| Description | Selection made from original letter binder (see series level for appraisal criteria).
J D Anderson to Thomas Hector Esq Ferryhill Public School 19/9/1890
Note stating: Children under 5 years, year 1890 – 6, year 1889 – 14
James Allan to Thomas Hector Esq Rosemount Public School 23/9/1890
Letter reporting numbers of children under 5 years of age in the school – 20 in 1890 and 17 in 1889
James C Barnett to Thomas Hector Esq Middle Public School 4/9/1890
Letter requesting payment of £15 on account (advance on salary?) and indicating that he has previously had similar financial difficulties
James C Barnett to Thomas Hector Esq Middle Public School 16/9/1890
Letter listing Art and Science subjects in which he holds certificates enabling him to obtain grants for instruction
J Beaumont to T Hector Esq Commerce Street Public School 23/9/1890
Letter noting that the number of children in the school under 5 years of age is 30 and in 1889 it had been 42
James C Barnett to Thomas Hector Esq Middle Public School 26/9/1890
Letter noting that there are 7 boys and 8 girls on the admission register who are under 5 years of age and at the same time in 1889 there were 5 girls
James C Barnett to Thomas Hector Esq Middle Public School 16/10/1890
Letter suggesting that the School Board keep a selection of science teaching equipment in store for use by any of the schools when needed. List of suggested equipment is included.
Allan Cameron to Thomas Hector Esq Maywell Street Public School 10/9/1890
Letter noting an interest in any Masterships which may become available as a result of the opening of evening schools by the Board. Notes previous experience in an evening school at Marywell School
James Campbell to Thomas Hector Esq Dr Bell’s Public School 24/9/1890
Letter stating that there are 13 boys and 11 girls on the register who are under five years of age and that there were 15 boys and 5 girls under five at the same time last year
C S Copland to Thomas Hector Esq Chalmers’ Public School 24/9/1890
Letter stating that there are 3 children under 5 years of age on the school roll and that there had been 5 the previous year
James Darling to Thomas Hector Esq Ross’s Public School 19/9/1890
Letter discussing the layout of desks in classrooms so that no pupil is more than one desk distant from the teacher – “a most desirable end to be attained”
James Darling to Thomas Hector Esq Ross’s Public School 25/9/1890
Letter stating that the number of pupils on the roll who are under school age is 18 which is compared to 10 the previous year
W. Fyfe to Rev. Professor Salmond Porthill Public School 4/9/1890
Letter applying for an appointment as Second master at Ashley Road School and noting that the Board supported him in getting his degree from Aberdeen University so he feels that the board “should have the first offer of what higher service I can now profess”
John Findlay to School Board Head Teachers’ Association 11/9/1890
Letter suggesting that the Pupil Teachers’ studies are being disrupted by their attendance at many evening classes and enquiring whether the Head Teachers can interfere in this
Allan Cameron to Thomas Hector Esq Marywell Street Public School 17/9/1890
Letter with details of qualifications in science which entitle a class taught by him to earn Science Grants
William Fyfe to Thomas Hector Esq Porthill Public School 17/9/1890
Letter listing science subjects in which he is qualified to teach
William C Farrell to Thomas Hector Esq Ruthrieston Public School 23/9/1890
Letter stating that the number of children on the school roll who are under school age is three. In 1889 the number was nine.
James Findlay to Thomas Hector Esq St Clement Street Public School 23/9/1890
Letter stating that the number of children on the school roll who are under five years of age is 36. In the previous year there were 40.
Alexander Forbes to Thomas Hector Esq Marywell Street Public School 23/9/1890
Letter stating that there are two boys and one girl under five years of age on the school roll and the previous year there had been 4 boys and 3 girls.
Alexander Forbes to Thomas Hector Esq Marywell Street Public School October 1890
Two letters and a table explaining the overcrowding situation in the school with class numbers and predictions for future demand
Alexander Green to Thomas Hector Esq Causewayend Public School 19/9/1890
Letter stating that the number of children under five years of age on the school roll is five and that the previous year, the corresponding number had been eighteen
Thomas C Hynd to Thomas Hector Esq King Street Public School 12/9/1890
Letter responding to a complaint from Mr Philips about the excessive punishment of his son, a pupil at the school. Mr Hynd does not remember the incident and so does not think that it could have been an excessive punishment which he would have remembered
Thomas C Hynd to Thomas Hector Esq King Street Public School 23/9/1890
Letter stating that there are 10 boys and 11 girls under five years of age on the school roll and the previous year there had been 15 boys and 13 girls under five
Thomas C Hynd to Thomas Hector Esq King Street Public School 18/9/1890
Further letter (see 12/9/1890) regarding the punishment of Mr Philips’ son. Mr Hynd acknowledges that the boy was punished although the fault was not his and expresses astonishment at the extent of the punishment.
