1873
December
1^st 27 boys, 24 girls in classes
2^nd Bible class began at Genesis
Miss Ross began sewing classes.
4^th Fast Day School closed
5^th ‘Great difficulty in learning them singing as it appears to be the first time they have attempted it.’
8^th Fees – 2 ½ d per week for reading, 3d for reading and writing, 4d for reading, writing and arithmetic 4 ½ d for the same with grammar.
12^th Introduced Nelson’s Royal Primer with 6^th class
22^nd 3^rd class Standard 4 of the New Code Expressive Reader,
26^th NB they are not on holiday. Now 38 boys and 30 girls.
31^st Second class had lesson on paper.
1874
January
1^st holiday
2^nd ‘The first and second class have been provided with Nelson’s Brief History of Scotland. Object lesson upon the cat. Highest class to prepare a home exercise on the cat.’
5^th Handsel Monday School closed.
February
6^th 44 boys 32 girls
March
30^th 14 pupils began freehand drawing from 9 – 9:30 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
April
1^st Several failures in repeating home lessons. 3^rd arithmetic began long division
7^th ‘Attendance not so regular some of the scholars engaged in potato planting. Bible class finished Genesis’
May
1^st Rev Mr Johnstone visited the school today.
11^th 5^th class finished reading book.
18^th ‘Several pupils are absent today; reasons given very trifling.’
June
5^th Punished two boys for stealing flowers.
12^th 48 boys 38 girls
Lessons mentioned are mainly Bible particularly Old Testament, Grammar, Scottish Geography using maps, Solway Firth, St Andrews , Asia,  Charles11, limited Scottish history; James V11,  James 1,  Robert Bruce, Mary Queen of Scots,
Object lessons: cat, whale, cotton plant, sugar cane, coffee plant, squirrel, milk and butter, cow, camel goat wolf carpenter, reindeer, giraffe, bear, iron, birds nests
24th Inspection report
‘As the master has only had charge of this school for 9 months and has worked in most wretched premises under the greatest disadvantages, his school may be considered in excellent condition both in respect of discipline and instruction. The children have been most carefully taught and trained.’
25^th Fast Day school closed
July
1^st ‘Some of the oldest pupils absent being engaged gathering strawberries.’
3^rd Fifth and fourth classes started Neils Arithmetic.
8^th Rev Mr Somerville visited. Top class Nelson’s Poetry Book
17^th 4^th and 5^th classes have begun to repeat daily the tables of weights and measures.
30^th R Thomson Esq of Seggie visited.
August
14^th School closed for holidays
November
2^nd School reopened. All in one classroom as other rooms not finished. 30 boys, 19 girls
9^th Miss Burnett of Pitcullo visited.
19^th 31 boys, 32 girls
20^th ‘Miss Burnett of Pitcullo has sent 18 beautiful engravings to be given as prizes’.
25^th 4^th class has been provided with exercise books.
27^th 43 boys 41 girls some are confined to be with scarlet fever.
December
3^rd Fast Day school closed
5^th 20 prizes presented by Alex Duncan Esq of Pusk + 18 engravings given to the most diligent pupils.
7^th ‘Experience difficulties in getting the girls to bring sewing materials.
11^th Upward of 30 pupils absent on account of the snow.
18^th ‘Attendances not so regular this week on account of the stormy weather. ‘
21^st ‘A few of the eldest girls have left to work in the paper mills’.
In school on 24^th and 28^th Dec
31^st Holiday
1875
January
1^st holiday
February
‘One boy from school with measles. Sent note to parents requesting them to keep other members of the family at home’
12^th About 20 absent through sickness.
25^th Upwards of 40 absent – severe snowstorms.
March
18^th Miss Burnett sent a number of books to be distributed amongst scholars.
3^rd class using Chambers Grammatical Primer
April
15^th Absences because of potato planting
June
4^th Introduced Nelson’s Royal Reader 111
29^th school inspected by Hugh Wilson HMI
‘Organisation, discipline excellent. Though the new premises have only recently been fully available the order and efficiency shown in both the standard and extra work are highly creditable.
Greater expression however ought to be given to the reading and distinctiveness to the answering generally. Additional maps and infant apparatus are required.’
July
12^th Some of the eldest scholars left to work in the fields.
15^th Several scholars absent because Fast Day in Logie.
August
3^rd 20 absent attending St James Market in Cupar
Holidays 9^th August to 4^th October.
October
4^th Only 24 enrolled many are lifting potatoes
28^th School has been provided with Stanfords Maps of Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, England and Ireland and Nelson’s Natural History Diagrams.
November
11^th Farm (fast?) Day several absent
December
6^th Snowstorm 20 absent
Holiday 24^th December – 3^rd January
1876
January
 3^rd Hansel Monday 30 absent
11^th Mr and Mrs Pitcairn of Pitcullo Castle ‘gave a handsome shawl to each girl and a scarf to each boy as a New Year gift.’
April
3^rd 5 scholars in highest class left to begin work
11^th Several with jaundice All boys over 13 except 1 have gone to work.
June
11^th 3 absent with scarlet fever
Inspection good but
‘Seemingly deep-rooted shyness of the scholars in oral answering has still to be contended with’ Helen Kirk Pupil teacher has satisfied the conditions of her apprenticeship.
19^th Scarlet fever and hooping cough spreading
July
