| Description | 21/1/1904-31/3/1904
Allie C. Adam (15th February 1904) wrote a letter thanking the board for sending Miss Anderson as a substitute for her duties due to her father being severely ill.
H. Campbell (29th March 1904) [Walker Road Public School] Letter requesting that the replacement for Mr. Wilkie is not a male assistant but that it should be considered an opportunity to promote a junior teacher to the senior grade, mentioning Miss M. Webster as a possible candidate.
Duncan Clarke (31st March 1904) [Commerce Street Public School] Letter titled ‘Special difficulty schools’ suggests that this school should be considered one of special difficulty as it is ‘badly constructed, heated and ventilated.’ It goes on to list several specific issues relating to school rooms, which overall affect the standard of teaching.
Harry Bell (1st March 1904) [Walker Road Public School] Titled ‘Clothing Association’ notes that they have a surplus of donated clothing for well-off families and seeks advice on what best to do with these clothes.
Unknown (15th February 1904) [Walker Road Public School] Letter updating the board on several pupils. (1) E. Watt has been marked as ‘left’ as of the 10th March 1903, and the girl was examined but failed to receive a merit certificate. She then left the school and did not return, and any attempts to contact her were met with parents who claimed illness. (2) M. Reynolds was marked as having left on 21st August 1903 and could not contact us to obtain a reason for absence. (3) E. Buchan, marked as left, now resides in Peterhead.
H. Campbell (16th February 1904) [Walker Road Public School] Letter regarding a student called Peter Caie(?) and issue regarding his registration at the school
H. Campbell (21st January 1904) [Walker Road Public School] A request to use school property for several dances that are to be organised. Acknowledges the board's hesitations through sites' previous uses of the school’s gymnasium for an ‘at home.’ Asserts that if granted, the events would be managed by himself with strict care to maintain the building.
Thomas Duncan (4th March 1904) is a request for employment to the school board. It provides a brief employment history that includes both the Grammer School and Mile End School and suitable references.
W. B Duguid (29th February 1904) [Kittybrewster Evening School] Titled ‘Certificates for 1902-03’ Notes that the school has received several inquiries regarding missing certificates for the previous session and that this is causing some anxiety amongst the students. It goes on to request the practicalities for getting the certificates and notes possible issues in doing so.
Agnes F. Emery(?) (2nd March 1904) [Mile-End Public School] A request for a salary increase cites several reasons, including length of service, which stands at 28 years. She also notes her overall character and experience and supporting reasons.
George Feuton (29th February 1904) [Skene Square Evening School]: Titled ‘Certificates,’ this is a response to the board's instruction regarding the distribution of certificates. The author provides suggestions as to possible ways of going about this based on previous experiences.
Alexander Forbes (3rd February 1904) [Holburn Street Public School] Letter titled ‘School Library’ requesting the use of unclaimed funds to be used towards the schools’ library
Alexander Forbes (9th March 1904) [Holburn Street Public School] Letter regarding changes being made to room altercation due to proposed maintenance
George Fenton (2nd February 1904) [Skene Square Evening School] Letter regarding the school fees of Jordon(?) Morrison. His mother has argued for clearing of said fees due to hardship; however, though the hardship is acknowledged, his attendance at school until the middle of November is sighted as a reason to recommend half fees.
A. Green (17th March 1904) [Skene Square Pubic School] Letter titled ‘Children of Defective Intellect’ regarding a pupil named George McLead(?). The letter seeks guidance on what should be done with the aforementioned child as due to the death of his mother and ‘mental deterioration’, he is unfit to either attend school or look after himself
William Hardy (2nd February 1904) [Causewayend Evening School] Letter responding to proposed changes to be made to the curriculum. The author has reservations about several of the changes, including the separation of History and Geography and issues regarding English certification. Notes his opposition to continued unwarranted advice from above.
William Hardy (8th February 1904) [Causewayend Evening School] Letter relaying the author’s opinions on the issue of certificates. Among his recommendations, he notes all certificates be dropped except for pupils in Preparatory Classes.
