Logbook - 1897

1896 | 1898

1897

21st January

A Teacher is also required for the Aided School near Te Nui salary, £42 and board and residence. Forms of application must be obtained at this office.

25th January 

26 present.

28th January 

Martha McGuckin left school without permission at 11 a.m. She did not return. 

1st February 

Mr Owen came to school at 1.45 p.m, 15 minutes late for business

2nd February 

One of the windows was accidently broken shutting it the morning 

5th February 

The school has not been cleaned this week. 

9th February 

Came to school (Mr Hancock) and found floor of school in a dirty state, 29 scholars present, noticed a lot of old dinner papers in Boy’s Shelter Sheds, a number of holes around the school and path to girls W C requires metalling. This would keep the school cleaner. Also Signed by Alfred Southey 

11th February 

The Taipos indicate an approaching rain storm from the south. 

15th February 

Following poor exam results (listed) the following was written by Mr McKenzie, Explained to Mr Owen in a respectful way that this is principally owing to the neglect of duty on his part, and that it is necessary for him to be more attentive to his business. 

On several occasions Mr Owen has been advised that private or personal matters are not to be attended to during school hours - that a teacher’s time during school hours should be devoted to the instruction of classes 

17th February 

Mr Owen officially was advised that he was not successful at the Pupil Teachers examination in December last. 

18th February 

A Note from the School Committee to close the school tomorrow as the Committee propose taking the scholars to Castlepoint for an excursion. Sent the chairman’s notes to Wellington.

19th February 

No school today owing to the excursion referred to in yesterday’s entry 

22nd February 

Mr Hancock wrote I visited the school and outbuildings, found everything satisfactory, gave out book accounts to scholars and informed them that books etc.. could be procured at the W F C A stores until further notice. 

23rd February 

Relieved Mr Owen of Standard 2 but requested him to give one lesson of arithmetic each day to Standard 2.

1st March 

Martha McGuckin and her sister Margaret, whose names have been removed from the school roll, came to school this morning and gave me a letter signed by their father Hugh McGuckin. The letter in substance requests the teacher to let their father deal with the girls and advise him (their father) by letter when they misbehave. 

Margaret was told by the teacher that she might go to her seat unconditionally and Martha was told that she might go to her seat after publically apologising for insolent language to the teacher on the 28th January.

Both girls then (by permission) went home to refer the matter to their mother, and in the afternoon their father came to school. When he understood the nature of Martha’s offense he said he would make her apologise 

2nd March 

Martha McGuckin came to school this morning with her brother and sister, who were at once admitted, but Martha would not apologise for her misconduct on the 28th January and her name was not entered on the roll.

4th March 

Mr Hancock wrote. Visited school and outbuildings, found same satisfactory, noted teacher's entry re Martha McGuckin. Obtained detailed explanation from Mr McKenzie and Mr Owen and confirm and approve of the Head Teacher’s action with same, have been informed that should Martha McGuckin again attend school a number of parents will withdraw their children 

8th March 

Advised the Board that Mr Owen will not attend for any more lessons as Pupil Teacher 

9th March 

Mr Owen not in school today- Sent his note of explanation to the Board.

10th March 

Too wet to late the children out from 11.00 to 11.10 a.m., but dismissed the infants at 11.50 a.m. James Collerton, who went home for dinner at 11.50 a.m., returned shortly after 12½ p m and was only a few minutes in the playground when he broke his arm jumping. 

11th March 

Margaret McGuckin was sent for a Copybook at 9.50 a.m. she did not return again to school. 

Mr Owen not in school today 

15th March 

Arthur O’Connor left school without permission at 11 a.m. and did not return again. 

29th March 

Another school year commencing today. Only 18 present in the morning.

The School examination took place on the 25th. I hear there were only four failures, which must be considered very good for a school to which the children have to go so far.

31st March 

Mr Owen not in school today. He said goodbye to the scholars yesterday at 3½ p.m. 

5th April 

Mrs Bell did not attend to teach sewing from 2½ to 3½ p.m. 

6th April 

Only 3 scholars present at 9½ a.m. 5 present at 9.45 

9th April 

The school was very dirty this morning -  it has not been properly swept this week. It got a rub this morning (at 9.00) which only raised the dust 

15th April 

Gordon Laing permitted to leave to go home at 2.50 pm as the river was then rising.

