Feby.22nd New Headmaster – Mr. William M Bowden. – commenced duty to-day, being introduced to the Staff and pupils by Mr. Brown, Chairman of the Education Authority and by Mr. Coults Morrison. Education Officer.
Feby.23rd Made up and sent to Mr. Blane a Retinue showing the number and size of classes in this school.
Granted leave of absence to Miss Macdonald who was asked to meet the Staffing Committee of the Authority in
Feby.24th Miss Macdonald returned to duty.
Attendance Officer called for list of absentees.
Feby.25th Visited School to-day and found that Lavatories, Woodwork, and Stonework require immediate repairs, Instruction highly satisfactory, and conduct good.
(Signed) T.A.Gowling.
March 1st Miss Kirk absent owing to illness.
Miss McOwan, though feeling unwell, was able to commence duty at 10-15am.
March 3rd Miss Kirk returned to duty.
Mr. Gowling and Mr.Malcolm visited school re. repairs.
.
March 5th Miss Phebe E Macdonald M.A. left to take up duties at Allains School Stirling.
March 8th Miss Jessie S. Peterkin M.A. commenced duty.
March 9 Nurse Doughty visited school.
March 10 Reported to Convenor that smoke was issuing from wood lining in room 2a behind fireplace of room 3.
He called and examined parts.
March 12 Attendance very bad – the percentage present being 76.3.
March 15th Mr. Patrick H.M.I. visited school.
March 19th Slight improvement in the attendance – percentage being 82.2
March 30 Mr. Gowling visited school and signed Registers
March 31 Dr. Rutherford , S.M.O. medically inspected children born in 1917.
April
School closed for Easter Holidays.
April 13th School re-opened. All staff present.
The newly appointed Attendance Officer, Mr. Bonallo. – called here to-day and received a list of defaulters.
April 16th Mr. Peter Roy M.A. Assistant Master, left to take up an appointment in Fifeshire.
April 19th No successor to Mr. Roy sent. Senior I class taken by Headmaster.
April 20th
(Signed) T.A. Gowling
April 30th Attendance still adversely affected by the prevalence of Measles among the Infants.
May 7th Mr. McKenzie, Woodwork Teacher, absent.
Q.E. Forms sent to
Headmaster still in charge of Qualifying class.
May 12th Qualifying Examinations, under the supervision of Mr. Bonallo, was held to-day.
May 14th The Additional Qualifying Examination was conducted under Mr. Bonallo’s supervision.
Attendance improving.
May 17th During the week end one large pane of glass in the roof lights of the Cookery Room was completely smashed, a door of the Latrines taken off it’s hinges and laid on the floor, and many slates destroyed.
Reported facts to the Police Sergeant and Mr.Gowling, School Convenor.
May 18th A religious service was conducted in the Cookery Room by Rev.
D. Bayne, Minister of Muiravonside Parish. The Senior pupils with their Teachers were present.
May19th Mr. Gowling called and signed registers.
He also inspected damage done to school property.
May 21st Commenced feeding necessitous school children. As Cookery room was required for the purpose of preparing the meals no manual work was done until 2-30pm.
Allowed Miss Peterkin off duty this afternoon to attend brother’s wedding in
May24th Miss Marion Fraser commenced duty as a Temporary Teacher.
Cookery Room still occupied by Committee in charge of the feeding of the children. Miss Harrison was unable to conduct her class.
Mr. W.Webb, Member of the Education Authority, visited school.
Miss Peterkin still absent, Class taken by Miss Harrison.
May 25th Miss Peterkin returned to duty.
May 27th Dr. Rutherford medically inspected several children who were absent at her last visit.
June 1st Day School Cert. (Lower) Examination
No French papers sent Informed Mr. Morrison.
June 2nd Have arranged that the Manual and Cookery Room will be required daily between the following hours. 10 am-11-30 am and 1-30pm to 3-30 pm. The work and instruction being maintained at a high standard. Attendance greatly improved.
(Signed) T.A.Gowling.
Member of Authority.
June 4th Day School Cert. (Lower) Examination.
June 7th French paper sent by Mr. Patrick. Examination given this afternoon.
June 14th Miss Annie C.Main commenced duty as a Temporary Teacher.
Miss Isabella C.A. Hendry, Cookery Teacher, commenced duty.
June 15 Linlithgow
June 16 Mr. Gowling visited school.
