Opening of Whitefriars School 15th January 1973
8th January I, Denis William Millman, take up duty as the first Head Teacher of Whitefriars County Primary School, Rushden, opening with both Infant and Juniors; it is however anticipated that the school will become solely Junior in September 1975, when an Infant School is scheduled to be completed on the same site.
The teaching staff previously appointed are Mrs. M. A. Painter, deputy head, Mrs. M. A. Duck, Mrs. M. R. E. Clark, Mrs. A. E.Wood, Mrs. A. K. Slater and Mrs. H. E. Schraider.
Mr. B. C. Baker has been engaged in a temporary capacity as Caretaker.
Staff meetings were held last term and furniture, books and equipment have been ordered.
At a site meeting on Thursday 14th December, representatives of the County Council, the Education Authority and the contractors decided to open the school on Monday 15th January with four classrooms and the school hall in use.
All staff report for duty today in very cold conditions. Keys handed over for Staff Block. Mr. Baker and one cleaner, Mrs. Cox, report for duty. Mrs. Slater and Mrs. Clark spent most of day working at Tennyson Road. Visited by Miss Lamb. Books selected from School Library Service.
9th January Staff report as before. Temperature improves. Visit from Mr. Hale, Teacher Representative on School Buildings Committee. Neeta Ltd. Contacted re-delivery of chairs.E.S.A. contacted about delivery of tables.
10th January Staff on duty as before. School Hall still very cold. Chairs arrive from Neeta.
11th January All staff report for duty.
12th January Some of the stock and equipment arrive from Arnolds by special delivery. Tables arrive from E.S.A. Visit from D. Perkins, correspondent to School Managers.
13th January Teachers work to get classrooms ready. All staff and husbands in attendance.
14th January All furniture installed in classrooms. All staff and husbands in attendance.
15th January School opens today with 124 children on the roll. These are organised into 4 classes. Mrs. Painter and Mrs. Wood await completion of second teaching block. All goes smoothly, although children have to arrive and depart via the hall. Dinners brought from Portland Road and served from kitchen. Mrs. Fereday and Mrs. Richardson work in the kitchen, Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Wilson as Dinner Supervisors. Mrs. E. Cox officially appointed as cleaner.
3rd March 2009
School roll :- 229
Teachers :- 9
Total number of staff:-32 including classroom support, specialist teachers and lunchtime supervisors.
The original kitchen is now our library.
Mrs. Fereday went on to be appointed school "clerical and welfare assistant" 6th February 1973, a role which grew over the years to become "bursar and administrator". She retired in 2008.
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