17th April 

Two of the offices [long-drop toilets] washed away by a flood last night. They may be recovered. 

Tenui was under water from 11½ O’clock last night till 4 O’clock this morning. 

Most of the school firewood was also washed away. 

21st April 

Received a note from the School Committee chairman saying “On account of the boys out offices etc. being washed away by the late flood. Please allow the boys and girls to use the W C at rear of shelter shed until further notice."

22nd April 

The two out offices carried out away by a flood on the night of the 16th inst. were brought back to the school paddock today, 

A note from the chairman requesting the school not to be opened tomorrow as the “Annual School Treat is to be held in the paddock.” Sent the chairman’s note to Wellington 

23rd April 

The annual school treat held today in Mrs Owen’s Paddock, Prizes distributed in the Town Hall at 7 pm.

27 April

School committee elections:

Tenui.— Messrs. H, Belliss (Chairman). Webb, Bell, Nicholls, Smith, M'lntosh [McIntosh], and W. H. Langdon. 

12th May 

Florence Belliss went home without permission at 1½ p.m. 

Received for school use. A quire of foolscap and a packet of large envelopes, a quire of blotting paper etc. 

14th May 

The school has been fairly swept every night this week but not properly dusted each morning. 

18th May 

James Collerton, who broke his arm while jumping in the playground on the 10th March, returned to school today 

3rd June 

Repairs to the boys’ offices completed. [Flood 17th April] 

Gave A Smith and F Smith permission to go home at 3.00. They have to walk six miles. 

7th June 

Inspector's Notes included:

• The work of Standard 1 and 2 was of a moderate character. As the average is now below 40 the services of a Pupil Teacher are no longer needed 

• Mr McKenzie has attended to his duties faithfully but the work of the school has been seriously hindered by irregularity of attendance on the part of the children 

• Caused in some instances by the friction which seems to exist between Mr McKenzie and several of the parents. 

• The school room needs a coat of paint. The chimney is still out of repair 

• Two windows in the schoolroom are broken. 

T R Fleming 

9th June 

A Nicholls visiting member of School Committee wrote: Found the W C in dirty condition and the school required sweeping. The W C’s are covered in silt.

A note from Secretary of School Committee:

• That one week’s holiday be granted the children in recognition of her majesty’s record reign.

• That in future if any boy or girl attending the school.... misconducts themselves that you write to the parents and explain their misconduct.

Sent the Secretary’s note to Wellington.

11th June 

The school is now swept and dusted three times a week: it is dusted, however, not in the morning, but immediately after being swept in the evening 

29th June 

5 pound for shelter shed

12th July 

The seats and floor of the boy’s out office, which was carried away by a flood on the 17th April are still covered with mud and silt. 

13th July 

Maggie Webb, whose name was removed from the school roll on the 18th June, attended today, but refused to apologise for her misconduct and insolent language to the teacher on the 21st May. Her name was not re-entered on the roll 

15th July 

The Taipos indicate a change in the weather which has been fine during the last 3 weeks. 

20th July 

The Taipos and all the neighbouring hills are covered with snow. 

27th July 

The bell rope was accidently broken this morning 

27th September 

43 present, 51 on the roll 

5th October 

Robert McIntosh was accidently struck in the mouth with a Cammon [Hockey Stick] while in the playground 9½ a.m. His mouth was so sore that he was permitted to go home with his sister at 11.45 a.m. 

Mr Belliss, Chairman [School Committee] says he has sent to the Board for a supply of chemicals for experiments. 

9th October 

Metal spread around the school and shelter sheds. Also on the entrance from the road to the school. 

5th November 

Received a box of Week’s ink powder 2/6 and a box of school pens 1/- 

8th November 

Some arrangements should be made to have the school furniture regularly dusted. The school is swept three times a week but never dusted. It ought to be swept every night and dusted every morning. 

24th November 

The weather is very warm but breezy and favourable for attending school but the attendance is unsatisfactory.

3rd December 

Only 12 present at 9½ am; there might be 40.

Albert Schofield went home with a sick horse at 2.55 p.m. 

14th December 

The temperature in the school today was 76 Fahrenheit. The weather is very fine and dry but the attendance is small only 30/50 present. 

16th December 

Received two blue pencils for marking exercises from the School Committee.

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1896 | 1898