19th Century

25.8.1871 The first week in the new buildings. The bell is now rung 10 minutes before each school meeting and there have been only a few late.

1.9.1871 The work of the school greatly hindered by workmen making alterations and finishing the building; discipline also suffers considerably, often being impossible.

27.10.1871 I have tried many methods of stopping children chewing India rubber; half a class, and sometimes a quarter of the school are at it: this week I have punished all I find and confiscated the luxury itself.

19.1.1872 I find great inconvenience in boys not having slates - some parents will not supply them.

22.11.1872 A mother came to object to "x,y,z, work" because she did not learn it when she was a girl.

22.8.1873 A mother called to say, she must take her son away, because between her house and the school there was a carrot bed, from which he will steal. She was thankful for the care bestowed upon him - he learnt capitally, but his education must be sacrificed rather than he should eat carrots.

24.4.1872 I find I have only 91 boys on the books who live in Swindon - all the others are from New Town.

25.9.1874 Two fathers called to ask me to thrash their sons for robbing a garden - declined.

27.8.1875 Harris Bennett expelled in consequence of his having been beaten at the Police Station for house-breaking.

7.7.1876 Introduced a birch specially for truants - used it for 3 boys.

12.1.1877 Residence of boys in the school: New Swindon 96, Swindon 181, Coate 2, Brome 2, Walcott 1, Wroughton 3.

13.6.1879 Of the 12 boys absent 1 was dead, 8 had left the neighbourhood, 1 was ill (scarlet fever), 1 was visiting, and 1 refused to come.

9.4.1880 County Election. School used as Polling-booth.

6.5.1881 At the request of the boys I have allowed a small strip of the playground to be converted into their flower-garden.

2.9.1881 Mr Hopkins, assistant, absent on Monday morning till 11.15, caused by delay on railway.

27.10.1882 I have been much amused by some of the upper boys forming what they call "A Shakespearian Society" for the study among themselves of Shakespeare's Works.

24.11.1882 I sent a boy home to be cleaned as he emitted an offensive smell.

16.5.1884 I desire to record a memorable fact - on Wednesday a circus came; I asked the boys not to go to it -to come to school: 282 were present: 10 years ago a circus would shut us up. I find only 2 boys went.

27.6.1884 We have long wanted a seat in the playground. I asked the boys if they would subscribe to buy one; 189 of them brought sums from 1/2d to 6d - total £1.4.8% and the seat has been ordered.

19.9.1884 A. Ponting died on 18th - the first death among our scholars for quite four years.

31.10.1884 Henry Franklin of Clifton Street ill of congestion of the brain, said to be caused by over anxiety and excitement about the examination.

3.7.1885 One of our boys parent was summoned before the magistrate for attending only 34 times in 10 weeks, and fined 2/6.

22.1.1886 Every day during afternoon lessons a pigeon enters the classroom and sits in the window, appearing again and again after being driven out.

9.4.1886 Efforts are being made to form a Cricket Club among the elder boys: subscriptions have been given by friends of the school.

4.6.1886 Daniel Hoare (pupil) has been so badly hurt through meddling with machinery, as to necessitate amputation of his right arm.

6.5.1887 The GWR Medical Fund Society has offered to allow a)     our boys to bathe in the Swimming Bath at 50 boys for 1/- under the care of a teacher.

3.6.1887 We have introduced Slate Cleaners, which abolish spitting on slates.

21.6.1887 The celebration of Her Majesty' Jubilee. Children had a whole holiday, and joined the other Schools of Swindon at a united Fete in the New Swindon Park.

1.2.1889 I have admitted lately a big boy who seems to behave like an idiot, plays truant, makes ugly faces and hinders work here: I am studying the lad carefully, to see if anything can be done for him.

9.1.1891 A Board School opened near, to which 73 of our boys have migrated, not one of whom gave me notice that they would leave; the attraction is the lower fee.

