The School Log. 1880 – 1943
‘I, Mary Ann Newcomb…….opened the Radford Woodhouse Board School today and admitted ninety one children’
– first entry in the log book. February 2nd 1880
‘Punished two children this afternoon for playing truant’
– October 31st 1882
‘Children very late indeed in coming to school this morning – asked the reason and it appears they were ploughing till ten the night before’
– June 12th 1883
‘Wollaton Road Board School was opened on Monday’ (change of school name)
– 6th October 1889
‘The clock in the tower is finished’
– October 30th 1891
‘…the school was closed the whole of Thursday being the Royal Wedding day’
– July 6th 1893
‘…during the school recess on Wednesday one of our scholars fell into the canal and was sinking. Tom Waterfall (??), a boy in Standard 1, took off his clothes, dived in and rescued his school fellow swimming with him to the bank’
– November 2nd 1894
‘My examination of the Wollaton Road Board school was to me a sincere pleasure. Evidence of the good influence exercised by the school upon the scholars…. was manifest in their clean appearance ’
– Examiners report, 1895
‘a very pleasant social evening was held for the parents of the children attending the school’
– w/e December 4th, 1896
‘Friday was another open morning for parents to visit the school. The mothers had asked for morning instead of afternoon visits, as they have to prepare dinner for when their husbands return from the pit’
– November 5th, 1897
‘(the infants) have cases of typhoid, whooping cough, chicken pox and many coughs and colds
– Week ending December 13th, 1897
‘It would be helpful if the managers would write to the authorities to ask them not to allow the boys in the park while the cavalry are there. The boys are paid for holding horses etc. and it interferes very much with our attendance.’
– Week ending May 20th, 1898
‘On June 1st a splendid case of life saving occurred. One afternoon on the Whitsuntide holidays five boys were out in a canal coal barge. Harry ***** was pushing the boat with a long pole. The wind blew the pole into the water and the boy fell in with it. He was being drawn underneath the boat when Harry Sentence, just 12, dived in without waiting to take any of his clothes off, not even his cap. The drowning boy clung to Harry and both boys went down but they rose again, and Harry held his companion by the shoulders, and swam with one hand to the bank. A young man who witnessed the rescue says that he would not himself have been able to save the boy’
– Week ending June 10th, 1898
‘Caned Fred ***** and Fred ***** for playing with a catapult, they having been forbidden to use one and its danger explained. Some time ago a little girl had her tooth broken by a boy who was using one.’
– Week ending July 1st, 1898
‘Harry Sentence has received the Vellum testimonial of the Royal Humane Society for having saved the life of Harry *************’
– Week ending July 8th, 1898
‘On Thursday evening 24 of our children took part in a concert at the Mechanics’ Hall in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the opening of the first board school in Nottingham, the present head teacher of Wollaton Road having formally assisted at Bath Street, the oldest board school in the city’
– Week ending April 21st, 1899
‘There was another severe thunderstorm on Friday afternoon just at school time. Only 229 children were present and some of them had to change their clothes, as they were wet through’
– Week ending June 15th, 1899
‘Received a note to say the School Management Committee were pleased to note the satisfactory attendance on the day of the Pretoria Demonstration’
– Week ending July 27th, 1899
‘On Monday the children took their first drill lesson with the new Instructor of Gymnastics, Mr. Broadbeck. The training promises to be beneficial.’
– Week ending October 19th, 1899
‘On Friday morning a short funeral service was held in memory of Her Late Majesty, Queen Victoria. I have been quite pleased by the spirit shown by the children on this occasion. Their manner has been reverent throughout, and the greater number of them have worn a black bow tie, or hair-ribbon, quite voluntarily, as the teachers have not asked them to do so’
– Week ending February 1st, 1901
‘On Wednesday one of the Standard II boys was sliding in the playground, fell on his arm and broke it’
– Week ending January 31st, 1902
‘The last time Mr. Adcock visited he noticed that the piano had been very badly tuned. Head teacher wrote to the blind gentleman Heman who tunes the piano telling him that the treasurer had remarked that the work was very badly done. The tuner came and tuned the piano over again, and said he had found it very much run down’
– Week ending March 14th, 1902
‘The ‘Coronation Treat’ took place on June 26th and was very much enjoyed by the children. They had cakes and lemonade and games in the playground.’
– Week ending July 18th, 1902
‘Admitted a little girl deaf, dumb and blind in one eye, as the doctor thinks she may be better if she mixes with other children’
– Week ending November 7th, 1902
‘After tea a magic lantern entertainment was given and there was a visit from ‘Father Christmas’ in character. A toy was provided for every child and a packet of sweets. After singing Christmas Carols the children were dismissed at 8pm.’
