PRESENTATION
On Thursday Mr. Frank Clarke, who is leaving Newton-road Board School to take up a course of study at University College, Birmingham, was the recipient of a substantial and acceptable token of the esteem and good wishes of the headmaster, Mr. Jenkins, and the rest of the staff of the school. The gift comprised Maxmillan's edition of Shakespeare in three volumes, bound in tree calf, a volume of Scott's poems bound in morocco, and Ruskin's "Unto this last." Mr. Clarke leaves Rushden to-day (Friday), and carries with him the best wishes of numerous friends.

Presentation—Mr. A. Arnott, assistant master at Newton-road Mixed School was on Friday presented with an aneroid barometer, in view of his approaching marriage. Mr. L. Perkins, B.Sc., the headmaster, made the presentation on behalf of himself and the school staff, and also on his own behalf presented Mr. Arnott with a handsome cage of stuffed birds. Mr. Arnott acknowledged the gifts in suitable terms.

Rushden Echo, 20^th December 1912

Further Presentations were made today to Mr. Catlin on his leaving Newton-road school. The girls presented him with a tobacco pouch, and the boys gave him a pipe in case. Alfred Wildman handed the gift to Mr. Catlin, and Mr. Perkins asked him to accept it on behalf of the football team. Mr. Catlin suitably replied.

The marriage of Mr. James W. Reynolds, teacher at the Newton-road Council School, Rushden, to Mrs. Kilby, widow of the late Mr. J. M. Kilby, of Wokingham, Berks, took place quietly on Saturday last at St. Mary’s Church, Wellingborough. The Rev. Mr. Watts officiated. The bride, who wore a dress of tambour lace over floral silk, and carried a sheath of lilies, was attended by her sister. Mr. R. R. Brown officiated as best man. A good number of handsome and useful presents were received.

Minister Enlists

Mr. Thomas Litchfield, a former teacher at the Newton-road schools, Rushden, and subsequently a Congregational pastor, has joined the officers Training Corps.

Scholastic Successes—Two teachers of Newton-road schools – Miss F. Butlin (mixed dept.) and Miss Alice Capon (infants’ dept.) – have successfully passed the acting-teachers’ certificate examination, which was held at Northampton last December.

Mrs. Dodge, of Finedon, has heard from her son, Pte. Walter Dodge, of the Northants Regiment, that he is a prisoner of war. Pte. Dodge, who was a teacher at the Newton-road schools, Rushden, at the time he enlisted, says he is safe and well, is being well treated, and that his mother has nothing to worry about.

THE MARRIAGE took place on Tuesday, December 16th, at St. Martins-in-the Fields, Trafalgar Square, London, of Mr. W. C. Jacob Van Binsbergen, Judge in the Court of Justice, Amsterdam, to Miss Marion Hyde, second daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. J. K. Hyde, of Earls Barton. The bride was formerly a teacher at the Newton-road schools, Rushden.

Rushden Echo, 5^th September 1924, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Council Schools - Resignation of Teacher

At a meeting of the Rushden Council School Managers held on Tuesday the resignation of Miss Lillian Maud Wooding (certificated assistant at Newton-road School) was received and accepted, and it was resolved to grant her a testimonial for past services. It was further decided to recommend the appointment of Miss Ada Mantle to the vacancy, she having just completed her two-years course at Homerton Training College, Cambridge.

Teacher Honoured

Yesterday afternoon Miss I L Scott, for some years headmistress of the Newton-road Infants’ School, and formerly headmistress of Alfred-street Infants’ School, was the recipient of a handsome presentation from the staff and scholars on her impending retirement. Miss Scott’s actual term of service finishes today (Friday), but she has consented to remain at the school until her successor is appointed. Yesterday afternoon Miss Scott was entirely taken by surprise when the whole of the scholars, to the number of 300, marched into the assembly hall. Miss Barber (the senior assistant), on behalf of teachers and scholars, asked Miss Scott to accept a beautifully fitted dressing case, with silver-backed hair brushes, clothes brushes, comb, and mirror. In the name of children and staff Miss Barber expressed all good wishes to Miss Scott in her retirement. The headmistress, who had hardly recovered from the shock of the surprise, thanked all most heartily for the gift, and a very pleasing ceremony ended with three loud cheers for Miss Scott.

Miss S. E. Willmott, who has been on the staff of the Newton-road Infant School for the past six years, was yesterday (Thursday), the recipient of a farewell gift of Poole pottery from the members of the staff.

Rushden Echo & Argus, 4th February 1938, transcribed by Kay Collins

Thirty-Nine Years at One School
Farewell Gifts to Miss E Barber from Newton-road Infants’ Department

Miss E Barber, who has spent the whole of her career as a teacher in one school, retired on Monday afternoon and received farewell gifts from scholars, teachers and parents associated with the Rushden Newton-road Infants’ School. She was originally at the old Newton-road Infants’ Department, and transferred to the separate infants' school when the present building was opened, serving 39 years in all.

Miss D Furniss, headmistress of the school, told an “Echo and Argus” representative: “Miss Barber has spent all the years of her teaching experience in the school and has been much loved by her scholars and greatly esteemed by her colleagues. Her enthusiasm for and devotion to her work have been marked characteristics, and the present scholars and teachers will greatly miss her.”

The ceremony on Monday took place in the school hall, where the children were assembled, and visitors included Miss I L Scott (former headmistress), Mrs E A Sugars, Mrs Priestley, Miss A O Capon, of Burton Latimer (former members of the teaching staff), and Mrs W F Capon, wife of the Council Chairman. The members of the present staff, Miss Furniss, Miss A Bailey, Miss F Childs, Miss K Alderman, and Miss E Taylor were also in attendance.

Clock Presented

Mrs E A Sugars, in presenting a Westminster chime grandmother clock to Miss Barber, said she was very pleased to be “back at school” again.

“I have known Miss Barber,” she said, “for many years. I was a teacher in this school when she first came to Rushden, and we have been friends ever since. During these years Miss Barber has done a very good work for the children who have gone through this school, and I feel greatly honoured this afternoon to have been invited to come for this, her last occasion before leaving.”

Miss Barber was, she said, going to have a long holiday, and she was sure they would all hope, a happy one. She wanted the children to thank their mothers for contributing towards the present.

Four tiny members of her class then handed to Miss Barber a piece of Doulton ware and a telegram of good wishes.

In reply Miss Barber thanked the children, mothers and past and present teachers for the gifts. She was accorded three hearty cheers from the pupils, who before filing off, wished her in unison “good afternoon.”

The clock bore the inscription: “A token of esteem from the children and teachers, past and present, of Newton-road Infants’ School, Rushden, to Miss Barber on her retirement, 31/1/1938.”

Tea followed at the invitation of the headmistress, past and present members of the staff attending.