Week St. Mary Village - Village History

Extracts from the School Record Books

1875	1876	1877	1878	1879	1880	1881	1882	1883	1884
1885	1886	1887	1888	1889	1890	1891	1892	1893	1894
1895	1896	1897	1898	1899	1900	1901	1902	1903	1904
1905	1906	1907	1908	1909	1910	1911	1912	1913	1914
1915	1916	1917	1918	1919	1920	1921	1922	1923	1924
1925	1926	1927	1928	1929	1930	1931	1932	1933	1934
1935	1936	1937	1938	1939	1940	1941	1942	1943	1944
1945	1946	1947	1948	1949	1950	1951	1952	1953	1954
1955	1956	1957	1958	1959	1960	1961	1962	1963	1964
1965	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970	1971	1972	1973	CLOSED

• 29^th November 1875	Week St. Mary School Board has been held in a room (hired by the Board for the same purpose) since this date.
• 30^th October 1876	The school was opened by the Rev. G. H. Hopkins. There were just 10 children admitted during the first week.
• 4^th May 1877	Still no blackboard!
• 14^th September 1877	One boy sent to Stratton Workhouse (an orphan or pauper) for truancy, not returning to Week St. Mary until 21^st September 1877.
• 22nd March 1878	17 Children absent from school suffering from whooping cough.
• 26^th May 1878	School closed for 3 weeks due to number of pupils suffering from Measles.
• 3^rd October 1878	School closed for 3 weeks due to number of pupils suffering from Scarlet Fever.
• 24^th October 1882	School closed owing to a Bazaar in connection with the ‘Dissenters of the Parish School’.
• 15^th December 1885	Because of a Measles epidemic the school is closed until 5th January 1886.
• 8^th June 1885	There are now 85 pupils listed in the School Register.
• 1888	Only a slight rise in pupils in 3½ years - There are now 89 pupils listed in the School Register.
• 20^th April 1888	Whooping Cough is making it very noisy in class!
• 11^th January 1889	There are now 95 pupils listed in the School Register.
• 1^st October 1889	27 Children absent from school. Mostly boys out digging and storing potatoes.
• 20^th May 1890	Several children away because of a Sunday School Tea at the Bible Christian Chapel.
• 3^rd March 1891	Week St. Mary School closed due to blizzards.
• 26^th June 1891	Closed for some weeks due to outbreak of Scarletina (It was recorded on 22^nd April 1892 that the Scarletina had almost gone).
• 19^th September 1892	School closed for Revel Day.
• 21^st December 1895	Week St. Mary School closed for 2 weeks for the Christmas holidays.
• 7^th January 1896	The Doctor ordered the School closed due to an epidemic of Whooping Cough.
• 25^th March 1896	Whooping Cough returned to the school.
• 3^rd June 1896	Week St. Mary School closed for 3 weeks due to epidemic of Measles.
• 14^th May 1897	There are now 115 pupils listed in the School Register.
• 9^th September 1898	Half the school away due to blackberry picking and potato digging.
• 25^th April 1898	Military Drill today well executed but some of the smaller fry are rather a bother with their wrong motions.
• 14^th June 1899	Several children gone to Widemouth at the invitation of the Vicar and his wife! (Rev. William Wilkinson)
• 13^th July 1899	There are now 120 pupils listed in the School Register.
• 8^th October 1900	Week St. Mary School closed as required for use as Polling Station.
• 13^th November 1900	Poor attendance during the afternoon as several boys away because of a demonstration in the village on ‘turf hedging’.
• 28^th March 1901	Ground covered in snow; poor attendance.
• 2^nd April 1902	Snow, only 9 children present!
• 27^th July 1903	Two-thirds of the children at a Seaside Picnic.
• 15^th February 1904	Work of week vigorous and accurate. Average 96.8 attendance; this is the highest average since the school has been built.
• 23^rd February 1904	Over 100 children present today.