Thomas C Hynd to Thomas Hector Esq King Street Public School 23/9/1890
Letter regarding Alexander Dey, a pupil who had transferred from Ashley Road to King Street school. Mr Hynd is objecting to a “certificate” from Mr G Gall which documents Alexanders attendance at Ashley Road before he moved. Also included is a memo from Mr Gall explaining the circumstances
Gustav Hein to Professor Salmond Aberdeen Grammar School 23/9/1890
Letter requesting that he be allowed to explain the poor results in German at the Grammar School before the committee rather than in writing. He points out that his reputation is at risk but also that the results from his teaching at the Girl’s High School were good.
Thomas C Hynd to Thomas Hector Esq King Street Public School 25/9/1890
Letter discussing pressure on space in the school and that as a result, he has had to suspend drill lessons because there is insufficient space.
Gustav Hein to High Schools Committee Aberdeen Grammar School 9/10/1890
Letter responding to criticism of exam results in German exams by members of the committee. Mr Hein points out that the same pupils had low pass rates in their own language and describes a system which prioritises pupils taking classical subjects. He also points out that the brighter pupils are encouraged to study classics rather than modern languages and suggests that this is not to the pupils’ advantage.
John R Jack to Thomas Hector Esq Rosemount School 16/9/1890
Letter listing certificates which he holds in scientific subjects.
J R Jones to Thomas Hector Esq Aberdeen Gramar School 24/9/1890
Letter discussing arrangements for keeping records of attendance at the new Navigational School
William Johnston to Thomas Hector Esq Ashley Road School 26/9/1890
Letter applying for a vacant post of Second Master at Porthill School and listing previous teaching experience
Caroline M A Jack to Thomas Hector Esq Ashley Road School 1/10/1890
Letter requesting transfer from King Street School to Ashley Road so as to be closer to home (Carden Place)
W Litster to Mr Hector Ashley Road School 1/9/1890
Letter in support of a request for two organs for the school and suggesting a particular model which displays a card with the note name when it is played. An advertising leaflet for the Automatic Sol-Fa Harmonium is enclosed with the letter.
M A Milne to Mr Hector Primrose Public School 19/9/1890
Letter stating that the number of children on the roll under five years of age is 3 boys and 2 girls. The previous year it had been 5 boys and 2 girls
James Moir to School Board Aberdeen Grammar School 2/10/1890
Letter discussing arrangements for school prizegiving , includes a list of people to be invited – prominent citizens of Aberdeen and Shire.
John McLachlan to Thomas Hector Esq Ashley Road Public School 2/9/1890
Letter recommending Miss Beatrice Ross “for the playing of dance music to the Dancing classes, now resumed here”
John McLachlan to Thomas Hecotr Esq Ashley Road Public School 2/9/1890
Letter requesting that a second master be appointed to the school as soon as possible due to increasing numbers of pupils in the higher classes of the school. He recommends Mr Fyfe of Porthill School or Mr Lothian, formerly of Causewayend and now headmaster in Ballater.
John McBain to School Board Girls’ High School 5/9/1890
Letter requesting the appointment to vacant post in the school and suggesting a system of work and promotions for many of the teachers in the school. Gives details of salaries, duties and experience for several of the teaching staff.
John McLachlan to Thomas Hector Esq Ashley Rod Public School 9/9/1890
Letter commenting on the work of Miss Mann, Pianist whose playing is “quite out of time and interfered greatly with the success of the pupils”. Notes that the Dancing master, the pupils and the parents are all dissatisfied.
John McLachlan to Thomas Hector Esq Ashley Road Public School 9/9/1890
Letter reporting that there are now 45 piano pupils in the school receiving instruction for 1 ½ hours per week. Requesting additional teaching help.
William D McLean to Thomas Hector Esq King Street School 16/9/1890
Letter stating that Magnetism and Electricity is the only subject of the Science and Art Department for which he holds a certificate as a teacher. Follow up letter from 18/9/1890 correcting this to state that he has a certificate for the Advanced Stage but of the second class which is not sufficient to earn grants.
