1 14 Community

gracious Sisters of Notre Dame, many students achieved high academic standing. In 1943, the Island Entrance list was headed by Isobel Mac- Donald, in 1950 by Frances Campbell and, in 1955, by first and second place: Catherine MacPhee and Jennie O’Hanley. In 1945, a Grade XI class was opened to both male and female. Out of a total of 178 students who wrote Maritime Board Examinations, from 1945 to 1953, only 7 failed.

Music was always very much a part of the education program at St. Mary’s. A small portable organ made its way to every classroom. Music teachers, over the years, led the students in singing, usually in English but sometimes in French.

But whatever the educational or cultural program, students were influ- enced by their teachers’ quiet grace and inspired by their search for perfec- tion. When officials came to visit, students decked out in the school dress for special occasions—black with white collars and cuffs—gathered in the reception hall and looked on with envy as one of their classmates, with great poise, delivered the speech of welcome.

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St. Mary’s Convent

But the school, a four-storey brick building, was always hard to heat. At one time, coal had to be carried from the basement to thirteen stoves throughout the building. But Owen Connolly, even in death, was still help- ing Irish boys. His Estate, in 1891, helped pay for installing a furnace. In return, the Sisters were to educate eight young boys of Irish parentage with limited financial resources for one year. Books, clothing, meals and board were to be provided if necessary.71

In 1906, the school received government recognition and some financial support. By 1918, the school had an enrollment of 187 day students and 50 boarders. In February, 1968, St. Mary’s closed as a school after 87 years of service to the young people of the Town.”