HISTORY
There are all sorts of interesting details about the school. For example; Have a look at the winter of 1962/63 when a new headmaster had to deal with the effects of a particularly bitter winter....
NEW!!!!!
A list of all the World War 2 evacuees who attended Ysgol Pontfadog - I hope to put more details of where they lived whilst they were here - does anyone remember them being here? There as even one boy from Gibraltar - was Gibraltar Cottage in Bronygarth named after him? Click on 1939 and 1941 (Evacuees from Beaufort Street School, Liverpool) below for details:
The Tramway - from newspaper cuttings given by Doris Stanshire
In 1885, before the new school was built the old school took part in a big celebration of the Tramway opening with altogether 400 scholars from the valley National Schools meeting at Dolywern for a procession with a band leading into a fete with football contests, races and bunting. As they walked into the field each scholar received an orange and a bun. A popular trip in the valley was the circular tour where you bought a ticket that let you travel up the valley as far as Glyn Ceiriog, then you walked over the tops to Llangollen and travelled back to your starting station in the valley.
1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
The building of the school was completed as the date on the front of the building shows and the school prepared for the children. It took some time to get it ready, notify potential pupils, appoint the headmaster, etc.!
19th April: The school was opened today, educationally. The Rev Conway Davies who was present offered morning prayer. Forty-five children were admitted during the day. The time was fully occupied in Registration. Staff- Thomas Jerman, Head Teacher
Mr and Mrs J. Stephen Jones, Ponkey, Ruabon and Mr P Evans Attendance Officer visited school this morning and Mr R. Edwards in the afternoon.
20th April: Admitted Fred Evans Graig y Oryn to Std II. Miss Davies and friend, Brynhyfryd , visited this morning.
21st April: Admitted Florence M Thomas, Graigwen and Mary E Jones and Hugh Jones, Bryn.
23rd April: Sewing was not taken this week no female teacher being present. The attendance for the week has been very satisfactory considering the circumstances. Percentage Seniors 95.5 , Infants 88.1, Total 93.8
26th April: Admitted Mabel Hughes to the infants class.
30th April: Mr Evans Attendance officer called this afternoon. The attendance this week is slightly lower than last week owing to illness Percentage Seniors 95.5. Infants 83.3 total 92.5. Sewing was not taken for the same reasons as last week
3rd May: Miss M Hill Sup. Teacher commenced duties this morning.
4th May: The garden tools were received this afternoon
7th May: Owing to an outbreak of measles the attendance has fallen off.
14th May: Dr Lloyd of Chirk Medical Officer of Health called midday and ordered the school to be closed from today until after the Whitsuntide Holidays to re-open 7th June
7th June: Opened the school after the closure and found the attendance lower, the epidemic of measles is extending. Reported the state of affairs to the M.O.H. . Admitted Margaret Jane, Edward Noel and Thos. Emlyn Evans from Tregeriog County School . Mr Price Evans visited this morning and decided to close the school this afternoon (Good attendance holiday) and await reply from M.O.H. Received a letter from the M.O.H. to further close the school until 28th June owing to continuance of measles.
5th July : Poor attendance owing to Baptist festival at Llanrhaeder
24th July: Hay harvest week
10th Dec: Deep snow until Christmas
11th Jan: Sickness
21st Jan: General election, school closed for polling
24th Jan: Flu and colds and deep snow.
4th Feb: Deep snow, colds and flu.
1st March: St David’s, whole holiday given.
2nd March: Oswestry Pleasure Fair
7th March: County Council election – closed for polling. Welsh Department Board of Education presented book prizes for good conduct on the votes of fellow pupils.
4th April: District Council election – ditto
15th April: Illness
20th April: Observation walk. Several wild flowers found, bursting of buds and tadpole pond noted.
29th April: 5 infants ill
3rd June: Illness
6th June: Baptist Choral Festival and Methodist Festival
17th June: Illness
20th June: Half holiday for a preaching meeting at Pontfadog.
9th Sept: Harvest and Oswestry Fair
16th Sept: Harvest and illness
23rd Sept: Illness, including headmaster.
3rd Oct: Half holiday for harvest thanksgiving at Llywnmawr
21st Oct: Colds and toothache.
28th Oct: Illness
2nd Nov: Weather wet and poor, unable to open school.
18th Nov: Snow, very few infants in.
25th Nov: Ice, few infants in.
2nd Dec: Colds and toothache.
9th Dec: Colds and toothache
7th March: Materials for a dinner were prepared for cooking this morning. 14 girls took part in preparation and cooking and all pupils sat down to a plentiful supply of rabbit stew and sago pudding
Report made by HM inspector Mr O M Edwards after visit of 9th January 1912
This school has beautiful up to date buildings. The two classrooms are light, airy and spacious. Its cloakrooms are ample, its offices satisfactory. It has a good playground with a school garden on each side. The buildings and the grounds are clean and well kept, and they have already had a marked effect on the children. Two new features are the open covered space between the cloakrooms and classrooms and the well equipped school kitchen which is used as a dining room where the children can make tea or coffee, prepare hot milk or broth, or cook their meat and potatoes.
The headmaster is a careful teacher of good influence. The assistant mistress has had an excellent education, and is a teacher of great promise, the children are bright and ready; their interest in local illustrations of geography and history has been partially aroused, and they have read on their own account, being helped by the small school library which is now being got together.
The teaching, though good and careful, is not energetic enough, and in some respects it is a little antiquated. It would be better, by means of composition, to teach boys to spell words they are likely to use to express their own thoughts than to teach them formally to spell a string of words like domicile and ductile which they may never need. The arithmetic is not practical enough, the essay subjects tend to encourage reproduction; the consequence is that the work, though neat and accurate, has not the originality of a well taught child.
This fault will soon disappear if the following features, already introduced, are further developed.
Manual work has been introduced, while the boys take gardening, the girls take elementary household management. In time undoubtedly cookery will be added to the girls’ subjects and woodwork to those of the boys.
