| Description | 11/5/1900-31/8/1900
- J D Anderson, 29th May 1900. Ferryhill Public School. Believes that by the end of the school year 7560 hours should be placed against the subject of cooking in addition to the minimum of 20 hours. This would entitle the school to the higher rate of grant which would sum to approximately £31 10s, bearing in mind the pupil numbers after the holidays are conjectural.
- J D Anderson, 29th May 1900. Ferryhill Public School, head teacher. The letter originally enclosed slips from two boys wanting to gain access to the Grammar School. Anderson believes they would qualify for Free Places.
- J D Anderson, 27th Jun 1900. Ferryhill Public School, head teacher. Notes a cheque given for £14 5s covering music fees.
- J D Anderson, 28th Jun 1900. Ferryhill Public School. Asks for ~50 school library books to be returned or repaired. This should have been done earlier in the year but was overlooked.
- John C Anderson, 10th Jun 1900. 75 Desswood Place. Includes a comparative table of headmaster pay for various towns and cities across Scotland. Anderson writes that Aberdeen “compares unfavourably” against them. The second page (unattached, undated) is addressed to the School Board. It notes that the evening school headmasters want their salaries reconsidered. They are concerned about the amount of clerical work in their roles, the presence of the headmaster at all activities the school is opened to, and the fact that teachers of special classes are paid at rates only slightly below the heads.
- James C Barnett, 22nd May 1900. Middle Public School, head teacher. Grammar School Free Scholarships. Asks for 6 slips on the subject.
- James C Barnett, 23rd May 1900. Middle Public School, head teacher. Labour Certificate Examination. Is worried that by handing a child a slip informing them of the upcoming exam, he is giving them tacit encouragement to apply for it. Asks for a dozen of the slips with the caveat that he will see how he approaches sharing them.
- James C Barnett, 30th May 1900. Middle Public School, head teacher. Cookery and Manual Instruction. To the year ending 30th June, 4002 hours of Cookery and 5321 hours Manual Instruction were taken by pupils in the Senior Department. These were in addition to the minimum 20 hours given to other subjects. In a PS he states the financial year numbers would be essentially the same.
- Jessie Bews, 29th May 1900. Old Aberdeen School. States that she was unable to try the Queen’s Scholarship exam due to illness and asks if the board would extend her time as a pupil teacher by 6 months so that she could try the next exam in December 1900.
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- J Campbell, undated, unsigned [handwriting matches other correspondence]. Walker Road Public School. Gives a table showing the pupil sizes for each class (1390 total) adhering to the instructions given before not to admit pupils from the north side of the river or those underage. There were however 32 pupils from outside the immediate district – those are itemised for each class (their addresses are provided but not their names). There are also 5 infants not yet 5 years old. He reminds the board of the considerable pressure on him to find places for pupils, so much so that certain rooms such as the gym had been repurposed, albeit – he hopes – temporarily. He asks if the Board will provide additional school places. He warns that he feels uncomfortable having his hands tied on the matter of admittances for the future.
- J Campbell, 3rd May 1900. Walker Road Public School, head teacher. Informs that he made a mistake in his Fees Book. £5 17s 6d for piano work was overlooked during his last severe illness.
- J Campbell, 21st May 1900. Walker Road Public School. Forwards £2 7s 9d collected at the school for Lady Aberdeen’s Fund.
- J Campbell, 21st May 1900. Walker Road Public School. Notes that his pupil Miss Macintosh will try the 2nd year Certificate Examination. She should receive two forms (one to return, the other to be handed back at the exam) but is anxious as they have not been received. Campbell asks for reassurance that she can sit her exam.
- J Campbell, 25th May 1900. Walker Road Public School. Asks for 12 forms for the Grammar School scholarship.
- J Campbell, 30th May 1900. Walker Road Public School. Sends application forms for 4 boys for the Free Places scheme at the Grammar School.
- J Campbell, 14th Jun 1900. Walker Road Public School. Refers to the case of Mrs Craig who was prosecuted by the board on the 13th. She had recently appeared before the board making allegations against the behaviour of her daughter’s teachers. The teachers refute these allegations and instead blame the child for her behaviour. Campbell wants to set up an inquiry with the Board’s permission, although from his tone it’s clear he sides with the teachers, for example noting that the allegations against them were not made considerably earlier. On the date of this letter, the daughter turned up at school unaccompanied, so he has received no assurances on her future conduct. He refused to admit her but sent her back with a written message, copied in.
- J Campbell, 14th Jun 1900. Walker Road Public School. Addressed to Mrs Craig, 86 Menzies Road. States that her daughter was refused entry to the school as he expected her mother to accompany her to give him assurances that the school will have control over the child and that her behaviour will improve.
- J Campbell, 19th Jun 1900. Walker Road Public School. Attention given to the case of Hariet Dean. Although he had made applications for her to take the Labour Certificate exam, she has informed him that this permission is upheld. Campbell knows the girl’s father to be a respectable man whose wife is ill.
- J Campbell, 23rd Aug 1900. Walker Road Public School. Notes he is sending a memo on his proposed staffing arrangements. Accompanying this are to be two sketches showing the present room arrangements and how they could be changed.
- James Carmichael, undated. Needs to see the S & A Department and C & G of London examination pass list before sending a list of successful students. He recommends one text book, Longman’s ‘Building Construction Advanced’. Hours and nights for his classes will be the same as before.
- M A Christie, 2nd Aug 1900. 88 Rose Street, Aberdeen. Wants to apply for the position of Assistant Teacher of Dressmaking in evening classes. Gives her training history.
- Ewan E [?] Cran, 28th May 1900. 70 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen. Addressed to the members of the High Schools Committee. Intends to apply for promotion to permanent staff at the Girls High School or alternatively an increase in salary. He itemises his fees and allowances for each year of teaching. His class size has reduced from 19 to 16 owing to a lack of teachers. Last year he put forward 4 pupils for the Trinity College London exam, all of whom passed. He also lists his music qualifications.
- Ewan E [?] Cran, 4th Jun 1900. 70 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen. Updates his application with the results of the recently published examination of music at Trinity College London. Again, 4 pupils were put forward, all passed.
- Elizabeth Cruickshank, 15th Jun 1900. 6 Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen. Accepts a place on the preferred Aberdeen School Board list. Notes that although she usually signs herself Bessie, from now on she intends to use her Christian name Elizabeth.
- J F Cruickshank, 23rd May 1900. Rosemount Public School, head teacher. Expects he will need 4 copies of the Grammar School bursary leaflet. Warns there seems to be “considerable shyness” in regards to interest in them.
- J F Cruickshank, 24th May 1900. Rosemount Public School. Labour Certificate Exam. Has received only some of the six names for this exam but it is likely some more will turn up on the day.
- J F Cruickshank, 29th May 1900. Rosemount Public School. Attendance at Cookery. Calculates that for the school year every child in Standard V & VI should be able to take 90 hours attendance, with the teachers giving 300 hours. Allowing for a 5% absence rate this should come to about 9230 hours in all in the financial year.
