| Description | 1/11/1903-20/1/1904
John C Anderson to Thomas Hector Esq Ferryhill Evening School 3/12/1903
Letter regarding attendance in wood working and gymnastics classes and suggesting that the girls’ gymnastics class be discontinued due to irregular attendance.
Jessie S Anderson to Mr Hector Central Public School 19/11/1903
Letter explaining absence from school.
J D Anderson to School Board Ferryhill Public School 27/11/1903
Letter explaining overspend of 8/10d on books for the school library. “I feel sure that the Board will not boggle over a bagatelle.”
Catherine A Anderson to Thomas Hector Esq Central Public School undated
Letter explaining absence from school.
J D Anderson to School Board Ferryhill Public School 5/11/1903
Memorandum recommending equipment – barometer, thermometer and rain gauge.
J D Anderson to School Board Ferryhill Public School 26/11/1903
Letter recommending that the Science Room be included as a class room in the attendance and that this would mean that the monthly attendance would be reported as 870 rather than 809.
John C Anderson to Thomas Hector Esq Ferryhill Public School 7/1/1904
Letter applying for any Headmastership which may arise through promotions to Ashley Road School. Mentions that he has been second master at Ferryhill for sixteen years and is the senior second master in the Board’s service.
James C Barnett to Thomas Hector Esq Middle Public School 8/1/1903
Letter including details of pupils who had left school while under legal obligation to attend. Mentions pupils: E Cummings, H Gordon, Jane Martin, E C Howitt, E Thomson.
James C Barnett to Thomas Hector Esq Middle Public School 25/11/1903
Letter about dancing classes. “The pleasure and profit of a course of dancing would be much appreciated here by both the pupils and parents, but the fees though exceedingly low, are prohibitive for the great proportion of the families attending this school.”
Jessie W Blake to School Board undated
Letter explaining absence form school through illness.
Margaret Beattie to Thomas Hector Esq 4/12/1903
Letter enclosing medical certificate and requesting reappointment to staff teaching infants.
Emily R J Bisset to Thomas Hector Esq 11/11/1903
Letter detailing qualifications obtained at training college.
James C Barnett to School Board Middle Public School 10/1/1904
Letter regarding Drill Instruction at the school, recommending appointment a of specialised teacher and stating that “what we require in the Middle School is a gymnasium in which the children could be drilled without shaking the partitions below and making such a din as to render the ordinary class work a matter of much difficulty.”
Duncan Clarke to Mr Hector Girls’ High Evening School 15/12/1903
Letter discussing the merits of the Scotch Education Department certificate which “falls immeasurably short” compared to the Society of Arts certificate.
J Campbell to Rev Gordon J Murray Walker Road Public School 15/12/1903
Letter recommending staff for promotion from Junior to Senior school and suggesting increased salary for Miss JS Nilson, Miss A Hay, Miss Blake, Miss Scott, Miss Chalmers and Miss Rennie.
David Christie to Thomas Hector Esq Central School 9/1/1904
Letter applying for any second mastership which may become vacant and detailing qualifications and experience.
Mary E Croll to School Board Holburn Street Public School 11/1/1904
Letter requesting transfer to any school nearer to home.
JF Cruickshank to School Board Mile End Public School 20/11/1903
Letter about Dancing classes – reports that attendance is down from an average of 50 to 38 thought to be due to the Rubislaw children not being able to afford fees.
Bessie Shepherd Cardno to Thomas Hector Esq Central Public School 18/11/1903
Letter explaining absences from school.
JF Carmichael to The Clerk of the Board Aberdeen Grammar School 2/12/1903
Letter noting that the Board had not given notice in the previous session that they would be stopping the 40/- award for prizes to pupils in the building classes and that this was therefore a hardship to those students who were expecting that prizes would be given.
J Campbell to Thomas Hector Esq Walker Road Public School 9/11/1903
Letter in support of teacher Miss Jessie Nilson who is in charge of the Supplementary class and should therefore be receiving a greater salary.
Janet M Calder to Thomas Hector Esq 19/11/1903
Letter replying to note stating that she was absent from school due to illness.
J Campbell to Thomas Hector Esq Walker Road Public School 5/11/1903
Letter pointing out that the school now has 200 pupils in each of the sections and that these can be expected to move through to the Supplementary classes in coming years. There are only two rooms available and this will not be sufficient.
Duncan Clarke to Mr Hector Girls’ High Evening School 11/11/1903
Letter of complaint regarding the New Cookery Room and a dispute between the teachers from the day school and evening school over the use of the drawers.