An effort is being made to increase the number of books in the small school library and to get books which will appeal to the children.
The behaviour of the children is very pleasing and the tone of the school excellent. It is clear that, with the model buildings and the newer methods, this school can take its place with the best country school of the district.
The school buildings could become more definitely the home of education within the district. The comfortable school kitchen, now at the service of the children at midday, would make a good meeting place in the evenings for a reading circle for the neighbourhood. It is most important that the teachers should retain their hold on their old pupils, and bring them back to an evening continuation school. Most of the old pupils remain in the neighbourhood or near it, as farmers, colliers, or labourers. A well organised evening course would be a great boon to them. The assistant mistress, for instance, could take the old girls of the school in a course of Welsh literature – the lyrics of Ceiriog or the cywyddau and awdlau of Cynndelw, that would be of the greatest educational value to them.
Thomas Foulkes Correspondent.
Report of the Chief Inspector for Wales upon School libraries in public elementary schools in the Ceiriog Valley
In the Ceiriog valley where the children are intelligent and anxious to know, the school library is probably the most productive of good on all sides and aspects of the school. Of the duties of the teacher, one of the most important is to teach children how to use books. The schools without libraries are, almost without exception, the schools where the teaching produces the poorest results. It would be well to bear in mind:
- A school library does not mean the provision of a separate room in a large school or expensive bookshelves in a small school. The books are best kept in the ordinary classrooms, within the sight and within the reach of the children. The window sills or hanging shelves, or dwarf bookcases in front of the children, would do well; doors of wood or of glass should be avoided.
- A school library should be formed gradually and on a well conceived plan. A first list should be drawn up of the most suitable books in each of the classes of books that appeal to the children such as books of adventure, travel, biography, poetry, popular science, local history. A collection of series, however ably edited, should be avoided. Gifts, while gladly received, should be regarded as something extra; the Headmaster should make up his mind what works are required in order to appeal to the children of the neighbourhood. When the first list has been secured a second should be drawn up.
- As an example, a first list of Welsh Books suitable to the Glyn Ceiriog district is submitted.
Books of local interest:
Ceiriog: “Alun Mabon” (Hughes and son 2d)
“Gwaith Ceiriog” (ditto 1/-)
The complete works of Ceiriog in two volumes 3/6 each
Huw Morris “Gwaith Huw Morris (R.E. Jones Conway 1/-)
Cynddelw “Gweithisn Cynddelw”
Poetry (the 1/- editions of R.E.Jones Conway or any others)
Gwaith Gwylym Hiraethog
Gwaith Eben Fardd
Gwaith yr Hen Ficer
Hwiangerddi
Alun
Ieuan Glan Geiriouydd
Country life
Tro Trwy Wig Rd. Morgan (Welsh publishing Co. Caenarvon 1/-)
Llyfr Blodau Vols i, ii. Rd Morgan (ditto 1/-)
Llyfr Ader Rd Morgan (Hughes and Son 1/-)
Gwaith, S.R. Rd Morgan (R.E. Jones Conway 1/-)
Goronwy ar Grwydr (Hughes and Son 1/6d)
Llythyrau ar Aifft J.D.Bryan (Ditto 1/-)
Dringo’r ; Eluned Morgan (Southall Newport 1/-)
Gwymon y Mor; Eluned Morgan (ditto)
Books of adventure
Cil Faung Edwards (Hughes and Son 1/-)
Cerrig y Rhyl, Winnie Parry (Welsh Publishing Co. 1/-)
Dirgelwch yr Anialwch: R.M.Humphreys (Ditto 1/6d)
Sioned: Winnie Parry (Ditto 2/-)
Dyddiau Ysgol ; Daniel Owen (Hughes and Son 1/-)
Rhys Lewis, and all D. Owen’s works (Ditto about 2/6d a volume)
Y Mabinogion
Bardd Cwsg
Biography
Ceiriog (Gan Llyfrbrif) (Hughes and son 1/-)
Anne Griffiths (Gan Morris Davies) (Gee and son 2/-)
Adgofion am John Elias (Gwalchmai) (Ditto)
Ieuan Gwynedd (Tawelfryn Thomas) (Hughes Dolgellau 2)
Pontfadog Council School Managers meetings
A managers meeting of the above school was held at 5o/c on Saturday the 2nd September 1911 when there were present the following gentlemen.
Mr William Parry, Mr J Mahler, Mr Richard Edwards, Mr Euan Roberts
The business of the meeting being:
a) the election of Chairman
b) the election of vice-chairman
c) the appointment of the Honorary Correspondent.
Mr J Mahler was elected chairman, Mr Richard Edwards was elected vice chairman. Mr Thomas Foulkes being appointed Hon. Correspondent.
7o/c P.M. on Monday 2ndof October 1911.
When there were present the following gentlemen:-Mr Richard Edwards, Mr W Parry, Mr Euan Roberts, Mr Hugh Evans, Mr Thomas Foulkes, The attendance officer
Mr Richard Edwards in the unavoidable absence of Mr Mahler took the chair.
The attendance officer gave the meeting the number on the books as 51. Reported the average attendance to be 43.2 making the percentage 85%. Noel Evans was reported to be very irregular in his attendance and his father who came before the meeting promised better attendance in future. Another case reported was that of Mary E. Jones, Bryn. The parents of this child, the officer said, were rather defiant. Edward Jones the father came before the meeting and after some discussion he agreed to send his daughter Mary E Jones on a certain appointed day to meet the examiner with the view to passing a final examination. Such examination to be arranged by the Attendance Officer.
Proposed by Mr Hugh Evans and seconded by Mr Evan Roberts that the lowest tender for coal be accepted. Thereupon the tenders were opened by the presiding chairman when Messrs Edwards Evans and Co were declared the lowest, the same being 18/- per ton delivered and stored.
Proposed by Mr William Parry and seconded by Mr Richard Edwards that one of the managers be present at the weighing of the coal. Mr Richard Edwards was appointed to check the weight in case the coal went to Dolywern siding and Mr Thomas Foulkes if the coal went to Glyn siding.