- J F Cruickshank, 15th Jun 1900. Rosemount Public School, head teacher. Pupil Teachers. Notes that the distribution of pupil teachers for the coming year will be awkward, with three seniors and one junior (an unacceptable proportion). As the pupil numbers are so high he thinks it best to recruit another junior. He also lists the teachers available for each year.
- John F Cruickshank, 28th Jun 1900. Rosemount Public School. Gives a table showing pupil numbers in each room and the accommodations each room can hold. There is a significant discrepancy, with 143 pupils unable to be seated. He suggests gaining access to church halls to take the overspill, otherwise he suggests a re-arrangement of rooms, classes and teachers as laid out in a 5 point plan. He notes there are already 102 applications for admission to the infant school, many with family members already there.
- John F Cruickshank, 22nd Aug 1900. Rosemount Public School, head teacher. Is introducing and extra advanced reader for U.C. classes. He notes that many pupils have been engaged in Palmerston VI for a year and are in need of extra work. He gives his pupil count for the day as 947 present, 1013 on books.
- Lucy Duffus, 23rd May 1900. 3 Albert Street, Aberdeen. Asks for the hire of a piano for her concert on the 30th May. Offers to send tickets to the clerk and his family to hear the work.
- A Lawrence Dunbar, 2nd [?] Jun 1900. 29 Jasmine Terrace, Aberdeen. Sends a timetable for his Manual Instruction classes. He expects an increased number of pupils and a reorganisation after the holidays, as intimated by the head teachers. Ashely Road school’s particulars are not yet clear, so he may continue with the present arrangements there until the school is provided with a workshop. Similarly, Walker Road school’s arrangements are not known but expects one, maybe two, extra classes will be required there.
- G F Duthie, 30th May 1900. Kittybrewster Public School. Manual Instruction Cookery. Gives pupil hours for the class across different months, 1899-1900, all in addition to minimum hours.
- G F Duthie, 30th May 1900. Kittybrewster Public School. Sending £1 18s 2d collected at the school for the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Help Society.
- G F Duthie, 30th May 1900. Kittybrewster Public School. Notes that he never had a Postage Stamp Book at Kittybrewster.
- G F Duthie, 30th May 1900. Kittybrewster Public School. A list of applicants for Labour Certificate slips. Gives 13 names and addresses.
- G F Duthie, 31st May 1900. Kittybrewster School. Labour Certificate slip for Helen F Birnie.
- G F Duthie, 26th Jul 1900. Findhorn. Received a forwarded letter to his son Hector from the clerk. Informs the board that Hector has gone to the University of Caen in France to attend a series of lectures in French Literature and cannot be present on the 31st [see Hector G Duthie, 13th Aug 1900].
- G F Duthie, 15th Aug 1900. Kittybrewster Public School, head teacher. Notes that the classrooms above infant level accommodate 65 or 66 pupils although they are designed to hold 60 or fewer. The latest admissions put their populations up to 63 through to 67. He requires two more pupil teachers to help oversee them. The school is overfull and faces the prospect of having to dismiss some already enrolled.
- G F Duthie, 31st Aug 1900. Kittybrewster Public School, head teacher. Reports that one of his pupils (Agnes Matthews, age 6 ¾ years) was killed the day before, hit by a tramway car while crossing the street. Draws attention to the continual danger of the trams as they are on the same side of the street as the school gates. States the danger would be lessened by having an exit gate going out onto Lilybank Place which is next to the Infants playground.
- Hector G Duthie, 13th Aug 1900. 158 Rue Capoi…eze, Caen, France. Has been appointed to a place at Aberdeen Grammar School. Asks for permission to delay is start date for 1 week to attend his exams in French lectures at Caen first [see G F Duthie, 26th Jul 1900].
- S F Duthie, 30th Aug 1900. Woodside Public School, head teacher. Notes that the Free Press published a list of contributing schools to the Lady Aberdeen Fund but Woodside and its contribution (£1 18s 2d) was not included. Asks for an explanation, assuming the clerk was involved.
- George Fenton, 21st Jun 1900. 2 Loanhead Terrace, Aberdeen. Has been informed that he is on a candidates list for the second mastership of Hanover Street School. Asks if his questions and concerns on this be answered first before the list is formally submitted to the board. 1. He believes this is a ‘retrogressive’ promotion in that there is no Evening School attached and thus the transfer would include a reduction in salary. 2. Likewise, this implies a reduction in status, and he is not aware of any concerns about his work to date. 3. The headmaster is approximately the same age and thus the appointment might not be in the best interest of the school.
- James Findlay, 25th May 1900. St. Clement Street Public School. For the Grammar School Free Places bursary, only one boy at first expressed interest, but this afternoon there have been 4 more applicants. Asks for more slips to hand out.
- James Findlay, 25th May 1900. St. Clement Street Public School. Bible Exam Questions. States that he has never failed to send the clerk and board the questions that are to be set for the exam and has adhered to all relevant regulations and expectations.
- James Findlay, 30th May 1900. St. Clement Street Public School. Ordinary subjects accrue about 20 hours per week. In addition to this, the girls of classes V and VI have taken 1435 hours in the cookery room up to the 25th May and an extra 330 hours will likely be added by the 30th May, totalling 1765 hours for the August to June school year.
- James Findlay, 30th May 1900. St. Clement Street Public School. Gives the number of hours taken for cookery lessons in the financial years from 1st Nov to 31st Oct (likely total 2197). Clarifies that his earlier letter referred to the school year figures.
- James Findlay, 9th Jun 1900. St. Clement Street Public School. Labour Certificate Exam. He believes the slips for the exam were only to be given to pupils whose parents were in ‘necessitous circumstances’ and were intended to be used to obtain schedules at the office. He does not believe the board would ask him to take such a responsibility while also being subject to the overall authority of Mr George Gall, however this is what has occurred, as children he has refused have been given schedules. Asks if the board gave Mr Gall such authority.
- James Findlay, 13th Jun 1900. St. Clement Street Public School. Labour Certificate Exam. Gave slips to four pupils and refused them to three (Robina Hird, Elizabeth Knight, and Albert Cruden) as their parents did not directly apply for them. A note in pencil on the edge of the paper informs that Robina Hird and Albert Cruden had each failed twice already.
- James Findlay, 13th Jun 1900. St. Clement Street Public School. Clarifies his previous note [same day] in that the parents of the children refused Labour Certificate Exam slips did not directly apply to him for them.
- James Findlay, 24th Aug 1900. St. Clement Street Public School. Wants to adjust the plan of senior department classes. Wants to know when the school might have the use of the Free St. Clements’ Deacons Court Hall.
- Alexander Forbes, 23rd May 1900. Skene Street Public School, head teacher. The McBeth’s piano in the Infants Department needs repairs beyond mere tuning, with 3 strings broken and one pedal needing mending.
