of the pupils with one another has been specially marked by frankness and cordiality. The Rev. Father Coffey, in the course of a brief address, said he had to apologise for the absence of his Lordship the Bishop, who was unavoidably prevented from presiding that evening. Though absent in person his Lordship was with them in spirit on that occasion for he had in his letter expressed his high appreciation of the great work of the Dominican nuns in the interest of education in Dunedin and in the diocese during the past thirty-four years. He .(Father Coffey) also appreciated the excellent system of education which had existed and does exist at St. Dominic's College, and he did not think that any person who sent his child to St. Dominic's could find any faultany reasonable fault— with the teaching. They had evidence that night in the long list of successes read out—a list of successes which was not exceeded by any private school in New Zealand. The Dominican nuns were the first to start private teaching in a laree scale in the Colony, and he thought he was safe in saying that they had always been the first to introduce new methods, when such were shown to be good. They had been the first in the Colony to introduce examinations in connection with Oxford University These examinations are based on the same high standard which obtains at Home, and they had in the college pupils who had passed these examinations. In this parents had proof that the system of education at St Dominic s was equal to any school in the Colony la addition to an excellent secular education, the children received a good religious training, which i* the ground work of all education, for when God created man he crowned him with the gift of grace. Parents could feel satisfied that with regard to a j;ood secular education in every department everything was done to develop the talent of the child in the right direction The- pupils had the benefit of good example as well as teaching, and the firm foundation of a religious education to fit them for the battle of life Ihe parents should be proud to have such a means of good education in their midst. On behalf of the Sisters he cordially thanked all who had assisted dur* ing the year, and also the donors of prizes In conclusion he trusted that those leaving the college for good would remember what they had learned there by word and example, and that they would be a credit to themselves and to their Alma Mater in after years and that those who were to return would enjoy their holidays, and would come back determined to pursue their studies with even greater zeal than they had done in the year just past. When a girl leaves school she has to mix with the world, and she should have a proper pride in herself, not that she should despise or look down upon others who had not the benefit of such a superior education. The nuns cave them an example of personal abandonment in the interest of others. The lesson of unselfishness was one which the nuns taught by their example, and he trusted that the girls would profit by that lesson, The Rev. Father Cleary, on behalf of those present, thanked the pupils for their very delightful entertainment, and complimented the nuns on the magnificent series of successes which their pupils bad achieved in the scholastic and musical world The parents were to be congratulated on the admirable preparation the girls were receiving so as to fit them or the broader and fuller life of the future, especially on the fact that while great attention was given to scholastic matters, there was no neglect ol the more important cultivation of the heart. In conclusion he hoped they would have very pleasant holidays The prizes were distributed at intervals during the evening, the list being as follows :— Senior Oxford and Matriculation Class— Engfish M Me hek; mathematics, R. Dey ; Christian doctrine' m' Melhck ; geography, E. Fraser ; composition I Reid •' advanced Latin, T. McKenzie. ' Junior Oxford.-CMass medallists, E. Clarke and A Ward ; next in merit, E. Goldsmith ; French JVf' Burke, 1 ; M. Gawne, 2 ; advanced Latin, I. McKenzie • Latin, L. Flannery ; elementary Latin F Byrne : arithmetic, R. McQuillan ; algebra, E Powell • Bibl« history (-silver medal), M. Burke; freehand drawing Burke; deportment, L. Flannery; domestic economy, H. Burke ; geography, W. Martin • mapping and diagrams, A. Ward; attention to studies J Daviesorder and neatness, E. Goldsmith ; literature f' Byrne ; composition, T. Swanson ; composition ' and literature, J. Davies ; application, E. Powell and W Martin ; calisthenics, E. Clark ; flower-painting from

