Re-opened school at 9.30am. Mrs. Crossby continues to supply in class 10. Mr. Peck returned for duty from Colchester. Miss Storey did not return.

Opened at 10am after late “all clear”.

Mrs. Crossby absent.

Mrs. Crossby returned to duty.

Miss George absent in afternoon. Air raid alert – aircraft heard overhead at 3.35pm until 4.05pm. Children in shelter.

Miss George absent in the morning; resumed duty in afternoon.

Miss Bull absent ill. I am leaving 12 noon to visit Education Officer by arrangement with the secretary, to discuss fire watching and other matters.

Two hundred and sixty two children received first inoculation in immunisation treatment against diphtheria. Dr. Arning and Nurse Burke assisted by four senior girls and myself took from 10am until 4pm over this work. Parties of children to open the Adult school. S.  were conducted by Senior boys and girls without mishap.

Opening time reverted to 9am.

Opened at 10am due to “Night Alert”

Miss bull returned to duty.

Miss Groome absent owing to the serious illness of her parents.

Miss Groome returned to duty.

Miss Groome away ill.

Mr. Morris absent in the morning – very poorly.

Dr. Arning and Nurse Burke carried out Diphtheria immunisation treatment all day.

Air raid alert at 3.47pm. Children were taken to the shelter where they remained until 4.25pm.

Miss Groome returned to duty. Diphtheria immunisation treatment in the afternoon by Dr. Butler.

Closed all day for A.S.E. by special instruction from the secretary. 103 candidates, native and evacuee, disposed in four classrooms took the exam over which Mr. Howitt and three members of the Intermediate School Staff invigilated. With Miss O’Connor and Miss Bennett assisting I invigilated at the Intermediate School. The exam began at 9am in spite of late alert.

Opened 10am owing to late alert. Diphtheria immunisation by Dr. Aisling at 3.30pm.

Opened 10am owing to late alert. Registers checked and found correct.

Miss O’Connor absent ill (until entry “returned”)

Miss O’Connor returned to duty. Opened school at 10am owing to late alert. Mr. Woodhead H.M.I. called at 2.45pm

Dr. Butler and Nurse Bunker gave diphtheria immunisation treatment 9.45 – 11am. Mrs. Crossby called to the office to see Mr. Holland in the afternoon.

Alert sounded at 3.35pm. Children were taken to the shelters until 3.50pm when the “all clear” signal was given.

Miss Groome absent owing to her mother’s illness.

Miss Groome returned to duty.

Opened at 10am due to late alert.

Dr. Butler carried out diphtheria immunisation treatment in the forenoon.

Assembled at 10am owing to late alert. Closed for Easter at 12 noon.

Re-opened at 9am

Assembled at 10am owing to late alert.

Dental inspection.

Assembled at 10am owing to late alert.

Assembled at 10am owing to late alert. Dental inspection in the morning by Miss Dixon assisted by Miss Bunker.

Assembled at 10am owing to late alert. I was absent to attend an R.A.F. interview during the morning session. Returned at 1.45pm

H.M. Div J.H. Jenkins and Mr Woodhead H.M. Assistant Inspector called at 3.10pm

Mrs. Crossby absent with severe cold.

Assembled at 10am owing to late alert. Mrs. Crossby absent.

Mrs. Crossby returned to duty.

Miss Groome absent in the afternoon owing to her father’s illness.

No woodwork classes.

Dr. Northern attended by Nurse Burke conducted M.I. in the afternoon.

Dr. Northern and Nurse Burke conducted Medical Inspection all day. Miss M. George absent in the afternoon, with chairman of managers’ permission to attend her uncle’s funeral.

A suitable Empire Day Service attended by the whole school was held at 9am

Mrs. Crossby did not return to duty this morning owing to illness and intimated that she would not be returning.

In order to allow me to leave at 4pm I cancelled afternoon playtime and closed at 4pm, the purpose being an interview with Mr. Holland at Northampton on the matter of Communal Feeding.

Mr. A. Woodhead H.M.I. called. Closed school at 12 noon for Whitsuntide Holiday.

Re-opened at 9am. Mrs. J. McKay C.A. began temporary supply duties. Medical Inspection by Dr. Northern whole day.

Assembled at 10am owing to a late alert.

Eva Waller, Edna Waring, Rex Swindall and Robert Smith have been awarded special places as a result of the A.S.E. 1941.

Mr. H. J. Phillips N.D.H. inspected the school garden. His verbal report was very complimentary to Mr. Peck and the boys.

Mrs. J. McKay ceased duty this pm

Mr. A.J. Corell of the Permanent Evacuation Staff commenced duties with class 5 at St. Peter’s Church Room Highfield Road.