- Alexander Forbes, 28th May 1900. Skene Street Public School, head teacher. Asks for 15 slips for the Grammar School Free Places.
- Alexander Forbes, 28th May 1900. Skene Street Public School, head teacher. Labour Certificates Exam. Believes 12 slips will suffice for interest in the exam.
- Alexander Forbes, 29th May 1900. Skene Street public School, head teacher. Cookery Lessons. The total number of hours given to teaching this subject is 180 while the total to which the grant can be claimed is 3600. The timetables entitle the school to the higher grant of approximately £15. There is no manual instruction. In a PS he notes the preceding year had a special arrangement which added £4 10s to the grant.
- Alexander Forbes, 31st May 1900. Skene Street Public School, head teacher. Intends to have an entertainment for the pupils before the holiday, asks if the gym may be used for this purpose.
- Alexander Forbes, 14th Jun 1900. Skene Street Public School, head teacher. Reminds the clerk of the suggested change to the Junior Department – substituting an ex-pupil teacher for one who can aid in piano for drill, etc.
- Alexander Forbes, 18th Jun 1900. Skene Street Public School, head teacher. The piano to be used for entertainments needs tuning. One is to remain in its place, but the other (the Drill one) needs an overhaul.
- Alexander Forbes, 29th Jun 1900. Skene Street Public School, head teacher. Copies of ‘The Infants’ Wall Sheets (Reading)’ needing remounting have been collected together.
- Alexander Forbes, 13th Aug 1900. Skene Street Public School, head teacher. Writes that the ‘Specimen Sheets of Summaries’ are perfect. Needs them by Friday and thinks the publisher (Messrs Milne & Hutcheon) should be left to send them to each school. The number of sheets needed for a year is set out in a table.
- W Fyfe, 15th May 1900. Marywell Street Public School. Has consulted with the Infants Department mistress about adding an extra pupil teacher there given the large infant enrolment and the withdrawal of three senior pupil teachers from the staff. Asks if this could be arranged within the month. Gives the department’s roll (Miss Clark, infant mistress – 68; Miss Craig, assistant – 57; Miss Cooper, assistant – 65; total 190). The department looks after those under 7 years of age. 10 new starts were admitted over April-May which have affected the flow of teaching. One effect has been the lack of time for the mistress to supervise the assistants. Fyfe wants to see the Kindergarten work of the school redeveloped, specifically having two teachers prepare the work of each class before it starts. The remaining pupil teachers have little involvement with the infants at present.
- W Fyfe, 23rd May 1900. Marywell Street Public School. Labour Certificate Examination. Requires 10 slips for interest in the exam.
- W Fyfe, 30th May 1900. Marywell Street Public School. By 31st October (end of the school year), 2409 hours will have been taken in cookery lessons by the senior division. This is in addition to the minimum 20 hours per week.
- W Fyfe, 1st Jun 1900. Marywell Street Public School. Two slips required for the Grammar School Free Places.
- W Fyfe, 27th Aug 1900. Marywell Street Public School. The Infants Department has reduced in numbers from 190 last May to 140 at present. Miss K Johnston’s presence is no longer necessary in that department, but as Marywell is still short of two pupil teachers he can make use of her elsewhere with the board’s permission.
- A Green, 25th May 1900. Skene Square Public School. Labour Certificate Examination. Expects 12 slips will be sufficient to cover interest in taking the exam.
- A Green, 29th May 1900. Skene Square Public School. Cookery. Lists the numbers of pupils taught and hours of instruction (in addition to the minimum 20 hours per week).
- A Green, 29th May 1900. Skene Square Public School. Military Drill. Asks if this subject is to be taught to boys only or boys and girls combined.
- A Green, 7th Jun 1900. Skene Square Public School. Received and since lost a circular about the Scripture Knowledge Examination results. Asks if the prizes and certificates achieved by the IIIrd Standard class will be treated the same way as those for classes I & II, i.e. will they receive cards instead of books or money.
- A Green, 30th Aug 1900. Skene Square Public School. As the school is in a ‘dismantled condition’, there will be difficulty in carrying out the drill and therefore a visiting drill assistant will be temporarily required.
- Jeannie A H [?] Hatt, 31st May 1900. 46 Holburn Road, Aberdeen. Enquires about her salary. It had been £70 for 3 years during which time equivalent grade teachers had theirs rise by £5 after 2 years. She had not applied directly to the board about this, believing that to be against the rules. She understands salaries rise every two years.
- Thomas C Hynd, 21st May 1900. King Street Public School. Advises that the lady teacher’s rooms have been subject to theft for the second time in two months. Small sums of money and purses have been taken, though he does not wish to inform the police at this stage. Urgently wants regulation of the janitor.
- Thomas C Hynd, 23rd May 1900. King Street Public School, head teacher. Wants clarity on the janitor’s hours of duty and how to find him at the school.
- Thomas C Hynd, 25th May 1900. King Street Public School, head teacher. Asks for 20 copies of the information circular about the Grammar School Free Places.
- Thomas C Hynd, 28th May 1900. King Street School. Bible Questions etc. Acknowledges he has not observed the dates put out in the recent circular. Instead of taking a half day or 3 from the limited number of school openings he has taken two ordinary bible lessons instead. Additionally, he has delayed the first examination as the date comes so soon after the filling up of the classes.
- Thomas C Hynd, 29th May 1900. King Street School. Manual & Cookery Instruction. Gives the school hours (9 am - 12.20 pm, 2 - 4.20 pm) and itemises how the hours are divided up for boys and girls.
- Thomas C Hynd, 30th May 1900. King Street Public School, head teacher. Wants another 10 slips for the Grammar School Free Places.
- Thomas C Hynd, 1st Jun 1900. King Street Public School. Asks for 20 slips to cover interest in the Labour Certificate Examination. Advises there may yet be more interest.
- Thomas C Hynd, 4th Jun 1900. King Street Public School. Advises that there are too many boys trying to attend classes in Standard V & VI. They are also ‘too regular’ [i.e. have good attendance], more than he wished. There are 20 on each register and classes of 19 are not uncommon, however there should never be more than 18 in attendance. Instructions have been issued to keep back or send back the additional pupils.
- T C Hynd, 14th Jun 1900. King Street Public School. Has been asked by Miss Stewart to request the clerk investigate the matter of her salary as she expected it to go up last month. She believes her case has been mixed up with that of Miss Moir’s.
- Thomas C Hynd, 18th Jun 1900. King Street Public School. Writes that one of his teachers, Miss Stewart, is concerned about her wages. She had waited 3 years for them to increase by £5 to £70. This long period of time formed a connection between her case and that of Miss Moir.
- Thomas C Hynd, 25th Jun 1900. King Street Public School. Gives a late order for 24 copies of White’s ‘Scottish School Record Book with Examination Record’ priced at 8d each.