3^rd 30 absent with scarlet fever and whooping cough
24^th 50 absent with scarlet fever
Next comment is school reopening in October
October
13^th reopened
November
3^rd Scarlet fever still prevalent
1877
June
Staff David Murrie
Mrs Murrie sewing and singing
Helen Kirk – pupil teacher 3^rd year.
sheep
7^th August attendance not good – Cupar Market Day.
17^th Aug closed school
October
15^th Reopened
9^th Nov 24b 24 g
23/11 38b 40g
30/11 school closed – fast day
Mr Thomson of Seggie donated prizes for drawing pupils.
Robert Bruce, James 111, Towns of Germany, Towns of Fife, Lakes and Rivers of Scotland, wheat
26/12 gave children a half holiday in order to attend the funeral of Mr Johnstone, the Manse, Leuchars.
Log is now written each Friday often very brief and usually about attendance. Putting in mention of different topics as they occur.
28/12 – 8/1/ Holiday
1878
Many absent – sore eyes.
Asia, oak tree, honeybee, Africa, Geog of Fife, James V, North America, calf
15/3 Helen Kirk absent Wed unwell Her places supplied by a monitor
22/3 the tulip Older pupils abs potato planting
5/4 – 17/5 poor attendance sickness, sore throats.
7/6 Inspection “The order is very good but if the discipline is not strained there should still be greater animation in the tone of the school. The standard makes a very fine pass overall’ …..’Grammar and comprehension are so imperfectly known that no grant can be recommended under this head.”
14/6 Wed + Thur school closed to allow head to attend funeral of friend.
2/8 closed   23/9 reopened
15/11 40 + absent with measles
Register checked and signed every few months by 2 managers of the Leuchars school board.
1879
June – advanced to different classes.
25/7 inspection
“The school makes a very orderly appearance. There is still a want of animation however in the general tone and the style of the answering.” “H Kirk has passed fairly’ Pupil teacher 5^th year.
15/8 school closed
13/10 reopened
27/10 low attendance lifting potatoes.
12/12 also 25 +26/ 12 school closed – teacher unwell
1880
16/4 fever prevalent
10/5 school closed 2 and half days for Head to attend father’s funeral.
2/7 half hour break and finished early to attend brother’s funeral
In bad weather and other events sometimes break cut to half hour and closes school early.
23/7 inspectors report good. Except answering. ‘the copy books deserve commendation. ‘ H Kirk’s name removed from the register of pupil teachers serving in the school.’
11/8 closed   4/10 reopened
1881
Several days with snowstorms funeral of late pupil
8/4   43b 37 g
Europe Cromwell
Started class in Domestic Economy
Only Mr and Mrs Murrie this year’s Inspection good.
9/8 holiday for St Andrews market day.
19/8 closed 10/10 reopened
11/11 Many larger families have left this neighbourhood today’
18/11 21b 25g
16/12 40b 40g
Bills of parcels
1882
March Measles prevalent
31/3 – 17/4 school closed
28/4 ‘all the girls above 13 years of age have left school to work.’
May   Mrs Murrie absent several weeks because of sickness of her child.
HF Murrie conducted sewing in her absence.
7/7 advanced the classes
14/7 92 on register attendance of 65.9
17/7 Inspector happy but “domestic industry however is not receiving proper attention,this should be seen to without delay’
Hols 10/8 – 9/10
13/10 9b 8g
By Dec 82 on register.
1883
12/1 50b 32g
2/2 ‘Upwards of forty scholars absent from school today owing to the severity of the weather.’
George 111, towns of Holland and Belgium
13/7 30 absent  hooping cough
13/8 inspector ‘commendable progress has been made in domestic economy’ ‘Mr Murrie recognised as qualified to serve under article 32C 3
10/8 closed 8/10 opened
28/12 – 8/1 hol
1884
8/2 43b 32g
18/4 Mrs Murrie absent in order to attend LLA examination.
21/5 Mrs Murrie has been successful in obtaining the degree of LLA from the University of St Andrews.
5/8 Inspection ‘industrial work though good should include specimens of darning’
6/8 closed 6/10 opened
28/11 many pupils absent with sickness 3 with typhoid fever
19/12 40b  36g
1885
30/1 several have jaundice
Inspector different man this year – Robert Small
‘Good order is maintained but the general management lacks animation. The purely mechanical part of the work is pretty accurately done, though there is room for improvement in the style of written exercises. Class grants are fairly earned.’
12/8 – 5/10 Hols
Nov 22b 24g
25/12 -5/1 hol
1886
29/1 39b 36g
26/2 45b 27g
2/3 Only 4 present heavy snowstorm
River of North America   Decimal fractions
24/7 Inspector ‘the order continues good but there is still a great want of natural buoyancy in the bearing of the pupils’ ….. ‘the infants show fair efficiency but simultaneous answering is too much indulged in. ‘A properly drained urinal should be provided for the use of boys.’
16/7 – 6/9 hols
24/9 a properly drained urinal has been provided
Towns of Belgium
12/11 12 families containing 25 children of school age have left this neighbourhood yesterday. There are 26 children of school age resident in the district who have not yet turned out to school – not including newcomers to the locality.
1887
7/1 82 on register
Rivers of Australia, towns of France
¼ ‘Marked the register today according to the regulations recently issued by the Scotch Education Department’
15/4 a number of pupils employed at home.
Towns of Italy and Ireland
6/5 Ist class – simple interest
20/5 43b 37g
17/6 – 15/7 Mrs Murrie ill
