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Snippets

Wellingborough News, 3rd June 1882, transcribed by Kay Collins

SCHOOL EXAMINATIONSThe examinations of the two elementary schools took place last week, and it has been remarked that whereas twelve years ago, on the passing of the Act, the examination was accomplished in one morning sitting of the school, this year it took the whole week.

Rushden Echo and Argus, 18th February 1898, transcribed by Kay Collins

THE AVERAGE ATTENDANCE at the Newton-road Board Schools last week was 509.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHOOL BOARD (Mr. J. T. Colson) has never been absent from a meeting during the last three years.


11 April 1902 - Northampton Mercury

Long Buckby Miss W. Hobbs, assistant mistress in the Infant School, asked to be allowed to dispense with the usual notice, she having obtained a situation at Rushden and her services being required on May 1st. The Chairman stated that the staff was ample at the School Miss Hobbs' might be agreed to.


Rushden Echo, 19th July 1912

Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Sanders entertained to a garden party at Moorland House, Hayway, on Wednesday the whole of the day school teachers of Rushden, a very happy party assembling. The guests were cordially welcomed by Mr. Sanders (one of the School Managers for Rushden), Mrs. Sanders, and the members of the family, who worked assiduously to promote the pleasure of those present. Tea was served on the lawn, and afterwards Mr. L. Perkins, B.Sc., proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Sanders and the family, which was seconded by Mr. Fox and carried with cheers. Mr. Sanders replied. A cricket match, Ladies v Gentlemen, was played, the latter being handicapped. Bowls, tennis, and other games were played; refreshments were served; selections were given on a gramophone; and dancing took place to the music of an orchestral band.


Rushden Echo, 14th May 1915, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Teachers Join the Colours
Two more Rushden day school teachers, making seven in all, have joined the Forces, namely, Mr E T Huke, of the Alfred-street school, and Mr J Allen, of the North-end school. They have joined the 8th Northamptonshires. Both passed the doctor on Tuesday last, and leave shortly, probably for the South West of England, for training with Kitchener’s Army. The other teachers with the Colours are Messrs. L Perkins, S T Fox, Smythem, Dodge, and Perkins, junior.


Rushden Echo, 19th January 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins

EpidemicsAt the meeting of the Rushden Education Committee on Tuesday Mr. Mantle (attendance officer) reported that measles, scarlet fever, and diphtheria had been prevalent during the quarter, the children of no fewer than 120 families having been excluded from the schools in consequence of the epidemics. In four of the five infants schools the classes for children under five years of age had been closed by order of the Medical Officer of Health.

Rushden Echo, 1st March 1918, transcribed by Kay Collins

The Schoolchildren of Rushden have contributed £102 for investment in War Loan at the Tank at Northampton this week.


The Rushden Echo and Argus, 9th January, 1942, transcribed by Jim Hollis

New Restaurant for Children
Scholars Dine with Teachers at Rushden Canteen Fourpenny Dinners
Rushden’s first school canteen opened on Tuesday with a fourpenny dinner party which left 170 young diners well and truly “stalled.” Helpings based on catering experience in another part of the county proved more than adequate, and experts who checked-up learned that Rushden children including the evacuees - are only normally hungry.

The first sitting
Well-fed "customers" at the first sitting
Until recently Rushden opposed the introduction of communal feeding, but the increased demand on married women for industrial service has altered the position. The canteen is established in ex-warehouse premises in Portland-road, and the County Education Committee has had it equipped on up-to-date lines for the ultimate provision of 400 dinners daily. It serves all the schools, and the children who use it are escorted by teachers.

There were two sittings on Tuesday, and when the first had assembled at the bright-looking tables beneath the glass roof an evacuee headmaster, Mr. W. E. Taylor, of Walthamstow, took the children in hand.

“We’ve got a lovely place here, haven’t we? said Mr. Taylor. “Yes, Sir!” came in chorus. Grace was said, and then, from the wide kitchen hatches, steaming meals were whisked to the tables in no time.