J Campbell to Thomas Hector Esq Walker Road Public School 13/11/1903
Letter detailing books necessary for the amended syllabus in the Industrial Course.
J Campbell to Thomas Hector Esq Walker Road Public School 11/11/1903
Comments on the proposed syllabus in Mechanics and the need for additional equipment.
J Campbell to Thomas Hector Esq Walker Road Public School 19/11/1903
Letter requesting reference for Miss Maggie Hay who is applying for a situation in South Africa
Duncan Clarke to Mr Hector Girls’ High School 2/11/1903
Letter recommending the appointment of Miss Frances Arthur as a machinist for the Dressmaking class.
John Craigen to Thomas Hector Esq Aberdeen Grammar School 19/11/1903
Letter apologising for illness and raising issues to be brought to the School Board meeting. Discusses fees charged to pupils to view the picture “Ecce Homo” and encloses a letter from HF Morland Simpson which discusses the failings of the heating system in the Grammar School and options for its replacement.
Annie B Crach to Thomas Hector Esq 7/11/1903
Letter enclosing a copy of a note from Dr Ogilvy of the Church of Scotland Training College which details her qualifications from the College.
Ethel Duthie to Thomas Hector Esq Central School 17/11/1903
Letter explaining absences from school.
Jessie C Donaldson to Mr Hector 9/11/1903
Letter regarding qualifications
Edith M Dooland to Thomas Hector Esq 7/11/1903
Letter regarding qualifications
Elizabeth J Fiddes to Thomas Hector Esq 8/1/1904
Letter requesting that teacher be placed on Aberdeen’s “Preferred List” since she wishes to work in Aberdeen to live with her mother who will otherwise be alone.
James Findlay to Thomas Hector Esq Rosemount Public School 11/1/1904
Letter discussing class sizes and plans for the forthcoming year which will require an additional teacher.
George Fenton to School Board Skene Square Evening School 9/1/1903
Letter proposing the introduction of book-keeping classes
George Fenton to the members of the School Board of Aberdeen 2/1/1904
Letter applying for a role as Headmaster and summarising his experience.
William Fyfe to Aberdeen School Board Marywell St Public School 28/12/1903
Letter applying for the headmaster role at Ashley Road Public School following the recent death of the Headmaster Mr McLachlan.
W Fyfe to T Hector Esq Marywell Street Public School 24/11/1903
Letter requesting substitute teacher for Miss McCallum who will be absent for a month since her nephew has been seized with diphtheria.
Annie M Fowler to Thomas Hector Esq 17/11/1903
Letter explaining absences from school.
James Findlay to Thomas Hector Esq Rosemount Public School 7/12/1903
Letter complaining about the board transferring his staff and requesting as replacements Miss Jeannie Mitchell from St Clement St school and Miss Julia Innes of Frederick St School.
George Fenton to School Board Skene Square Evening School 2/11/1903
Letter discussing the return of fees for dressmaking classes. Pupils are returning to the class after receiving their certificates (apparently to use the sewing machines for making clothing) and are unhappy about not having their fees returned
George Fenton to School Board Skene Square Evening School 7/11/1903
Letter requesting that the Board office sends a “sharp note” to Miss Maggie M. Adams who enrolled in the Millinery Class but would not be coming back due to the size of the class which meant that she could not get enough attention. Mr Fenton considered this to be gross impertinence and a letter might convey a much-needed lesson.
A Gordon to Thomas Hector Esq Central School 19/11/1903
Letter explaining absences due to ill health.
May Gibson to Thomas Hector Esq Ferryhill School 5/11/1903
Letter explaining domestic troubles since her aunt has died and her mother is refusing food. She has been advised that to avoid a complete breakdown of her own health she should take a break from teaching until Christmas.
May Gibson to Thomas Hector Esq Ferryhill School 2/12/1903
Letter thanking Mr Hector for his reply to letter of 5th November. Reports that her mother has now also died and that she expects to be back to work after the Christmas Holidays.
Thoms C Hynd to Thomas Hector Esq King Street Public School 7/1/1904
Letter reporting that 244 boys and 140 girls had expressed an interest in swimming lessons. Separate sheet detailing the numbers from each school class.
William Hendry to Thomas Hector Esq Causwayend Evening School 18/12/1903
Letter to School Board with covering letter to Thomas Hector discussing appointment of an additional teacher and dividing classes into separate boys and girls classes. Cover letter indicates that author has already discussed this with Thomas Hector but does not wish this fact to be known by the Board.
