| Description | 2/7/1905-30/9/1905
• Helen. A Brands (18th August 1905) Letter requesting a return to her previous role on the Aberdeen School Board, after resigning from the current role in London due to ill health.
• J. Barclay (19th August 1905) Letter regarding the enrolment of two students at Central High-Grade School. And due to the school overcrowding their admission has been rejected. As such she is advocating for the student’s enrolment to not be affected by the fact, they are county pupils as opposed to city pupils
• James Campbell (16th August 1905) [Marywell Street Public School] Note regarding defective lighting previously highlighted in another letter [5th of May] and the effect this is having on the pupil education
• James Campbell (18th August 1905) [Marywell Street Public School] Memorandum relating Miss Sophia Robertson’s candidacy for her leaving certificates. Highlighting success in English, French and Mathematics examinations. Frances M. Jameson (31st August 1905) Letter informing school board of passage of her exams (Acting teachers’ certificate)
• Mary J. Carnie (5th September 1905) letter requesting promotion to the headship in the Millinery department. Outlines her suitability for the role, highlighting both her experience of the subject at Hanover Street School and her certificate from the city of London Guild Institute
• (?). Carter (9th September 1905) Letter applying for a job within Aberdeen. Noting his experience at Northfield School and further experience outside Aberdeen
• James. Campbell (14th September 1905) [Marywell Street Public School] Letter 1: raises issues in staffing cookery lessons with Mrs Hislops needing help to do the role. Letter 2: a solution to the staffing issue with Miss Goodhand taking up the role has been found.
• Grace B. Christie (20th September 1905) letter informing the school board of the passage of her second-year examination for acting teachers
• Elizabeth Combrie (6th September 1905) requested a transfer from Skene St. School to one near her home as Northfield is deemed ‘very inconvenient’
• James Campbell (28th September 1905) [Marywell Street Public School] Letter notifying several changes in the arrangements regarding their Sewing Instructor with Miss Watson leaving and Miss Henry taking up said role. The letter continues by highlighting her availability. And how her said availability does not match that of her predecessor resulting in a loss of ‘2 hours of instruction a week’. It also references previous timetable issues relating to cookery teaching.
• James Campbell (29th September 1905) [Marywell Street Public School] Letter referencing his anxiety regarding the loss of capable teachers at Marywell Street Public School and noting specifically Miss Middleton’s appointment at the Central School. And goes on to highlight Miss M. J. Duncan of Walker Road School as a suitable replacement.
• Duncan Clarke (19th September 1905) [Commence Street Public School] letter requesting that those teachers dispossessed be transferred due to the promotion of a Mr Littlejohn. And that such teachers such receive a pay rise. The example given is Miss Clark, who, as mentioned above, formally served six years at Fredricks St. School.
• John. F Cruickshank (13th September 1905) [Mile-End Public School] A letter highlighting the refusal of several formally eligible students from receiving their merit certificate due to issues relating to rule changes around their age and the required time spent in education.
• John. F Cruickshank (20th September 1905) [Mile-End Public School] The continuation of the previous letter further highlights the effects of the rule changes on many students.
• Duncan Clarke (20th September 1905) [Commerce Street Public School] Regarding ‘Supplementary Pupils’ and highlighting possible vacancies at both Hanover Street and Fredrick Street Schools.
• Duncan Clarke (27th September 1905) [Commerce Street Public School] Relating a supplementary class noting the number of pupils accounted for and as they relate to Hanover Street & Fredrick Street Schools. It also highlights several unaccounted students giving details of the reason for their absence.
• Edith Cameron (11th August 1905) Transfer request from Hanover Street Public School to one closer to the aforementioned teacher’s home.
• James Copland (27th July 1905) Letter informing the School Board before it met of the dismissal of an unknown member of staff. It seeks clarification of the length of their notice period.
• W. B Duquire (28th September 1905) [Old Aberdeen Public School] Acknowledgement that all teachers besides Mr Wiseman can continue in post at Kittybrewster Evening School. And highlights one Mr. McGregor of Woodside School as a possible replacement.
• Wilhemina S. Dunbar (21st August 1905) Requesting a transfer from Ferryhill School to a senior division closer to home. Highlights her previous experience and indicates a preference for mathematics.
• Helen Duthie (9th September 1905) requested a transfer from Saint Paul St. School
• Alexander Forbes (24th August 1905) [Holburn Street Public School] letter relaying an incident in which a horse caused a significant injury to Charles Bires on school premises. It also notes that this is not the first such incident and recommends for safety reasons horses on school premises should be forbidden.
• Alexander Forbes (29th August 1905) [Holburn Street Public School] Letter raising the issue of unpaid payments by several pupils regarding bookcases. Later acknowledges eventual payment.
