The prize-giving ceremony in connection with St. Mary's School, Kowloon

Submitted by lausanching on

Hong Kong Telegraph 1911-12-23

The prize-giving ceremony in connection with St. Mary's School, Kowloon, took place at the school yesterday afternoon in the presence of a large number of interested persons. This function was quite a novel departure, for in former years the distribution of prizes had been performed privately. Among those present were Mr. J. R. Wood, Director of Education, and Mr. R. C. Barlow, Supervisor of Schools.

Addressing the gathering, Bishop Pozzoni said: "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the first occasion that the distribution of prizes to the successful pupils of St. Mary's School has assumed the character more or less of a formal function. The prize-giving in the past had always been held in private. It will not therefore be amiss if I detain you a few minutes to give you a short review of the school, the first of its kind on the peninsula since it was first opened in April 1900. In that year, the school occupied a very unpretentious building on the seashore, skirting the sea. The number of pupils on the school roll was only twenty. Today, St. Mary's School claims an enrolment of over a hundred scholars, with an average attendance for the school year of 102.55."

Thanks to the generosity of Dr. A. S. Gomes, who, in this matter of education, has stood as sponsor to a large number of children in Kowloon, the school was accommodated in a brick-and-mortar building in 1903. The construction, planned and donated by Dr. Gomes to the Italian Convent, allowed the Sisters of Charity to extend the scope of their educational work on the mainland, on the lines they have so successfully initiated on the island of Hong Kong. It must surely be highly gratifying to that liberal benefactor, among others, of this educational institution that it has enjoyed the admirable progressive development which St. Mary's School can lay claim to during the past decade.

No sooner was the school set upon what may be figuratively termed a solid foundation than it came to be placed under the Grant-in-Aid Scheme of Government. Since 1904, St. Mary's has enjoyed the official status of a grant school. Subject to the direct supervision of the Director of Education, this school has been conducted for the past seven years. Its curriculum is identical in every respect with that obtaining in the schools of Hong Kong. When it is remembered that a staff of six Sisters devote their whole time and attention to the teaching of about 120 pupils, it must be conceded that Kowloon does not lag behind Hong Kong as regards the personnel of the school operated by the Italian Convent.

In another respect, too, St. Mary's School is not less fortunate than its parent institution across the harbour. When the late Sir Hormusjee Mody, whose death we all lament, selected a certain number of schools for the Lugard Scholarships which he founded, St. Mary's School was included in the list. Because the school was not then prepared to send up any pupils for the Oxford Preliminary Examination in 1910, no scholarship was awarded last year. However, as students from this school competed at the Oxford Examination in July last, I am glad to say the first scholarship awards have been made this year. I think I am voicing your sentiments, Ladies and Gentlemen, as well as my own when I say that we extend our hearty congratulations to Miss Norah Knight for receiving the Lugard Scholarship with which St. Mary's School has been endowed.

"Similarly, I wish to congratulate all those pupils who have worked so hard and so well as to have been made recipients of prizes this afternoon. To those who have received none, I wish to tell them not to lose heart but to try and try again, and I am certain that when we meet again in this hall this time next year, I shall have the pleasure of handing them the prizes they will come up to receive at my hands. Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me thank you in my own name and for the Sisters of the Convent for the kindly interest you manifest in St. Mary's School by your presence here this afternoon, and before I sit down again I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."

In the same way, I wish to congratulate those pupils who, having been sent up for the Hygiene Competition held in July last, have been so successful as to be ranked third in the competing list. A memorable occasion for the children of this School was their participation in the general rejoicing at the Coronation of Their Majesties King George and Queen Mary. The whole School met at the Italian Convent in Hong Kong, where hundreds of children sat at a tea and cake banquet kindly provided by the Hong Kong Coronation Committee. The rest of that afternoon of imperishable memory was spent in patriotic songs and sports.

The following prizes were awarded:

**Oxford Preliminary:** Prizes for General Improvement and the Oxford Certificate to Annie Thynne and Norah Knight. Distinctions to: Branca Hyndman for Application, Arithmetic, and Geography; Maria Gomes for Religious Knowledge, Conduct, and Embroidery.

**Remove Classes:** Prizes for General Improvement to:

*  **Class 4:** Cecilia Roberts, Cecilia Yowkes, and May Leonard. Distinctions to: Peggy Jolly for Music; Lily Curwen for Music.

*  **Class 5:** Felicita Robarts, Aurea Gomes, Elisa Brown, Christiana Witzke (with distinction for Recitation).

