Logbook - 1900

1899 | 1901

1900

22nd January 

Posted the list of appliances for 1900, list of irregular attendees during last quarter of 1899. 

Posted also the Pupil Teachers’ Annual Instruction Certificate for 1899 

23rd January 

Thomas and Doris Hancock admitted 

26th January 

Most unseasonable weather; stormy and cold: had to light a fire in school. The average attendance only 30 for the week. 

29th January 

Alexander Southey came to school today, but his name was not written in the attendance register.

31st January 

The hottest day this summer. With all doors and windows open the temperature was 84º F (28.88º C) in the school 

5th February 

Miss Manning received a memo to say that she has passed her Annual Examination as a pupil Teacher. Obtaining 100% in arithmetic. Miss Manning’s Classification will be raised accordingly. 

7th February 

Sent to Mr J B Emmett, Secretary Patriotic Fund, Masterton, a Post Office order for £2-13-8 being the amount subscribed by the head teacher and the pupils towards the Transvaal War Relief Fund. 

12th February 

A note from Mr J Munro to say that by Doctor’s Orders A Madden is kept from school for a fortnight as her sister Jennie has whooping cough. 

22nd February 

A very fine day, but a small attendance: Some of the children in Masterton 

2nd March 

In compliance with a request by telegraph from the Hon. J R Seddon, the school was closed during the afternoon in honour of the relief of Ladysmith on the 27th ult [Wednesday]. Sent the telegram to the board.

5th March 

Received a copy of a telegram from Field Marshal Lord Roberts to the Hon J R Seddon thanking the children of New Zealand for their congratulations and good wishes on the success of British Army in South Africa and Particularly of General Cronje’s surrender 

13th March 

Hugh McGuckin and Ernest Southey did not return to school after dinner 

15th March 

During the play hour Clifton Bellis fell into the river, the wetting did him no harm 

20th March 

Annual examination by Mr Lee.

Of 42 children on the roll. 33 were examined and 25 passed 

30th March 

Received and handed out pass cards to those who were successful at the annual examination on the 20th Inst. 

Posted pass cards to the Wicksteads and Smiths who are now at Poneke and Ballance respectively. 

2nd April 

Alex Southey left without permission at 11 a.m. At 10 a.m. he was punished (One slap on the hand) for talking and turning around to another seat after twice being forbidden to do so. 

5th April

At 3.5 p.m. Annie Perry was permitted to go home with her brother Rupert, who sprained his ankle during the dinner hour. 

14th April 

Mr Lee’s [school inspector] Report included:

• In reading, singing and speaking some children drop h’s.

• No Standard 6 candidate could take Standard 6 arithmetic 

• Spelling and arithmetic and geography were generally weak. Other work fair 

• The school is in a backward condition 

• A change in the Head Teacher of this school is highly desirable in the true interests of the school. 

19th April 

A letter from Mr Belliss, Chairman of the School Committee, requesting the school to be closed this afternoon so as to give the children an opportunity of attending the funeral of Mr Raleigh’s Daughter.

Closed the school as requested.

RALEIGH--At Saunders-road, Alfredton, on the 17th inst., Catherine Annie, daughter of S. K. Raleigh; aged 4 years. 

24th April 

The following were elected to serve on the School Committee during the ensuing year. 

Mr D H Speedy, (Chairman)
J Munro,
J A Perry,
W H Brooks,
A T Hancock
J P, A Nicholls and
C Bell. 

14th April 

Thomas Hancock and W Brooks visiting members wrote:

Visited school and outbuildings found same clean, attendance small owing to bad weather etc., consider the grounds badly require draining, also some metal put in the gateway and on paths from school door to outbuildings. 

23rd May 

A note from the Chairman School Committee requesting the school be closed on Friday 25th inst. in honour of the relief of Mafeking by the British Forces. Sent the Chairman’s letter to Wellington.

25th May 

No school today 

28th May 

Mr James Cameron left a load of firewood in the playground. 

30th May 

Gave B Schofield and H McGuckin four slaps on the hand each for disorderly conduct during the dinner hour - climbing up and opening one of the school windows from the outside, after being forbidden to do so by Miss Manning. H McGuckin afterwards went home without permission at 1½ p.m. 

31st May 

First periodic examination according to a programme of instruction previously made out. Owing (Most Likely) to irregular attendance the answering generally was weak except in Standard 5 and 7. The answering of one girl in Standard 6 was good. 

7th June 

The weather continues cold and wet and the attendance is low. Some children who live a distance from the school cannot attend owing to the state of the roads. 

