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Prevoius Page - While the children were expected to work hard and life probably seemed rather grim at times, there  was the occasional light relief in the way of “treats” and “Magic Lantern” shows. When the Rev C.P. Hutchinson was Vicar it is reported that he would tell the children that he was going to give a Magic Lantern Show to all those who were present on the day of the examination and who had made the required number of attendance’s  This proved to be a good way of encouraging the children, as the attendance’s  went up considerably. The previous week's average attendance was 60 - whereas after the Vicar's announcement the average attendance was 94! There used to be a school treat in June or July. Those who were most irregular in attendance were, not given tickets, so again, the attendance was very good. Before the school closed for Christmas the children sometimes treated to nuts and sweets during one of their playtimes.

The above has been reproduced and edited (to reduce duplication in the related stories) with the kind permission of Mrs Olive E Turner

Chapter 4:   1880 onwards

After ten years of compulsory education, some of the teething troubles began to be sorted out and gradually improvements came. There was still overcrowding but slowly more school accommodation became available. St. Matthew's School was mentioned in 1880 and a new classroom for St. John's Boys’ School was being built towards the end of l88l. The Vicar made arrangements for the boys to use the large classroom in the Infants' School while the building was in process. Though the new classroom was badly needed, there was an equal need for more Staff, as the Master had 80 boys to teach in the First Class in 1880 besides having to superintend the rest of the school. He was worried about the work and the coming exams, with increased numbers in the school and diminished staff. However, the Managers decided, on 3rd February, not to allow an assistant teacher because of heavy expenses in the Girls' School. A new assistant master was appointed later, in April, after the Easter Holiday. Boys from the Infants' School were promoted to the Boys' School in the third week of February, but all the boys who were over six, but under seven years were sent back to the Infants' School because of overcrowding.  At  this  time  78  children  were transferred from the Infants' School to the Marines’ School.

There was the first mention of a Health Inspector in 1880. He called to enquire about measles cases. Children in the Infants' School suffered from Ringworm, Fever. Measles and Whooping Cough that year, while in the Boys' School, parents seemed so afraid or Measles and Fever that they would not if they could help it, send their children to school. The schoolroom was so close and oppressive one day in May, that all window and doors were left open, but there was still not enough air. Later in the year some of the windows had stuck and had to he altered so that they could be opened. The Vicar, the Curate and the builder visited the school in connection with the necessary work.

Improvements were needed, but it seems, money was short unnecessary expenditure was to be avoided and three clergy took an inventory of the books and slates in the school to this end. The clergy dealt with the ordering of stock.

The School fees of needy boys were paid by the School Committee of the Board of Guardians. The School Attendance Officer brought the fees to school for some boys. The Relieving Officer called at the school to bring the Parish Money. In November 1880 the Parish Money was l6s. 6d. The Parish Money for the Quarter ending February l88l was £1. 5s. 0d. In May 1881 the Relieving Officer paid £1.O.9d in Parish Money and the Attendance Officer Paid 8s.3d. which was the fees of four boys. There was still unpaid school money in spite of the poorest boys having help. At the Master's request the Vicar came to talk over the matter.

The  attendance was small on occasions when there were special events in the district connected with the Army or the Navy. Some of these were the Dockyard Regatta, the Military Review on Portsdown Hill and a Review of the Troops in Fort Field in 1881. A school holiday was given for a Sham Fight in the neighbourhood in the presents of the Duke of Cambridge. The children were still given occasional little ‘treats’. The Temperance Society, in connection with the Parish, held its annual picnic at Netley. Another treat was given at school, after 4pm, by a man who to show and explain his model of the Giants' Causeway, to the boys for 1d each. Some entertainment was given to the children after school hours, about twice a year (circa 1884) It usually included a conjurer. In June 1885 a Diorama entertainment was given at 6pm in the school room. The children were lucky that month, as four days later they watched conjuring and a ventriloquist. Also the boys had a lecture on Minerals after school with the showing of several specimens.

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