• 15^thMarch 1904 BACK TO DATE INDEX	Over 110 children present today. There is not enough desks and work is cramped.
• 26^th May 1904	Gloomy sultry day. Temperature registers 72^oF at 2.45 p.m. and there are 80 children crowded in large classroom and 34 infants in their classroom. Children are listless and restless. Air is unhealthy.
• 24^th June 1904	Average attendance for the week is 110 out of 135 on the books.
• 8^th July 1904	The school is poorly attended this afternoon. 87 out of 136; this is owing to haymaking.
• 5^th May 1905	School Inspector’s Report states that children are over-crowded by 25% with some 120 children crowded in the small school.
• 19^th September 1905	Week St. Mary School to be closed on the orders of Dr. Reutroch(?) owing to Scarlet Fever in the village.
• 23^rd October 1905	Discipline is falling owing to great overcrowding.
• 12^th June 1906	A young person of the parish is to be buried today so several children away.
• 29^th June 1906	School extension well under way; very noisy and dusty.
• 26^th September 1906	Large numbers of children away. Potatoes are being lifted so children kept at home.
• 5^th November 1906	School Inspector’s Report says that necessary enlargement of building nearing completion.
• 7^th January 1907	Epidemic of Measles so School closed for 3 weeks by Medical Certificate. School re-opened eventually 18^th February. Low attendance.
• 1^st May 1907	(Several reports over previous 5 months). Whooping Cough prevalent again.
• November 1907	Stratton Fair today. Several children gone with parents to help drive cattle.
• 29^th January 1908	A daughter of Mr. J. Badcock, former resident of this parish, is to be buried today in the village churchyard. They have asked for 10 or 12 boys to hold the horses at 3 p.m.
• 1^st May 1908	A very poor attendance this afternoon as there is a May Day concert at the Rectory and the children are away at the practise.
• 25^th June 1908	Several children away on account of the Free Methodist Anniversary.
• 22^nd September 1908	A. W. Rablen commenced work today as headmaster.
• 28^th September 1908	Miss Squire commenced work as Assistant Mistress.
• 15^th March 1909	Week St. Mary ‘Fair Day’ today. Snow is falling and is lying inches deep on the ground.
• 13^th May 1909	By consent of Manager’s, School will open at 1 p.m. and close at 3 p.m. in order to allow Bible Christian children to attend funeral of woman connected to Sunday School.
• 6^th July 1909	Medical examination today, 40 children examined. 4 pronounced mentally defective, 2 advised to take medicine and 1 told to visit eye doctor as soon as possible.
• 20^th September 1909	School closed on account of Week St. Mary Revel.
• 20^th May 1910	School will not open today on account of the funeral of King Edward VII.
• 26^th October 1910	Nellie Cobbledick is frequently late, especially in the mornings. This afternoon she arrived at 1.55 p.m. and as the register had been closed for 20 minutes I sent her home.
• 9^th January 1911	Managers decided school could not open owing to work connected with new folding partition.
• 26^th June 1911	School closed for Coronation of King George V.
• 18^th July 1911	School closed for Choral and Temperance Festivals.
• 1913	Repeated entries saying the School closed today for Church Outings, Choral Festivals, Band of Hope Festival, trips to Widemouth, etc.
• 1914	No mention of WW1.
• 29^th January 1915	Influenza, ringworm and scab amongst the children. School to be closed for 2 weeks by order of the Medical Officer.
• 7^th June 1915	At the Music Competition held at Wadebridge on 21^st May Week St. Mary School won Trefusis Banner, scoring ⁹⁸/₁₀₀ for sight singing and ¹⁸³/₂₀₀ for songs of all grades of competition, this School won the highest marks in both sections.
• 30^th March 1917	Today I resign charge of this school due to my failing eyesight (A.W. Rablen).
• 2^nd April 1917	I took temporary charge of the School today (W. J. Whittaker).