27/6 Inspector ‘decided improvements in the style of the discipline.’ Not happy with infants ‘the instruction of the infants being in most respects backward.’
15/7 – 10/10 closed 12 weeks
‘The holidays were extended five weeks beyond the usual period owing to an epidemic of smallpox in the parish.’
Islands of Europe towns of India
16/12 Mrs Murrie through ill health ‘has resigned her situation as assistant in the school.’
23/12 – 3/1 Hols
Miss McInnes entered on her duties in the school.
1888
13/1 2^nd arithmetic class – proportion
3^rd class – reduction
11/2 38b  39g
Towns of Canada
1^st class compound proportion
30/4 Miss McInnes absent all week ill.’ As the master had the whole work of the school to do the timetable was not strictly adhered to. ‘
Abs 3 weeks
8/6 Inspected
‘The discipline is highly satisfactory and the results are generally creditable though the prevalence of epidemic illness has doubtless operated unfavourably and domestic sickness (for which sympathy is expressed) must have had a depressing effect’.  Lavatory accommodation is urgently required.
6/7 Attendance much reduced because of wet weather.
27/7 Sent list of absentees to clerk of the school board.
Countries of Asia rivers towns of Russia
17/8 closed 8/10 reopened
20/10 Lavatory accommodation provided by school board.
12/10 13b 7 g
7/12 41b 36g
Capes and islands of Africa.
1889
25/1 2^nd class vulgar fractions, compound subtraction
Miss McInnes frequently off from mid March with illness
16/4 Miss Sinclair commenced her duties in school.
3/5 scarlet fever
17/5 Miss McInnes resumed duties
21/6 received 12 beautiful Bible pictures from Mrs Govan of Pitcullo – have put them on the wall of the school.
10/7 Inspection – quite happy
19/7 closed school
2/9 reopened
18/10 62 on roll 45 average weekly attendance
‘The school board officer has made several rounds but with little success in increasing attendance.’
2/12 school closed – Epidemic of measles
Reopened 7/1
‘There have been several deaths among children in the village and neighbourhood.’
1890
11/1 school opened Saturday as master had to do jury duty so school would have to close. Closed next Tues, Wed, Thursday
Open next Sat and next.
25/1 influenza
21/2 roll 87 attendance 63 still much sickness
11/4 Miss McInnes left the school
 18/4 Miss Hogg replaced her
7/7 Inspected
25/7 closed
Inspector ‘Considering the circumstances the results indicate very earnest teachers.’
15/9 reopened
7/11 roll 80 attn 60   mumps
1891
April flu epidemic
24/6 inspected
3/7 ‘Gave school board office list of 18 absentees.’ Scarlet fever prevalent.
Inspector ‘Reading is deserving of favourable mention and not a few papers were well written and it was due to shortcomings in spelling and arithmetic that only the lowest rate of payment be recommended. ‘
Higher grant for English and geography recommended
31/7 closed 21/9 opened
9/11 poor attendance scarlet fever, flu agricultural labour
20/11 89 on register 59 at school
2-4/12 head ill – school closed
28-30 /12 meant to be holidays but opened up to make up three days lost.
1892
29/1 epidemic of sickness 45 abs.
Roll 91 attn 43.8
By 18/2 attn 70
25/3 jury service again school closed 1 day.
April mumps
2 May holidays school stayed open to make up Jury and sickness time.
5 epidemics in year: scarlet fever, whooping cough, flu(twice), mumps
6/6 Inspection generally good higher rate for history and geography rather than intermediate
Hols 29/7 – 29/9
July and October attendance poor Mr Murrie wrote to Leuchars School Board so that measures could be taken to enforce regular attendance.
Counties and towns in Munster
4/11 autumn holiday
East India islands
1893
27/1 13 girls from higher standards attending cookery class conducted by Miss Stewart Certified teacher of cookery   3:30 – 5:30   once a week for 8 weeks
29/6 Inspection very typical report – mostly positive
28/7 smallpox
28/7 – 18/9 hols
22/9 65 all week
7/10 100 on admission register  a good many pupils employed in agricultural labour
Rivers mountains lakes of Scandinavia
27/10 chickenpox
Compound division
10/11 autumn holiday
24/11 flu
Towns of Austria
1/12 changes among farm servants 14 pupils left
29/12 – 9/1 holiday
1894
23/3 Miss Hogg left Miss Spence took over
29/6 inspected Senior division highest grant junior division good.
Glowing report best so far.
27/7 – 17/9 hols
5/10 register 98 attendance 57
9/11 attendance 91
1895
1/3 93 then flu truck
31/5 ‘a new playshed has been erected for the boys’
Attendance 103
10/7 inspection    report ok
19/7 roll 106 attendance 52.5
Extract from minutes of the school board
“The holidays in the school to be fixed by the board and the clerk was instructed to intimate said resolution to the teachers’
Hols fixed 26/7 – 16/9
20/9 Letter from Dr Nasmyth – Cupar informing him of case of typhoid fever at Morrisons House, Bogton and requesting him not to allow children from family to attend school until they produce a medical certificate stating they are free from infection.
Islands of Europe
18/10 roll 102 attendance 47
Towns of Ulster
22/11 Grammar lesson to highest class copulative, alternative and adversative conjunctions.
6/12 Martinmas – change of servants 16 left
20/12’Miss Spence absent from school all this week attending Examination of Candidates for admission to Training College.’
Towns of Turkey and Greece
1896
Jan sore throats, scarlet fever
Miss Spence off all term
5/2 Miss Souter began duties
28/2 Owing to prevalence of scarlet fever Dr Nasmyth, Cupar and sanitary inspector visited school.
3 pupils, who had been absent for a long time with scarlet fever will be put in the 4^th standard at next inspection and can’t meet requirements of 5^th in time
3/4 Miss Souter engagement terminated. Education department informed teacher that Miss Pendreigh was assistant teacher.
12/6 inspection – nothing of note
19/6 whooping cough.
Holidays fixed 17/7 to 7/9
9/10 “Although the teacher has repeatedly given the school board officer list of absentees the excessive irregularity in attendance continues.’
21/10 Sent further letter to school board.
27/11 80 present
Hols 24/12 – 5/1
1897
Profit and loss
May Annie Murdoch only 185 attendances in last year will be presented at 5^th standard.
13/7 Inspection report ok
9/7 Miss Pendreigh absent all week exam in Edinburgh
Hols 16/7 – 6/9
24/9 72 attend
Square roots
1898
Teacher wrote to Medical Officer, County Buildings, Cupar about the prevalence of sore throats among the children.
Miss Pendreigh left Miss Montador started.
Flu
10/6 87 present
1/7 inspection
“Intermediate grant for the elementary branches well earned by lower division but is recommended with not a little hesitation to upper standard.’ ‘Attainment of most of the pupils in Latin did not justify their presentation for examination.’
‘Girls playground should be repaired.
Hols 15/7 – 5/9
5/9 Reopened very poor attendance so Master contacted School Board
14/10 80 on register but average weekly attendance 39.8
21/10 school closed because of measles epidemic. Reopened 21/11
Most entries through year were concerning new pupils, attendance, weather and the current illness.
1899
27/1 6th standard using ‘White’s School Miscellany and extra reader’
May   flu and inclement weather
19/5 School supplied with Howard Vincent Wall Map of the British Empire.
Mumps
Inspector’s report – made allowances for epidemics
‘The excellent tone pervading the school and the absolute self reliance of the children deserve high praise.
The general quality of instruction is good… Points to which special attention should be directed are mental arithmetic in the younger classes and composition. Intelligence should also be more vigorously trained. Singing and solfa are very creditable. Drill is effective and needlework is extremely satisfactory.
Merit certificates enclosed for D. Peattie, E. Dowie, B. Gray and G Robertson.
Teaching staff: Mr Murrie   Miss Montador(assistant)
4/9 New term
Oct absentees potato lifting
Roll 86
1/12 Owing to changes amongst farm servants the attendance has not been so good this week.
Hols 29/12 – 8/1
1900
Miss Montador left 29/12
Miss Edith J Gray started 8/1
9/1 school closed because of sickness of master
6/6 school closed for holiday in honour of the British having taken possession of Pretoria.
25/6 HMI inspection by D. Thompson    82 present
29/6 Attendance shows great irregularity since inspection.
Inspector’s report: ‘The school is carefully conducted, the discipline thoroughly effective and the tone praiseworthy. ….. results may on a general estimate be rated as good. The only parts of the elementary work falling below that level are the senior pupils arithmetic, which is very defective and composition more particularly that of the 6^th class. Geography is on the whole well known but the answering on history and nature knowledge though generally correct is not sufficiently distributed. Increased attention to the training of intelligence is strongly recommended.
Merit Certificates – M Fisher, J Will
10/9 Reopened 60 present
3^rd and 4^th classes began ‘Book 1V Palmerston Readers ‘
5/11 Teacher closed school to attend his daughter’s funeral
Hooping cough prevalent
30/11 changes in farm servants
7/12 enrolled 19 new scholars
Measles and mumps
28/12 roll 81
1901
7/1 school reopened on Handsel Monday attendance most miserable
Roll 81 av for week 39
Measles
Dr Nasmyth instructed Mr Birrell of the School Board to write to the Balmullo teacher requesting him to close the school on account of an epidemic of measles
Closed 15/1 – 27/1
3/5 Roll 86
20/6 School inspected by Dr Dunn
5/7 Miss Gray absent all week attending examination for certificate at Dundee.
Inspector’s report: ‘The school has suffered from epidemic sickness for which allowance has been made. The discipline is very good and a pleasant tone pervades the school. The junior division has improved in arithmetic and summation of numbers was smart. Readers varied and the children have not been properly classified some of those in the senior infant and first class reading from an advanced book while some in the second class showed inferior attainment in the subject. Writing is still capable of improvement and geography elementary. The work of the senior division was creditable. Penmanship should be neater in general. Arithmetic in class 6 was advanced, inferior in class 4 and the merit certificate class. The following suggestions may help the teacher, who has done good work under discouraging circumstances, to improve the general efficiency of the school.
Classification according to capacity and attainment is recommended. 2) The obsolete requirements of the standards should be dismissed from his mind.  3) The classes in the senior division should be grouped for as many subjects as possible. 4) The history scheme should detail minutely the historical events which he intends to profess.