- Thomas C Hynd, 25th Jun 1900. King Street Public School. Queen’s Student Robert Burns. Has informed this student that the board would be willing to grant him £1 per week. He was done full hours of work in the forenoon and afternoon.
- T C Hynd, 27th Jun 1900. King Street Public School. Asks for a note to uplift Mr Robb’s salary.
- T C Hynd, 31st Aug 1900. King Street Public School. Advises that Mr Robb has returned to duty and that Miss Cantlay may be withdrawn from service for covering him. Hynd is appreciative of her work and skill. Although he needs another ex-pupil teacher to join the school, he believes Miss Cantlay is too good for that type of work. He had hoped to call on the service of Miss Buchan whose term expired in June, however she was unavailable due to family reasons. Hynd got Miss Cantlay to cover Miss Dunn instead who has been ill then in mourning for her grandmother.
- H S [?] Jack, 13th Aug 1900. S.S. “Thomas Melville” at Antwerp. Has been called away to join his brother’s ship in Antwerp and will not be able to return in time for the opening of Skene Street School. Apologises and asks for a substitute to cover for him for a few days.
- John R Jack, 17th May 1900. Porthill Public School. States that he does not ask pupils of Porthill for subscriptions to the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Help Society “for reasons which it is unnecessary to state” [i.e. Porthill being a very poor neighbourhood].
- John R Jack, 25th May 1900. Porthill Public School. Asks for 12 slips regarding the Labour Certification Examination.
- John R Jack, 29th May 1900. Porthill Public School. Estimates 1512 hours instruction for the Manual Instruction class and 2520 hours for the Cookery class, each in addition to the minimum 20 hours instruction given to other subjects. On the reverse is a query asking clarification if this is for the school year or financial year.
- John R Jack, 16th Aug 1900. Porthill Public School, head teacher. Asks what funds have been put at his disposal from the McKnight Mortification.
- W Litster, 9th Jan 1900. 68 Springbank Terrace, Aberdeen. Writes that for the first time in many years there has been no surplus gained from children’s concerts, the revenue barely meeting expenses. This has been due to adverse circumstances: the war, the weather, the p… ball, the late school …, the two penny entertainment by Abslamen [?] Union. For the first time the concert was advertised in the Day School, “a form of publicity I have never availed myself of as I understand it to be contrary to the spirit of the Board’s intentions”. The Clothing Society asked for a donation, in vain.
- W Litster, 18th May 1900. 68 Springbank Terrace, Aberdeen. Enclosed a copy of a card sent to the schools as well as a “beautiful production handed to Belmont Street scholars”, commenting that “it is touching”.
- W L Marr, 2nd Jul 1900. 31 Beaconsfield Place. Enclosed a prospectus for his upcoming evening classes. In the mathematical class he proposes to use mathematical instruments which he has applied for purchase using the Higher Education Fund for the High School Day Classes.
- Katherine H R Mathieson, 1st Jun 1900. 19 Victoria Street, Aberdeen. Informs the clerk that she is taking up a position in Germany to study foreign languages. As such she resigns from St. Paul Street School.
- Katherine H R Mathieson, 3rd Aug 1900. 19 Victoria Street, Aberdeen. Following her previous correspondence, she asked how her leave abroad would affect her superannuation payments. She had been referred to Clause 13 of the School Teacher Superannuation Rules (Scotland), which she understands to mean contributions cannot be paid for any interval of service longer than 6 months, and thus her contributions will stop next month. Asks that her brother be contacted for any sums already due (W D Mathieson, same address). Also asks for a certificate confirming her length of service.
- John McBain, 15th May 1900. Aberdeen High School for Girls. Enclosed several cheques including 1. Two for fees (£220 11s 10d, £63 3s 4d), 2. £27 proceeds of Cookery, 3. £4 18s Kindergarten sales, and 4. £1 10s 6d Cycle stalls.
- John McBain. 17th May 1900. Aberdeen High School for Girls. Asks if the collection times for war funds (Penny Funds) and material might be spaced further apart. Believes the school has done well in this regard but is capable of generating more.
- John McBain, 29th May 1900. Aberdeen High School for Girls. In 1899 the prize money for the High School pupils was £35 of which £34 17s 11 ½d was spent. A similar amount for this year would be appreciated.
- John McBain, 29th May 1900. Aberdeen High School for Girls. Reminds the clerk to apply to the town council for their usual gift of two gold medals to the High School.
- John McBain, 29th May 1900. Aberdeen High School for Girls. Forwards £4 12s 9d, collected by the school for the Children’s Penny Fund.
- John McBain, 19th Jun 1900. Aberdeen High School for Girls. Writes that the loss of a sewing assistant would be very problematic, and the idea should be abandoned. The main teachers do teach but do not prepare their classes – this is left to the assistant as her main occupation. He cites the example of Miss Daniel who works 15 hours per week on class management and the remainder to preparation. McBain also has his own practice of supporting a whole class with teachers “thrown out elsewhere”. This would be impacted as many of them focus on sewing. Other matters make the High School dissimilar to others in this regard, such as junior teachers being sent around the school to help in specific tasks.
- John McGregor, 21st May 1900. Old Aberdeen Public School, head teacher. Gives the working times for Miss McGregor, drill accompanist, for her work at both the old and new school buildings. Her old salary of £2/year is also provided.
- J McGregor, 22nd May 1900. Old Aberdeen Public School, head teacher. Requests 3 slips for the Grammar School Free Places. In a PS, he asks that this competition be rescheduled in future so as to not clash with the Bell’s Bursaries competition.
- John McGregor, 24th May 1900. Public School, Old Aberdeen, head teacher. Has continued Miss Cantley with teaching Standard IV. Had been advised to report if she was not giving satisfactory service, but McGregor finds her a “very superior teacher” with a 95% success rate in fortnightly exams.
- J McGregor, 29th May 1900. Old Aberdeen Public School. Anticipates 60 hours will have been spent on Cookery classes in the Senior Division to the end of the school year, in addition to the 20 hours minimum given to ordinary subjects. No Manual Instruction classes are given. A note on the reverse from the clerk reminds McGregor that he needs the 60 hours multiplied by the number of pupils.
- J McG, 30th May 1900. Old Aberdeen School. Lists the names and addresses of 28 pupils wanting to take the Labour Certificate Examination.
- J McGregor, 31st May 1900. Old Aberdeen Public School. States that as many children will be leaving school at the end of next month, it is impossible to estimate what number of girls will attend the Cookery class. Estimates 2500 to 2700 attendances.
- John McGregor, 12th Jun 1900. Old Aberdeen Public School, head teacher. The Drawing Inspector visited the school and left a comment that an additional set of freehand wall diagrams should be supplied. These were ‘Waddington & Jackman’s Progressive Drawing Sheets’ or ‘Bacon’s Soft Gray Line’ series. The Bacon series has been ordered.
- J McGregor, 21st Aug 1900. Old Aberdeen Public School, head teacher. Notes a large increase in children attending Standard VI classes. An increase in supply of the Second Reader is needed urgently.