Mr Richard Edwards was appointed the school visitor for the present month.
7.30pm on 13th November 1911 (extracts):
The attendance officer who was unable to be present , sent in his report which was as follows:- “A great improvement in the case of Noel Evans. The girl M. E. Jones having passed the inspectors examination she is now exempt from further attendance.
There has been a great improvement in attendance which is as follows:-No. on Books 49, Average attendance 45.7 percentage 93.3.
Mr Richard Edwards gave his report as school visitor and found everything in order.
Proposed by Mr Rich. Edwards and seconded by Mr Hugh Evans that Mr William Parry ask for quotations for honours Board from Mr Jonah Phillips and Messers Philip Son and Nephew.
Mr Parry and Mr Edwards undertook to look into the complaint about the bell and to report at next meeting.
Proposed by Mr William Parry and seconded by Mr Hugh Evans that any assembled meeting of the managers, three of them will make a quorum.
7 o/c on Monday 4th December 1911
The attendance officer gave his report as follows: No on books 49. Average attendance 45.2. Percentage 92.2. He complained of the irregular attendance of Edward Jones the son of John Jones Nant Fawr and gave his actual attendance as 63 out of a possible 90. It was deemed advisable that the correspondent write the father showing the irregularity in figures and asking his serious consideration to same.
It was agreed that Richard Edwards and the Correspondent undertake to procure a Honours Board and to see that it was properly fixed up and also the bell repaired same time. Both jobs to be completed before the next managers meeting.
20th March: The attendance having fallen this morning owing to the bad weather (snow) I was unable to open School.
22nd March: The attendance this week has been most unsatisfactory a large number of children being absent suffering from colds. Percentage 75.2
Managers Meetings (extracts)
4th March 1912
A remark being made same time that on account of the school having to be closed during the whole month of February no meeting of the managers took place on the 5th of that month.
The Chief inspectors Report: The report was fully read. The satisfactory and unsatisfactory features of the report were dealt with and discussed. It was proposed by Mr W Parry and seconded by Mr Hugh Evans that the following resolution be recorded in the minutes and also sent to the head teacher “Having considered carefully the Chief Inspectors report, we note with satisfaction that the school is well on the way to become one of the most efficient in the district, provided one or two things that are lacking in the teaching is seriously taken to heart and improved upon.”
The meeting authorised the head teacher to purchase Manure, seeds, quicks for the hedge and also a cane brush.
1st April 1912
Photos had been taken of the full timers.
The tool house to be repaired. The roof covered in felt and to be done in such a way as to entirely exclude the rain.
Privies: On the state of the privies being reported to the meeting considerable discussion followed. It was proposed by Mr Richard Evans and seconded by Mr Hugh Evans that the unsatisfactory state of the privies be deferred until the next meeting when the management would take the opportunity of inspecting same before their meeting took place. The Correspondent will write to the County Architect and Surveyor asking his early visit to inspect the privies.
The attention of the meeting was called to the urgent need of filling in and coating some of the beams in the school building as these presented great cracks here and there and badly required painting or re-varnishing. Also the gates and gate posts and the fence surrounding the school premises badly needs coating. The meeting was afraid to exceed their limit of £10 expenditure. Finally it was resolved that the correspondent in writing to the County Architect about the privies, would request him at the same time to inspect the woodwork.
29th April 1912
The Attendance officer called the attention of the managers to the children of Mrs Roberts, Pengelli (Jane Anne Roberts and Florence Roberts who has been very irregular in their attendance without any reasonable excuse. The Correspondent was asked to write to the mother calling her attention to same, stating same time that if the attendance were not much better during the month of May the managers would be compelled to summon her before them.
Privies: It was decided to drain the liquid (now lodging in a pool between the closets) by a 2 to 3 inch iron pipe at the lower level of floor on to Ty Mawr Field and also at the same time to fasten a piece of zinc underneath the seat in such a way as would prevent liquid going over the buckets.
The work on this and the tool house was to be carried out during the Whitsun Holidays.
6th August 1912
Children absenting themselves from school on occasions of special denominational meeting were again discussed when it was resolved that each manager within the sphere of his own denomination would endeavour to impress upon parents the desirability of sending their children to school for the morning session and that on the other hand the head teacher be left to deal with the matter to the best of his ability and discretion.
W Samuel Jones, gardener Penisar Glyn was unanimously appointed to judge the boys plots. The fee under the circumstances to be left to Mr Jones.
Attention was called to the sufficient warming of the school when the children enter in the morning. After some discussion the managers found that the fires were lit sufficiently early and that the warming of the school was satisfactory. The School visitor would, in the winter months, check the record of temperatures as written out by the headmaster .
7th Oct 1912
The attendance officer reported the irregular attendance of the two boys of Allen Evans, Top Pentre namely Thomas Evans and Robert Evans. The correspondent was instructed to write to the same.
RE Barbed wire on fence. The meeting was informed that Mr Hughes objected to the placing or barbed wire on the school fence and suggested instead wire netting. The managers thought wire netting would spoil the appearance of the fence. It was proposed that by way of experiment for next season that the Headmaster be asked to plant all the high growing products on the opposite side of the fence reserving the ground nearest the fence for low lying products.
The meting sanctioned the purchase of a cupboard and table for the cooking class. The cupboard to be of pitch pine and the table to have a sycamore top.
17th Jan: Report received on the garden:
"Part of it is on the east side and an equal portion on the west. All is well formed. The eastern portion is laid out in single plots and cultivated by individual boys. The western portion is used in common. Here general crops are raised in succession, seedlings are reared for transplanting and some propagation on a small scale of bush fruit. There are also flower borders running along each division of ground.
Between the school and the main road there is a semicircular piece of ground planted with flowering and evergreen shrubs and a few perennials. The garden was fully cropped during the year but now the winter stuff has been eaten of by rabbits.