Belva Smith, Barbara Kimberley and Jean Wheeler called for further special place Examination at Northampton County High School.

Assembled at 10am owing to a late alert.

Gas Masks of all children present overlooked by Mr. M. Boyd and staff of wardens.

Assembled at 10am owing to late alert. Classroom in lower corridor evacuated to allow demolition work to proceed. Dr. Newton and Nurse Burke gave diphtheria Immunisation treatment – 3^rd injection- to 170 children during the afternoon session. Fourteen boys visited the Boot & Shoe School in the afternoon.

Mr. A. J. Corell ceased duty at St. Peter’s Highfield Mission this afternoon.

Mr. R. R. Lawrence of the Permanent Emergency Staff commenced duty at St. Peter’s Highfield mission this morning.

Miss M. Wright absent ill. Mrs. Levy absent during the afternoon at her daughter’s wedding.

Miss M. Wright returned to duty. Dr. Butler carried out immunisation treatment in the forenoon.

Mr. A. Woodhead H.M.I. called.

Mr. R. R. Lawrence absent for interview at Royal Ordnance Factory.

The swimming team – Bernard Jones, Derek Holland, Derek and Robert Bollard won the Fineshade cup.

The girls’ swimming team went to Rothwell in charge of Miss O’Connor and came third in the Rowell Cup Race.

Broke up until Sept 1^st. Arrangements for Milk Distribution from Highfield St. Peter’s Mission made owing to demolition work in progress.

Re-opened at 9am. Miss Dorothy Smith, trained certificated mistress, from Hereford Training College, commenced duties with class 1 an at the same time began the probationary year. Mr. R. R. Lawrence of the Permanent Emergency Staff has been sent to Burton Latimer C of E. No woodwork or Cookery classes today.

No woodwork classes today. Class 2 went to cookery. In order to accommodate evacuees at the Higham Ferrers Cookery Centre this year Alfred Street will be restricted to three days per fortnight. Term 1 one class weekly and the other fortnightly reversed in term 2.

Miss Groome absent in the afternoon owing to the illness of her mother.

Mr. A. Woodhead called in the forenoon.

With the chairman of the managers’ permission I am leaving at 3.15pm to reach Hamerton Cambridge by 5pm. The school will be closed on Monday 22^nd for Rushden Feast.

Re-opened at 9am. Miss N. Groome absent ill (until further notice.)

Miss C.M. Bennett absent this morning to attend County court to give evidence in an action over possession of a dwelling house. Mr. Capon sanctioned the above.

Special mention at morning prayers, attended by the whole school and the chairman of the managers Mr. W. E. Capon, of the bombing incident on Oct 3rd 1940, the graves of the victims have been decorated with beautiful flowers from the children’s gardens. More than six clothes baskets were filled.

Miss N. Groome returned to duty this am

Twenty six boys began potato lifting with local farmers under the special regulations of the Education Committee and the War Agricultural Committee.

Miss Hardy, psychiatrist for the L.E.A. visited the school to investigate the case of June Sykes, recently admitted from Northampton and having marked tendencies toward kleptomania.

Mr. A. Woodhead H.M.I. called concerning the possibility of making temporary use of the B.W.T.A. Hall shortly to be vacated by evacuees.

Lads released, returned from potato lifting. Miss O’Connor absent in the afternoon to attend an interview at Maidwell.

A letter has been received from the clerk expressing the great pleasure of the managers on learning of the high percentage of marks obtained in the school gardening competition and extending their congratulations to Head Teacher, teacher and boys.

Miss George absent in the morning ill.

Miss O’Connor absent ill.

Miss O’Connor returned to duty.

A suitable Armistice Day reference made at prayers. Nurse Catterick carried out general head inspection in the afternoon.

Sergeant Tansley of the Police Force spoke to the older boys from 2-3pm on “Road Safety”.

Sergeant Tansley spoke to the Juniors at St. Peter’s Highfield Hall.

Sergeant Tansley spoke to the senior girls.

Opened school at 9.30am (Dec & Jan).

Closed for Xmas and New Year Holiday at 12 noon. Concert in the Ritz at 2pm.

Re-opened at 9.30am.

Canteen for school dinners opened in Portland Road.

Miss George absent in the morning owing to the illness of her mother.

Miss Bull absent ill until further entry

Miss Bull returned to duty

Opened school at 9am

General Dental Inspection by Dr. Butler and Nurse Burton.

Miss Groome absent – mumps until further entry

Miss bull absent in the afternoon ill until further entry

Mrs. Levy absent ill – until further notice. No woodwork classes until further entry owing to Mr. Gardam’s illness.

Mr. Peck absent ill pm until further notice.

