Hi, been reading this and noticed there are a couple of questions about the convent school, so figured I'd add my two penneth.

 

I was brought up in and around New Brighton and went to the convent school. It was called Maris Stella. Actually there were two locations for the school. One, the preparatory school as it was called, was in Wellington Road. Hence one of our nicknames. the other school kids used to call us, Welly Booters!

 

 

 

It was a fee paying school for boys and girls but boys had to leave at the age of 7 I think it was. The headmistress of the prep school was Sister Margaret Mary. One of the finest people I've ever met. Among the other staff, there was a Sister Tria, I think she worked in the kitchens. A Miss Bell who taught art, drama and singing, a Sister Aquinas, a Sister Theresa, another sister who's name I can't remember and one I will never, ever forget!!! Sister Winifred.

 

On my first day at the school the other kids told me her name was sister Winnipeg! On seeing her in the street I shouted, what I thought was her name, and waved. That became the beginnings of a strong mutual hatred. Oh and I remember someone called Bacon. You can guess what we called her!

 

The other location was in Rowson St. That too was called Maris Stella but it was the Convent Grammar School for Girls. That wasn't fee paying, well not when I attended. As the headmistress, Sister Carmel, never tired of telling us, "Not everyone can come here. You can't pay to come here. Only those who are good enough can come here. Those who pass their 11 plus!" Her and I didn't get on very well either. I reckon she was Winipeg's sister!

 

 

The first line of the school anthem was . . . "Children of Maris Stella, proudly the name we bear. . . . and there was something in there about the name meaning Star of the Sea? Can't remember any more than that . . not sure I was ever that keen on singing it even then.

 

Anyway, around 1968 or maybe 69, there was a change in the education system. For some reason the kids who attended Saint Hilda's, the school for those "awful children" who didn't pass the 11 plus, started coming to our school.

 

I was delighted as my best friend was now in the same school as me. And, of far more importance in my teenage world, they could no longer call us "Maris Stella, Marsh Smellers" one of our less pleasant nicknames! Sister Carmel was not at all happy about this "merger", or whatever it was. I didn't stick around for the sixth form and moved away from the area not long after.

 

I believe the school changed completely over the next few years. I understand it became Saint Mary's, was open to both boys and girls and moved to another area. I'm not sure of any of this last bit though. The place was great as were the people. The school? Well I reckon it's better in retrospect! Emmjay!

 

 

Comments

My wife attended Maris Stella High School an has a blue booklet with the school name, crest and date May 1952. In the booklet are two pictures of people one is outside in front of a statue, the other is a shot of a class room. The other three pictures are the exterioor of the school, an alter, and the statue surrounded by rocks. Does anyone remember this booklet or been in the picture? R Mcintyre Canada

I've been trying to remember the school song of Maris Stella that you mentioned. I wasn't that keen on singing it either but it seems to have stuck in my memory. I remember the chorus and the second verse but have forgotten the first verse. Perhaps someone can jog my memory?   Children of Maris Stella, Proudly the name we bear.   We will be true through all our days To the lessons taught us there.   Daughters of a royal race, Out Mother, Star of the Sea;   Through life's dark ways our paths will trace, From harm and danger free.   What though the bell with clam'rous note Breaks in upon our play   And summons us to study grave Or calls us all to pray.   The daily task our training ground An army bright are we.   "Gloire a Dieu Seul," (Glory to God Alone) our battle cry And prayer will ever be. Anon

Thanks Emmjay for your memories and historical documents of Maris Stella.