Blackpill School
Edited by John Powell
Blackpill Old School House, with Vivian Hall next door.
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Originally called Oystermouth Board School, Black-pill [sic] it eventually became known as Blackpill School which opened in 21st April 1879 and closed in 1959. The infants was a separate department 1909-1957.
Blackpill School, with Vivian Hall > next door
Blackpill School is now a private house.
Log Book
21st April 1879 - This school opened this morning under the superintendence of William Lennard.
Oystermouth School with 54 children present n the morning, 57 present in the afternoon.
Mr Morris the School Board Officer visited the school this morning. In the afternoon Graham Vivian Esq visited the school after the children had left.
22nd The Rev J. C. Davies Chairman of the School Board visited the school this morning an expressed himself pleased with the opening of the school. Mr Morris also visited the school.
© West Glamorgan Archive Service
Blackpill School, 1899
Log Book
3rd September 1909
Recieved notice from the L. E. A. that the Infant School has been organised as a seperate Dept. with Mrs. E. Davies as Head Mistress, at a salary of £70 and Miss Nellie Clough as Uncert. Asst. at a sallary of £45, her appointment dating from Set. 1st.
The staff therefore now consists of E. Davies, Head Mistress, T. C. Teacher.
N. Clough, Uncertified Teacher.
R. Rees, Supplementary Teacher.
© West Glamorgan Archive ServiceBlackpill School, Infants, 1913
Blackpill School Infants, Class B, with their teacher, 1917
Blackpill School, Class A, with their teachers, 1917
Is it possible that this school photo of 1917, shows some of the children, with their teacher, that took part the commemorations in 1919? (Shown later)
Blackpill School, 1924
Blackpill School, marked 1954 to 1957 from Jacky Dodds
Jacky said, 'I attended my first school at Blackpill, from 1954, untill around 1957. Here, I am in the class photo, front row, second from the left. Front row, first left, is Linda King who lived in number 6 Mulberry Ave, and front row far left is Sylvia Rowe who used to live in Lilac Close.'
More: Growing up in Mulberry Avenue, West Cross by Jacky Dodd >
The Great War is Over
In Oystermouth Parish The Vicar extended a hearty Welcome Home and paid a warm tribute to ‘the noble part they had played in the great conflict. The Parish had every reason to be proud of its fighting men’ and then went on to make a sympathetic reference to those who had made the supreme sacrifice.
The Peace was celebrated
At Blackpill School, 'Peace Day’ was celebrated on 18 July 1919 amidst much sadness, but also gratitude that, what many had been led to believe was the ‘War to End all Wars’, was at last over. Blackpill School log book recorded that the pupils had a Holiday to celebrate and assembelled at 1.30 pm to march to Colonel Jones field for sports, returning at 4.30 pm for tea. The day was throughly enjoyed.
The Programme for the first Armistice Day on 11th November 1919- was full of commemorative events, Including a talk about the message from King George V, who wished that there should be ‘for a brief period of two minutes, a complete suspension of normal activities . . . and this message was read and carried out.
© West Glamorgan Archive ServiceThe Children were allowed to tell us about their family who took part in the war, especially those who had died, with bowed heads we were to think of all these.
Followed by an interval of Silence
A simple address on the War and League of Nations. Bring out the part children can play in the future . . .
The effects of the war were to felt for many years afterward
Nothing would ever be the Same Again!
Blackpill School, now 'The Old School House,' with Vivian Hall. October 2016