Miss Helen Rowe - Head Teacher 1925-1944

Selected entries from the school log books re the R.S.P.B. Bird and Tree Essay Competition:

Nov 2nd 1925 - I commence my duties as Head Teacher of Shipbourne Council School. M. H. Rowe L. L. A. Roll 71

Miss Rowe was a member of the RSPB and in addition to improving the standards at Shipbourne School she was the first teacher in a Kent elementary school to introduce Bird and Tree Study to her school.

The RSPB supplied us with the following information about the Bird and Tree Competition:

The Bird and Tree Day competition for schools was first set up in 1902 by the then Society for the Protection of Birds (not Royal until 1904), along the lines of the Bird and Arbor days established in the USA, and was in effect the Society’s education programme.

A ‘Circular to Local Organizers of County Bird and Tree Day Competitions’ concludes that

"The aim of Bird and Tree Day is to lead children to acquire the habit of observation and to take interest and pleasure in the great world of nature, a pleasure that will increase as the habit strengthens, and add infinitely and indefinitely to the joy of life: turning the countryside into a theatre of delight, besides instilling into the observer a real love for and sympathy with everything that lives, which will inevitably make them bird lovers, and protectors, too, of all natural beauty, whether of animal or plant."

Pretty much what the Society now calls Real World Learning!

The rubric for the Bird and Tree Scheme as published in the 1930s:

"The object of this scheme is to develop an interest in and knowledge of Wild Birds and Trees, and of Nature in general, through direct outdoor observation.

The central idea of Bird and Tree work is exceedingly simple. Each School enrols a Team of nine children, with as many other “Cadets” as may like to join in the study. Each member of the Team selects a Wild Bird and a Tree for observation during the year and writes an essay upon each on some given date at the end of the period, under the superintendence of the Teacher and, if possible, a small Local Committee. From the eighteen essays written the Local Committee or Local Judges select the six best, three on birds and three on Trees, and forward them to the Society. The Society’s Judging Committee read and report on the essays of all the competing Schools, and award Certificates, Medals, and Book Prizes. Silver County Challenge Shield is offered in every County where the number of Schools entering is sufficiently large. Montagu Sharpe Medals are gained by the two best essays (Bird and Tree) from each School.

Preference is always given to papers which show the keenest personal observation of Birds and Trees in the open, and the most freshness and originality of work. Sketches are a desirable addition but not essential.

In every County where the Scheme has been introduced it is cordially supported and furthered by the Education Authority. It is also heartily commended by H.M. Inspectors of Schools and approved by the Board of Education."

Bird Notes and News, the Society’s magazine from 1903 to 1946 (later Bird Notes, then Birds) reported regularly on Bird and Tree Day.

For schools from counties without their own challenge shield, there was an Open Class, with First Prize, Second Prize, Certificates, Highly Commended and Commended categories. As there was no Kent shield, Shipbourne always appear in the Open Class. A search in Bird Notes and News from the mid 1930s to mid 1940s reveals the following results for Shipbourne:

In 1934-35 Shipbourne tied for Second Prize.
In 1936-37 Shipbourne won First Prize.
In 1937-8 and 1938-9 Certificate.
In 1939-40 First Prize. "The First Prize goes to Shipbourne (Kent), whose nice natural papers on Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Guelder Rose, Yew and Bay, uphold the School’s reputation for good, intelligent work."
In 1940-41 they were again awarded a Certificate with the comment "Bradley (Yorks) and Shipbourne (Kent) also do good work, coming very little behind the two leading teams."
In 1941-42 First Prize.
In 1942-43 Second Prize
In 1943-44 Shipbourne won First Prize in the Open Class, and also Second Prize in the Inter-County Competition – all the county winners across the country judged against each other. The relevant comments by Sir Henry Richards who judged this are: "I was particularly struck by the output of this school. The observation of Birds was honest, interesting and full of charm, but the essays on trees were even better. The facts came from first-hand study and the description of the Silver Birch was excellent in every way – replete with enthusiasm, quaintly expressed. The illustrations were good and relevant."