It should be added that drawing and nature knowledge are taught in a judicious and intelligent manner.
The scheme of instruction in Drawing showing details of the work proposed for each class of each division together with a statement as to the present qualifications of the teachers in this subject should be submitted annually to the department.
2/9 school reopened.
15/11 owing to sickness and the terrific hurricane last Tuesday the average attendance for this week is much reduced.
22/11 Roll 88
1902
Flu
26/6 a holiday {could be for king’s coronation which was scheduled for today but was postponed because he has an emergency appendectomy}
30/6 Inspected by Thomas Smith   Report good, very similar to previous.
Miss Gray attended exams for certificate in Dundee.
11/7 school closed
8/9 School reopened
19/9 ‘The infectious disease of membranous croup exists in the house of Mr Rob. Angus Balmullo. No child from the house above mentioned is permitted to attend school until the home and everything therein exposed to infection have been certified by the Medical Officer or a qualified medical practitioner to have been disinfected to his satisfaction. J.G. Nasmyth MD   MOH
26/9 ‘The infectious disease of scarlet fever exists in the house of Mr Seaton, Pusk. Ploughman. Children from house not permitted to attend school.
17.10 The scheme of instruction in drawing has been approved by the Scotch Education Department for the session of 1902/3
24/10 Have received Dr. Dunn’s approval to the schemes of work.
7/11 diphtheria and scarlet fever prevalent
21/11 Agnes and Mary Smith died on 19^th Nov
26/12 – 6/1 Holiday
1903
23/1 Roll 88
27/2 Owing to the tempestuous weather attendance much reduced.
Miss Gray left 2^nd April
Miss Porter started her duties on 6.4
15/5 introduced McDougall’s article 29(c ) Arithmetic test cards.
13/7 Inspected – very brief report from Dr Dunn closed for 7 weeks
1/9 Re-opened Miss Lizzie Green began her duties.
2/10 several pupils still absent assisting in harvest operations.
30/10 Roll 80
23/12 – 5/ 1 Hols
1904
Chickenpox
19/2 informed sb officer that Davina Turpie absent for a fortnight.
26/2 Miss Ruby Brown gave first of a course of health lectures 3 -4
4/3 Davina Turpie and Wilhelmina Dowie longer absences
2/4 Miss Green left
4/4 Miss Margaret Roger started
Registers checked by David Adamson
11/5 Inspection by Dr Dunn
27/5 Holiday – Victoria Day
8/7 closed
28/8 reopened
Inspector’s report
‘The school is conducted in an earnest manner and with very creditable results. The best feature of instruction is arithmetic which is sound and well advanced. Drawing too is distinctly good. Intelligence, history, and geography should however receive much more attention. The infant section read with a curious inflection at the end of every sentence and this mannerism should be corrected. A new modulator is required. The attendance during the past year has been unsatisfactory; my lords will expect a better record in this respect next year.
9/9 ‘The master sent a letter to the officer requesting him to visit the school but he has not yet done so. There are several pupils who have not yet turned out to school.
16/9 After visit of SB officer some still not back in school. Master sent letter to Mr Birrell informing him of the delinquency and requesting him to send an officer as early as possible.
23 + 26/9 Miss Roger sitting exams in St Andrews.
30/9 SB officer visited list of absentees and Lizzie Wann and Helen Taylor who have not yet attended this year.
25/11 Isabella Robertson and Isabella Thomson names on the list of absentees.
9/11 Isabella Thomson and Alexander Walker absentees
23/12 Directed SB officer’s attention to Alexander Walker.
Whooping cough (first time spelt with a w)
30/12 – 4/1 hols
1905
20/1 SB officer to bring Alexander Walker’s non- attendance under the notice of the Board.
3/2 Non attendance names – Alexander Walker, Arthur Walker, James Kinnear
17/2 ringworm
Flu right through to Easter
7 – 18/4 Easter hols
12/5 84present
2/6 89 present   – no reference to roll
29/6 Inspection by AS Gall sub inspector
30/6 Seven pupils absent all week from illness – cutaneous disease chiefly.
Report – behaviour excellent. ‘an effort should be made to remedy the monotonous style of reading which prevails’. Upper part of the school points for special attention – ‘1) the irregularity of slope of copy writing 2)The inaccuracy of the arithmetic in the boys section of class 3.’ Everything else positive.
7/7 – 15/8 Hols
Roll 81+
Miss Roger’s time expired on 12/10
Miss Margaret Skene appointed.
22/12 – 2/1 Hols
1906
‘Heavy rain’ ‘wet morning’ ‘inclement weather’ all affect attendance
16/3 Miss Skene left today
Mrs Birrell, Cupar started 19/3
6- 17 April Easter hols
11/5 inspection by Dr Dunn and W.S. Gall
22/6 very wet today attendance very much reduced.
6/7 – 17/8 Hols
17/8 Miss Reid entered on her duties.
School closed Wednesday afternoon to allow the teachers and pupils to attend the funeral of Rev Robert Johnstone minister of the parish of Leuchars.
Measles prevalent
1/9 The master wrote to Dr Nasmyth informing him of the prevalence of measles
85 highest attendance mentioned.28/12 – 8/1 holiday
1907
29/1 School closed pm to allow teacher to attend funeral of old scholar
1/2 Closed pm  for teacher to attend induction dinner of Rev M Levack.
4/3 OH visited school
6/3 Mrs Birrell visited
8/3 Rev Mr Levack visited.
1/2   – 8/3 flu mentioned
