Boys School Log (1900-1909)

Post date: Nov 25, 2015 10:32:26 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.

See also Scarlet Fever (1905)

Matters include

• school garden established (Apr 1900).

• choice of Wateringbury school by residents of Nettlestead/Teston and v.v. (Nov 1900)

• police call re boys not wearing bathing costumes in river (June 1901).

• first annual meeting of the Wateringbury Old Boys Society (Apr 1904).

• school closed for scarlet fever (Feb/Mar 1905).

• first celebration of Empire Day (May 1905).

• assistant master hitting boys with fists (May 1906).

• school closed for measles (Mar/May 1907)

1900

Jan 8^th: School re-opened. Workmen at work rebuilding offices & laying new drains. .. Charles Weeks (paid monitor) did not return this week, having gone to other work.

26^th: Playground still unusable [drainage work].

Feb 23^rd: Punished two boys for ill-treating Hy. Clements (a partial imbecile) having received a letter from the boys’ parents.

March 1^st: Received a letter from Mr. A. Baker saying that he & two other Managers in the absence of the Correspondent (Rev. G.M. Levett) thought that the schools should be given a half holiday to commemorate the relief of Ladysmith, the news of which event had arrived during the morning.

Mar 5th: Harry Relf (Std VI) & Sydney Baker (V) left this school to go to Yalding Grammar School.

12^th: New Offices & drainage works completed with exception of laying on water supply.

20^th: Prizes and medals were presented to winners by Lady Login. The prizes were as follows:-

Standard VII: George Longley (Headmasters prize). James Saunders.

Standard VI: Horace Smith. Arthur Smith. George Gurr.

Standard V: Charles Acott. John Gurr. George Acott.

Standard IV: Richard Smith. Edgar Latter. Ernest Smith. John Avis.

Standard III: William Ralph. Leonard Crampton. Ernest Shrimpton

Standard II: Bert Avis. Walter Acott. Roland Fround.

Standard I: James Weeks. George Burrluck. Ernest Shepherd. Fred Hayward.

Also two special prizes for highest number of attendances at Sports were awarded by the Vicar to Jesse weeks & William Davis. There were 10 medals given to the following who were present every time school opened during the year.

Standard VII J. Saunders. Standard VI George Gurr. Standard V George Acott. John Gurr. Standard IV: Norman latter. Albert Curd. Jesse Weeks. III Wm. Ralph. II Matthew Relf. I Ernest Shepherd.

The school flagstaff was used to-day for the first time.

Mar 29^th: Mr. R.H. Fremlin presented a Union Jack to the Schools for use on the new flagstaff.

Apr 5^th: Received permission from Mr. A. Leney to have the piece of ground between the garden & road fenced in & used by the boys for gardening purposes on condition the managers enter into a written agreement & pay a nominal rent.

10^th: Punished Chas. Latter & W Weller for copying.

May 7th: Punished J. Wells for bad language in the dinner-hour. The first case I have had for a very long time.

15^th: The Mid Kent water Co’s water was put in to the office to-day the flushing having been done by hand up to the present. The water (refers only to Mid-Kent Co water)has not been laid to the house or children’s lavatories.

17^th: Punished George Fillery & Alf Latter for dishonesty in the arithmetic lesson.

May 21^st: School given a day’s holiday to celebrate the relief of Mafeking.

June 26^th: Punished two boys Edward Wood & Jesse Weeks rather severely for writing & drawing indecently on pieces of paper during school time. Edward Wood is is evidently doing a frightful amount of harm to other boys morally. Shall report him to committee & ask their advice.

June 27^th: Rev G.M. Levett came up in morning & instructed me to close in the afternoon on account of Oddfellows Club Fete.

July 17^th: A boy named Beckett belonging to a Theatrical Company at present performing in the village came to school for a day & a half. I did not enter him in admission register but did in attendance register.

24^th: Sent 5/- to Indian famine Fund being the 2^nd subscription from the boys for this object this year.

