Infants’ School Headmistress

MISS MARGARET JENKINS, 1835—1867

O N the opening of the new boys’ and girls’ departments in March, 1865, while Mr Davies took charge of the boys, and his wife of the girls, the infants remained in the original building, in the care of Miss Ann Jane Davies, a fifth-year pupil-teacher, a first-year pupil-teacher, and two candidates, under the supervision of Mr. Davies. In September, 1885, Miss Margaret Jenkins, who had served her apprenticeship at the Gellifaelog British School, Dowlais, who was a former colleague of Mrs. Davies’s at Stockwell College, was placed in charge of the infants’ department. She also became a member of Ebenezer Chape1. At the first examination of the school, in April, 1866 (after she had been in charge for six months), she was warmly commended for the excellent work she had done. She succeeded Mrs. D. I. Davies as head-mistress of the girls’ school (see above).

MISS ELIZABETH RICHARDS, 1867—1872

On April 8, 1867, Miss E. Richards, also from Dowlais, followed Miss Margaret Jenkins. During her period, a branch infants’ school was opened at Tabernacle Vestry, Duke Street, Aberdare, on June 14, 1869, to relieve the Park Infants’ School, which was again overcrowded. More convenient for the little children of the Town district, it saved them the long walk up to Park School. But those boys and girls in Aberdare who would not attend the Town Church Schools had to walk up to Park Schools for another six years, until the Aberdare School Board opened the Town Board Schools in Clifton Street, in 1875.

Miss Elizabeth Richards supervised the branch school at Tabernacle, with the assistance of a second-year pupil-teacher, and two candidates, until Miss Elvira Richards took charge on July 1, 1869.

This branch school, like the Park Schools, remained under the control of the British School Committee, until their transfer to the Aberdare School Board in 1876. Though the Town Infants’ School was opened in Clifton Street, in July, 1875, the branch school at Tabernacle Vestry remained open until the children were transferred to the Town Infants’ School in April, 1883. Miss Elizabeth Richards remained at the Park Infants’ School until October, 1872. In the course of next six years, we find five head-mistresses. They were:

(1) Miss Elvira Richards, transferred from the branch school (October, 1872—1873).

(2) Miss Hannah Hogg (November 7, 1873—March 27, 1874). She left for Swansea.

(3) Miss Sara Ann Jones (March 30, 1874—July 9, 1875).

(4) Miss Mary Sims (September 17, 1875—May 25, 1877). Miss Sims was known to many of the older folk of Aberdare, as she was a school-mistress in the area for very many years. She came here from Neath Abbey School to the branch school, and was transferred from there to the Park Infants’ School. She left for the Town Infants’ School, where she remained for very many years as Mrs. Mary Sims Hughes. She was the mother of the late Mrs. I. E. Thomas (chemist), and of Mrs. Ralph Whitney.

(5) Miss Rachel Evans (May 31, 1877—October 31, 1878). She was a sister of Miss Mary Evans (head-mistress of the Girls School).

MISS ANN PHILLIPS, 1878—1915

Miss Ann Phillips, of Llwydcoed, commenced duties as headmistress of the infants’ department, on November 4, 1878, continued to serve in this capacity until her death on February 20, 1915. She had been trained at Swansea Normal Training College. She was a head-teacher at Park Infants School for the long period of about 37 years, exceeding even the magnificent records of Miss M. Evans (34 years at the Girls’ School), and Mr. John Griffiths (29½ years at the Boys’ School). Miss Phillips was the daughter of Mr. Levi Phillips, a deacon at Horeb Chapel, Llwydcoed, and a sister of Mr. John Phillips (precentor at Horeb for many years), and the Rev. David Phillips (of Brynberian).

MISS AGNES JONES, 1915—1938

Miss Phillips was followed by Miss Agnes Jones, who had previously been head-mistress of the Cwmdare Infants’ School, and the Cwmaman Girls’ School. When Miss Jones retired to earn her well-earned rest, on April 15, 1938, she had completed nearly 36 years as head-mistress in the schools of the Aberdare Education Committee. She did much to maintain the Welsh language among children who came from Welsh homes. Miss Jones has been succeeded by her sister.

MISS MARY JONES, 25 APRIL, 1938

Miss M. Jones came to the Park Infants’ School after serving as head-mistress at other schools in the area.