1875 - October 27
10 boys caned for truancy - missing school to see the 'Wild Beast' show.
Mrs Gledhill 'punished Lydia White for blotting her copy book' and punished H. White for stealing ribbons, velvet and a pearl buckle from a girl's hat. 'With her parent's permission locked her up in a school till 7pm.'
'Miss Jane Fretwell and her two sisters have left this school to attend Unstone Board School because they find slates and writing books which are not provided here.'

1876 - March 3
Miss Gospill of Birmingham was appointed mistress at a salary of �50 p.a. and the Infant School opened on March 13th with 121 children present.

1877 - August 5
Disease was very common and kept a lot of children off school. On the advice of Dr. Makintosh the schools were closed for a month because of scarlet fever, measles and chicken pox.

1879 - January 4
Times were hard - Mrs Gledhill writes that 'several children left owing to their parents moving from Dronfield to find work' and that C Raynes left because her mother cannot pay 5d (2p) per week for her.

1880 - January 26
K. Tomlinson and M. Greenwood have this week lost a shawl and the other a jacket. Every enquiry has been made each day and a reward offered for the finding of the lost garments. It seems most likely that they have been stolen from the Porch by some tramps passing by the schools.

1880 - March 1
Owing to the funeral of two men (who were burnt to death when they fell into the molten metal at the steel works) the attendance was reduced by nearly one half.

1880 - October 25
Attendance very low this week. It was much affected by the very wet weather and the floods in the lower part of the town which prevented the children coming from those neighbourhoods. Whooping cough very prevalent. The school room very cold on Friday, the thermometer only at 50 degrees at half past one.

1883 - March 3
A Ball was held in the school hall to mark the closure of Wilson Cammell's steel works, which transferred to Workington. This had a devastating effect on Dronfield and the school. The number of children at school fell by 25%, and over 300 houses were empty and available for sale at �7 to �9 each.

1884 - November 7
Mr Gledhill writes 'I have great difficulty in obtaining school pence, work being very scarce just now.'

1885 - May 1
School Board resolved that 'headteachers be instructed not to admit any children without prepayment of the school pence and in case of their neglect to obtain prepayment they must take the consequences of their neglect.'

1887 - April 25
The cattle fair on Monday affected the attendance.

1887 - July 4 – 8
Only a poor school as many boys are helping in the hay field.

1887 - September 19 – 23
Many boys absent gathering blackberries and mushrooms.

1888 - May 9
In the afternoon the Babies received their first lesson in Needle Drill

1888 - August 15
Infants Gave the children their first lesson in Music Drill, but as there is no musical instrument whatever in the school, the tunes have to be hummed by the children.

1890 - May 19 - Infants
Received a piano from London.

1894 March - Girls
'For the last 3 weeks or so, words unfit for children's eyes have been written on various parts of the building.... All Wednesday afternoon and Thursday the children were kept under cross examination, each member of the staff doing her best to solve the mystery. A shilling was offered for the 'informer' and the offender was promised no punishment if she would confess.'
On Thursday a clue was found which led to the discovery of one of the offenders. She is being punished by being kept apart from the class. She was not caned as Miss Outram explained that "her home influence is such as to cause no surprise when such words are used by her."

1893 - February 28
Told all girls from Buckingham Terrace to discontinue attendance because of small pox.

1893 - September 4
The miners' strike causes many boys to be away picking coal.

1899 - December 8 - Girls
Took drill, stamping of feet, clapping of hands etc instead of scripture and the first lesson because of the cold. The turn of the century saw four incidents. The visit of Barnum and Bailey's Circus to Sheffield, a collection for the Transvaal War Fund, a holiday for the relief of Ladysmith, the relief of Mafeking and the funeral of Queen Victoria were all recorded in the Log Book.

1903 - October 12 - 16 - Boys
Several boys absent to attend Buffalo Bill show at Sheffield.

1904 - January 7
HMI Report The average attendance of the Boys', Girls' and Infants Department must not be allowed to exceed 245, 194 and 180 respectively ie the numbers for which the departments are recognised, or the grant next year may be endangered. Both the girls' and boys' school celebrated Empire Day in 1906. Mr Gledhill reported that 'the children had suitable instruction given on the Empire and on the duties and responsibilities of citizenship. National songs were sung, the Union Jack saluted and three cheers were given for the King and Empire', and the girls were asked to write an essay on 'What qualities were needed to make good colonists?'

1907 - February 9
The Rev J N Dryerre, by the permission of the School Committee, gave a lecture to the boys on the evils of cigarette smoking on Friday morning at 9.15.