Aug 13^th: James Weeks (Std II) died yesterday after an illness of several weeks. The boys are subscribing to place a wreath on his grave.

30^th: school closed at 4 p.m. for hop-picking holidays. In the afternoon several small presentations were made. First , a prayer & hymn book was given to Edgar Latter from other boys, he having probably saved another lad from drowning in the river. Also a medal for gardening was given to Fred Dean & gardening certificates (for excellence in growing hardy annuals) to George Longley, George & Fred Dean.

Oct 8^th: school re-opened. George Longley, paid monitor, has left. Received a gift of Atlases & Readers from Canadian Government.

Oct 26^th: Caned S. Francis for drawing rude figures on paper & passing to other boys. Although not a very bad case I gave Francis 4 cuts as probably unless prevented at once we may have the same kind of trouble as was reported on June 26^th of this year.

30^th: Gave schools a half holiday (afternoon) on account of visit of Circus. Admitted a boy boy named Beckett as a visitor for the week. He belongs to a travelling theatrical company.

Nov 6^th: Received a letter from Rev. W. Cobb (Nettlestead) referring to a boy named Fredk. Batten whom I admitted yesterday from his parish. Before admitting the boy I had questioned his mother who had evidently not told me the strict truth, as Mr. Cobb says the boy has been taken away because the parents had received a warning with respect to the boy’s irregularity of attendance. In reply I assured the the Rev. Cobb that had I known the real circumstances of the case I should have refused to admit the boy under Art 78 of the Code. A similar case of capricious removal has occurred here lately. A boy (Alf Gruber) left last week without giving any reason nor would his parents give me one when sent to by me. The boy is now attending Teston¹ school.

12^th: Took the boy Fredk. Batten …off the register, having received instructions from the Managers to that effect, they considering it a case of “capricious removal” & that therefore they were justified in refusing to admit the boy to the school.

1901

Jan 22^nd: Our good Queen Victoria died today

23^rd: Hoisted the flag half-mast high.

Feb 11^th: The boy named Beckett belonging to a travelling theatrical company came to school for a few days as a visitor.

Gave a lesson on the Census this afternoon to the upper division of the school.

March 21^st: Punished William Wickham this morning for playing truant, this being I believe the only case which has happened in this school for a very long time.

25^th: In the afternoon the Prizes & medals won during the previous year were distributed by Miss Lownds. …

Standard VI: Charles Acott. John Gurr. Percy Neeves.

Standard V: Frank Smith. John Avis. Richard Smith.

Standard IV: William Larkin. Sydney Francis. William Ralph.

Standard III: Robert Head. Walter Acott. Roland Palmer

Standard II: George Dean. Alfred Latter. Barnaby Johnson.

Standard I : William Crockford. Walter Carter. Arthur Shrimpton.

There was a special medal won by Charles Acott for an essay on Canada. This medal was presented by the Canadian government through Lord Strathcona…. 20 boys won medals for attendance , not having been absent once during the year.

27^th: summary of H.M.I ‘s report: Boys School. This is in all respects a good & very reliable school –all the work is marked with thought & care & the regular attendance is in itself evidence of its efficient conduct. The experiment of cottage gardening is apparently a distinct success as well as an attraction. Staff: Headmaster-Edgar A. Smith. (Cert.) assistant Leonard J. Hamshire (art 50).

April 19^th: George Underhill, a boy from Infants Dept. returned there at the special request of his parents he being only 6 years 4 months old.

May 24^th: Rev & Mrs G.M. Livett & Mr. Amos baker visited at 12 o’clock when Mrs. Livett unveiled two portraits of the King & Queen which had been subscribed for by the boys & staff as a memorial of our late Queen Victoria. A portrait of the late Queen will also soon be hung in the classroom. It is interesting to record that every boy contributed something to this memorial.

June 14^th: Kept Robt. Neal in during the dinner hour for obstinacy, he refusing to answer when spoken to. His father called & agreed to let him remain until 4 o’clock, & not to go to dinner.

