| Description | 20/1/1911 - 20/3/1911
From Annie L Adams of 4 Caroline Place (Ruthrieston Public School) – 3rd March 1911 – request for increase salary for teaching blind pupils . Writing braille music, teaching pianoforte.
From James Barnett (HT, Middle Public School) – 9th March 1911 – Mentions 6 female teachers by name and is recommending a re-shuffle
From Anabella Brown (Rubislaw Public School) – 17th Feb 1911 – Letter and report of work done in Mentally Defective Dept. Describes progress for some and hopelessness in other cases. Details about what they are taught – home skills if not school subjects.
From R de Blanchaud (Central School) – 3rd Feb 1911 – request for increase of salary describing how highly qualified he is and how many pupils he has (French. & German)
From Janet Burnett (Girls High School) – 3rd March 1911 – request for review of salary due to years of service
From James Campbell (Holburn St Public School) – 16th Feb 1911 – request for advice for a Mrs Smith regarding her child (an ex-pupil) relating to employment
From James Campbell (Holburn Street Public School) – 16th Feb 1911 – Full description of incident of misbehaviour of a Frederick Riley (residing 28 Portland Street) (Marywell section of school) threatening a teacher. Generally difficult pupil. Ethnic differences intimated.
From James Campbell (Holburn Street Public School) – 7th March 1911 – request for a bonus in relation to scale of his work across different sites
From James Campbell (Holburn Street Publc School) – 7th March 1911 – request for increase in salary for a Miss Blake on account of her length of service and senior work
From James Campbell (Holburn Street) – 17th March 1911 – describes difficulty in completing ‘Labour Exchange Cards’ and Dr Rose’s refusal to complete medical aspects of them
From Duncan Clarke (Victoria Road School) – 27th Jan 1911 – letter asking for swop of staff members to have them working nearer to their home addresses (Mrs McLeod of Victoria Road and Miss Charlotte Gillespie of St Pauls street)
From Duncan Clarke (Victoria Road School) – 28th Feb 1911 – request for increase to his salary.
From Ellen Carsewell (?) (HT Beech Lodge Public School) 27th Jan 1910 – 2 letters regarding potential admission of Hugh Fraser. Some concern about family circumstances. Second letter from Wm Angus (Chief Attendance Officer) writes in support of family, outlining their income/rent and father’s occupation
From Ellen Carsewell (Y) (HT Beech Lodge School) 10th Feb 1911 – Lovely detailed report of the progress of the school since opening in 1904. Pupil numbers and genders. Describes teaching basics on entry and all the life skills they will need. Boys have workshop. Suffer from not having gym, but use that of Central School.
From Helen Cruickshank (Central Higher Grade School) – 3rd March 1911 – Letter detailing the work of Miss Merrylees mainly in the Hight School, but across many other schools. Trying to find an appropriate salary for her (Compares her to Miss Watt)
From Mary Cooper, of 22 Carlton Place (Mile End School). – 15th Feb 1911 – Request for review of salary in respect of length of service
From James Campbell (Holburn Street Public School) – 10th March 1911 – letter regarding Miss Sutor (supplementary Class teacher on probation) – not recommending her to permanent post due to defects in her discipline. Friction between boys and teacher.
From I/J Donald (Rubislaw Special School – Physical defectives dept – 17th Feb 1911 – describes numbers of pupils and outcomes of those who have left. Eager attendance. Describes progress in general across subjects – reading, writing, arith, extra, drawing, manual work, singing, physical, games and morals. Uplifting report
From Mary Taylor (Mile End) but signed by 10 Infants Mistresses across the board – 16th Feb 1911 – Experience mostly dating back to 1880s and all nearing retirement and requesting increase in their maximum at which they have been for many years.
From Peter Edward (AGS) – 9th March 1911 – Request for salary review (Assistand in Maths and Science)
Alexander Forbes (HT, Ruthrieston Street Public School) – 14th Feb 1911 – request for framing of pictures of late king and queen dowager to replace the current pictures of our Victoria (1897) – which will be removed to upper hall
From Alexander Forbes (HT, Ruthrieston Street Public School) – 27th Feb 1911 – requesting review of salary in respect for the special work he has done with all the Blind pupils from all the other schools.
From Alexander Forbes (HT, Ruthrieston Street Public School) – 3rd March 1911 – letter regarding Miss Merrylees and her excellent work across the classes benefitting pupils and teachers.