nature, animal and landscape painting, R. Marsh (first prize) ; M. Flannery (second prize, animal painting); M. Jopp and H. Sweeney (hon. mention). Preliminary Oxford.— Class medallist, B. Laffey ; arithmetic, S. Drury ; algebra, B. Lafiey ; composition, N. King ; French, S. Drury ; geography, A. O'Brien ; writing, C. Morrison ; history, L. Nolan ; calisthenics, E. Davies ; needlework, May Burke ; general improvement, E. McCarton ; application, C. Petre, and O. Jolly ; improvement in music, L. Maloney and M. Burke. Preparatory Oxford— Class medallist, A. Gaffney ; French, kN. Lynch ; arithmetic, A. Gaffney, M. Jopp, and R. Moritzon , mapping and geography, Jean Peat ; writing, K. Stewart ; attendance, N. Lynch ; flower-painting from nature (2nd prize), J. Peat ; general improvement, May Pound ; improvement in music, Mary Murphy and K. Byrne; water-color painting, M. Jopp.; application, E. McDonnell and L. Lynch. Music School Prizes.— Lower Grade Royal Academy (silver medal)— D. Millar ; improvement in music, A. Ralph. Intermediate Grade Royal Academy (silver medal)— R. Moritzon ; prize, M. Gawne. Senior Grade, Honors Trinity College (silver medal) —T. McMullin ; prize, A. Knott ; solo playing, M. King. Higher Examinations— Certificated Vocalist and Exhibitioner of Trinity College, V. Fraser ; gold . medal and special prize, H. Sweeney , gold medal and special prize, M. Paton ; gold medal and special prize, M. Montague. Gold medal and special prize, Hilda McKay, Senior Oxford Honors and Associate in Arts. Good conduct prize, M. Flannery. "Wreath for amiability awarded by the votes of the pupils to Mary McMullin. Kindergarten.'— 'Grade IV. — Vincent Shiel, good conduct and writing ; Sarah Cole, observations and drill >; Rosie Rogan, attendance and general improvement ; Tasman O'Brien, writing and bru&h work ; Connie Millar, violin and nature study ; Veronica Gawne, violin and politeness ; Lily Foster, home study and recitation ; Bella Collins, sewing and word-building ; Ruru Carter, reading and word-building ; Eileen Cooney, Christian

Doctrine and arithmetic ; Nellie McKenzie, neatness and drawing ; Kathleen Coughlan, deportment and sewing. Grade lll.— Rita Biggins, "pianoforte playing and recitation ; Muriel Carter, punctuality and singing ; Nora Cantwell, neatness and good conduct ; Gladys Cole, home study and recitation ; Ruru Taylor, reading and nature study ; Mary Lennon, word-building and attendance ; Grattan Shiel, observations and writing ; Winnie Salmon, Christian,- Doctrine and brush work ; Mary McKenzie, sewing and writing ; Mavis Grieve, politeness and brush work. Grade ll.— Rosalie Chiaroni, music and drawing ; Leonard Salmon, nature study and modelling ; Cissie Dunn, neatness and punctuality ; Muriel Sullivan, home study and paper folding , Monica Petrc, number and observations ; Lily Moir, recitations and nature study ; Gertie Meenan, drawing and good conduct. Grade I.— Rosie Gardham, embroidery and stick-lay-ing ; Strephon King, gifts and recitation ; Linda Riddle, mat-weaving and modelling ; Tessie Millar, paper folding and stick-laying ; Veronica McKenzie, observations and embroidery. The following pupils were successful in the Trinity College, London, Musical Examinations.— Higher Examinations—Myra Montague (A.T.C.L.), Minnie Paton (A.T.C.L.), Hannah Sweeney (A.T.C.L.), singing. Certificated Vocalist, Violet Fraser. Senior grade (honors), T. McMullin, A. Knott (piano). Pass, N. Hall (singing), A. Major (singing), M. Sandilands '(violin), N. Angus (piano), A. Ralph (singing). Intermediate grade —Pass, M. Murphy, M. McKay, M. Maloney, N. O'Leary. Junior grade— E. Ward (honors) ; pass, K. Stewart, M. Jopp (singing), A. Paton. Preparatory grade— M. Laffey. Successes in various examinations.— Teachers' Examination Class D., I. McKenzie ; Matriculation, E. Dey ; Civil Service (junior), P. Geaney, B. Wright, G. Mellick, E. Dey. Certificates awarded to the successful candidates, University of Oxford. — Prefiminary grade— H. Burke, B. Laffey, S. Drury. Junior grade— E. Clark, R. McQuillan, E. Goldsmith, I. McKenzie, A. Ward, M. Burke, (R. Dey, and E. Dey. 'Senior Oxford Certificate— Mary Hilda McKay passed with honors the Oxford Local Examination as a senior candidate and is declared an Associate in Arts of the University of Oxford: