Early entries:
1898 Jany 17 - Emily Fred Ann Roberts Cert.Teacher took charge of this school.
[It did not take the new head teacher long to come to an opinion:]
1898 Jany 21 - The behaviour of the children is anything but satisfactory, and
they are very noisy and inattentive during the so-called
silent lessons...the whole of the paper work is decidedly unsatisfactory
[Absenteeism is a recurrent problem throughout the book:] 1898 Jany 21 - Several children absent,
suffering from colds. Weekly average 38. [There were 43 on the books at this period.
F.V.Dalton, the chairman of the
school managers, paid regular visits to the school:] 1898 March 7 - F.V.Dalton Esq
called in school during the morning. He tested the registers, and also cautioned the children
respecting the attendances. Only 37 children were present - no. on books 44
1898 March 10 - F.D, having been again absent Mistress went to Nether Dean to make enquiries,
and found that she is suffering from a severe attack of eczema in the head, and will be unfit
for school for some time.
[Nor were teachers and pupil teachers immune:] 1898 Mar 31 - Jennie Carrington,
one of the Pupil Teachers [later Jennie Tuffnail] was suffering froma severe headache and Mistress advised her to go home for the rest of the day.
[Sometimes absence was not due to sickness,
but to being called to help out:] 1900 Apr 3rd - George Annis (age 9) away today.
He has gone to drill for his father.
1900 Apr 4th - William Brown absent today without leave. He has gone to work for
one of the farmers in the neighbourhood.
1900 Apr 6th - William Brown has not attended school since Tuesday.
1900 Apr 6th - Miriam Allen has been absent all today, with a dreadful gathering in her face.