From Alexander Forbes (HT, Ruthrieston Street Public School0 – 9th March 1911) – letter regarding a proposed lecture in town that his boys have been offered. He asks if it is compulsory or up to him whether to send them or not and lists reasons why he doesn’t want to (reply on reverse from Mr Dunbar who is running the event)
From Alexander Forbes (HT, Ruthrieston Street Public School) – 17th march 1911 – Letter regarding sessation of ‘cheap dinners’ from 31st March due to regularity of out-door labour now in the district
From ?W? Fyfe (HT, Woodside Public School) – 3 Feb 1911 – Letter regarding planned talk and views of Mrs Watson’s journey through the Himalayas to Western Tibet and invitation to attend
From ?W? Fyfe (HT, Woodside Public School) – 11th March 1911 – letter regarding use of rooms for ‘Kindness to Animals’ scheme
From Blanche Falconer (Teacher, Central School) – 2nd Feb 1911 – request for increase in salary
From Jane Forbes (Teacher, High School for Girls) - 2nd March 1911 - eloquent and detailed request for review of salary after 30 years with no sick leave
From A Green (HT, Skene Square public school) – 14th Feb 1910 – Letter regarding the deterioration in school building and subsequent removal or cessation of some subjects. Refers to recent purchase of building to extend the school. Asking for early attention.
From A Green (HT, Skene Square Public School) – 6th March 1911 – recommendation of teacher Chistina Henderson
From John Gordon (Art teacher, High school for girls) – 13th March 1911 – Letter requesting review of salary and describing Saturday art classes.
From William Hendry (Old Aberdeen Public School) – 2nd March 1911 – Request for increase in salary in respect of increasing school roll.
From William Hendry (Old Aberdeen Public School) – 3rd March 1911 – Strongly worded letter asking for some contribution from the board to support money raising efforts by the school
From Matthew Henderson of 4 Cattofield Place (Manual Instructor). Mentions Central School, but is begging to apply for the post of instructor in the grammar school.
From Maggie Hay, 37 Murray Terrace (Teacher, Walker Road School) – 6th Feb 1911 – request for salary review
From John R Jack (Walker Road public School) – 20th Feb 1911 – asking on behalf of HT’s association that the board arrange with town council for school aged boys to be allowed to use areas of wasteland for playing cricket or football
From John R Jack (Walker Road Public School) 28th Feb 1911 – letter written on behave of Head Teachers Association who had recently met to discuss proposals of Mr Burnett on Supplementary Course Classes. Generally not in favour or accept need. Recommends increased use of cookery rooms when not being used for cookery
From John R Jack (Walker Road Public School) 11th March 1911 – copy of letter written to Mr Burnett which addresses his proposals, but not in support of them. Does recommend establishment of Domestic subjects for girls having left day school.
From John R Jack (Walker Road Public School) – 14th March 1911 – letter outlining recommendations from Head Teachers Association meeting. Covers lack of medical inspection accommodation in schools and a new series of reading books to be introduced.
From William Johnston (St Clement Public School) – 15th March 1911 – request for samples of E S Certificates used locally as part of a standardisation attempt across Scotland.
From D B Lothian (HT, Sunnybank Public School) – 16th Feb 1911 – lovely request for use of the school for a teachers social evening – cup of tea, cards and a song or two. No dancing.
From D B Lothian (HT, Sunnybank Public School) – 3rd March 1911 – detailed letter requesting review of salary outlining how he had made the school from scratch. Full and earning extra grants. Asking for same as HT of Kittybrewster of Mile End (schools of same grade, although smaller)
D B Lothian (HT, Sunnybank Public School) – 13th march 1911 – Expressing wish to consider Swimming classes for both boys and girls. Asking how to proceed with the Bath master.
From R Buchanan Morton of 115 Desswood Place (Music Teacher, AGS)– 26th jan 1910 – Letter recommending a MissElla McLeod as assistant music teacher for the Grammar School. Details her qualifications
From R Buchanan Morton of 115 Desswood Place (Music Teacher, AGS) – 25th Feb 1911 – thanking for appointment of Miss McLeod as assistant, but also requesting himself to be placed on a fixed salary as Music Master
From Isabella M Munro of 198 Union Grove, (St Paul School) – 27th Feb 1911 – touching letter asking for leave of absence due to loss of both parents.
From J M Morrison of 42 Carlton Place (AGS) – 6th March 1911 – request for review of salary as Modern Language Master. Some detail given about small sizes of German Classes across the country
From John McBain (High School for Girls) – 2nd March 1911 – letter in support of 2 applications – Miss Salesses (French language), and Miss Sutherland (cookery). Some detail given of their attitudes and professional development
From John McBain (High School for Girls) – 2nd March 1911 – recommending numerous teachers (Savage, Burnett, Forbes, McIntosh, Thomson, McCrombie, Duffus and Henderson) requiring increases in salary as reaching set limit. Also for longstanding Senior Music Mistress Miss Grassick
From John McBain (Aberdeen School for Girls) – 6th March 1911 – Regarding excellent work of Miss Merrylees (Drill Mistress). Extolling virtues but ends with comment on a few cases of friction in regard to discipline. ? addressing a complaint.
