CHRISTIAN BROTHERS’ SCHOOL, DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, 21 December 1911, Page 2607

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS’ SCHOOL, DUNEDIN

The annual entertainment) ■ by the pupils of the Christian Brothers’ School took place in His Majesty’s Theatre on Wednesday evening, in the presence of a crowded audience, including "Very Rev. Dean Smyth, S.M. (Mount. St. Mary’s Scholasticate, Napier), Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., and several of the local clergy. The entertainment was in every way worthy of tlie reputation which the school enjoys, and reflected much credit both on teachers and pupils. If the annual entertainment provided by the pupils of a school is to be a guide to the educational standard of that school, then all who were present in His Majesty’s Theatre on Wednesday night could not come to any other decision than that the Christian Brothers in Dunedin are maintaining the traditions of their Order as highly successful educationists. The programme was a varied and interesting one, and was arranged so as to illustrate the superior and comprehensive course of studies pursued in the school. The proceedings opened with an overture, ‘ Shamrocks,’ by an efficient orchestlra, under the conductorship of Brother Cusack. Then followed a delightful little comedy in which the troubles, disappointments, and misadventures of a would-be genius, Tristram Fickle, were portrayed to the evident amusement of the audience. The title, role was very ably filled by Mr. T. P. Laffey, and Mr. P. J. Keligher made a decided success of the character of Fairfax Fickle (the indulgent father), his make-up and acting being far above the average. Masters T. De Largey (the family lawyer), J. Walsh (valet), Y. Shiel (barber), and J. Newman (gardener) also did well in their respective parts. The performance, which gave evidence of careful rehearsal, went with a swing from start to finish, and created great amusement.’ Next came a very pretty two-part song, ‘ Angelas, by a number of the pupils, which was warmly applauded. The final item in the first part of the programme was a spectacular one, ‘ Massed drill,’ in which over one hundred boys of the junior classes, in military uniforms, took part. This was a most interesting item, and no doubt many in the audience wondered how it was possible for these boys to perform such a number of intricate evolutions without a single mistake. The clever performance of the miniature soldiers was watched with the keenest interest, and was honored with frequent and enthusiastic applause. Great credit is due to the instructor for the efficient manner in which he trained the boys. A couple of songs, ‘ Unfurl the flag ’ and ‘l’m a soldier,’ were given towards the close of the evolutions by the boys. The second part opened with item by the orchestra, after which followed a Shakespearian dialogue, the quarrel scene between Brutus and Cassius. Mr. T. P. Laffey, as the former, excelled himself, his delineation of the character being almost faultless. Mr. P. J. Keligher took the part of Cassius with considerable success. A recitation, -- Absalom,’ was given by Master S. Geerin, whose distinct enunciation jind dramatic abilities earned hearty applause. - A very popular item, which was encored, was the Highland fling by Masters C. and D. McKenzie, with bagpipe music by Mr. J. Higgins. The Indian- club-swinging of the gymnastic class ,and the gymnastic display by the senior and junior pupils,.were splendidly performed, and bore testimony to the high standard of physical training which obtains at the school. Mr. Laffey has reason to be proud of the splendid athletic display made by his pupils,. The