- John A McHardy, 23rd May 1900. Woodside Public School, head teacher. Asks for 6 slips for the Grammar School Free Places.
- John A McHardy, 25th May 1900. Woodside Public School, head teacher. Asks for 15 slips for the Labour Certificate exam.
- John A McHardy, 30th May 1900. Woodside Public School. Estimates 6500 hours were spent on Art in addition to the 20 hours minimum afforded to ordinary subjects.
- John A McHardy, 31st May 1900. Woodside Public School, head teacher. Asks for 6 extra slips for candidates for the Labour Certificate.
- John A M McHardy, 15th Jun 1900. Woodside Public School. Wants the staff to be allowed to draw their salaries directly from the bank on George Street on the last day of the month as it will also be the last day of the session – they will be extremely busy.
- John A M McHardy, 20th Jun 1900. Woodside Public School. Would rather have a double attendance on Friday rather than close on Thursday. The staff will be going to the country in the afternoon and have the Sir John Anderson prizes to distribute in the morning. He can ask the staff back on Saturday if required.
- John A McHardy, 16th Aug 1900. Woodside Public School. McKnight Mortification. Last year the school received only £1 10s from this fund and it was an inadequate amount of help. Asks that the committee in charge consider increasing Woodside’s share.
- John A M McHardy, 27th Aug 1900. Woodside Public School. Has audited the school library. Notes that since it opened in 1880, 1084 volumes have been in it at one time or another – 224 have worn out or gone out of circulation. Several had to be destroyed due to their poor condition. 134 volumes are salvageable. 726 volumes are in fairly good condition. Several should be replaced but the cost of doing so is not worth it.
- John A McHardy, 27th Aug 1900. Woodside Public School. Asks for 14 copies of ‘work done’ books.
- G M McKay, 14th May 1900. 38 Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen. Typewritten 4 page document addressed to the Chairman & Members of the School Board of Aberdeen. Addresses the circumstances of his dismissal from service in March 1899. He refutes the allegations made against him and makes to discredit the police evidence by including several statements gathered from witnesses. He begs to recover his position with the School Board. It appears he had been accused of smelling of liquor on a school evening, being accused of a breach of the peace on the same night, and of receiving a separate allegation against him from a female teacher. In his testimony, he had confronted pupils drinking in the street on the night of the students’ procession and it seems to have gone awry for he ended up hiding from them in a close off Allan Street. He provides statements from Mr Andrew Steele of Abernethy, Mr Robert A Strachan of Messrs. Thom & Strachan Plumbers, neighbour Mr R Topping, H. M. Sub-Inspector, and Mr James Anderson, Holburn Street station-master. [According to the 24th May Board Meeting minutes, Mr McKay’s request was declined by a vote of 12 to 2].
- John McKenzie, 29th May 1900. Holburn Street Public School. Manual Instruction & Cookery. Estimates 4800 hours Manual Instruction and 3800 hours Cookery will have been attended by the end of the school year, in addition to the 20 hours minimum given to ordinary subjects.
- J McK, 29th May 1900. Holburn Street Public School, head teacher. States that no slips have been asked for in connection with the Grammar School Free Places.
- John McKenzie, 7th Jun 1900. Holburn Street Public School. Puts forward Standard IV pupils Annie & Lizzie Slora of 21 Bloomfield Road to the notice of the Attendance Committee. Both girls repeatedly miss the Friday of every week for work. They have been spoken to as have the School Board officers, all without effect. Believes the situation cannot be allowed to continue as it sets a bad precedence. The dates of birth of the girls are provided: Annie 18th Nov 1886, Lizzie 26th Jan 1888.
- John McKenzie, 29th Jun 1900. Holburn Street public School. Is disturbed by a rumour that Holburn Street is an unhealthy school. A family by the name of Ogg from 33 Hartington Road are likely to withdraw after being told this by Dr Arthur Culls.
- John McKenzie, 21st Aug 1900. Holburn Street Public School, head teacher. Reminds the clerk for word on having the timetables adjusted for the Cookery classes.
- John McKenzie, 28th Aug 1900. Holburn Street Public School. The clerk’s request to review Cookery lessons being scheduled for 2 hours a week was considered by the head teachers. They concluded that this was not manageable without interrupting the times devoted to ordinary subjects, affecting their efficiency. In order to get a fuller explanation on this, certain teachers (Miss Splading, Mr Duthie, Mr Campbell, Mr McLachlan & himself) were appointed to wait on the Special Subjects Committee.
- John McLachlan, 23rd May 1900. Ashley Road Public School. Requests 24 slips for the Grammar School Free Places.
- John McLachlan, 31st May 1900. Ashley Road Public School. Manual Instruction and Cookery. Calculates 1280 hours Manual Instruction and 4035 hours Cookery in addition to the 20 hours minimum will have been taken by the Senior Division pupils come end of December.
- John McLachlan, 31st May 1900. Ashley Road Public School. Labour Certificate Examination. Believes that no pupils of the school fall under the conditions required to take the exam and therefore is unable to recommend any of them. Is prepared to explain the law to pupils of the fifth and sixth standards so this information can be relayed to the parents for their benefit.
- John McLachlan [unsigned, but handwriting matches], 1st Jun 1900. Ashley Road Public School, head teacher. Notes 4035 hours for Cookery and 1280 hours for Manual Instruction.
- William D McLean, 22nd May 1900. Hanover Street Public School. Asks for 6 applicatio forms for the Grammar School bursaries.
- William D McLean, 24th May 1900. Hanover Street Public School. Asks for 28 slips for the Labour Certificate Examination.
- William D McLean. 30th May 1900. Hanover Street Public School. Cookery classes have had 2688 hours attendance to the end of the school year (in addition to the 20 hours minimum given to ordinary subjects). No Manual Instruction has been given.
- William D McLean, 5th Jun 1900. Hanover Street Public School. Reports that there have been no candidates put forward for the Grammar School bursaries.
- Charles McLeod, 6th Aug 1900. Stralochy, Capulth, Dunkeld. During the last holiday, Messrs. A & J Smith cleaned the Grammar School’s balances, and is of the opinion it would be a good idea to do so again. Would have contacted a Mr Simpson on the matter but is not sure if he is in Aberdeen. The balances are laid out to be cleanedin the physical laboratory.
- Charles McLeod, 22nd Aug 1900. Stralochy, Capulth, Dunkeld. Asks for an order of Science (Organised Science School) Attendance Registers – 12 or 15 copies.
- E D Nisbet, 23rd May 1900. Torry Public School. Labour Certificate. Asks for three slips for this.
- E D Nisbet, 29th May 1900. Torry Public School. Gives the attendance hours for the Cookery (1720 hours) and Manual Instruction (2680 hours) classes.
- E D Nisbet, 6th Aug 1900. Torry Public School. Teaching of Cooking. Asks if the girls can use the cookery room in Walker Road School as the Torry one is too small for the number taking the course.
