Rushden Echo, 28th June 1923, transcribed by Kay Collins
The Lighting of the central hall at the Alfred-street Council School being unsatisfactory, the Managers recommended the provision of new electric lamps, at a cost of £7 10s. The School Buildings Sub-Committee of the Northants Education Committee, however, were unable to agree to the expenditure, especially as the lighting was required, not for the day-school, but for letting purposes. At the meeting of the Rushden School Managers on Tuesday it was decided to refer the letter back to the County Committee, pointing out that the recommendation was made on the ground of economy, as the new lamps would be a great saving in the lighting of the hall.
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Rushden Echo & Argus, 24th March 1939, transcribed by Kay Collins
Home and School Co-operate - Parents Inspect Training of Rushden Alfred-street Infants
Parents and other visitors to the Rushden Alfred-street Infants School, on Thursday were able to observe the methods by which the modern baby is guided in its early days of education.
Miss Hill and her staff, who arranged this “open day”, have taken up many new ideas in nursery-class and infant school work. They are also keen on promoting co-operation between home and school.
The classrooms were seen to be much brighter than was the case 20 or even 10 years ago, bright splashes of orange paint striking a very cheerful note.
Proper table manners are taught during the morning “break” when children are given the task of setting the lunch tables. Cleanliness is recognised as one of the rudiments of sound physical fitness, and every morning the scholars undergo a “tooth brush drill.” Examples of the children’s work were displayed on the walls.
At a meeting of the school’s Parents’ Association on Wednesday evening about 60 parents heard Councillor Mrs O A H Muxlow speak on “Woman’s place in local government.”
A parents’ competition for “the best article made not costing more than 1s.” attracted 40 entries, which were judged by Mrs Muxlow. The awards were made as follows: 1 Mrs Partridge (child’s dress), 2 Mrs Wickes (iced cake), 3 Mrs Harris (child’s underwear). Three additional novelty prizes were presented by Mrs Muxlow.
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The Rushden Echo and Argus, 22nd August, 1941, transcribed by Gill Hollis
Lessons As Usual
Classes to Carry On During Alfred-Street School Rebuilding
Although building operations are likely to be in progress at Rushden Alfred-street School during the coming term and next year as well, teaching at the school will continue.
The seven classes of the Junior School which continued to receive lessons in the undamaged part of the building will still attend there. Arrangements for the Infants’ School and three classes of the Junior School which had to seek accommodation in other buildings in the town will continue as in the past.
Any hopes any of the young pupils may have entertained of a protracted holiday are thus doomed to disappointment.
Mr. S. A. Lawrence, headmaster of the Junior School, told a reporter that builders had been working at the school since about the end of June, but he did not expect that at the very best more than two or three reconstructed classrooms would be ready by Christmas. How long the whole scheme of reconstruction would take it was almost impossible to say, since the work depended on so many doubtful factors, such as scarcity of labour and materials.
“The plans aim,” he said, “to afford much the same accommodation as was available in the past, but they have been drawn up so as to fit in with the long-term plans for educational improvement in Rushden.”
The chief additional difficulty which will be experienced at the school during the period of rebuilding will be a further cutting down of playground space, partly needed by the building contractors, Messrs. Green, of Northampton, for their work.
Arrangements for the distribution of classes at other buildings in the town will remain as follows: Infants’ School at St. Peter’s Sunday School, the Full Gospel Hall and the Scout Room; and three junior classes at St. Peter’s Highfield Hall and the Adult School.
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| The Rushden Echo and Argus, 23rd Dec 1949 |
Scholars All Said: ‘We Have Been Good’ — When Father Christmas visited children at Alfred Street Infants’ School, Rushden, he asked them some rather searching questions about whether or not they had been good. Naturally, all the answers were in the affirmative, so all the children had a present out of one of the old gentleman’s sacks.
The children soon disposed of the jelly, blancmange and cream cakes which had been provided for them, but before the last spoons were laid down they were on the lookout for a sleigh and Father Christmas. They did not notice the sleigh, but there was plenty of cheering when Father Christmas put his head round the door. After the distribution of the presents in the classrooms, the children sang and played games.
Next door, at the Junior School, there have been parties all the week. There were too many children for a party for the whole school, so each class had one to itself. On Tuesday morning there was a carol service.
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Moving among the children during a Christmas party at Alfred Street Infants’ School, Rushden, Father Christmas found that most of them had very definite ideas about their Christmas presents.
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The Rushden Echo, 3rd March 1967, transcribed by Jim Hollis
Bitter Complaints About Waste Ground
Mothers and teachers at Alfred Street School, particularly the infant section, are complaining bitterly about the area of waste ground on the corner of College Street and Duck Street.
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Puddles!
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In the wet weather large puddles – almost small lakes – are left spotted about the ground, which is usually a bath of mud anyway. And you know what children are. Never walk round a puddle when you can walk through it. I stood talking to two mothers, Mrs. Joyce Neville and Mrs. Jean Taylor, who both have children at the school, on Tuesday, and both felt that something should be done.
I agree. If what I saw was a typical example, half the children who attend the school must sit through their lessons with soaking wet feet every time it rains. They all thought it was great fun. You can’t blame the kids – we were all the same. One even broke away from his mother to have a paddle!
The school headmistress, Mrs. P. Palmer, said the matter had been raised at parent teachers’ association meetings but nobody seemed to be willing to do anything about it. She said when the land had been cleared she had hoped that it would be added on as an extension to her school as a playground. At the moment the children have to share with the junior children for a play area.
The land is, in fact privately owned, but I understand the Northamptonshire County Council is interested in it. However, it would take very little effort by somebody of responsibility to fill in the pot-holes with gravel until some use is made of the land.
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Rushden Echo, 14th March 1969, transcribed by Kay Collins
Pupils Act as Models
A mannequin parade held last week at Alfred Street School, Rushden, included pupils from the school acting as models.
It was in aid of association funds and was attended by 130 people.
The clothes were from Westworth’s (Huntingdon) Ltd.
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Three of the young models who took part in a fashion show organised by the parent teacher association of Alfred Street School, Rushden, to raise money for the school funds.
The children are (l-r) Hillary Nice, Adrian Cherry and Michael Fuller. |
23rd June 1970 Article from a local newspaper included in the Log Book, transcribed by Susan Manton
Cheryl gains honours degree.
Rushden girl Cheryl Stroz, aged 20 has gained a first class honours degree in chemistry at Birmingham University.
Cheryl is now preparing for a twelve month course at Chelsea College of Science and Technology, where she hopes to gain a Diploma of Education.
She is the daughter of Mr and Mrs. John Stroz of 49 Irchester Road Rushden and was educated at Alfred Street Junior School and Wellingborough High School.
“She really enjoyed her time at University. I think she would rather work in a laboratory, but she might change her mind and become a teacher “said Cheryl’s mother Mrs. Olive Stroz.
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