MR. JOHN PEACOCK TO RETIRE
HIS 40TH, YEARS OF SERVICE
“This is my last race among the boys of the Borough,” said Mr. John Peacock, Headmaster of Tweedmouth Boys’ National School at Spittal Feast Sports on Monday night.
By these words M. J. Peacock conveyed to the Public the fact that he was about to retire from the Headmastership of Tweedmouth National School. He retires in November.
When a man has been connected with an intuition for 40 years, the wrench when he comes to retire is so great that it seems as though one’s whole life has been torn from one and that one has to start all over again building up new interests in which one can actively take part. So it will be with Mr J Peacock, J.P, when bleak November comes round and he retires from the headmastership of Tweedmouth National School, where he has so faithfully served for 39 years already, and will retire in his 40th year.
Under the regulations and conditions of the education department and in accordance with the rules governing the superannuation of teachers his retirement falls due in Nov. next. As stated, he will have entered his 40th year at the school by the time and during this long period many boys have passed through his hands, the school having always been filled to capacity. On school walls hangs vivid testimonial to the worth of the education that has been given over that period-it is the Honours Board bearing the names of many winners of scholarships. Quite a number of the boys whose names are on the long list, after going through a secondary school have proceeded to the Universities where they obtained degrees. The most recent was an old scholar of the school who obtained his M.A. degree at Edinburgh University with first class honours.
Mr J. Peacock, who was a Native of Tyneside, came to Tweedmouth in August, 1887, from Rochester Street School, Gateshead, a highly successful mixed school. Tweedmouth National School, was then only 20 years old, and then fulfilled the conditions of the Education Department of that day.
During the time Mr Peacock has been at Tweedmouth, about 1,000 pupils have passed through his hands. Many of the old boys are holding high and responsible positions in the World; and the school can claim the credit of sending a large number to the Grammar School by means of scholarships. One of the pleasing features is the interest which former pupils still take in the School. Mr Peacock regularly receives letters from old boys in various parts of the world, which display the greatest anxiety for the School’s welfare.
LOCAL NEWS
Berwick’s New Bridge– The piles for the last and largest arch of the new bridge at Berwick are gradually extending over the mainstream of the tweed. Even as the preparations are being pushed forward for this last arch, so the second and third are being uncovered. The decking between the first and second arches is not down yet so that the public cannot get full effect of the south end of the bridge yet. The second archway is all but clear of the tressling and concreting of the arch ribs and decking is still going on, on the third arch.
Among those at Pitlochry Highland Games was Mr Wm. J. Ward Davis, of Berwick. Mr. D. Muir, Berwick, was one of the principal prizewinners at Dundee Open Dog Show, on Wednesday. He had 5 firsts, 2 seconds and 17 specials. Miss Fair had also several first prizes.
Berwick Infirmary has benefited to the extent of £90 as a result of the Infirmary Cup matches at Berwick played in the Stanks last season.
A Children’s Thanksgiving Service was held in St Mary’s Church on Sunday afternoon, when gifts of flowers, fruit, etc, were brought by the scholars.
At a meeting of the committee of Berwick Corporation Academy Foundation, held on Aug. 25, it was reported that the expenditure of the foundation for the last year for educational and other purposes had been as follows: – School fees 8 boys, £40; school fees 10 girls, £90; maintenance allowances 3 scholars, £29, books, £3 2s 6d, £162 12s 6d. Teachers training exhibitions, 2 exhibitions, £70; University exhibitions, 4 exhibitors, £240; administration purposes, £26 9s 9d; £499 12s 3d.