June 20^th: Sergeant Deeley (Police) called & asked me to give notice that boys bathing in the river must wear proper bathing costumes. I accordingly did so.

July 5^th: Mid Kent Water Co’s water put on to boy’s lavatory for drinking & washing purposes.

August 19^th: Owing to an outing with the Equitable Friendly society the attendance to-day was small.

October 7^th: Mr. Goodwin wrote requesting that his son Victor be withdrawn from his class whilst the Catechism is being taught.

December 11th: in the morning set the 1^st Class an examination on Mechanics; the boy who works the best paper to have a Brownie Camera as a prize, the camera being given by the Kodak Co.

1902

Jan 6^th: School reopened this morning. Many children have been vaccinated owing to the outbreak of small-pox at East Malling & district. So far it has not made any difference to their attendance at school.

Mar 4^th: I punished Ernest Shrimpton this afternoon for bad behaviour whilst I was out of the room, whereupon he was impudent & therefore I caned him again.

11^th: John Avis (Std VII) being tried as monitor for a few weeks in place of Gordon Udall.

26^th: Prize distribution in the afternoon by Mrs. Walter Fry….class prizes:

VII & VI: Richard Smith. John Gurr. John Avis. Norman Latter.

V: Wm Ralph. Wm. Larkin. Wm. Anning.

IV: Hbt. Avis. Wlt. Acott. Roland Palmer

III: George Fisher. George Burrluck. Bramly Johnson.

II Wm Crockford. Wm Latter. Walt. Carter. Charles Head.

I: Lewin Palmer. Fred Relf. Thos. Smith

May 26^th: School re-opened to-day. John Avis who had just been appointed paid monitor left on May 16^th : for the present I have no one in his place.

June 2nd: The news of Peace having been signed just arrived. Children marched to corner of street & sang “Now thank we all our God” & the National Anthem. A message arrived soon after from managers ordering a day’s holiday.

July 14^th. Punished Bert Avis for impudence in answering.

21^st School closed all this week for special coronation Holiday.

August 7^th: Punished H. Crockford for taking apples from a tree in Boys Garden & damaging the tree in so doing & in denying that he knew anything of the matter.

18^th George Longley a former scholar is acting as temporary monitor.

Oct 24^th: For this week the attendance has been absolutely perfect, no boy having been absent. There are 88 boys on the register & they made 880 attendances.

Nov 28th: Punished 3 boys , R. Froud, W. Latter, & Hy. Latter for stealing oranges from the front of a shop in the village.

1903

Feb 17^th: Dr. Roberts (Medical Officer) visited owing to increase in cases of measles.

19^th: Attendance very low owing to measles. There are no cases of Measles in the Boys School but about 20 boys have to be excluded owing to having cases at home.

20^th: received telegram from Dr.Roberts ordering the Schools to be closed.

March 23^rd : School reopened. …Two boys Roland Palmer & Lionel Langley have left & gone to Yalding Grammar School.

The following is a summary of the Report of His Majesty’s Inspector upon the school for the year ending Jan 31^st 1903 “ The school is a good one and continues to be worked with good methods & marked ability and vigour. Staff: Headmaster Ed Smith. Assistant Leonard Hamshire.

April 24^th: Have lately started a violin class in connection with the school. The lessons are given every Tuesday and Friday during the dinner interval. There are six members at present.

May 1^st: [21 medals for full (406) attendance given]. Wm Ralph has made 4 years of complete attendance.

Form prizes: 4^th: Richard Smith (Headmasters Prize.) Herbert Crockford. & Frank Palmer.

3^rd Upper: Edmund Gibbs. Mathew Relf. Robert Head.

3^rd Lower: George Fisher. Leonard Smith. Alfred Latter.

2^nd Upper: William Crockford. Charles Head.

2^nd lower: Lewin Palmer (Mr. Hamshire’s prize) Arthur Shrimpton. Arthur Monger. Thomas Smith.

1^st Upper: Fred Relf. Guo Adams. Victor Goodwin.

1^st lower: Wm Burrluck. George Martin. H. Pickett.

Victoria Essay Prize: Richard Smith.

June 8^th: Most of the boys attended the funeral of Leonard Adams², a scholar, who died through through the effects of a fall from a cart. Mr. Hamshire and myself also attended. At the cemetery the hymn 572 was sung at the graveside.

August 4^th: Rev. M.H. Boden visited & brought the cheques for payment of salaries.

October 26^th: punished A. Shrimpton for stealing fruit for the second time during the last week.

Nov 10^th: The Rev. G.M. Livett sent up a microscope for the boys to use for a day or two , accordingly during convenient lessons I have allowed boys to come out one at a time to see chalk etc. through the microscope.

1904

Jan 4^th: School reopened. Richard Smith (paid monitor) has left, having decided not to become a pupil teacher. The upper Form boys chose Walter Acott to be School Captain in the place of Richard Smith.

Jan 6^th: School Drum & Fife Band held its first practice tonight in the school under the direction of Mr. Haywood of Maidstone.

Mar 14^th : Rev. G.M. Livett visited & gave instructions that boys were to gargle their throats with a mixture of water & Condy’s Fluid every morning owing to the large number with sore throats.

Apr 13^th: The first annual meeting of the Wateringbury Old Boys Society was held in this school at 8 p.m., about 30 being present. The object of the society is “to form a bond of union among old boys , to maintain the connection between the past & present, & to promote in every way the interest of the school.

June 1^st: Herbert Crockford (paid monitor) left from to-day and Arthur Relf took his place

June 8^th : Mrs. Crampton called to state that her son, Robert who was absent from school yesterday & the day before, was supposed to have been at this school, but had on his own account gone to Nettlestead. She desired him to remain here & not to go to any other school.

July 5^th: Punished Charles Butchers for playing children.

Aug 15^th: Punished Harry Latter for dishonesty with regard to money which he had collected for a Sailors Home & then made use of personally.

1905

Jan 31^st : issued first number of Wateringbury Boys’ School magazine.

Feb 1^st: Mr. George Davis, formerly a monitor in this school, entered upon duty as a temporary teacher (either as a 4^th year P.J. or an Art 50 , if Scholarship result is satisfactory)probably for a year. Arthur Relf (paid monitor) left and went to Yalding Grammar school today.

21^st: Dr. Roberts (Medical Offficer of Health for the District) visited this morning on account of some cases of infectious disease having occurred in the neighbourhood. There are only two such cases in the Boys Dept.

23^rd : School closed owing to scarlet fever.

Mar 14^th: school reopened again, but with about 25% absent.

Apr 3^rd: attendance improved today, as those who have been kept away for fear of fever have all now returned.

May 1^st: The number on the registers is now 95, which is higher than it has been lately.

Received report on Musical Exam. Held on April 4^th in connection with Tonbridge Musical festival from Miss D. Cator…..

2^nd: school closed this afternoon & all next day on account of the Tonbridge Musical Festival& competition for which a class of boys from the school & church choir were entered.

24^th: Empire Day: The morning was spent in the way suggested by the Empire League, that is to say, special lessons dealing with the History & Geography of the British Empire were given. At twenty to twelve the whole school assembled by the flagstaff on which the Union Jack was flying. By the gateway stood a guard of honour of 20 boys armed with carbines & behind them the school Drum & Fife Band. Some of the members of the violin class also played their instruments in the National anthem. After a march by the band , the song “Flag of Britain” was sung by all the children. Short speeches were then made by W. Amos Baker & the Vicar (Rev, G.M. Livett) after which the National anthem was sung & played by the combined bands & voices , ending with hearty cheers for King & Queen, & also for the visitors who were fairly numerous on this the first local celebration of Empire Day.

June 22^nd: The attendance officer (Mr. Chatfield) visited this morning. I filled up for him the necessary form for Harry latter who wishes to be exempt from school the summer months as allowed by what is known as Robson’s Act. This is the first case of this sort we have yet had in this school.

