| Description | 1/12/1909 - 8/2/1910
J. D. Anderson, Ferryhill Public School, 24 Dec 1909: regarding the organ in Room 8; explains that Mr. Milne brought his attention to some minor repairs and that after examination, more is needed than first appeared.
P. G. Allan, 54, Devonshire Road, Aberdeen, 23rd Dec 1909: regarding receipt of your letter that the Board’s proposal to transfer my services to an elementary school as third master.
Edith Adams, 67, Beechgrove Terrace, Aberdeen, 5th Jan 1910: regarding application for a transfer to teach Pianoforte at another school, served for four years under Aberdeen School Board (Woodside, Kittybrewster and Sunnybank) but they are such a distance from her home. Understands there is a vacancy at the Grammar School and wishes to be considered, she holds the Diploma of Trinity College, London.
James C. Barnett, Middle Public School, 14th December 1909: regarding Free Dinners at school for average weekly expenditure, including service (£1.17.2) and estimated total expenditure for the whole season to the 31st March (£37.3.4), written below 3118 dinners, 623 average per week.
James C. Barnett, Middle Public School, 14th December 1909: regarding Free Dinners at school, of the £10 given only 14-1/2 left after supplying 3118 dinners. The festive plum pudding at the final dinner of the year in addition means requirement of at least £3.
Andrew Black, Strathfiddich, Auchindoun, Dufftown, 3rd Dec 1909: regarding sending sincerest thanks to the Board and informing considerable improvement in health. Hoping to resume work a fortnight hence after consulting the superintendent at Kingussie.
Andrew Black, 61, Leslie Road, Aberdeen, 30th Dec 1909: regarding please find enclosed medical certificate just received as went to previous address at Dufftown. Attached medical certificate from Kingussie on 27th Dec 1909 that Andrew Black was sanctioned to resume work as a teacher.
John T. Baxter, 14, Forest Avenue, Aberdeen, 4th Dec 1909: regarding offering himself as a candidate for the post of Second Master, at present Third Master at Causewayend. Attached letter with qualifications and references.
M. K. Bain, 336, Holburn Street, Aberdeen, 4th Feb 1910: regarding providing a copy of the notice received from the School Board, received between 1902 to 1904 in which her salary was raised to £55 per annum.
James Campbell, Holburn Street Public School, 7th Dec 1909: regarding asking for further help in teaching power as Miss Christie has been absent since the middle of October 1909 and require a permanent assistant in Infants Department.
James Campbell, Holburn Street Public School, 7th Dec 1909: regarding ‘Requisitions.’ Asking for ‘The Sovereign Series’ of Teachers Books on Arithmetic and the series of ‘Practical Object Drawing Books.’
James Campbell, Holburn Street Public School, 7th Dec 1909: regarding a pupil at the school, Annie J. G. Sinclair, 1 Rosebank Terrace attending the Standard Four of the Marywell Street School section being subject to epileptic fits. These fits are occurring with increasing frequency causing great anxiety and alarm to her teacher and fellow pupils. She is fourteen on 7th May next, to ask the Board to remove her from the roll of the School.
M. C. Campbell, 25, Ferryhill Place, 30th Dec 1909: regarding letter about Miss Duncan’s services and the staff of Holburn Street School returning on Tuesday. Apologies for Mr. Campbell unable to return your letter as it had been discovered he had a broken rib.
James Campbell, Holburn Street Public School: regarding a complaint in connection with Joseph Matthew, 24, Rosebank Place. ‘The boy is an intolerable nuisance; he comes late and he comes dirty.’ He also disappears, causes trouble for his teacher but ‘he is such a wretched creature that one does not care to punish him.’ Asked for the mother but she cannot govern him, recommends that he is a fit subject for the Imbecile School.
James Campbell, Holburn Street Public School, 3rd Jan 1910: regarding receipt of your letter indicating the opinion of the girl Sinclair who suffers from fits. The teacher Miss Buchan can be relied upon to her duty to the girl but the mother has been found to be unreliable.
James Campbell, Holburn Street Public School, 3rd Jan 1910: regarding ‘Overcrowding.’ The room referred to is the fourth or lowest room of the Infants Department. H. M. Inspector drew attention officially and have communicated his remarks verbally to the Board.
James Campbell, Holburn Street Public School, 10th Jan 1910: regarding the matter of overcrowding previously mentioned and hereby enclose for your information that there are 49 applications for admission. Attached is a document titled ‘Overcrowding’, with his opinions on how this can be remedied.
