| Description | 21/11/1900-28/2/1901
- J D Anderson, 4th Dec 1900. Ferryhill Public School. School Hours. The only departure from the Board’s circular on this matter has been taking in the Senior classes at 9 am and only then when sanctioned by the Board.
- J D Anderson, 9th Jan 1901. Ferryhill Public School. Advanced Gymnastics. This class has 108 pupils in one lesson weekly for an hour. No accidents have occurred so far is as known.
- J D Anderson, 14th Jan 1901. Ferryhill Public School. Occasional Holidays. The school has been closed on an afternoon half day for the Timmer Market each year since August 1898 with the view to conserve attendance. This also allows the pupils to get hold of the books they need before starting work. The Auton Market does not affect the school but the Flitting Term has seen an increased effect on attendance.
- J D Anderson, 15th Feb 1901. Ferryhill Public School, head teacher. Has just had a visit from a policeman enquiring about four pupils suspected of theft again – Walker, McCombie, Edwards, and another.
- J D Anderson, 18th Feb 1901. Ferryhill Public School. George Walker of 38 Rose Street was recently before the Sheriff on a charge of shop-breaking and theft. One of the other boys, McCombie, was sent to a Reformatory but Walker, “luckily or unluckily, got off. He is morally a pestilential influence, and his presence here would be fraught with great and grave danger”. John McCombie of 129 Union Grove is now in attendance here.
- John C Anderson [unsigned but handwriting similar], undated. Statement… to Form a Class for the Instruction of Teachers in Cardboard Modelling. Outlines the number of lessons, frequency, number of pupils, fees, incomes, and expenditures.
- John C Anderson, 14th Jan 1901. Ferryhill Evening School. Recently called a meeting of headmasters to recommend to the Board that the usual collective exhibition of work be changed so that headmasters may be permitted to hold local exhibitions instead. It was felt these would lead to more attention for and information about the evening schools in the local areas – harder to do for a collective, centralised, one held miles away from them. Some items (such as hats or dresses) are not laid aside for any great length of time either and will become more readily available. Similarly, cooking class displays are less likely to be damaged in transit. Expresses regret that some of this was leaked to the press.
- James C Barnett, 5th Dec 1900. Middle Public School, head teacher. Gives the reasons why some pupils were taken off the registers per the Board’s 3rd Dec letter: 1. William Scott – went to Perth’s Industrial School, 2. Margaret Kirkwood – per Medical Certificate, went to the country and is still sick, 3. Margaret Russell – Labour Certificate dated 29th Jun 1900. The others left before reaching the age of 14 years under an unwritten law that allows them to leave just before the exemption in order to find employment.
- James C Barnett, 5th Dec 1900. Middle Public School. School Time Table. Due to the preparation time required, the Merit Class starts work at 9 am instead of 9.30, in reference to the Board’s circular of the 20th Mar.
- James C Barnett, 14th Jan 1901. Middle Public School. Occasional Holidays. A whole day has been given for the Flitting Term when fully 50% of the children would be absent helping their parents or other relations and friends to do so. Believes a half-day holiday at the start of term would give little good and should be discontinued in future, but the Timmer Market is seen as the ‘Children’s Fair’ and is accorded a half-day especially – doing away with that would be considered a hardship. Regarding the Aulton Fair, however, “I give no holiday for [it] as nothing but evil can come out of a child’s visit to that scene of coarse brutality”.
- Jessie Bews, 17th Dec 1900. 594 King Street, Aberdeen. Her time as a pupil teacher at Old Aberdeen School expired in June. She has now taken her Queen’s Scholarship Exam (prevented from taking it before due to illness) and requests to take up a vacancy if available as an ex-pupil teacher.
- J Campbell, 27th Nov 1900. Walker Road Public School. Has become aware of the plan to enlarge the school. Wants to submit a statement on the matter to the Board particularly about the Infants Department. He has noted problems with the floor space assigned to each pupil which would lead to fewer pupils being accommodated. This would in turn negatively impact the number of pupils being promoted out of the department.
- J Campbell, 6th Dec 1901. Walker Road Public School. School Hours. Includes a statement on this. Notes that the Board’s circular on this topic addressed concerns that were 12 years out of date – since then classes have become more varied and the pressure on pupils has lessened, although he is worried about the Manual Instruction and Cookery classes. The statement is split into times for Infants, Juniors, and Seniors.
- J Campbell, 9th Jan 1901. Walker Road Public School. Has been asked to provide a report on the increased accommodation provided by the use of additional rooms in the school with the view to updating the prospectus. Numbers of pupils in the different departments are provided with the temporary use of space.
- J Campbell, 14th Jan 1901. Walker Road Public School. Advanced Gymnastics. There has never been an accident in this class.
- J N C, 18th Jan 1901. Grammar School, Aberdeen. Pupil Rolland Cash has enrolled in the Evening Building classes. Does not know if he should be put under either S.S. or M.
