Boys School Log (1890-1899)

Post date: Nov 25, 2015 11:4:44 AM

Held at Wateringbury school there are handwritten logs maintained by the three Wateringbury Schools, Boys, Girls and Infants. There follows selected extracts from the Boys School log. Many of the boys referred to subsequently fought in WWI.

See also Ratepayers meeting about school (1896); School extension (1896); School and Sanitation (1899);

The logs include

• references to opium taking in village (Jan 1890).

• problems with collection of school fees (Apr 1890)

• problems with lying and swearing (May 1891).

• Free Education Act results in abolition of fees (Sept 1891).

• school closed for 7 weeks because of measles (Jan/Mar 1896)

• Institute (i.e. working men's club) used for school due to overrunning building operations (Oct/Nov 1896).

• first annual prize-giving (Feb 1898).

• boys from Pizien Well particularly naughty (July 1898).

• school library established (Nov 1898)

• school closed 5 weeks for scarlet fever (May/June 1899).

1890

January 17^th: Examination in the morning. Average 59.

20^th: The Revd C.M. Stiggins visited. Sent out for absentees. E. Baker called this morning to say he was admitted to Yalding Endowed School.

21^st: Two pictures “Bubbles¹“ and “Dirty Boy” from Messrs Pears came this morning.

24^th: Picked out the five songs for the Inspection. The boys who have been here during the week have done their work with determination. In a casual talk about influenza its preventatives and cures with the Upper Division , one boy, F. Newman said they wanted to take plenty of Poppy-head tea (opium²). G. Costin said “that was what you gave baby on washing days”. Several of the other boys intimated an acquaintance with this concoction. I impressed upon them that those who use such stuff ran a very great chance of imprisonment as it was a deadly poison and brain destroyer.

February 3^rd: Sent round to parents of all boys who are absent. Several of them return word that they have influenza. Mrs Seal called and said her boy was under the doctor . I told her she must get a certificate.

6^th: J. Carrington Ley Esq. H.M. Inspector paid his annual visit for inspection and examination. ..66 boys presented.

14^th: Ten boys have been disabled from coming to school this week through influenza.

24^th: Thirteen boys brought less money than they ought to have done according to the scale of fees, sent two of them home for the remainder and cautioned the others.

28^th: The attendance is very unsatisfactory, sent a list of a dozen names to the attendance officer. Average 61.

March 3^rd: Heavy snow yesterday and today. Only one boy in the fifth class present. The guardians paid fees for last quarter for Charles Wallis 1/10, W. Martin 4d and Arthur Jessup 2/-.

18^th: Summary of H.M. Inspector’s Report

Boys School. The quality of the Elementary Work is , to some extent, improving & the first & second standards (nearly half the school ) past well in Elementary Subjects. The results in the other standards are fairly satisfactory on the whole. The fourth standard however is weak in Spelling & neither Reading nor Arithmetic in the Third, Fourth & Fifth standards is at all above fair. With regard to the Class Subjects, Recitation &Grammar were on the whole pretty good, but the Geography in the third & fourth standards was neither ???? , accurate, nor intelligent ; on the other hand a few boys in the first class examined in History answered readily & well.

April 15^{th :} The Diocesan Inspection took place this afternoon. Visitors: Misses Login, Miss Paterson, General Schneider.

21^st: Several boys again came to school without their fees or with insufficient fee.

25^th: A Mr. Weller of Fuller’s Corner called to complain of the assistant hitting his son on the head. I enquired into the matter but Mr. Bourne said no such a thing had occurred.

28^th: Sent James and Albert Cheeseman home for their school pence. Mrs Adams³ called to say she could only afford twopence per week and that was all she was going to pay. I referred her to the school managers.

May 5^th: Sent the Huggetts home for their school fees and a note to Mr. Heath respecting fees paid by him (5d. instead of 8d. for three).

6^th: A note from Mrs Cheeseman stating that her son was kept at home in the afternoon because “the assistant had hit him over the head”. Mr. Bourne said he had no recollection of touching him.

9^th: The average for the week is 58.5. There is 70 names on the register thus making a percentage of 17.6 absent.

June 2^nd: re-opened today. Mrs Ralph called to pay her children's fees. She stated that her next door neighbour was not playing as much as she was or in like proportion but this on enquiry was found incorrect.

