SISTERS OF THE MISSION, ASHBURTON

New Zealand Tablet, 8 January 1914, Page 62

SISTERS OF THE MISSION, ASHBURTON

(From an occasional correspondent.)

This year’s annual entertainment given by the pupils of the Sisters of the Mission, Ashburton, was an unprecedented success. The High School was taxed to its utmost limits by the parents and invited friends of the children. The children who took part in the drama acquitted themselves to perfection, and it could be plainly seen that each child felt the part she was called upon to perform. Of the eight performers it would be difficult to say; which was the best, but certainly Miss Mary Langley, as Aglae, showed very superior talent. Her enunciation was excellent, every movement graceful, and her acting would have done credit to one of experience in stage performance. Miss Ella Langley had the very difficult of Philamena to perform, and certainly did injustice. She was at her best in the prison scene. Miss Mary O’Sullivan as Lucius had no easy task to perform, nevertheless she entered into it with a spirit and determination that did her credit. The part of Nitocris the Sorceress was taken by Miss Eileen Burgess, to whom it would be impossible to give too much praise. This young lady’s performance stood out prominently, and she and Miss Mary Langley well deserved the measure of the audience s appreciation, which was meted out to them at the close of the cavern scene. The minor parts were taken by Misses Alice Burgess, Ella McAllister, Maggie Scott, and Kathleen Burgess, and were very creditably performed. The performance reflected the highest .credit on the Sisters, who must have worked exceptionally hard in. order to get their pupils to reach such a high degree of .perfection in their acting. The instrumental part of the programme was also very finely rendered. In fact it would be difficult to say whether it or the drama should carry off the palm. The manner in which the pupils went through the various selections showed that they had be'en trained with the utmost care. The following was the programme :Overture (2 pianos), ‘ Valse brillante,’’ Misses M. Quigley, D. Cullen, V. Halliday, and A. Bradley; drama, ‘ St. Philamena,’ in which the cast was as follows: Philamena, Miss E. Langley; Aglae, Miss M. Langley; Prince Lucius, Miss M. O’Sullivan; Cathra, Miss E. McAllister; Nitocris, Miss E. Burgess; Innocentia, Miss K. Burgess; Martius, Miss M. Scott; Angel, Miss A. Burgess; song and chorus,' The mermaids’ song, senior pupils duet (2 pianos, organ, and 3 violins), ‘ Maybells ’ —Piano, Misses M. Scott, B. Hurley, N. Kerr, and R. Campbell; organ, Miss Soal; violins, Misses L. Terris, N. Brophy, and M. Langley; quartette (4 violins and organ), ‘ The Holy City ’ —Violins, Misses M. Langley, V. Terris, D. Cullen, and N. Brophy; organ, Miss Soal; first solo, ‘ Automne,’ Miss D. Cullen; duet (2 pianos and organ, 3 violins), ‘ Silver lagoon ’Piano, Misses R. Brown, V. Devane, A. Ward, and E. Ward; organ, Miss Soal; violins, Misses Terris, Brophy, and M. Langley; instrumental solo, ‘Home, sweet : home,’ Miss Halliday; action-song, The sleepy daisy,’ Kindergarten pupils; quartette (4 violins and organ), Gounod’s ‘ Ave Maria ’ —Violins, Misses D. Cullen, Terris, Brophy, and M. Langley; organ, Miss Soal; accompanist. Miss Halliday; duet (2 pianos), ‘Polonaise,’ Misses L. Bishop, D. Brown, V. Halliday, and N. Hanrahan; finale, God defend New Zealand.’ The following was the prize list: Special Prizes. — Christian doctrine, Mary Langley (gold medallist) ; good conduct (chosen by vote ,&f her companions),-N. Hanrahan (gold medallist) ; amiability (chosen by vote of her companions as the most popular girl in school), D. Brown (gold medallist; dux of the school, R. Brown (gold medallist) ; regular attendance, E. and K. Burgess; fancy work, t M. Daly; politeness, A-. Burgess and M. Scott; dressmaking, A. Ward; oil painting and Kensington 1 embroidery, I. Doherty; painting (water colors), A. Ward. ; ... Standard Vll.English literature, geometry, and physiology, M. O’Sullivan; Latin, French, algebra, and botany, N. Small j geography and history, D. -O’Connell. V-V - "”- i ■ r '"V

- ■ ■ ' -- * -V. v . Standard > Vl.—First in class, R. Brown; Latin, French, and algebra,- D. Brown, E. Langley, and N. Hanrahan; elocution and, geography, E. Burgess; geography and history, A. Burgess, E. McAllister, M. Lennon; essay, English, and botany, A. Wood, and E. Langley; arithmetic, L. Bishop and A. Lennon. Standard V.—English literature, botany,' and elocution, M. Langley; arithmetic, J. Devane and M. Daly; essay and history, N. Brophy and M. Langley; French and geography,. N. Sheehan. Standard IV.—Essay, history, and reading, B. Hurley; arithmetic and geography, E. Ward; English, writing, and drawing, M. Pawson. Standard lll.—Christian doctrine, M. Scott; good conduct, P. Tomlinson; arithmetic, history, and English, M. Newman; sewing, and neatness, E. Gaudin ; recitation and geography, K. Burgess. Standard 11. Reading, spelling, and geography, I. Shrimpton; writing and drawing,- D. Clark; arithmetic, M. Brophy; reading and spelling, M. Meeking ; writing and arithmetic, M. O’Grady. . The following also received prizes: —R. Campbell, I. Johnstone, E; Bailey, M. Bond, A. Madden, D. McCormick, M. Clark, B. Holly, N. Kerr, K. Johnstone. Music. —Senior division Pianoforte (Ist prize), M. Quigley; junior division, M. Scott; violin, L. Terris. Standard VI.Of the thirteen presented, nine obtained proficiency certificates and four competency. The following is a list of successful candidates in the examinations of Trinity College and the Associated Board:— Associate— Cullen (A.T.C.L.), M. Quigley. Certificated pianist—M. Soal. Senior gradeE. Hanrahan. Intermediate gradeA. Bradley, E. Langley. Junior grade — Terris (violin), M. Langley. Preparatory—E. Brophy (violin), M. - Cunneen, and M. Newman. First steps— R. Campbell, M. O’Grady; Associated Board. — Advanced- gradeV. Halliday. Higher division—D. Brown. Elementary* divi—M. Scott. Primary division—B Hurley, M. McTigue. Rudiments of music V Halliday, 95 marks.