| Description | 1/6/1902-15/9/1902
J.D Anderson, 5th September 1902, (Ferryhill Public School) : Relating to class sizes, “We have 145 Pupils in class III with space for only 127”.
J.D Anderson, 25th August 1902, (Ferryhill Public School): Reccomends the appointment of a ‘medical man’ at the school after a case where a child was believed to have been suffering from ringworm, but was later proven to have alopecia.
J.D Anderson, 12th September 1902, (Ferryhill Public School): Relates to the declined admission of one William Strachan due to overcrowding, with Anderson noting that the school is 18 pupils in excess of capacity and that “I have been warned that the Board will hold me personally responsible for any over-crowding”.
J.D Anderson, 19th August 1902, (Ferryhill Public School), Anderson defends himself against the complaint of one Mrs Meston that he was uncivil to her and accepted other children to the school while declining to admit her son Harry Meston. A letter from Mr John Meston outlining this is enclosed.
? Barnett, 26th August 1902, (Middle Public School), relating to the ‘most favourable’ performances of new student teachers at the school, including a list of student teachers and details of their examination performance. Students listed include: Samuel Ritchie, Margaret Dickie, Robina Thom, Elizabeth Ferries, Alice Thomson, Barbara Richford, Charles Williamson, Alice Hunter, Bella Reid, William Welsh, Annie Souter and Kate McKenzie.
? Barnett, 23rd June 1902, (Middle Public School), “The Special Prize for James McKenzie, the blind boy in the Merit Class, has not yet been sent. Is he to get one?”
Margaret Clark, 25th August 1902, (Northfield Public School), Noting the satisfactory performance of student teachers Florence Moray and Isabella Ross.
? Campbell, 2nd September 1902, (Walker Road Public School), Noting satisfactory performance of student teachers: Simpson Robertson, Isabella Taylor, Jessie Skinner, Bessie Hay, Maggie Adams, Jemima Mutch, and Esther Shepherd.
Georgina Cantlay (?), 24th June 1902, Request to transfer from Skene Square School to Old Aberdeen Public School, as the latter is closer to her home.
J. Carmichael, 15th August 1902, Requesting that the Board employ her son A.W Carmichael as an evening class teacher specializing in Woodwork at Broomhill School.
? Campbell, 20th August 1902, (Walker Road Public School), Recommending the promotion of Misses Scott and Chalmers.
? Campbell, 20th August 1902, (Walker Road Public School), Discussing the reorganisation of staff positions, mentioning a Miss Mackie by name.
Duncan Clarke, 6th September 1902, (School not named), Requesting the replacement of three ‘Hammond’ typewriting machines with newer models as they are considered out of date; “pupils consider it a waste of time to study a keyboard they may never in their daily work be called on to use”.
Sylvia Cook, 7th June 1902, Requesting a transfer from the Junior Division of Broomhill School to the Senior Division of another school.
Charles Davidson, 5th June 1902, Enquires about the possibility of including a Spanish tutor in any of the schools under the Board’s control, including his own application.
George Duthie, 6th June 1902, (Kittybrewster Public School), Reporting the results of a previous enquiry by Thomas Hector to see if any of the pupils live closer to Old Aberdeen Primary School than Kittybrewster, presumably in regards to issues around capacity. Duthie reports that only 8 pupils live closer to Old Aberdeen.
M.I Fiddes, 4th September 1902, Applying for a position as Assistant Teacher of Cookery for Evening Classes in the Winter Session of 1902 (specific school is not named).
Alexander Forbes, 4th September 1902, An accompanying reference for the above application of Miss Mary Isabella Fiddes which tells us more about her; she worked in the office of Thomas Hector for around five years before leaving to pursue a qualification in Cookery with the aim of becoming a teacher in the subject. She is “largely dependent on her own means” and lives with her mother at 18 Grosvenor Place.
