Red Island related information from reports for schools within the Roman Catholic school boards 1858-1918

The information concerning Red Island that is presented here was obtained from various years of the annual reports for the schools run by the Roman Catholic school boards.

These reports cover most of the years from 1858 through 1918 (not all years are available). Red Island was not visited every year, nor even mentioned in a few of the reports.

According to these reports, Red Island was part of the District of Little Placentia through 1911, after which the district name was changed to the District of Argentia.

Material presented here within quotes ( " " ) is quoted verbatim from the published comments of the school inspectors, except when an ellipsis ( ... ) is used to signify that there is further information in a sentence that is not quoted or a clarifying comment has been added within brackets ( [ ] ). Material not within quotes but contained entirely within brackets and presented in italics is derived from other material within the reports, mostly from tabular data based on information provided by the school teachers.

1858

"There are three schools established in this district [the District of Little Placentia], two of whom were not in operation at the time I visited the district; the localities in which these schools are situated, are Little Placentia, Red Island, and Fox Harbour, the two former of which were closed."

"The Board have appropriated 25 [pounds] currency for the Fox-Cove Harbor school, and the same amount for the one at Red Island, ..."

1859

"Red Island School. I visited this school on my way to St. Kyran's ... It was closed at the time of my visit in consequence of the Teacher being at St. John's. There is no School-house here; but I understand that one will be in course of erection shortly. ... The Teacher of Red Island School forwarded to me, on his return from St. John's, the School Return for his school; ..."

[The Red Island school was established in 1852. It is taught by Mr. O'Keefe, who is paid 25 pounds per year, is allowed 6 weeks off for fishing, and has 40 students in total, with an average daily attendance of 32.]

1861

"I did not visit the Red Island School, but I was informed that there is no School-house built there as yet."

1862

"The Red Island School was not in operation, as the Teacher was availing himself of his vacation, for the purpose of fishing."

1863

"There has been no School-house erected at Fox Harbor as yet, - the other two localities where Schools are held are provided with School houses, namely - Little Placentia and Red Island."

1864

"I did not visit the two remaining Schools of this District, ...". [including Red Island]

[Mr. O'Keefe continues to teach at Red Island, at the same pay and with the same number of students as in 1859, but average attendance has fallen off to 20.]

1865

[There was no report from the teacher at Red Island this year.]

1869

[The Red Island school is now taught my Miss Murphy, at a salary of 25 pounds per year. There are 42 students, with an average attendance of 20.]

1870

"The Red Island School has an average daily attendance of 40, and the Teacher returns no less than 30 children in the settlement who never attend. The School is conducted with a moderate degree of success. 13 cyphering; 5 in the advanced rules, and 8 writing on paper. A class of 6 in grammar and geography."

[Miss Murphy continues to teach at the same salary, but the number of students has increased to 50 and the average attendance has increased to 40.]

1871

[Miss Murphy continues to teach with no change in salary, number of students, or average attendance.]

1872

"The attendance to the Red Island School has increased, there being now 66 on Registrar, all of whom generally attend. The large number of 40, however, were returned as in their letters and monosyllables. The attainments of the remaining pupils are fair; 16 writing on paper, and 13 cyphering."

[Miss English is now the teacher, at a salary of 25 pounds per year, with 66 students and an average attendance of 50.]

1873

[Miss Ryan is now the teacher, at a salary of 25 pounds per year. There are 63 students, with an average attendance of 56.]

1874

"The school-house at Red Island requires some repairs, and the room some additional furniture. These improvements I was informed the inhabitants promised to make in the fall. The attendance is very regular, about 50 daily, and the progress making, satisfactory. Well supplied with books."

[Miss Ryan continues to teach, with no change in salary, number of students, or average attendance.]

1875

"I was unable to proceed further west than Little Placentia in my visitation this year."

[There was no report from the teacher at Red Island this year.]

1876

[The teacher is now Miss Whelan. The number of students is 45, with an average attendance of 40.]

1877

[Red Island has 48 students, of whom all normally attend classes.]

1878

"The Red Island school-house is fully supplied with desks and forms, and also with new stove and funnel."

[Red Island has 67 students, of whom 60 attend classes on average.]

1879

"Red Island - Present twenty seven. This school seemed to be conducted in a careless manner. The School Register was badly kept. Reading, spelling and dictation, not good; arithmetic and tables, very indifferent. The state of the School, on the whole, showed a want of energy and attention on the part of the Teacher. The School-house requires paint, and as the windows are only on one side the ventilation is imperfect."

