ST. PHILOMENA’S COLLEGE, SOUTH DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, 22 December 1910, Page 2123

ST. PHILOMENA’S COLLEGE, SOUTH DUNEDIN

The halls of St. Philomena’s College were closed to study on Thursday, 15th inst., whence annual distribution of prizes and exhibition of work took place. His Lordship the Bishop presided, and there were also present Rev. Father O’Malley and friends of the students. The students’ concert had been given on the previous evening, consequently the programme on this occasion was short but highly artistic. The introductory number, a bright Chorus of welcome,’ was followed by a pianoforte duet capitally played by Misses Hall and Maggie Monaghan. The recitation, A sister’s farewell,’ was beautifully rendered by Misses Molly Brennan and Alix Anstis, whose faultless enunciation and graceful bearing won unstinted praise. The college orchestra gave a splendid selection in finished style. Miss Daisy Hall sang ‘ The green isle of Erin ’ very sweetly. A graceful gavotte by eight kindergarten tots in Louis XIV. costumes was a quaint and popular item. A much appreciated vocal duet by Misses Daisy Hall arid Kaveny and a spirited chorus brought a charming performance to a close.

Rev. Father O'Maliey read the annual report, which was as follows: —' The scholastic year has been marked by serious application and industry. The students have been uniformly docile, and their conduct has been the realisation of what is expected from those whose privilege it is to be educated in a Catholic college. Their piety and earnestness with regard to their spiritual duties give convincing proof that in after years they will reflect credit on their Alma Mater as models of practical Catholicity. In literary pursuits the higher classes have been very successful. For the Navy League's Historical Essay examination competition was keen, and prizes were taken in both senior and junior sections. The district prize presented by the League to the essayist securing highest marks was again gained by a student of St. Philomena's, who obtained 96 marks for her paper. All the candidates presented were successful in the practical examinations of Trinity College and the Royal Academy of Music. This year three girls from the college took Ist, 2nd, and 3rd prizes respectively for solo singing at the Dunedin Competitions festival. When giving his decision the judge (Professor Ives, of Melbourne) spoke in the highest terms of their training. Good work has been done in the art studio and needlework department. Here the girls have displayed marked aptitude and enthusiasm. Whilst devoting much attention to art work, plain sewing has not been neglected. Towards the end of May candidates from the college sat for the London and City Guilds' examination in needlework (plain sewing, cutting out, darning, theory, etc.), held for the first time in Dunedin, and the results recently to hand are highly gratifying. In the middle and junior classes the standard of efficiency as tested by the Education Board's inspectors was well maintained. The kindergarten department has been growing in numbers each month, and the work done is wonderful when the average age of the little ones is taken into consideration.' His Lordship the Bishop addressing the students expressed his pleasure at being present, and congratulated them on having brought a very successful year to a happy termination. Their annual report affords very pleasant reading indeed to all interested in the welfare of our Catholic schools. _ It showed that they had been docile and diligent, and in every way their conduct had given promise of goodness and success in after life. The foundations of their lives are being solidly laid and they are being thoroughly trained to virtue and piety. The course of secular studies is excellentas good as any in the Dominion, and the year's record of successes is very gratifying indeed. In singing they have done exceedingly well. The results of the practical examinations by the examiners of the Home colleges show that their success in instrumental music was equally good. In needlework and art they were to the front also, and in the recently established branch in connection with the London Technical Societies happy results were achieved. Excellent work in literature had won for them prizes and distinctions. The Sisters of Mercy are imparting a first-class education. These good teachers do not labor for any earthly reward, but solely for the benefit of those committed to their charge. In this happy home they had a bright example before them, and in years to come, when they had passed away from the school, they should gratefully remember their obligations to the Sisters who are bestowing such care and attention upon them. He urged them to put into practice the lessons they received. Then, indeed, as'their report said, they will be models of practical. Christianity, and by their good example shed lustre on their Alma Mater. They had done good, earnest work, and now the time to enjoy well-earned relaxation had come. They should enjoy their holidays, but in a Christian manner. Prayer and the spiritual duties must be attended to first; they must act up to the good advice given them by the Sisters; doing so they would enjoy a happy, happy vacation, which he heartily wished them.

The work executed by the students during the year in the studio and needlework classes was exhibited in the principal study hall. It reflected credit on teachers and pupils. There was a refinement in the selection of designs and a certain artistic knowledge shown in many of the more elaborate pieces of work that one seldom finds n school children’s displays. Richly embroidered cushions beautifully worked panels and screens, pretty table centres’