From J McGregor (HT, Hanover Street Public School) 2nd March 1911 – favourable report on Miss C Leonard in Infant dept
From Duncan MacKenzie (George Street Higher Grade School) – 9th Feb 1911 – letter regarding review of temporary and unsatisfactory provision of Sewing and Singing in the school. Mentions a Mr Milne (singing) and a Miss Keith (Sewing) who currently give some cover
From Duncan MacKenzie (George Street Higher Grade School) – 16th Feb 1911 – letter requesting leniency in dealing with absence of Miss Cooper (teaching assistant of 20 years). Cites excellent previous attendance.
From Duncan MacKenzie (George St Higher Grade School) – 15th March 1911 – Letter expressing strongly that school premises should not be used for meetings (eg of recent Training Centre Students meeting)
From John McKenzie (HT, Ashley Road Public School) – 17th March 1911 – Letter regarding yearly pressure of new infants class and asks for extra teacher (preferably with musical abilities)
From William McClean (Kittybrewster Public School) – 26th Jan 1911 – letter outlining pupil numbers, classrooms and teachers in current 3 classes. Report recommending formation of a new class and suggesting 2 possible candidates for class teacher job.
From William McLean (Kittybrewster Public School) – 20th Feb 1911 – asking for cover – Miss Smith already off 3 weeks with appendicitis and Mr Reid slipped on way to school and broke his leg.
From William McLean (HT, Kittybrewster Public School) – 21st Feb 1912 – letter regarding violin class. Pupils interested but no response form Mr Lasenby.
From William McLean (Kitybrewster Public School) – 23rd Feb 1911 – Details of class teacher swops and a sketch of the school rooms with dates, class, teacher and room numbers.
From Isabella McPherson (infants Mistress, Westfield and Northfield Schools) - 13th march 1911 – request for review of salary
From Elizabeth D Nisbet (HT, Westfield Public School). Brief but is support of Physical Drill given by Miss Merrylees (? In response to a complaint)
From Jane S Ogg of 77 Abergeldie Road (Walker Road School) – 1st Feb 1911 – request for transfer to a school nearer her home. Long walks to Walker Road preventing recuperation.
From John Peter (Rosemount Public School) – 22nd Feb 1911 – Notice given of Mr James Alcorn of 20 Linksfield Road is leaving for Canada, leaving vacancy in teachin the ‘Maidstone’ Violin Classes (16 pupils).
From J Bentley Philips (AGS) – 14th Feb 1911 – Request for review of salary in light of 22 yrs service, increased workload and more advanced work.
From Margaret Quin of 29 Gr Northern Road (Kittybrewster School) – Feb 1911 – very heartfelt letter asking board to rethink appointment of her junior above her, with detailed reasons for why it is unfair
From Margaret Quin of 29 Great Northern Road (Kittybrewster School) – 20th Feb 1911 – Detailed letter of her career and qualifications to date and presenting her case to be reconsidered for the job she thought she was already doing.
From Will Robertson (Causewayend Public School) 13th Feb 1911 – letter describing assessment of proposed extra classroom space at Causewayend U F Church to house 2 classes currently at John Knox E C Hall. One may suffice but not for the 2 classes required. Points out that dispersing pupils in this way is not ideal
From Will Robertson (Causewayend Public School) – 1st March 1911 – letter regarding demolishment of John Knox U F Church after 12th march and implications for the school classes which will need to be removed from there.
From Will Robertson (Causewayend Public School) – 1st March 1911 – Leaving of a Charles M Milne on 29th Dec 1910 and clarifying date of birth on register
From Will Robertson (Causewayend Public School) – 3rd March 1911) – having visited the John Knox U F Church hall, he now considers it suitable after small repairs and a curtain to divide into two.
From Will Rebertson (Causewayend Public School) – 9th March 1911 – about removal of classes from John Knox E C Hall to John Knox U F Hall and delaying the start of demolition until access to the U F Hall is achieved. Concerned of pupil safety.
From Will Robertson (Causewayend Public School) – 10th March 1911 – letter in response to a complaint about their record keeping in regard to ‘Employment Register’. Defensive and cannot find any errors as suggested in complaint
From Ja Rose (King Street Public School) – 3rd March 1911 – note in support of excellent Physical drill teacher Miss Merrylees (? In response to a complaint)
From John Ritche (Central Evening School) – 9th March 1911 – Request for review of salary as HT. School roll of 1000.