Alexander Forbes, 25th August 1902, (Skene Street Public School) Report on Pupil Teachers, with the following teachers named: Miss Stewart, “has in every respect given entire satisfaction and I cannot say more than that it would give me the greatest pleasure to see her again as a member of my staff”; Miss Crane, “has wakened up a little and takes a better grip of both class and lesson, an improvement which we hope to see continue”; Miss Ross, “entirely satisfactory”Miss Cheyne, “gives great promise of proving an efficient teacher”, and Miss Cameron, who “as far as one can judge by a fortnight’s service, appears in every way fit”.
W. Fyfe, 21st August 1902, (Marywell Street Public School), Report on Pupil Teachers, being named and graded: Agnes Mutch, Annie Bothwell, Isobel Wyness, Also notes the new appointment of Miss Janet Calder to the school.
James Findlay, 26th August 1902, (St. Clement Street Public School), Notes favourably the conduct of student teachers Marion Donald and Elsie Milne, both of whom “are giving evidence of being possessed of superior teaching ability”.
George Fenton, 2nd September 1902, (Holburn Street Evening School), Refers to the proposed opening of a new evening school elsewhere in the city, which Fenton claims will lead to the closure of his school. He reminds the School Board that “when I placed my services in the Board’s hands in connection with Holburn I abandoned the prosecution of my studies for a science degree which I had then proceeded with so far”.
Margaret Fraser, 30th June 1902, Applying for the extension of her apprenticeship period as a Pupil Teacher for another year as she had missed much of the previous year due to ill health and was unable to sit the Entrance Examinations for full qualification as a teacher.
James Findlay, 19th August 1902, (St Clement Street Public School), Notes the swapping of places of Miss Quin and Miss Cheyne, with the more-experienced Miss Quin being transferred to the Senior Division of the School to assist in the teaching of the 4th class, which has 91 Pupils.
W. Fyfe, 24th June 1902, (Marywell Street Public School), Notes the departure of Miss Elizabeth Watt from the school, informing Clerk Thomas Hector that he expects her to report to him in August for another position at a different school. Fyfe notes that Watt “has helped us very consistently in our special difficulty with Class V. She has been very attetie and very careful and as a Teacher promises well.”
W. Fyfe, 4th June 1902, (Marywell Street Public School), Informs the Clerk that there have been no successful applications from his school for the Grammar School Free Places scheme this year, although several pupils did sit examinations for Bursaries at Robert Gordon’s School and are awaiting their results.
Alexander Green, 22nd August 1902, (Skene Square Public School), Report on the Conduct of Pupil Teachers: Misses Finnie, Laing, and Mortimer have worked “most favourably”. “Miss Ada Fraser has now retired – a step which she took without any opposition or regret”…Miss Phillips and Mr Reid are doing excellent work…Misses Anderson, Cameron & Gray are all doing very well, though it is regretted that, owning to weakness of constitution, Miss Anderson’s attendance has been a good deal broken…though at the time of appointment I had grave doubts as to Mr Cruikshank’s fitness for a teaching career, I am very pleased to be able to report on him now quite favourably.”
Alexander Green, 5th July 1902, (Skene Square Public School), Referring to the request from Miss Cantlay to transfer from Skene Square to Old Aberdeen due to it being closer to her home; asks for a new Assistant Teacher as upon Miss Cantlay’s departure this would become “not only desirable but almost a necessity”.
Gustav Hein, 28th August 1902, (High School for Girls), Noting the teaching of Modern Languages Evening Classes at the school, with German being taught by Mr Hein and French by Mr Morrison. Fees for the classes had yet to be decided.
Gustav Hein, 9th June 1902, (High School for Girls), Noting the “crudeness” of the timetable that prevents students taking both English and French or German, forcing those who wish to do so either to take evening classes or go to other schools like Gordon’s. Hein advises the Clerk to consult the timetabling of other schools like Gordon’s that appear to manage to offer these subjects simultaneously with no similar issues.
William Hendry, 9th September 1902, (Causewayend Evening School), Questioning the omission of one James Cowie from the special prize list for Intermediate Arithmetic, noting that “of this capability I have not the slightest doubt” of his eligibility for the prize.
J.C.H, 10th September 1902, (King Street Public School), Noting the “extremely regular” and “very high” attendance this term, with the 96% attendance rate being the highest the school had recorded.