29/3 -9/4 Easter hols
Roll at least 88
28/6 J.C. Smith HMI
5/6 Miss Reid certificate exams in Dundee
12/7 – 19/8 hols only 5 weeks
Poor report which was very unusual.
‘The present condition of this school is not altogether satisfactory. In the classroom writing and drawing are quite creditable but oral work is, on the whole, weak, though redeemed from failure by the good appearance by class 2. Better results may however be expected as the new teacher gains experience in infant schoolwork.
The writing and drawing of the seniors are also very fair though too much of the drawing is done from the flat. The highest class acquitted itself passably under oral examination but below this there was a singular dearth of intelligence and information. Spelling was equally defective. In the circumstances an unreduced grant for the senior division cannot be recommended.
Yet the classification is quite good and the scheme of work is sensible. The cause of these unsatisfactory results is to be sought – apart from any defects in instruction that may exist – in poor attendance and lax discipline. The question of attendance is commended to the earnest consideration of managers. Epidemics entirely fail to account for the facts. The attendance has been bad almost the whole year round.
The vacant classroom might be used for a cloakroom as long as it is vacant. The other classroom is seriously crowded for part of the day the congestion is ait times relieved by sending the junior 2 into the main room but this is not a satisfactory arrangement either for instruction of for discipline and it may be necessary to shift the partition. But a far better solution would be found if managers would avail themselves of the provision made under the Minute for the distribution of the General Aid Grant so as to increase the staff – a course which the numbers would now justify. More press accommodation is needed. The walls should be cleaned down and relieved by some good illustrations. The surface of both playgrounds is poor especially that of the girl’s playground. Arrangements should be made for cleaning the office more frequently until they can be remodelled altogether.
13/9 Roll 81
Wet weather and bad roads hamper attendance
27/9 James Coats Jr Esq. Ferguslie House, Paisley presented a handsome bookcase, books and several maps to Balmullo Public School on 23^rd September 1907. The teacher wrote thanking him for his magnificent gifts.
Several pupils living in Logie parish attend Balmullo Public School and are irregular in attendance. The teacher wrote to Mr Birrell requesting him to bring this matter to the attention of Logie School Board.
18 – 25 /10 Holiday for tatties.
12/10 Inspector J C Smith visited.  He was pleased at some improvements and suggested the master could use the holidays for cleaning of walls and improving supplies. They need to avail themselves of the grant for more staff.
‘Harvesting operations account for some of the absentees. T he board must exercise greater vigilance in enforcing the compulsory clauses.
29/11 Miss Peebles ExPT entered on her duties.
13/12 The cloakroom has been furnished with desks and is now being used as a class room for the infants. Timetables are presently being used for the infant division and the lower classes of the junior division.
1908
Wed 1^st Jan – 6th holiday
3/6 ‘The attendance has been miserable this week. The irregularity is detrimental to the progress of the pupils and disheartening to the teachers.’
Feb roll 77
17/4 – 28/4 Easter hols
8/5 SB officer visited the school last Tuesday when every pupil was present something phenomenal for Balmullo
5/6 83
23/6 J.C.Smith inspected.
3/7 -10/8 holidays
Staff: Mr Murrie, Miss Mary Reid, cert teacher, Miss Greta Peebles. Ex pt
Inspection report Much improved.
Staff now 3 and attendance greatly improved as it has at Leuchars. Guardbridge always has good attendance. Further improvements could be achieved by watching carefully at either end of holidays. Could they provide more practical work for girls. They would work with Guardbridge and Leuchers. Teacher’s desk needed in junior room. Ball frame and kindergarten apparatus.
Sees improvements in oral work of juniors                                                                             spelling of seniors but yet to successfully climate of intelligence. Head has too many classes. Needs better organisation. Teaching undoubtedly conscientious.
14/08 Lammas Market was observed in St Andrews half holiday,
Hol for tattie lifting to 26^th Oct is extended to 2^nd Nov.
6/11 Miss Peebles left
Miss Frazer ex PT started.
30/12 – 12/1 Hols
30/12 Miss Reid left
1909
14/1 Miss Henderson started.
5/2 Miss Fraser left
9/2 Miss Jessie A Penny began
Jan /Feb inclement weather
Mar chicken pox
9/4 Miss Henderson left
9 – 20/4 Easter hols
23/4 Miss McDonald started.
28/6 Inspection      mumps
Hols 9/7 – 16/8
Report by J. C. Smith
Everything much improved. Improvements at Guardbridge will give facilities for girls’ practical subjects. More press accommodation needed, piano, large cutting out table,  ‘Senior division a laudable attempt has been made to put the teaching of class subjects on modern lines but the results in the elementary subjects are disappointing and the discipline should be much firmer. The pupils are so deficient in self reliance that the normal rate of grant is not recommended without considerable hesitation.