[The teacher is Miss M. Phelan, at a salary of 100 dollars per year.]

1880

"Red Island. Present, 20. The reading in second and third lesson books was pretty good; in other aspects the state of the school was below an average. The children present were young and badly supplied with books. For this want, the Teacher of course cannot, as a rule, be blamed. In many ways, however, such as keeping the register, teaching writing, and endeavouring to give the room a neat tidy appearance, a zealous Teacher seldom fails to make evident his or her care and efficiency. No repairs or changes were made in the school-house since my last visit."

[Miss Phelan continues as the teacher, salary unchanged.]

1881

"Red Island. Present, 12. As on my visit last year, the reading and spelling in second and third lesson books, were very fair; but in all other respects the state of the school was not up to a medium standard. The school-house is much in need of repirs. Where the funds at the disposal of the Board of Education are inadequate to provide for school repairs, as I believe is the case in this instance, the inhabitants of the settlement ought to make an effort in the cause of Education and the welfare of the rising generation, by contributing for an object in which all should take an interest."

[The teacher is now Mrs. Ryan.]

1882

"Red Island. Registered 53; present 36. Miss Green was appointed to the School in July, Mr. Ryan having resigned a short time previously. The attendance was large, and the school in all respects somewhat more advanced than on my visit the year before. In reading, spelling and grammar, the elder pupils did very fairly. The writing and arithmetic were not so satisfactory. The room was improved by the fitting in of two windows and other repairs within the year."

[The inspector mentions Mr. Ryan resigning, but the tabular data in the prior year identified the teacher as Mrs. Ryan.}

[The teacher is now Miss Green, at an annual salary of 92 dollars. There are 56 students, of whom 49 attend school on average.]

1883

"Red Island. Present 18. There was little difference to note in the state of this school from that in which I found it the year before. Miss Green continues in charge, and judging from the results of the examination, she discharges her duties faithfully. Some defects pointed out will, I trust, be duly remedied. The desks and seats are insufficient."

[Miss Green continues as the teacher, salary unchanged. The number of students has declined to 51.]

1885

"Of the eight schools in this district, I had time to visit but two." [and Red Island was not one of them]

[Julia Lamb is now the teacher, at a salary of 92 dollars per year. She has 3rd grade teaching certification (the lowest, with 1st grade being the highest). There are 54 students, with an average attendance of 31.]

1887

"There were eight schools in operation in this district [Little Placentia] during the year ... With the exception of the one at Red Island, all the school-houses require considerable repairs, or furniture - in some cases, both.

"Red Island. A neat, substantial and well-kept school, under Miss Lamb, a certificated teacher of good scholarship and considerable skill. The register showed fifty children registered, of whom forty were present on the day of my visit. Six read fairly in R.R.IV. and eight in Third Book. Grammar and Geography classes were doing well. Writing was good and the work in Arithmetic, as far as Proportion, very sound. I was much pleased with the general state of the school and, in the interest of education, regretted to learn that, in consequence of failing health, the teacher intended resigning at an early date".

[Julia Lamb continues as the teacher, salary and certification unchanged. There are 50 students, with an average attendance of 28.]

1888

[Miss T. Sparrow is the teacher, 3rd grade certified, at a salary of $92 per year.]

1890

"Red Island: Registered , 38; present, 27. Five pupils read passably in R.R.V., and spelled fairly. Those in R.R. IV. and III. did not do so well. Five pupils were learning grammar and geography with indifferent success. In arithmetic, five were advanced to Standard III. Some of those writing in copy-books seemed to be making due progress. The answering in catechism was not as good as I should have expected."

[The teacher is again Miss J. Lambe, at the same salary and certification as before, with 36 students of whom an average of 20 attend school daily.]

1892

"Red Island - Registered, 35; present, 24. I was much pleased with the neatness of the children here and their orderly conduct in school. Reading in fifth, fourth and third books was very fair, writing and dictation good. In geography, the answering of the children lacked readiness, but in grammar (standard IV.) they did much better, and in arithmetic, up to simple proportion, their work was fairly satisfactory."

[Julia Lamb remains as teacher, at a salary of $130 per year. There are 38 students - 16 boys and 22 girls, with an average attendance of 28.]

