HISTORY OF ST. AUGUSTINE'S SCHOOL LOG BOOK I First entry in log book, made on the occasion of the opening of St. Augustine’s School. Jan 2nd I, Robert Pearson, of St. Patrick's School, Cheapside 1882 St., Glasgow, took charge of this school on the occasion of its first opening, January, 2nd 1882. Children came out very well. Attendance about 200. Staff not yet formed. Present Staff - Master, two ex-pupil teachers and a pupil teacher. MANAGER Rev. Father O'Keefe. Importance of Attendance of Children. Jan 20th Visit this week from Fr. O'Riley, who is of great 1882 service in bringing the children out to school. Weather fine. Children pretty regular. Average for the week about 195. Lack of Books. Jan 20th Received supply of books. Children in upper standards 1882 have very few reading books and scarcely any copy books of their own. Must call attention to this.Every entry at this stage mentions concern for attendance. Feb 24th Visit from Rev. Manager Fr. O'Keefe, twice this week. 1882 Fr. O'Riley actively employed in looking up irregulars. Head Teacher visits houses where children are absent from school. Classes regularly examined in Reading, Grammars Arithmetic and Writing. May 12th Parents keep children at home for frivolous excuses 1882 which fosters the habit of irregularity in children. Children kept off to go with breakfasts and dinners to the fathers in the works. Aug 1st Report of Her Majesty's Inspector for year 1882. 1882 This school which has been filled up in a most admirable manner and which was examined for the first time made, in most respects, a very satisfactory appearance. The first, second and third standards have been thoroughly taught. The Arithmetic in these classes was very correctly performed and the writing was specially neat. Reading in the second and third standards was fluent and especially in grammar and arithmetic. History and geography were no more than possible. Log Book signed: Michael O'Keefe, Manager. Nov 24th Frost having set in, those who have no shoes are 1882 seldom seen. June 20th School Examined by Her Majesty's Inspector. 1 1883 Report. This school is quietly and earnestly conducted and is in very good condition. The lower standards have been exceedingly well taught. Except arithmetic in the fourth standard, the higher standards made a very satisfactory pass. History and geography were of good quality. Discipline excellent. Grammar has very much improved. June 28th Night School Report. 1883 This school is vigorously and successfully taught. Signed: Rev. M. O'Keefe, Manager. July 30th School re-opened after 4 weeks holidays. 1883 Aug 1883 Staff Head Master Robert Pearson Assistants Miss Margaret Mulvey (A) Miss Jane McVeigh (A) Miss Bernette Gillan (Pupil Teacher) Staff sufficient without Miss Gillan. Oct 12th Children paying fees much better than formerly. 1883 Oct 19th Night school opened. Attendance very large. Report by Fr. M. O'Keefe. "This 1883 school made a fair appearance." Feb 22nd Fr. O'Reilly left parish. Fr. Brown came, looked after bad attenders. 1884 Oct 14th Several parents before School Board yesterday. 1884 Nov 10th James Bonner took charge of the school. 1984 Staff divided as follows:- Master Standard IV, V & VI Miss Devine (Assistant) Standard III Miss Gillan (Assistant) Standard II Miss McVeigh (Assistant) Standard I & Infants Nov 24th Rev. Dean McIntosh examined the school in Religion. 1884 Dec 5th I have sent 151 lines to parents for arrears of school 1884 pence amounting to nearly £30 hoping by this means to make the children in future bring the weekly fee as I do not expect the arrears to be paid. 2 Jan 12th Two new blackboards were this week supplied to the school. 1885 Jan 19th School Board officer reports this as the most irregular 1885 school in his district in point of attendance. Feb 13th Mary Downie candidate came here yesterday. 1885 Scarlet fever and measles mentioned. April 10th Child died of measles. 1885 April 17th Another child died of measles. 