June 18 Form E 15. sent to Miss Harrison for her signature, and thereafter forwarded to Mr. Blane
June 22 Rev. Mr. Bayne conducted a Religious Service this morning.
Qualifying Class Examination Results received.
June 25 School closed for Summer Vacation.
August 17th School re-opened.
Miss Jessie S. Peterkin M.A. commenced duty as a permanent Teacher.
Mr. Kenneth J. MacKenzie M.A. commenced duty. Received intimation that Miss Georgina Whyte would take up temporary duty as Cookery Teacher here in place of Miss Harrison, commencing Monday 23rd August.
18th August Mr. Gowling visited school and note the need for extra accommodation.
20th Aug. Received intimation Mr. McQueen, School Dentist would visit school on 30th Aug. and on 31st (if necessary).
25th Aug. Mr. Morrison. Education Officer, visited school visited school and discussed with the Headmaster the question of accommodation.
27th Aug. Returned Form F2, duly filled up and signed, to Education Office.
Received notice that Miss Elsie park, Teacher of Cookery would visit this school on Mondays as from 30th August 1926.
Signed Registers, seen accommodation bad, which must have attention, attendance Good, Instruction excellent, alteration in time table signed.
(Signed) T.A.Gowling.
Aug.30th Miss Elsie B. Park commenced duty as Teacher of Cookery in place of Miss Harrison.
Mr. McQueen, School Dentist examined the teeth of all the children.
Sept.3rd Owing to the breakdown of the omnibus, the Headmaster and several of the staff were a quarter of an hour late having had to walk from Laurieston.
The School Management Committee with Mr. Palmer from the Education Office,
Sept.6th Mr Ralph Dickson, Attendance officer, obtained list of absentees.
Sept.10th The attendance has been good, percentage present being 92.
Sept.13th Mr.Gowling visited school, and discussed with Headmaster the resolution, regarding Feeding and Clothing Necessitous Children, passed by the Education Authority at a meeting held on the 9th Sept.
Sept.16th Mr. Patrick, H.M.I. visited school.
Sept17th Headmaster left school at 1-50pm. To attend Conference with Mr. Patrick. H.M.I. in the Board Room, Park St. Falkirk.
Sept.23rd School closed for Autumn Holiday – 24th to 27th inclusive.
Sept.28th School re-opened
Miss M. Fraser, absent suffering from an acute attack of tonsillitis.
1st Oct. Received notice from Dr. Adam that Membranous Croup exists in the house of George Mulholland,
4th Oct. Miss Fraser returned to duty.
8th Oct School Dentist has been busy in school all week. Mr. Morrison. Education Officer, Mr. Malcolm. Architect and Mr Gowling, School Convenor, visited school.
11th October 1926 Visited school today and found everything satisfactory, Staff fully interested in children, Certain repairs require attention, Feeding of Children receiving careful attention, also Boots and clothing being looked into, attendance very good.
(Signed) T.A.Gowling.
12th Oct.1926 School Dentist completed dental treatment of pupils.
20th Oct.1926 Miss Baxter absent.
21st Oct. Medical Certificate received from Miss Baxter. Forwarded it to Education Officer.
28th Oct. Miss Baxter returned to duty.
3rd Nov. Miss Baxter unable to attend suffering from sore throat.
8th Nov. Medical Certificate on behalf of Miss Fraser sent to Education Officer who was requested to send a Relief Teacher.
10th Nov. Miss Mary Cunningham commenced duty in place of Miss Fraser
11th Nov. Armistice day – Two minutes silence observed in classrooms.
15th Nov. Miss Binnie absent. At Infirmary with a relative.
17th Nov. Miss Binnie returned to duty.
The Property Committee visited school.
19th Nov. Mr. Gowling, School Convenor, visited school.
23rd Nov. Miss Fraser returned to duty, Miss Cunningham left.
29th Nov. Dr. Rutherford medically examined children born in 1913 and 1921.
Miss Kerr sickened in school and had to be sent home. Headmaster took charge of her class.
30th Nov Dr. Rutherford continued her examination.
1st Dec. Dr.
6th Dec. Miss Kerr returned to duty.
Mr. Gowling visited school. Fire Drill practiced.
8thDec. Received intimation of the procedure to be adopted with regard to the withdrawal of scholar’s names from the register of the school.
9thDec. Dr. Adam intimates that Scarlet Fever exists in the house of John Smith at Police Station, Maddiston.