James Campbell, Holburn Street Public School, 13th Jan 1910: regarding the new class for Marywell St. School will be in place before 11am, the Infants are also being changed and those who applied are being sent for. Confirms will see Marywell St. School right till 2pm, but has overstrained his side and it is inflamed.
James Campbell, Holburn Street Public School, 13th Jan 1910: regarding his desire to report that on Thursday, 13th of Jan there was a shift of a class of pupils to Marywell St. School. No complaints and pupils seem quite pleased, however, there remains adjustments needed for Singing, Sewing and Drill of the class with recommendations included.
James Campbell, Holburn Street Public School, 19th Jan 1910: regarding ‘Sewing Arrangements.’ Miss Thomson will teach the sewing of the new Standard Three class of Marywell St. School, however, after the Summer he may need to repeat his request for more help as classes will be larger.
James Campbell, Holburn Street Public School, 21st Jan 1910: regarding ‘Infants Department.’ He writes the Number per room and Space per room. Five rooms in total with 321 in number and 333 in space.
Duncan Clarke, 7, Argyll Place, Aberdeen, 22nd Jan 1909: regarding ‘Sabbath School Union.’ To note that they will not need to occupy a room at St. Paul St. School and that Friday last, 17th inst was the closing date.
Ellen Carsewell (?), Beech Lodge School, 6th Dec 1909: regarding if the Board would consider the advisability of extending the Christmas holidays in this school. Recommend in the interest of the pupils themselves, upon whom the nervous strain of school work render it particularly desirable.
John F. Cruickshank, Mile-End Public School, 5th Jan 1909: regarding the request of H. M. Inspector have presented for Qualification as at 1st Jan two classes or rather one class and advancement of another, this necessitates the temporary recognition of Misses Ferguson and Duthie as teachers of supplementary classes. As a postcvript, added refusal to qualify might have meant loss of grant for Special Excellence.
J. F. Cruickshank, Mile-End Public School, 9th Feb 1910: regarding having two classes permanently and three from the half year from Jan to June.*
Isobel Chapman, 132, Mid Stocket Road, Aberdeen, 22nd Dec 1909: regarding hope that salary may be considered as nurse of the Special School at Rublislaw, in view of the increase of work such as transportation of pupils and attendance on them in school. As home visitations are part of her work which are the most helpful and have to be taken at such other times are her constant duty from 8am until 4.30pm. She adds that nurses occupying positions under other Boards are in receipt of salaries from £70 upwards.
Arabella K. Brown, Rubislaw Public School, 14th Jan 1910: regarding Christina Fairweather, 91, Willowbank Road proving ‘a hindrance to the work and discipline of the Mental Defective classes here.’ She adds that she shows signs of becoming dangerous to her companions with kicking, scratching and biting and her movements are sudden and unpremeditated. She requests that Christina might be removed as she cannot derive any benefit from instruction.
Mary Cruickshank, 88, Ashley Road, Aberdeen, 16th Dec 1909: regarding follow up request to know whether salary is to remained fixed or be paid by fees.
Mary Cruickshank, 88 Ashley Road, Aberdeen, 8th Jan 1910: regarding the Board’s intention of substituting her fixed salary of £55 which she received for many years as music teacher of Ashley Park School to five sixths of the pupils fees. She respectfully appeals to the Board’s fairness and had hoped that on Miss Garrie’s leaving the Board would have recognised her long service and promoted her to enjoy the £60 salary that Miss Garrie had enjoyed
Alice M. Crabbie, 48, Erbine Place, Aberdeen, 20th Dec 1909: regarding request to transfer from Old Aberdeen School on account from the distance from her home and would be grateful if her name could be put forward to the Committee for any future appointment.
William B. Duguid, Kittybrewster Evening School, 2nd Dec 1909: regarding the request for the reasons of the dismissal of Charles Strachan, Cruickshank Botanic Gardens, from evening school. His teachers had complained on several occasions of his gross misconduct, which Mr. Duguid had seen for himself and reprimanded him. He was given one more chance from Mr. Duguid after another night of ‘impertinence and rude interruptions’ from another teacher on Mon 23rd Nov. The next day he received a letter from another teacher (see below) and was told to bring a written apology. He came back with no apology or intention of giving one and when his mother came in the next day, she believed her son had nothing to apologise for. Mr. Duguid believes since his removal the tone of the class has immensely improved.