Gustav Hein, 4th June 1902, (High School for Girls), Requesting a wage increase in his capacity as German Master; “I received my last increase 5 years ago and as I have now been in the service of the Board for over 20 years, I venture to suggest that my salary might be raised”.
William Jack, 26th August 1902, (Porthill Public School), Replying to an enquiry about the conduct of Pupil Teachers at the school, Jack notes that: “I am happy to be able to say that the conduct of Miss Helen Railt, Miss Mary Shackle, and Miss Isabella Jack has in every way been satisfactory and that they are also making good progress in acquiring the art of teaching…With reference to Miss Elizabeth H. Pevie who finished her apprenticeship in June I cannot speak quite so favourably. While no exception can be taken to her demeanour in school she did not show the same energy and aptitude in teaching as others who were much her junior.”
William Johnston, 2nd September 1902, (Broomhill Public School), Suggesting the teaching of an evening class in ‘Practical Arithmetic for Artisans’, which Johnston had taught at other schools in the area previously.
G. Marr, 29th August 1902, Application by Miss Marr for a teaching post with a copy of her testimonials and references.
Alexander Maudie, 15th September 1902, (Woodside Evening School), Asking for the Clerk to grant admission for some of Maudie’s 14-year old pupils who have recently achieved Merit Certificates and would like to attend additional evening classes but have no grant money available for them.
A.G Wallace, 17th September 1902, (Central Public School), Regarding the request of Miss Jessie Milne to be reinstated in her former position as Sewing Mistress at the school, Wallace claims that “her discipline was exceedingly weak, she having very little over the class” and that her successor, Miss Robertson, was a superior teacher who should remain in her post.
William McLean, 26th August 1902, (Hanover Street School), names the current roll of Pupil Teachers at the school before discussing their conduct and abilities in detail. The teachers discussed include: Jessie Anderson, Mary McCallum, Mary Ross, Agnes McBain, and Elsie Gray.
M. Gregor, 22nd August 1902, (Old Aberdeen Public School), report on the standard of Pupil Teachers at the school.
John McHardy, 22nd August 1902, (Woodside School), List of Pupil Teachers at the school, including: James Souter, Fanny Allan, Annie Stewart, Christina Wilson, Edith Wallace, John Cameron, Helen Jones, and Mary Skinner.
John Mclachlan, 22nd August 1902, (Ashley Road Public School), “I beg to intimate that Miss Margaret Milne, Candidate Pupil-teacher, is fulfilling my best wishes and is giving indication of being a capable and successful teacher”.
? Bain (?), 12th September 1902, (High School for Girls), Long report on the “improved prospects” of the school. Areas of discussion include the unauthorised withdrawal of students, collection of fees, staff absences, and examinations.
M. Gregor, 12th September 1902, (Old Aberdeen Public School), Complains of the poor quality of two teachers, Misses Webster & Morrice; “very weak in disclipine and fail to keep their classes in anything like satisfactory order…I have intimated to them today that unless a considerable improvement in the management of their classes is observable within the next week or two I shall be compelled in the interests of the school to ask the Board to relieve me of their services.”
Margaret McCallum, 9th September 1902, (Marywell Public School), Requesting to transfer from Marywell Public School to any other of the Board’s school near her neighbourhood.
Isabella Petrie, 11th June 1902, (Hanover Street School), Requesting a transfer to a school in the West End of the City (to an Infant Room position if possible).
Jane McKeggie, 27th August 1902, (Causewayend School), Requesting a transfer away from Causewayend School. She notes that she has worked for several years in East-End schools and would like a transfer to a school “in the Rosemount or an equally healthy district” of the city.
John McLachlan, 2nd July 1902, (Ashley Road School), Recommends either Miss Mary Rattray or Miss Leanie McKay upon the resignation of Miss Cobban.
John McHardy, 13th August 1902, (Woodside Public School), Commenting on the poor state of amenities at the school, in particular relating to the state of the playground and access to W.C facilities.
John Bain (?), , 20th June 1902, (High School for Girls), Comments that the standards required for the High School Scholarship are “vague and meaningless”, proposing that they be clarified. The Subjects included in the Scholarship Examination are English, French, German, Latin and Mathematics.