D. B Lothian (21st March 1904) [St. Clement Street Public School] Letter titled ‘Temporary Accommodation’. Notes the adequacy of East End Mission Hall for two classes with a dividing curtain. Propose that the aforementioned location also would be ideal for the two Frederick St Classes currently in St Clement Barracks.
D. B Lothian (29th March 1904) [St. Clement Street Public School] Letter titled ‘Grading of teachers. Note that all teachers in the abovementioned school comply with the board’s handbook. However, do make note that Miss Jeannie B. Taylor (Grade 2 B) is currently doing work considered to be Grade 2 (A). This was, however, done with the approval of the Sub-Committee.
D. B Lothian (11th March 1904) [St. Clement Street Public School] Letter regarding the question of temporary accommodation during reconstruction. He lists several possible locations within the vicinity of the school.
D. B Lothian (29th February 1904) [St. Clement Street Public School] Letter regarding changes being made to teaching arrangements at the school due to the transfer of Miss Annie Cheyne to the Middle School.
Harry MacCallum (5th February 1904) [Abbey Road School] Letter outlining the author’s reasons for promotion to the position of second headmastership. Highlights his qualifications, which include serving his apprenticeship as a Pupil teacher in Porthill School, leading him to enter training college. Notes his experience at numerous schools, much of which has been under the Aberdeen School board.
Alex Moodie (2nd March 1904) [Woodside Evening School] Letter regarding missing certificates from the previous session. Notes presently there are only two pupils who are without but indicates there may be more.
John McKenzie (7th March 1904) [Ashley Road Public School] Letter regarding class arrangements in response to the withdrawal of Mr. McCallum. It mentions specific issues relating to classes and highlights a preference for retaining the services of a Miss Nisbet.
John A. McHardy (11th February 1904) [Woodside Public School] Letter explaining his reason for closing the school early. These include fumes coming from the steam pipes and the burning of naphtha nearby. The result of this was damaging the health of several teachers.
John A. McHardy (29th February 1904) [Woodside Public School] Letter explaining why 3 pupils left school before the age of 14. Notes that the pupils [Annie Pirie(?), Maggie Grieg] were both absent for extended periods due to illness with medical certificates provided. Lizzie Hunter was 14 when she left with her records showing an incorrect birth date.
Elizabeth D. Nesbit (29th January 1903) [Torry Public School] Letter titled Sarah Cameron. The letter describes an incident that occurred in which Sarah had been ‘struck and marked’ by an assistant teacher in the infant’s department due to a failure to do as she was told. The letter notes that a further incident occurred in which it claimed that she was hit in the face with a pointer however, these claims Sarah confirmed were a lie. The letter confirms that Mr. Cameron, Sarah’s father, is aware of the incidents.
J. A(?) Rose (11th March 1904) [Causewayend Public School] Letter regarding provision for classes that are conducted outside school grounds. Notes that currently, a division of the school is being taught in a different location, located 5 minutes from the school. Notes, however, the infant’s mistress is unable to be present at that location all the time, and an influx of new students requires that Miss McDonald take up the role in the area and increase her salary accordingly.
P(?). Smart (21st March 1904) [Frederick Street Public School] Letter providing an assessment of the building in the vicinity of the school to house classes because of the proposed school reorganisation to occur in June. Outlines the specifics of several buildings and their suitability, concluding only two suits meet the requirements. It concludes that his desire to retain the ‘Barracks’ that the school is already using would be preferable.
P(?). Smart (18th March 1904) [Frederick Street Public School] Letter regarding a complaint made against the school’s pupils for making a mess of Mr Middleton’s door and window. Notes the issues were currently being dealt with by the police but clarified that the damage may not be a result of the school infants but instead other children who are known to play on the specific street. The letter concludes with a rebuke of Mr. Middleton's accusation of indifference to the matter.
Edith J. Stewart (29th March 1904) [Torry Public School] Letter requesting a transfer away from the aforementioned school. Notes the significant distance between her home and the school, the financial burden of transport, and the deterioration of her health as supporting reasons.
L.(?) S Skea (11th March 1904) [St. Paul Street Public School] Letter titled ‘School Library’ notes after recent inspection a lot of the school books need replacing and recommends getting the catalogue printed so every child in the supplementary class may have a copy to be returned upon leaving. It goes on to provide an estimation of the numbers involved.