July 18^th: Heard this morning that Fred Maytum , a scholar in the lowest division had died after undergoing an operation in Maidstone hospital.

21^st: The father of Thos. Martin sent to say that his son was 14 years of age today &therefore he wished to take him away from school. As he was only 13 years old according to the registers I asked for some proof that the boy was 14 &the father sent up a certificate , which on examination proved to have been altered. As the boy is entitled to half term [?time?] for the purposes of agricultural employment I gave him a certificate to that effect.

22^nd: Fred Maytum was buried today (Saturday). The boys & girls sent two wreaths.

31^st: Gaius Udall (Mereworth) started today as a pupil- teacher. He will work mainly with Mr. Hamshire in the classroom for his first term.

August 1^st: Mrs Weller started work today as school cleaner in place of the two boys who had previously done the work.

16^th: Owing to a fete at Barham Court, Teston, which most of the boys wished to go to, school hours were slightly altered.

Nov 30^th: Mr. Maggs (H.M.I.) visited & heard George Davis give a lesson, recite & read.

Dec 20th: [prizes]: W.O.B.S. Prizes: Music-Arthur Monger; Geometry- George Fisher; Geography-Lewin Palmer.

Headmaster’s prize: Lewin Palmer.

1906

Jan 20th: Gaius Udall, pupil-teacher, commenced going to Maidstone Grammar School for his year’s study there.

Feb 16^th: W.bury Old Boys Society Annual Meeting held at the Schools this evening.

Feb 21^st: Gaius Udall (P.T. now at Maidstone Grammar School) came to school this afternoon & gave a History lesson to the lower division & also assisted me with the upper division drawing lesson.

Feb 28^th: The Mayor of Chatham (Councillor H.J. Whyman) an old boy presided at the 3^rd annual dinner of the W.O.B.S. & then presented through Augustus Leney, Esq., (one of the managers) a photograph of himself, in his mayoral robes, to be placed on the walls of the school. The Mayor of Chatham also announced his intention of visiting the schools in the summer &of presenting a special prize also.

This framed photo was hung up in School this morning & a few words said to the boys by the Headmaster on the matter.

March 8^th: Mr. Hurley, father of one of the Girls School children called to see me this morning with reference to a letter his daughter had received from Earle Curd (one of the boys of this school) . I had already had this matter brought to my notice & had spoken to Curd only the day before when he stated that he had sent no such letter for a fortnight. The letter to Mr. Hurley’s girl was written only 2 days ago & therefore the boy has not told the truth. This boy & his brother James have I am afraid a very bad influence in the school. At one time Earle Curd was chosen school captain but owing to bad behaviour he had to be dismissed that position. In regard to above a letter has been sent to Curd’s parents from the Headmaster; & Earle Curd has been caned for the falsehood told yesterday.

April 2^nd : Admitted 16 boys from Infants Department making a total of 106 boys on the register.

24^th: School closed this afternoon & next day on account of the Tonbridge Music Festival for which the School & Choir had entered.

May 24^th: This day was celebrated as Empire Day. Being also Ascension Day no ordinary school work was done. [detailed account of proceedings/awards speeches singing].

May 25^th: Mr. Hamshire absent absent with permission to attend Mereworth Choir excursion. Having heard reports of strange way in which Mr. Hamshire had acted at times with the boys in his room, I took the opportunity to question some of his boys about the matter & found that not only were complaints I had received about Mr. H. hitting boys with his fist etc. true but that he had also treated several weak-minded boys very badly indeed. [reported to managers].

Aug 1^st: Granted a half-holiday in the afternoon on account of the village Flower Show at which the School Band played.

13^th: The Mayor of Chatham (Councillor H.J. Whyman Esq.) visited the school this afternoon & presented a silver watch to Lewis Palmer for good conduct & good work.

Oct 18^th: P.C. Williams (K.C.C.) called this morning to complain that Mr. Hamshire had struck his youngest son with his fist behind the ear. I promised to speak to Mr. Hamshire on the matter.