William Hendry to Thomas Hector Esq Causwayend School 29/12/1903
Letter applying for promotion and listing qualifications, experience and accomplishments in his career. Letter appears to have been mimeographed.
Thomas Hynd to Thomas Hector Esq King Street Public School 18/11/1903
Letter discussing class sizes and timing of dancing classes
Thomas J Hynd to Thomas Hector Esq King Street Public School 3/12/1903
Letter explaining that children have been coming to school soaked by the weather and that since they have not dried out by noon it seems cruel to bring them back to school in the afternoon and to expose them to another drenching. Pupils have been told not to return in the afternoon during bad weather.
Thomas C Hynd to Thomas Hector Esq King Street Public School 21/12/1903
Letter about John Murray (born 22/2/1890) – he had been reprimanded for irregular attendance and assuming airs, his mother had complained “and spoke her mind freely” resulting in his withdrawal from school.
Thomas C Hynd to School Board King Street Public School 7/11/1903
Letter suggesting support for teachers in carrying out the proposed “Pigmentation Survey” of their pupils.
William Hendry to Thomas Hector Esq Causewayend Evening School 6/11/1903
Letter requesting additional staff because class sizes are too large. Details of class sizes included.
Thomas C Hynd to Thomas Hector Esq King Street Public School 19/11/1903
Letter discussing the issue of free books to pupils in the Supplementary Classes
William Hendry to Thomas Hector Esq Causewayend Evening School 19/11/1903
Letter on behalf of Preparatory pupils seeking permission to use school rooms to host an “at home”
Thomas C Hynd to Thomas Hector Esq King Street Public School 19/11/1903
Letter suggesting that a specialist teacher be appointed for drill lessons to increase variety of exercises and to relieve the lady teachers who were feeling the strain. Suggests that appointees could also act as Janitors or Attendance officers.
Jessie S Ironside to Thomas Hector Esq Central School 16/11/1903
Letter explaining absences from school
John R Jack to Thomas Hector Esq Skene Street Public School 11/1/1904
Letter discussing rearrangement of classes to allow a greater number of infants (who were then being refused admission) to be admitted to the school
John R Jack to School Board Skene Street Public School 2/1/1904
Letter requesting the addition of a fireplace to Room II of the infant department. “An open fire would not only serve to brighten up a somewhat dull room but would also materially add to the comfort of the children.”
John R Jack to School Board Skene Street Public School 30/11/1903
Letter regarding pianoforte lessons to pupil John Wallace who is blind.
DB Lothian to Thomas Hector Esq St Clement Street Public School 8/1/1904
Letter regarding numbers of pupils interested in swimming classes.
John Lumsden to Thomas Hector Esq King Street Public School 9/1/1903
Letter applying for vacant second mastership and detailing teaching experience.
DB Lothian to Thomas Hector Esq St Clement St Public School 18/11/1903
Letter stating that the interior arrangements of the school are not suitable for dancing classes and suggesting that a gymnasium is needed by the school.
DB Lothian to Thomas Hector Esq St Clement St Public School 15/12/1903
Letter pointing out that due to the number of events planned for early January, it will not be possible to clean the school in time for the start of term on the 4th of January.
James C MacLeod to Thomas Hector Esq Central Evening Grammar School 7/12/1903
Letter regarding small class sizes – German class has 8 pupils
James C MacLeod to Thomas Hector Esq 24/12/1903
Letter applying for vacant Headmastership
Alexander Moodie to Thomas Hector Esq Woodside Evening School 25/12/1903
Letter regarding size of Cookery classes – 13 pupils.
Alexander Moodie to Thomas Hector Esq Woodside Evening School 18/12/1903
Letter suggesting that the fees for Cookery classes be reduced to half for new pupils to keep the class going.
J Matthews to Mr Hector Central School 21/11/1903
Letter explaining absence from school due to sickness
Florence G Murray to Mr Hector Central School 17/11/1903
Letter explaining absences from school were due to sickness from measles
Jessie G Mackay to School Board High School for Girls 18/11/1903
Letter requesting Free Places in the High School for her twin nieces, recently returned from India where their father was a missionary and translator but who is now unable to work due to inflammation of the eyes.
Lizzie L Milne to Thomas Hector Esq Frederick Street School 5/11/1903
Letter detailing recently confirmed qualifications
William D McLean to Thomas Hector Esq Ashley Road School 7/1/1904
Letter applying for the vacant headmaster post at Ashley Road School and referring to previous experience for the Board.