John McKenzie to School Board Skene Street Public School 23/9/1890
Letter stating that the number of children under 5 years of age on the school roll is 18 and discussing refused admissions on the grounds of age.
John McLachlan to Thomas Hector Esq Ashley Road Public School 25/9/1890
Letter recommending the appointment of Miss Ella Hector as a Pupil-Assistant and noting her knowledge of French which he suggests would improve the standard of teaching of the language in school.
John McLachlan to Thomas Hector Esq Ashley Road Public School 30/9/1890
Letter stating that there are 31 boys and 36 girls under the age of 5 years attending the school. At the same time the previous year there were 36 boys and 34 girls under 5.
John McBain to Thomas Hector Esq Girls’ High School 6/10/1890
Letter reporting that Drawing and Painting classes have prospered under the careful management of Mr Gordon and additional staff is now required. He suggests Mr William Gordon – a distinguished art student. Mr McBain also suggests increasing Mr Gordon’s salary to mark this success.
James A Phillips to Thomas Hector Esq` Northfield Public School 18/9/1890
Letter responding to a complaint from Mr Mackie about an assault on his son. Miss Ross denies punishing the boy in the manner described but did punish him with some strokes to the palm of his hand.
James A Phillips to Thomas Hector Esq Northfield Public School 23/9/1890
Letter reporting that there is only one child under the age of five years in the school, at the same time last year there were five children under five years.
James A Phillips to Thomas Hector Esq Northfield Public School 6/10/1890
Letter requesting changes to the Infant Department to remove a small gallery and so increase floor space. Also requesting improvements to the lighting in the large room which is defective so that work is difficult on afternoons in the winter months.
Beatrice Ross to School Board Ashley Road Public School 1/9/1890
Letter applying for post as an accompanist and enclosing copies of certificates for musical qualifications.
John Roy to Thomas Hector Esq Dr Brown’s Public School 19/9/1890
Letter stating that the school has two pupils under five years of age and at the same time in the previous year there were three.
James Rose to Thomas Hector Esq Albion Street Public School 24/9/1890
Letter stating that the number of children under school age in the school was 12 boys and 7 girls in 1890 and 22 boys and 14 girls in 1889.
J B Spalding to School Board Davidson’s Public School 4/9/1890
Form notifying the Board of the intention to remove Forbes Smith from the register of the school. Pupil resides at 6 Findlay’s Buildings and is to be removed for the reason that “he has always been troublesome and recently insubordinate. He has been warned and forgiven frequently and now his dismissal is imperative”
J S Skea to Thomas Hector Esq St Paul Street Public School 12/9/1890
Letter detailing the problems which have come from the reduction in the number of Pupil Teachers at the school and making the case for structural alterations to the building.
J B Spalding to Professor Salmond Davidson’s Public School 17/9/1890
Letter protesting about the decision of the board regarding Miss Gordon and that she has since been held up to ridicule in the newspapers. “The publication of such things may amuse a certain class but it is an irritation and annoyance from which as servants of the public and as women my staff and I feel we deserve the Board’s protection”
J B Spalding to Thomas Hector Esq Davidson’s Public School 22/9/1890
Letter stating that there are 25 children under five years of age on the school roll and that at the same time the previous year there were 14.
J S Skea to Thomas Hector Esq St Paul Street Public School 24/9/1890
Letter stating that the there are 19boys and 10 girls under the age of five years and that in 1889 there were 14 boys and 11 girls. Miss Skea explains her policy for admitting younger children.
J b Spalding to Thomas Hector Esq Davidson’s Public School 9/10/1890
“Dear Sir, I am trusting in you to make sure that no Davidson’s School news be reported in tomorrow’s newspapers”
R C Watson to School Board Porthill Public School 19/9/1890
Note stating Children under five years – 1889 eight, 1890 eleven
R C Watson to Thomas Hector Esq Porthill Public School 25/9/1890
Letter complaining about the ventilation of the Standard I room
R C Watson to School Board Porthill Public School 29/9/1890
Note with details of Drill Instructors duties
Robert C Watson to School Board Porthill Public School 3/10/1890
Letter welcoming the appointment of Mr DB Lothian as second master at a reduced salary of £90 per annum. He outlines the plan to increase the teaching of science and the increased attendance in the school and makes a case for not reducing the salary of the second master.
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