- John Peter, 25th May 1900. Commerce Street Public School. Labour Certificate Examination. Asks for 8 slips for this.
- John Peter, 25th May 1900. Commerce Street Public School. States that as so many families are removing, the school will be closed for a holiday the following Monday in line with its usual practice.
- John Peter, 25th May 1900. Commerce Street Public School. Grammar School Scholarship. Asks for two slips for this.
- John Peter, 29th May 1900. Commerce Street Public School. Expects 2700 hours of attendance at Cookery classes by the end of the school year, in addition to the minimum 20 hours per week instruction in other courses. The clerk asks on the reverse if the Financial Year figures are different.
- John Peter, 27th Aug 1900. Commerce Street Public School, head teacher. Originally enclosed an account of books supplied using the McKnight Fund. States that the fund is now exhausted.
- John Peter, 30th Aug 1900. Commerce Street Public School. School Build. Requests the board remodel the school, noting 1. That the classrooms are different sizes which makes organisation difficult and overcrowding common, 2. Four rooms have the right accommodation but have the wrong shape for managing classes, 3. The Infant Department room is “dark, dingy, too small, and has only one window facing the north and obscured by the embankment”, 4. There is no gym and no suitable room for conversion into one, hence why Drill cannot be taught, 5. There is no room for Manual Instruction and the room for Cookery is far too small for a class of 54. Peter then includes transcripts from recent HM Government Inspectors’ reports in relation to these points. It has: 1. (from 1899) – notes the difficulty in maintaining discipline due to the poor construction. Highlights a dangerous attempt at Drill on top of the school desks. The Infant Department room is “objectionable” and far too small. 2. (from 1898) – noted severe overcrowding in the Infant Department. 3. (from 1897) – Drill cannot be given properly due to the lack of space. One tenth of the grant was deducted due to overcrowding. 4. (from 1896) – Steps must be taken to reduce overcrowding in the Infant Department. 5. (from 1895) – Notes overcrowding. 6. (from 1893) – Total weekly average attendance rose to 720 while the rooms have attendances above accommodation space. 6. (from 1891) – On inspection day two classes meant to accommodate 55 pupils had instead 94 and 76, both normal numbers.
- Lizzie Robertson, 27th Aug 1900. 5 New Pier Road, Aberdeen. Asks for a transfer to one of the West End schools for reasons of health. Her teaching history is given including 7 years at Frederick Street (5 of which were spent at the nearby Peacock’s Close Hall and the Frederick Street Mission Hall).
- William Robertson, 15th May 1900. Westfield Public School. States that in 1899 Northfield received £1 10s and Westfield 10s from the McKnight Fund. Asks if this same division will be repeated this year and requests that the allocation of books be sorted out now rather than in August as the need is immediate.
- William Robertson, 22nd May 1900. Westfield Public School. Asks for his salary to be reconsidered / increased in light of his increased duties in the four months waiting for the new Westfield school to open. During that time he was in charge of both Northfield and old Westfield schools.
- William Robertson, 23rd May 1900. Westfield Public School. Asks for 12 slips in connection to the Grammar School Free Places.
- William Robertson, 29th May 1900. Westfield Public School. Labour certificate Exams. Asks for 10 slips for this.
- William Robertson, 29th May 1900. Westfield Public School. Believes 2674 hours of Cookery classes will be achieved by the end of session.
- William Robertson, 15th Aug 1900. Westfield Public School. Writes that the teacher of Singing class is anxious to receive the portable American Organ promised.
- James Rose, 24th May 1900. 29 Beechgrove Avenue, Aberdeen. Outlines the circumstances of the case of Miss Wills, which features much shuffling of teachers and classes.
- James Rose, 29th May 1900. Causewayend Public School. Wants two slips for pupils wishing to compete for the Grammar School Free Places.
- James Rose, 29th May 1900. Causewayend Public School. Labour Certificate Examination. States he has 50 pupils who intend to apply for this.
- James Rose, 30th May 1900. Causewayend Public School. Gives the hours for Cookery (4339 hours) and Manual Instruction (6912 hours) classes expected before the end of the school year, in addition to the 20 hours minimum in other subjects.
- James Rose, 31st May 1900. Causewayend Public School. Gives the hours for Cookery (6663 hours) and Manual Instruction (9361 hours) classes expected before the end of the school financial year, in addition to the 20 hours minimum in other subjects. He notes the Manual Instruction classes are each 2 hours in duration.
- James Rose, 16th Aug 1900. Causewayend Public School. Asks if the school will receive a grant from the McKnight Fund as he has had queries about it from parents looking for assistance with the children’s books.
- Alexander M Shand, 14th Jun 1900. 28 Devonshire Road, Aberdeen. Puts in his name as a candidate for the post of Second Master at Hanover Street School. Has worked under the board as an Assistant Master for 19 years, 5 of which as Second Master for Frederick Street School.
- H F Morland Simpson, undated. Special Report on the Free Scholars, Session 1899-1900. A four-page document giving the names of the free place students, their classes, and remarks on their conduct and results.
- H F Morlund Simpson, 11th May 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School, the Rector. Fees for Charles Porter, class 1B. The fees due should not be pressed for considering the circumstances and the lack of presence at classes.
- H F Morland Simpson, 18th May 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School. The Needs of the School in Reference to the Minute of April 27th, 1899. An eight-page document listing the requirements of the school to operate and the estimated grant required to do so (£1550). The document outlines how the grant would be divided among the different departments according to their requirements.
- H F Morland Simpson, 25th May 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School. A three-page document – the first page is titled ‘Statistics Concerning the Free Scholars’. This gives the numbers of those enrolled, the numbers who left, and the durations of teaching. The remaining pages fall under the title ‘Destination of Those Who Have Left, Causes of Leaving, etc.’ which discusses the reasons and gives estimate numbers of upcoming vacancies.
- H F Morlund Simpson, 29th May 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School, the Rector. Kindergarten Material Sale of Work. Miss Duffus informs him that it has never been the custom to charge for the things made by her boys, understanding that they were covered by the fees for classes.
- H F Morlund Simpson, 1st Jun 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School. Wishes the High Schools Committee be informed of the gift of school medals from the Town Council.
- H F Morlund Simpson, 1st Jun 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School, the Rector. Put in a requistion for a school handbell as the present one is badly cracked. Asks this to be made soon as a favour.
- H F Morlund Simpson, 11th Jun 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School. Piano. Asks for a grand piano for the Prize Day stall (Friday 29th queried) for a few days beforehand to check the pitch. The school’s existing piano is worn out.
- H F Morlund Simpson, 18th Jun 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School. Enclosed a note of the Examiners’ fees showing the sum to each master and the total to the Town Council and School Board. 75 candidates are examined for the Free Scholarships – 9 of these also entered among the 35 candidates for the Town Council £8 bursaries. There were 7 candidates for the Anderson Scholarship, 6 of whom also entered the Town Council’s £12 bursaries (out of 38 candidates). Notes that the Free Scholarships paperwork is complete. Asks for headmasters to send in candidates details in a pre-arranged format. Had to expel two boys (Edward Strachan and John Shand of Skene Street School) for talking about [the fees?].