From John Ritchie (Central Evening School) – 15th March 1911 – cover letter with enclosed 4 letters/notes form George Ritchie of Errol Place, Newburgh, regarding his diagnosed nervous condition and his request for, and thanks for his extended leave with full pay .
From Jeannie Robertson (Central Higher Grade School) 1st Feb 1911 – request for salary review (Needlework teacher)
From Frances Robertson of 343 Union Street – 6th march 1911 – request for salary review (physical exercise teacher)
From Matilda Robertson of 616 Holburn Street (George St School) 13th march 1911 – request for transfer to new school and new dept (on health grounds)
From George Smith (Aberdeen Provincial Committee for Training of Teachers) 13th March 1911 – letter outlining requirements for practical placements for Cookery and Needlework
From Morland Simpson (AGS) 31st Jan 1911 – asking for correction to this months salary for Mr W O Robertson
From Morland Simpson (AGS) – 2nd Feb 1911 – a second letter regarding error in salary for Mr W O Robertson.
From Morland Simpson (AGS) – 15th Feb 1911 – long and detailed letter of an accident to a pupil Stuart Mitchell which occurred in the Gymnasium with teacher and pianist present. Lists the boys present and a sketch of the hall. Complaint seems to be that what was considered a sprain turned out to be a fracture.
From Morland Simpson (AGS) – 16th Feb 1911 – follow up note to accident to Stuart Mitchell regarding a delay in seeking medical attention
From Morland Simpson (HT, AGS) – 22nd Feb 1911 - letter regarding 2 cases of diptheria (Sinclair Hay and Bertram Williamson). Recommending spraying class room with disinfectant
From Morland Simpson (HT, AGS) – 3rd Feb 1911 – long letter defending suitability of one of the classrooms and the numbers in the classes held there. Describes sudden large increase in school roll in August 1910. Mentions teacher Mr George Dawson. Geography, botany, natural science lab. School museum (eggs, birds, butterflies). Describes school timetable (prayers etc). Discussing difficulty in changing timings of periods. Sums up with net deficit of tie per week in intermediate classrooms
From Morland Simpson (HT, AGS) – March 1st 1911 – Letter regarding Intermediate certificates. Mentions Robert R Tennant and also an Arthur W Scott who was finally excluded from participation. Bemoans the eroding of the Classical side of the school
From Morland Simpson (HT, AGS) – 14th March 1911 – letter regarding ‘Bon Records. ’ book being given out for prizes. Says it is too expensive for any but the best students and that he needs a cheaper option. Second note regarding print run and payment (Edinburgh printers)
From P Smart (Broomhill Public School) – 28th Jan 1911 – letter regarding a cyclostyle. Seems to be answering a complaint about misuse of item for personal use.
From P Smart (Broomhill Public School) – 5th March 1911 – Request for salary review
From William Stewart (Frederick Street Public School) – 15th March 1911 – letter in response to a complaint from Mr Williamson about Mr Stewarts punishments for pupil absenteeism. Encloses a statement of support from teachers at Porthill along with their signatures. Also individual statements from 18 teachers at Frederick Street school.
From L D Sutherland (High School) – 7th Feb 1911 – letter requesting room for the use of a FP social evening
From Jane Sutherland (Girls High School) – 7th Feb 1911 – request for review of salary
From Charles Thomson of 3 Sunnyside Walk, - Feb 1911 – letter on behalf of friend Mr Peter Campbell who has been told not to return to Dumbarton to work on account of the weather (too damp for his health). Requesting work in Aberdeen area.
From Rosa Salesser (?) 6th Feb 1911 – request for review of salary
From A G Wallace (Central Grade School) – 6th Feb 1911 – letter regarding bursaries and possibly nominating 2 pupils Anna Rhind of Burnett Place and Georgina Smart of Albert Street (some family detail given)
From A G Wallace (Central Grade School) – 10th March 1911 – referencing Circular 437 about training changes for Junior Student teachers (primary rather than secondary teachers)
Petition from 6 teachers at Central Higher Grade School – 31st Jan 1911 – requesting review of their salaries (J Watt, J Mackay, L Stevenson, Garron, Burgess and Strachan)
From Minnie G Young of 19 Mount street – 5th Feb 1911 – asking for transfer
From A Green (Skene Square) 14th Feb 1911 – unusually worded and poetic letter regarding absence of staff.
From A Green (Skene Square) 15th Feb 1911 – unusually worded and poetic letter regarding absence of Miss Donald
From A Green (Skene Square) – 16th March 1911 – third amusing and poetic letter regarding staff absences (Miss Skinner) |