Schedule of grants

Year ending 31st May 1909

			Grant Claimable
Claim on average attendance Art 19 b 1	Under 7 Number for repayments at 18/-	14	£ 12: 12
	Between 7 & 10 Number for repayments  20/-	23	£ 23
	Over 10 Number for repayments at   22/-	31	£34:  2
Article 19 B 4	a)Between 7 & 10 Number for payment at  1/6	23	£ 1: 14 : 6
	Over 10 Number for payment at 1/9	31	£ 3   2
Article 21 (b)	Manual instruction Cookery fe art 21(b) 2 Number for payment at 8/4	103	Check
	Gross total of claim		£ 74: 191
	Education (Scotland) Act 1908 (17/9		£ 40
	Amount of grant		£114: 19:  1
	Less amount of contributions payable to deferred annuity fund		– £   5:  6:  8
	Net amount		£ 109 :12 : 5

Grant last year £74/4/6
Could also claim cleaning and heating costs.
27/8 Mr Gillespie, architect St Andrews visited school
Mumps
17/9 School closed 13/9 so headmaster could go to funeral of relative.
Miss McDonald left
20/9 Pianoforte delivered
23/9 Mr Andrew McWhan schools medical officer St Andrews and Cupar district visited the school
Miss Montgomery started
Mr Mitchell of Fife County Committee sent a box to hold the cards recording the results of medical inspections of pupils.
24/12 – 4/1 Hols
1910
11/2 Miss Penny and Miss Montador both absent so headmaster couldn’t strictly adhere to the timetable
23/3 Dr WcWhan visited to carry out medical inspections.
1/4 Miss Penny absent visiting Peterhead as mother seriously ill. Master taught juniors as well.
22/4 Miss Penny left to nurse her mother
20/5 School closed for King’s funeral
23/6 Inspection by MS Gall
1/7 – 8/8 Hols
Inspection report
In the matter of self reliance pupils show improvement but the pernicious habit of indiscriminate answering has not been quite eradicated. The infants are making progress in the elementary branches, particularly in writing. Their singing is somewhat out of tune.
Upper school reading creditably accurate but monotonous
On the whole appearances made in class subjects were fair.
Slates are still used in all classes. The manner of cleaning them is thoroughly objectionable and the substitution of paper and lead pencil is recommended.
12/8 Miss Guild entered her duties
26/8 Professor Cooper visited school on Tuesday afternoon.
2/9 Filled up and sent of Dr McWhan’s card today stating number of children to be medically examined.
9/9 Thomas Young Esq, Lecturer, Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of Agriculture inspected the school gardens.
23/9 Sanitary inspector inspected premises.
11/11 Table for use during instruction in sewing has now been supplied.
30/12/10 – 10/ 1/11 holidays

Schedule of Grants

Year ending 31st May 1910

			Grant Claimable
Claim on average attendance Art 19 b 1	Under 7 Number for repayments at 18/-	14	£ 12 : 12
	Between 7 & 10 Number for repayments  20/-	25	£ 25
	Over 10 Number for repayments at   22/-	24	£26: 08
Article 19 B 4	a)Between 7 & 10 Number for payment at  1/6	25	£ 1 : 17 : 6
	Over 10 Number for payment at 1/9	31	£ 2 :  8
Article 21 (b)	Manual instruction Cookery fe art 21(b) 2     3:53 Number for payment at 8/4		£2  :  6  :1
	Gross total of claim		£ 70 : 11 :  7
	Staff grant Education (Scotland) Act 1908 (17/9		£ 50
	Total Amount of grant		£120 : 11 : 7
	Less amount of contributions payable to deferred annuity fund		– £   5  :  6  :  8
	Net amount		£ 115 :4  : 11

1911
3/2 W Duckett esq visited.
March – influenza
7/4  Four scholars have left for Vancover Island.
11/4  Dr McWhan  – medicals
26/5 George Greenhow lecturer Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of Agriculture visited the school garden
9/6  Heat excessive attendance irregular
30/6 strawberry gathering, attendance much reduced
12/7  Inspection report
….. since then(1910) they have made such progress in discipline and in instruction that an addition to the normal rate of grant is recommended for the junior division in recognition of work so meritorious. Introduction of practical horticulture has had a stimulating effect.

Schedule of grants

 Year ending 31st May 1911

			Grant Claimable
Claim on average attendance Art 19 b 1	Under 7 Number for repayments at 18/-	15	£ 13 : 10
	Between 7 & 10 Number for repayments  20/-    6d	25	£ 25 : 12 : 6
	Over 10 Number for repayments at   22/-	24	£26: 08
Article 19 B 4	a)Between 7 & 10 Number for payment at  1/6      3d	25	£ 2 : 3 : 9
	Over 10 Number for payment at 1/9       3d	24	£ 2 :  8
Article 21 (b)	Manual instruction Cookery fe art 21(b) 2     3:53  Number for payment at 8/4           6d	24	£2  :  12
	Gross total of claim		£ 72 : 14 :  3
	Staff grant Education (Scotland) Act 1908 (17/9		£ 50
	Total Amount of grant		£122 : 14 : 3
	Less amount of contributions payable to deferred annuity fund		– £   5  :  3  :  4
	Net amount		£ 117 :10  : 11