20:3.1891 The slightest occurrence interfering with the will of a boy or parent's convenience brings about a change of school.

13.5.1892 Took 192 boys to Wombell's menagerie on Monday afternoon after school-time.

30.3.1893 The oddest excuse for absence I have ever heard has been given - "To oil the bedstead."

20th Century

2.3.1900 The news of the Relief of Ladysmith received with great enthusiasm on Thursday; 3 cheers being given and an extra half hour's play allowed to celebrate the event.

22.1.1901 I called the attention of the school to the death of our Beloved Queen and impressed upon the children the various lessons to be learned from her worthy example.

22.9.1903 I have received a portion of School materials for the first time. We have been very short for the last month owing to the dilatoriness of the Education Authority.

2.6.1905 By the Medical Officer's advice the school was disinfected, all the books etc. being opened and stood on the desks. (Scarlatina epidemic)

30.8.1905 Eclipse of the sun. I allowed the upper classes to leave school at 11.45 to see the beginning through smoked glasses, after having explained the phenomenon, and read the accounts as described in the Daily Papers, brought by the scholars.

18.1.1907 The children in the lower standards have been exercised in the use of money, by playing at 'shop'.

3.7.1907 The Education Committee have decided that only male teachers are to be employed in a boy's department, unless there are two ladies in the same school.

14.6.1909 I have introduced spelling books in the lower standards with a view to teaching spelling on a more systematic plan

20.5.1910 A school holiday, owing to the funeral of H.M. King Edward VII.

2.2.1911 Roller skating in the school yard is becoming popular.

22.5.1911 Coronation of King George V. Two days holiday given. The children assembled in the playground at 2.30; received a medal and a rosette (made by the girls school scholars) and marched to the GWR Park for tea. Each child received a bag, containing half a cake and a coronation cake, and 2 cups of tea.

19.12.1912 The Christmas cards, which I have allowed the upper classes to make for themselves have been done very well.

31.3.1913 An aeroplane passed over the school at a very great altitude about 10.50am. I allowed the boys to watch it for an extra ten minutes.

11.12.1913 Seven packages of stationery received. I find that various articles are omitted from my requisition, e.g. scissors, Readers, chalk. The first named articles are in constant use by all the classes for handwork, but owing to the refusal on the part of the Education Authority to supply them I have, for the past two years, borrowed them from the Infants' Department.

28.1.1914 Mr. C. Dickerson, assistant master, was away this morning. The doctor's certificate states that he is suffering from "a nerve storm brought on by too much brain work."

9.2.1914 Reported the fact that Mr. Dickerson had been removed to Devizes asylum, to the Education Office.

7.12.1915 Notice re infectious diseases received: that all children from homes where measles prevail are to be exempted from school for the present.

11.2.1918 Requested the Education Secretary to grant the chairs I requisitioned in order that the lady teachers may sit down and teach sometimes.

17.11.1919 Boy applied for admission from Lethbridge Road School, saying he "did not like it there." I sent him back to his school.

28.2.1922 Holiday today in honour of the wedding of Princess Mary.

22.2.1923 Received, signed and returned agreements to accept a 5% reduction in salaries for the year commencing April 1st, 1923.

9.4.1923 Request from a boy who wished to have his eyes examined: "Please sir, can I go to the identical"!!

3.3.1924 The (school) Football team has won the Shield for the season 1923-4.

28.4.1924 Monday. Holiday on account of the visit of the King and Queen to the Hospital and the GWR Works.

5.10.1924 A boy slipped through a hole in the floor and hurt his knee.

28.1.1927 A large portion of the ceiling in the lobby fell down during the dinner hour.

28.2.1927 A boy from Clarence Street School sought admission saying that the boys there were dirty. He was not very clean himself. I sent him back.

16.1.1930 The school is now being worked on the House System. There are 4 houses: Malmesbury (red), Silbury (blue), Barbary (green), Avebury (yellow).