John McBain to School Board High School for Girls 7/1/1904
Letter requesting more powerful whistles for fire drills
Margaret H McAdam to Thomas Hector Esq St Paul St School 23/12/1903
Letter stating that she is unable to take up the position offered by the Board since Mrs Skea said that “I was of no use to her unless I had previously attended music lessons”
John McLachlan to Thomas Hector Esq Ashley Road Public School 23/11/1903
Letter detailing attendance at and timing of dance classes.
John McLachlan to Thomas Hector Esq Ashley Road Public School 16/11/1903
Letter about the attendances of Miss Evelyn Davidson for the session August 1902 to June 1903
John A McHardy Woodside Public School 16/11/1903
Letter regarding the use of the Burgh Hall and the Central Hall for drill classes.
J McGregor to Mr Finlayson Old Aberdeen Public School 27/11/1903
Memorandum returning money to the Board offices which was due to parents but had not been collected. Includes note regarding Mary Stephen – her father was dead and her mother was employed at one of the mills and could not leave her work to collect the money.
John McKenzie to School Board Kittybrewster Public School 24/11/1903
Letter regarding complaint from Mr Watt about Miss McRobbie
J McGregor to Thomas Hector Esq Old Aberdeen Public School 23/11/1903
Letter concerning a shortage of ink – 12 gallons were delivered in June 1903
Elizabeth D Nisbet to Thomas Hector Esq Torry Public School 8/12/1903
Memorandum regarding the allowance for postage stamps. Since Torry is so far from the Board offices, the 5/- allowance is not sufficient.
John Peter to Thomas Hector Esq Commerce Street School 28/12/1903
Letter estimates that 80 to 100 pupils would join swimming classes as “a good many of the pupils belong to the sea-faring classes”
John Peter to Thomas Hector Esq Commerce Street School 7/1/1904
Further letter regarding swimming classes (see also 28/12/1903). 106 boys of 10 years and older expressed interest and 70 girls also interested.
John Peter to School Board Ashley Road School 28/12/1903
Letter applying for the vacant head master post at Ashley Road School. Letter is typed on linen paper and has been amended from use in a previous job application to Kittybrewster School.
John Peter to Thomas Hector Esq Commerce Street Public School 23/11/1903
Letter regarding dancing lessons stating that the school has no gymnasium and no other suitable rooms.
Elizabeth Philip to Thomas Hector Esq 23/11/1903
Letter explaining absences from school due to illnesses
John Ritchie to Thomas Hector Esq King Street Evening School 16/11/1903
Letter regarding class sizes in Freehand Sketching and Physical Training and suggesting that the class sizes are too large.
James Rose to Thomas Hector Esq Causewayend Public School 15/1/1904
Letter requesting a sub-committee of the Board visit the school to look into conflicts between Miss Milne (recently appointed sewing mistress) and other staff.
Will Robertson to School Board Ashley Road Public School 21/12/1903
Letter applying for the vacant head master post at the school and detailing qualifications and experience.
Charles Reid to School Board 4/1/1904
Letter applying for any vacant second masterships that become available because of impending changes (headmaster vacancy at Ashley Road School). Details of work experience given.
John Ritchie to Thomas Hector Esq King Street Evening School 3/12/1903
Letter regarding the size of woodworking classes.
James Rose to Thomas Hector Esq Causwayend Public School 4/12/1903
Letter asking for help with accommodation especially for infants (493 enrolled and space for 320).
To Thomas Hector Esq Girls High School 27/11/1903
Letter from William Ross, George Laing, William O Welsher and William McKenzie regarding bonuses paid to Evening Class teachers when pupils passed Society of Arts examinations.
JB Spalding to Thomas Hector Esq York Street Public School 5/1/1904
Letter stating that 50 boys have expressed their desire to attend the class for acquiring the art of swimming.
P Smart to Thomas Hector Esq Frederick Street Public School 4/12/1903
Letter expressing frustration with rules around registering double attendances and noting difficulties with this for recording attendance of children who are receiving meals from the Educational Trust.
JB Spalding to Thomas Hector Esq York Street Public School 13/1/1904
Letter noting that the school is refusing new admissions due to lack of places.
HF Morland Simpson to School Board Aberdeen Grammar School 14/1/1904
Memorandum regarding school fees paid on behalf of pupil Charles Walker who had been absent from school for seven weeks
William A Stormonth to School Board 26/12/1903
Letter applying for any vacancy which may arise from the appointment of a new headmaster at Ashley Road School. Includes a summary of teaching experience.
