The Newhaven Boy’s School Log (Extracts) 1914-1919 1914 October 12th School re-opens this morning in (1) the Church Room and (2) Congregational Room, Meeching Road, as the Boy’s School has been taken over as a military hospital. Four of the staff viz. Messrs. Bulbeck, Maguire, Stace and Dudley have joined His Majesty’s forces and the staff is consequently four short this morning. Miss Rhodes from Infant School was sent on a temporary keep. 2pm. Stock fetched from Boy’s School where it has been packed in one pile under the platform. This packing was rendered necessary by the military authorities at the time the school was taken over as a hospital at the outbreak of war. October 16th Headteacher received notice that the school has to be closed on 20th and 21st inst. for the holding of a Concert in aid of funds for Soldiers and Sailors Families Assoc. October 19th A curtain is to be obtained to divide the classes in the Church room. November 6th (Discipline mentioned as an issue in next 2 weeks) Attendance is poor due to coughs and colds. December 14th Children assembled as normal this morning but at 9.15 they were dismissed as the buildings were required by the military authorities. 1915 January 28th The Correspondent called at school today with instructions from Chairman of managers that the children were to be out of school by 4pm each day owing to new lighting restrictions. February 10th Attention of the education committee is drawn to the fact that at the Boy’s School 3 trained certificated teachers, 1 certificated teacher and 1 uncertificated teacher have been replaced by 2 supply uncertificated teachers and 1 supply uncertificated infant (babies) teacher. February 17th Attendance poor due to heavy rainstorm. March 26th Measles and sickness epidemic April 22nd The Headmaster was away from school for three quarters of an hour this afternoon to be present at the funeral of an old boy from the school (A Howell of the Royal Navy). July 6th Headmaster opened bank for boys to participate in War Loan. July 14th French Flag Day was observed at the school. The children of Boys, Girls and Infants Department assembled in playground and sand the national Anthems of France and England. The School was closed in the afternoon by authority of the Chair of Managers. July 29th Attendance prizes distributed today. Owing to the war the managers decided that there was not to be any public ceremony. September 17th Russian Flag Day was celebrated today. Children assembled in the school yard and sang the Russian and English National Anthems. October 5th Dr Dunstan returned to school at 9am to examine 5 boys who applied for re-admission after diphtheria exclusion. (3 were re-admitted). October 20th Miss Shrewsbury absent through death of her brother who was killed at ‘The Front’. November 3rd Window frame fell out of classroom when it was being opened and landed on a boy. November 11th Local Sanitary Authority order school to be closed until November 26th (this extended to December 28th) 1916 January 19th Mr Mason informed the Headmaster that he had received notice to join up for Military Service on Feb 8th under the ‘Group System’. January 26 Mr Farrow absent today to attend an interview re enlistment. February 2nd Mr Farrow ceased duties this afternoon having joined the army. February 4th Mr Masson ceased duties this afternoon having joined the army. March 30th Six boys entered for scholarship exam and forms sent to Sec of Educ Committee. Owing to circumstances created by war (closing of school; enlistment of staff; double session arrangements; temporary premises) there seems to be very little chance of any of these 6 boys being successful in the exam. May 24th Empire Day. Children assembled in the yard and sang hymn ‘Now Thank we all our God’ and National Anthem and then marched past and saluted the flag. September 11th 1 boy gained scholarship. October 5th 3 boys excluded for body vermin; 2 boys for impetigo. 1917 February 23rd War Savings Association A meeting of the staff (Boys) was held after school today to discuss the question of starting a ‘War Savings Assoc.’. It was eventually decided that one should be formed. April 17th School Inspection. “The conditions under which school work is carried out at present in Newhaven no doubt renders the control of the boys more than unusually difficult, nevertheless it is disquieting to find that in all classes except the two highest a considerable section of the boys adopt an indifferent attitude towards their work. Discipline is especially unsatisfactory ... It is doubtful whether an improvement can be looked for unless some changes are made in the personnel of the present staff.” November 14th Miss MacDonald absent today. Headmaster did not receive any notification. November 15th Note received from Miss MacDonald that she had received notice that her brother had been killed at the Front. November 19th Miss MacDonald returned to school. November 20th Mrs Austin absent today as her husband is home on leave from Salonica. 1918 June 24th Influenza July 8th The school was closed at mid-day today to reopen on Monday July 15th, owing to the prevalence of influenza. September 13th In accordance with the request of Ministry of Food and with consent of Education Committee the upper school (5,6,and 7) under their respective teachers spent the day gathering blackberries. October 3rd The result of blackberry harvest was 1 ton. October 21st 74% attendance due to influenza. October 24th 71% attendance due to influenza. October 25 65% attendance due to influenza. October 27th School to be closed for 2 weeks due to influenza epidemic November 19th Owing to the canceling of all ‘Calling up notices’ PJ Ralph returned to school December 17th There are still no fires in school owing to the coal shortage. Many children arrived in a wet condition ..... The children were sent by the HM to the furnace in the Church Institute to dry their boots and clothes. 1919 March 24th Mr Dudley resumed duties this morning having been demobilised. June 30th Schools closed for the afternoon to celebrate the Signing of Peace. July 19th School was closed today as a ‘Peace Day’ holiday. Local Peace Celebrations. Fancy Dress Carnival and Tea for the children. The sports had to be abandoned about 4.45 owing to rain. September 19th Boy’s School furniture shifted from Girl’s School and Church Room. The boys will resume school in their own building, which has been occupied by the Military Authorities since the outbreak of war, on Monday Sept 22nd. September 22nd Re-occupation of Boys School. School was re-opened in the Boys School at 8.50 this morning. To mark the occasion the new Union Jack presented by the late RAMC staff was hoisted and three cheers given. October 9th Mr Maguire absent today suffering from the effects of gas poisoning (late war). November 11th Today being the 1st Anniversary of the Armistice and in Accordance with the King’s Wish, the school paid silent tribute to the Glorious Dead. After suitable instruction as to the great importance of the occasion the boys were assembled in the hall in a hollow square. A Union Jack was suspended from the roof. The school sang “Jesus lover of my School” and at 11am the flag was run down and for a period of 2 minutes a perfect silence. was maintained. The flag was then run up and the hymn “Now thank we all our God” was sung. Mr Corbett, Chairman of the managers, then addressed the children recalling the brave deeds of courage and heroism of the Allied forces in the Great War and impressed upon them the fact that they owed a great debt to the Fallen Heroes. The National Anthem was then sung, the Flag saluted and the school dismissed. Jim Fanning Tideway School History Department Newhaven East Sussex