| Administrative History | Closed 1952
Bourtie Parish and School Board
Head Teachers:
1. James Mearns - Before SB Act (1873 - 1879)
2. Charles Centre (from Longside) (21 May 1878 - 26 Jan 1883)
3. Miss Smith (26 Jan 1883 - May 1888) (was appointed Interim and then made permanent 9 April 1883)
4. Miss MacNaughton (15 May 1888 - May 1893)
5. Miss Lizzie Howitt (15 May 1893 - 30 June 1900)
6. Miss Mary P. Taylor (June 1900 - 22 Aug 1927) (resigned after 27 years)
Above information taken from Bourtie SB Minute Book
7. Catherine D. Walker (25 Aug 1927 - 15 Nov 1930)
8. Mrs Mary J. Coutts (27 Apr 1928 - 11 June 1928) (Interim while HT has operation)
9. Beatrice M. Moir MA (17 Nov 1930 - 10 Aug 1952) (Went to Wester Hatton when school closed)
10. Mrs. D. M. Fraser (7 Nov 1949 - 31 Mar 1950) (Interim while HT has operation)
Extracts from Bourtie School Board Minute Book 1873 - 1919 (ref AC5/12/1)
19 May 1873: Copy Report of Educational census - Gentlemen:-In terms of your instructions of the 29 April last that a Census of the Parish be taken having the number of children resident therein between the ages of 5 and 13 years distinguished them by their sexes, and whether attending the Parish School or any other School without the Parish, also those who have been at School but not attending at present also those who have never been at school. This has now been completed; and I humbly beg to submit a report of the same. It will be found in the accompanied statement that of Males between the ages of 5 and 13 years there are 17 attending the Parish School, 28 attending other schools, 2 have been at school but are not attending at present and 11 have never been at school. Total 58. Of females between the ages of 5 and 13 years there are 7 attending Parish School, 16 other schools, 3 have been at school but not attending at present and 3 have never been at school. Total 29.
Of males under 5 years of age. Total 32
Of females under 5 years of age. Total 24
Total children of all ages 143.
28 June 1873:
The Clerk handed in the Census roll made up to this date showing an increased of 17 children since Whitsunday. The Board resolved the fees be continued at the present rate, and that the Schoolmaster be requested to collect them for the present, giving in a particular list to the Treasurer of the names and amount payable by each pupil.
29 Nov 1873:
The Chairman intimated that he had communicated with Major Ramsay of Barra respecting the land belonging to the school, and that he had received information from him intimating that the site on which the schoolroom stands belongs to him.
31 Jan 1874:
The Board authorized the Chairman to intimate to the Teacher that the Board intend to apply for an inspection of the school in anticipation of obtaining a Government Grant. The Chairman was requested to write to Major Ramsay of Barra, asking him on what terms he would Few the small piece of land on which the schoolroom stands and around it: Viz. between the roads.
31 Feb 1874:
The Chairman intimated that he had written to Major Ramsay respecting the little piece of land surrounding the school and had received a reply to the effect that he (Major R) thought there would be little difficulty in arranging to few it, but that as the Estate of Barra was entailed there would be some expense attending to the granting of a Few, which expense would of course be paid by the School Board.
10 Sept 1874:
The Board appointed Mrs Mearns sewing mistress at Ten Shillings per Calendar month during the teaching.
12 June 1875:
The Chairman read HMI Report on the School which was satisfactory and also intimated that a Grant of £18,16s had been received.
5 Aug 1876:
The census of children of school age in the Parish was submitted from which it appeared that there are 91 children of School age in the Parish, 25 of these attending Public School, 33 at Old Meldrum, 4 at Inverurie, 10 at Lethenty, 4 at Whiterashes and 1 at Udny. 14 were attending no school. The officer was instructed to call upon the parents of the children who are not attedning school and inform them the Board will insist upon their attendance after the holidays.
