DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 3 September 1908, Page 17

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From Our Own Correspondent.) ' - August 31. The citizens, of Christchurch and those Of the other chief centres will shortly have the pleasure of listening to a young vocalist, Miss Irene. Ainsley; a native of Auckland, who for some years has been studying underesome "of the- most famous teachers in Europe and rapidly rose to eminence. Madame, Melba, who has taken a deep interest in -her. "voice and culture, states that in six years Miss Ainsley will be the leading of the world. She was a former pupil of the Sisters of Mercy in Auckland. - - In his report on the Marist Brothers' School, Mr. Thomas Ritchie, inspector under the Nortlv..Canterbury Education, writes: — 'This school Jias " -an enrolment' of 173 ''pupils, of whom 158 were present during the official visit. , In one day (which- was all the time available for the inspection) it was obviously impossible to deal "in detail with the \vork of individuals, or even of individual classes,- but opportunity. '-was taken to test by sections all work of primary, importance, -and also as far as possible those features -included under- the heading of additional subjects. The results may be "summarised as follow': — Reading and comprehension (together With recitation), satisfactory;, spelling, good in Standard V., 'uneveft.ki Standard III". ; writing, very fair to satisfactory ; c6rtip9sitit>ri ,'' .very fair in Standard V., in Standard IV. fair to moderate, and in Stan-' dard. I. (oral) very commendable ; arithmetic, fair to moderate ; geography, course A^ fair, ,course ; ,B . satisfactory ; drawing, generally satisfactory, very good freehand in Standards,.. 1 1 I> v .-and 11. ; singing, satisfactory.; physical-instruction, good:; civics, very fair; science and nature study, programme and treatment fair.'

Regarding the-Sacred Heart -scho,oLvat Addihgton', conducted by Hhe Sisters' of the"' Mission!;, Ml"? Ritchie states : 'At this school the existing classification of pupils has been in force only since the beginning of the current year. The inspection just held must therefore be regarded solely as a test of progress, but in comparing the results now with those submitted tWo years -ago it is gratifying T to .note substantial improvement in

general proficiency. In classes,. Standard V. to Standard 111., to which searching tests were applied,' reading, spelling, writing, and (in .general)" composition are commendable features. Arithmetic' is less 'Satisfactory, and, indeed, calls for special attention during the remainder of- the working year 1 ; but "n -geography, particularly the section known as course A, the , answering was prompt and intelligent. The work of Standards 11. and 1.-, as well as that of the preparatory classes, was inspected as far as opportunity offered.. Generally, it is being conducted on sound lines, and the progress is mainly satisfactory. ' .With some useful recommendations regarding future work, the report concludes : * Throughout the visit the attention, order, and -general behaviour of the pupils, were exemplary." There"^ are* 90 children on the school roll, and 79 were present at the inspection.' In his report of St. Agnes' School, Hals well, Mr. T. S." Foster, inspector, state? (in part) as follows : — ' The schoolroom • is spacious and. well lighted,; and for the number enrolled the staff is numerically strong. Sefiemes .-.of -work had been planned in full detail, making provision for all subjects of instruction prescribed for schools of this size. ' ~ln some respects, notably ~in reading, recitation, and writing, the attainments are good. With some notable exceptions, spelling and arithmetic are satisfactory I . '•• After*pointing out any observable defects, the" report concludes by saying that the general conduct and orderly' behaviour of the pupils" on the occasion of the visit formed a pleasing feature of the day's work.