| Administrative History | The school moved to the Forsyth Road site c. 1975, having previously been located at Hill of Keir.
Belhelvie Parish and School Board, Aberdeenshire
Head Teachers:
Rev. Francis Hay 1823 - 1841 (approx)
John Jack (came from Ayr Academy) 4 Sept 1844 - 14 Jan 1893 (retired)
Walter Percy Cox (Interim) 18 Jan 1893 - 3 Mar 1893
Charles E. Glennie M.A. (Edinburgh) 6 Mar 1893 -16 NJov 1923 (retired)
Helen M.A. Reid (interim) 19 Nov 1923 - 21 Dec 1923
Alexander W. Ross 3 Jan 1924 - 30 June 1927
Archibald Campbell Watt, M.A. (Glasgow) 23 Aug 1927 - still there in 1949
Mr. Whyte (Interim) (retired Head Master, Leggart Terrace) 15 Jan 1948 - 17 Mar 1948
Charles W Robertson
Extracts from Log Books:
7 November 1873:
"Number this week up to 84. The number and adduitional subjects - navigation and Latin - make work heavy. Teacher's health a little affected"
11 Dec 1874:
"Now 141 enrolled since harvest"
3 March 1876:
".....attendance rather less 95 - 111. It has been affected by the opening of two of the new schools viz. Wester Hatton and Craigie. Several scholars near Milden left for the former"
16 July 1878:
"Teacher sent the following letter to the Clerk of the School Board July 16 1878:
Dear Sir, I am astonished no one has been appointed to assist here with the classes since the beginning of May...It is impossible for me or any single individual under this system to give the proper attention to all the classes.
The Code requires assistance to be given when the yearly average reaches 60....The average here has long been above 60......I may say a cheap certified teacher is infintely worse than some females, who I am sure could be got in the district for a little money and who have proved efficient teachers, which is all that the Code requires".
31 August 1883:
"Expect Members of the Board to say something about the time (of harvest holidays) but hear nothing from them. Mention tonight that vacation will be given when reaping begins which will probablky be tomorrow or Monday, as this is the old Rule in this school from time immemorial"
24 May 1886:
"Mr. Hardy Photographer wishes to take Photo of Scholars...takes two negatives of boys and two of girls with fair success".
11 October 1892:
"This is funeral day of Mrs. Hay, widow of the late Rev. Francis Hay who was schoolmaster here from about 1823 to about 1841. He died about April 1846 and his widow on Monday at 39 Bon Accord Street, Aberdeen, aged 88"
4 November 1892:
"One of boys in 5th standard dies this morning. He was employed at harvest and carrying two pails of milk daily to Potterton, some 2 miles, but took ill with stomach and bowels some days ago and died this morning, he was a quiet active and intelligent boy, but often broken from classes. His name Robert Hutcheon, Hill of Keir." |