Twenty-one prizes were awarded last august at a local show for exhibits from this school garden. The subject is correlated with reading, writing, arithmetic, mensuration, book keeping, drawing and nature study.
Next year more propagation work might be attempted, borders of annuals arranged for colour effect could be formed and the shrubs and perennials could be named and labelled and some of the m increased by cuttings. Meteorological Observation could be regularly recorded. A barometer and rain gauge, not necessarily expensive, would be useful. J.L.C"
10th Nov: Miss Marie Elizabeth Davies commenced duties
A.E. Evans is acting head whilst Thos Jerman is away ill.
19th Nov: Measles inspection. School closed 18.11 – 15.12 then closure continued until after the Xmas holidays.
Managers Meetings
3rd Feb 1913
Wire Netting: To prevent rabbits entering the garden it was decided to place some wire netting at the bottom of the fence inside. Mr Parry was to buy same and see to the fixing.
Manure and seeds: It was left to the discretion of the headmaster to order one or two loads of manure as he thought best from Mr Thos Hughes, Ty Mawr.
The insertion of John Wm. Ellis’ name on the Honours Board was recommended by the Head Teacher. The matter was deferred to make enquiries if another name or names was likely to be mentioned in the near future.
3rd March 1913
Mr Mahler resigns due to ill health.
5th May 1913
A complaint was received from the attendance officer into the irregular attendance of the son of John Jones, Nant Ffowe. The officer reported that he had done all he could but it was useless. The correspondent was instructed to write to the father stating that if the lad’s attendance did not show an improvement during the month running the managers would be compelled to summon him before the magistrates.
A letter was read from the Organiser as to the advisability of giving home lessons in the top standards. This matter was discussed at length when the correspondent was instructed to send the Organiser the following resolution: “We are inclined to believe that the day’s work at school is about enough for the child and are anxious lest the young brain should be overburdened”.
“We think that home lessons might be useful if parents were able to help their children in the more difficult subjects such as arithmetic”
“Considering the many facilities offered in the way of continuation schools, we look forward to the time in the near future when parents should be able to give their children every assistance and encouragement”
The head teacher applied for a looking glass and a comb for the lavatory. This was granted.
6th Oct 1913
52 on books
The attendance officer reported: “Hugh Jones Bryn Farm is very irregular, a note from you would probably help”.
The case was fully discussed and finally it was resolved that the correspondent write the attendance officer asking him to see the parents and to ascertain if they wished the boy to leave school and if so to arrange for him to receive a special examination.
20th Jan: Ring worm and Oswestry market caused absences.
2ndMar: St David’s Day celebrations – an entertainment of suitable recitations and the planting of a tree at each entrance. Distribution of annual prizes.
6th Apr: A variety of forest trees received for planting.
20th Apr: Ringworm, two children excluded.
6th May: Attendance poor owing to May Fair
16th May: Great improvement in attendance this week. Two scholars have left leaving only 24 on books. There are 3 or 4 under 3. Three of the senior boys were employed clearing the top part of the girls’ yard so as to enable us to make a flower border. At present it is only a habitation for grass and weeds and always looks untidy.
9th June: Dr Lloyd (Chirk) weighed all the children.
13th July: Miss Davies Absent. Her mother undergoing an opposition (sic).
20th Oct: Admitted Ferdinand Edward Cleemput of Antwerp to the infants.
16th Oct – Nov 6th: Much absence due to illness and skin eruptions
Managers Meetings
9th Feb 1914
A ladder for window cleaning was required, the cleaning of the school clock was to be done by David Matthews
2nd March 1914
Mr John Jones Nant Ffowe came before the meeting as summoned. He stated that he was unaware that his boy did not put in an appearance at school as he regularly sent the lad. It was decided to give the father another chance and the Head Teacher very kindly undertook to let John Jones know at least once a week how his boy had attended.
6th April 1914
The attendance of Edward Jones, Nant Ffowe as shown by a memoranda sent in by the head teacher was considered very satisfactory, only one half day’s absence during the month.
4th May 1914
Lloyd Jones Bedwlwyn asked the managers to release his boy John Owen in view of the fact that he had a situation for the lad. Seeing that the boy’s attendance was satisfactory the father’s application was granted on condition that the lad went at once to his situation.
6th July1914
The irregularity of the attendance of Edward Jones was again complained of and the attendance officer was authorised to take proceedings against the father, this being considered the only alternative.
Mrs Thomas, Caecoed wrote asking the managers to release her daughter Elizabeth. The case was fully considered then the meeting instructed the correspondent to write to Mrs Thomas stating that the girl had only made 2 years full attendance out of a required five and that therefore they very much regretted they could not possibly grant her wish.
The buckets for the privies were reported to be in a deteriorating state. Mr Parry undertook to buy and install new ones.
The meeting resolved that at the present time there were no candidates for the County school entrance Scholarships.
5th Oct 1914
Dairy Classes. It was resolved that the question of having these classes be deferred for further consideration after seeing how they had succeeded at other places locally.
Denbighshire Local Education Authority Glyntraian Pontfadog Parochial School No 50.
Copy of report made by HMI Mr W. Williams Inspected 28th January.
Another blackboard is needed. A few framed pictures would add to the decoration of the walls. Simple apparatus such as scales, weights and measures, would be useful in the Arithmetic lessons.
An honest attempt has been made to carry out the recommendations and remedy the defects mentioned in the last report. The work in Arithmetic is now more practical, the composition exercises allow more scope for free expression and there is now a school library of about 150 volumes though, unfortunately, very few Welsh books are included.
Although the school is small (There are only 25 names on the roll) the range of age and varied attainments of the pupils demand more teaching and training than can be given with complete success by a teacher single handed. Such a measure of success as has been obtained is clear indication of the teachers earnestness and assiduity, It is important to cultivate, as much as possible, the power of self reliance among the children so that they may work without the teachers constant guidance, which cannot be always given with several divisions to attend to. At present, some of the more backward pupils seem rather helpless when left to their own resources.
