Girls school log extracts - 1921-23

The Great War ended a few years ago but now another threat hits the school - illness, poverty and hardship...

1921

14th January
This old war-battered planet on which we flit has completed its eighth revolution around the sun since these schools were opened. History shows us that at the end and start of every century there has been war among the nations. Now we have unemployment and want stalking through the Kingdom. The vicious effect of strikes and soaring prices are palpable today. 'What has all this to do with school?' people ask. 'Much,' I reply. School is no longer a dumping ground for children in which to acquire the 3 R's merely, it is the training ground of citizens and citizenesses of the next generation who must learn the value of their heritage now or wait till the present becomes the past.

21st January
'Flu is prevalent. Dora Bennett and Ethel Crosthwaite have each suffered a sad bereavement through the death of their mother.

1st March
Ada Thompson absent now for two weeks with acute nettle rash. I have joined two classes together for teaching purposes. By spurring on 1VB to try and beat 1VA and by exhorting 1VA not to allow 1VB to 'catch up' or to excel them, a splendid day's work has been the result.

19th July
Mr. Purdy, Director of Education, visited concerning the imminent changes which are to take place in the gradual transition of the Richard Hind Schools into a central school.

29th July
Have been notified by the Director that free meals for the children of this area will be discontinued until further notice. Free dinners have been supplied from the Mayor's Fund. Weekly supplies of bones for the soup were contributed by Messrs. Hutchinson and Curry while handsome contributions were also received from local butchers Stoddart and Pickles. Oats and vegetables have also been received on behalf of children whose fathers have suffered lack of unemployment through the disastrous Coal Strike and consequent economic depression.

1922

8th January
A letter has been received from the Stockton Educaton Committee, stating that because economies have to be made and because the birth rate is falling, no new teachers can be recruited.

7th February
A gale of wind accompanied by a deluge of rain. Sent home early the girls who live in Newtown.

21st February
Bitterly cold. Snow 36 degrees registered on the veranda thermometer.

31st May
School closed for a great and solemn occasion in the history of the town - the unveiling of Stockton's War Memorial. Massed in the High Street, the schools shared in the dedication with the Bishop of Durham, the Earl of Durham and the civic dignitaries of Stockton. The next day our pupils were keen to tell their teachers of the wondrous beam of light which shone on the Cenotaph for a moment at its unveiling and of the two birds which hovered overhead.

18th October
The staff have formed a social union, which will meet every Thursday. The programme for the winter session includes dramatization, folk dancing, dress making and story telling.

6th December
The school was closed today as it was the general election. Candidates were: Mr. Stewart (Liberal), Mr. Riley (Labour) and Mr. MacMillan (Conservative). The Liberal candidate wins.

1923

13th January
Arctic weather. 'Flu rampant. With deep regret the death of Kitty Porritt (class VI) is recorded.

14th April
Alderman Nattrass, whose power in moving mountains might well shame Mohamet, has exerted his influence to obtain employment for some girls. Six girls have begun the great adventure of learning to work for their living, thanks be to our chairman.

26th May
The Mayor addressed the girls on the 'Ideals of True Citizenship' and exhorted them to grasp the opportunities now offered, nor let them slip, for they will not come again. The girls were much impressed.

16th June
Mlle. Perrier, part-time French teacher, was thrown from her motorcycle and sustained severe bruises.

26th July
Term ends with 30 girls taking the Oxford Junior Local Examinations. All have displayed courage and tenacity and all deserve success.