ST. PHILOMENA'S COLLEGE; SOUTH DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 52, 30 December 1909, Page 1 (Supplement)

ST. PHILOMENA'S COLLEGE; SOUT H DUNEDIN

•The -annual distribution of prizes took place on Wednesday evening, December 15, in St. Patrick's Schoolroom, South Dunedin. Key. Father O'Neill presided, arid there were also present Rev. Father Corcoran (St., Joseph's Cathedral) and the parents and -friends of the' students. , Prior to the entertainment the audience visited the handsome study hall of the college, where a magnificent - display of paintings,, pastel and crayon drawings, plain and fancy needlework, kindergarten work, etc., executed by tlie pupils during the yeaiyitestified-.that art has- reached a very hi°-h standard of excellence, whilst /ibho \ varied' programme "of 0 ? »^ > ■ 3 udl ci.ously chosen items gone through by the students' showed' that their musical* aiid histiuonid 'talent has been carefully developed by the Sisters ofMercy. and that physical culture and graceful and lady-like manners are scrupulously attended to at St. Philomena's The overture ' Marche elegante' (P. Wach), by six 'pupils, was followed by a spirited chorus: The feature of the performance was tlie staging of ' Racine's 'Esther,' in which Miss Lynch (Assuerus, King of Persia), Miss M. Brennan (Queen Esther), Miss O'Malley (Mardochai), Miss Mackaness (Aman favorite of the King), Miss Hargreaves (Hydasphes), Miss L Carmody (Elice), Miss J. Dunford .(Miriam), Miss J Ivaveney (Asaph), Miss V. M^rlow (Zares, wife of Aman) Miss M. Dunford (Sarai), Miss Carter (Rebecca), Miss McDevitt (Rachel), and Miss T., Dunford (Anna) acquitted themselves in creditable manner. All were letter-perfect, and their finished elocution and natural and earnest acting evidenced dramatic ability and assiduous training. A pi'ano^ forte duet by six tots was warmly applauded, as was another clever juvenile effort, the dialogue 'Baby's Rights.' • A -selection by the college orchestra was a popular- number. The vocal quartet, ' Come where ' wild flowers bloom ' (White), was artistically rendered. ' Dainty dancing fairies,' by a bevy of lithe, daintily-attired, maidens, was a very pretty item. The^ Irish. jig by six little girls and a comic action song ■by the boys were greatly enjoyed by the audience. Nine of the seniors gave a fine performance of Francois Behr's ' Grand mazurka,' and nine intermediate pupils played Behr's ' Polka brilliante ' with excellent effect. Another splendid selection by the college orchestra and a final chorus brought a highly artistic and enjoyable programme to a close.

Rev. Father O'Neill apologised for the unavoidable absence of his Lordship the Bishop, and in congratulating the students said the evening's performance was an eloquent testimony to the thoroughness and completeness of the training they" were receiving. Their curriculum is based on the union of faith and religion with the different forms of intellectual achievement, and the records 'for 'the past year showed that a high standard, of excellence, had been maintained. The students had been remarkable for uniform self-respect and gentleness. For the past six years pupils had carried off local prizes for practical and theoretical music. This year Miss Lynch won the' Trinity College local gold medal for" highest marks, and another pupil secured a prize for theoretical work. , Two students competed successfully in the Navy League's essay examination, Miss O Malley distinguishing herself by winning the district pnze, for which some 50 public schools competed. The Sisters of Mercy trained their pupils for something higher than mere worldly fame,; they prepared them for the stern realities of life. In years to come, when the world's trials and cares were pressing , upon them,, they would look back 1 to their school life, and-derive hope and encouragement from the lessons so wellanculcated by the Sisters. He was proud and glad — and the parents of .South Dunediii were" glad also — to have the good Sisters .of Mqrcy in their • midst. The Sisters not only imparted a sound, religious and secular education to the. children entrusted to their care m'-'the- college and primary, schools, but also .did a', noble work in the parish in the cause of Christian charity! In •>coneTusion,- he wished Sisters and students a Happy Christmas and a .oleasant vacation. . ' ' "- ' The'folloAving is the prizejist: — ' , ' ' Senior School. < • - > -, Civil Service Class. — Christian doctrine (gold medal)/ J. Kaveney: Literature and physiology, ; May O'Malley: next ,iv merit, M." Lemon. Higher mathematics and French. »M. 'JLesmovu Eriglish , and "improvement in ■ Latin, A.i Egan! ' ''Elocution and violin, I. Carmody: next 'in merit, M-. Lynch! English oomr>osition"(pnzes awarded by tliP'Navy League)— ' M. O'Mnlley 1 and special, \J;q;Kaveney!.2. s^Mupjc .(piano- < fnrto), Mv Lvh'ch. J 'Mandolin, J. Lemon; next in merit,' M. .-Lemon. .-Class singing,,, Irene Carmody. Amiability, g! « Carmody. j

njent, J. Dunford; geography and model' drawing V Mackaness; English composition, M. Dunford ' > - teilvP?m2?^ ia T? £ ivision --Gopd conduct-, and- application (silver medal), P.' Hargreaves; English and crayon 'drawine Ruru Carter: second English, mapping, and reSSS atcce c r l anhv Cc M J n^ Dyer^ t^ ( ? ry ° f m " sic ' *• £3£j%, M- P'Kane;' draWmg, E. Murphy; arithmetic Ind Mf?lo^ afegie ' W^ lsh; Writlng ' T - Dunford/ elocution,. sC! Junior Division.— Bible history, C. Fahey • 'coo'd con<W+ and punctuality, Muriel Carter; readfngf In? a Dawson^ arithmetic and needlework,- X: ; recitationTSSy Jones; spelling, A. Reid; mental arithmetic, Ronald Marlow. '_„.. ' ' -Kindergarten School. • , Division A.— Music, May Curtin,; recitation^ L"." Curran; reading and composition, K. Burke;, spelling and neatness, Amy Dyer; arithmetic, Marie McMahon ;. drawing, A Hannah; mental arithmetic, Fred Carter; writing V .Reidimprovement in writing, D. Jones. Division B.— Reading Brigie Me,ade; writing, Leo Murphy; attendance, E. Mornssey; handwork E. Wilson; crayon drawing, E. Curfhf?Zl bb o cr 'pßayp Raym ° nd - Ma - rloW -T ! ? ivision C.-Good coSct; Gordon Pearson ; singing, J. Kennelly; writing, Brenda Kfttv 6^^*^?? 111^ C l°'f an ?i order and neatness^ Kitty Dyer; politeness, Brenda Marlow; recitation N