1909 - October 27
When the Inspectors reported they suggested, 'that the master would find a visit to a good modern school stimulating.'

1914 - November 5
Boys, children of the Belgian refugees, were admitted and in 1915 88 eggs, several cakes, a quantity of fruit and vegetables were collected for the wounded soldiers in Sheffield. A motor car claimed its first school victim when on April 13th Sidney Turner was killed in the road.

1916 - October 31 - Boys
Mr Gledhill retired as the school's only headteacher for 41 years. A half day holiday was taken and Mr Gledhill was presented with an 18ct gold watch. On November 1st Arthur Lilley became the new headteacher.

1917 - July 5 - Girls
This morning and the next 3 Thursdays the time table will be slightly deviated from, to allow 5 lessons in milking to be given to 20 girls by Mr Charles Albert Butler.

1917 - September 8 - Boys
A very successful vegetable show was held

1918 - July 19 - Boys
Attendance still falling due to influenza 59%

1918 - September 12 - Girls
To help with the County Blackberry Scheme in the afternoon 60 girls and 3 teachers gathered 25 lb of blackberries.

1918
The end of the Great War saw great rejoicing and at the request of the Officers and Non Commissioned Officers and men of 46th Midland Division a holiday was given to honour their recent achievements storming St. Quentin Canal, capturing 4,000 prisoners and 70 guns and 4 days later breaking the Beaurevoir Fonsomme line and taking 2,000 prisoners.

1920 - October
Miss Outram writes to the Board to ask for an assistant: 'Now that the English women have the franchise (the vote) and are citizens of the greatest Empire on earth, it is necessary that the Girls' education should be as good.... as that of their brothers, and I am firmly convinced that the educational difficulties of the Girls' Department clearly pointed out for them to remedy the difficulty.'
Reply form Clerk to the Board: 'I have a letter from the Director of Education informing me that his Committee do not feel able to sanction the application for an additional teacher for your Department.'
(NB: The school managers were in favour of an additional teacher.)

1921
The new regulation which raised the school leaving age to 14 became law. The period 1920 - 22 was very difficult for the girls' school, one member of staff was frequently absent with a nervous breakdown and another with heart attacks.

1922 - July 27
Miss Outram retired after 30 years as Headteacher - Miss Lydia Village was appointed as the new Headteacher.

1923 - May 4
The half holiday was spent on the crowning of the May Queen, Mary Thorpe, elected by the Senior girls.

1924 - November
A surveyor from the County Architects' Office came to survey the site for the new school (what is now the Infants School).

1925 - September 14
The 50th anniversary of the school was celebrated by the opening of the circulating library of 150 books costing �15, the singing of the school song, a short impromptu concert and the eating of a birthday cake.

1926 - October 27 - Girls and Infants
The General Strike affected many people - the following number of free meals have been provided during the last 6 months
Breakfasts - 5,498
Dinners - 6,331
Total - 11,829
37 new pairs of boots were distributed to needy children and in 1928 a Christmas party was given to children whose fathers are unemployed.

1926 - September 30 - Infants
The new Infants School was formally opened by the Lord Bishop of Southwell. 'These buildings are capable of letting in all the fresh air God has given them.'
A unique heating apparatus of low pressure hot water circulating under concrete polished blocks was provided. The school cost �12,000.

1933 - November 27 - Girls
Electric light installation completed and used for the first time.

1934 - February 22 - Boys
Mr Rex Barker presented a motor cycle engine to the school for demonstration purposes.

1934 - May 28
Milk supply commenced today.

1934 - Girls
In 1934 the girls, by the kindness of Mr Henson lending them an excellent wireless, were able to hear the broadcast of the launching of HMS Queen Mary. The following year the girls celebrated the 'Silver Jubilee' holiday in Cliff Park by singing patriotic songs. Each child received a mug and medallion from Mrs Cecil and a Jubilee 6d from the local council. A Jubilee beacon blazed on Hill Top at 10pm. In celebration of the School Diamond Jubilee a wireless set was provided and the children were taken to Lea Lane to cheer and wave their flags as the Duke of Kent passed on his way to visit the Occupational Centre at Dronfield.

1936 - November 13 - Boys
This afternoon at playtime Roy Barker Class VI swallowed a pin. The teacher gave him a bun to eat, after which I sent him home.

1937 - January 1
Mr Walters retired as headteacher - Mr Hewitson became the Boys' 4th Headmaster.