11/8 2 cases diphtheria
3/11 Miss Webster entered duties
17/11 Substantial school bags were recently presented to scholars attending Balmullo Public School  by James Coats Esq.,Ferguslie House, Paisley and handsome presents to the teachers.
Dec   Changes of farm servants      Scarlet fever
29^th Dec – 9/1  Hols
1912
26/1 Miss Montgomery left
2/2 Miss Campbell started as assistant teacher.
9/2 Master ill. – attended school and marked registers but did not remain constantly in the school throughout the week.
16/2 ditto – did not teach incessantly.
18/3 Dr Arnott Dickson carried out medical inspections
5 – 16/ 4   Easter hols/.
3/5 Number present 97
10/5 One scholar has been removed to the Fever Hospital and other members of the family are not permitted to attend school.
24/5 Miss Webster ill. Master also had to teach juniors so timetable not strictly adhered to.
21/6 Miss Campbell not permitted to attend school this week owing to a case of scarlet fever in her home
June  – measles prevalent
28/6 – 13/8 Holidays
30/5/12 inspection report
Usual report, comment on amount of illness
‘Attention of the managers is directed to the overcrowding in the infant room. There are places for only 26 pupils but there are 42 on the roll. Cloak room accommodation should also be improved and the practice of hanging caps, cloaks etc on the walls of the classroom should be discontinued. A new timetable is required.

Schedule of grants

Year ending 31st May 1912

			Grant Claimable
Claim on average attendance Art 19 b 1	Under 7 Number for repayments at 18/-	20	£ 18
	b) Between 7 & 10 Number for repayments 20/-     6d	25	£25: 12 : 6
	c)Over 10 Number for repayments at   22/-	26	£28: 12
Article 19 B 4	a)Between 7 & 10 Number for payment at  1/6	25	£ 2 : 3 : 9
	b) Over 10 Number for payment at 1/9	26	£ 2 :  12
Article 21 (b)	Manual instruction     @50/-         3 Cookery fe art 21(b) 2     4:41 Number for payment at 8/4		£7 : 10 £1  : 16  :9
	Gross total of claim		£ 86: 7
	Staff grant Education (Scotland) Act 1908 (17/9		£ 49 : 10
	Total Amount of grant		£135 : 17
	Less amount of contributions payable to deferred annuity fund		– £   4 :  8 :4
	Net amount		£ 131 :8 :  8

20/9 Attendance irregular – harvesting
4 – 28/10 Hols
22/11   86 present
23/12 Dr Dickson visited school
1913
10/1  Miss Helen McI Brown, Whiteinch, Glasgow appointed to room of Miss Campbell
Snow absences
2 Miss Airman, nurse, visited to see the girl, Georgina Leslie
7/3 Miss J.G. Crawford, Principal Inspectress inspected the cookery class and needlework.
16/5 Dr Nicholson inspected infants enrolled last year
23/5 George Greenhow lecturer Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of Agriculture inspected  school gardens
30/5 Miss Aikman to see Katie Robertson, Mary Stewart, Georgina Leslie and William Gray.
Scarlet fever exclusion notice from Dr Yule.
4/7 – 19/8 Hols
22/8 Headmaster absent through illness
29/8 The headmaster being seriously ill place is to be filled by Mr James Low (7292) retired teacher, Dundee
Roll 81 %attendance 90.7
5/9 Usual work, some attention given to organisation and provision of material for carry on the work of the school.
Sept/Oct Lots of comments but usual stuff.
3/10 Received information from the chairman (James Hodge) that school should be dismissed for potato lifting holiday on 10/10

Schedule of grants

Year ending 31st May 1913

			Grant Claimable
Claim on average attendance Art 19 b 1	a)Under 7 Number for repayments at 18/-	21	£ 18 : 18
	b)Between 7 & 10 Number for repayments  20/-     6d	27	£27: 13 : 6
	c)Over 10 Number for repayments at   22/-	19	£20: 18
Article 19 B 4	a)Between 7 & 10 Number for payment at  1/6	27	£ 2 : 7 : 3
	b) Over 10 Number for payment at 1/9	19	£ 1 :  18 :10
Article 21 (b)	Manual instruction     @50/-         4 Cookery fe art 21(b) 2     6:0 Number for payment at 8/4		£10 : 00 £2  : 16  :8
	Gross total of claim		£ 84: 11 : 5
	Staff grant Education (Scotland) Act 1908 (17/9		£ 48 : 11 : 1
	Total Amount of grant		£133 : 2  : 6

Miss Jarvie Advisory teacher needlework
3/7 Mr Inglis advisory teacher singing
7/7 Miss Anderson transfer to St Monan’s Public School
Annie McKay and Lizzie Hay have passed control exam and will go to Madras College for secondary education.
7/7 – 4/9 Hols
1923
6/7/ 1923 Fife Education Authority put ban on married woman teachers.                                                                                                                                                                     

Handsel Monday – first Monday of the New Year on which handsel (presents) were given.

Handsel Monday is the first Monday of the year, particularly as used to be celebrated in Scotland and northern England. Among the rural population of Scotland, Auld Hansel Monday, is traditionally celebrated on the first Monday after the 12th of January.

The “handsel” refers to small tips and gifts of money that it was customary to give at the beginning of the first working week of a new year. In this respect it is somewhat similar to Boxing Day. If the handsel was a physical object rather than money, tradition said that the object could not be sharp, or it would “cut” the relationship between the giver and the recipient.

Handsel Monday – first Monday of the New Year
Traditionally this was the day on which handsel (presents) were given by employers to their staff, rather than on Christmas Day. Alternatively, in some areas, this was done on January 12th.