2 Mar 1878:
The Clerk submitted to the Board a letter from Mr Mearns Teacher offering to retire from the office of Headteacher.
11 May 1878:
....George Centre, Longside,appointed Schoolmaster the salary being (as follows) £65, the whole of the School Fees and one half the Government Grant the Schoolmaster being bound to collect the Fees for himself quarterly. The Clerk was instructed to intimate the appointment and say to Mr Center that he would be expected to enter on his duties on Monday the 21st instant.
22 June 1878:
The Chairman reported that he and Mr Marr had arranged with Miss Christina Mutch to act as Sewing Mistress for 3 months at the salary of £2. She is to teach one hour a day for 4 days of the week.
1 Mar 1879:
The Schoolmaster brought before the Board a case of discipline in connection with one of the pupils. He reported that he had found this boy unamenable to discipline and had to dismiss him. He requested the Board to sanction his dismissal. He reported that the boy's culminating fault was that, on being turned out of School, he returned with a stick and struck him (the Schoolmaster) with it, and further that the dismisal had had a wholesome effect on the discipline of the School. The Board sanctioned the Schoolmasters past action in the matter and left it to himself whether he would give the boy another trial or not. As the above is the first case of discipline that has come before the Board, the Board thought it necassary to give a general deciion with respect to dismissal of children from School; which is as follows;- that when a case arises needing prompt action the Schoolmaster shall dismiss at his discretion and report forthwith to the Chairman.
29 May 1880:
A letter to the Board was received from Mr Center Schoolmaster tendering his resgination of office as Teacher. The Board accepted his resignation; the engagement to terminate at the stipulated term of 3 months from this date.
14 Aug 1880:
Miss Barrack appointed to the Office of Sole Teacher of the Public School....she promised to be ready to open the School on Monday 4 October.
20 Jan 1883:
A letter to the Board was received from Miss Barrack tendering her resignation as Teacher and requesting the Board to relieve her of her duties if possible on the 26th inst offering as an interim substitue Miss Smith, Hillhead, Skene - accepted until 9 April.
5 June 1886:
The Chairman read to the meeting the Report by HIM on the School. The Board was pleased with its satisfactory character and hereby record their appreciation of Miss Smith's continued efforts to keep up the efficiency of the school.
24 Mar 1888:
A letter from Miss Smith to the Board was read to the meeting tendering her resignation as Teacher on the 15th May 1888.
28 Apr 1888:
Miss Macnaughton offered the apointment which was unanimously agreed to; the appointment to date from the 15 May 1888.
11 March 1893:
A letter from Miss Macnaughton to the Board was read to the meeting tendering her resignation as Teacher on the 15 May 1893.
7 April 1893:
Miss Lizzie Howitt at present teacher at Muchalls appointed teacher of Bourtie Public School from 15 May 1893.
31 May 1902:
The Board agreed to give the School a weeks holidays during the Coronation week from Monday 23 June to Friday 27, both inclusive, and instructed the Clerk to intimate the same to HMI. The Chairman intimated that he was to entertain the scholars to a Pic-nic and present them with Coronation Medals.
10 June 1911:
The Chairman read to the meeting a letter from Mr Peter Duguid of Bourtie, offering to present to the School a flagstaff and "Union Jack". He also read a letter from the Honourable Mrs Muirhead, Bourtie House, offering to present to each scholar attending Bourtie Public School a "Coronation Mug".
28 Aug 1915:
A letter from the Teacher was submitted asking if she would be allowed to act as a collector of eggs on behalf of the Agricultural College for the wounded soldiers. The Meeting approved of her doing so.
1 Dec 1917:
Census of the children of School, age in the parish on the 24 June. There are 68 children of School age in the Parish 34 of whom are on the Roll of Bourie School, 15 at Oldmeldrum, 6 at Inverurie, 3 at Udny, 4 at Whiterashes, 1 exempted and 5 of school age not yet at school. There is one scholar from Keithall. |