JS Skea to Mr Hector St Paul Street Public School 4/1/1904
Letter regarding the health of Miss Ogilvie which is deteriorating because of worry about a school inspectors’ visit.
P Smart to Thomas Hector Esq Frederick Street Public School 24/12/1903
Letter applying for headmaster post at Ashley Road Public School – “I am particularly anxious to get into a more healthy locality”. Also mentions stress of dealing with overcrowding issues in other schools.
Charles Stewart to Mr Hector Gordons College 2/12/1903
Letter regarding classes with low attendance – German, Photography, Masonry and Brickwork, Botany and Road Carriage Building.
P Smart to Thomas Hector Esq Frederick Street Public School 11/12/1903
Letter advocating for a change to the plans for the new school to make space for teaching of laundry work.
Alexander M Shand to T Hector Esq Frederick Street Public School 6/1/1904
Letter reminding the Board of his desire of a transfer to any position which may be available following appointment of new headmaster at Ashley Road school.
JL Skea to Thomas Hector Esq St Paul Street Public School 23/11/1903
Letter stating that previous experience with dancing classes was that it was too difficult to get the pupils to pay the fees and it was stopped after two sessions. The gymnasium is now used for drill, free-arm drawing and supplementary classes so is not available for dancing classes.
Rachel Soutar to Aberdeen School Board Skene Square School 1/12/1903
Letter requesting transfer and listing teaching experience.
JL Skea to Thomas Hector Esq St Paul Street Public School 22/12/1903
Letter with comments on new staff Miss Lizzie Stuart and Miss Jessie Ritchie
Bertha J Scorgie to Clerk of the School Board Central Public School 21/11/1903
Letter explaining absences from teaching position at the school
JL Skea to Thomas Hector Esq St Paul Street Public School 30/11/1903
Letter commenting on a request to teach Supplementary classes separately for boys and girls and including details on class sizes.
JB Spalding to School Board York Street Public School 11/11/1903
Letter acknowledging receipt of reference books:
Chambers’ English Dictionary; Chambers’ Gazetteer of the World; Green’s Short History of the English People; Sanderson’s Outlines of the World’s History; Johnston’s The World-wide Atlas
Robert Valentine to Thomas Hector Esq Hanover Street Evening School 21/12/1903
Query on behalf of Miss Blanche Gunn, pianist for the drill class who had agreed to work for 2/6d per hour but was paid only 7/6d for five week’s work.
Robert Valentine to Thomas Hector Esq 9/1/1904
Letter requesting that his name be put forward for any vacant headmastership. Details of work experience included.
AG Wallace to T. Hector Esq Central PublicSchool 24/12/1903
Letter regarding Watt Bursaries and listing recipients:
Fanny Allan; John Ritchie; William Wison; Harry Klokow; Alfred Eddie; Charles Christie; Peter Tough; Andrew Davidson; Alfred Paul; Helen Scorgie; Maggie Shivas and James Gibb.
AG Wallace to T. Hector Esq Central Public School 16/1/1903
Letter discussing proposals for a three-year course in practical science for Pupil Teachers and the practicalities of implementing this.
John Watson to School Board Mile-End School 19/1/1904
Printed letter applying for promotion to a headmastership and including details of experience and qualifications.
AG Wallace to School Board Central Public School 12/1/1904
Memorandum detailing the qualifications of Miss Isabella Jack
AG Wallace to T Hector Esq Central Public School 2/1/1904
Letter listing the qualifications of Miss A R Duncan
AG Wallace to T. Hector Esq Central Public School 18/12/1903
Letter suggesting Miss Lizzie Stewart as a candidate for a Pupil Teacher role and listing her qualifications.
Helen J Walker to Mr Hector Central Public School 19/11/1903
Letter explaining absences from school due to illnesses
AG Wallace to T Hector Esq Central Public School 20/11/1903
Letter with comments on the suitability of Miss Agnes Cargill and Miss Evelyn Davidson for teaching roles. Miss Cargill has neither the manner nor the physique of a suitable teacher.
AG Wallace to T Hector Esq Central Public School 7/12/1903
Letter commenting on the suitability of candidate pupil teachers:
MH McAdam; AL Fraser; Eliza Pirie; Jessie A Ritchie; Emily Lawson; Edith M Fraser; Henrietta Cheyne
Janet Weir to Thomas Hector Esq 9/11/1903
Letter including a list of her teaching qualifications |