• W. Fyfe (? August 1905) [Woodside Public School] Letter informing the school board of a list of 2 pupils available for pianoforte lessons. And requesting that the board now supply both a teacher and an instrument.
• W. Fyfe (1st September 1905) [Woodside Public School] Note regarding the promotion of Barbara L. Cameron to the Senior Division Class and her pay going forward.
• W. Fyfe (29th September 1905) Letter regarding Miss Fraser [Woodside Public School] who it is noted has taken a significant number of absences due to ill health. Attached is a breakdown of days absent.
• Mrs(?) Findlay (24th August 1905) [Rosemount Public School] Note regarding the completion of the pupil-teacher apprenticeship of Miss Florence Murray and Miss Jeanne Duncan
• (?) Green (24th August 1905) [Skene Square Public School] Letter regarding the large class sizes in the school putting pressure on the school staff. It notes that in imminent further reduction in the number of pupil teaching staff from 12 to 8 within the year will necessitate the hiring of further staff including a sub-assistant.
• (?) Green (4th September 1905) [Skene Square Public School] Notes disruption has occurred involving properties adjacent to the school on Forbes Street
• (?) Green (8th September 1905) [Skene Square Public School] Letter regarding Miss Emma K. MacDonald and her proposed application to a post at Central School. However, it notes that her application should be removed in favour of staying. But that her position be formally recognised as a supplementary class teacher and given a pay reflecting such a position.
• J(?). Gillie (13th August 1905) Application to the role of teacher of French at the Aberdeen High School. Notes his ‘considerable’ experience in the subject. He notes his time living in Paris and his experience in both public and private schools alongside time spent in a training college for teachers. Lastly, he states he has a Higher certificate from the University of Cambridge.
• Thomas Hind(?) (18th September 1905) [King Street Public School] Letter noting a recent appraisal of the school. Make note of several deficiencies found with the school among them the quality of staff and size of the classes.
• William Hardy(?) (28th August 1905) [Causewayend Public Evening School] an exhaustive list of recommendations for proposed appointments.
• L. A Hilton (6th September 1905) Letter in support of Miss Fobes(?) application for the post of science mistress at Aberdeen High School. Noting her previous experience which includes time spent as a teacher of botany in South Kensington.
• Isabella Jack (5th June 1905) Letter requesting a temporary position. Currently serving an apprenticeship as a pupil teacher at Porthill School which ends in June. Notes her recent second place in the examination for Kings’ scholarship.
• Jeanice Kirby (28th August 1905) Request for employment due to the death of her husband. Notes her experience as a teacher dating back to 1883
• Georgina A. L Kemp (27th September 1905) Letter request a teaching role. Makes notes of her experience in several different schools. Firstly, as a Pupil-teacher at Portsoy Public School where she taught infants, and secondly in Portisse School similarly teaching infants. Also references a little time spent in Tullynessle School and Coushill School
• K. M Littlejohn (9th September 1905) Request for the use of the Hall at the High School for Girls for a social evening on Friday 8th October for music and addresses. Notes that any lighting charges will be covered.
• George Laing (24th August 1905) Letter regarding the particulars of speed examinations in shorthand with several changes proposed.
• Jessie Milne (31st October 1905) [Hanover St. School] Letter requesting a room at Rosemount School on Friday nights for class for teachers to teach them the Bodmuse(?) System of dressmaking. It makes not of a staff willing to take up the class.
• J. M. Mason(?) (September 1905) [Aberdeen Grammer School] Detailed account of proposed changes to the modern language curriculum. Firstly, it recommends the expansion of German within the school giving details as to why such changes should be made. Secondly, he notes that he is lacking in time spent teaching French which he notes was part of his remit upon appointment as a modern language teacher.
• Edith L. Maclean (27th September 1905) Application for interim French mistress [High School for Girls]. In support she notes that she had previously attended said school, leaving with an honour grade in French and German. She also notes her attendance at Aberdeen University where she graduated with Honours in modern language.
• (?) McBain (26th September 1905) [High School for Girls] Detailed account of a pupil and her classification within the school stemming from a disagreement with the pupil’s parents. Notes that the school had placed her in class 3 but the parents suggested class 4 be best suited. Made of three individual pages.
• John Mc(?)Reece (4th September 1905) [Ashley Road Public School] Letter regarding the administration of bursaries to students.
• Alfred Macleod (5th August 1905) Note requesting the attendance of lectures notably on Phonetics as a means to observe the methods of teaching
• Alfred Macleod (17th August 1905) Letter proposing the creation of a class with the aim of ‘removal of vocal Impediments.’ Notes that such a class would be considered experimental and would require 7 or 8 stammers taken across various school boards and would commence in September. It goes on to highlight various details such as time location and other practical necessities.