1898

"She [the teacher at Iona] has been succeeded by Miss Mary A. McHugh, transferred from Red Island. Her place in the latter school has been taken temporarily by Mr. Patrick Lamb, jr."

[The teacher is Mary A. McHugh, 3rd grade certified, at a salary of $112 per year. There are 45 students, with an average attendance of 36.]

1900

"Red Island - Taught by Miss Katie Smith - second grade. A much needed improvement has been effected here during the year. The children were receiving careful instruction in standards I-IV. The teacher is efficient and interested in her work. Order of the school very good."

[Katie Smith is the teacher, at a salary of $110 per year. There are 65 students, with an average attendance of 44.]

1901

"Red Island - Miss Kate Smith, a certified teacher (second grade), still continues to conduct this school satisfactorily, and with much acceptance to the Board of Education."

1902

"Red Island - A considerable improvement has taken place in this school since it has come under the capable management of Miss Katie Smith (grade II). Registered 59; present 50."

[Katie Smith continues as the teacher, but her salary has increased to $150 per year. Total students 47, average attendance 34.]

1903

"Red Island - Miss Katie Smith (grade II) recently resigned. She was a competent teacher, and, during the time she was in charge, this school made considerable progress."

[Katie Smith continues as the teacher, certification and salary unchanged. Total students now 65, with average attendance 40.]

1904

"Red Island - I found 80 present - the full number enrolled. Reopened after vacation by Mr. Matthew Joy, an Associate of Arts and Matriculant of the University of London. He has begun well, but is much handicapped owing to the overcrowded and unsuitable condition of the school-room. A new school-house is urgently needed, and an assistant teacher should also be employed."

[The teacher is now Annie Dunphy, 3rd grade certified, at a salary of $112 yearly. There are 74 students, with an average attendance of 54.]

1905

"Red Island - Mr. Joy resigned in July and the school was not re-opened till October, when Miss Mary Brothers took charge. I visited the place in September. A new school-house is to be commenced shortly."

[The teacher is Mat. J. Joy, 2nd grade certified, with a total salary of $196.17 per year. There are 85 students, with an average attendance of 57.]

1906

"Red Island, -- Miss Brothers resigned in July, and Miss A. Foran of the Training School, St. Bride's Academy, Littledale, took charge at the re-opening after vacation. The school-hall, now in course of erection, will, when finished, supply a long-felt want and will unquestionably be a harbinger of better things educationally."

[The teacher is Katie Brothers, 3rd grade certified, at a salary of $72. There are 92 students. Annie Foran left St. Bride's Academy in July to teach at Red Island.]

1907

"Red Island - The good people of this progressive settlement, have under the guidance, direction and with the assistance of their Parish Priest, completed a splendid school hall in December last. It was formally opened by the Parish Priest amidst a large gathering at the beginning of the New Year. Miss May Dunphy, a recent graduate of Littledale, is the teacher, but the large number of children in the place makes it necessary to have at least one assistant teacher, if not two. I trust that at an early date we may have a Superior School at Red Island."

[The teacher is still Annie Foran, at a total salary of $137.50. The school has 49 students, with an average attendance of 27.]

1908

"Red Island - Understaffed. It is too much work altogether for one teacher to manage - 90 children. I was most unfortunate in my attempt to visit Red Island. I had a boat and crew hired at Placentia for one week, but wind and weather were against us, and our plans were frustrated. I did not go by steamer, as I was not sure of getting a chance out of the place until the steamer came again, and I did not think it just to risk spending a week on one school. Such are the vicissitudes of travelling in Newfoundland. Going about Placentia Bay, or any other bay, in sailboats is practically 'drifting with the tide' - it is all chance."

[The teacher is now May Dunphy, Grade 2 certified, at a total salary of $125.00. The school has 91 students, with an average attendance of 59.]

1910

"Red Island - Enrolled during the year in both departments, 96; average attendance, 71. Miss May Dunphy (Grade I) taught the seniors (42), and Miss K. Fitzgerald (Grade II) taught the juniors (54). Five pupils of the senior department obtained Primary Certificates in the last examinations of the Council of Higher Education. Taking into consideration all the circumstances, the results are creditable to both teachers and pupils. At the reopening of the school after midsummer vacation, there was a change of teachers, and Misses Judith Brennan and Nancy Kenny (late pupils of the Renews Convent school and Riverhead, Fermeuse, school, respectively) are now in charge. Both hold First Division diplomas of the Intermediate Grade, C.H.E."