Later there is a report on Bird and Tree Festivals with a paragraph about Shipbourne.

"This little school of thirty-three scholars not only took First Prize in the Open Class, but came Second in the Inter-County competition. The Festival, held on April 26th, was well attended by parents and friends, and the prizes were presented to members of the Team by Mrs Robert Arnold, of Meopham. The Head Mistress, Miss H Rowe, who is a member of the RSPB, has retired from the school this year. When she went to Shipbourne in 1925 she was the first teacher in a Kent elementary school to introduce Bird and Tree study to her school."

Presumably the interest went with her departure as Shipbourne is not listed the following couple of years.

The competition continued right up until 1964 "but because of declining support and, on the whole, a rather low standard of entries, it was decided that an essay competition had become out-of-date and that it should be closed at the end of the year."

While we have a comprehensive set of all the Society’s publications, from which the above information and quotations are taken, our non-published archive is very thin, so I'm afraid that none of the original paperwork, correspondence, entries etc with respect to the Bird and Tree competition now exist.

Ian Dawson
Librarian
RSPB, UK Headquarters
The Lodge
Sandy
Beds
SG19 2DL
tel. +44 (0)1767 680551
fax. +44 (0)1767 692365
ian.dawson@rspb.org.uk
www.rspb.org.uk

The Bird and Tree Competition entries started in July 1926.

The following are entries from the School Log Book. Miss Rowe was obviously very proud of the school’s achievements in this area, as the entries are some of the most prominent events in the logbooks at this time.