Mr. A. Corell and Permanent emergency staff began duty

Mr. S. A. Peck returned to duty.

Mr. Cooper and Miss Withers of National Council of Physical Fitness Staff gave excellent demonstration lesson with classes of “leavers”. South End School children were present and took part in the lessons.

Medical inspection complete.

Mr. L.A. Peck absent ill all day.

Miss Bull and Miss Groom returned to duty.

Miss O’Connor accompanied me to invigilate at the A.S.E. Newton Road. Mr. Ash and Miss Sugars invigilated here. Class 3 with Mr. Hales spent the morning at St. Peter’s and Mr. Peak as in charge of the Adult School.

Visited school and checked registers. W.E. Capon. Mr. A. Corell left the school this afternoon for service at Harrowden.

Closed 12 noon for Easter Holiday.

Re-opened after Easter Holiday.

Miss D. Smith absent with mumps (until further notice.)

Closed in the afternoon to deal with reception of eighty-eight evacuees from London.

Mrs. Frances Hoffman, certified assistant, began supply duty this morning.

No cooking until further notice owing to teacher’s illness. Miss D. Smith returned to duty. Miss O’Connor absent with permission of secretary to visit selected infants’ schools.

Miss O’Connor absent on school visit. Mrs. Hoffman concluded her supply period at 4.15pm

Mr. Duncan in charge of the mobile film unit belonging to the National Society for the Prevention of Tuberculosis gave an excellent film display in the Hall to the four senior classes from 9.50 until 11.10am. Suitable adjustments to the time table were made. The apparatus used (Bell-Howell) was the most successful so far brought to the school. Technically and as propaganda the display was of exceptional merit. Children from St. Peter’s Highfield Hall were taken on a nature walk at 3pm by Misses O’Connor and Wright.

Miss Wright absent ill.

Miss Wright returned to duty. Appropriate Empire Day Assembly at 10.45. Presentations to Miss O’Connor leaving to become Headteacher at New Duston Junior School and to Miss George who is to be married in the holiday. Miss O’Connor ceases duty at 12 noon. Close at 12 noon for Whitsuntide holiday.

Re-opened at 9am after Whitsuntide Miss George (Mrs. Allen) absent on her honeymoon. Mr. Hales moved to Highfield St. Peter’s to have charge of Class 5. Miss Wright to remain at Highfield St. Peter’s to have charge of class 5. Miss Wright to remain at Highfield St. Peter’s in charge of class 6. Mrs. Hoffman began temporary supply duty with class 8. Mr. Peck and myself deputising for Mr. Hales in Alfred Street. Cookery classes recommenced.

Swimming classes commenced. Commenced collection of medicinal herbs.

Mrs. M.O. Allen returned to duty with class 8. Mrs. Hoffman remains to take over Mr. Hales duties with class 3 and the History teaching of the Senior School.

Mr. A. Woodhead spent part of morning and afternoon at Alfred Street taking full particulars of staffing, accommodation and curriculum. He did not visit classes at Adult School of Highfield St. Peters.

In addition to Betty Anderson who has informed that she has been awarded a special place by the Surrey E.C. the following children have been awarded special places at Wellingborough Grammar School (Boys) and Wellingborough High School (Girls), John Fuller, Norman Locklyer, Kenneth Nicholson, Henry Jarvis, Rex Waite, Hilda Green, Jean Hardwicke, Margaret Roberts.

Visited school and checked registers and found all correct. F. Green.

Opened school at 10am after a late “alert”. Miss N. Groome absent in the forenoon with severe headache.

I shall be absent this afternoon attending an educational conference at University College Leicester, the invitation from the Ministry of Information being passed by the Secretary and approved by the managers.

Opened at 10am after late alert. Received information that twenty one native children had obtained promotion mark (60%) in the A.S.E.

Letter received from the Managers.

Dear Mr. Lawrence

The managers heard with great interest of the excellent results obtained in the Annual Schools Examination by the children from the Alfred Street School, that so many special places were awarded to the children who had worked under difficult conditions makes the result the more praiseworthy. I have to congratulate you, the assistants and the scholars concerned.

Yours faithfully

H. Viccars. Clerk to the managers.

Mrs. Hoffman absent until further entry, her husband being on leave. Miss E. Smith of the permanent emergency staff is dividing her time between this and the Infants’ Department, when she has been in charge, until Miss Foxworthy the new Headmistress is able to dispense with her services.

Terence Rice has been awarded a special place at Wellingborough Grammar School.

Miss E. Smith concludes her temporary duty in this school today.

Mrs. F. Hoffman resumes temporary supply duty today.

“Alert” sounded 8.55am. “All clear” at 9.5am. The children were properly disposed in the shelters.