6^th: There are 74 names on the register. 68 of these have attended this week, the average being 60.8. That is 17.8 per cent of the scholars have been continually absent throughout the week.

13^th Fruiting having commenced the attendance has fallen considerably. Average for the week 54. That is over 27% absent.

20^th: average for week only 51 that is 23 absent fruiting.

25^th: Mr. Bourne and choir boys absent today being an excursion to Margate.

July 9^th: Two boys Heath and Tompsett playing during the dinner hour. Tompsett was knocked down & his eye blackened. As it appeared to be an accident I only spoke to them about playing roughly. Mrs Tompsett, however, met Heath as he went home and gave him a good thrashing , punching his head and back causing him to vomit.

16^th: The annual Flower Show. Holiday in afternoon. The following boys took prizes for writing: George Baker, John Pierce and Charles Smith.

18^th: The attendance throughout the week has been very slack. Average only 51. Most of the children absent being fruiting.

August 5^th: Arthur Jessup was reported by Mr. Bourne to have fainted at ten O’clock. I found him in a convulsive fit. Carried him out of doors under a tree, bathed his head and hands with vinegar and water. He had had no breakfast, he said, but had eaten half an apple and some cocoa-nut. He afterwards had another fit which was so strong as to cause me to send for the doctor, who came and ordered him to be sent home.

11^th: Readmitted George Costin. Samuel Chapman away with “Scarlet Fever”.

25^th: The two Smiths from Canon Lane absent with “Scarlet Fever”.

October 6^th: The school was unable to reassemble last Monday as several farmers in the Parish had not finished hop-picking.

25^th: Mr Bowles called upon me to say that his son, having no work, would be sent to school if nothing turned up for him. His family being large he was glad of every shilling they could earn.

31^st : Every day this week Mr. Bourne has brought under my notice Bertie and Charles Hosmer for some act of insubordination . They are told by their parents that they need not obey their teacher if they do not like to.

November 17^th: Today a mother from Nettlestead called to know if I would have her sons in the School. I told her our fees and she said she would send them tomorrow. Last week I had an application of admittance but on learning the fee the boys were not sent.

27^th: The snow storm has continued, twenty five inches deep in the open. Several feet in the drifts. The school completely blocked. Closed school for the week.

December 9^th: The Rev^d. Spencer W. Phillips visited. I brought George Bird under his notice. Wm Phillips said he was deficient in intellect his sister being kept at home to look after him when he was too bad to be trusted out.

12^th: The two Homers absent with “Scarlet Fever”.

15^th: Resigned the mastership of these schools asking permission from the Managers to appoint a substitute during a part of the time.

19^th: Received a letter from the Rev^d Spencer W. Phillips stating that the Managers accepted my resignation. They granted my request respecting a substitute who was to be approved by them. Closed school today for a week’s holiday.

29^th: [different handwriting]. Richard Welsh, the substitute for Mr. Kingston with the approval of the Managers , opened school which had been closed the preceding week for Christmas Holidays.

1891

Jan^y 23^rd: Walter Adams was punished this morning for deliberately throwing a book at Mr. Bourne, Assistant Master, and striking him in the eye.

Feb 2^nd: Took the Penny Bank deposits in lieu of the Rev^d S. W. Phillips .

March 25: Summary of Inspector’s report.

Boys’ school. Discipline & conduct are very good but the school ?????? of attainment & efficiency is not at present in a very high state & I shall hope to find next year marked improvement in accuracy, quality & general intelligence of the work. The general quality of the elementary Work is not ??? above Fair at best. Spelling in the third fourth & fifth standard is below fair & arithmetic in the fourth & sixth standards is weak-A boy examined in Composition in the sixth standard ?????? Writing in the third standard is too closely spaced. The Class Work is very indifferent especially in the higher classes where only very few boys answer accurately or at all. Grammar in the fourth fifth & sixth standard is almost a complete failure & I can ?????????. Geography & History taken together are only very barely fair.

Spencer W. Phillips

Correspondent

April 10^th: Average attendance for the week 56.2; total number on books 72.

May 22: On account of rain the school was not opened till the afternoon.

29^th: A boy named Hook belonging to the 3rd standard was punished for falsehood uttered with the utmost assurance and supported in the face of the plainest contrary evidence. Lying is common with swearing as a rival. The Rev^d S.W. Phillips has assured the children that the Managers will support teachers in any course for the suppression of lying & swearing.