*  **Class 6:** Annie Silva (with distinction for Music); Maggie Neves (with distinction for conduct); Katie Leonard.

*  **Class 7:** Consuelo Hyndman, Dolores Ros, Barbara Leonard. Distinctions to: Antonio Gomes for Religious Knowledge and conduct; Francisca Gomes for Application and Regular attendance.

*  **Class 8(A):** Zita Gomes, Carmen Silva. Distinction to: Valesca Wahr for Composition.

*  **Class 8(B):** Daisy Brown, Edward Souza, Nancy Chee, Moselle Levy. Distinction for Reading and Dictation.

**Infant School:**

*  **Class 1:** Lina Gomes, Marjorie Edwards, Elsie Alves. Distinctions to: Paclina Lopes for Regular Attendance and Application; Bonnie Robinson for Conduct and Politeness; Agnes Vichy for Application.

*  **Class 2:** Lina Rocha (with distinction for Kindergarten Application); Albert Castro, May Dillon. Distinctions to: Stella Neves for Conduct and Application; Helena Roza for Regular Attendance; Sebastian Ramos for Application.

Tags

Hong Kong Daily Press 1916-07-24

The annual prize distribution in connection with St. Mary's School, Kowloon (Italian Convent Branch), took place on Saturday afternoon. There was a large attendance of parents and friends of the pupils, and the prizes were handed to the successful scholars by His Lordship Bishop Pozzoni.

The manager's report stated, inter alia: "Recognizing the need for a school for little children on the peninsula, the Sisters decided to open a branch at Kowloon in 1900. At that time, the population was not nearly what it is today, but as showing the permanent value of the first school for European children established in this suburban district, satisfaction may be derived from the following comparative figures:

| Year        | No. on Roll |

| :---------- | :---------- |

| 1900        | 20          |

| 1913-1914   | 145        |

| 1915-1916   | 163        |

With the increase in the number of scholars, the strength of the staff has also augmented. We have it on the authority of Mr. E. Ralphs, the Inspector of English Schools, that the staff today is adequate, according to Code requirements." An official inspection of the school was conducted by Mr. Ralphs on May 18th.

The staff and I are very grateful to all the ladies and gentlemen who have so kindly evinced their interest in this school. In particular, I wish to thank Chev. Dr. A. S. Gomes for his very handsome endowment of the Prize Fund, which enables a prize of $20 to be awarded to the first scholar in classes 2, 3, and 4. For next year, the worth of the endowment will be so increased as to enable a prize to be given to the scholars in all the classes in the school for the best attendance. Dr. Gomes' prizes should be an excellent incentive to ensure regular attendance at school. The school is also indebted to the generosity of Mr. J. M. Rocha for the cost of installing electric lighting throughout the school. In various other respects, we have to express our grateful obligations to parents of scholars and Kowloon residents for assistance rendered. To Mr. J. M. de Castro Basto and Mr. E. J. Noronha, I wish to thank very cordially for all printing when the school has had occasion to appeal to Messrs. Noronha & Co. for assistance. Hearty thanks are also due to Mrs. A. S. Gomes, Jr., for contribution to the Prize Fund, and to Messrs. J. M. Noronha, J. Lawrence, and J. P. Robinson for kind assistance rendered on this occasion.

The school will be reopened on the 4th of September. I have the pleasure to announce that besides lessons in Music, Drawing, and Painting, a class of shorthand in conjunction with typewriting will be started; and every effort will be made that a course of Cooking and First-Aid knowledge be imparted to willing pupils.

The prize list was as follows:

*  **Class 2:** Annie Silva; Margarita Reves; Carmen Garcia.

*  **Class 3:** Ceresa Gomes; Aurea Carvalho; Herminia Santos; Frances Gomes; Leonor Gomes.

*  **Class 4:** Winifred Robinson; Celeita Medina; Anna Lopes; Celeste Ribeiro.

*  **Class 5:** Idalina Carvalho; Maria Castro; Paulina Lopes; Agnes Vichy; Norah Leonard; Juna Soares; Aurelina Gomes; May Murray.

*  **Class 6:** Laura Carvalho; Lina Rocha; Constance Smith; Geraldine Smith; Hortencia Jorge; Evelyn Murray; Flavio Garcia; Gertrude Souza.

*  **Class 7:** Maria E. Alves; Olvara Carvalho; Reginald Anderson; Beatrice Gil; Ellen Reynolds; Avelina Souza.

