JUNE

Half-term week-end gave us an enjoyable Whitsun break, and we returned to school interested in two visitors who were due to arrive the following day. Monseigneur Scaramalini had expressed a wish to see our English Convents. He went to every class, studying time-tables, etc., and received much assistance in the junior School from the small boys who were eager to show him how to read in English. Although the visit was short, we trust that it gave him an idea of the routine and activities of Boscombe.

Reverend Mother Viet, Assistant General arrived from our Convent at Soissons, on the same day to begin a tour of our English Convents. Her special purpose was to give firsthand information about our new Mission in Mbanga (French Cameroons).

Reverend Mother Viet accompanied the pioneer group to Mbanga and remained some time, so that she was able to bring back a most interesting series of lantern slides. The school was delighted to know that she intended to speak to us about the Mission. But imagine our surprise when we were installed in the Hall to see a Nun dressed in a Habit similar to ours, but all in white. Reverend Mother had been good enough to dress in the Habit worn abroad, and that helped a great deal towards putting us into the atmosphere for the talk.

The text, beginning with our Holy Father's appeal for the Missions, the need of Vocations and an account of life in Mbanga, was read by Mother Potter; while Reverend Mother Viet, adding little personal reminiscences to make everything more vivid, showed us pictures of the life and customs of the people as well as the work in Church and School.

18th. School performance of "Iolanthe". Everyone was pleased to see Reverend Mothers Viet, Butler Bowden and Woolfrey among the audience. As we looked at the regal figures on the stage, it was difficult to believe that they were really our Forms IV, V and VI.

19th. From fancy to reality! The French and German Oral Examinations for the Oxford.

20th. Feast of Corpus Christi. A group of Juniors made their first Holv Communion in the Convent Chapel and Father Baron S.J. spoke very appealingly to them and to their parents,

In spite of their other activities, the Senior Choir was again privileged to sing at the High Mass at Corpus Christi Church.

21st and 22nd. Public performances of "lolanthe" . With pardonable pride, we may say that the productions were a complete success. The general standard of acting and singing reflected great credit on the untiring work of Mother Potter and Miss Gobell. The String Orchestra, including Miss Oswell, our Violin Mistress, the Organ played by Mother Pannell, and the Pianos by Mother Gillard and Miss Gobell, supported the singers; who certainly gave of their best, and with obvious pleasure.

It would be invidious to make distinctions - the impressive entry of the Peers. the Chorus of Fairies, the Principals who sustained difficult parts so well - all left us with the desire to see the whole again! Mother Wallace at the lights made full use of the amenities of the stage, and displayed the costumes to advantage as the scenes changed. One would like to mention everyone connected with such a production, not forgetting Mother Briggs, Mrs. Weston Burt, and other members of the Staff responsible for the `makeup' and the costumes.

On Saturday evening, Reverend Mother General, who had just arrived in England, was able to be present at "Iolanthe", accompanied by Reverend Mothers d'Alancon and McEvoy. It was a great joy for us all to welcome Reverend Mother General to Boscombe again, particularly at a time when she was able to see and enjoy one of our productions in our spacious School Hall.

23rd. Outdoor Procession of the Blessed Sacrament. An Altar was prepared on the Presbytery lawn, where Father John Murray S.J. preached; after which the Procession wended its way to our grounds, where we had erected an Altar, as usual, on one of our tennis courts.

24th. Oxford Locals began and continued to the end of Term.

28th. Feast of the Mast Sacred Heart of Jesus. Many day pupils came to Mass in the Convent Chapel, and in the afternoon the Nuns, Staff and children assembled in the Hall to renew the Act of Consecration of the House to the Sacred Heart.

School Examinations and preparations for Open Day.

12th, 13th and 14th. "Open Day." Exhibition of Work. On Friday, 12th, from 2-4 p.m., the junior School was open to visitors, while the children remained in their classrooms, where their work was displayed. Art and Needlework, Activities and Projects carried out through the year, as well as the ordinary class books, gave a good idea of the year's work. The Middle and Senior School Exhibition included each Form room; while the Needlework room, Art rooms and Hall were devoted to more specialised exhibits.

Added to the customary original and lively paintings, the Art rooms offered interest in various types of paper-sculpture, lettering, and, not least, in a model of the Convent Chapel.

The Needlework room was reserved for the work of the Middle School, and much of it, particularly the skirts made be Farm II, showed taste and skill.

In the Hall the stage was converted into a beach scene, and the dresses made by Form IVa looked very bright and attractive scattered among the deckchairs and rocks. Shorts and blouses in pastel shades made another attractive spot; while in other sections of the Hall pretty undies, nighties and pyjamas were daintily displayed.

The Cookery Section was most appetising; especially the full-course dinner, which still looked fresh at the close of the three days.

Geography exhibits were varied and interesting, as each pupil, independently of class work, had been working on a special aspect through the year. It was encouraging to see what individual effort could produce. The work in other class subjects was to be seen in each Form room.

Throughout the three days a large number of visitors came, and all seemed pleased with what they had seen.

Saturday, 13th. B.C.D.F. Fete at St. Peter's. Many went to support this yearly effort to raise funds for our Catholic School, and a group of Forms V and VI once more took charge of the Household Stall. Our thanks are extended to all who sent provisions for this Stall.

15th. Senior Sports. Held this year in the morning. We should like to express our appreciation of the help given by the Staff at this event each year - Mother Wallace and Miss Cummings as Recorders; others as Judges. It was good to see Melle. Monclin taking part during her stay here at the end of Term. Reverend Mother General kindly presided and presented the prizes.