a bewildering collection of Mount Mellick, drawn thread, and lace work, as well as creditable specimens of plain sewing were shown. Lovely mirrors, pictures, panels, and screens executed in oils; studies in pastel and black and white; delicate works of art in Poonah painting drew forth the admiration of all. The little kindergarteners had their own special display, as varied and tasteful as it was pretty and —needlework, embossing, paper-fold-ing, mat-weaving, and the child's idea of drawing and coloring from Natureproved that the little hands are very deft and that the latent talents within them are being brought out by means of training their eyes, ears, and hands. The prize list was as follows: Senior School. Matriculation Class. Christian doctrine (gold medal), M. McAuley; advanced Latin and human physiology (gold medal), May Lemon; next iii merit. May O'Malley; French and algebra (gold medal), Maggie Monaghan; next in merit, M. Lemon; English and geography (gold medal), May O Malley ; plain needlework and composition, J. Kaveney; Navy League essay prizes— Ist and special, Ki\r 11 u y < 2nd ' Allx Anstis ; senior, J. Kaveney and May U Malley; winner of district prize, Mary McAuiey; atten,l??r J? studles > Maggie Monaghan; painting (oils), M. U Malley. x " i • x Civil . Service Class.—Elementary Latin and English history silver medal), Alix Anstis; Euclid and art needlework (silver medal), Mary Monaghan ; penmanship and improvement in music (silver medal), May Brown; freehand drawing (silver medal), Josephine Nolan; next in merit Vera Marlow; religious knowledge and reading (silver medal), M. Dunford; arithmetic (silver medal), Vera Marlow; English grammar and elocution (silver medal) Molly Brennan; vocal music (silver medal), Daisy Hall; model drawing, Molly Brennan; crayon drawing, Vera Marlow; violin (silver medal), Doris Anstis. Senior Division, Class Arithmetic, Eileen Murphy ■ comprehension and second arithmetic, I. McDowall; annlil cation to studies, P. Hargreaves; music and deportment, Molly Monaghan; geography, Eileen Murphy; English Ruru Garter; pastel painting, P. Hargreaves spelling and dictation, Mabel Hayes; mental arithmetic, Eileen Moloney elementary science, Ruru Carter; next in merit, I. McDowall. '

Class B.—Good conduct and general proficiency, Maggie Walsh; elementary physiology, T. Dunford; arithmetic, Kathleen Moloney; reading, Mona Anstis; nature study, M U Kane; freehand drawing, Kathleen Hayes; music, M. O Kane; Christian doctrine, D. Naughton ; general improvement, Florence English. „ Intermediate Class.—Composition and plain needlework Cecilia Fahey; geography, K. McDevitt; Bible history, May Jones; English, K. McDevitt; arithmetic, Ima Dawson; mapping, Violet McMaster; drawing and diligence, M„^i C^w t; s P ellln %. lm a Dawson; mental arithmetic Muriel Carter; general improvement, Annie Reid; application, M. Carter; elocution, May Jones. Junior School. itv 5Sf- iol X,^-y i lan v Rawing, Mona Kerr; amiability, 1 hillis 0 Grady; English composition, Marie McMahon calisthenics, Kathleen Burke ; order and neatness, Amy Dwyer; geography May Curtin; grammar, Marie McMahon; writing Agnes Moloney; spelling, Amy. Dwyer; designing, May Curtin; dictation, Amy Dwyer; recitation Eileen Hannah; sewing, Kathleen Burke; reading, May JNaughton; comprehension and observation, Vincent Reid arithmetic and tables, Fred Carter; mental arithmetic! Richard Jones. . ' Division JI.— Home studies, Brenda Marlow; handwork and writing Eileen Curtin; sight-reading, Rongomai barter; freehand drawing, Brigie Meade; memory drawing Leonore Murphy; recitation, Bridge Meade; politeness! Monica Rodgers; arithmetic, C. Noonan; spelling, Emily Kocne; mental arithmetic and observations, Raymond Marlow; sewing, M. Rodgers.

Kindergarten School. Grade A.—Reading, Mary Deegan; writing, Mav 1 ; ? unc^ ual jfe Nellie Francis; sewing, Brenda Meade; tables Connie 0 Kane; singing, Lettie Meade; regular attendance, Wilfrid McDowall; number, Gordon Pearson; drill and exercises, Willie Curtin. ’ Grade Bl.—Crayon work and attention, Mary Bradlev • recitation and politeness, Kitty Dyer good conduct and gifts, Maisie Harris™; sentence-building and coloring Rosie Bradley; reading, Francis Roche; word-building Molly Francis; designing, Kitty Dyer, g ’ Grade C.—Bible stories Daisy Deegan ; nature study, S. Daniel; politeness, Maisie Harrison; writing Francis Haigfeyß and coloring Violet Jones; block-building, Elfa ORane; embroidery, Eileen Jones; neatness, MolK Tvlee-mat-weaving, Gretta Green; order and. gifts, Peter'Lemon • pricking, Ella Smith ; 8.8. drawing, Frank Casey; tablets! Hilda Hammel; stick-laying, Edward Wilson. 9 School of Music. Pianoforte.—Trinity College: Senior division-N. McFvoy LJ- Kaveney 2. Junior division— Molly Monaghan R S a^ n ßovfl^u atory Hargreaves, La Dawson’ K.A.M. and Royal College of Music— Anderson Ruby MeDm A W y v ye r Daisy . Hall, Kathleen McDevitt, Isabella McDowall. Violin— Anstis (silver medal) RubvGrav (Sy P ’.Halh AnStiS * Mandolin > May Lemon. Vocal music,’