1885 School closed because of measles epidemic. June 5th Cattle show day. 1885 June 16th Fr. McEvoy & Fr. Dougan heard the children in geography 1885 and history and expressed satisfaction with the answers given. July 31st Very few children have books. If I send them home for 1885 books they will only too gladly stay at home. Sept 11th Very few children have books. Fees are wretchedly paid. 1885 I have discovered from the children over 40 children of school age who have never yet been to any school. Sept 25th The numbers in the Infant department were so great that 1885 I had to ask the Canon for further help. (150 in infant department which Miss McVeigh took and Standard I) Standard I examined in reading. Out of 93 present 48 could read none at all. Children restless on account of being so packed. Crowds of children who have lately flocked in have never before been to school and do not know their letters. Nov 3rd This being the first Municipal Election in Coatbridge, 1885 the scholars had a whole holiday. Nov 20th Weather fearfully cold. Attendance poor. As so many 1885 of the children are barefooted this cannot be wondered at. Indeed I feel very sorry to see them sitting at all in school in such a state. Feb 19th Infant Department very overcrowded. Suggested more desks 1886 which however would leave us no standing room. Mar 12th Visited daily by the two curates who give religious 3 1886 instruction from 4 till 5. July 27th Many children still without books. Grant paid according 1886 to Inspector's report each June. Aug 27th Infant department much overcrowded. I try to lessen the 1886 annoyance by drafting infants in sections to the playground where they get a lesson in the shed. However on wet days this cannot very well be done. Nov 26th Great poverty exists. Many children have not paid fees. 1886 Dec 24th Children with bare feet who came in the snow were unfit 1886 to work in class. I kept them round the fire at intervals in batches. Aug 1887 Staff for year 1887-88. Recitation for Standard III Bruce and the Spider Standard IV Tennyson's May Queen Standard V & VI Lay of Last Minstrel 9 songs for Standards II – V The Minstrel Boy Huntsmen’s Chorus Massa's in cold ground The harp that once A wet sheet and a flowing see Men of Harlech Come back to Erin Canadian Boat Song 8 songs for Infants and Standard I There came to my window The Miller The Fox and the Grapes Tommy and the Apples Rise of Lucerne I have a little garden All hail gentle Spring Mar 1st Mary A. Close appointed to Infant school. 1889 June 1889 Staff James Bonner Master Bernette Gillan Assistant Sarah McLean Assistant Jane McVeigh Assistant Bridget Bonner Assistant 4 Elizabeth McCluskey Pupil Teacher Mary A. Close Pupil Teacher Michael O'Keefe Manager. Oct 3rd Free education began in this school on Monday 30th September. 1889 Nov 4th Night school opened. Numbers very large. 1889 Jan 7th The builders started to the new classroom. 1890 June 12th Epidemic of measles of a very violent type. 1891 Oct 22nd Fr. Taylor examined the school in Catechism. 1891 April 20th First mention of Fr. John Hughes (St. Mary's Cleland) 1892 he visited school. April 26th Canon O'Keefe resigned as Manager. 1892 May 20th Fr. John Hughes visited school. 1892 June 1st Alteration on partitions/required for Church purposes. 1892 June 10th Fr. John Hughes took charge as Manager today. 1892 Aug 5th Fr. Hughes visits school daily and takes very great 1892 interest in seeing that children attend. Oct 5th All the children from Summerlee, Merrystone, Bank St. 1892 and Buchanan St., hitherto attending St. Patrick's, were admitted here today. The school is in consequence very crowded. Oct 6th School visited by Most Rev. J. O'Donnell, Bishop of 1892 Raphoe. His Lordship gave his blessing to the scholars and teachers. April 10th School re-opened after Easter Holidays. School supplied 1893 with new set of object lesson picture cards for Infant classes. May 1st Canon O'Keefe died, Wednesday, 26th April, 1893 at 3.30 P.m. 1893 Fr. Hughes, closed school 2 days as mark of respect. 5 June 29th Mrs. James Bonner resigned. 1893 Aug 7th James K. Austin became Headmaster. Trained in 1893 Hammersmith in 1871-72. Came from St. Patrick's Coatbridge, where he was Head Teacher. Fr. Hughes Manager, Fr. Hopwell curate. Staff 10 Teachers (2 certificated and 8 ex-pupil teachers) Roll 880. Nearly 200 scholars were absent daily. Truancy very prevalent. Oct 6th Mary Jane Meechan, lately Mistress of St. Patrick's Shotts 1893 and formerly Pupil Teacher in Our Lady's Good Aid Motherwell commenced duties in this school - Given charge of Infant department. 1894 Began to employ certificated Teachers. School Report June 1894 contains interesting statement. By next year a large number of pupils will be in a large and commodious building, which is in course of erection and I am glad to observe that a part of it is to be used for a secondary department. Aug 10th There is now a secondary department in connection with this 1894 school consisting of children who have passed standard VI in this or surrounding parishes. 38 enrolled by end of week. Mr. Thomas Brodie, who has charge of the secondary department is a B.A. of Royal University of Ireland (born 1867) Aug 17th, Roll in secondary department 50.