June 19^th: I spent some time in investigating a case of lying by Wm. Weller a boy in the 6^th standard. The vicar came in meanwhile rebuked the boy and spoke to the school at large on the matter.

July 27^th: Attendance this morning very low owing to a thunder storm. The fruiting season now present keeps many away for one reason or another, and consequently the average attendance is low.

Sep 2^nd: The school closed for its Hopping Holidays. This week the first in which no school pence were taken consequent on the Free Education Act.

Oct 12^th: The school reopened after a vacation of five weeks.

30^th: The Attendance Officer called and expressed an intention to proceed against some children.

November 23^rd: Received some notices respecting Labout Certificates to be circulated amongst the parents of the school children.

Dec 18^th: I may note a considerable improvement on the state of the school as described under May 29^th. Boys now answer readily and truthfully even as regards faults and actions punishable. I have never passed over the least apparent deviation from truth and have often questioned them that they might discover the truth of which I was already aware. I have also condemned lying and swearing as most cowardly and low with comparisons and contrasts to men and thus endeavoured to render them fearful of a lie physically and mentally.

1892

Jan^y 5^th: Mrs Bird came to ask that her son might not be pressed to pass the 1^st Standard where he has been for two years on account of intellectual incapacity and bodily weakness.

Feb^y 10^th: The Government Examination was held on this day….The following were approved by H.M. Inspector.

Poetry: V, VI Gray’s Elegy

IV Grace Darling

III Graves of a Household.

Burial of Sir John Moore

II The Beggar Maw

I The Reaper & the Flowers

16^th: Received a letter from the Assistant Road Surveyer complaining of the children’s actions in the road such as treading earth into drains, ponding the water etc, and asking me to speak to them on the matter. This I did.

24^th: I filled in a form for Harry Wallond of the 4^th Standard who has left for Yalding Endowed School.

March 1^st: I had occasion to speak to the boys on going into the Girls’ playground and on ?mucking? up the fires.

2^nd: Summary of the Inspector’s Report on the School.

Boys School: Discipline & attainment have made very satisfactory progress & a good degree of proficiency is reached in all elementary work. Writing is in the most case good & all papers are neatly set out . Class work is very ?ready? & intelligent throughout.

Spencer W. Phillips

Correspondent

April 5^th: The Report of the Scripture Examination was brought in by the vicar and read as follows:

Boys’ school The work in both Divisions has been thoroughly well done in the past year . The answering of the younger boys was brighter and more general perhaps than that of the elder; but the much harder and more searching questions which the Headmaster asked in the Upper Division will easily account for this difference . There is no chance of slurring over anything evidently in the work of this class some very thoughtful answers were given by the elder boys. I was pleased to find that the Catechism had been so carefully explained. The written exercises too were carefully done and the repetition and singing were satisfactory. Signed W. E. Nunn Diocesan Inspector.

May 16^th: Received a gross of Copy Books with upright style which I wish to try in this school ; also a ball frame. I took the Penny Bank.

20^th: Received 3 doz. Slates, half gross of drawing books and a gross of exercise books.

13^th: The school was opened by Mr. Bourne and during the week conducted by him as by the Managers’ permission I was away at the London Matriculation examination.

June 20^th: I punished two boys Moore and Huggett for instigating a “strike” during my week’s absence.

Aug 2^nd: School open in the morning but closed in the afternoon consequent on insufficient attendance caused by a general political fete at Teston.

1893

Jan 2^nd: The school reopened with a poor attendance on account of a snow storm.

The following were approved by H.M. Inspector for recitation 1894 [sic]:

Standards IV, V, VI selection (lines 1-80 104-164) from Goldsmith’s “Traveller”.

Standard III “Lucy Gray”

II “Birds Nests”

I “The Lark”

March 6: Summary of H.M.Inspector’s report. Boys School. The elementary work is careful & accurate in all classes. Handwriting both on slates & paper being especially commendable for clearness & good shape. Class work is also good. The boys are very orderly & show interest in their work. Mr. Welsh will receive his certificate in due course. School staff: Mr. R. Welsh Head teacher; Mr. C.A. Bourne assistant Teacher.

Spencer W. Phillips Correspondent.

7: received medical certificate of unfitness of Lewis Newman to attend school.