Nov 9^th: received a portrait of Mr. George Newman (an old Wateringbury school boy) to hang on the walls of the School.

15^th: At a Flower Show held in the Parish Rooms today prizes were won for best collection of vegetables grown in School gardens by 1. George Maytum. 2. George Fisher. 3. Arthur Monger. 4. William Crockford.

17^th: Mr. Chatfield, attendance officer, visited and also Mr. Alcock (N.S.P.C.C.) about the family named Deacon , who have been going short of food according to report. Mr. Alcock considered that this was not the case, although doubtless there had been a few occasions on which the children had had no dinner.

20^th: [prize giving]. Victoria Memorial Essay Prize to Lewin Palmer. Headmasters prize- George Fisher. W.O.B.S. Prize Geography – George Fisher. W.O.B.S. Prize Geometry-Wm Crockford. W.O.B.S. Prize Music – J. Horscroft & A. Monger & H. Pickett. W.O.B.S. Prize Juniors – H.Bateman & W. Milsted.

1907

Jan 9^th: Gaius Udall (pupil–teacher attending Maidstone Grammar School) was present today & gave several lessons.

21^st: Mr. L.J. Hamshire left today having resigned his position as assistant master.

Mar 18^th: Had to cane Fred Deacon severely for lying & stealing . This boy has stolen boys’ dinners repeatedly & in spite of the fact that only last Friday he was found out at this by myself & the S.P.C.C. inspector (who happened to visit the school in connection with this boys family) he (F. Deacon) again stole a boy’s dinner today. Apparently the boy is a downright thief and liar & requires special treatment.

27^th: School closed from today for Easter vacation. Owing to outbreak of measles the schools were not re-opened until May 14^th.

May 24^th: Celebrated Empire Day this morning.

27^th: Again the boy Fred Deacon has been found out in stealing other boys’ food & refreshment. Not only does he steal but he tells lies with the greatest ease. I punished him fairly severely this time… Also have had to punish two boys H. Coomber & E. Underhill for stealing birds eggs from a private garden, after having been warned not to do so. Another boy, W^m. Andrews, is a very bad boy indeed & seems to qualifying for admission to a reformatory. During the last few days he has been scratching the new paint off of the fence at Mr. Jude’s residence.

June 10^th: Miss A.L, Clarke Smith (sister of the headmaster)from Horton Kirby School commenced duty as assistant in this school today. She will take Forms I &II generally.

July 19^th: During this week Mr. George Davis has been absent every day except Thursday & Monday morning for purposes of sitting at oxford Local Examⁿ in Maidstone.

22^nd: School closed today on account of the Annual Choir Excursion.

30^th: received information that Messrs G. Davis & G. Udall having failed to pass the preliminary certificate examination cannot any longer be recognised or paid as members of the school staff. G.Udall finishes his time as a Pupil Teacher on 31^st July . Mr. G.Davis (acting as a supplementary teacher ) will receive a month’s notice.

Aug 2^nd: Mr G. Udall continued to teach until the end of this week.

29^th: At close of afternoon school the headmaster presented Ernest Spice with two volumes given by the K.E.C. as a special prize for seven years perfect attendance. Mr. George Davis who is leaving owing to having failed to pass Pre. Cert. Exam was also at the same time presented with a handsome silver mounted umbrella from the staff of the three depts. & the boys.

Oct 7^th: School re-opened . Mr. J.E. Watson in the place of Mr. G. Davis, commenced work today . He is an uncertificated teacher from Maidstone who passed the Prel. Cert. Exam. & has been at All Saints School.

Gaius Udall , although not qualified to act as an assistant owing to failure at Prel. Cert. Exam. & refusal of K.E.C. to recognise him , still wishes to continue his studies with the object of sitting again for his exam. He wishes to come to School & do a little teaching as well as study; and with the Managers’ consent he is now doing so.

Dec 9^th: Punished Wm. Crockford for writing filthy words in the road.

