About | History | The Brides of Christ 

“They were holy, prayerful, hard working, caring, happy and human”
–  Merlyn de Van der Schueren (Boarder in 1930s)

M. Columba – artistic and always ready with a tale of the past.

Sister Gertrude – her dark glasses always prevented boarders from knowing (for sure) if at study time they were being observed.

Sister Gerard – her discipline

Sister Joan – at the time we did not realise what a gentle lady she really was. Great exam results despite the unmusical efforts of her music theory class. She was quick tempered; flying music books were not uncommon.

M. di Pazzi – music, music, music… She could play anything put before her.

Sister Teresa – never gave up the old ‘habit’ and never gave up trying to turn Holy Cross girls into ladies.

M. Ursula – a gentle lady but commanding of respect.

Sister Carmel – returned to us as a sister and she enriched our late night recreation dancing with her music.

M. Lawrence – very much the Reverend Mother… her demeanour had most of the students in awe but young Jimmy with a smart remark could put a smile on her face.

M. General Columba – a VIP.  A regular visitor to our Holy Cross Convent, students had mixed feelings about a private interview as we knew she was on the lookout for ‘vocations’.

Sister Anthony – talking to her chooks…and herself.

Sister Carthage – cheerfully busy in the dormitories

Sister Helena – dispensing glasses of warm ‘salts’ (with a slice of apple to kill the taste), and hot sudsy water for chilblained feet.

Sister Vincent – bent praying in the chapel.

Sister Monica – cream cloaks of nuns celebrating her funeral

M. Gertrude – being quiet in the corridor outside her sick room

M. Margaret – trying to calm boarders at late night study when the wind moaned through the garden trees.

Sister Patrick – taking mending sessions and trying to locate and hush the whistling boarders…so unladylike!

Sister Angela – sweet and gentle; no match for naughty girls. Both Sisters Angela and Patrick had beautiful Irish accents of the ‘real’ sisters.

Sister Fabian – friendly and full of fun! Remember her reading ‘Wind in the Willows’ to boarders under the trees by the tennis courts.

M. Loyola – vigorous teaching methods, especially with French: “You should do your homework – so you ought!” as she thumped on the desk with her ruler, her book or her black belt.

M. Aloysius – a wonderful teacher and respected reverend mother. Trying to suppress laughter as she asked a boarder in disgrace what she found to write about a certain day boy. She had evidence of his literary skills (much to his Aunty Loyola’s anger!)