1974-1985

[size7]Mrs A. Brown

There was a presentation for Mrs Hopper (Supervisory Assistant) who retired after 30 years service. She was replaced by Mrs M.Brown.

HT attended a course on ‘The integrated day in the Primary School’.

1976

In April, 249 on roll.

HT asked police to speak to a gentleman constantly offering the children sweets near the school.

Visit to Civic Theatre to see Da Silva puppets in Pinocchio.

Dinner numbers increased considerably. Extra help needed.

Educational psychologist examined a boy because of ‘lack of educational progress’.

Record player repaired.

Visit to Preston Park Museum.

Problems with Rediffusion outlet sockets.

Separate telephone line installed.

People from Department of Public Health came to show slides and talk about ‘Noise and the Quiet Town Experiment’which is taking place in Darlington during the next two years.

Some part-time pupils admitted.

Visit from the Children’s Theatre – performance of ‘The Hat’. Children from Junior School and St Thomas Aquinas also present.

1977

219 on the roll.
Meeting at Teachers Centre to discuss Jubilee arrangements, including the letting of schools for Jubilee parties.
At Easter Deputy HT Miss Teasdale was married and returned as Mrs Cunningham.
Two staff attended First Aid course at the College of Education.
Redifusion installed five extra outlets.
In June – the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. School party. Each child presented with a crown in a plastic wallet with a suitable inscription enclosed. (Some letters of appreciation from parents.)
Mobile caravan in playground for dental treatment.
Two staff to refresher course at Durham – ‘Get plugged into your environment’ with Dr David Bellamy.
Annual Open Night for parents.
Very nice letter of appreciation from parent whose son was leaving the school due to moving house.(Attached).
Students from Elim Pentecostal Church performed for the children. Their message-God loves us’.
Audiometrician tested all new children.
Work experience girl in school for three weeks.
Thank you cards from recipients of fruit and vegetables from Harvest Festival.
Fire Service on strike. Bucket of sand placed in every room.

1978

Police called, showed films of Sooty and Sweep and sang the Road Safety song.
Probation officer called to discuss a girl’s custody hearing.
Easter Egg decoration competition.
Summer term. 228 on roll.
Visit to Civic Theatre to see Paddington Bear.
Roses pruned, playground marked.
HT at Neville’s Cross for conference on Accountability.
Lollipop Lady Mrs Henderson returned to work after long illness.
Two classes went by coach to Hardwick Hall Country Park.
HT attended seminar at Darlington Technical College- ‘Education and the Law.’
Rats seen in school. School closed while poison and traps laid.

1979

178 full time, 12 part time on roll.
22nd January. NUPE (caretaker) on strike. School closed. Much disruption.
15th February. All staff reported to Longfield School.
28th February. Caretaker back on duty. Children returned
Art course at Teachers Centre. Four staff attended.
19th March. Blizzards. All state schools in Durham County closed for the day.
Yale lock fitted to HT’s room.
Received letter from TV’s Blue Peter editor about the stamps we collected for the Medi-Bike appeal for mothers and babies in Tanzania.
Notes sent to parents informing them that NUT members would be refusing to collect dinner money.
3rd May. School closed for General Election.(Margaret Thatcher replaced James Callaghan as Prime Minister.)
Fred Walls appointed caretaker.
Lollipop Lady Mrs Henderson receive gifts to celebrate her 25 years service.(Photos).
7th June. School closed for European Election.
Visit to Preston Hall Museum and Newham Grange Farm.
Epidemic of flies. Men from Environmental Health called, also from Health and Hygiene.
New caretaker attended a course at Durham.
New window cleaners came. I reported their behaviour to Mr Hall, AAO.
Visit to Civic Theatre to see ‘The Plotters of Cabbage Patch Corner’, a musical play for children by David Wood performed by the Cambridge Theatre Company.

1980

Nuffield Maths Course at Teachers Centre.
HT at bank.
Too many meals attendants. One must be given notice.
Two classes at Brinkburn Pond.
Two classes went by coach to Raby Castle.
Mrs Bowes took Robert Porter to the prize giving ceremony at The Odeon Cinema. He was awarded second prize in the 4-6 year old class in the Young Artist of the Year competition, organised by the Lions Club.
Mrs Reah promoted to Scale 2 for Music and with responsibility for curriculum development.
Three staff attended course at the Teachers Centre for the Schools Council demonstration of audio-visual aids.
Electric meters changed by NEEB.
Visit to the Civic Theatre for performance of ‘The Nutcracker Suite’.
Police showed a film called ‘Robbie’, about playing on the railway line and its consequences.
Carol Service. Collection for the Bells Appeal fund of Durham Cathedral. £10.
The school’s Xmas tree went to the Elim Pentecostal church. Collected by the pastor.