- J Campbell, 11th Jan 1901. Walker Road Public School. Advanced Gymnastics. 30 pupils paid the fee and attended the class last session.
- J Campbell, 23rd Jan 1901. Walker Road Public School. Miss Johnston has handed over a medical certificate for her leave of absence. She has been an assistant for 19 years and has done excellent work and given faithful service.
- J Campbell, 23rd Jan 1901. Walker Road Public School. Occasional Holidays. The school has always been closed for the Flitting day and in his experience the numbers of pupils needing it have always been and will continue to be considerable. He has never closed for the first day of a session and has never given holidays for the Timmer or Aulton Markets. Does not believe that the Tuesday opening after a term of holiday keeps hold of a good attendance.
- J Campbell, 25th Jan 1901. Walker Road Public School. Has learned of Miss Maggie Mitchell, a pupil teacher in Skene Square School who has received high marks and her rector, Mr Smith, has noted her skill as a teacher. Is willing to give her a chance to take on a class.
- J Campbell, 28th Feb 1901. Walker Road Public School. Has intended to ask the Board to permit Manual Occupation classes to start in April, on the subject of Cardboard Modelling. The teachers have been attending the Board’s own classes on the subject. On hearing Mr Todd’s opinion he has revised his impression and thinks some natural system can be introduced. Will think it over some more so that his opinion will not be prejudiced.
- J N Carmichael, 14th Dec 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School. States that the new metal workshop drawing plans are wrong, that the machines are in incorrect locations. Wants the plans adjusted now to avoid expensive alterations later.
- J N Carmichael, 17th Dec 1900. Aberdeen Grammar School. Gives the time for the upcoming prize distributions among the students and allied trades. The Board were invited.
- Duncan Clarke, 28th Nov 1900. Central Evening School. Pupila in the Composition and Precis Writing class are taught 1. Writing and composition, 2. English, two subjects falling under article 2 of the Evening School code.
- Duncan Clarke, 10th Dec 1900. Central Evening School. Referring to the Evening School Prospectus, wonders if the clerk would prefer an exhibition of all the departments’ work or merely the domestic subjects. Requires a meeting first with all the teachers to discuss the size and nature of the work and when the exams would be explained.
- Duncan Clarke, 19th Dec 1900. Central Evening School. For an Exhibition of Evening School Work, Clarke proposes that the heads of department select the work rather than the headmistress.
- Duncan Clarke, 21st Jan 1901. Central Evening School. Sick Nursing Lectures. 150 pupils will be provided with a syllabus for each lecture.
- Duncan Clarke, 18th Feb 1901. Central Evening School. Will not open the school on Thursday evening. Reasons include 1. Four staff are engaged at St. Paul Street School then, 2. Many pupils – mostly in Shorthand – are enrolled there too, 3. Having pupils enrolled at 2 schools simultaneously risks losing the fees for one, and 4. Any change from the regular hours would lower attendance.
- Maggie A Clubb, 21st Nov 1900. Upper Mastrick, Stocket Road. Asks for a transfer from King Street School’s Infant Department (been there 3 years) to someplace closer to her home in Mastrick. Had previously been a pupil-teacher at Rubislaw School and hoped to get an appointment at Moreseat School when it opened.
- Sylvia K H Cook, 27th Nov 1900. Gives the reasoning for having a requested a transfer from Broomhill School on the 19th Nov. Had been accused of having a lack of discipline and hold over her classes by the headmaster, Mr Watson, and fears the reputational damage. She had taught there for 5.5 years without receiving any previous complaint. Mr Watson gave her the option of either leaving or taking a Standard I class well under her abilities. Describes several instances where she was asked to temporarily take on high class numbers in other years because she had the required discipline. Has taught 11 classes to the present time (listed).
- A Cruickshank, 5th Dec 1900. Rosemount Public School. School Hours. Provides the school’s timetable for Infants, Juniors, and Seniors, and gives the frequencies of some of the classes.
- A Cruickshank, 17th Dec 1900. Rosemount Public School. Believes the severe measles outbreak is almost over. It had been going on since October. The actions being considered by the Board are too late to be implemented. Miss Ewen had the class in which most of the outbreak originated and she was able to tell which pupils were going to succumb later. She also sent home many pupils who had visible measles. Can conceive that a medical professional visiting daily over weeks would be able to detect acute and advanced cases. It takes 8 or 10 days since infection to see visible traces. Fears any visitors – medical experts or doctors – may help spread the disease around. Believes the custom of keeping all family members home (who have previously had the disease) when a junior member falls ill with it should cease. Notes many attendances were lost due to fumigation and sanitation efforts.
- A Cruickshank, 9th Jan 1901. Rosemount Public School, head teacher. Higher Gymnastics. In the first quarter there were 91 pupils in 4 classes and in the second quarter there were 111 pupils in 4 classes. Times are also given. No accidents have been reported.
- John Davie, 11th Dec 1900. Walker Road School. Complains that his requisition order for wood for the Manual Instruction class is now 2 months overdue. His reserve supplies have run out as he has 180 pupils weekly.
