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Previous Page The Rev Mr Hanson called at the school in March 1880 to talk about a Glee Class in connection with the Church of England Temperance Society. There was a new Master in l880 The boys were taught to march into school and the Master also taught them a new 'desk drill’, desk drill probably consisted of how to stand, sit, and lift and lower their desk lids and folding seats without making too much noise! No doubt Geography lessons had been taught completely orally until 1882, but by this date the Master commented that he was able to teach the subject by means of Reading Lessons as he had received some new Geography Readers.

The usual punishment for truancy was the cane, (three strokes on each hand) but one day in l882, after giving a boy this punishment, the Master tried to devise, with the Vicar, a better way of punishing a truant. Another time, a troublesome boy newly promoted from the Infants' was caned one stroke on the hand, after which his mother came to complain. He was again troublesome, so this time he was stood on a stool near the Master's desk. While he was there, he again required to leave the room but did not ask to do so. The Master sent for the mother, who would not believe him and charged the teacher with being ‘nuts' on her boy. The master recommended her to go and complain to the Vicar.

On one occasion three boys left school because they were punished with the cane for carelessness and inattention. The Master complained several times that the teachers sent too many boys to him for the cane. The Master was very concerned about the well being of his boys. One day in June 1882 the weather was so wet that the numbers were very small and in the attended the registers were not marked because so few attended. Some boys were sent home at once by the Master so that they might not remain in wet clothes.

The Master and the Vicar worked together to improve the School. There was still a gallery in the small room in l882 and the Master spoke to the Vicar about having it removed. The next year alterations were being carried out in the playground. The Vicar enquired, in May l884 about the possibility of erecting an awning in the playground to prevent the sun from shining through the windows in the hot summer months and this was done the next month. The clergy not only ordered the stock but brought it to the school. The Vicar brought such things as arithmetical test cards, geographical readers, and new hymn books. After a measles epidemic when attendance was still poor, the Vicar encouraged the boys' attendance by promising that every boy who was present every time during the next week would have a penny of his school money refunded. A large number were present the following week!

A large class again troubled the Master in 1884. He had great difficulty in working standards V, VI & VII as one class, - that is, with 64 boys. By December, the Master was teaching Standards III and V to VII – nearly 80 boys! The school at this time looked as if it never had a good sweep. The floor had not looked tidy for some time - there was always some dry mud on it. In addition to his own work the Master often taught the classes of the pupil teachers so that they could have time for private study.

Early the next year an order was issued by the Admiralty that the children of men who had  been Royal  Marines and were now in Government employment could attend the Marine School. The Vicar was going to try and arrange for these children to stay at St John's School until after the examination. 33 boys left St John's to go to the Barracks School in September. Children of Marine pensioners were to be admitted to the Marine School if there was room.

The Master and the Vicar worked together to improve the School. There was still a gallery in the small room in l882 and the Master spoke to the Vicar about having it removed. The next year alterations were being carried out in the playground. The Vicar enquired, in May l884 about the possibility of erecting an awning in the playground to prevent the sun from shining through the windows in the hot summer months and this was done the next month. The clergy not only ordered the stock but brought it to the school. The Vicar brought such things as arithmetical test cards, geographical readers, and new hymn books. After a measles epidemic when attendance was still poor, the Vicar encouraged the boys' attendance by promising that every boy who was present every time during the next week would have a penny of his school money refunded. A large number were present the following week!

A large class again troubled the Master in 1884. He had great difficulty in working standards V, VI & VII as one class, - that is, with 64 boys. By December, the Master was teaching Standards III and V to VII – nearly 80 boys! The school at this time looked as if it never had a good sweep. The floor had not looked tidy for some time - there was always some dry mud on it. In addition to his own work the Master often taught the classes of the pupil teachers so that they could have time for private study.

Early the next year an order was issued by the Admiralty that the children of men who had  been Royal  Marines and were now in Government employment could attend the Marine School. The Vicar was going to try and arrange for these children to stay at St John's School until after the examination. 33 boys left St John's to go to the Barracks School in September. Children of Marine pensioners were to be admitted to the Marine School if there was room.

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