The children are taught to study their natural surroundings and to observe things in their season. The chart of observation and the recorded list of flowers, ferns etc., found brought to school and identified by them are creditable. Fairly good work has also been done in depicting these with the brush. Much interest is taken in the cultivation of the flower borders in the playground.
The following suggestions are offered for the improvement of the work:- greater use to be made of the library so as to develop more fully the children’s intellectual curiosity: more attention to be paid to local history, geography: more kindergarten occupations to be provided so that the restless younger children may be more profitably employed. As grouping of classes is inevitable in schools of this type it is well to arrange, in such subjects as history and geography, a rotation of courses for successive years so as to avoid the monotony of repetition.
The School Savings Bank recently started provides a valuable lesson in thrift.
9th June: RWF recruiting Party marched through the valley. Half Holiday.
4th Oct: Half Holiday – Baptist Harvest Service
5th Oct: “ “ Herber Thanksgiving
8th Oct: “ “ Wesleyan Thanksgiving
14th Oct: “ “ Llwynmawr Thanksgiving
Cooking table and utensils removed to Nantyr Council School for the season.
November: Heavy snow affecting attendance.
Managers Meetings
1st March 1915
Closure of school: It was unanimously resolved considering the very low attendance due to the prevalence of influenza colds that the school be further closed for the week 1st to 5th and that the county Medical Officer of Health be asked to despatch a fresh certificate to the head teacher.
13th Dec 1915
Responding to an application from the Women’s Temperance Society for the loan of the school to hold a social and concert in aid of the red cross the following resolution was passed “The managers are agreeable to loan two of the rooms for the holding of the tea, but suggest that the loan of the Non-provided school be asked for the holding f the concert. The only charge they ask is that the school cleaner be compensated."
1st March: An entertainment of suitable songs and recitations and reading chapters from Teaching of Patriotism (Board of Education).
March: Heavy snow affecting attendance.
9th Oct: Half Holiday – Scotch Baptists
12th Oct: “ “ Dolywern Harvest Thanksgiving
13th Oct: “ “ Wesleyan Thanksgiving
17th Oct: “ “ Methodist Thanksgiving
6th Nov: PC Jones (Glyn) called to say that the school bell must not be rung after sunset.
19th Dec: Heavy Snow. Very few children attended and all with wet feet. They were sent home again. This pattern continued until after Christmas.
Managers Meetings
10th April 1916
The Organiser wrote saying that an appeal had been made by his parents for an exemption Certificate for Edward Lewis Llangwrlwd Uchaf and asking the managers if he was beneficially employed. The correspondent was authorised to write the organiser that the managers considered that the boy was beneficially employed.
5th June 1916
School Bell The correspondent was instructed to see Jonah Phelps again about the bell and to ask him to attach a length of wire to the bell instead of a cord as the cord it was considered soon got broken in rubbing against the wall.
10th July 1916
Combining School
A letter from the organiser suggesting the combining of the Council and the NP school during the period of the War: The following resolution was sent: “Your letter of the 30th relating to the matter of combining schools was read and carefully considered and we find that the suggestion of combining the two schools at Pontfadog is impractical and under the circumstances it would be impossible to work the two schools together.”
9th Oct 1916
On account of the Lighting restrictions it was deemed advisable to hold the next meeting at 5 o/c instead of 7 o/c
Mrs Morris was summoned before the meeting on account of her son’s irregular attendance. She stated the boy was absent through ill health. The meeting decided to give her another month or two and trust in the event of the lad being unwell she was to show it by a doctors certificate.
January: Snow
March: Snow
16th March: Ringworm outbreak and snow until April 20th.
26th – 27th April: Boys in the garden all day on both days getting the beds prepared and all the potatoes planted.
28th Sept: Attendance would have been better had it not been for some children helping with the corn harvest and potato raising. 88.4%
11th Oct: Half Holiday Dolywern Harvest
19th Oct: “ “ Wesleyan Harvest
22nd Oct: “ “ Baptist Harvest
26th Oct: “ “ Llywnmawr Harvest
29th Oct: “ “ Herber Harvest
Managers Meetings
17th March 1917
The physical condition o one lad was brought before the meeting. It was pointed out that the boy was much neglected and that the managers were duty bound to report the case. The correspondent was to write to the medical Officer of Health calling his attention to the case.
10th Oct 1917
The school boundary fence badly needed repairing. Mr Edwards and Mr Parry were authorised to inspect the same and to repair it according to their discretion.
It was decided to charge all buyers of potatoes the current government price ruling at the time of purchase.
10th Dec 1917
It was considered the boundary fence would not last more that 5 or 6 years and the correspondent would write to the county architect calling his attention to the matter and to the advisability of planting quicks which would in the meantime take the place of the fence.
The parents of Albert Edward Lewis Tynant Pennant made an application for the release of their son from school.
6th Jan: (Mistress had trouble getting to school) C.M. Jenkins, Emergency teacher took charge of the school assisted by Miss A.M. Davies of Chirk CE school. Weather inclement.
14th Jan: Miss Davies arrived 10.32am on train from Chirk.
16th Jan: Miss Davies arrived 10.40am on train from Chirk
21st Jan: Miss Davies arrived 10.30am on train from Berwyn
28th Jan: Miss Davies arrived 1030am on early train from Llangollen.
31st Jan: Visit by W. Roberts. Found school in charge of two temporary teachers.
Feb 11th: A.D. Foulkes (Glyn) (Certified Master) received wire: ‘Can you take charge of Pontfadog Council School this afternoon if possible. Davies Education Officer Ruthin’
21st March: Fine Day so children taken for nature Study ramble.
28th March: A.M. Davies resumes duties at Chirk. Sadie Parry appointed Assistant teacher. No Head teacher present so she took charge of the school.
10th April: Headmaster arrived and called in for a few minutes before going out to look for lodgings.
11th April: Owen Hughes takes charge temporarily.
July 3rd: Whooping cough. School closed until August 26th.
26th Aug: The N.P. School is now closed and consequently there are several new pupils in this school.