W. A. Keys, Kittybrewster Evening School, 23rd Nov 1909: regarding that Mr. Duguid sanction that Charles Strachan (see letter above) will cease attendance at the Laboratory Class on the next occasion he gives any trouble. The great majority of the class are gentlemanly in behaviour and would be ‘much benefitted by the removal of the rudest boy I ever had to speak with.’
A. L. Dunbar, The Supervisor of Manual Instruction, Grammar School, 6th Dec 1909: regarding H. M. Inspector’s Report on ‘Woodwork and Geometry’ with remarks to add. The mixed class of ‘Woodwork’ with senior pupils find themselves through inefficiency in other subjects, and this inefficiency may extend to their work in the Manual Instruction Room. This xplains why a mixed class is taught at the same level at the outset, to afford mitiation to the beginners and revisal to the seniors. If, however, individual progress as described in report page 3 were practised, there would be no bar to advancement and considerable improvement. With reference to the teaching of Geometry he assumed the supervision of this work and removed the isolation of Woodwork from the general school work.
A. L. Dunbar, The Supervisor of Manual Instruction, Grammar School, 24th Dec 1909: regarding reading the letter of the Head Teacher of George Street School about the teaching of Geometry with observations to add; such as Woodwork must be taught in sections instead of large classes in the case of Geometry, the geometry proposed to be handed over to the class teachers provides a general training in the use of mathematical instruments and the illustration of Geometrical principles and would not know what the other Manual Occupation is but the grant received would surely be compensated for as should be received for the teaching of Geometry in common with other subjects.
A. L. Dunbar, The Supervisor of Manual Instruction, Grammar School, 24th Dec 1909: regarding a letter received from Mr. W. E. Philip M.A, H.M.I.S., about a new series of Woodwork Exercises which he has introduced to enable the Manual Instruction staff to meet certain recommendations contained in the recent Report of the Department and his own Report of June last.
Jane A. Dawson, 31, Westburn Drive, Aberdeen, 3rd Dec 1909: regarding request to be considered an applicant as Assistant to the Sewing Mistress of the Central School. She has been in the Board’s service for three years, employed at King Street School in the forenoons and at Porthill in the afternoons. She holds certificates from the London Institute for Plain Needlework, Cutting-Out, Patching and Darning and Knitting. In addition, she also obtained Certificate of the Rodmure Association for Dressmaking.
W. S. Dunbar, 56, Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen, 3rd Jan 1910: regarding request to put name forward as an Assistant Teacher of Mathematics in the Central Higher Grade School, having now had six and a half years experience of teaching in Ferryhill Public School. For the last five years he has prepared the boys for the Foundationers’ and Bursars’ Examination at Gordon’s College, all, without exception having passed and some taking high places. He enclosed a copy of testimonials.
Laura Deas (?), 130, Rosemount Place, Aberdeen, 5th Feb 1910: regarding resuming work at Mile End School on Monday first having been on sick leave from Jan 18th to Feb 4th. At present teaching a Senior class in school but referring to the interview on Jan 31st hopes that the School Board will give her a transfer to an Infant Department.
James Findlay, Rosemount Public School, 16th Dec 1909: regarding request to the School Board to continue at Rosemount School till 30th June next, and gives the following reasons; he is told that the likelihood of the Government Pension Scheme being issued by that date, there is uncertainty that the Educ. Dept. will raise the level of their scheme pensions previously fixed by Boards at a lower rate, his deferred annuity is not operative till October 1910 and should he finish the work of the Session, his successor would break new ground on his own lines.
James Findlay, Rosemount Public School, 1st Feb 1910: regarding sending a copy of letter sent tyo the Agent of the ‘Maidstone School Orchestra Assoc.’ and his reply. 50 pupils have filled up application forms and he is inclined to take the responsibility of superintending such a class during term of office if permission is granted to use school premises.
Alexander Forbes, Head Teacher, Ruthrieston Public School, 16th Dec 1909: regarding Dinners in School. Average taking dinner 58 of whom about 6 are Casuals & Distance who pay 1d. Weekly food supplies 18/- 20/, deduct 4/-5/ (weekly income from those fair to charge), balance say 15/- , service 10/- £1. 5, for 18 weeks £22.10. P.S. Received potatoes, turnips and carrots to supply all needs from friedns, and promise of most such things to last to last session. Also asks about Holiday week, if the Board is prepared to provide they will arrange supervision.