13th Dec. Mr. Malcolm, Architect, called to consult regarding the erection of a temporary partition in the Cookery Room.
15th Dec. Received from Clerk to S.M. Committee copies of letters from the Education Authority, relating to the Feeding and Clothing of Necessitous School Children, dated 25th Dec. 1925 and 11th Dec. 1926. The special arrangement authorised by the Authority to meet with the distress which resulted from the stoppage in the mining industry will cease as from January 1st 1927.
17th Dec. Visited school today and found everything very satisfactory, attendance good, Instruction excellent, staff deeply interested in Pupils. No Complaints.
(Signed) T.A.Gowling.
20th Dec. Miss Janet K.H. Wilson,
24th Dec. School closed for Christmas Holiday.
Miss Wilson left.
Sent report to Mr. Gowling re Complaint against Mr. Mackenzie for punishment of John Hunter yesterday.
11th Jany. School re-opened
13th Jany. Mr. Gowling visited school.
17th Jany. Mr. Morrison, Education Officer, visited school.
24th Jany.
Admonished three pupils who had been in school last night. (Sunday).
25th Jany. Enquiry held regarding case of John Hunter. Teacher exonerated.
26th Jany. Rev. Mr. Bayne, conducted religious service.
Form E15, sent to Mr. Morrison.
2nd Feby. Mr. Cunningham, Missionary. Conducted a religious service with Juniors.
3rd Feby. Nurse Doughty examined a number of cases reported by Dr. Rutherford.
Received Copy of Day School Certificate (Lower) Circular 73.
14th Feby. Mr. Gowling visited school.
18th Feby. Received Circular No. 103. Re. Withdrawal of Scholars’ Names from Register.
New Time Tables for Domestic Science, Needlework, Woodwork, and Technical Drawing received. The new arrangements to come into operation on Monday. 21st February 1927.
21st Feby. Miss Alice Thomson. Domestic Science Teacher commenced duty.
22nd Feby. Mr. John Mackay. Teacher of Handwork, commenced duty.
25th Feby. Miss Agnes Brand, Teacher of Needlework and Dressmaking, commenced duty this afternoon.
1st March. Another case of Diphtheria reported to exist in the house of Mrs. Annie Ferguson, Cabberton. Maddiston.
2nd March. Mr. K. Mackenzie absent, attending Edinburgh Infirmary.
Religious Services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Bayne who addressed the pupils in the Senior Classes and Mr. Cunningham who addressed the Juniors.
3rd March. Mr. Patrick. H.M.I. visited school.
7th March. Dr. Adam intimates that Diphtheria exists in the house of John Bryce Jnr.
8th March. Headmaster granted leave of absence to visit
11th March. Mr. Patrick visited school and examined Senior I Class.
15th March. Dr. Rutherford medically inspected pupils born in 1918.
23/3/27 . Visited school today, in connection with requirements in regards to repairs etc, to be carried out during summer vacation, also inspected classrooms etc, and find these taxed to utmost capacity. High Standard of instruction maintained, Staff keen and diligent attendance satisfactory.
(Signed) T.A. Gowling Convenor.
23rd March. Received copy of Rules and Regulations relating to the absence of teachers from duty.
28th March. Headmaster off duty this afternoon, was attending meeting of Heritors at Airth.
30th March. Rev. Mr. Bayne conducted a Religious Service.
4th April. Private and Confidential March 1927
Report by His Majesty’s Inspector on
“The work of this school, which was developed with remarkable zeal and success under the Headmaster who retired a year ago, continues to be prosecuted with praise-worthy energy and initiative.
“With a reservation in respect of Classes Senior 2 and Junior 2 in which the work of the current session has not been attended with complete success, the the general standard of attainment and progress indicates diligent and effective instruction.
The school population of the area has again outgrown the accommodation provided in the existing premises.”
6th April. Mr. Cunningham conducted a religious service with the Juniors.
12th April. Nurse Doughty called regarding several special cases.
13th April. Mr. Gowling. School Convenor, visited school.
14th April. School closed for Easter Holidays.
26th April. School re-opened – Attendance Good – all staff present.
28th April. Received intimation that Qualifying Examination will be held on 18th and 19th May.
4th May. Mr. Cunningham, Missionary at Standburn, conducted religious service with the Juniors.
Received intimation to have, during the School intervals, the gates of the playgrounds locked so that all pupils may be prevented from playing on the public highway during these intervals.