- H F Morland Simpson, 19th Jun 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School. Gives details on scholarship candidates and requests a sub-committee be formed to deal with them.
- H F Morlund Simpson, 20th Jun 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School. Free Scholarships. Send the results of the examination of 36 pupils but only gives details on the first 15 – their names, ages, and fathers’ occupations. Is pleased with the class of candidates and singles out no. 14 for special mention (D. Semple).
- H F Morland Simpson, 26th Jun 1900. The Rector’s Seventh Annual Report to the Aberdeen School Board on the Grammar School, Session 1899-1900. A nine-page document outlining enrolment numbers and origins, exam candidates and results, certificates in art, elementary botany, science & art school, comments on individual pupils and staff, athletic sports and the swimming competition, volunteer cadet corps, and free scholars.
- H F Morlund Simpson, 27th Jun 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School, the Rector. Fee collection note for I Walker and Robert Walker, noth sons of I Z W to pay half fees i.e. 18/6 each.
- H F Morlund Simpson, 27th Jul 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School. Encloses A. Watson Bain’s application for Modern Language certificate and the four applications for the General Assistant [?] Masterships but without accompanying testimonials – these may be coming from Mr Hector Duthie. Will forward any testimonial info he receives to the clerk. In a PS notes the temperatures at the school across the past fortnight.
- H F Morlund Simpson, 28th Jul 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School. Received a packet of testimonials for candidates to be interviewed by the mastership committees. He lists the four candidates for the Modern Languages Mastership and gives their testimonials (I [?]. M. Morrison, A. Watson Bain, Charles Clark Ph.D., and Charles W. Thomson). He then lists the candidates with testimonials for the General Mastership (James C. Knox, H. G. Duthie, William I. Gall M.A., and Thomas Robertson M.A.
- H F Morlund Simpson, 3rd Aug 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School. Asks for his hours of attendance be advertised on the 25th & 27th for enrollments. Asks for copies of the Leaving Certificates to be sent to him if they have already appeared. Notes from the newspaper that Mr Duthie and Mr Morrison have been appointed. Will catch the boat from Hamburg to Leith on the 20th.
- H F Morlund Simpson, 16th Aug [1900]. Wall 38, Kiel. Postcard with Reichspost stamps. Advises he expects to return to Aberdeen on Wednesday the 22nd, although letters should arrive after Saturday 18th to 80 Hamilton Place.
- H F Morland Simpson, 28th Aug 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School. Letter is divided into five subjects. 1. Mr Blair’s Report – asks for a copy of this. 2. Mr Duthie – wishes to extend his holiday in France. 3. The New Grant & The Library – queries how the grant will be used and hopes the library will receive some priority. 4. The Reading Room – disappointed that equipment is not yet ready. 5. Gymnastics – Asks if another room can be used for this.
- H F Morlund Simpson, 29th Aug 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School. Refers the free school pupil Benzie to the High Schools’ Committee following incidents reported previously in 1899 and 1900. Relates his low marks in classes placing him 33rd out of 41. After catching him cribbing notes, he wrote to Benzie’s father and was persuaded to allow the boy to complete the session so that a suitable placement might be found for him.
- H F Morlund Simpson, 30th Aug 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School. States that the fencing marks supplied for June are only suitable for fail-fencing and not for single-stick fencing. Asks if they can be changed.
- H F Morlund Simpson, 31st Aug 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School. Mr Carmichael would be glad to have assistance for the transference of benches into the new workshop. Secondly, writes about free scholar Benzie, who caused so much offense recently that in his opinion the boy should not return with more than one master not forming a good impression of him in class. Other opinions of him given. Had correspondence with Mrs Benzie on this subject and could not reach agreement.
- J S Skea, 25th May 1900. St. Paul Street Public School, head teacher. Introduces Mrs McAllan, a friend of his and sister-in-law of Mrs Brown (nee Miss Greig) who is in difficulty about her daughter’s future and asks for advice.
- J S Skea, 25th May 1900. St. Paul Street Public School, head teacher. Free Places Grammar School. Asked for 50 slips so that the maths could be brought under the notice of the children and their parents. In actuality, expects 12 or 20 will cover demand.
- J S Skea, 25th May 1900. St. Paul Street Public School, head teacher. Labour Certificate Exam. Presumes 25 slips will be required. Asks for the slips to be provided with the prepared schedules to allow the head teachers to restrict the applications.
- J S Skea, 31st May 1900. St. Paul Street Public School. Gives the approximate hours of attendance at Manual Instruction (1308) and Cookery (5952) in addition to the minimum 20 hours in other subjects.
- J S Skea, 11th Jun 1900. St. Paul Street Public School. Expects a larger Merit Class in the next year but is struggling to find accommodation for them in light of how the school was constructed and the subsequent unforeseen changes in the Code. As he cannot interfere with the floor space, he suggests the board add a room for cookery and manual instruction above the covered playshed in the girl’s playground, anticipating this would provide room for 60 students.
- J S Skea, 13th Jun 1900. St. Paul Street Public School. Following two resignations, recommends the promotion of Miss Mathieson and Miss Mutch to take the vacated places and Miss Dawson to take one of the lower places. Gives a favourable impression of Miss Dawson as having held control over a difficult class. Proposes the remaining vacancies be filled with new teachers.
- J S Skea, 14th Jun 1900. St. Paul Street Public School, head teacher. Warns that the school’s lighting must be seriously improved lest the hours of operation be rescheduled for the winter months.
- J S Skea, 18th Jun 1900. St. Paul Street School, head teacher. Regrets the resignation of Miss Mathieson. Had no idea of it when last he wrote. Rearranges his proposed promotions, and mentions Miss Anderson, Miss Rachel Beattie, Miss Reaper, Miss Lily Ogilvie and Miss Emily McKessar, giving his opinions on them all.
- J S Skea, 7th Aug 1900. Birley, Torphins. In the last week of session, Skea ruminates over the problems awaiting him and the school. Writes in a flow of consciousness style being very free with his opinions of the staff. He lost three of his best teachers that year, and now seven of the assistants will be teaching classes new to them. Is pleased however that Miss McKessar’s name is among them and will be relying on her heavily. Hopes that Amelia Crombie, another of his pupil teachers, will also be assigned to the school, and would prefer her to Miss Lily Ogilvie despite her good work. Gives opinions on several other teachers (is quite disparaging about Miss Fraser). Notes St. Paul Street school is not very up to date.
- P Smart, 22nd May 1900. Frederick Street Public School. No one in the school wishes to become a candidate for the Grammar School Free Places.