• 5^th May 1917	W. J. Whittaker resigned temporary duty.
• 21^st November 1917 BACK TO DATE INDEX	George Reed has to stay away from School, having Scarletina. Florence Reed, his sister, also must stay away.
• 11^th December 1917	The capture of Jerusalem has been announced and at the request of the Vicar the School will close at 3.30 p.m. to enable children to attend Thanksgiving Service in the Church at 3.45 p.m.
• 21^st January 1918	Visit by Rev. Haslam in connection with proposed presentation to be made to Miss Jones who is leaving at the end of February.
• 12^th February 1918	We are having a weekly collection of eggs for wounded soldiers and sailors. 52 eggs have been brought in today and sent to Launceston.
• 15^th March 1918	Miss McMerkin from Liskeard commenced duty as supply teacher today.
• 6^th May 1918	Miss Mellor appointed Assistant Mistress has declined the post.
• 27^th May 1918	Mrs. Williams has commenced duty as Assistant Mistress.
• 5^th June 1918	Have to proceed to Plymouth tomorrow to join the Army and I now resign charge of the School. (E. J. Leggo).
• 6^th June 1918	Miss Bettison commenced work as Assistant Mistress.
• 10^th June 1918	I take charge today (E. M. Hawking).
• 5^th July 1918	Resigned charge of School (E. M. Hawking).
• 8^th July 1918	Took charge of School (J. E. Dean).
• 17^th September 1918	A new cooking stove was placed in Infants room today.
• 9^th October 1918	Received instruction from Managers to close School next week for potato lifting.
• 25^th November 1918	Only 25 of our 80 children present. School closed until 9^th December. A lot of sickness in the village.
• 14^th February 1919	The egg collection for wounded soldiers has now ceased. 1,591 eggs have been sent since 12^th February, 1918.
• 24^th February 1919	Have returned to take charge of School after being absent on Military Service. (E. J. Leggo).
• 23^rd May 1919	Visited by Mrs. Curtis who talked to children about Empire Day and the proposed village War Memorial.
• 18^th June 1919	A School Library has been started.
• 30^th June 1919	Peace was signed on Saturday so the Union Jack was flown today from one of the trees in the playground.
• 5^th February 1920	School closed until 12^th February, owing to Scabies.
• 27^th February 1920	74 children on the register and every child present all week.
• 8^th March 1920	Miss Barbary commenced as Certified Assistant Mistress.
• 25^th February 1921	The playground has been covered with a layer of stones which have not been rolled into the ground. The result is that children are unable to play any games and it is impossible to do Physical Exercises as the stones are so sharp.
• 23^rd June 1921	School closed for birthday of Prince of Wales.
• 28^th February 1922	Week St. Mary School closed for marriage of Princess Mary.
• 26^th June 1922	Word from District Clerk that Doris Colwill has been successful in passing Minor Scholarship Examination held at Bude on 27^th May.
• 24^th November 1922	Received load of farmyard manure for School garden from Mr. W. Smale of Week Green.
• 6^th March 1923	Received word from Bude Secondary School that the body of the wheelbarrow for the school garden is complete, but that they have difficulty in getting a wheel!
• 24^th May 1923	Empire Day. A cross of flowers and wreaths were placed on the War Memorial by the children. Sports were afterwards held in a field lent by Mr. W. Smale.
• 1^st October 1923	I take charge of School (D. Pearce).
• 8^th January 1924	First mention of Miss Retallack as Supply Teacher.
• 23^rd January 1924	Being fine weather the opportunity was taken of carrying out operations in the school garden.
• 15^th February 1924	A boy was excluded today as he has ringworm. Notified County Medical Officer.
• 18^th February 1924	New gates fitted at the entrance to the playground.
• 31^st March 1924 BACK TO DATE INDEX	Miss Best absent today so Miss Retallack took charge.
• 4^th April 1924	Miss Best Certificated Assistant, finished duty here today.