Teachers ate with the scholars. Ladies of the W.V.S. kept the tables supplied. It was soon discovered that the bigger boys were tucking-in at a smart pace, though the small children seemed rather overwhelmed. All such things were noted for future guidance.

There were 120 diners in the first round and quite a bunch of visitors, among them Coun. W. E. Capon (chairman of the School Managers), Coun. E. A. Sugars (also a manager), Coun. Mrs. O. A. H. Muxlow (centre organiser of the W.V.S.) and the teachers. About half the children were evacuees.

Tables were decorated with flowers and evergreens; walls with bright picture posters, one of them expounding the science of feeding. The table-ware was good.

On this occasion Miss Byatt, County Organiser of Domestic Subjects, and her assistant, Miss Lindsay, were overlooking operations. The permanent head cook and caterer, however, is youthful Miss Margaret Janes. She is assisted by two cooks and two kitchen maids, and the W.V.S. has organised a rota which supplied three voluntary helpers daily.

Each meal, it was learned, has to contain a minimum of 1,000 calories. A well-balanced diet is the aim, and the menus vary from day to day. Tuesday’s list was shin of beef, mixed vegetables (carrots, swedes, celery and onions), lentils thickened with oatmeal, steamed potatoes and savoys, wheatmeal bread, baked chocolate pudding and custard.

Wednesday’s menu included boiled mutton, pearl barley, rice pudding and baked apples. For Thursday there were minced beef and ginger pudding; for Friday, fish with parsley sauce, semolina or rice pudding, and jam sauce.

Great attention is given to details of food value. For example, to conserve vitamins the potatoes are cooked in their jackets.

The big kitchen looks capable of anything. It has a row of gas cookers, a general utility range, a steam oven (for potatoes or pudding), boilers for green vegetables, soups, etc., and heated assembly tables.

In the pantry is a month’s supply of storable foodstuffs, and one long shelf is filled with jam made by the school-children of Wollaston.

But the most remarkable thing of all is that dinner in this liberal restaurant must not cost more than the fourpence which is charged.

Rushden Echo, 27th February 1948, transcribed by Kay Collins

Children Join in Campaign
Rushden schoolchildren are playing a big part in the “Silver Lining” Savings Week which commenced on Monday. So that they will fully understand the importance of all-out effort, many of them were treated to a cinema show in their classrooms on Tuesday.

The film, “Can We be Rich?” in which Mr. Godfrey Crowther, editor of “The Economist”, reviews the economic situation, was presented in the morning at the North End School, and in the afternoon at the Victoria Road School. Many schoolchildren are now at work designing posters carrying savings slogans. The results of their work will be judged at the Alfred Street Schools today by Mr. E. W. Mann.


 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.

party
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.
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.

The rooms at Rushden Tennyson Road Infants’ School lost that classroom look on Tuesday. The school was decorated with gaily coloured streamers. Each desk was made into a table at which sat the children with their eyes fixed on the good things to eat.

Parents Attended
Before the tea there were games, followed by a Punch and Judy show which delighted the children. The story was told by the headmistress, Miss Orchard, and the characters were worked by David Benton, John Coker, Diane Leeson, Jean Randall, Howard Rowe, Susan Dickens, Janice Barnes, Ann Lewis, Beryl Andrews and Edwin Bates.

The Tennyson Road Day Nursery held a party on Monday at which the children played games and had refreshments. On Tuesday the parents came to the nursery for tea, and the children were presented with presents from the two Christmas trees by the matron, Miss E. Baker. Carols were sung.

The boys at Rushden Tennyson Road County Modern School had their Christmas party on two nights, half attending on Friday and half on Monday. They gave their own concerts after tea and games in the hall.

Wearing the hats they had made themselves in school, the children of Rushden Newton Road Infants’ School swarmed around Santa Claus when he gave each of them a balloon on Tuesday afternoon. The whole school had previously played games in the hall and had gone to the classrooms for tea, which was served by the staff. The senior school in Newton Road enjoyed a film show on Tuesday afternoon. To-day the scholars had parties in their own form rooms.



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