Girls school log extracts - 1916-18

More examples of how varied the education on offer was to the pupils in those far-off days. Although the learning went on, the impact of the First World War began to be felt in Stockton itself...

1916

7th March
Classes I, II and III took part in a debate on "Are the girls of today less thoughtful and less industrious than were the girls of 1816?" A lively and spirited debate followed. All acquitted themselves most creditably, especially Mary Lee. Most girls agreed that the palm be given to the girls of 1816 whose opportunities of a liberal education were nil compared with the girls of the Elementary Schools of 1916.

27th March
Drawings contributed by the youthful talent of this school have been sent for showing in London in the Royal Drawing Society Annual Exhibition. The successful competitors were: Abigail Greenhalgh; Florence Shipley; Clarice Easby; Violet Brown; Ada Wilson and Florence Hindmarsh.

12th June
The Whitsuntide holidays have been postponed this year for War reasons.

21st June
Class I visited the ironworks belonging to Messrs. Whitwell of Thornaby. The trip was full of wonder and interest, ending at the tank pits of sulphuric acid where the rolls of steel are tested for flaws before they are turned into shot and shell wherewith to vanquish the enemy of the peace of Europe and the British Empire.

10th July
Prizes were awarded by the Mayor of Stockton to Florence Shipley and Abigail Greenhalgh for their successful exhibits at the Royal Drawing Society.

25th July
School closed for the summer vacation. Miss Heaviside leaves to take up work of private secretary in London. A highly capable and efficient teacher, possessing exceptional mental gifts, she will be a distinct loss to the profession.

20th October
Trafalgar Day was celebrated in a truly patriotic spirit. Charlotte Hepper gave a speech to the school about Lord Nelson; Mabel Slack spoke about Jack Cornwell; Elsie Thompson spoke about the battle of Jutland and Emily Hardiman about Francis Drake.

1917

24th May
Celebrated Empire Day in a truly patriotic fashion. Each class elected a speaker who addressed the school on loving our country; the growth of the Empire; our soldiers and sailors; our Generals and Admirals and war savings. Patriotic songs were rendered by the classes while Britannia, armed with a shield and trident, sat in state on an improvised throne with loyal young England at her feet.

14th June
School closed at 11.45 a.m. to allow scholars to have the opportunity of seeing Their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary who passed through some of Stockton's streets in the course of their tour of inspection of the munition works and shipyards on the banks of the Tees.

29th June
National Baby Week with the girls making baby garments for Stockton's "Mothercraft Exhibition". Work produced included: cradles fitted with castors, painted white and lined with discarded window blinds; mattresses filled with chaff; feather pillows (soft and flat) for baby's head; old fruit baskets lined with muslin and adorned out of recognition to hold baby's toilet requisites.

5th July
A pageant has been arranged to precede the "Pram Parade" in the park, being part of National Baby Week. Pupils in the pageant dressed up as Victory, bearing the Palm of Peace, Britannia in Triumph, Young England ( a flaxen-haired, blue- eyed little maiden in white, smothered in red roses and riding on a life-sized sheep) attended by shepherds and nymphs. There was also a procession of women workers demonstating the occupations taken up by women in the war. These included: land workers; munitions workers; painters; window-cleaners; post- women; railway porters; Red Cross nurses and Conductresses.

29th November
Have difficulty in making up full numbers in classes as many girls can not attend. Reasons various. Mothers on munitions and other war work; girls required to look after younger members of the family at home; numerous instances of absence owing to butter or margarine hunting in the queues.

7th December
Gave half-an-hour's leave to 15 girls to run into town to purchase some of the necessaries of life before stocks run out. Mothers unable to leave the home and younger children in quest of tea and butter. Better to lose one one half hour than one whole session from school.

21st December
Class I had a discussionon the aims of the National Food Economy Campaign and how girls can help England in this awful crisis and win the war. Chrissie Brown spoke about the wickedness of waste and Bertha Hobday on "Queues - their pathos and humour". At the end everyone signed an oath testifying to their loyalty to King and country and reminding us all of our grave responsibilities at this time.

1918

8th January
A blizzard last night and the temperature today is 7 degrees below zero. Our attendance is the lowest on record.

25th January
Stockton schools will be closed next week. Teachers are to assist the Local Food Control Committee with the Food Rationing Scheme.

8th July
Deeply regret to record the death of Evelyn Bell of standard 111. Influenza developed into appendicitis. The little patient underwent an operation but alas! she never recovered.

2nd September
Miss Crake appointed to the school. Have appealed to Alderman Nattrass against this appointment.

11th September
Miss Crake is quite unequal to the duties required of her. Arbitrary and cruel in her dealings with VB, she has roused a spirit of revolt which spells retrogression, not progression. She has failed to realise that the scholars are the school and does not respect the sacred rights of the taught. She shall not practise her "kultur" any more on VB.

20th September
Miss Crake has resigned...

11th November
Armistice signed at 11 a.m. on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Holiday for the remainder of the week. 'Flu epidemic rife.

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