Alexander Forbes, Head Teacher, Ruthrieston Public School, 28th Jan 1910: regarding the severity of the weather, the Infants Department around 54% absent and the rest of the School, in five classes over 30% absent.
Alexander Forbes, Head Teacher, Ruthrieston Public School, 7th February 1910: regarding Supplementary Classes.
N. Fyfe, Head Teacher, Woodside Public School, 1st Dec 1909: regarding requests for 1. New Gov. (?) Test Cards in Arithmetic and 2. Graphic Arithmetical Charts. These do not supersede any in hand, the present stack of Test Cards are insufficient and the new Cards provide tests in separate ‘Rules’ of Arithmetic and as Graphic Arithmetic is a new subject to this school the charts were thought convenient and effective to do this.
George Fenton, B.A. (Lond.) F.E.I.S, Epitome of Qualifications and Experience: Contains details of Scholarships, over 28 years teaching and 24 in Aberdeen (Gordon’s College, U. F. C. Normal School, F. C. Training School, Causewayend School, Holburn Street School and Kittybrewster School) all with testimonials. Also includes testimonials from H. M. I. Reports while in the Board’s service and Evening School Reports from Headmastership.
A. Green, Head Teacher, Skene Square Public School, 20th Dec 1909: regarding complaint against Miss McIntosh who has had a great deal of trouble from the girl arising, they believe, from a feeling of hostility conceived against the teacher from the parents of the child. For instance, on one occasion the mother invaded the classroom without knowledge and created a scene for some supposed grievance. Believes the teacher is entitled to a civil and reasonable explanation of the child’s absence, told the father so and insisted on such application as a condition of the child’s attendance at this class. (See letter below.)
A. Green, Head Teacher, Skene Square Public School, 20th Dec 1909: regarding the incident which wrote yesterday (see letter above) of the complaint about refusing to admit the girl Cruickshank without a proper excuse has now been closed, as the parent admits being at fault and has complied with the conditions.
A. Green, Head Teacher, Skene Square Public School, 20th Dec 1909: regarding Free Dinners for Destitute Children. Sends a list of 24 children who answer the description (see below), most of whom have enjoyed the privilege of the meals at the Educational Trust, King Street. All here recommended for the new ‘Centre’ at Skene Street are prepared to take advantage of the opportunity and is prepared to assist the Headmaster referred to in your letter in the distribution of meals. List of children with room numbers and addresses provided.
A. Green, Head Teacher, Skene Square Public School, 20th Jan 1910: regarding request for Miss. Younie to change the figures submitted for the no. of children over 12 who failed to make 75% of their possible attending from 33 to 37 as one of the teachers omitted to send in their report.
A. Green, Head Teacher, Skene Square Public School, 26th Jan 1910: regarding request for Norman Rae, 6, Black’s Buildings to be transferred from Ferryhill Primary School to Skene Square as he delivers milk in the mornings and finds the distance to Ferryhill too far to be on time. Request with a line drawn through and ‘Allow’ in the corner.
William Hendry, St. Clement Public School, 8th Dec 1909: regarding request for attention of the Domestic Economy Committee to the inadequacy of the arrangements for teaching and needlework at the school. Miss McHardy, the sewing mistress is employed half the week and the other at Commerce Street School. He believes there is enough work to keep the sewing mistress busy the whole week at St. Clement, an example being that in the Supplementary class there is an average of 45 pupils, satisfactory work, preparation time and discipline of class all suffer.
William Hendry, St. Clement Public School, 22nd Dec 1909: regarding acknowledging receipt of letter and writing to give his version as he believes the Board have been misinformed. He denies Mr. Croll’s remarks in his letter that he regards the appearance of visitors an an ‘impertinent intrusion.’ He, and the Infant’s mistress as a witness, heard no mention of request for the names and addresses of necessitous children till Mr. Croll’s letter of 2nd December. He states that he, the Infant’s mistress with close consultation with class teacher judges each case with strictest privacy and he encloses a list to the Board of 15 children in need of boots and 18 families in need of clothing.