• 7^th April 1924	Miss Isabel Trembach, the new Assistant, will not commence duty until later in the week. Miss Retallack took over lower department and I took the upper section.
• 29^th April 1924	The Headmaster is absent (sick). Dr. King, local MOH visited the school and recommended its closure.
• 1^st May 1924	Received order by telephone to close school at once. This was done 3.50 p.m.
• 2^nd May 1924	Received covering letter about school closure – school will re-open 26^th May.
• 10^th June 1924	Miss Retallack absent today for purpose of being medically inspected at Bude. The prefect system was explained to upper class today. Those chosen were John Stacey, Dennis Treleaven, Christine Masters and Olive Leach.
• 15^th September 1924	Miss Retallack is acting as supply teacher at Whitstone until September 18^th.
• 22^nd September 1924	School closed – Week St. Mary Revel.
• 29^th October 1924	School closed, being used as Polling Station.
• 11^th November 1924	Armistice Day – School marched to War Memorial and there observed two minutes silence.
•17^th February 1925	Received two coal buckets and one iron mat from Mrs. Martyn.
• 26^th May 1925	Empire Day Sports were held in a field adjoining the school, kindly lent by Mr. W. Smale.
• 8^th June 1925	An extract from report by H.M. Inspector, Mr. W. Page, states, “The Headmaster began duty in October 1923 and conducts the School in a capable manner. The order is good and the children show a keen interest in their work. Entertainments by children have secured about £20 for Provident, a Library and Apparatus. The teaching of Gardening is on good lines….”
• 25^th June 1925	School closed in afternoon by consent of Managers owing to Anniversary at Week Green Chapel.
• 25^th October 1925	Received notification that Cookery classes commence at this school.
• 27^th October 1925	Received Horticultural Superintendent’s Report on school gardens. Week St. Mary is again awarded First Class Certificate.
• 10^th June 1926	School closed this afternoon on account of Royal Cornwall Show at Launceston.
• 22^nd July 1926	School closed today, Flower Show and Fete at The Rectory.
• 18^th February 1927	The stove in the Infant Room is smoking badly. I have reported same to District Clerk. I am getting the blacksmith to see to it.
• 3^rd June 1927	School closed. 20 children and staff visited the ‘Education Week’ exhibition at Truro.
• 15^th July 1927	Three children awarded book prizes for essays in connection with Beethoven Centennial Celebrations (Ida Pooley, Freda Prouse and Cyril Petherick).
• 3^rd March 1928	School piano is being delivered.
• 4^th May 1928	The county has approved a £5 grant for a school library – the school has raised equal amount.
• 30^th October 1928	Attendance for week 72.2% due to large amount of sickness.
• 18^th February 1929	Michael Treleaven has been awarded a scholarship at Bude.
• 15^th April 1929	Owing to measles the county M.O. has advised exclusion of under 5’s for at least one week.
• 11^th November 1929	Armistice Day, lessons given and children listened to wireless service from the Cenotaph.
• 23^rd January 1930	School closed this afternoon on account of Dedication Services at the church.
• 10^th June 1930	Sir Donald Maclean, M.P. visited the School this afternoon.
• 13^th October 1930	Miss Retallack sent to Jacobstow as Temporary Supply Teacher.
• 27^th October 1930	Miss Retallack returned to Week St. Mary.
• 28^th May 1930	Miss Retallack assigned to Whitstone School permanently.
• 15^th January 1932	Mumps and Jaundice widespread.
• 3^rd March 1932	New stove fitted in small classroom. 72 children on the Register.
• 20^th June 1933 BACK TO DATE INDEX	School closed. Rechobite outing.
• 11^th July 1933	Cookery classes started under Miss William. Mr. Jeffery called to take measurements for a plan of school and playground.
• 11^th September 1933	There are now 77 children listed in the school register.
• 20^th October 1933	18 children absent through Measles and sickness.