1937 - May
Mrs Cecil presented mugs and medallions to all the school children on the occasion of the coronation of King George V. The schools marched in procession to the Picture Palace where a presentation was made to Mrs Cecil. After singing songs and having an entertainment they returned to school for a tea party and each child was presented with a souvenir tin of chocolates.

1939
The children were prepared for the coming war, being issued with gas respirators and confidential instructions were received in case of war. On the outbreak of war in September the school was closed. Local teaching groups were arranged by which 1 and a half hours of instruction was supplied on each of 4 days per week. No group consisted of more than 12 children and each child could reach home within 3 minutes. Most of these centres were private houses although Hill Top Mission and Wesleyan Chapel, Snape Hill were also used. The attendance of the children was voluntary. By November 21 the local teaching groups were disbanded and school commenced on the shift system and by January 1940 school was re-opened for all, with full time instruction. The girls were busy knitting and 15 scarves, 20 pairs of socks, a pair of gloves and 40 pairs of mits were sent to local men serving in the forces. The Germans having invaded Holland and Belgium caused the cancellation of the Whitsuntide holiday.

1940 - September 6
Two bombs fell on Dronfield at 2am and the attendance at school was reduced by 50%. Worse was to follow and Sheffield suffered an air raid from 7pm until 4am on December 15th. On the afternoon of 17th December two hours were spent in the air raid shelters and the following day the school was used as a reception centre for mothers and children evacuated from Sheffield. The children saved for victory and the grand total for Dronfield's Warship Week was �80,352, double the target aimed at.

1945 - May 8
VE Day. The school was closed for two days to celebrate. In June each child was presented with His Majesty's Address to celebrate and tickets were distributed for the Victory Day tea on June 8th.

1955
Dronfield's population was beginning to expand. Re-organisation took place in July 1955 and after the summer break the Senior Boys and Senior Girls transferred to the new Gosforth school and the Junior Boys and Girls amalgamated to form a Junior Mixed School with 398 pupils on roll under the control of Miss Lydia Village who had already served for 32 years as Head of the Girls' School.

1956 - August 31
Miss Village retired and Mr Reginald Taylor, headmaster of Unstone school took up his appointment. A television set was presented to Miss Village.

1958 - March
Mr Winsor was struck by the goal cross bar when marking out the field and suffered concussion.

1958 - June
A small girl had occasion to be interviewed by Mr Taylor for stealing flowers from the graves in the cemetery and bringing them as a present for the teacher.
Dronfield was expanding and needed more schools to cope with the extra children. In May 1963 Mr H Holt was appointed headmaster of Northfield School and in 1966 Mr Harry was appointed headmaster of Stonelow School. On each occasion the school was afforded temporary relief, by the opening of these schools, but numbers continued to rise.

1964 - February 18
During the dinner hour I made presentations on behalf of the staff to Mr Outram, Mrs Bray and Mr Allen, who leave the staff today to take up appointments at the new Northfield Junior School next Monday. At 1.15pm I had all the children who are transferring in the hall and directed them to report to Northfield Junior School next Monday, February 24th, and gave them our best wishes in their new school.

1964 - September
Television lessons were introduced to the school.

1965 - June 1
57 children accompanied by Mr Winsor, Miss Smith and Miss Newbold left on a school journey to London.

1968 - September
Miss Shepherd joined the school as deputy headteacher.

1969 - July 23
20 children accompanied by Mr and Mrs Godhard left to spend a week at the Derbyshire Schools' Camp at Sutton on Sea
In 1969 a telegram of congratulations was sent to Alan Ward, an old boy of the school, on his selection to play for England in their first test match against New Zealand at Leeds.

1968 - March 13
Mr Black, Miss Clifford and Mr Scrope visited to explore the provision of a kitchen, but decided that no site was suitable and a more viable proposition would be to build the kitchen for the Infants' Department.

1970 - July
Mr Taylor collapsed at school with a cerebral haemorrhage.
In December Mr Taylor retired and Mr L. C. Henry, headteacher of Pilsley school, took up his appointment in April 1971.

1971 - September
Gorsey Brigg Primary School opened to help cope with the steadily growing number of children. Miss Evans did a year exchange teaching with Miss Ann Nichol who came from London Ontario.

1971 - December 15
Pantomime 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' given in the Civic Hall to a large audience. (Such pantomimes and musicals became an annual event).

1972 - January
Mrs Thatcher (Education Minister - later Prime Minister) visited Dronfield to open the Henry Fanshaw extension.