- Annie Dickson, 10th Jan 1901. 14 Holburn Street, Aberdeen. Asks if she is entitled to receive her October salary when she was on sick leave. She entered the Sick Children’s Hospital where she missed a visit from a Board officer. She later called on Miss Yunnie at the Board’s office who said she would pass on the message. Has since been stuck at home for 5 weeks with ‘bone disease in [the] right knee’. Is quite desperate for the money if she is allowed it.
- Annie Dickson, 4th Feb 1901. 14 Holburn Street, Aberdeen. Asks that Miss Mary S Duncan (Ortonville, Bieldside, of St. Paul Street School) withdraw her salary on her behalf as she is too ill do so.
- Lucy Duffus, 28th Nov 1900. 3 Albert Street. Will give a loan of the maypole. She is using it but can forego further practice with it until later on. Apologises that the braids are soiled.
- William B Duguid, 11th Feb 1901. Old Aberdeen Evening School. Eighteen pupils wish to attend Nursing Lectures in King Street School.
- A L Dunbar, 27th Dec 1900. Causewayend School. Has asked Mr Hector to look into the matter of his salary but it may have been forgotten. Asks Mr Morrison instead to ascertain this before sending the pay sheet to the bank. This relates to an account settled in October to which some proportional amount was added.
- A L Dunbar, 5th Feb 1901. Causewayend School. Thanks Mr Hector for sending George Rick’s ‘Manual Training’ guide. Talks about further guides received from Mr Rose and discusses other training manuals including new teaching methods used in Philadelphia.
- G F Duthie, undated. Kittybrewster Public School, head teacher. The school has not deviated from Schedule IV and the Infants have had no scheme of Drawing. The Inspector insists that the Department should be informed that Drawing is taught in this school according to the schedule and code. [Likely in relation to G F Duthie, 4th Feb 1901].
- G F Duthie, 5th Dec 1900. Kittybrewster Public School. All pupils assemble at 9.30 am except Standard VI who do so at 9 am. Girls in Standards V & VI stay on longer to complete Cookery lessons. 5 of 7 of the Manual Instruction classes also stay on longer twice a fortnight. Two Standard IV & V classes meet at 9 am once a week and on those days stay an extra ¼ hour at the end.
- G F Duthie, 17th Dec 1900. Kittybrewster Public School, head teacher. Warns that the attendance is going down fast due to Measles. 275 were absent that day (18% seniors and 45.2% infants).
- G F Duthie, 19th Dec 1900. Kittybrewster Public School. In his opinion medical visitation would serve no useful purpose [referring to the Measles outbreak].
- George F Duthie, 26th Dec 1900. Kittybrewster Public School, head teacher. Sent payment for dancing, books sold profit, sewing, Kindergarten, and exercise books totalling £13 10s 5d.
- G F Duthie, 7th Jan 1901. Kittybrewster Public School. Three staff members of the Infant Department became sick. Could keep the school running by having the 2 forenoon pupil teachers staying on half an hour longer than usual to make a double attendance. The clerk asks Duthie to clarify if this deficiency in staff was entirely due to illness or partially the Board’s fault.
- G F Duthie, 14th Jan 1901. Kittybrewster Public School. Occasional holidays are useful breaks to relieve long sessions and give greater stimulus to work. If children can look forward to going home or attending the Timmer Market, closing the school “is the minimum of educational loss”. Between 1872 to 1898 the regulations enabled Duthie to use half holidays as enticements. Sees being able to set holidays himself as a benefit and in his experience, “parents who decry teachers about holidays as a rule are those whose children seem to need more holidays than any others”. Thinks however that the Flitting Term day would be a lost holiday due to its busyness. Discusses other holidays, their benefits, and calls Woodside’s old Aulton Market the area’s Timmer Market equivalent.
- George F Duthie, 28th Jan 1901. Kittybrewster Public School. Sending a cheque for £5 12s in Music fees.
- G F Duthie, 30th Jan 1901. Kittybrewster School. Sending a cheque for £1 9s 11d covering copies sold, book profits, and sewing (breakdown given).
- G F Duthie, 4th Feb 1901. Causewayend Public School. Expresses his “high appreciation” of the message sent to the pupils – “it’s the finest thing I have read in connection with the sad event which has been occupying all mind in its substance, style, and appropriateness”. [Possibly referring to the death of Queen Victoria on the 22nd Jan?].
- G F Duthie, 4th Feb 1901. Kittybrewster Public School. Unclear but seems to refer to an error made in form filling which was not made known to the Board and impacted the work of an inspector.
- G F Duthie, 13th Feb 1901. Kittybrewster Public School, head teacher. Mary Chree [?] obtained her Merit Certificate at the Central School in June 1899.
- G F Duthie, 27th Feb 1901. Kittybrewster Public School. Sending cash for £1 5s to cover profits on books, copies sold, and exercises (breakdown given). |