April 7: This week and the preceding show a great falling off in attendance consequent on the commencement of Hop work some leaving altogether and others attending very irregularly.

April 17: Received notice medical of Lewis Newman’s bad state of health.

24^th: Received the report of examin. in Religious Knowledge as follows: Boys

Only unqualified praise can be given to this department. The results throughout the school were marked by uniform excellence which tells at once of the thoroughness of the teaching given. The singing of the Hymms is worthy of special mention it reflecting great credit upon the teacher responsible for it. R.E. Spencer, Vicar of St. Paul’s.

June 6^th: Attendance still decreasing due to the hop work for which boys are kept at home.

July12th: A fete at Wateringbury Place made the attendance for the afternoon very low.

August 18^th: School closed in afternoon for School treat .

Sep 25^th: School opened again after 5 weeks hopping holidays. Mr. Warde succeeds Mr. Bourne.

Oct 11^th: Half holiday given on account of the opening of the new organ at Church.

Nov 21: received medical certificate stating Herbert Humphrey to be unfit for school.

1894

Feb 9^th received 4 doz. New Reading Books for Standard I.

Feb 13^th: The following Repetition was approved for 1894 by Mr. Ley H.M.Inspectors.

IV, V, VI Selections from “Deserted Village” Lines 114-264 Goldsmith.

III Inchcape Rock Southey.

II Casablanca Hemans

I The Little Boys Good Night

Feb 22^nd: Received Drawing Report –Excellent- also the schedules from the government Exam. Hubert Bodkin, Arthur Carter, Heath William, Neeves Charles passed in all subjects in standard IV. Richard Mercer, Percy Page IN Standard VI.

March 10th: summary of H.M. Inspector’s Report. Boys’ School. This school continues to be carefully taught . The general quality of the work is good both in elementary and class subjects, although in the latter as also in Arithmetic the third standard is noticeably below the level of the other classes. Singing by rote, a new subject, here has made satisfactory progress. School staff: Mr Richard welsh Head Teacher. Mr. C.A. Warde Assistant Teacher.

May 24^th: Received from the vicar 12 large boxes of pencils and 24 small ones together with 3 doz slates , one doz large and two doz small. Half of each was sent into the Girls’ School.

June 27^th: Mr. Warde was away in the afternoon at cricket.

July 2^nd: The following goods were received for school use.

2 doz commercial copybooks.

2 ½ doz ??

9 doz. Exercise No 2

3 doz do. squared

¼ gross Rowney’s HB Leads

1lb rubber

1 box pens

2 doz Geographies

Aug 1^st : The School was closed for half holiday in the afternoon in consideration of the Annual Flower Show.

17^th: The afternoon was given to the Sunday School treat.

31^st: The school closed for one month’s vacation.

October 15^th: The School re-opened today after a vacation of 6 weeks due to the length of the hopping.

November 24^th: Heavy rain and an overflow of the River has lowered attendance.

December 7^th: Mr. Warde assistant gave me notice that having to sit for his 1^st Year Papers Certif. he would be unable to be at school during the following week. .

17^th: Owing to the poll for Parish Councillors being held in the Girls school and the small attendance in consequence in the Boys School the latter was closed for the day.

1895

Jan 29^th: The attendance this week has been affected by snow storms but not sufficiently to close school.

Feb 6^th: The school was closed for the day on account of the severity of the weather and a snow-storm.

March 29^th: Half holiday was given so as no noise might disturb my wife who was very ill.

April 5^th: Holiday was given on account of the funeral of my wife.

Aug 21^st: The school was closed on account of a Primrose League Fete at Wateringbury Place and the annual choir excursion.

23^rd: The afternoon was a half holiday in which the school treat was given.

26^th: Not sufficient children came to warrant opening school which was therefore closed to reopen on Tuesday Oct 2^nd.

1896

Jan 20^th: The schools were closed indefinitely this morning on account of the prevalence of measles.

March 9^th: The schools were re-opened this morning after a break of of seven weeks.

Aug 28^th: School closed for summer holidays. Note change of staff:-

In the place of Mr. Richard Welsh, resigned, the managers have appointed as headmaster Mr. Edgar Alfred Smith, cert^d asst at St. John’s Nat school , ?? Gosport to commence duties on October 1^st.

Oct 1^st: school not opened as building operations prevented.

12^th: H.M. Inspector J. Carrington called at the Schools but found them still closed.