- P Smart, 23rd May 1900. Frederick Street Public School. 40 candidates wish to take the Labour Certificate examination. Fails to understand the reasoning for some of them claiming ‘necessitous circumstances’ and trusts the board to investigate and thus reduce their number.
- P Smart, 29th May 1900. Frederick Street Public School. Gives the approximate hours of attendance at Cookery (1372) in addition to the minimum 20 hours in other subjects. 2173 hours would account for the Financial Year calculation.
- P Smart, 31st May 1900. Frederick Street Public School. With the Board’s permission he intends to adjust the hours of the school day for the Senior Division to take effect after the Summer holidays.
- P Smart, 11th Jun 1900. Frederick Street Public School. Wishes to introduce a Merit Certificate Class following the Summer Holidays. Has submitted various arrangements to the board for approval – this list includes room numbers, teacher’s names, which classes they teach.
- P Smart, 24th Aug 1900. Frederick Street Public School. Discusses pupil James L Smith of 20 Chronicle Lane, believing him to be a good candidate for the Belmont Street Institution. His medical background is given plus opinions on his faculties.
- Fanny Smith, 21st Aug 1900. Walker Road Public School. Tendering her resignation as Assistant Mistress in order to take up a similar post in Birmingham.
- J B Spalding, 22nd May 1900. York Street Public School. No candidates have come forward for the Grammar School Free Places.
- J B Spalding, 23rd May 1900. York Street Public School. Labour Certificate. Requires 10 slips for this.
- J B Spalding, 25th May 1900. York Street Public School. As Miss Watson of Standard V has resigned, he recommends Miss Shepherd of Standard III to take over, who has been wanting to take on senior work.
- J B Spalding, 29th May 1900. York Street Public School, head teacher. Gives the approximate hours of attendance at Cookery (2520) in addition to the 20 hours minimum in other subjects.
- J B Spalding, 3rd Jul 1900. Balmoral Villa, Blairgowrie. Writes about staff arrangements due to sick leave. Mentions Miss Gordon and Miss Davidson and their levels of teaching. Reminds the clerk of a vacancy at York Street School – says it is a “school of difficulty and the staff needs to be strong”. Warns that a Miss Fraser has been canvassing the head teachers in order to get an appointment with the Board. Spalding does not recommend her as she is unknown to him and he has formed a poor impression of her.
- Annabella Sutherland, 9th Aug 1900. Ness Bank, Duthie Terrace, Aberdeen. Reminds the clerk of her request to transfer from Skene Square School to Broomhill or Ashley Road Schools due to the long travel distance.
- James Sutherland, 18th Jun 1900. Commerce Street School, Aberdeen. Offers himself as a candidate for the post of Second Master at Hanover Street School. Gives his previous experience of 12 years in the Board’s service including work at Ruthrieston School, Causewayend School, and Commerce Street School, after having previously been a pupil teacher and gaining a Certificate at Training College. Goes into considerable detail of the duties he undertook at each school.
-- H F Morland Simpson, 21st May 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School. Request for use of Grammar School grounds for practice in volley-firing. States the school grounds have been used for “many years” by the Medical Corps during Summer term on 2 nights a week under the command of Dr Williamson Booth. The policemen employed to keep bystanders away are not effective and their presence attracts much “booing”. A recommendation made by a Mr Spencer would likely lead to gathering much of the neighbourhood’s “riff-raff” in the grounds. Asks for better policing to be supplied.
- Lizzie Thomson, 30th Aug 1900. 19 Thomson Street, Aberdeen. Applies for an assistant role in plain needlework or dressmaking at the evening schools. Letter gives her background – certificates, classes (including with Miss Worship).
- Robert Valentine, 9th Jun 1900. 62 Irvine Place, Aberdeen. Typewritten document – application for the Second Mastership position at Hanover Street School. Gives his background teaching at what he refers to as “difficult schools” (Holburn Street, St. Clement Street). Hopes for a better salary and access to better facilities as rewards for his service in poor conditions.
- Robert Wa… [?], 24th May 1900. 431 Great Western Road. Refers to the promotion of Miss Reith to the Senior Department the previous August – “I have to remind you that I mentioned the matter to you before I changed her and you said it would be all right. Perhaps I did wrong by not sending a witness notice to you at the time”. Hopes the matter will be put right.
- Robert Wa… [?], 30th May 1900. Broomhill Public School, head teacher. Gives the hours of attendance for Manual Instruction (3456) and Cookery (4000) to the end of the school year.
- Robert Wa… [?], 4th Aug 1900. Broomhill Public School. Asks for help for the Standard I classes which have pupil numbers of 85 & 77. Notes Miss Fullerton “unfortunately” has charge of the 85 class.
- Annie Walker, 20th Aug 1900. 6 Albyn Place, Aberdeen. Application for a position as teacher of plain needlework or dressmaking at an evening school. Gives prior background teaching at Kittybrewster School and certificates gained.
- Mina Walker, undated. 20 Albyn Place. Asks again for a transfer from Frederick Street School to one nearer home, noting that she has spent 4 years (underlined) there with a gap only due to severe sickness.
- Helen Wat… [?], 25th May 1900. Rubislaw Public School. Asks for 8 slips for the Labour Certificate exam and 4 slips for the Grammar School Free Places competition.
- Helen Wat… [Watson?], 29th May 1900. Rubislaw Public School. Attendances by the Senior Girls at Cookery amount to 873 giving 1746 hours, in addition to the 24 hours per week given to other subjects.
- A G Wallace, 14th May 1900. Central Public School. As the Science & Art department refuses to give an exam in Mathematics, he cannot alter the figures supplied for the Leaving Certificate.
- A G Wallace, 21st May 1900. Central Public School. States that the pupils already have the Merit Certificte at this school and therefore are ineligible to compete for the Grammar School Free Places.
- A G Wallace, 1st Jun 1900. Central Public School. Expects 9000 hours of Cookery will have been attended by the end of the financial year (excluding the minimum number of hours in advanced classes).
- A G Wallace, 1st Jun 1900. Central Public School. Brings to the Board’s attention that some recent salary rule changes will leave teachers in a certain class disadvantaged in the long term – includes calculations of wage losses. Hopes for a reversion in the rules.
- A G Wallace, 7th Jun 1900. Central Public School. Refers to his letter of the 1st of June, stating that the proposed revised payment scale (submitted in the interim) did not meet the teachers’ satisfaction and that they would rather stay on the existing scale (the one originally complained about).
- A G Wallace, 2nd Jul 1900. Central Public School. Submits revised regulations for the selection and appointment of pupil teachers. Discusses the difficulties of overseeing and marking exams for reading comprehension. Wants classes dealing for candidates who scored 40% or less to be omitted due to their low rates of achievement. Notes that one of the best pupil teacher candidates recently scored less than 40% in English. This person only secured a school board appointment “by some influential friend”. Wants both boys and girls to take the Euclid paper. If circumstances permitted it, exercises in Freehand Drawing and Elementary Science would also be desirable. |