*  **Class 8:** Lina Noronha; Cecilia Noronha; Marjorie White; Wilfred Anderson; Ingela Silva; Zoraida Oliveira; Olga Basto; Edith Rocha; Agnes Dillon; Patrick White; Oilzira Jorge; Pepita Lawrence.

*  **Class 9:** Frederico Pinna; Stella Silva; Luiz Guterres; Beatrice Pearson; Carmelita Britto; Clotilde Hyndman; Frederico Britto; George Hedley; Henry Noronha; Charles Noronha; Innocencio Castro; Mathilde Pereira; Maria Eça da Silva.

*  **Class 10:** Carolina Maher; Marie Basto; Sidney Anderson; Christopher d'Almada; Arthur Basto; Ida Eça da Souza; Pedro Xavier; Domitilla Souza; Maria Antiogeria; Joaquim Guterres; Henrique Noronha; Antonio Noronha; John Dillon.

*  **Music:** Consudo Hyndman; Molly Gomes; Barbara Leonard; Ena Forsyth; Mila Basto; Celcita Medina; Winifred Robinson; Mary Hyde; Geraldine Smith; Pantette Lapicque; Nettio Thorburn.

*  **Drawing:** Molly Gomes; Anna Lopes; Edna Knight; Reginald Kynoch.

His Lordship Bishop Pozzoni addressed those present as follows: "I think it is a matter for mutual congratulation that this school has been able to present as satisfactory a report as the one you have just heard by Rev. Father de Maria. This is the second occasion that I have had the honour and pleasure of presiding at the public distribution of prizes held since the school was established in the year 1900. In that year, the number of day-scholars on the roll was only 20. At the end of 1911, when the first distribution of prizes took place, I remember that St. Mary's School claimed an enrolment of more or less than a hundred scholars. Today, as the Reverend Father has just told us, the number is 163, that is just eight times as many as sixteen years ago.

Kowloon, we have often been reminded, will be of very great importance before many years are past. If we accept the rate of progression of this school as our standard, it must be admitted that the prophets of the future prosperity of Kowloon will live to see their prophecy fulfilled. That the Government of this Colony is making provisions for the fulfillment of that prophecy we see on every hand on this pretty little peninsula. We see it, on landing, in the beautiful terminal station of the Canton-Kowloon Railway. We see it on the broad roads and parks intersecting this portion of the dependencies of Hong Kong, and in the residences and charming villas fronting every one of the numerous public roads on the peninsula. These are evidences of what we may expect to see in Kowloon within the next decade or two.

Therefore, I think it incumbent on us, ladies and gentlemen, that we ourselves should not lag behind, but take time by the forelock even now. I allude to the necessity which must be quite evident to you all here present for an enlargement of this school building. I think it was a Divine inspiration that led the Sisters to acquire this site some years ago, and, thanks to their foresight, the school is located on a site which is as good as any that is obtainable here in Kowloon. Although large enough for its present requirements, I think none will dispute that, at the rate of growth of the Kowloon population for the past ten years, it will not be many more years before this schoolhouse will have been found to be too small for the number of children applying for admission. I confidently appeal for assistance for a new school building for the children of the peninsula. By whatever means that assistance may be forthcoming, I have no doubt that my appeal will not fall upon deaf ears.

An even more urgent need is a school for boys when they are too old to remain in the Convent school. I am not unmindful of the help some of you Kowloon residents have already given me by a preliminary consideration of the practicability of a scheme for establishing a Boys' School in Kowloon. I have approached the Brothers several times, and they have always answered me that they will do so at the first opportunity. Just a few days ago, the Rev. Bro. Aimar, the present Director of St. Joseph's College, said to me that he hopes to be able to open a branch school in Kowloon within a year or so. I hope that you will be able to help and devise ways and means for it to be carried into effect.

The manager, in his report just read, made mention of the generosity of my old friend, Chev. Dr. A. S. Gomes, in endowing the Prize Fund of this school with a substantial donation. I thank him most cordially for myself and on behalf of the Mother Superior and Staff for this further testimony of his benevolence towards Catholic institutions. And I must also thank those gentlemen and other friends who have from time to time helped this school along in its march of progress. It is said that people have the government which they deserve. With equal truth, it may be said that inhabitants of any given district have the school which they make. On this principle, I hope I may be permitted to say that this school is very largely in the hands of the residents here to develop, or whose progress they can retard, by their influence or assistance or by their apathy towards its progress. For the past sixteen years, the cooperation has been most encouraging with the gratifying result we see today. I have no reason to doubt that during the next sixteen years and for very many years after that, the same interest and the same cooperation will be forthcoming from the residents of Kowloon." (Applause.)

