Conisbrough Secondary School – Log Book

SCHOOL LOG BOOK, CONISBROUGH SECONDARY SCHOOL

2^nd November 1934

Geoffrey Sampson 11 years form 2a of 32 Burcroft Hill slipped on the balancing ball in PT and had to be taken to Fullerton Hospital where it was stitched.

21^st January 1935

Mr J Huck commenced work as a permanent teacher. His salary from today will be £171 per annum.

3^rd May 1935

Lord Halifax Chairman of the Board of Education presented Jubilee Bank Books to 120 scholars representing the 230,000 scholars of the West Riding and souveniers to 120 accompanying teachers. School closed at 4.00pm for the Jubilee Holiday.

6^th May 1935

Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary.

Childrens Programme.

10.30am Service in Schools.

Presentation of West Riding pens, pencils and bank books with 1 shilling in each.

11.00am until 4.00pm

Relays of children attended free cinema shows.

4.30pm until 5.30pm

Teas for the children in all schools – presentation of Jubilee Mugs.

5.30pm until dusk

Sports on the playing fields.

8.30pm

Torchlight procession.

9.30pm

Firework Display.

10.00pm

Bonfire.

12^th September 1935

Annual Garden Party held between 6.00pm and 9.00pm over 690 people attended.

25^th October 1935

Eric Rudd aged 13 of 99 Tickhill Street, Denaby Main, collided with another boy on the sport field at 2.40pm and injured his left leg. Fractured above ankle.

14^th January 1935

Closed school at 4.00pm due to the rapid spread of an epidemic of influenza. Attendance fell to 52%.

8^th February 1935

School reopened today after the influenza epidemic.

12^th September 1935

The Senior Medical Officer examined children who are under nourished. Fifty nine were recommended for meals and twelve for milk.

28^th March 1939

Annual School Concert commenced. This years production is a musical `Dickon the Bedlam´ a story of Wars of the Roses written by Mr Hinchliffe the English teacher and Mr Horncastle the teacher of music.

29^th January 1940

Heavy snowfall today, no milk supplies.

1^st February 1940

The arctic conditions have continued all week with no milk supplies.

2^nd May 1940

Practice Air Raid Warning all in trenches.

20^th March 1941

A group of 43 boys and three teachers left school at 3pm to visit the Conisbrough Sewage Works, they were met by the Borough Engineer Mr Thirlwall, who conducted them over the works and explained in an interesting manner the process of sewage disposal and purification. The excursion was most instructive and lasted until 5.00pm.

3^rd November 1941

Air Raid Warning at 1.25pm. Children were coming to school. Sent direct to trenches. All clear at 2.10pm. Enemy plane over again ten minutes later without warning. Children again marshalled into trenches where they remained until 2.39pm.

30^th October 1944

129 boys out in squads potato picking. They are working on a half time basis four hours a day, 8 – 12 and 1 – 5.

GIRLS SCHOOL

9^th March 1931

Prizes in elocution girls over 11 – Bessie Moore 1^st prize Florence Parry 2^nd prize.

Girls under 11 Alice Mycroft Margaret Ellin Hilda Sellars

1^st November 1932

Miss Packwood – first day as headmistress

25^th August 1937

The following girls have been awarded transfer scholarships

Dorothy HumphriesJoan Mary Roberts

Rita BryarsLaura Turner

Eunice RobertsNancy Moore

18^th October 1937

School dinners started today

4^th April 1939

The gross takings of the school operetta `Dickon the Bedlam´ £34. 1s. 9d. the profit £32 3s. 8d.

20^th September 1939

Today a scheme has been inaugurated for the continuance of schoolwork during war time. Until adequate shelter is provided for all the children groups of children only will be taught and these can shelter in the cellar if an air raid warning is given. Each child will have an opportunity of attending school for half a day a week and text books and exercise books will be provided for homework.

8^th November 1939

School re opened this morning with 306 children being present out of 396. In case of an air raid 198 children of those present this morning could be sent home or to the houses of friends. For the remainder shelters affording at least protection from falling glass have been contrived, using the cellar, the stockrooms and refuges built from the firmest tables.

20^th January 1940

Owing to heavy snowfall attendance this morning was only 50%.

2^nd February 1940

Attendance for the week 47%.

2^nd April 1940

The Air Raid shelters are not yet finished but are sufficiently advanced to be usable. This morning the girls were taken into them and allotted their places.

11^th April 1940

An air raid practice was held, all girls being under cover in three minutes.

12^th May 1940

Sarah Humphries kitchen helper, gashed her right wrist this morning while emptying a tin of corned beef. First aid was rendered by Nurse Biddlecombe who was in the school.

14^th June 1940

Dorothy Gray injured her arm this morning during a PT lesson. First aid was administered and she was taken home by two teachers.

29^th July 1940

For the four weeks beginning today school opens for recreational activities. Official registers will not be marked. Seven of the staff are on holiday and the other seven will be on holiday the second two weeks. The recreational activities will include the production of plays, story reading, needlework, bookbinding and other handwork, indoor games, games on the field, gardening, physical exercises, dancing, music (singing, recorders and percussion band), wireless and gramophone programmes.

17^th December 1940

Owing to the sounding of neighbouring sirens the girls were in the shelters for approximately 2pm until 3.15pm this afternoon

21^st January 1941

The weather is very bad this week, the roads being buried in wet deep snow. Attendance has been much reduced. 8.30am air raid alarm was given. Considering that the state of the field rendered it unwise for the girls to go to the trenches I sent home all those whose homes were within easy reach. The others remained in school and were preparing to take up positions giving the most cover when the @all clear# signal was given (about 3.40pm). The girls were then dismissed.

8^th May 1945

School closed today on account of cessation of hostilities.