5.11.1934 We commenced milk distribution this morning, 195 children received a third of a pint for 1/2d.

28.1.1936 King George's funeral day. The children assembled at 9.15 and a short Memorial Service was held.

12.5.1937 Coronation Day. The school children of the town were entertained by the Corporation in the football enclosure at the County Ground.

24.3.1938 Miss Goldsmith pierced the forefinger of her left hand with the needle of the sewing machine. I sent her home to recover.

5.7.1938 Schools closed for the visit of the Duke of Gloucester who opened the new Civic Offices. Twenty of-our children in charge of Miss Goldsmith attended the ceremony

outside the building.    

11.12.1946 Radio Relay is now installed and first broadcast to seniors took place today.

23.9.1938 School closed today for Teachers' Refresher Course.

6.1.1941 Hot water pipes frozen up. There is a big leak and water is pouring through the ceiling of the room below.

20.1.1942 Miss Davey away in the afternoon with an injured foot caused by a blackboard falling on it.

3.3.1942 Mr Walsh, H.M.I., looked in this afternoon. He inspected the registers and commented on the disgusting state of the boys lavatories.

30.8.1943 School meals started this morning when 70 children sat down to dinner.

19.10.1945 395 school meals were supplied this week - a record as far as can be ascertained.

14.12.1945 30 scholars visited the Junction Station to be shown over an exhibition coach. Medical equipment and latest developments in penicillin manufacture and application were explained.

25.1.1946 Miss Marsh of the Private School in Bath Road sent a complaint of throwing stones after a snowball fight in which some damage was done. Culprits were dealt with and school warned.

12.8.1946 Milk is now supplied free at the rate of one third pint per pupil.

18.2.1948 A telephone has been installed in Room 1 (Headmaster). Number 2346.

15.11.1950 Visit of Princess Elizabeth. The Junior School left about 11.15am to take up positions in Victoria Road in the space allotted to the School. The Infants Dept. Followed soon after waving red, white and blue teasers made for them by the Juniors. The Princess drove up exactly to time and acknowledged the children's cheers.

20.12.1956 The Infants held their annual Christmas Concert during the afternoon. Father Christmas, The Rev. Wilkinson, arrived on a white horse.

29.8.1958 Three Forms from the Commonweal again accommodated on the first floor this term.

20.9.1961 Mr Stinchcombe absent due to N.A.S. strike. The class which should have been taken by him were not admitted. Although children affected requiring school meals were accommodated.

19.2.1963 Mrs Gilbert ceased duty owing to birth of baby.

18.3.1964 Mr Mathias visited the school to site the kiln and agreed that a kiln be provided.

24.4.1964 The Recorder Group took part in the Swindon Music Festival and were placed first winning the cup.

30.4.1968 Mr Cooke's class visited Bon Marche, new modern multiple store in Town Centre - first with escalators!

28.3.1969 Mr Danny Williams and six members of the Swindon Town 1st eleven visited the school with the League Cup which they won at Wembley by beating Arsenal 3 - 1.

6.9.1971 The gerbils which had been cared for by pupils during the holidays were brought back. Three of them had given birth to litters of four or five. One did not return, having been accidentally sat on!

15.7.1976 Yesterday we held our annual sports day at Quarry Road. Good weather and help from parents made it a successful day out. In the evening, in the same place, we held a barbecue for 3rd and 4th year children.

24.1.1979 Proposed changes to school times. At present juniors finish school at 3.45pm and infants at 3.30pm. I propose to shorten the lunch hour and remove the afternoon break. The whole school will finish at 3.15pm.

11.1.1982 One of the worst winters in living memory. Three staff are unable to reach school. Five radiators burst flooding two classrooms.

23.4.1990 The King William Playgroup is now open, with space for 16 children to attend each morning.

18.4.1996 The competition to design a logo for the 125th Anniversary celebrations has been won by Loiuse Willoughby.