| Description | Log Book, Star Lane School, Infants' Department.
Head teacher Miss A Baskerville, started service 29 October 1883.
Index pages A-H: lists of permanent and supply teachers, with some addresses and
dates of service.
30 Jan 1900 Report: "The high age of the children at admission here is a serious hindrance to the work here which is very praiseworthy."
2 March 1900 "On Thursday morning the news of the Relief of Ladysmith arrived about playtime - I gave the children 20 minutes play and allowed them to have their flags out."
18 Nov 1904 "Attendance low this week on account of the continuance of fog."
10 Nov 1905 Report: "The work goes on steadily and, on the whole, satisfactorily; the organization is not good, and, with the present allotment of space to the different classrooms, four of which are designed for eighty children each, cannot be good. The teachers are thus heavily handicapped."
List of teaching staff.
1 April 1908 "I have received 7 pairs of boots from the Ragged School Union for necessitous children, the parents paying half price."
23 Dec 1908 "Miss Baskerville ceased work here today."
11 Jan 1909 "Mrs Katharine L Taylor started work as Head Teacher. Made alterations in
length of play."
27 Aug 1909 "The reduced accommodation took place from this date, the number being
380 instead of 482" [with a list of class rooms and numbers of pupils new and old].
22 April 1910 "I took scripture in Miss Labriola's class to shew her how scripture should be taken as she is rather sceptical about miracles."
17 June 1910 "Took 166 children to the Zoological Gardens in the morning. Children were complimented on their behaviour by many people."
20 June 1911 "Empire Day… A week's holiday for the King's Coronation was granted."
26 April 1912 "I asked the children to give donations to the Mansion House Fund in aid of widows and orphans of the sinking of the Titanic off Newfoundland."
24 May 1912 "Empire Day was celebrated in the playground by this department [list of
songs and dances performed]. All classes marched past, saluting the Union Jack. Visitors and parents witnessed the celebration and thought it wonderful that such little children should perform so many things without the help of other departments."
15 Nov 1912 Report: "The Infant Department is skillfully organised and closely supervised.
The need of a hall is keenly felt. The children without being unduly boisterous are natural
and happy …"
28 Feb 1913 "At managers' meeting I reported the caretaker for insolence" [there had been a series of complaints about the caretaker's behaviour, and various incidents involving him are listed].
4 April 1913 "During the holidays the Hospital box containing about 16/- was broken open and the contents taken out … Detective came and made inquiries… Hospital secretary came to see about stolen money box."
11 April 1913 "In afternoon we had a 'Daffodil Show'. The children brought their bulbs in flower. Miss Spalding [manager] judged - with me - and gave away the prizes."
At back: lists of teaching done by head, visits, staff absences, school closures, fire drills |