RAISING MONEY FOR THE "NEW SCHOOL"

ST PATRICK'S CONVENT SCHOOL, PATRICK STREET.
THE "NEW SCHOOL"!
(CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT)

I am grateful to Frank McAllister for reminding me about the fundraising which took place in the early 1950s in aid of the “new school”. You will notice that submissions for this blog are invited from former teachers, ex-pupils or ANYONE with a St Patrick’s connection. Frank isn’t a former teacher or an ex-pupil of St Patrick’s but he certainly has connections! His mother, aunts, sisters, (including me), nieces and lovely wife are all St Patrick’s girls!  So, Frank is right in there!



OUR  LOVELY MOTHER WITH SR M JOSEPHINE AND SR M AGNES.
THE PICTURE WAS TAKEN IN THE CONVENT GARDEN AROUND 1930.
SR JOSEPHINE & SR AGNES, SISTERS BY BIRTH AS WELL AS IN RELIGION,
WERE HALLERANS FROM TREPASSEY.
(CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT)



I hope other brothers, husbands, etc, will also get in touch. If you were involved in raising money for the “new school”, PLEASE tell us what you did and let us all enjoy the memories.

Here is Frank’s story.

“The newest addition to St. Patrick's Convent School in St. John's was completed in 1953. Prior to that the old school was adjoining and bordered on Deanery Avenue and Convent Square.

In building the new school most of the students took it upon themselves to help by raising money with many kinds of projects. Some girls put on skits and did many different kinds of theatrical things such as plays, concerts etc.

My sister, Doreen, a student at St. Patrick's, had one of these projects at our house. She made all kinds of treats, i.e., fudge, cookies, etc, and invited all her friends . We played bingo and cards. I won two bars of green pine tar soap playing bingo! This was the first thing I had ever won.

My Aunt May, who was an ex-pupil of St Patrick’s and a wonderful singer, sang the well loved "Molly Bawn". It seems that whenever there was a get-together, poor Aunt May would always be called upon to sing.

All the money raised from the sale of sweets and from the bingo and cards went towards the erection of the school.”

We will hear more of Frank’s memories of St Patrick’s soon. Thanks Frank.