balance of the programme consisted of a choral number made up of the bracketed items, ' Va Pensiero ' (Verdi) and 'Dal tuo ..stellate soglio ' (Rossini), by the pupils; a part song, 'The long day closes,' by ex-pupils;. a finale, O Signqre' (Verdi), followed by 'God Save the King' (Elgar). Brother Cnsack conducted during the evening, and Miss C. Hughes played the accompaniments in a very able manner. Owing to the length of the programme it was decided to postpone the distribution of prizes, which were given out on Thursday morning at the school, and at which Rev. Father Coffey presided in the unavoidable absence of his Lordship the Bishop. The following was the annual report prepared by Rev. Brother Brady, and printed in the programme:- - I have great pleasure in presenting my Annual Report for .the current year. The attendance with very few exceptions has been very satisfactory. The number entered on the roll for the year was 327. Though a large part of the solid work done in the various classes must of necessity escape the observation of the public eye, still, throughout the year many opportunities have been afforded the citizens of Dunedin of judging as to whether the system of education imparted at the school is a success or otherwise. If we turn to the Public Examinations, we have every reason to be highly pleased with the results. We' entered pupils for the University and Higher and Junior Public Examinations. Ten pupils passed the Junior Civil Service, four being on the credit list, one of them (Master E. Walmsley) heading the list of 4 male candidates, besides taking second place in the Dominion. This is. indeed a creditable performance, when we consider that the examination is competitive. Master Walmsley's many friends will be pleased to know that at present he is studying practical surveying at Wanganui, with the view of taking out his A.M.I.C.E. We wish him every success. Two pupils passed Matriculation, and one pupil Solicitor's General Knowledge, whilst two pupils passed Senior Civil Service. In an Essay Competition, open to all boys and girls in Australia and New Zealand, Master. Ambrose Burke, of this school, was successful in winning the gold medal presented by the proprietors of a well known Sydney paper for his essay on " Sir Thomas More." All these results go to show that in open competition our pupils take a prominent part. During the year a heavy call was made on the school to supply boys for the various' Government Departments and merchants' offices in the city. It is not, therefore, surprising to note that during the year a larger proportion of boys from the higher Masses left school than in any previous year. Turning to athletics, we find the school still holding a premier place in this important branch of schoollife. In football we entered four teams for the competition, and met with great success. In the Senior Grade our A team were premiers, winning 11 out of 12 matches' with 58 goals to their credit and 3 against. They were also winners of the Five-a-side * Tournament. In the - B grade section, our second team was -third in the premiership, as well as winners of the Five-a-side medals. In the D section, our third team was third in the flag competition out of 11 teams. In the cricket field our school team won the senior premiership for the eighth year in succession. During last season they had an unbeaten record, winning every match. During the year two fine Cadet Corps, each 80 strong, were formed at the school, and, under the direction of Sergeant Bishop, great progress has 'been made. In the gymnasium, under the capable management of Mr. T. P. Laffey, the boys received a.fine course of instruction each week. , - -' "■.: C: _■ " ' As regards the religious instruction of -the boys no efforts have been spared. During the year they had a Spiritual Retreat of a week's duration. Over 100 bovs < received the Sacrament of Confirmation, while large numbers were prepared for _ the Sacraments. Our thanks are especially due in this -respect to the priests of the Cathedral. v fl.- ni S i 1 °S ld l ik6 A t 0 -i- e this °PP°ity of thanking the Old Boys Association for the inauguration of 1 Scholarship Fund, as well as the many friends of the

school for their cordial support during my stay in Dunedin. K The Dux of the School for the current year is Master Athol Clements. I take this opportunity of wishing the parents and / friends of the school a merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year. The school re-opens February 6 th, 1912. Prize List. Athol Clements, dux of school, most popular boy, English history; F. De Largey, Latin, mathematics, senior English; M. Lawless, Latin, mathematics, French; E. Fitzgibbon, French, arithmetic, drawing; S. Geerin, geography, elocution, Latin; L. Walsh, second Civil Service Class and English; H. Carter, mathematics, French, Irish history essay; V. Sheehy, essay and French I. O'Connor, essay and special improvement; M. Rings, English, and penmanship; L. Shiel, magnetism, electricity, and geography; C. Hastings, French, geography, essay, elocution, first in senior Irish history; C. Cromar, geometry and algebra; P. Keligher, elocution and English; J. McCarthy, shorthand, typewriting, bookkeeping; W. Heffernan, first in commercial class and typewriting. Sub-Civil Service. — Newman, gold medal; S. Marlow, algebra, second aggregate; 11. O'Neill, French and arithmetic; V. Shiel, geography and English history; Arch. McCaughan, English; Alex. McCaughan, French, English; W. Kennedy, English and algebra; J. Dyer, French and arithmetic; T. O'Brien, arithmetic and French; J. O'Brien, general improvement; L. Dillon, algebra and geography; V. Crowther, general improvement; L. Marlow, arithmetic and English. Junior handball, 11. O'Neill; senior club-swinging, J. Newman; senior gymnastics, J. Newman. J. Newman; senior gymnastics, J. Newman. Standard VI.—G. Thompson 1, Jas. Fenton 2, Thos. Hally 3, A. Tarleton 4, Eugene Pollock 5, P. Treahy 6, G. Banks 7, A. Carter 8, Chas. Tylee 9, W. Callery 10; Christian doctrine, G\ Thompson; Irish history, J. Fenton 1, A. Carter 2; English grammar, F. Brown reading and geography, C. Dawson; drawing, W. Dawson; English history and geography, J. Walsh. Standard V.—Chas. Wood 1, Ivor Clements 2, A. Yule 3, W. Carolin 4, E. O'Reilly 5, Jas. Dunne 6, Jas. Lennon 7, W. Gleeson 8 : English composition and spelling, Jas. Airy 1, John Horan 2; geography, Jas. McCleary; English history, John Twomey; freehand drawing, M. Kennelly; reading, W. Pimley; general improvement, A. Plunkett. Standard IV.—S. Spain 1, C. Rogan 2, L. Cantwell 3. Standard 111. O'Meara 1, C. Collins and F. Wilson % F. Rodgers 3. Standard 11. Walsh 1, A. Pacey 2, G. Laffey O • Standard I.— Wakelin 1, J. Thompson 2, J. Mcllroy 3.