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winters, but none have been so difficult as the present one. The changeable character
of our climate has usually provided short spells of alternating bad and good
weather which have given corresponding periods of strain and relaxation for both
staff and scholars. During this winter days of relief have been rare. Parents
have allowed the boys and girls to attend sometimes, only because the children
have pleaded so hard to come, and several times we have had to send scholars
home since they were unfit to remain.
October was a very wet month; of 24 school days 10 could be described as
really wet during school hours and the total rainfall was 2.07 inches (school days
only). Except that more time than usual was spent in the classrooms, the work of
the school went on quite normally. But if October's weather was bad, that of
November was worse. The 3rd was a very wet day and, owing to continuous heavy
rain, I had an early lunch brought over to the classrooms and delayed dinner in
order to comply with the regulations for a double session, and, at the same time,
save a journey between the school and the dining shed. Several showery days were
followed by frost which began on November 9th and continued till December 5th.
There was snow on November 10th and 27th, and conditions were so bad that I
closed the school for the morning of Saturday, November 28th.
In addition to frost, December 4th was noteworthy for persistent fog even at
the top of Shooter's Hill. We found that with extra food and exercise we can make
the children warm during the mornings, and, wrapped in blankets, can do some
effective work. Later in the day their vitality is much lower and they do not appear
to have the energy for vigorous exercise, consequently they begin to suffer from the
cold during the afternoons. The last days of the term were both wet and cold.
On the 21st we were marooned in the dining sheds owing to heavy rain which began
during dinner-time. After a short period of rest we had reciting and music with
the aid of the school gramophone, thus passing the time tolerably well until the rain
ceased, when tea was served and the school dismissed.
The new term opened in fog and the mild holiday weather gave place to renewed
cold. On January 14th, the temperature in the classrooms was only 28 degrees (F.)
at 10 a.m., while the minimum temperature under cover during the night showed
11 degrees of frost. January 15th gave us 4 inches of snow. To add to our discomfort,
the freezing of water in the meter deprived us of the gas cookers and we
were faced with a new problem. With the help of friends and neighbours, however,
we managed to keep going until the meter could be cleared again, though the regularity
of meal times was broken. We had double sessions on 14th and 15th, and
the school was closed on Saturday, January 16th.
A further innovation seemed desirable lest the general educational progress
should be less than usual—we offered to set and mark home lessons. Although the
work was quite optional, practically every child in the school has taken advantage
of the opportunity, and, in addition, they have provided their own stationery for
the purpose.
On January 18th the snow began to thaw but very slowly, although there was
sunshine. On the afternoon of that day we gave the older children the choice of
remaining under cover or going outside for the "Rest" period. About half preferred
to go outside and there was room for them on the wooden slats which were clear
of snow and quite dry. I took charge myself as I was anxious to watch the experiment.
It was evident that every child was comfortable and they slept soundly
though all round was white with snow. At the end of the period the children were
still warm. It was a striking demonstration of the value of sunshine and shelter
from wind. Since January 18th we have had alternating frost and thaw resulting
in bad ground conditions.
The experiences make clear that deciduous trees are of little use as wind-breaks
during winter, and we must rely on walls or high evergreen hedges for the shelter