July 22nd 1926 - The Competition Essays for the R.S.P.B. will be written from 2 – 2.30pm on August 3rd and 4th sent to the District Secretary. Roll 70
Aug 3rd 1926 - A team of 9 children wrote Essays on Birds (Nature Study Scheme of the R.S.P.B.) from 2 – 3.30pm. Miss D. Hickmott of Croydon who was staying in the village presided.
Aug 4th 1926 - The team wrote their Essays on Trees from 2 – 2.30pm. Mrs A.J. Buxton, School Manager, presided.
29th April 1927 – The first annual Bird and Tree Festival was held at 7pm. Mrs A.J. Buxton, School Manager, presented the awards of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for the 1926 Essays. Mr J Newsome, District Education Secretary was present and addressed the gathering. Roll 72
15th August 1927 – Essays written Roll 75
2nd May 1928 - Full dress rehearsal of play for Bird and Tree Festival and the whole school allowed to watch
4th May 1928 - Bird and Tree Festival 7pm. Mrs W. M. Cazalet present.
16th/17th August 1928 – Essays written Roll 73
June 12th 1929 - In the afternoon the school was open to parents and friends from 2.30 – 4pm. The children’s work was exhibited and a short entertainment consisting of physical exercises, recitations and songs was given. At the close Mrs Cazalet, presented the prizes gained by the Essay writing Team in the Bird and Tree Competition of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. A Certificate of Excellence, a book for the School Library, two medals and prizes for the 9 members of the team were gained. Additional prizes for Nature Study, Needlework and Handwork were given by friends of the School. Roll 65
16th/19th August 1929 – Essays written Roll 67
18th June 1930 - Ordinary Session suspended in the afternoon and registers not marked. A Bird and Tree Festival was held from 3 –6.30pm Mrs A. J. Buxton, School Manager, presented the awards of the R.S.P.B. and supplementary Nature Prizes. The award of the R.S.P.B. to the Shipbourne team for 1929 essays was Second Prize in the Open Class. Roll 63
20th/22nd August 1930 – Essays written Roll 61
11th March 1931 - Result of the Essay-Writing Competition 1930 received from the R.S.P.B. Shipbourne Team has been awarded First Prize in the Open Class. Roll 59
3rd June 1931 - Mrs A.J. Buxton, School Manager, visited the school to present the awards of the Royal Society of the Protection of Birds in the 1930 Essay Writing Competition. Nature Song and Recitations (including original poems by the Seniors) were rendered by the children. Tea and sports for the school children and Old Scholars, who were Essay writers in past years, followed. Roll 57
21st/24th August 1931 – Essays written Roll 56
4th January 1932 – Quote from HMI Report "In several respects the work of this school has made distinct progress since the date of the last report (25th March 1929). In those branches of their work in which they are really interested, notably in their nature study, many of the seniors can do work of decided merit."
15th March 1932 - The result of the 1931 Essay-writing Competition has been received today from the Secretary of the R.S.P.B. Shipbourne School has been awarded Second Prize in the Open Class. Roll 59
20th July 1932 - The annual Bird and Tree Festival was held at 3pm. Mrs A.J. Buxton presented the R.S.P.B. awards for the 1931 Essay Writing Competition in which Shipbourne School obtained Second Prize in the Open Class. The children entertained the audience of parents and friends with a programme of Songs and Recitations, a special feature being the recitation by the Seniors of their original Bird Rhymes. Each member of the Senior class had written a verse on the subject of the particular bird of study for 1932 and had made a cut-out illustration (actual size) The Prologue was written by two of the Senior girls. Tea and Sports for the children followed. Roll 55
17th/19th August 1932 – Essays written Roll 55
16th/18th August 1933 – Essays written Roll 50
23rd August 1933 – The annual Bird and Tree Festival held at 3pm. Mrs A.J. Buxton presented the R.S.P.B. awards. The Vicar was also present. The children rendered Nature Songs and Recitations and gave a demonstration of Team Games. Tea and Sports for the children followed.
9th March 1934 – Result of the Bird and Tree Essay Writing Competition for 1933 received from the R.S.P.B. Shipbourne School awarded Second Prize in the Open Class. Roll 44
23rd May 1934 – A Bird and Tree Festival was held in the school commencing at 3 pm. Mrs A.J. Buxton presented the awards for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to the members of the 1933 Essay Writing Team. Mrs Parkin, School Manager, was also present. A programme of Songs and Nature Poems (including original poems) was rendered. Tea and sports for the children followed. Roll 43
8th March 1935 – Shipbourne School Essay writing team has been awarded Second Prize by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for Essays on Birds and Trees in the 1934 competition. Roll 35
13th/15th August 1934 – Essays written Roll 43
1st March 1935 – Shipbourne School essay writing team has been awarded Second Prize by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for Essays on Birds and Trees in the 1934 competition. Roll 35
August 1935 – No entry made re essays Roll 44
3rd April 1936 – Mrs R.C. Parkin, School Manager, visited the school before leaving the neighbourhood. She inspected some of the children’s work – Nature, Drawing, Compositions etc. and expressed good wishes for the future of the school, especially in connection with the Bird and Tree Essay Competition. Roll 40
24th/27th July 1936 – Essays written Roll 42
15th April 1937 – Result of the 1936 Essay Writing Competition received from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Shipbourne School has been awarded First Prize in the Open Class. Roll 41