L.(?) S. Skea (18th March 1904) [St Paul Street Public School] Letter providing a recommendation for salary increases amongst the school's staff. It provides 3 possible recipients of an increase: Miss Lyra, Miss Kidd, and Miss Emily McKenzie(?). It provides a brief account as to why these individuals deserve their increase.
J. B. Spalding (29th March 1904) [York Street Public School] Letter noting that two pupils in the school have a confirmed case of ringworm and that both have been refused admission as neither set of parents has provided a medical certificate to indicate they have overcome the condition.
Joan Shard(?) (1st March 1904) Letter requesting a senior position under the Aberdeen School Board. She provides an outline of her previous experience, which includes an apprenticeship in Causeway School and sixteen years as a junior certificated teacher at King Street School. She goes on to note both her educational background and her overall abilities.
Charles Stewart (21st March 1904) [Gordon’s College Aberdeen] Letter regarding classes being prolonged into the Summer. The author notes that only Mr. Webster has made such proposals and that any proposal had been made, being his understanding with the consent of the board. It concludes with a glowing assessment of Mr. Webster's character.
H. F Morland Simpson (11th February 1904) [Aberdeen Grammer School] Letter regarding the deteriorating health of Miss Adams [a teacher at the Grammer School] father. It requests a substitute teacher to allow her to care for him, she notes that this is unlikely to be for a long period.
L.(?) S. Skea (18th February 1904) [St. Paul Street Public School] Letter referring to a previous letter regarding funds to replace unsatisfactory books. The letter notes the proposed cost of such a purchase and reasons why it is necessary.
H. F Morland Simpson (5th February 1904) [Aberdeen Grammer School] Letter titled ‘Physical Commission’
David Symore(?) (28th January 1904) [Central Public School] Letter regarding the teaching of free drawing at Holburn Street School. Notes that the freeing of the Gymnasium now makes room for blackboard drawing and requests the board make provision available for such. Also, he notes that the headmaster would be willing to make arrangements in the timetable for such classes.
L.(?) S Skea (1st February 1904) [St. Paul Street Public School] Letter regarding Miss Lyra, the school’s cookery teacher. It notes that she has ‘broken down again’, referencing a previous occasion in which her doctor noted her as being ‘overworked.’ The author notes the reason for her heavy workload and other related factors.
Unknown Author (22nd March 1904) [Central Public School] Letter titled ‘Pupils leaving at 14’ notes the procedures around allowing pupil enrolment and the advice the school gives to parents about the child's suitability in certain occupations. Provides an extension list of former pupils and their current employment status, split between girls and boys. Goes on to lay out the arrangements made for pupils who do not remain beyond the compulsory age.
R. Watson (18th March 1904) [Bromhill Public School] Letter referring to accident that occurred between to pupils Robert Keir and George Moad which resulted in significant injury to Robert’s leg.
A. G Wallace (5th March 1904) [Central Public School] Letter regarding the salary of Miss Robertson and request for an increase. The letter provides a description of her responsibilities at the school and the number of years of service. While highlighting her experience out with the school.
A. G Wallace (25th February 1904) [Central Public School] Letter titled ‘King’s Scholarship Exam 1903’ provides an overview of the numbers who sat the exam and details of pass and fail grades. It goes on to note that pupils from the school did exceptionally well in these examinations, and subsequently, any grants earned from the results should be given to the school.
A. G Wallace (8th February 1904) [Central Public school] Letter titled ‘Watt Bursaries’ provides a list of the male pupils who took the last quarterly examination and who are not currently bursars. Those on the list it recommends deserving of the Watt Bursary. Notes it would be possible, if necessary, to issue a special examination to determine the recipient.
A. R. Watson (8th May 1903) [Bromhill Public School] letter titled ‘James Couper case’ reports the striking of the child by a teacher with a pointer. Notes the result of which forced the child to go home for reasons of feeling ill.
A. G Wallace (4th February 1904) [Central Public School] Letter titled ‘Watt Bursaries’ notes that the bursary currently does not have a recipient |