Playground Courtyard

Gymnasium

n the early 1920s, it was decided that the Academy needed a proper gymnasium for the athletic activities of the girls. The two-storey wooden building was designed by Sister Osithe, a teacher, artist and architect who lived at the Convent. Although the gym was central to the memories of many girls, its completion in 1922 was met with little fanfare. The construction bill, listing a Statement of Cost totalling $3299.05 and Morry and Chamberlain as the contractors, is one of the few records from the project.

The Gym - 1948 (click for large image)

The gym was situated behind the auditorium, in the playground area in back of the school. The upper floor was the gymnasium itself. Inside, the girls exercised, did gymnastics, and played volleyball, basketball and other games. The building's facilities suited the needs of the girls, and former student Catherine Graves (Manthorpe) has many memories of trying her best at the sports played in the gym. However, she remembers, "I don't think anything was regulation size." She adds, with a laugh, "The only time I can ever remember making a basket in my life was when I was playing volleyball!"

C. Graves noted that "That building got a lot of use, one way or another." That attitude of adaptability was important for a school that was attempting to meet the needs of so many individual pupils, of varying ages. The older girls were interested in having dances, and these formal occasions were organized with St. Louis College, the boy's school in the city, run by the Christian Brothers of Ireland. Dancing was taught as part of the physical education programme by some teachers. During the late 1960s and early 70s, Terrasita Calica, a gym teacher from the Philippines, taught Filipino and Spanish dances. A group of 10 girls performed these ethnic dances, and competed in the city Folk Festival, winning First Prize.

More on the Courtyard