St. Patrick’s College, Teschemakers

New Zealand Tablet, 22 December 1921, Page 37

St. Patrick’s College, Teschemakers

-■-.- . A SERIES OF FUNCTIONS, •; ..^T , - The annual prizegiving ceremony arid "school break-ujj L at St, Patrick's, Teschemakers, held- on last Saturday •■;' afternoon, took the form of a garden party, in the delight- ■■ ful grounds of the school (says tHe North Otagd Times), : Ideal.weather prevailed, a fairly large number of visitors going out to the school, and a very enjoyable outing was spent. His Lordship the Bishop of Dunedin was present, as were also Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay,.Rev. Father O'Connell, and Rev. Father Foley. The Municipal Band was present in good force and enlivened the proceedings with appropriate selections. \ - 's>s&s A short programme was given in the dining-room, when .all available accommodation was soon taken up by the visit- : ing friends of the school. The pupils acquitted themselves so creditably as to fully merit the* highly complimentary remarks made by the Bishop during his address to the ' school. .> , His Lordship the Bishop of Dunedin expressed on behalf of the visitors and himself their appreciation of the efforts of the scholars in presenting such a varied and enjoyable programme. Every item had been thoroughly en- > joyed. That morning in the beautiful chapel the school had rendered the Mass, and he had been quite touched by the beauty of the singing. It so happened (his Lordship continued), that that day 12 "months ago he had first set foot in the diocese, and as he had journeyed south in the train he had had Teschemakers pointed out' to him, but he could not understand what was meant by Teschemakers. Since, then he had visited the convent and become acquainted with the school and its beautiful surroundings. He was glad to know that the school was making such good progress. How carefully the work of\ the nuns had been done was evidenced in the high standard attained by the pupils, indicating that thoroughness was the characteristic of the school. He had no need to come to New Zealand to discover how qualified and how conscientious were the Nuns of the Dominican Order. He had seen their work in Australia and what he had seen that day confirmed the view ~. he had previously held, and this thoroughness had been / a leading feature in all branches of the work of the school. Dr. "Whyte went on to compliment the school on the fine results of the recent examination. He desired to con- # gratulate the school on one particular distinction won. Pupils from all parts of the diocese had competed for the prize he would specially mention competition in Irish history. The school had won three prizes, the successful ones being the three —Mary Toomey, Mary Max- ; well, and Mary Ay son. They had won the shield for Catholic doctrine for seven successive years and the trophy > now becomes the property of the school. He heartily congratulated them on their success, and he hoped the school would be equally successful in the matriculation examinations. He drew attention to' the specimens of needlework and painting displayed in the room, which were the work of the pupils. The school was ideally situated in beautiful grounds and surrounded by glorious trees. It was an ideal place to send a girl where the spiritual, 'mental, and physical side of the girl's nature could be de- ' veloped, and he hoped parents would fully appreciate the Unique facilities the school offered. He pleaded with the pupils not to forget what they had learned of Christian doctrine they had learned about God. He hoped they would put the Christian doctrine into practice that they would show to their parents they had learned obedience and good manners. He did not mean by good manners the mere every-day catch phrases as "I beg your pardon," or j "I'm sorry" when perhaps there was no sorrow felt at all; . but he meant the grace of good manners, respect for the feelings of others, obedience to parents and charity and cheerfulness in their homes. At school they had r lived in an ideal environment,-but they would go out into that big ugly ; school, which was called the Vorld, and it was there that they would have an' opportunity of showing that they had been faithfully and thoroughly instructed at their ■ school, and they would prove, was sure, good and faithful Catholics. They would carry away with them the • lessons they had learned at their school, 1 , and by their demeanor, gentleness, obedience, respect for parents, and Christian g£i charity they would show that they had benefited by the 7 x

i.• - - thorough Instruction received t at their beautiful convent school -,, -- The following was ; the -musical programme : —lnstrumental selection, two pianos, minuet in E. flat (Mozart): Misses Maxwell; Greer, Woods, and Walsh; descriptive scene, "Butterflies" Misses Madge Gallein and Mary McBride; part song by senior pupils; piano duet,"''Souvenir"": Misses Woods and McLaughlin; | ball drill, senior pupils; solo and chorus, "Ireland you; are calling me";. Irish dance in costume: Misses Brown, Leonard, Woods, and McLaughlin; instrumental selection, two pianos, "Valse des Fleurs": Misses Usherwood,' Tanner, Maxwell, and Greer; vocal duet, "Go pretty Rose": Misses Ayson and (Gallien; finale, New Zealand National Anthem.