13^th : I (Edgar A. Smith) commenced duty as Headmaster this morning. Building not being finished school was opened at the Institute.

Nov 4^th: Opened School at 1.15 p.m. in the afternoon & closed at 3.30 p.m. as the Institute was wanted for an Entertainment.

16^th: School opened in the proper buildings this morning, the new classrooms being sufficiently advanced to be used.

27^th Military Physical Drill with poles (in place of rifles) started this week.

December 10^th: The average attendance for the week was 86.2 being the highest I think ever reached.

1897

Jan 5^th: School re-opened.

Feb 1^st Commenced work of the new school year. Admitted 7 boys from the Infants School making a total of 95 on Registers. During this year Stds I&II will work together in the classroom, under the assistant’s charge. Std III will join Stds I & II for Object Lessons (Mechanics) but will have separate Geography lessons. Stds II & III will drill together & Std I separately. For Singing the boys will be divided into 2 divisions. The lower (Stds I & II ) learning the tonic Sol fa & the upper (Stds III to VII) the Old notation. The Stds IV- VII will all do the same work in class subjects. The poetry chosen for the year is as follows:-

Stds IV –VII The Death of Marmion (Sir Walter Scott)

Std III “Majeppa”

Std II “Ye Mariners of England” (Campbell)

Std I “The Lark”.

12^th : Average attendance very high 92.

March 19^th: The attendance this week has fallen very low owing to the prevalence of “ Mumps”. The average was only 70.1.

31^st: Read out notice from County Council to boys re “Wild Birds Protection Act”.

Summary of Inspector’s Report, 29 March 1897 :

The Boys under a new Master appear to be working very satisfactorily . The newly introduced class subject ( ???Science with special reference to mechanics) appear to be successful and to excite interest amongst the boys. The new alterations and enlargements of the school premises (in both departments) which have been quite recently completed are very satisfactory and appear to promote the general efficiency of the schools.

April 26^th: The School staff is at present :-

Head Master:-Mr. Edgar A. Smith

Assistant Master:- Mr. C.A. Ward.

May 21^st: Punished two boys (Ch. Large & Lawrence) for copying their sums. Cheating has been & is still far too common in the school.

June 21^st & 22^nd: School closed on these two days on account of the celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The boys contributed & purchased a fine photo of Her Majesty to be placed on the school walls.

July 12^th: Owing to the epidemic of Mumps early in year & the Measles now, it has been quite impossible to keep all standards exactly up to the work laid down for them in the syllabus.

July 29^th: school closed in the afternoon on account of a Jubilee Fete at Wateringbury Place.

Aug 6^th: The average attendance this week only 65.2 mainly owing to measles.

Nov 4^th: To encourage Home Reading I have persuaded boys as often as I could to buy some periodical for that purpose. Over two dozen of the upper standard boys now take in “The Scholar’s Own”, a bright little monthly paper especially written for this purpose.

9^th: A day’s holiday given in honour of Alderman Davies election to the position of Lord Mayor of London.

1898

Jan 12^th: Inspector of Nuisances called & notified me of a case of diphtheria (in the Girls) so that I might know the reason of the brother’s absence.

13^th Dr. Roberts (Medical Officer of Health) visited & said that he would write with regard to the cess-pool & offices there being a temporary stoppage in one of the Girls school drains & there being a large pool of water around the cess-pool.

14^th: There were 100 boys on the registers this week, with an average percentage of 95 in attendance.

14^th: I have also tried the experiment of allowing the boys to use the classroom as a reading Room from 8.30 am t 8.55 am & from 12.30 pm to 1.25 pm. The boys themselves bring papers etc. for use. At present we have the Daily Mail, Penny illustrated, Kent Messenger, South Eastern Gazette, Boys Own Paper, Strand magazine etc.. A Library will also it is hoped soon be an accomplished fact.

21^st: Punished Wm. Clements for disobedience in running about in the school lobby in the dinner hour & for also telling me a lie as to his reason for being in there at all.

Feb 15^th: The vicar informed me that Stanley Damon was to be apprenticed as a PT [pupil teacher] & that Arthur ??borne could sit for 1^st years’ papers next October & then be bound PT³ for remaining 3 years. He also gave me orders to get the necessary books for them.