During the afternoon, a miscellaneous programme was contributed to by the Misses P. Lanicque; N. Thorburn; B. Leonard; A. Silva; I. Carvalho; M. Gomes; V. Robinson; E. Forsyth; M. Hyde; C. Hyndman; M. Basto; C. Medina; G. Smith; and Master H. Noronha. All the items were applauded, but what pleased the audience most were the "Little Soldiers." Twenty-eight tiny tots, fully equipped as Boy Scouts, marched earnestly and went through their drill with much seriousness. Every one of them had a gun and, above all, a sense of his own importance. Another item which produced a very pleasing and picturesque effect was the boat song in which fifteen girls and a real boat appeared on the platform.

 

This historical newspaper report documents the annual prize distribution ceremony of St. Mary’s School (Italian Convent Branch), located in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The event, held on a Saturday afternoon, was presided over by His Lordship Bishop Pozzoni, who was joined by school administrators, civic figures, parents, and friends of the institution. The text details the school’s dramatic growth over its first sixteen years, its curriculum expansions, key community benefactors, the Bishop’s vision for the future of Kowloon and local education, and the student performances that concluded the celebration.

---

## 1. Institutional Growth and Official Inspection

St. Mary’s School was established in 1900 by the Sisters of the Italian Convent to address the critical need for an educational institution serving young European children living on the Kowloon peninsula. At the turn of the century, Kowloon’s suburban population was small, and the school’s initial enrollment reflected this, starting with just 20 pupils on the roll. 

Over the subsequent decade and a half, the school underwent rapid expansion, mirroring the demographic and physical development of Kowloon itself. The manager’s report, authored and read by Reverend Father de Maria, provided comparative figures illustrating this growth:

*   **1900:** 20 pupils on the roll

*  **1913–1914:** 145 pupils on the roll

*  **1915–1916:** 163 pupils on the roll

To keep pace with this rising student body, the school steadily augmented its teaching staff. The institution's academic and operational standards were validated during an official inspection conducted on May 18th by Mr. E. Ralphs, the Inspector of English Schools. Mr. Ralphs confirmed that the teaching staff was entirely adequate and fully compliant with local educational Code requirements.

---

## 2. Benefactors and Community Support

The manager's report expressed deep appreciation to the local residents and patrons whose financial and practical contributions sustained the school's operations. Several key benefactors were highlighted:

*   **Chevalier Dr. A. S. Gomes:** Dr. Gomes established a handsome endowment for the school’s Prize Fund, which funded a substantial $20 reward for the top-performing students in Classes 2, 3, and 4. Father de Maria announced that for the upcoming academic year, Dr. Gomes’ endowment would be increased further to award prizes to students across all classes who achieved the best attendance records, providing a strong incentive for regular school attendance.

*   **Mr. J. M. Rocha:** Mr. Rocha generously funded and oversaw the installation of electric lighting throughout the entire school building, significantly improving the campus infrastructure.

*   **Messrs. Noronha & Co.:** Mr. J. M. de Castro Basto and Mr. E. J. Noronha were cordially thanked for providing printing services whenever the school required administrative or event-related materials.

*  **Individual Contributors:** Thanks were also extended to Mrs. A. S. Gomes, Jr. for her donations to the Prize Fund, as well as to Mr. J. M. Noronha, Mr. J. Lawrence, and Mr. J. P. Robinson for their hands-on assistance in organizing the prize distribution ceremony.

---

## 3. Curricular Enhancements

Following the summer recess, St. Mary’s School was scheduled to reopen on September 4th. In addition to established subjects such as music, drawing, and painting, the administration announced the introduction of practical, career-oriented courses to prepare students for the modernizing economy:

*   A new combined class focusing on **shorthand and typewriting**.

*   Inaugural courses in **cooking** and **first-aid knowledge** designed to impart essential life skills to willing students.

---

## 4. Bishop Pozzoni’s Address: The Future of Kowloon

A central highlight of the afternoon was an address by His Lordship Bishop Pozzoni. He congratulated the community and Reverend Father de Maria on the school’s stellar progress. Noting that this was only his second time presiding over the public prize distribution since the school's founding in 1900, the Bishop remarked that the enrollment of 163 students represented an eightfold increase in just sixteen years.

Bishop Pozzoni used this growth as a metaphor for the broader development of the Kowloon peninsula. He observed that local observers had long prophesied that Kowloon would become a territory of immense importance. The Bishop argued that this future was rapidly materializing, pointing to major public works and private developments visible to anyone landing on the peninsula:

*   The grand terminal station of the **Canton-Kowloon Railway**.

