History of the School - 1863-1883

"No punishment I can inflict seems to affect him"

The first of the six existing log books began on 11th May 1863, and from it we learn that Eliza Macarthy was the Headmistress, though for how long she had already held the post is unknown. Most of her entries dealt with the children's attendance upon which the annual grant was partially dependent and with the examination of subjects such as reading, needlework, dictation, scripture, addition and subtraction.

Reverend Hume and his wife were frequent visitors, examining the children on their catechism and needlework.

The entries in the log book do not radiate joy and fun! Punishment is a regular topic. Usually it was given for rudeness, swearing or disobedience. The miscreants were kept in during playtime, caned, or occasionally expelled. William Dollery was expelled for "behaving indecently to young girls and for teaching young boys to use indecent and obscene words."

On 16 July 1863 Miss Macarthy recorded that "one of the boys was very disobedient and impertinent. No punishment that I can inflict seems to affect him." Almost every Monday the entry began: "Punished several children for bad behaviour in church."

Attendance by the 45 children was very much affected by the weather as many of them had to walk some distance to school. Attendance was particularly bad during hay making, potato picking, sheep shearing and harvest time.
In 1866 Miss Weaver took over as headteacher, but despite an Inspector's note that "discipline has improved with the new mistress" she left after a year, to be replaced by Mrs. Suzanna Green during whose 11-year reign standards dropped so alarmingly, and the school fell into such a bad state of disrepair, that the grant was reduced by 20 per cent and the Inspector finally recommended her removal "for the sake of the children".

The next headteacher, Mrs Matthews, brought an immediate improvement, although Reverend Hume did note in the log, "it will be some time before the backwardness of the children is made up for." Unfortunateiy all Mrs Matthews' good work was lost when she became ill in 1882 and several temporary teachers attempted to cope with 75 children at six different standards. That year's exam results were "disastrous".

Taken around 100 years ago, this is one of the earliest photographs available. It shows the pupils outside Meonstoke Church, dressed up for Sunday School. The severe looking lady on the right is presumed to be Miss Sarah Frayling, who was Headmistress from 1883 to 1907 (see following chapter).