| Description | Selection made from original letter binder (see series level for appraisal criteria).
• Johns Adams. Rector, Free Church Training College. 17 June 1891. Letter to the School Board providing a positive character reference for Miss Jeanie Reith.
• John Clarke. [Position not given but in letter of 12 August 1891, attached for reference, he gives his title as “participating Master at the Grammar School]. 7 The Chanonry, Old Aberdeen. 25 June 1891. Writing to the School Board with the results of the Pupil Teachers’ last quarterly exams.
First Year
Ellen South, Holburn Street
Isabella Mitchell. Albion Street
Second Year
Magdalen L. Farguharson, Ferryhill
Emma A. McDonald, Rosemount
Third Year
Chas. MacGregor, Commerce Street
Alex. S. Hird, Causewayend
Lizzie Adam, Ferryhill
Fourth Year
Alex. Moir, Ruthrieston
Isabella Angus, St Paul Street
P. T.s with insufficient preparation for the exam.
Christina Scatterly, Frederick Street
Mary A. Morris, Marywell Street
Barbara Farquharson, North St
Mary Duncan, Porthill
• James Campbell. Frederick Street Public School. 3 September 1891. Letter to School Board with a timetable attached relating to the instruction of PTs in Frederick Street Public School.
• John Darling. Head Teacher. Holburn Street Public School. 29 September 1981. Letter to the School Board requesting more staff before the start of the October session. Mr Darling writes that there was 950 on the roll and in the Infants’ Department there was a classroom with 90 pupils in the charge of a Pupil Teacher. In Standard I the teacher, Miss Croll, had single-handed charge of 100 pupils and Standard IV was without a teacher at all.
• William C. Farrell. [Head Teacher? Information not given in letter]. Ruthrieston Public School. 12 August 1891. Letter to the School Board requesting that the apprenticeship of Miss Sarah Calder be extended by one year. Miss Calder is described as a good scholar whose work as a teacher far exceeds what is expected of an apprentice. Miss Calder had sat the examination for entry to the Training College and had successfully obtained a Queen’s Scholarship, however, due to exceptional personal circumstances at home it was “out of her power” to attend college.
• James Findlay. [Head Teacher of Rosemount Public School but not stated in the letter]. 158 Bon Accord Street. 12 August 1891. Letter of complaint to the School Board that the Board’s Report on their Meeting of July had been in the newspaper and it had contained a statement by Mr McConnachie detrimental to himself. Mr Findlay requested that the School Board appoint a committee of inquiry to investigate the facts.
• Alexander Green. [Head Teacher? Information not given in letter]. Causewayend Public School. 31 September [Probably 1891 but original date on letter overwritten]. Letter to School Board advising that since the opening of the school on 11th inst. about 120 children had been refused admission. Of the children turned away “not a few are about 7 years of age a large proportion about 6 years of age.” Mr Green advises that the disappointed parents comment on the situation in an “often far from complimentary,” manner.
• J. A. N. Hall. Teacher, King Street Public School. Writing from her home address of Eastfield House, Stocket Road. Letter to the School Board requesting a transfer, on health grounds, to a school nearer home. The letter writer advises that they would then be able to have a lunchtime meal and be away from the coast, which was the advice of their doctor.
• Thomas C. Hynd. Head Teacher, King Street Public School. 26 August 1891. Intention to remove from the Register form submitted in name of Lexy Cooper of 106 John Street. Lexy’s attendance was 19 times out of a possible 23 openings.
• Thomas C. Hynd. Head Teacher, King Street Public School. 26 August 1891. Intention to remove from the Register form submitted in name of Joan S. Ord of 5 Gilcomston Terrace. Joan’s attendance was irregular due to the distance of her home from the school.
• G. Hein. German Teacher [name of school not given]. Writing from 62 Dee Street. 14 September 1891. Letter to the School Board with the list of proposed textbooks to be used for the German classes.
• G. Hein. German Teacher [name of school not given]. Writing from 62 Dee Street. 19 September 1891. Letter to the School Board regarding the German Classes which may be starting. The letter includes suggestions about location, class size and fees.
• John R. Jack. Writing as Secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland, Aberdeen Branch. Writing from 92 Irvind Place. 25 June 1891. Letter to the School Board including the report from the latest meeting regarding pay.
• James Moir. Head Teacher, Grammar School. 22 June 1891. Letter to the School Board prompting the proposal that the school be made “an original Science School,” and if this was to go ahead the School Board would need to intimate that to the Kensington Department before 1 August 1891.
• James Moir. Head Teacher, Grammar School. 22 June 1891. Letter to the School Board raising the issue that at their last meeting the efficiency of the school going down quarter by quarter was discussed. Mr Moir disputes this.
• James Moir. Head Teacher, Grammar School. 25 June 1891. Letter to the School Board unhappy that Bailie Crombie had, in the presence of Reporters said that the efficiency of the school was decreasing. Mr Moir points out that he is only referring to Bailie Crombie not to other members of the Board.
• James Moir. Head Teacher, Grammar School. 7 July 1891. Letter to the School Board. Letter to the School Board saying that he had received forms in which receipt of his letters of 22 and 25 June are acknowledged. However, Mr Moir goes on to say that he is to receive no further information on the opinion of the Board on the matters he brought before them. Mr Moir then goes on to say that, regarding his letter to the Law Committee of the Town Council, he failed to see how he was guilty of any breach of etiquette or the terms of his appointment. Mr Moir advises he contacted the Law Department to attempt to prevent certain candidates being excluded from Bursaries.
• James Moir. Head Teacher, Grammar School. 5 September 1891. Letter to the School Board as a statement in reply to an allegation of defective grading in some classes in the school. He provides detailed information contesting the setting of written exams in classes where oral instruction only has so far been given. The classes given include Classical Greek, 1st Middle Class Latin, 2nd Middle French and 1st Classical Modern French.
• James Moir. Head Teacher, Grammar School. 22 September 1891. Letter to the School Board insisting on a grating at the entrance of the garden. Mr Moir then says that “had it been there the boys’ life might have been saved,” but gives no more details of the accident but the suggestion is it leads to the burn [Denburn?].
• John McLachlan. Head Teacher, Ashley Road School. 31 August 1891. Letter to the School Board to say 78 pupils were now receiving pianoforte lessons which was 18 over the level they could manage. I restructuring of the fees was proposed to allow for an additional teacher.
• John McLachlan. Head Teacher, Ashley Road School. 10 September 1891. Letter to the School Board suggesting that violin lessons begin to be taught in the school. However, as 4 Music Teachers were currently occupied teaching pianoforte to 83
• pupils, therefore a violin teacher would be required.
• William Noble, Teacher. 14 September 1891. Letter to the School Board suggesting that an Evening Class in Telegraphy & Telephony also in Electricity Magnetism but set up. Mr Noble lists his qualifications in the subject including bronze and silver medals received.
• Maggie Watson. Teacher at Holburn Street School. 2- September 1891. Letter to the School Board for a post as Sub Assistant at Holburn Street School. Miss Watson includes details of her qualifications and a testimonial from John McBain, Headmaster of the Girls’ High School.
• Miss Kate Wilson. Music Teacher. 29 September 1891. Letter to the School Board in application for post as Violin Teacher at Ashley Road School. Miss Wilson includes details of her qualifications and includes numerous testimonials.
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