Thomas C. Mitchell (?), R. G. Watson (?) and James Findlay, 7th February 1910: regarding each being about to quit the Board’s Service on account of age limit, request to approach the Board on the subject of Retiring Allowances. They believe that the Department will in due course assume full responsibility of payment of teachers pensions due to the recent Act. The Allowance they have reason to anticipate is 55-60% of their salaries.
William B. King. 41, Cromwell Road, Aberdeen, 6th December 1909: regarding accompanying application being placed before the Board. He wishes to be considered for the role of Headmaster at Porthill School, at which he is presently Second Master. He has been in the Board’s Service for eighteen and a half years and has many years’ experience of Evening School teaching. He draws attention to the fact that he started at Porthill on the same day as Mr. Stewart, who was recently promoted to Frederick Street School.
D. B. Lothian, Sunnybank Public School, 1st December 1909: regarding request to explain why he has requested ‘One Set of the New Sovereign Test Cards in Arithmetic.’ He points out that they already supersede the ones in use, and they are the only set he has asked for in the three and a half years of the school’s existence. He also says they would facilitate his work in examining the class at the periodical Examinations.
D. B. Lothian, Sunnybank Public School, 10th December 1909: regarding making the best use of the crayons they have. With reference to D. M. McDougall’s remark that some teachers only get a bit to work with and not a whole stalk, he says they have worked that way all along. He requests that the Board gets a discount from Arnold’s people, not less than one third net cost, then the matter might be closed.
D. B. Lothian, Sunnybank Public School, 15th December 1909: regarding being under the necessity of forming an extra class in January, which will be a Supplementary one. It will contain 36 to 40 pupils, be permanent and proposes that Mr. Charles Thomson, Third Master, take charge of it. He proposes (with the Board’s consent) to promote Miss Mary A. Raitt from the Junior Department (highest class) to the vacancy in the Senior Department. He then requests a teacher for the vacancy in the Junior Department. He encloses at the end of the letter a list of the classes by room, department and number at 4th January 1910.
D. B. Lothian, Sunnybank Public School, 25th January 1910: regarding the problem of accommodating classes at the top and bottom of the school. He states there are only 19 teaching rooms, with 21 or 22 classes, with Rooms 1 and 2 taught in two sections with the extra supply class besides. The Halls and Cookery Room are also being utilised. He encloses a list at the bottom of the letter of the room number and number of pupils, with the total coming to 1233.
D. B. Lothian, Sunnybank Public School, 7th January 1909 replying to memorandum from J. M. Gregor, Headmaster at Old Aberdeen Public School: Mr. Gregor writes to enquire to Mr. Lothian why Isabella Smith has been admitted as a pupil at Sunnybank School and he would be obliged if he sends her back to her former school. Mr. Lothian writes at the bottom of the memo to Mr. Hector, of the School Board, that the child had been on the waiting list since August last, parents refused to send her, as she is delicate, all the way to Old Aberdeen with Sunnybank at the door, however, he has sent her home to await developments.
R. M. Littlejohn, The Head Teacher, Causewayend Evening School, 6th December 1909: regarding offering an explanation to the staff in the Preparatory classes, the numbers now being at 67 and he believes that judging by previous years, 10 or 12 will join by the end of January. He has since the revisal of the syllabus split the girls from the boys, and the boys have such disparity in attainments that they need to be taught in two sections. He believes it is impossible for any teacher to carry on successfully a class of such a size.
John Lumsden, 23, Hamilton Place, Aberdeen, 3rd December 1909: regarding request for promotion to be brought before the Board for Second Mastership in view of a probable vacancy. He served as a Pupil Teacher for five years under the Board from 1871 to 1876, and after finishing training was appointed Headmaster of Maud Public School for 15 years. He held the same position at Bridge of Don for the next 6 years, then re-entered the service of the Board as Assistant in King Street Public School.
John W. Murray M. A., Sunnybank School, 16th December 1909: regarding vacancies that may arise in the Headmastership of the Evening Schools, he wishes to offer himself as an applicant. He has taught at the Board’s Evening Schools since 1893, the present being his sixteenth consecutive session of Evening school work. He adds that his period of service extends to twenty years, and he considers he is entitled to be regarded as the Senior among Second Masters who are not in charge of Evening Schools.
Thomas Miller, Central Higher Grade School, 1st December 1909: regarding requesting to apply for a Senior Second Mastership which he believes may become available. He states that he has spent over twenty years teaching, with fifteen being under the Aberdeen School Board. He has had experience of Standard and Merit Certificate work of the Elementary School, and during the last seven years has taught the advanced work of the Central Higher Grade School. He has taken a full share of Evening School work also, not having missed a session in fifteen years. He encloses a summary of Training and Service from 1882-1909.