1^st October 1945

Miss Nancy Moore takes up duty, being appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mrs Goldstone. Class 3C with 38 pupils.

2^nd June 1947

The cook reports that during the night of 31^st May 1^st June the following goods were stolen from the school canteen.

112lbs jam

112lbs margarine

24 1bs corned beef

about 28 pounds sugar

three quarters of a pound of tea

1^st July 1947

Miss Margaret Kaye takes up duty.

23^rd September 1948

Miss Moore finished duty at noon. She is leaving the school in order to be married in Canada.

Miss Kate Pitpladdy took up duty this morning in place of Miss Moore.

20^th March 1950

Miss Kaye absent having leave of absence for three days on account of her marriage.

September 1952

The official name of the school is now Conisbrough Northcliffe County Secondary (Girls).

BOYS SCHOOL

29^th March 1951

99 boys and 97 girls from the school left by bus for a month at Bewerley Park Camp School. They were accompanied by three staff from the boys school – Mr Moody, Mr Whittaker and Mr Stewartson, and three staff from the girls school. They will return to school on 25^th April.

28^th June 1951

The school was closed for the day. 156 boys for the first year accompanied by six members of staff and seven other supervisors travelled by coach to Hull to visit HM Festival Ship `Campania´. Dinner was taken at the Grammar School of Beverley Road, Hull and the party proceeded to Hornsea to spend the rest of the day.

19^th October 1951

Dr Vincent, West Riding Lecturer on Sex visited the school today. She will be addressing those boys who will be leaving school at the end of the session.

1^st February 1952

Keith Wesley and Thomas Freeman were bitten this morning by a dog whilst taking part in a PT lesson on the games field. The boys wounds were dressed and the lads taken immediately to hospital for available treatment. The police were also informed about the dog and are making enquiries.

6^th February 1952

The King died this morning.

1^st July 1952

Notification has been received that the following pupils have been awarded scholarships at Mexborough Technical College as from September next:

B Hakes,H Eames,J Greathead,D King,E Cawthorne,N Cunningham,

R Burton,D Trout, P Gillett, B Hill,F Mills, R Day, M Sitch,D CroxallB Harrop. G Nicholson,

2^nd April 1953

Presentation of a suitably inscribed book to Peter Hare of 10 New Hill, Conisbrough, for 100% attendance at the school since the school re opened.

14^th April 1953

No heat in school today. Finished school early as classroom temperatures were between 42 degrees and 48 degrees Fahrenheit.

23^rd June 1953

Mr Charlton, Mr Hardy and Mr Mallinder took up duties today as assistant master.

28^th May 1954

A group of 44 boys and 4 teachers went by bus for one weeks holiday at Kesingland Holiday Camp.

9^th September 1954

Boys voted for Prefects: Cocksedge, Goodinson, Harvey, Middleton, Mills, Lote, Breeze & Pemberton.

18^th November 1954

Boys 13+ and teachers X-rayed today.

5^th March 1955

Two boys Malcolm Jones and Joseph Smith were presented with the Royal Humane Society´s Certificate at Doncaster Police Court. Presented for saving a younger boy.

10^th September 1955

Mr Frank Wallis

14^th April 1958

Mr Arthur Young took up his duties as 4^th Headmaster of the school.

16^th May 1958

Dr Reade and team gave Anti Polio injections to most of the school in the Hall.

19^th May 1958

Choir and Guitars players went to Tickhill Castle by bus for music festival. A very enjoyable open air occasion in favourable weather – overcast but warm.

22^nd May 1958

Mr Sykes of Bradford Textiles Ltd came to measure the boys for new blazers.

30^th May 1958

Trip to Bramall Lane with 50 boys to watch the match between Yorkshire and New Zealand.

27^th February 1959

Brandreth, Rawson, Haigh, Saxton and Thomas to Mexborough Grammar for 14+ transfer exam.

21^st July 1959

Three ton lorry, ex army Bedford with 7000 miles on the clock was bought for the school camping club and registered to the school.

24^th July 1959

During the summer holidays a party of 26 boys from the school camping club accompanied by the Headmaster, Mr Bowes and Mr Cusworth made a camping expedition to the Isle of Skye in the school truck. The adventure started on 20^th August and ended on 28^th August at a cost per head of £3.10s. 0d.
Nb: Bob Bowes played the headmaster in the film ‘Kes’

18^th September 1959

A group of 21 boys accompanied by the Headmaster, Mr Huck and Mr Copley set off to Conway in North Wales in the school camping truck. A splendid weekend. Cost 10s. 0d. per head.

24^th February 1960

A party of boys from the fourth forms accompanied Messrs Chadwick, Bowes and Armitage to Hull where they were entertained by the Royal Navy to lunch and afterwards shown over the Fisheries Protection Vessel HMS Chaplet. The visit was an enormous success.

16^th August 1960 – 31^st August 1960

Camping Club tour of seven continental countries for 39 boys and 5 staff. A tour through Belgium, West Germany, Austria, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, France and Luxembourg. No mechanical trouble, no health problems and all returned fit and well.

MIXED SCHOOL

2^nd September 1963

Northcliffe County High School (mixed)

5^th November 1963

Miss Cross is absent this afternoon after an accident on her bicycle during the dinner hour.

26^th November 1963

Mr Young was absent from duty, he visited Buckingham Palace with four former students; Melvin Exton, Michael Clifford, George Jones and Kevin Mellor who were presented with the Duke of Edinburgh´s Gold Award in the presence of the Duke.

18^th March 1965

Forty girls with Miss Dutton and Mrs Davies went to the Ideal Homes Exhibition in London.

18^th January 1966

Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Candidates went to Doncaster Fire Station for public service training they were: Hurd, Rhodes, Riley, Baxendale, Wood, Herbert, Tuffrey and Webb.