• Elizabeth Nisbet (29th August 1905) Note regarding proposed changes to cookery class [Torry Public School] argues that an additional 3 hours be given to the subject for the work to be considered satisfactory. Enclosed is a detailed breakdown of the aforementioned 3 hours.
• John Peters (17th August 1905) [Hanover Street Public School] Letter in support of Miss Helen A. Brands’ appointment to the aforementioned school. Notes her suitability for a role highlighting her time at college and 3 years of teaching experience at Hanover Street School.
• John Peters (26th September 1905) [St. Paul Street Evening School] Note requesting the rehiring of the same staff as last year with only one change being in the woodwork class. Enclosed is a detailed list of proposed staff members.
• Mary E. J. Pope (11th September 1905) letter requesting a change of school due to her recent ill health which she blamed on her place of work. As she goes on to request an ‘opener and airier’ school as a means of mitigating her symptoms.
• William Roberston (23rd August 1905) [Skene Street Public School] Letter outlining staff changes. Recommends Miss Little take the Senior Division class highlighting its benefits. And notes that Miss Christie would be an ideal candidate to fill in her duties. Moving from a solely afternoon position to one encompassing the whole day.
Maud B. Rich
• (21st July 1905) [Series of letters] (1) Letter informing the school board of her 5-week notice from the position of science mistress for a head mistress-ship in London [Aberdeen High School].
• (21st July 1905) [Series of letters] (2) Letter informing the school board of her acceptance of a position as headmistress in a secondary school in London. It requests that the board accept her 5-week notice and apologises for the ‘exceptional’ circumstances.
• (26th July 1905) [Series of letters] (3) a detailed letter explaining her decision to leave her post as science mistress for the previously mentioned head mistress-ship [Dalston Junction School. Notes her sincere apologies for the action though notes her willingness to help find her replacement. She sets out several reasons why she is leaving including the new position is offering a salary of £300 and the school being newly established necessitates her being in situ from the beginning.
• (28th July 1905) [Series of Letters] (4) Letter relinquishing the need for her August salary. Also included are 3 possible candidates to replace her as Science Mistress. First Miss Bowers was described as ‘very suitable’ for the aforementioned position. Second Mrs C. Speed whom she notes knowing from her attendance from a short course in chemistry at the Royal College of Science. She notes her teaching experience and her qualifications for the position. Thirdly Miss D. G Martins.
• H. F Mouland Simpson (11th September 1905) [Aberdeen Grammar School] Letter regarding several vacant scholarships. Provides a few details about current recipients and several proposed recipients.
• P(?) Smart (30th July 1905) [Frederick Street Public School] Letter noting due to additional classes at the school the sewing teacher finds her job ‘impossible’ and recommends that the board provide her with the role full-time.
• P(?) Smart (22nd September 1905) [Frederick Street Public School] requesting a replacement for the pupil-teacher William S. Wilson with a female pupil-teacher who could play the piano
• Charles Stewart (7th September 1905) [Gordons College] Letter regarding Mrs Littlejohn’s son (13) whom she wishes to remain in school until he is 15. It notes she applied for admission to the Central School and was promised admission upon production of specific certificates. When they were produced, she was informed by the school there was no room for him. She had lately been told to apply to the aforementioned school by Mr Wallace. The problem is that she is unable to pay either fees or books required for the school. The letter goes on to note he had previously been a pupil at Kittybrewster School and passed the qualifying examination. However, the letter concludes by stating that Mr Wallace should not advise pupils he cannot take to Gordons College.
• Minnie M. Skeen (?) (28th July 1905) Request for employment as science mistress at Aberdeen High School for Girls (Recommended by Maud B. Rich) Notes her educational background attending Haberdashers Askes School for Girls in Hatchem until 1892 and Newnham College, Cambridge from 1892 to 1895. Goes on to list her qualifications notably gaining a first in Natural Sciences at Cambridge. Finally, she encloses several testimonials from her previous schools.
• W. M(?) Thomspon (19th September 1905) Note suggesting Miss Fox(?) is not ‘competent’ enough to take the singing of her class and that teaching of the subject should be given instead to Miss Lees
• Jessie Valentine (21st September 1905) [Commerce Street School] letter requesting promotion to Supplementary class. Noting 15 years of experience since leaving training college with the last 5 years in the senior department. She notes she has not neglected private study in this time taking classes in drawing, French and English. Later she notes she holds a first-class certificate from the Society of Arts.
• G Wallace (11th September 1905) [Central Higher-Grade School & Pupil Teachers Institute] Letter regarding staffing changes in response to a ‘large increase of pupils.’ It notes there are now 12 extra classes with an average of 40 pupils so to continue the school will require 13 extra teachers. It goes on to provide detailed reasons and responsibilities of the proposed teachers. |