John McBain, High School for Girls, Aberdeen, 7th December 1909: regarding reference to the fourth quarter of last session for Evelyn Connon, daughter of F. L. Connon, 20, Hammerfield Avenue. He describes Connon as a ‘feckless bodie’ and perhaps worse, who has been assisted by his brother-in-law Mr. Mollinson, Accountant, 1, Prince Arthur Street, again and again. Miss Mollinson says that her brother would be pleased for the sake of the girl to pay the arrear once more, but that Connon should be made to feel his responsibilities at the hands of the Office. Mr. McBain wrote twice, the first with a reply with a promise to pay and the second no reply at all. He states that the man used to have a tobacconists, if not two, but mismanaged them.
J. McGregor, Headmaster, Old Aberdeen Public School, 10th January 1910: regarding requesting the Board for the services of an additional teacher as on the change of classes will mean that the Supplementary class has 69 pupils. He recommends that Miss Helen G. Smith, Senior Teacher in the Senior Department be temporarily appointed to Supplementary class work and have charge of the lower Supplementary class. He also recommends Miss Cameron (Junior Department) take Miss Smith’s place and a third teacher found for the Junior Department.
Duncan MacKenzie, George Street Public School, 22nd December 1909: regarding the Inspector’s suggestions of Geometry bearing on Woodwork. He believes that Geometry should be taught in close connection with Woodwork, it would require considerable increase in the supply of geometrical instruments, the Class teachers are all ladies who do not profess to be qualified to teach Geometry and the while the girls are at Needlwork the boys are at another Manual Occupation for which a grant is earned. That special grant could no longer be claimed if Geometry was substituted.
Duncan MacKenzie, George Street Public School, 22nd December 1909: regarding reasons for requesting a set of Green’s Practical Object Drawing. He lists three reasons such as having no Drawing Master now, having only one copy of Mr. Symon’s book on the subject and that Green’s Book (6/-) is bound in six separate parts therefore six Teachers could be using it a the same time.
Duncan MacKenzie, George Street Public School, 22nd December 1909: regarding the work of Miss Isabella M. Munro, which he is sorry to say is not giving satisfaction. He believes that she does not understand the standard of work and responsibility required in a large city school, and he feels she cannot continue to be in sole charge of a class without detriment to the pupils and School. He would like the opportunity to select a Teacher more suitable for requirements. He also advises other changes to staff and whether he should draw special attention to them or add to customary monthly schedule.
Duncan MacKenzie, George Street Public School, 22nd December 1909: regarding the understanding that Intermediate (H. G.) Schools are under the consideration of the School Board. He states that the School has been a recognised and successful centre for higher instruction, the Higher Grade teachers are all qualified and he himself can examine and teach all the subjects of the approved curriculum. He says that when the Board has full possession of the building formerly occupied by the Training College, a large Higher Grade Department could be installed there for small cost. He also believes adding Supplementary classes to the School which H. M. Chief Inspector Boyd advised against, will be beneficial for pupils who don’t have the desire or ability for Higher Grade instruction.
Duncan MacKenzie, George Street Public School, 22nd December 1909: regarding reference to his previous remarks (see letter above) regarding Miss Isabella Munro, believing the situation to be more serious than he had supposed. He believes she is quite unaware of the mess she is making and hopes that the Board can do something soon.
W. (?) Robertson, Causewayend Public School, 16th December 1909: regarding limitations of the Building which are seriously affecting the progress of the work. Under the Education Act of 1908, where a new class is entering School at three fixed dates, the various classes are at three different stages meaning that they can’t combine the three classes into two rooms as previous. The Cookery room is utilised when not needed for Cookery classes, and occasionally the Upper Hall, but this means that two fifths of the week the class does not have desk work. The Infants Section also has similar problems, he recommends some temporary solutions but hopes a better solution can be found by the Administration Committee.
James (?) Rose, King Street Public School, 10th January 1910: regarding accommodation for Supplementary Courses at the School. They have been making use of three rooms, but believes four rooms are absolutely necessary if they are to fulfil the conditions under which S. C. scholars have to be taught. He states that from August to December last term, there was a total of 134 pupils for three classes which has now risen to 154.