18th May. Qualifying Examination. Rev. Mr. McLellan acted as Supervisor.
19th May. Qualifying Examination – (additional papers) Rev.Mr.McLellan again acted as Supervisor.
23rd May. Headmaster absent during afternoon – attending a Heritor’s meeting at Airth.
Miss Thomson, Cookery Teacher, was off duty today.
23rd May. Nurse Doughty called - handed in list of pupils who will attend Eye Clinic at
24th May. Miss Smart returned to duty this afternoon.
25th May. Despatched Qualifying Exam. Papers to the Education Officer.
Received notice from Mr. Morrison that permission to take Advanced Division pupils for instructional visit to Scottish Co-operative Society’s Soap Work at Grangemouth had been granted.
30th May. Visit to Soap Works as arranged.
Mr. Mackenzie left in charge of the School.
1st June. Hoilday in lieu of Linlithgow
3rd June. Time Table and Papers for the Test for the Day School Certificate (Lower) received today.
Average attendance 345.8. Percentage 90.2 – the best percentage since January 14th.
6th June. Tests in English, Geography and History for Day School Certificate (Lower)
7th June. Tests in Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry given.
8th June. Test in French given.
Papers corrected and despatched to Mr. Patrick, H.M.I.S.
14th June. E15. in duplicate sent to Mr. Morrison..
15th June. Religious address delivered by Mr. Cunningham, Missionary at Standburn, to Senior Classes.
20th June. Having visited School today, found everything most satisfactory, Staff keen on instruction, pupils alert and attentive, school clean and tidy. Advancement during session excellent, attendance good.
(Signed) T.A. Gowling.
24th June. Miss Brown absent- leave granted.
27th June. Miss Brown returned to duty.
28th June. Letter from Mr.Patrick H.M.I. re., Form E15. and pupils who had passed Day School Cert. (Lower) Exam. Form H3M D.S.C. (Lr) forwarded to the Education Department.
30th June. School closed for summer holidays.
Miss Binnie left to be married.
23rd July. School re-opened. Miss Jessie Milne, Grangemouth, Miss Binnie’s successor, commenced duty.
Mr K. Mackenzie absent, completing language course.
Attendance good. Classes formed. A satisfactory beginning made.
29th August. Mr. Mackenzie resumed duty today.
Dr. Adam reports that Diphtheria exists in the house of Robert Storrie.
2nd Sept. Received Form E7.
7th Sept. Visited school today, and found everything satisfactory, There is several small matters needing attention, attendance satisfactory in view of sickness which is most prevalent.
(Signed) T.A.Gowling.
9th Sept. Two cases of Diphtheria reported by Dr, Adam. Some R. C. children have gone to
13th Sept. Messrs J. C. Smith and Patrick. H.M.Inspector of School inspected premises.
14th Sept. Headmaster at
15th Sept. Completed marks on eight Day School Certificates (Lower), and returned those with Form E15. to the Office.
20th Sept. Another case Of Diphtheria reported existing in the house of John Jackson, Burnside Cottage.
29th Sept. Mr. Gowling, School Convenor, and Mr Lawson. Clerk to S.M.C. visited school.
30th Sept. Attendance very good.
6th Oct. School Closed for Autumn Holiday.
11th Oct. School re-opened.
14th Oct. Books from Juvenile Library distributed to Advanced Division Pupils.
17th Oct. Visited school today and found attendance very good. Staff keen on their duties. School clean and tidy. I note with pleasure that Juvenile Library started, and that Adult section will commence in a few days.
(Signed) T.A.Gowling
18th Oct. Medical inspection of pupils born in 1922 and 1914.
19th Oct. Medical Inspection continued. Several children excluded from school by Dr. Rutherford. S.M.I.
20th Oct. Medical Inspection continued.
24th Oct. Day School Certificates (Lower) were presented by Mr. T.A.Gowling, Convenor of the School. Rev D. Bayne Minister of the Parish also addressed the pupils.
27th Oct. Dr. Adam intimates that Diphtheria exists in the house of James Kane.
28th Oct. Attendance not quite so good as on the three previous weeks, bad weather, and the exclusion of a few by S.M.O. for various reasons being the chief causes.
1st Nov. Another case of Diphtheria reported to be in the house of John Jack. 59 Carrion View.
8th Nov. Mr. Gowling. Convenor, visited school and signed Register of Manual Instruction Class.