13th Sept: Attendance for the week is very low owing to Blackberry picking.
20th Sept: Low attendance again owing to Blackberry Picking.
Managers meetings
11th Feb 1918
Gardening school plots: The matter was discussed at length. Finally the following resolution was passed ”That the correspondent write the organiser stating that they suggested the school ground be let to the cleaner or sub letted (sic) through him unless the head teacher was capable of properly superintending the gardening and instructing the pupils.”
4th March 1918:
School gardening: The Organiser had replied stating the school was now in charge of a temporary teacher who, he believed was able to take the children in gardening, but should at any time the school be put in charge of a teacher who is not capable of giving instruction in the subject then the committee would give favourable consideration to the suggestion of the managers.
Boundary Fence: It was resolved to go on with the business of planting the quicks.
Petition: A petition was drawn out signed by all the managers calling the attention of the Education Authority to the defective state of education in the two schools of the parish.
May 6th 1918
It was resolved that 4 roller towels be purchased and a bar of soap.
July 8th 1918
A letter was read fro the Board of Education asking Managers to suggest economies in coal in view of the threatened shortage. Resolved that a circular letter be sent to Head Teachers asking them to see that all fires were lit at least 1 hour before opening school and that no more fuel be added to the fire at least 1 ½ hour before closing.
7th Oct 1918
School cleaner: A letter was received from the school cleaner asking for an advance of 2/- a week in view of the enhanced price of materials and the extra work. It was recommended that the advance be paid.
Garden Produce: It was unanimously agreed that Mr Richard Edwards be allowed the potatoes at the controlled price.
Thanksgiving services: the following resolution was passed, proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Mr Hugh Evans “that a circular letter be sent to all the churches of the parish suggesting that all denominations would hold their Thanksgiving services on the same day in view of the low percentage of attendance that had prevailed for sometime."
Repairs: Jonah Phillips be ordered to repair the wheelbarrow and a chair in the dining room.
9th Dec 1918
In consequence of the school having been closed for many weeks because of the prevalence of influenza the school should not close for more than one whole week for the Xmas Holidays, therefore the holidays were fixed from Friday evening 20th Dec until the following Tuesday week the 31st December.
3rd Feb: Very low attendance owing to prevalence of influenza and colds.
11th Feb: Medical officer advised keeping school open till the Doctor could call in person. Dr Salt called on the school and found only 30 pupils attending. He advised keeping the school open until he consulted with Dr Lloyd.
14th Feb: Dr Lloyd is keeping the school open.
17th Feb: School officially closed.
24th March: School reopened.
10th Sept: Miss Harriet Rogers in charge of Standards 1 and 2 gave a splendid nature lesson on the blackberry this afternoon followed by an art lesson on the same with very good results.
19th Dec: Owen Hughes gave up temporary charge of the school today and M.T. Williams takes over as Headmaster from 6th January 1920.
Managers Meetings
12th June 1919
The Organiser requested that the holidays should be uniform for all schools of the valley. The year’s holidays were fixed.
14th July 1919
The meeting was practically taken up in going through the scheme of work for the whole year with the head teacher. The managers after some discussion assenting to the whole although it was felt that too many subjects were attempted.
13th Oct 1919
Peace Week Holiday Conforming with the rules of the Board of Education a week holiday was granted from Friday 17th to the following Monday the 27th. Regarding the examiners report in the entrance scholarship examination it was resolved to write to the Director of Education as follows:- “That we are rather displeased with the low percentage of marks attained by the boys and girls but on second thoughts think that the temporary teachers chosen from time to time has a lot to do with it and look forward to a considerable improvement when a permanent teacher has been appointed. Regarding further lessons for the top standards also we are of the opinion that the days work at school is about enough for the child and are anxious that the young brain should be overtaxed.”
15th Dec 1919
Mary Ellen Lewis, Mary Janie Lewis and Edith Evans were recommended for the silver watch prize for good attendance.
6th Jan: M.T. Williams takes charge of school.
6th Feb: The Timetable was not adhered to this week as most of the time was taken up in preparing children for a school concert held tonight. Proceeds from the same go to meet the expense of purchasing a school piano.
Silver Watches were presented to Edith Evans, Margaret Jane Lewis and Mary Ellen Jones for 7 years complete attendance.
21st Sept: Further applications will be made for a load of coal so as to be able o keep the school opened should the threatened coal strike take place.
8th Oct: 22cwts of coal received.
28th Oct: Church Harvest Thanksgiving.
Managers Meetings
11th June 1920
Irregular attendances complained of the children of Dyffryn Farm, of Pencraig, of Graig, of Tyntwell and from Pengelli one daughter aged 10 had not attended school since the Old school closed.
The Head teacher had made application for a house and the meeting was to write to the authorities in support of his application.
11th Oct 1920
The correspondent wrote the attendance officer regarding his failure to send in reports for June, July and September or to answer the letter from the meeting about irregular attendances.
13th Dec 1920
The Head Teacher made an application for a museum. It was resolved to refer the matter to the Organiser
May 27th onwards: Sickness and inclement weather. Medical Officer advised.
8th June: The children voted today for the Lady Davies Prize.
13th June: School closed for 2 weeks children have pulmonary catarrh, chicken pox, severe coughs and influenza.
27th June: 67% attendance. Dr Salt closed the school for one more week as two children still had scabs.
4th July: There are still several cases of chicken pox.
11th July: 2 cases of measles reported.
20th July: More cases of measles. School closed to reopen 29th August. Mid-summer exams not completed.
6th Sept: 1 case of measles
The following is an extract from the report of the horticultural instructor on the garden at the school after his visit of the 27th June 1921:
“This garden is on the whole well cultivated and a good supply of vegetables grown viz., potatoes, b.beans, peas, lettuce, beet, turnips, celery, onions, radishes, parsnips, v.marrows, rhubarb. Gooseberry and currant bushes are also grown. The management of bees is also a subject taken here, the stock being healthy on the day of visit. All the crops were in a healthy condition, advice was given on the crops generally.”