1972 - May 17
School Journey to Holland. 28 children accompanied by Mr Henry and Mr and Mrs Godhard visited Holland, staying at Noordwyk Aan Zee.

1973 - June
The grime and smoke of 98 years was sand blasted from the stonework.

1975
Centenary Year
The school celebrated its centenary year - a centenary booklet was published, there was an exhibition of work - Mrs Soper's class put on an evening demonstration of Victorian drill, there was a musical evening held in the Infants' Hall and a balloon race held over the three days of celebration 13 - 15 May.
Numbers at school were once again rising, with well over 400 pupils in the Centenary year.

1976 - September
Mrs B. Shepherd appointed as headteacher at the Infant School June 29 A table tennis evening was held in the Infant hall - this the start of a long history of table tennis activity at Dronfield Junior School.
Accommodation was very difficult - two classes were in the hall - on July 19 Mr Chilcott, Mr King and two county architects attended to discuss the additional accommodation needed. It is interesting to look at the school organisation and class sizes in September 1978 with 459 pupils.
Mr T. D. Winsor - 31
Mr D. Allen, Mrs L. Jones and Mr J. E. Watkinson shared 64 children in the hall
Mrs N. Sheldon - 39
Miss M. Shepherd - 38
Miss A. Butterworth - 36
Mrs E. A. Soper - 35
Miss A. M. Pearce - 36
Miss S.A.S.Smith - 35
Mrs J. Lee - 35
Mrs J. Myles - 35
Miss L. Evans - 36

1979 - September 3
The hutted classrooms (later demolished 1994/5) which had previously been part of the Infant School, were transferred to the Junior School - Mrs Jones and Mr Allen took classes in the huts, another hut was used for serving dinners.

1979 - November 23
A party of 50 children and 3 teachers went to the Opera House, Buxton, to see 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat'.

1980 - April 4
A party of 107 children, teachers and parents spent a week in the Isle of Wight - residential visits like this were an annual event for many years.

1980 - July 15
The school gave three successful performances of 'Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' to packed audiences in the Civic Centre.

1981 - January 5
Thirty of our children were at the re-opening of Dronfield Station.

1981 - September 3
Two new classrooms and a new kitchen were supposed to be ready, but were behind schedule. Meals had to continue to be served from the wooden hut having been prepared at Unstone. The old dining room which was to have been converted into a classroom for Mr Hepworth's class was found to have rotted floorboards - Mr Hepworth's class was temporarily moved into the hall.

1981 - September 30
At the Managers' meeting Mr M Ford was elected Chairman, Mr G Baxter was elected Vice-Chairman.

1982 - March 20
The school table tennis team won the National U11 team finals, beating the Grove School, Market Drayton and Ipswich in the finals.

1982 - April 1
Mr Holt retired as headteacher at Northfield.

1982 - April 29
The football team won the Chambers Trophy final.

1983 - May 10
The first computer (a BBC B) delivered to school.

1983 - July 13
A presentation was made to Miss M. Shepherd, who retires from her post as Deputy Headteacher after 15 years service. Presents of cut glass and a set of golf clubs were presented to Miss Shepherd. Mr W J Anderson appointed from September.

1983 - September 6
School bank (Yorkshire Bank) started.

1984 - Summer
New library and indoor toilet block built.

1985 - July 17
A presentation evening for Mr T Winsor who retired after 34 years teaching at Dronfield Junior.

1986 - January 29
Mr Toft appointed to succeed Mr Collins as school caretaker, who retired after 17 years service.

1986 - September 26
As the cricket team won the previous term's County Championship, they were presented with �100 worth of cricket equipment by John Wright, New Zealand vice captain on behalf of Britannia Insurance.

1986 - October 2
An Autumn Fair was held which raised over �1000 towards computer equipment and PE mats. Such Autumn or Summer Fairs were annual events and always well supported by parents.

1986 - October 17
A 'Great Egg Race' was held with Technology challenges for all.

1987 - June 20
The school entered a float with the theme 'The Vikings' in the Dronfield Festival, and won 1st prize.

1987 - September 17 - December 7
Mr Henry absent through illness, Mr Anderson acting headteacher, Mr Schaller acting deputy headteacher.

1987 - November 3
The new bottom yard play area finished and opened, with excellent facilities for all sports.

1988 - June 6
The first of the new In-service days when the school is closed for staff training.

1989 - January 3
Mr Anderson left to take up headship at Thurgoland CE School, Mr S. Dormand appointed as the new deputy headteacher. Initial stages of the new National Curriculum were introduced.