18^th: At about 11.45 am , the first Annual Prize Distribution took place . The following managers were present:-Rev. G.M. Livett, Lt. Gen. Dawson Scott & Gen Schneider. Also several ladies, one of whom (Miss Cara Case) presented the prizes to the winners. The boys had chosen their own prizes & boxes of mathematical instruments, paints, gymnasium slippers, & books were chiefly selected. The winners were as follows:-

Standard VII: George Davis. Bert Relf

Standard VI : William Shepherd. William Clements

Standard V : Fred Spice. Harry Page. Robert Smith.

Standard IV: Horace Smith. Albert Smith. Percy Carter.

Standard III: Alfred Gruber. Charles Acott. James Wills. John Lewis.

Standard II: Frank Smith. Richard Smith. Harry Crockford

Standard I: Fred Wood. Thomas Wells. William Ralph.

Fred Spice (Std V) was the only boy neither absent nor late during the whole year. His prize was a medal. A special prize was given by myself to George Davis for swimming, he having learned to swim in a short time during the last summer. Several songs were sung & George Davis recited “Death of Marmion”.

Feb 25^th: Punished two boys (Hy. Relf & Geo. Fillery) for copying.

Apr 6^th: Mr. C.A. Ward (assistant master) left the School today having accepted another & better appointment.

Apr 21^st: Ch. Large having refused to hold out his hand for the cane when requested to do so & being impertinent I held out his hand, punished him & sent him home. I also sent another boy to explain the reason to his parents. His mother sent answer that he would leave & go to Teston school.

May 2^nd: Mr Driver (Art 50) commenced work as assistant to-day, taking standards I, II & III with the help of Stanley Damon (monitor).

June 16th: Stanley Damon (monitor) absent to-day with leave informs me that he is leaving Wateringbury next week.

June 20th: In spite of my efforts to do away with habits of cheating & copying there are still many boys especially in Std IV given to this bad habit. Several boys were punished for this on Friday & I spoke to the boys again on the matter, but notwithstanding James Wells (Std IV) was again guilty of copying & I therefore caned him & kept him in school during the dinner hour.

July 1^st: Owing to a complaint from the Mistress of the Girls school & a letter from a parent, I punished severely two boys (Ernest Sales & Fred Beal) for most rude behaviour to girls & also punished slightly several other boys who also behaved badly. There is a small set of boys from Pizien Well district who are doing a vast amount of mischief in the school, by their bad behaviour & bad companions outside the school. Their home surroundings are doubtless more to blame than anything else.

July 15^th: There are as many as 96 boys on the registers now which is much higher than usual. The attendance continues to be exceptionally good, 97% or 98% often being reached by the whole school. The average percentage for this half of the year is over 95%.

Aug 25^th: Schools closed at 4 pm for hop-picking holidays.

Oct 3^rd: School re-opened to-day. Mr. Driver (the assistant master) having left & no-one having yet been appointed.

17^th: Mr. Alfred Snook (Art 50) formerly at ??? school commenced duties as assistant master today.

21^st: Punished two boys (Adams & Crampton) for stealing apples from the adjoining orchards. This is the first time such a thing has occurred since I have been here.

Nov 16^th: School closed in the afternoon on account of the visit of Julian’s circus to the village.

25^th: School library has opened to-day for the first time about 50 books having been given by staff & scholars.

1899

Jan 9^th: School re-opened with 100 boys on the books.

Jan 24^th: Mr. Snook (assistant) did not come to school today or at all again, he having been summarily dismissed by the managers for drunkenness.

Feb 22^nd: In the afternoon the annual prize distribution took place. Mrs Livett presented the prizes. …The prize list was as follows:-

Standard VII: Geo Davis. Charles Weeks.

Standard VI: Harry Page. Fred Spice. Fred Costin. Fred Latter. William Large.

Standard V: Ernest Curd. Albert Smith. Horace Smith. Henry Humphrey.

Standard IV: Alfred Gruber. Henry Langstead. Henry Lawrence. Charles Acott.

Standard III: Ernest Jukes. Frank Smith. Ernest Smith. Richard Smith.

Standard II: Thomas Wells. William Ralph. Leonard Crampton.

Standard I: Arthur Jukes. Roland Palmer. Rowland French.

… Special prizes were given by the vicar to Geo Davis, by Gen Dawson Scott to William Large & by the headmaster to Charles Weeks.

