April 1st. To-day we were invited to an entertainment given by the Boys in aid of the Chapel Decoration Fund. We very much enjoyed their amusing sketches and songs, and admired their splendid costumes.

April 4th. The Seniors spent the morning doing their Doctrine examinations. An Inter-Form Netball match was played this afternoon between Forms V. and IV. Form V. won the match.

April 5th. Many of us had the pleasure of being present at the Children's Concert given to-day at the Pavilion by members of the Municipal Orchestra. We very much appreciated this treat.

April 9th. To-day Kerrytonians treated us to an amusing concert and thus helped on our " Lenten Alms " for the benefit of the orphans of the diocese.

Aril I2th. Off we go for the holidays. Before the break-up we had the Spelling Bee, which was planned earlier in the term. It was great fun, even for those who suffered ignominious defeat. The Ignatians won by one point. Before dispersing, we were told our respective parts in the forthcoming jubilee Pageant-news for which we had been eagerly waiting.


Our picture shows Netball, First Team (Boarders)
Top Row: R. Rose, B. Vick, M. Martin, J. Brewer,
Second Row: B. Browning, M. Maidment, P. McLoughlin.

SUMMER TERM.
May 4th. School re-opened. We all returned very full of Jubilee spirit, and started straight away on a strenuous three weeks' preparation.

May 19th. The French Oral for the Oxford School Certificate and Junior Examinations were held to-day. It was an unpleasant reminder of the nearness of the next ordeal.

May 26th. Ascension Day. A holiday of course! After attending the 10 o'clock Mass, we spent the remaining part of the morning on the beach. We were very pleased to be able to spend the whole afternoon playing Tennis.

His Lordship the Bishop told the young performers that they had excelled themselves, and said that he and the whole audience had greatly enjoyed the Play and fully appreciated the immense work entailed in its production.

Tea, served in the Boys' Hall, brought old friends together once more before saying good-bye to their Alma Mater."

May 30th - Reverend Mother General and Mother de Namuroy, Assistant General, were the first arrivals for the Jubilee celebrations.

May 31st. Excitement everywhere! The last touches are being put to the decorations - sprays of crimson and yellow roses with their golden leaves are to be seen all along our austere corridors. How we enjoyed climbing those ladders!

Hush! Everything is ready. As if by magic the news goes round - His Lordship has come and with him the new Bishop-Elect. We had only heard the news of Monsignor King's nomination this morning, and of course, we were very anxious to see the new Bishop.

June 1st. JUBILEE DAY at last!
At 10 o'clock His Lordship Bishop Cotter celebrated Pontifical High Mass, before which he addressed a few words of congratulation to the Community on their fifty years' work for God, and spoke encouragingly of their future labours.

Jubilee Day is reported in full below, but for us the great excitement was the first performance of our Pageant. Our best efforts were put into this, and we hope that in this way, the present pupils of the Convent showed their appreciation of the heritage which they enjoy as a result of the devoted labours of God's servants for the fifty years preceding this great day.

We give in full the Press notice which appeared in the local paper. It will give some idea of how the day went.

" There were rejoicings on Wednesday at the Convent of the Cross, Boscombe, on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of its foundation.

Celebrations opened with Pontifical High Mass, celebrated by His Lordship the Bishop of Portsmouth (Dr. Cotter), assisted by his Vicar General (Mgr. J. H. King) The Rev. Walter Gibbons, S.J., Rector of Corpus Christi Church, was Deacon and the Convent Chaplain, (Rev. G. Turner, S.J.) sub-deacon. Fr. McSwiney, parish priest of St. Swithun's Church, Southsea, was master of ceremonies. The Plain Chant Mass,," Cum Jubilo " was faultlessly rendered by the Convent Choir. A numerous congregation of pupils, past and present, filled the nave.

Before beginning Mass, his Lordship the Bishop turned to the Congregation and spoke a few words of congratulation. He referred to the schools of the Religious of the Cross in his diocese, praising their work for Christian education, and wished prosperity to all the Houses of the Order, both in England and in other countries.

Solemn Benediction followed the Mass, and finally the Te Deum was sung by all present, in thanksgiving.

The ceremony ended, visitors were shown round the various exhibitions in the Domestic Science School, the Senior and Junior Girls' Schools and the Boys' Preparatory School. The tasteful decorations of entrance hall and corridors were much admired.

Before luncheon past pupils had the honour of being photographed with his Lordship the Bishop and the clergy.

In the afternoon there was an entertainment. The Convent pupils presented a religious Pageant, " The Cross through the Ages," in twenty-one short episodes. The music was cpmposed for the occasion, and the singing accompanied by Mr. C. Leeson, A.R.C.O.I who is to be congratulated on his pupils' performance.

Those responsible for the artistic setting and magnificent costumes deserve the highest meed of praise; the clear and perfect enunciation of the young actresses was a credit to those concerned. Stage grouping was admirable, as well as the skilful use of contrast between the various scenes.

June 2nd. Still Jubilating ! Appropriately to the occasion we received good news. The Doctrine results came to-day and all the candidates have been successful. Deo Gratias !

June 3rd. The last day of our celebrations. We gave two performances of the Pageant - one at 3 o'clock for Holy Cross Elementary School children, and another at 8 o'clock for the public. Although we were all delighted to have the break-up after the last performance, it was with regret that we said "good-bye" to the Pageant.

Nevertheless, we feel that something permanent has remained with us from these days and the previous weeks oŁ rehearsal - a more determined resolve to respond generously to the call of Christ to take up the Cross and follow Him !

June 8th. We are back at work again for the second half of the Summer Termand very hard work it must be, as the public examinations are close upon us!

June 13th and 14th. The Study Room was transformed into a "studio" for the Examinations of the Royal Drawing Society. We trust that the results will justify these long hours of patient work.

June 16th. The Feast of Corpus Christi - the day chosen for the pupils to celebrate Jubilee Day - for it had been impossible for us to take much part in the festivities on June 1st. We were blessed with a beautifully fine day, and activities began early.

The Juniors spent a happy morning on the beach, whilst the Seniors eagerly joined in the preparation for the big garden Tea Party, to which Reverend Mother had so kindly invited us all. In the afternoon we changed into our Pageant costumes and were photographed in the grounds. Our readers will recognise the photos among these pages.

Benediction was at 4 o'clock, and after that the " Party." We very much appreciated all the trouble that had been taken to give us such a happy day - only those who were present can realise just how happy it was! We would like to say "Thank you:'

June 19th. The annual Corpus Christi procession took place in the Convent grounds, and we were privileged once more to have Benediction given from the Altar erected on our Tennis Court.

June 20th. More good news! Y. Pinder was awarded a Bronze Medal, and Z. Hayes and B. Vick Certificates for work submitted for the Inter-Schools Competition in French, organised by the Cerde Francais de Bournemouth.

June 23rd. More photos! This time not in Pageant garb. All past pupils will know quite well what is meant by taking the School Group!

Some of the Seniors went to Talbot Heath to see the Greek Play " The Trojan Women," acted by the pupils of the School. It was an open-air performance, and very effectively produced.