*   Broad, well-planned public roads and intersecting parks.

*   The proliferation of charming private villas and residences lining the public thoroughfares.

### The Call for Expansion and a Boys' School

Based on these observations, the Bishop urged the community to "take time by the forelock" and prepare for the next decade of growth. He praised the foresight of the Sisters who originally acquired the school site, calling it one of the best locations in Kowloon. However, he warned that at the current rate of population growth, the existing schoolhouse would soon be too small to accommodate the children applying for admission. He issued an urgent appeal for community assistance to fund a new, expanded school building.

Furthermore, Bishop Pozzoni identified another critical gap in Kowloon’s educational infrastructure: the lack of a dedicated boys' school for male students who grew too old to attend the co-educational Convent school. The Bishop revealed that he had been in ongoing discussions with the Christian Brothers regarding this issue. He shared a promising update from Reverend Brother Aimar, the Director of St. Joseph’s College, who indicated plans to open a branch boys' school in Kowloon within the coming year. The Bishop called on Kowloon residents to help devise the ways and means to bring this project to fruition.

Concluding his speech, the Bishop shared a philosophical reflection on community civic duty: 

> *"It is said that peoples have the government which they deserve. With equal truth it may be said that inhabitants of any given district have the school which they make."*

He commended the collaborative spirit that had defined the past sixteen years and expressed confidence that this community support would continue long into the future.

---

## 5. Summary of Prize Winners

The event featured the presentation of prizes to successful scholars across ten separate class levels, alongside specialized awards for fine arts:

*   **Class 2:** Annie Silva, Margarita Reyes, Carmen Garcia.

*   **Class 3:** Teresa Gomes, Aurea Carvalho, Herminia Santos, Frances Gomes, Leonor Gomes.

*   **Class 4:** Winifred Robinson, Celeita Medina, Anna Lopes, Celeste Ribeiro.

*   **Class 5:** Idalina Carvalho, Maria Castro, Paulina Lopes, Agnes Vichy, Norah Leonard, Juna Soares, Aurelina Gomes, May Murray.

*   **Class 6:** Laura Carvalho, Lina Rocha, Constance Smith, Geraldine Smith, Hortencia Jorge, Evelyns Murray, Flavio Garcia, Gertrude Souza.

*   **Class 7:** Maria E. Alves, Olvara Carvalho, Reginald Anderson, Beatrice Gil, Ellen Reynolds, Avelina Souza.

*   **Class 8:** Lina Noronha, Cecilia Noronha, Marjorie White, Wilfred Anderson, Ingela Silva, Zoraida Oliveira, Olga Basto, Edith Rocha, Agnes Dillon, Patrick White, Oilzira Jorge, Pepita Lawrence.

*   **Class 9:** Frederico Pinna, Stella Silva, Luiz Guterres, Beatrice Pearson, Carmelita Britto, Clotilde Hyndman, Frederico Britto, George Hedley, Henry Noronha, Charles Noronha, Innocencio Castro, Mathilde Pereira, Maria Eça da Silva.

*   **Class 10:** Carolina Maher, Marie Basto, Sidney Anderson, Christopher d'Almada, Arthur Basto, Ida Eça da Souza, Pedro Xavier, Domitilla Souza, Maria Antiogeria, Joaquim Guterres, Henrique Noronha, Antonio Noronha, John Dillon.

*   **Music Prizes:** Consudo Hyndman, Molly Gomes, Barbara Leonard, Ena Forsyth, Mila Basto, Celcita Medina, Winifred Robinson, Mary Hyde, Geraldine Smith, Pantette Lapicque, Nettie Thorburn.

*   **Drawing Prizes:** Molly Gomes, Anna Lopes, Edna Knight, Reginald Kynoch.

---

## 6. Entertainment Program

The afternoon concluded with a series of musical, vocal, and theatrical performances coordinated by the students. Contributions were made by many of the prize-winning girls and Master H. Noronha. 

Two specific acts captured the audience's attention:

1.  **"The Little Soldiers"**: A crowd-pleasing performance featuring twenty-eight very young children dressed as Boy Scouts. The "tiny tots" marched with toy guns and performed military drills with great solemnity and focus, which delighted the onlookers.

2.  **"The Boat Song"**: A highly picturesque and creative stage item in which fifteen girls performed a song alongside a realistic, life-sized boat positioned on the performance platform.