James (?) Rose, King Street Public School, 10th January 1910: regarding Miss Gall, who teaches a class of 63 is absent sick and may be off the rest of the week. He would usually take a teacher from the Infant’s class to cover since there are two but that leaves a class of a roll of 90 to the remaining teacher. He wishes to again raise the question of a supernumerary in a school of this size.
James (?) Rose, King Street Public School, 1st February 1910: titled Cookery and Laundry Work. He states that a class of 21 girls who should have their lessons on Tuesday forenoons have not yet begun due to the Cookery teacher being engaged at that time and that provision should be made for as large a Laundry class as the Department will allow due to a preponderance of girls in the Upper Classes.
William Ross, Westfield Public School, 17th January 1910: regarding requesting assistance in the staffing of the Infant Department at the school. He states the sizes and teachers of the classes, but specifies that Miss Ross has a class of 83 and excepting help from a Piano mistress some hours and Miss Bamford, a Pupil Teacher in her 4th year in the forenoon, she requires assistance or the work of the class will suffer. He states that if Miss Ross receives assistance the Pupil Teacher might be usefully employed elsewhere in the School in the forenoons.
William Ross, Head Teacher, Westfield Public School, 31st January 1910: regarding a boy to add to the list of those needing free dinners. He says his name is Gavin Rennie, 9 years old, whose mother is employed on piece work with Messrs. Kilgour and Walker and the whereabouts of the father is unknown. The mother is respectable, keeps a tidy home and would be very grateful for any assistance to her boy.
Charles Reid, 31, Beaconsfield Place, 1st December 1909: regarding requesting to apply for promotion to a Second Mastership. He is the Senior Third Master in the Board’s Service, with appointment dating back to November 1896. In addition to thirteen years spent in Aberdeen, he has had a large and varied career as an Assistant and Headmaster. He encloses a summary of his application listing achievements sent to the Board and a testament from current Headmaster at Walker Road Public School, John R. Jack.
H. F. Morland Simpson, Aberdeen Grammar School, 2nd December 1909: regarding notice received about attending a meeting of the Byron Statue Sub-committee though that is also the date for the High Schools’ Committee it would b a favour if you would make (?) the Grammar School second, say at 4pm. Tomorrow or Sat you shall have a reply for the Department on the subject of Intermediate Science (Botany or ‘Experimental’ Science) and also any proposed Times Tables for the Post-Intermediate Courses. He notes that this year stands better than the figures of 1907-08, as they have over 88.9% of boys over 15 who hold the Intermediate Certificate are therefore ‘£5-pounders.’
H. F. Morland Simpson, Aberdeen Grammar School, 3rd December 1909: regarding the proof appendix and convincing presentment of the facts, he suggests a few minor alterations. He points out that other schools have fewer pupils recognised as Secondary earning the £5 grant
H. F. Morland Simpson, Aberdeen Grammar School, 6th December 1909: titled Town Council £12 Scholarship. He adds that the scholarship was vacated by Robert D. Lawrence (1906) in June as he left for the University, and still has a year to run. For the vacancy he suggests James S.B. Forbes, who is the highest pupil in last sessions class who is not already provided with a scholarship. He is a scholar of good promise, and bears an excellent character in all respects.
H. F. Morland Simpson, Aberdeen Grammar School, 8th December 1909: titled Herbert Findlay’s Overcoat. He understands that the above along with his cap and gloves was removed from a peg in our ground floor corridor on Tuesday a fortnight ago. This matter was not reported at once. The lost articles were not marked with his name and he fears they have been stolen. No blame, in his judgment, should be attached to the boy as his memory of where he knew cap and coat etc. sound quite definite.
H. F. Morland Simpson, Aberdeen Grammar School, 15th December 1909: titled Dr. Struthers Report, 1909 and the Grammar School, In reference to 1907-08, pp. 46-51. He writes that supplementary to the Tables printed in the Board’s minutes, he has worked out the percentages for all the 55 schools enumerated, to ascertain in each the proportion of ‘Secondary students’ to the total average number of scholars over 15 years of age. He believes the nearest approach to the Grammar School’s 86.2% is that of Hamilton Academy, with ’70 over 15, whereof 97% are “recognised” = 57.1% , he points out the extraordinary discrepancy (evident in many other schools) with the number of secondary students on pp.46-47 where Hamilton Academy is credited with only 14, earning £67 grants. He believes this is because there must be a large exodus of pupils on attaining the Intermediate certificate without pursuing any post Intermediate course. He provides a table on the following page of the five leading secondary schools (already selected in Appendix) to illustrate position in the pre-Intermediate stage.