19^th: Mrs. E. A. Smith distributed the following prizes in the afternoon:- Drawing Prizes(given by Miss Lownds) to Thomas Smith (upper division) and Fred Gurr (lower division). Headmaster’s prize to Lewin Palmer . W.O.B.S. Music Prize to Horace Pickett . W.O.B.S. Geography prize to Wm Crockford.W.O.B.S. Geometry prize to Lewin Palmer. W.O.B.S. III form prize to Tom Gibbs. W.O.B.S. II form prize to Walter Milsted. W.O.B.S. I form prize to Frank Jukes.

1908

Jan 13^th: Presented Messrs. Toogood & Sons (seedsmen, Southampton) medal to the winner George Maytum this morning as it was forgotten before Christmas.

Feb 13^th: [ Head’s justification for poor H.M.I report notes] There are also a very large number of very dense boys in the school at the present time.

Mar 31^st: Miss Smith (asst) unable to come to school this afternoon owing to Influenza.

Apr 6^th: Owing to an attack of Influenza Mr. E. Smith (headmaster) was unable to come into school this week & following 3 days.

Apr 27^th : School re-opended today. Miss Smith & the headmaster both back again.

May 9^th: Saturday: Children’s day at Kent Festival. The Choristers won a “ prize & the first & second prizes for vocal solo …were won by W-bury school boys , George Underhill & Jack Horscroft. The last named boy also won the 1^st prize for sight singing.

11^th [detailed glowing report on singing in school} The headmaster is an enthusiast who knows how to communicate his enthusiasm to his boys.

22^nd: Empire Day : [detailed account of ceremony and distribution of attendance medals.] the Victoria Memorial essay prize won last year by Nellie Adams (Girls Dept) was presented and the winner of the prize this year, George Martin, was announced.

Dec 23^rd: …Prizes given by the Old Boys Society were won by Nevile Smith (Geometry & Music) George Underhill (Geometry & Geography) Horace Pickett ((Music & Geography) , Jack Horscroft (Music & geography) …

1909

Jan 21^st: Presented the “Toogood” gardening medal to Walter Maytum.

Mar 12^th: received a useful Specimen card & object lesson on Cocoa from Cadbury Bros.

May 24^th: Empire Day.

July 19^th: Instead of closing the School this year for the Church Choir Excursion the boys of the choir has their outing on Saturday.

Oct 6^th: had to punish Lewis Large for threatening to run home when told by Mr. Johnson (assistant master) to stand out for talking & playing.

Nov 26^th: The attendance has fallen very low owing to sickness. Several boys have to be excluded owing to younger brothers & sisters having “Mumps”.

Dec 6^th: Dr. Roberts, Medical Officer, visited to make enquiries re Mumps. He did not think it necessary to close the Schools.

20^th: Attendance still low owing to Mumps.

23^rd: The following prizes were distributed to the winners by Mrs. Edgar A. Smith:- W.O.B.S. Prizes. Music prize, Horace Pickett.; Geometry prize, Jack Horscroft. Geography prize, Nevile Smith. Consolation prizes, Herbert Bateman, Arthur Hollands, Jack Bowles and Horace Coomber. Form III , Reginald Rogers. Form II, Leonard Whitly, Form I, Edward Bell. … Headmaster’s prize: Jack Horscroft.

Notes:

1. Teston had a school, near the Church, from the early 19th century until "before 1926" when it closed and, according to The Teston Story by Joan Severn, "the children went to Wateringbury." It subsequently re-opened but closed again in 1951.

2. Leonard Adams was the son of William Adams, a widower and agricultural labourer, living with 2 other sons and one daughter in Latters Buildings, Old Road. He was born in Wateringbury in 1893. The 1911 census shows William had had 9 children with his wife, Mary, but by 1911 2 had died. Two more, both of whom went to Wateringbury School were to die in WWI, Frederick and Percy. Leonard's brothers, Albert, Levi and William were also to serve in WWI but survived.