Summary of Inspector’s report dated March 15^th 1899. Boys School. “I am fully satisfied as to the sustained efficiency of the school. It is well taught & a good spirit of work is impressed on the boys, who are creditably bright & intelligent.

Mar 22^nd: Allowed the members of the school football club (XI) to leave at a quarter to four to play against Claremont House School.

Apr 10th: Mr. Leonard Hamshire (Art 50) from the National Schools, Broadstairs commenced duties as assistant master to-day, taking the lower division with the help of a monitor.

May 17^th: Dr. Roberts (Medical officer of Health) visited the school at 12 mid-day & authorised me to close the school immediately on account of a second outbreak of scarlet fever in the village. He said that probable date of re-opening would be June 7^th (3 weeks later). I had previously this morning left school for half an hour & seen Dr. Fry & Mr. Amos Baker (a manager) on this matter & their advice was also to close.

June 12^th: School re-opened with 69 present out of 88. Many absent without satisfactory reason.

June 20^th: School closed in the afternoon to-day on account of Royal Show (Agricultural ) at Maidstone & the visit of HRH the Prince of Wales to that town.

June 22^nd: School closed all day to allow children to visit the Royal Show at Maidstone.

July [Syd & Thos. Francis and Chas. Randall punished for stealing apples]

Aug 24^th:School closed from to-day for hop picking holidays.

Oct 2^nd: School should have opened today but owing to lateness of hop picking was closed for another week.

9^th: School re-opened. George Davis (monitor) having been offered a post in an office as clerk was not present.

Nov 3^rd: Dr. Roberts (Medical officer of Health) called during the morning to ask whether I thought there was anything in the Schools required disinfecting as there had been several fresh cases. In the afternoon Mr. Amos Baker (Manager) & Rev. Humphreys (curate) called & informed me that the cupboards were to be washed out on following day.

6^th: Plans of new Drainage Works etc. were left in my hands for intending contractors to inspect.

6^th: The Boys raised a subscription of about 5/- in aid of Soldiers & Sailors Families affected by the S. African War.

Notes:

1. Bubbles, originally titled A Child's World, is a painting by Sir John Everett Millais that became famous when it was used over many generations in advertisements for Pears soap. The school took "sponsorship" (limited but probably all that was on offer) from a variety of commercial operations, such as Cadbury, Kodak, Messrs. Toogood & Sons (seedsmen, Southampton) etc.

2. Opium: the insertion of "opium" in brackets would appear to be the headmaster's interpretation at the time, rather than the words used by the boys. There is a Wikipedia article on Poppy Tea indicating how it is made and the dangers arising from its use. Although the implication of the report is that its use was widespread in Wateringbury at the time, I am not aware of any other references to it in the school log or other sources. The use of opium goes back to stone age times in many cultures. Thomas de Quincey wrote Confessions of an English Opium Eater in 1821 at a time the recreational use of opium was focused on the Ottoman Empire. In China opium was confined before the 19th century to a limited upper class and was illegal but Britain fought two wars against China in 1840 and 1858 to reverse Chinese domestic policy and allow exports of opium from British India, resulting in a peak regular use rate of a quarter of all males. In 1890, the same year as the Wateringbury reference, at the Shanghai Missionary Conference, it was agreed to establish the Permanent Committee for the Promotion of Anti-Opium Societies in an attempt to overcome this problem and to arouse public opinion against the opium trade. Gladstone was opposed to opium use and established a Royal commission in 1895 to report: it found that opium in Asia was analogous to alcohol use in Europe, that opium was not harmful to Asians, and that Chinese complaints were based on commercial concerns, not medical evidence. Drug was not an apparent problem for the military during WWI and Harrods' offer of "A Welcome Present for Friends at the Front" containing cocaine, heroin and syringes (see Great Britain's Great War by Jeremy Paxman pp.159-160) does not appear to have been a particularly popular gift- both Costin and Newman served subsequently in the army during WWI.

3. Mrs Adams: Mary Adams, born in Sissinghurst in 1853, was the wife of William Adams, a farm labourer; they lived in Latters Buildings, Old Road, and had 9 children of whom 2 were dead by 1911; Mary died 5 years later in 1895. With originally 9 children and a farm labourer's income it is easy to understand her financial problem with school fees. Two of her sons, Frederick and Percy, died in WWI and 3 others, Albert, Levi and William, served and survived.