11th June 1937 – In the afternoon from 2.45 – 3.45pm Miss Buxton (School Manager) presented the R.S.P.B. awards gained in the 1936 Essay writing Competition. The Vicar was also present and some of the parents. The children rendered a programme of songs, recitations and physical exercises. Six of the girls recited Nature poems composed by themselves. Roll 41
9th/11th August 1937 – Essays written Roll 45…a team of 9 children competing in the Bird and Tree Challenge Shield Essay Writing Competition of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
18th May 1938 – A Bird and Tree Festival was held at the School commencing at 3 pm. Parents and friends were present. Miss Buxton, School Manager, presented the awards of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to the 1937 Essay Writing Team. She also presented to the school a book – Habits and Characters of British Wild Animals- to the School on behalf of Mrs Thompson, School Manager and President of the Women’s’ Institute, Needlework prizes to Doreen Seymour, Mary Creasy, Daphne Waghorn whose exhibition work is referred to on the previous page. A programme of Songs, Plays and Dances was rendered by the children and much appreciated by the audience. The Vicar was present and addressed the gathering and thanked Miss Buxton. Roll 35
5th/8th August 1938 – Essays written Roll 37
5th April 1939 –Results of Essay Writing Competition RSPB received. Shipbourne School has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence for the 1938 Essays written by the Team. Roll 27
17th April 1939 – Extract from Report by H.M.I. “Nature Study continues to be a creditable feature of the work. It is conducted in such a way as to give rather unusual scope for individual observation and much practice in written expression and drawing.” A.W. Johnston.
16th August 1939 – The School was invited to tea at Fairlawne Manor. After tea and sports on the lawn Mrs P. Cazalet presented the prizes which she had offered for the study of literature at the school and the awards made for essays by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Roll 35
26th April 1940 - The result of the Bird and Tree Essay Competition 1939 received from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Shipbourne School has been awarded First Prize in the Open Class. This is the third time Shipbourne School has obtained the highest place in the Open Class, the other occasions being 1930 and 1936. Roll 40
31st July 1940 - A Bird and Tree Festival Mr Peter Cazalet presented the R.S.P.B. Award to the essay writing team. Roll 42
13th/14thAugust 1940 – Essays written Roll 42
5th August 1941 – Miss Buxton School Manager, visited the School and presented the awards of the R.S.P.B. for the 1940 essays on Birds and Trees. The children sang and recited.
12th/13th August 1941 – Essays written Roll 41
1st April 1942 - The result of the 1940-41 Bird and Tree Essay Competition has been received from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Shipbourne School has been awarded First Prize in the Open Class. This is the fourth time the school has gained the highest place in the Open Class. Roll 32
4th June 1942 - A Bird and Tree Festival was held commencing at 2.45pm. Miss Buxton presented the R.S.P.B. awards. The school had been awarded First Prize in the 1941-2 Essay Writing Competition
4th/6th August 1942 - Essays written Roll 34
3rd February 1943 – List of successful schools in the Bird and Tree Essay Writing Competition received from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Shipbourne School has been awarded Second Prize in the Open Class for the 1942-43 Competition. Roll 33
10th June 1943 – A Bird and Tree Festival was held at the School at 2.45pm. Miss Buxton presented the awards of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for the 1942 Essays. Other Managers present were Mrs R. Thompson, Mrs J Campler and the Rev. G Hewitt. The children rendered a Programme of Songs, Recitations and Plays. Roll 35
4th/5th August 1943 – Essays written Roll 33
24th January 1944 - 1st Prize Bird and Tree Essay writing Competition. Shipbourne School has been awarded First Prize for their 1943 Essays and placed top of the successful teams in the Open Class. This is the fifth time the school has gained this highest possible place. Roll 28
26th April 1944 -A Bird and Tree Festival was held at the school in the afternoon. Mr Arnold of Meopham presented the awards of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to the members of the 1943 Essay Writing Team. Shipbourne School was awarded First Prize in the Open Class and Second Prize in the Inter County Competition. Sir Henry Richards C.B. (late Chief Inspector B of E) who judged the sets of paper eligible for the Inter County Shield reported on the Shipbourne essays. (see RSPB report earlier) School Managers present at the Festival were Miss Buxton, Mrs B Thompson and The Vicar. Parents, friends and Old Scholars formed a large audience. The children rendered a program of songs, verse speaking and a playlet. Roll 25
18th May 1944 - Senior pupils of Wrotham School with their Headmaster and three of his staff visited Shipbourne School to see the children’ nature work and to hear details of the Bird and Tree Essay writing Scheme.
14th July 1944 - Roll decreased from 24 to 14 10 children Evacuated because of Flying Bomb danger.
21th July 1944 – Roll 11. 13 children evacuated
4th August 1944 - Roll 11 Average for week 6.9 4 children living at a distance are not attending school because of the danger from flying bombs.
30th September 1944 - As I am retiring from the teaching profession I resign my charge of Shipbourne School today. Miss D.A. Davies is continuing at the school for a time and will be Acting Head Teacher. (Signed) M. Helen Rowe Roll 11

Unfortunately the tradition of the Bird and Tree Essay Competition ceased with Miss Rowe’s Retirement. During her time as Head the school entered the competition every year apart from 1935.

The school has been donated a book from a past pupil as a prize for the Bird and Tree Competition 1928. His name was Joseph Hills and he was 13 years old.