1981

Two staff attended lecture on Dyslexia at the Teachers Centre.
New paper towel dispensers fitted by Cresco.
Police Safety Officer and two County Hall engineers called concerning the new traffic lights at the junction of North Road and Thompson Street. Mrs Henderson moved her patrol a little further North.
Postal difficulties. Received revised post code from Post Office.
Attendance affected by chicken pox.
6th April. The Junior School has moved to new premises. We are now able to use all of the playground.
Summer term. 188 on roll.
Sterilizer from old Junior School fitted in kitchen.
Two classes visited the Washington Wildfowl Park.
HT attended prizegiving at Lloyds Bank for the Black Horse Art competition. Samantha Armit, aged 4 years 10 months, received a ‘highly commended’ prize.
Visit from West Midlands Children’s Theatre for a performance of ‘The Firebird’.
23rd July. The children had a party tea and were presented with crowns in honour of the wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer.
Mrs Ferguson received gifts from the children on the occasion of her early retirement.
Banda machine repaired and serviced.

1982

Severe weather, heavy frosts. No water in parts of school.
Visit to Civic Theatre for performance of ‘Freddie Superflea’.
Roof repairs. Lead had been stolen.
Two staff took First Aid exams.
Environmental Care Officer showed a film and talked about ‘Vandalism’.
Visit to Civic Theatre for Hansel and Gretel.
Visit to Brinkburn Pond.
Miss Bellis brought her spinning wheel and talked to the children about wool and spinning.
Fire Drill. Completed in one minute apart from disabled boy who took an extra 15 seconds.

1983

SpecialGovernors meeting to discuss admissions. It was resolved that four children out of 68 be refused admission.
DaSilva puppets at Civic Theatre – ‘Alice in Wonderland’.
Coach visit to Washington Wildfowl Park.
Talk about Dr Barnardos.
Rev Duncan Reed, new Vicar of Saint Marks, called to introduce himself.
Coach trip to Captain Cook Museum at Stewart Park, Marton.
In July, playground Sing-In sponsored for school funds, attended by many parents. £648 raised.
In autumn, 153 on roll.
New school nurse – Mrs Carter.
Police called to see HT about the solvent abusers, adolescents in the shelter at night and over the weekend.

1984

In January a teacher at a Cockfield school reported for duty with us because the roads to her school were blocked by snow.
In February the school took an occasional day as a mark of respect for Mrs Ditchburn, who was cremated.
Interview for school crossing patrol at Salters Lane/North Road. Only one candidate, not appointed because it was felt she was not forceful enough. The job was re-advertised.
In March most of the staff went to the Teachers Centre to have a hands-on trial with the computers.
Mrs Bowes took early retirement.
Mrs Bailey appointed as a fifth supervisory assistant in view of increasing numbers taking school meals. Five rooms were now in use.
The kitchen sink and sterilizer were replaced.
On the 9th May only three classes were in school in view of industrial action by the N.U.T. in support of their pay claim.
Presentation to Mrs Henderson (‘Mattie’, the Lollipop Lady) after 30 years service. Already aged 69 but ready to carry on as long as wanted. After the presentation she was greeted by her granddaughter Janet, of Vernon Gardens, a pupil at the school. (Note. At least three children of Mrs Henderson, Bob, Brian and Margaret, attended the school in the 1940s.)
Fred Walls, the caretaker, died, aged 55. Replaced by Mr Mooney.
A ‘Sing-In’ raised £500 for the School Fund.
Mr Mooney attended a week’s course on ‘Caretakers’ Duties’ at Durham.
The Hoover vacuum cleaner was repaired.
The Senior Adviser for Infants called to speak to a probationer.
PE equipment inspected and repaired.

1985

171 on roll.
Forms AF4 and AF5 sent to parents of leavers.
Environmental Officer came to present prizes to 12 children for their work about litter.
A lady from the Beamish Museum came to talk about visits to the museum.
A new idea introduced. Each class took turns at taking prayers. Different themes were followed to make children think about the purpose of morning assembly.
HT visited the Junior School to see the computer in action.
HT attended a conference about the timing of admissions to Infants schools.
Visit to Preston Park Museum and then to the Freda Valentine School for Guide Dogs.
Police called to inspect damage done by vandals in the playground.
Plumbers installed sinks in four rooms.
Our children went to the Junior School to see a puppet show, ‘Noah’s Ark’, by the top class, who had made the puppets themselves.
Class 5 made an entry for the ‘Darlington in Bloom’ competition.
19th July. A special assembly at which the children presented HT Mrs Brown with a garden seat, suitably inscribed, to mark her retirement.

Mrs Margaret Cunningham was appointed Acting HT.