J.C. Davies.
Nov 16th:
1921 Report by HMI Mr W. Williams
The number of scholars in this school has increased and now amounts to 88 of whom 81 were present on the day of inspection.
Since the head teacher came here in January 1920, the history of the school has been one of steady improvement as regards work, tone and discipline. He is an earnest and efficient teacher and given the same continued devotion the prospects of the school for the future are bright. The progress already made in some subjects e.g. handwriting, arithmetic, and drawing is most marked and some of the work done in this last subject is excellent. The older children seem to be acquiring the valuable power of doing independent work. Composition is not yet a strong subject and spelling presents difficulties but a more extensive use of the interesting library books which have been secured for the school will greatly help in this direction. Gardening is taught and the school has its swarm of bees. A simple form of educational hand work is taken designed with a view to develop resourcefulness and adaptation. Throughout the school the children are trained to take an intelligent interest in their natural surroundings and are encouraged to bring to school any interesting finds. Nature notebooks and observational sheets are kept, wild flowers are pressed, berries and fruit are collected and there are other interesting features which the head teacher proposes to develop shortly.
Some local history is taken and might well be extended on the lines of the Welsh Department’s rural lore scheme.
The teacher of standards 2 and 3 conducts successful oral lessons. The reading of this division is weak and will require careful attention. The written Language Work is somewhat mechanical and some interesting work should be attempted of a kind calculated to demand at least some little thinking on the pupils’ part.
The lowest division is cheerfully and successfully taught and there is plenty of animation in the oral lessons. With 38 scholars in her class arranged in 3 groups for much of the work the teacher cannot find time to give standard 1 the necessary foundation in the rudiments of reading and arithmetic and should be relieved of this section of her class. The majority of scholars are regular depositors in the school savings bank.
Thos. Foulkes
Managers Meetings
14th Feb 1921
The Attendance officers duties to the managers causes continuing concern – references made tto the Handbook. The Organiser agreed a monthly return of attendance should be sent to the meeting.
19th Sept 1921
Doctors certificates required where parents pleaded ill health as the reason for poor attendance. Mrs Lloyds child left without a cCertificate of exemption and was not entitled to leave until the end of December having turned 14 in September.
12th Dec 1921
The Managers are very pleased with the Inspectors report and note with much pleasure the progress made. They however observe that some subjects are weak and would suggest that fewer subjects be taught and at the same time recommend that another teacher be placed on the school staff.
13th Jan: Received four dual desks from Nantyr council to relieve the shortness of seating accommodation in the school. Desks received were in a sad and dirty condition. All the desks were damaged by deep knife cuts. The tops of two damaged by holes. Woodwork filthy with ink stains. Ironwork also filthy. Reported upon this matter to Mr J.C.Davies Secretary and Director of Education.
16th Jan: Very heavy snowfall only 20 pupils present.
17th Jan: 15 present.
18th Jan: 13 children.
19th Jan: 25 children
20th Jan: 23 children.
23rd Jan: 58.5 average attendance today.
24th Jan: 54 children.
25th Jan: More snow 31 children. Inclement weather continued until 27th Feb.
28th Feb: Holiday for Royal Wedding.
Lots of sickness throughout March and more snow towards the end.
1st June: Prize giving. Wilson Barrett was presented with a camera value £1 for having made 5 years unbroken attendance. The attendance yesterday fell very low owing to a local children’s choir visiting an Eisteddfod at Gwyddelwern.
13th June: School reopened after the Whitsuntide Vacation. During the holidays the school walls were coloured, the cupboards, tables, Head Teachers Desk, partition and inside doors re-varnished, the outside doors painted, the walls of the offices whitewashed, outside woodwork and gates creosoted, a ledge placed around the walls of the main room, cooking range taken out and repaired, all defective water taps repaired, plaster applied where necessary, the window frames in and out repainted, all drains overhauled and the fencing around the school repaired.
The school inside and out looks extremely clean and pleasing after the above thorough overhauling and renovation.
30th June: Weather very inclement. Attendance very low owing to the inclemency of the weather and to several children being at Barmouth with the Wesleyan Sunday School Trip.
7th July: Wesleyan Sunday School Trip to Barmouth, several scholars went on this trip (*Presumably a different group than went on 30th June).
29th Aug: Three scholars from this school sat the recent scholarship examinations with the following results: Cissie Jones gained one of the two Scholarships offered to children attending the schools at Chirk and the Valley. Nesta Thomas secured the only P.T. Scholarship available in Llangollen and District and Moses Roberts was awarded a £6 bursary on the strength of his examination results. The above three scholars will attend the secondary school in Llangollen when it reopens after the mid summer vacation.
20th Sept: The framed photographs of Sir Owen M Edwards M.A., D.Litt. and of Rev. Robert Ellis (Cynddelw) were introduced to School and hung up in the main room.
3rd Oct: Dr M. Share Jones visited the school and tested the eyesight of seven scholars; the eyesight in the seven cases proved to be defective.
15th Nov. School closed for polling station in the General Election.
5th Dec: Drill instructress visited the school.
12th Dec: Drill instructress visited the school. Mr Story Plas Nantyr and friend and Rev. W.R.Jones visited the school this afternoon. Mr Storey addressed the children and presented each child with a memorial card commemorating the tercentenary of the Welsh Poet Huw Morris (Eos Ceiriog. 1622 – 1922). A similar card was presented to the school. The framing of this card will be defrayed by the children.
Managers Meetings
1st May 1922
Arising out of a letter from the Education Officer as to the present need for economy the following resolution was passed:
Physical Instructress/Art Mistress: Benefit nil according to the testimony of the head teacher therefore the meeting considered their services should be dispensed with as it was really a waste of money to retain them.
Attendance Officer; That the services of the Attendance officer could be dispensed with and the work done much more economically and quite as efficiently by the Head Teacher in co-operation with the school managers.