[The teachers are May Dunphy, now Grade 1 certified, and K. Fitzgerald, Grade 2 certified.]

1911

[There are two teachers, Judith Brennan, 1st grade certified, at a salary of $182, and Nancy Kenny, 2nd grade certified, at a salary of $145. Total students 83, average attendance 65.]

1912

"Red Island - The following remarks are taken from my note book: Senior Room, taught by Miss Judith Brennan (grade I.). Registered 27; present 25. Pupils classified as follows: Preliminary 5, Primary 5; IV., 12; III., 3. The general tone of this department is good, the pupils made a creditable examination, and the teacher is doing excellent work. The Junior Department is taught by Miss Nancy Kenny. She is doing well, and the general tone of her department is very creditable indeed. There should be a partition in this building, and I would suggest that one be erected as soon as possible. The children are neatly dressed, and order and discipline are good. Father Ashley, P.P., of Argentia, and Chairman of the Board, presided during the examination, which extended over two days. The school was raised to the rank of "Superior" as the result of the examination."

[A "Superior" school is one that offers classes beyond the elementary levels. The Superior section is taught by Judith Brennan, 1st Class, at a total annual salary of $248. She has 26 students, with an average attendence of 24. The Primary section is taught by Nancy Kenny, 2nd Class, at a total annual salary of $192. She has 56 students, with an average attendance of 43.]

1913

"The two teachers at Red Island Superior School, Miss Judith Brennan and Miss Nancy Kenny do excellent work. Both hold certificates of First Grade."

[Judith Brennan now has a salary of $248 per year and has 29 students, with an average attendance of 25. Nancy Kenny is paid $233 per year and has 59 students, with an average attendance of 52.]

1914

"Red Island (Superior). This school maintains a high standard of efficiency. The former principal resigned at mid-summer owing to ill-health, and her place was taken by Miss Nancy Kenny, who previously had charge of the Junior Department. Miss Kenny is, evidently, an energetic and enthusiastic teacher, and, no doubt, will maintain the record of her predecessor. The school passed a highly creditable examination in all the Standards up to and including the Intermediate curriculum of the C.H.E. Four passes in Intermediate Grade were secured by this school at the C.H.E. Exams. One Intermediate, four Preliminary, and four Primary Candidates were preparing for the coming C.H.E. Exams, in June next.

The Junior Department is taught by Miss Bessie Dunphy, who has an enrolment of 39, twenty-seven of whom were present. Though the majority of them were young, mere tots, they made a good showing in the three R's."

[The C.H.E. is the Council of Higher Education. Judith Brennan's salary has increased to $288 per year, and Nancy Kenny's salary has increased to $248 per year. The Superior department has 27 students, with an average attendance of 20, while the Junior department has 57 students, with an average attendance of 49.]

1915

"The last Report in my Office of the Red Island Superior School shows that it is maintaining a good standard of efficiency under Miss Nancy Kenny, (Grade I.) The Junior Department is taught by Miss Mary E. Rose since November last, she having succeeded Miss Bessie Dunphy, who has been admitted to the Littledale Training School to prepare for a higher Grade."

[Nancy Kenny remains as a teacher, along with Bessie Dunphy, without certification, who receives a salary of $100. There are 30 Superior students, with an average attendance of 25, and 54 Primary students, with an average attendance of 38.]

1916

[The Senior department is now taught by Nancy Kenny, at a salary of $268 per year. She has 22 students, with an average attendance of 21. The Junior department is taught by Mary E. Rose, 3rd grade certified, at a salary of $145 per year. She has 51 students, with an average attendance of 43.]

1917

[The Senior school, with 23 students, average attendance of 17, is taught by Andrew V. Rose, 3rd Grade certified, at a salary of $205 per year; the Junior school, with 63 students, average attendance 51, continues to be taught by Mary E. Rose.]

1918

"Owing to the prevalence of Spanish Influenza and other infectious diseases all over the country during the greater part of the fall and winter months, and the consequent closing of the schools in so many districts, very little inspection could be done.

[The Senior department continues to be taught by Andrew Rose, at a salary of $237. He has 27 students, with an average attendance of 25. The Junior department continues to be taught by Mary E. Rose, at a salary of $165. She has 75 students, with an average attendance of 50.]

[Members of the school board include James McCarthy and John Reddy.]