11th Nov. Armistice Day – Two minutes silence observed.
16th Nov. Miss Kirk absent – suffering from a chill and sore throat. Class taken by Headmaster.
18th Nov. Miss Kirk resumed duty.
Mr. Stewart. H.M.I. visited school – examined Infant and Junior Classes.
22nd Nov. Miss Smart absent suffering fom sore throat.
23rd Nov. Headmaster was absent this afternoon, attending a Meeting of Heritor’s at Airth.
24th Nov. R.C.1 and R.C.2 completed and returned to Mr. Blane.
25th Nov. Miss Smart resumed duty today.
28th Nov Circular No. 140 received today. Housewifery Classes commenced.
29th Nov. Visited school today and found classes were well up to standard, Examination being held in Qualifying Classes. Everything is so far as instruction being of a very high standard. Smoke still coming through woodwork in Infant Room, as apparently nothing can be done to stop this, it will be necessary to remove class, which will make a very serious congestion. Windows not attended to, also snow-boards. Bookshelves for new Library now in position, attendance good. No complaints by staff, who are carrying out their duties under unsatisfactory conditions.
(Signed) T.A.Gowling.
2nd Dec. Attendance lower than last week. A case of Measles reported.
7th Dec. Religious service conducted by Rev. D. Bayne.
12th Dec. Headmaster absent, attending a funeral at Creiff.
Mr. Mackenzie absent, owing to illness.
15th Dec. Mr. Mckenzie resumed duty.
19th Dec Miss Thomson conducted cookery class today.
22nd Dec Inlement weather has had a detrimental effect on the attendance.
23rd Dec. Percentage in average attendance is 82.3 for the week.
School closed for Christmas and New-Year Holidays.
10th January School re-opened. All Staff present.
11th Jany. Mr. McQueen, Dental Officer, examined the teeth of all the children.
12th Jany. A lecture on Temperance was delivered to the Senior pupils by Mr. John Sutherland from Scottish Band of Hope Union.
17th Jany. Received intimation from Dr. Adam that Diphtheria exists in the house of Andrew Millar, Croft Cottage.
25th Jany. Another case of Diphtheria reported.
1st Feby. Religious service conducted by Rev. D. Bayne.
8th Feby. Form E15. completed and sent to Mr. Morrison.
10th Feby. Dr. Adams reports that Diphtheria exists in the house of Robert Stowe.
Visited school today and found everything very satisfactory so far as school attendance is concerned also instructions. Several repairs receiving attention, Rain percolating through roofs, Corridor water logged and most disagreeable, and requires attention of Authority.
(Signed) T.A.Gowling.
Mr. Kenneth J. MacKenzie M.A. left to take up an appointment in Plockton. Rosshire.
13th Feby. Mr. John Paterson M.A. commenced duty.
14th Feby. Mr. McQeen. School Dentist, commenced operations.
20th Feby School Dentist concluded treatment of cases.
21st Feby. Miss Smart absent suffering from a chill and a sore throat.
24th Feby. Requested assistance in Infant Department in room of Miss Smart whose Medical Attendant states she is suffering from acute Tonsillitis.
27th Feby Visited school today and found everything satisfactory, attendance good, Pupils attentive and alert, Staff well up in their duties, and moral standard of the school excellent.
(Signed) T.A.Gowling.
In response to the request sent out 21st. Miss Jane McFarlane commenced temporary duty, today.
28th Feby. Circular letter, re “Prize Drawing”, was read to the staff.
29th Feby. Mr. Patrick visited school.
2nd March Report received of a case of Diphtheria in the house of Thomas Finnie.
5th March Miss McFarlane – temporary teacher – left this afternoon.
6th March Miss Smart returned to duty.
7th March Rev D. Bayne conducted religious services.
12th March Mr. Gowling, Convenor, visited school , and conferred with Headmaster regarding Repairs to be executed during Summer Vacation.
With consent of Convenor school was closed early and combined markings made in Registers owing to severe snow storm.
16th March Attendance adversely affected by the inclement weather. Average for week being 313.6, percentage being 80.2.
21st March Dr. Rutherford S.M.O. medically examined Children born in 1919.
22nd March Medical examination continued.
29th March Boisterous, wintry weather causes fall in attendance.
3rd April Junior Class attended Musical Festival this forenoon, and Senior Class in afternoon.
4th April Rev. Mr. Blayne conducted religious service.
5th April School closed for Easter Holidays.