– December 23rd, 1904
‘In celebration of Empire Day – the children had an address from the Head teacher and they sang patriotic songs etc in the playground – saluting the flag and concluding with the National Anthem. The school closed this afternoon for Empire Day holiday.’
– May 25th, 1908
‘Notice received from the committee to the effect, that owing to the prevalence of infectious diseases amongst school children it has been decided to close all infant departments until after Easter. The junior Dept will remain open’
– March 22nd, 1909
‘School closed for two weeks by medical authority on account of an epidemic of measles’
– October 22nd 1915
‘During the summer months each class in turn spends one afternoon a week in the surrounding fields and lanes – suitable lessons are taken as nature study, geographical teaching, physical exercises, games, etc’
– May 18th 1917
‘…….paid a visit to an afternoon performance of ‘Peter Pan’ at the Theatre Royal’
– April 9th 1919
‘5 junior girls have spent a week in the open air recovery class held on Radford Recreation Ground’
– May 16th 1919
‘School closed for the day. Peace celebration. The children were given a tea, followed by sports and games’
– July 18th 1919
‘Very poor attendance owing to heavy rainfall. The parents at Radford Woodhouse refuse to send their children to school in bad weather as a protest against the bad state of the roads’
– January 18th 1921
‘Shrove Tuesday –school closed in the afternoon’
– February 8th 1921
‘………the annual school collection on behalf of the children’s hospitals has amounted to 26/-‘
– February 7th 1923
‘The crowning of the may queen took place in the central hall at 3pm’
– May 1st 1923
‘A short memorial service was held in connection with the funeral of her late majesty queen Alexandra ‘
– November 27th 1925
‘……alteration in the school building, in order to build sanitary arrangements’
– January 27th 1928
‘Letter received from the Elementary Schools Committee complimenting the Head Teacher and staff on the nature of H.M. Inspectors report upon the school.’
– May 2nd 1925
‘Two temporary class rooms erected in the school yard and accommodating between eighty and ninety children brought into use this morning’
–September 23rd 1929
‘Notice received that the Board of Education now recognize this school as providing accommodation for not more than 340 children (five classrooms for 50 each and two temporary rooms for 45 each)’
– November 4th 1929
‘Mrs. ******** absent today – heart attack’
– June 23rd 1932
‘Mrs. ******** resumed duties’
– June 24th 1932
‘Police Inspector Downes visited at close of morning session to explain the use of crossing signals which have been placed opposite each school gateway’
– November 14th 1933
‘Electric light has been installed’
– August 27th 1934
‘School closed in accordance with His Majesty’s gracious wishes’
– November 29th 1934
‘School closed for afternoon (holiday granted) and Silver Jubilee Holiday, May 6th’
– May 3rd 1935
‘School closed for afternoon session in order to prepare for Silver Jubilee Celebration Party’
– May 7th 1935
‘Notice received this morning that a whole holiday is granted on the 6th November in accordance with His Majesty the Kings’ desire (The Royal Wedding)’
– October 18th 1935
‘Notice received that ordinary school work be suspended for the day on Tuesday, 28th. Headteacher to hold a solemn funeral service on that day at 9am. Funeral of His Late Majesty, King George V’
– January 24th 1936
‘Piano removed for overhauling’
– April 2nd 1936
‘Coronation Day celebrations were held in the School Hall and consisted of special service in morning and songs, dramatic item and spoken verse in afternoon followed by distribution of newly minted sixpences presented by City Council to commemorate the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and Queen’
– May 10th 1937
’50 free tickets given by Wollaton Park Social Centre for childrens Party’
– December 12th 1938
‘School closed until further notice. War Emergency Measure’
– September 2nd 1939
‘No. of children evacuated 16 accompanied by 4 members of staff’
– September 5th 1939
‘Visit of ….. (surveyor) re Air Raid Shelters to be built for 150’
– January 26th 1940
‘Gas masks fitted with [cortex ?] during morning session’
– May 28th 1940
‘Very low attendance due to disturbed night. 88 children present in the morning’
– May 9th 1941
‘Demonstration of signals for gas attack given by A.R.P. Warden during afternoon session’
– October 21st 1941
‘No milk supply received owing to shortage at diary’
– December 4th 1941
‘A gift of 200 bars of chocolate by the Optimist International Club, Toronto, was received this morning to be distributed to the children by desire of the Lord Mayor on Tuesday next’
– March 12th 1943
‘School meals service commenced today’
– May 31st 1943