Late alert opened 10am.

Medical Inspection 10-12. Dr. Butler and Nurse Thomas

Late alert – opened at 10am. Medical inspection all day.

Late alert opened at 10am. Medical inspection in morning. Closed at 4pm until Thursday next 6^th August at 9am

Re-opened at 9am. 140 children – approximately 35% present.

Opened at 10am after late alert. Attendance as yesterday.

Terence Wesley has been awarded a special place at the Rushden Boot And Shoe Technical School. John Hardwicke, Spencer Reynolds, Eddie Shrive and Robert Trusler have been awarded special places at the W’Boro’ Technical Building School.

The School Swimming Team – Robert and Derek Bollard, Philip Payne and John Hardwicke won the Fineshades cup at Rushden Baths completing the course in the very good time 2 minutes 46½ seconds.

The girls’ swimming team, Peggy Iliffe, Jean Clarke, Helen Whittington and Pam Jones competed at Rothwell in the Rowell Cup competition and were placed third.

Mrs. Frances Hoffman absent this morning due to a bereavement. Closed school for the holidays at 12 noon. The teachers have two weeks clear holiday, one week standby in which they do one and a half days supervision duty with a maximum of ten children registered, who will use the Commonwealth Sports Garden as a play centre.

Eight children only reported for supervision on Monday which I undertook. After consultation with the office I closed the school until Sept 7^th, also the Infants’ Department in the absence of Miss Foxworth.

Re-opened at 9am.

Opened at 10am after late alert.

Miss Hoffman absent, afternoon, being the last day of her husband’s leave.

Boys Woodwork classes begin, there being three instead of four owing to shortage of staff. Girls have three Domestic Science classes at Higham Ferrers, there being an additional “refresher” class for leavers, for six months.

Dr. Butcher and Mrs. Raynham from the Medicinal Herb Office visited the school in the afternoon, informing the children that Northants was the first county in the collection of nettles having sent nearly 4 cwt of diced leaves. Of these about 2 cwt were collected in Rushden. Arrangements were made for the school to be the local depot for rose-hips and horse chestnuts. I undertook to despatch the sack.

Dr. Butler and Nurse Thomas carried out Medical Inspection in the morning session.

Nurse Thomas conducted a general inspection beginning at 11am and continuing until 3.30pm. Children at the Adult School & Highfield St. Peters were inspected earlier in the week. The inspection was necessary owing to the prevalence of scabies in the district. Two cases were discussed and excluded.

Miss D. Smith has been notified by the secretary of the Board of Education that she has completed her probationary year to the satisfaction of the Board and is now recognised as a certified teacher.

Closed for two days Rushden Feast.

Miss N.Groome absent in the afternoon owing to the illness of her mother.

Mrs. M. O. Allen absent ill. Miss Groome returned.

Miss M. O. Allen absent ill.

Mrs. Allen returned to duty.

Mrs. Allen absent in the afternoon with a very sore throat.

Mrs. Allen returned to duty. Mr. S. Peck has been given two days leave of absence by the Colchester Ex. for his wedding.

Mr. S. Peck absent

Mr. S. Peck returned to duty. From this week until further entry the woodwork classes have been further reduced to two, the Tuesday morning class being discontinued on account of the shortage of woodwork teacher.

Closed at 4pm until Nov 2^nd for midterm holiday.

Resumed at 9am.

I was absent with a severe cold.

Miss Smith absent with permission of chairman of managers to take a music examination. No woodwork classes until further entry owing to illness of Mr. Gardham.

Miss N. Groome absent in the morning owing to the illness of her mother. Mr. Albert Morris absent with a severe cold.

American Thanksgiving Day – suitable hymns, prayer and appropriate reference at assembly and in lessons. Mr. Morris absent.

Opened at 9.30am and 1.30pm – times to continue until Jan 31^st. Mr. Morris absent until further notice.

Mr. Morris returned to duty.

A breakup concert was held in the Highfield St. Peter’s Hall at 2pm, consisting of Cameo Plays and A Musical Nativity Play. The performance was repeated for parents at 7.15 on Tuesday 22^nd £5-10-0 being raised for the “Aid for China” fund.

At morning prayer the whole school assembled the following visitors being present. Ald. Cotterell representing the E.C., Mrs. Muxlow, Mr. E. Freeman and Mr. W. E. Capon (managers) Mr. Huke (retired member of staff) and Mrs. Huke. On behalf of the children and staff I bade farewell to Miss N. Groome, a valued member of the staff since April 1915. Her conscientious and capable service is much though of and will be greatly missed. Mr. S. Peck also leaves the school today to return to Colchester. Twenty five seniors leave today. School closed at 4pm until 11 Jan.