H. F. Morland Simpson, Aberdeen Grammar School, 29th December 1909: titled Town Council Scholarship. He refers to an earlier letter (see above) where he states that R. D. Lawrence, whose £12 scholarship expires in June 1910 has vacated it by leaving for the University at the close of last session. He recommended for the vacancy James S. B. Forbes (12, Salisbury Terrace) as being of the boys not receiving bursaries the highest in the class.
H. F. Morland Simpson, Aberdeen Grammar School, 9th January 1910: titled Botany and the Department.
H. F. Morland Simpson, Aberdeen Grammar School, 13th January 1910:
H. F. Morland Simpson, Aberdeen Grammar School, 3rd February 1910: titled Leaving and Intermed. Certif. Examination
H. F. Morland Simpson, Aberdeen Grammar School, 5th February 1910: titled Blackfield, regarding the Town Council Committee having decide to abandon the project, the way is now open for direct negotiation with the Land Association to acquire a suitable area for our playfield. He begs to consider the following considerations to the Sub-Committee, that the area of suitable ground should be about 10 acres oblong, not less than 110 to 120 yards broad. He makes additional points regarding if land is purchased or rented.
P. Smart, 22, Gladstone Place, 15th January 1910: regarding replying to letter about boots and various articles of clothing that were obtained privately by members of staff and a generous consignment from Mr. Beaumont, a member of the School Board. He cannot vouch for number given but can say it was far short of what it was last year, because one of the most generous givers had returned to the country and the two others of the same kind were not in the way of giving theirs till the about the end of December. As well as the praiseworthy efforts of the staff, several West End families were in the way of giving their cast off clothes (this was done privately in accordance with their wishes).
Alex M. Shand, Skene Square Public School, 1st December 1909: regarding application for prospective appointment of Headmaster to Porthill Public School. He has completed twenty nine years service in the various grades, and post of Second Master for fourteen years. He has also had charge of the Evening classes in this school for the past five sessions.
James Sutherland, Rosemount Public School, 3rd December 1909: regarding application for prospective appointment of a Headmaster. He has been twenty seven years in the Board’s service, and goes on to list each school he has worked at. He includes an additional memo. Of the results ofhis work by H. M. Inspectors and includes details of Supplementary and Evening School classes taken.
W. A. S (?), 9, Murray Terrace, 1st December 1909: regarding application for the Headmastership of Porthill School. He adds that in the last three vacancies for a Headmastership, he has been placed on the short leet,and is the only applicant remaining on the leet drawn up five years ago. He includes that he has a combined length of service as a Third and Second Master over the long period of twenty seven years and as well as a First Class Certificate in Education, he possesses one Honours and seven Advanced Certificates in Science. At the end he gives a summary of his educational career.
Thomas B. Smith, King Street School, 1st December 1909: regarding applying for the post of Second Master which may be rendered vacant by recent promotions. He entered the Board’s service in March 1897 and lists posts and classes he has taught. He points out that the promotions from lower to higher classes at King Street School are proof of Mr. Hynd’s opinion of my abilities as a teacher.
Robert Valentine, 67, Desswood Place, Aberdeen, 4th December 1909: regarding note sent to Mr. Hector if he favours candidature he would be grateful for ‘putting in a good word.’ He includes a copy of letter which he has also sent to individual members of the School Board. He wishes to apply for promotion to Headmastership, and points out that he is the oldest Second Master in service (older in years and service than three who have already received promotion). He adds that he has been a fully qualified teacher for almost thirty years and includes his training and experience. He also points out that his work has been favourably reported by H. M. Inspectors and as well as Day Classes, he has been engaged in Evening School for nineteen sessions.
A. G. Wallace, Central Higher Grade School, 17th January 1910: regarding sending particulars asked for by the Clerk of the Greenock School Board, which includes the number of scholars on roll – H.G. Department 713, J.S. Department 234 and P.T. Department 33. He also includes the number of teachers on staff by subject they teach.
John Watson, Mile-End School, 2nd December 1909: regarding application for Headmastership at Porthill School. He adds details of training and scholarships, experience and length of service and ability such as reports received of the work he has been entrusted with. |