Elizabeth Whisket (?), 9th June 1902, (Torry Public School), Proposes the introduction of a basic Cookery class for Boys who will most likely be pursuing a career at sea after their education.
Elizabeth Whisket (?), 8th September 1902, (Torry Public School), Counsels the Board against the transference of Miss Smith away from the school, citing the other staff issues the school faces: “Miss Richards, Miss McGregor and Miss Park have been transferred. Miss Grant, Miss Gray and Miss Thomson have resigned and another resignation is pending.”
John Peter, 5th June 1902, (Commerce Street Public School), Requesting the repainting of the walls in the school and replacing of window-blinds in the classrooms “as they are all in a very dilapidated condition.
Alex W. Poff, 8th September 1902, (Broomhill Public School), Requesting resignation upon offer of appointment at Grey College, Bloemfontein.
Will Robertson, 25th August 1902, (Westfield Public School), Report on teachers: Miss Forbes, Miss Gray, Miss Duncan, and Miss Moir.
Jas Rose, 3rd September 1902, (Causewayend Public School), Commendation for apprentices: H G. Dundie, Nellie Wishart, Jeannie G. Morgan, Alice Coy, Amelia McGregor, Jeannie Matthews.
J S Skea, 20th August 1902, (St Paul Street Public School), Report on pupil teachers: Annie Adams, Chrissie Henderson; Georgina Farquhar, Bella Shewan; Rachel Mathieson, Jessie Ironside.
J S Skea, 26th August, 1902, (St Paul Street Public School), Complaint forwarded by a janitor regarding boys from the street climbing the fence and damaging the wall and girls’ lavatory.
J S Skea, 26th August 1902, (St Paul Street Public School), Detail on the storage and handing out of textbooks for students.
P. Smart, 19th August, 1902, (Frederick Street Public School), Letter to Mr. Hector. Mentions a number of students from the school in the country for Fresh Air Fortnight.
J B Spalding, 10th June 1902, (York Street Public School), Letter to Mr. Hector regarding an inquiry into the apprenticeship of boys from this school, recommendation regarding proposal from the School Board.
William Stromouth, 15th September 1902, (Walker Road Evening School), Letter regarding the transfer of Miss Cruickshank to Torry School due to low class numbers.
Annie Walker, 11th June 1902, (Kittybrewster School), Letter to Mr. Hector regarding the attainment of a First Class Certificate for Dressmaking from the Educational Trust School, King St., Aberdeen.
A G Wallace, 19th August 1902, (Central Public School), Letter to Mr. Hector regarding the increase of students on the roll from 386 in the previous year to 536, and need for further accommodations.
A G Wallace, 25th August 1902, (Central Public School), Letter to Mr. Hector regarding the application of a Miss James and her qualifications.
A G Wallace, 4th September 1902, (Central Public School), Letter to Mr. Hector regarding a Watt Bursary student having not entered as a student at this school, having left for America.
A G Wallace, 8th September 1902, (Central Public School), Letter to Mr. Hector regarding sending two classes to the East Halls, one class of 50 girls and one of 43 girls and 15 boys.
A G Wallace, 9th September 1902, (Central Public School), Letter to Mr. Hector regarding the class sizes after an advance of 101 pupils from the previous year, request for two additional teachers.
R Watson, 1st September 1902, (Broomhill Public School), Letter explaining the use of the Britannia Readers as supplementary material to the History Reader, as recommended by H. M. Inspector.
Georgina M. Wilson, 2nd September 1902, (Torry Public School), Application for transfer from Torry Public School to Rosemount Public School or any school in the west end of the city with vacancy available.
Also,
M. Simpson, Aberdeen Grammar School. 5th June 1902. Commendation following a request for increase in salary by a Mr. Knox, on the basis of the quality of his conduct, and a change in his position.
M. Simpson, Aberdeen Grammar School. 6th June 1902. List of candidates for Leaving Certificate, particularly mentioning Douglas G. Robb, transfer of Blackheath Proprietary School.
More M. Simpson letters in this group to be evaluated at a later time.)
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