St Anthony's Centenary Book

and mathematics (written and oral). The report commented on the importance of oral reading
and it was suggested that in the junior grades more time should be given to this subject. “After
Christian Doctrine oral reading should find its place in the time tables for one hour daily and
then again in the afternoon at least 30 minutes might be given to this important subject.” The
inspector was impressed by the intelligent responses of the senior grades with fluent reading
and found the comprehension of the reading material very pleasing.
1957: The 1957 report commented on the school environment and
noted “the beautiful and newly renovated classrooms with students
comfortably seated in dual desks”. Pupils were encouraged to engage
in competitive sports on the new basketball court with St Anthony’s
winning the shield for the No. 9 district. The inspector noted that it was
a pleasure to visit a school where the pupils were “docile and making
rapid progress in their respective grade”.
1958: The 1958 report indicates the school had an enrolment of 342.
The workload was fairly well distributed except for Preparatory-Grade 1 where there were 89
pupils. The staff were described as “very zealous and efficient teachers’, and the students
“very much about the average in intelligence and already show the skilful training they have
received’. It was expected that a great emphasis be given to oral reading as it was considered
the most important subject and a suggestion was made to introduce reading charts into the
classroom. Small electric space heaters helped to make conditions pleasant. The classification
of the pupils and the curriculum followed were in many respects similar to those found at state
primary schools.
1963: The hours of instruction were listed as 9.00-12.30 and 1.30-3.30. Each class had a class
library. Sentence strips, pin-up boards, and dramatizations gave variety to the teaching. The
new Catholic Catechism was being taught. Teachers were succeeding in the composite
grades.
1964: A scout hall was used as the lunchroom. Equipment included many modern aids
including cuisinaire rods and reference materials. Speech and singing throughout the school
were pleasing. The general tone of the school was described as satisfactory and the pupils
courteous.
1966: The 1966 report indicates an
enrolment of 282 with an average
class size of 38. However there was
one composite grade with 19 form 1
pupils added to the headmaster’s
grade 6 of 35 pupils which gave the
head teacher, Sister M Rupert, a
very heavy load in addition to
managing the school. Some