14th May 

A letter from the chairman School Committee to say that, in connection with the children’s annual holiday and school treat tomorrow, there will be a local sham fight (by adults) in aid of the school funds. Sent the chairman’s letter to Wellington. 

29th June 

On the 27th inst. four members of the School Committee -  Messrs Speedy, Perry, Brooks and Hancock - cleaned out the drains in the playground and opened a new drain in front of the shelter sheds. The new drain leads to the river and is to be covered in. 

18th July 

No school today- Arbor Day; but so very wet and boisterous that no trees were planted. 

25th July 

Punished Fred Smith - two slaps on each hand - for frightening some of the girls last night by pretending to make a horse run over them 

1st August 

Miss Manning advised by Memo of 28th July that her services cannot be retained at Tenui after the end of October next, unless an average attendance of 40 children is shown for the September Quarter. 

9th August 

During the afternoon the School Committee, under the direction of the chairman, Mr D H Speedy, planted 116 trees in the playground - the members of the School Committee took part. Miss Manning and the children present were allowed the privilege of planting one tree each, 

16th August 

2nd periodic examination 

24th August 

The Taipos indicate approaching heavy rain. The wild ducks too are flying towards the North 

29th August 

Most of the children in Standards 1 to 4 are now provided with New Zealand Readers. 

3rd September 

Advised that Miss Manning, at present on the staff of the Tenui School, is to be a pupil teacher in the Martinborough 

6th September. 

Letter from Mr Speedy that Miss Manning has Leave of Absence tomorrow to allow Miss Manning to do some business in Masterton

7th September 

A copy of the Letter directs the teacher what to do under certain circumstances which so far have not occurred. A copy of the chairman’s letter is on the reverse of the School Committee letter 

10th September 

Miss Manning in School at 8 a.m. 

A box of chalk being unsuitable is to be returned to Masterton. 

14th September 

Punished John and Richard Stratford (Two light straps each) for throwing mud on some of the girls going home last night. 

20th September 

Mr Bakewell M A visited and inspected from 10¼ a.m. till 3½ p.m. 

During the afternoon five members of the School Committee erected a protecting fence round the trees planted on the 9th.

25th September 

Austin Nicholls tore his coat accidentally on the barbed wire fence which was erected on the 20th inst. 

28th September 

A note from the Chairman School Committee requesting that All names at present on the school roll remain on the roll until further notice - sent the chairman’s note to Wellington.

3rd October 

One of the cords of the window next to the teacher’s desk broke suddenly and without any apparent cause at 3½ p.m. Reported the matter to the Secretary School Committee. 

5th October 

Too stormy to drill outside: the wind has blown with Hurricane force since yesterday. 

8th October 

Inspector's Report included:

• Teacher Mr McKenzie 

• Standard 7., 3 

• Miss Manning. On Roll 38 Present 27 

• During the morning I heard the Headmaster give a satisfactory lesson in arithmetic. 

• I consider that the quality of work would improve if more attention were given to (i) 

  • Preparation of subject matter of lessons (ii) 

  • Recapitulating and suitable questioning at termination of oral lessons 

  • Blackboard demonstrations (iv) 

  • Brisk Viva Voce work, more particularly in such as subject as grammar

• The roof of the building leaks badly in several places 

• The condition of the grounds reflects great credit on the members of the committee who have given so much of their time to tree planting, draining, fencing 

• The rain comes through the roof of every room in the residence. I would recommend that the clerk of works inspect both roofs 

F H Bakewell 

10th October 

This being Labour Day is to be observed as a public holiday in all the Board Schools.

2nd November 

Mr Perry and Hancock board members recorded:

Inspected WC. We found it necessary that same be specially cleansed of silt accumulated by last flood, school etc. cleaned, work apparently satisfactorily, witness the presentation of a Brooch to Miss Manning from the School Children, brooch handed to her by the youngest scholar (T R Hancock) present 

6th December

The committee appointed to inquire into certain allegations against a teacher at the Tenui school reported to the Board that the charges were not proven.  

8th November 

Jane Bushby did not return after dinner. As a reason for going home she told some of the girls that she had the toothache. 

23rd November 

Miss Manning ceased to be a member of the Tenui School at 3½ p.m. She leaves tomorrow for Martinborough where she is to enter on her duties as pupil teacher about the 27th inst. 

18th December 

The weather which has been cold and wet since the 15th inst. - shows signs of improving. A number of the children seem to be afflicted with toothache or Neuralgia - probably owing to unseasonable weather.

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1899 | 1901