2nd Oct 1922
Some plain words were spoken about the way the cleaner carried out her duties and she would be spoken to with a view to improvement. It was concluded that she was underpaid for the work done and her salary should be advanced £2 to £15.
Three pupils had secured places and the Head Master was to be congratulated.
8th Dec 1922
The cleaner complained about the Headmaster not being qualified to assess her work and the managers suggested a “change of spirit was needful” They requested from her a spirit of more give and take when every thing would run more smoothly.
26th Feb: School concert will be held this evening and in consequence the timetable will not be strictly adhered to. Proceeds will be towards paying for the piano bought by the head teacher on behalf of the school.
27th Feb: Rain continues. It has rained unceasingly since Sunday evening. Some of the lanes are submerged and impassable. Only 44% of the children present.
27th Feb: Rain continues.
2nd Mar: Inclement Weather.
7th Mar: Very wet day.
12th Mar: Notification sent to the Education Officer to the effect that the Piano and Stool lately acquired for the school by means of concerts given by the scholars attending the school, were to be the property of the L.E.A.
16th Mar:
The following communication was received in reply from the Education Officer at Ruthin:
Dear Sir,
Pontfadog Council School
I beg to acknowledge the receipt of you letter of the 13th inst., the contents of which I note. Allow me to congratulate the staff and scholars upon the result of their efforts in obtaining a school piano and stool which reflects great credit upon all concerned. A note has been made of the fact that the piano and stool are to become the property of the LEA. I will see that your letter is brought to the notice of the committee.
Yours Faithfully
W.G.Dodd
30th May: Miss Rowlands, lecturer under King Edward VIII Welsh National Memorial Scheme visited School at 2.40pm and lectured to Standards 1 – 7; the lessons according to timetable were not taken because of this.
27th July: A day’s holiday was given today owing to god attendance and the sale of work at the new Institute, Dolywern.
20th Sept: Attendance very low owing to inclement weather and Methodist tea party this afternoon.
30th Nov: Several children have been absent this week suffering from colds. Every child on the register has a cough.
Managers Meetings
From the 1st December 1923 children reaching 14 in a calendar month were entitled to leave at the end of that month and did not have to wait until the end of the school term as previously. This was in response to many complaints of hardship received by the Education Committee in Ruthin.
12th Nov 1923
Following a letter the correspondent was instructed to reply that the arrangement was that if the head teacher went to the expense of buying the manure and seed for the garden he was authorised to take the products.
11th Feb 1923
Mr C. Edwards kindly undertook to ascertain if the cleaner had been supplied with a coal hammer and riddle and if not, to furnish her with the articles.
17th Jan: Miss John, Physical Instructress, visited school this morning.
3rd Mar: Only 20 children attended owing to heavy snowfalls. 9 more in afternoon.
Note: Miss Parry suffered sickness for much of her school life. This year she was absent from 17th March to 30th June during which time various emergency teachers stepped in: Miss Sarah Thomas, Teacher scholar at Llangollen County School on ‘work experience’ – insight into the art of teaching.; Miss Elizabeth Williams trained at Bangor and on the LEA staff.; Miss Eliz. Cuffin, also Bangor trained, took over when Miss Williams was posted to Colwyn. Miss Cuffin left on 4th July to go to Glyn Ceiriog
6th June: 5 scholars from this school sat the Scholarship examination at Llangollen today.
10th July: Drill Instructress visited school.
18th July: Two of the candidates from this school were successful in gaining scholarships. The successful scholars were John Arthur Rogers and John Richard Davies. The former, who came third on the list with only four marks below the first secured the highest marks in arithmetic in Llangollen area with 188/200. Both scholars will proceed to Llangollen County School in September.
26th Sept: At the beginning of the present term five scholars from this school proceeded to the secondary school. J. Arthur Rogers, J. Richard Davies and Thomas Rogers all went to Llangollen County School. Wilson Barratt went to Oswestry County School. Wm. Francis Kelly went to Ruabon County School.
29th Sept: From today school meets in the afternoon at 1 o’clock instead of 1.30. This will continue through the winter months.
29th Oct: School closed, rewired as polling station.
14th Nov: Drill Instructress visited school.
20th Jan: 50% of Children present are suffering from a hard dry cough.
His Majesty’s Inspector’s report 30th March
Inspected 16th March by Mr W. Roberts.
Since the issue of the last report a school piano has been bought and the playgrounds have been asphalted. Substantial additions have been made to the school library.
The school continues to be organized in three divisions. In the highest class which is taught by the Head Teacher, there are ample signs of efficient teaching, the oldest scholars acquitting themselves very creditably in the Arithmetic and Composition tests set during the inspection and reading with fluency and intelligence their various English and Welsh readers. In the work in History and Geography it is advisable to aim at greater thoroughness. Some of the pencil drawing is very well done and the singing of both the ordinary and the action songs in this as well as in the other two divisions calls for special mention.
8th Sept: Margaret Jane Davies (pupil Teacher) and Emlyn Evans (student teacher) commenced duties.
4th Nov: 1 case of Diphtheria.
11th Dec: Miss M.J. Davies absent with Diphtheria also Margaret Lloyd (pupil)
17th Dec: Dr Share Jones visited and found one more suspicious case
18th Dec: Another of my scholars taken to the fever hospital with Diphtheria. Parent informed by me to keep all her other children of school age from school. Meanwhile the roads were most often impassable because of snow.
Managers meetings
23rd Nov 1925
A new cleaner was appointed: Mrs Richards.
Following yet another meeting taken up by discussion of attendance and the consideration of the effects of sickness and of ‘bad cases’ the managers note:
"It might be further stated that we are always concerned in this matter as we have the education of the children near at heart as well as the “grant” before our minds eye."
11th Jan: One other case of diphtheria over the holidays
15th Feb: Miss Davies has resumed duties after her illness
19th March: Several absentees are suffering from Whooping cough.
22nd April: Five fresh cases of whooping cough.
26th April: School closed by medical officer to reopen 11th May.
4th Jun