1990 - July 20
Miss Smith retired after 30 years teaching at the school. Mr Henry, Mrs Groarke (secretary) and Mrs Burton (Governor) involved in training for the introduction of LMS (the Local Management of Schools), under which scheme schools become responsible for managing their own budgets.

1991 - December 13
A party was held to mark the retirement of Mr Henry, who has completed 20 years as headteacher. Mr Dormand, who had served as acting headteacher during Mr Henry's periods of illness, was appointed headteacher at Brampton Junior School, Mr Anderson was appointed headteacher at Dronfield Junior School, commencing 27 April.

1992 - June 5
Kriss Akabusi, athlete, came to school to run a sponsored Superschools event.

1992 - June 24
School burgled for the second time - television and video stolen plus some graffiti appeared on the walls. Burglar alarm subsequently fitted.

1992 - July 21
Joe Scarborough, local artist, visited school to help the children paint circus murals in the drama hut.

1994 - April 19
The Governors have for many years pressed the Authority for the four 'temporary' classrooms to be replaced. They had formally asked for a survey into their condition - on 19th April the results of the survey showed a significant deterioration in their fabric, and subsidence under the huts which meant two had to demolished before the following winter, and the other two had only a very limited life expectancy. As the Authority had already earmarked its full capital expenditure programme an application was made to the DFE for approval for a supplementary credit bid.

1994 - October 13
The DFE granted a loan of �150,000 (half the original bid). This would provide a new classroom block attached to the main school building with three classrooms and indoor toilets.

1994 - October 25
The two wooden huts were demolished over half term. Mr Gordon's class had to be housed in the infant school for the remainder of the term.

1995 - March 3
A third annual sponsored Krypton Factor Challenge was held to raise money for the new playground. Many celebrities were present to help the children with their many challenges.

1995 - March 6
Building work started on the new classroom block - severe disruption to the running of the school.

1995 - March 11
A party of 54 parents and children went on a day trip to the Hendon RAF Museum and Wembley Stadium.

1995 - March 15-22
Book Fair Week, with various activities to promote the fun of reading.

1995 - March 16
There was a protest march through Dronfield with representatives from all Dronfield Schools against the severe budget cuts in education. The cuts continue over the next three years.

1995 - March 25
Football trip with over 100 parents and children to see Sheffield United v. Reading.

1995 - March 29
Tennis coaches from the Cliff Richards Tennis Trail came to coach all children and present the school with tennis equipment.

1995 - March 30
6 a side Football Tournament at Gorseybrigg Junior School. Our girls were runners up, the boys came third.
International Children's Theatre Group presented the children with a play about bullying.

1995 - April 28
Mrs Girdler's choir won the Chesterfield Music Festival.

1995 - May 4
Three classes visited the Eureka Museum, Bradford, and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
School used for local elections - all Tories lost their seats, Dronfield run by a Labour Council for the first time.

1995 - May 5
The school joined with the Infant School to celebrate VE Day (50 years). There was a street party, with period entertainments, Punch & Judy, Maypole dancing, Hurdy Gurdy man, singing and dancing, plus a 2-minute silence in remembrance.
The school published a 'Where were you on VE Day, Gran?' book.

1995 - May 11
The school demonstrated the 'Dronfield Database' at the TEC Enterprise Fair in Chesterfield. The school was presented with a �2,000 computer by the TEC to facilitate its production.

1995 - May 15/19
The first SATS week for Key Stage 2. All Y6 pupils sat standard tests in English, Maths and Science. This was the first of the annual tests, and later school results would be published.

1995 - May 19/21
A residential school visit for Y4 children to Castleton Rotary Camp.

1995 - May 22
Visit by the Debenham's Video Drama Bus helped two classes make a drama video.

1995 - May 24
Cycling proficiency tests began for Y6 pupils - this is an annual event.

1995 - June 14
All Y4 children visited Hardwick Hall.

1995 - June 19/23
A residential trip to Holland for 45 Y6 children.

1995 - June 23/25
Upper School Residential Trip to Castleton Rotary Camp.

1995 - June 28
Visit and performance by Pageant Theatre.

1995 - July 3
I regret to report that Mr Henry, our previous Headteacher, passed away today.

1995 - July 6
Dronfield Junior Schools' Music Festival - our choir won.
The school bouncing castle was vandalised and destroyed by arson. The insurance cover financed the erection of an adventure playground in the summer holidays.

1995 - July 7/9
Upper School residential visit to Thornbridge Hall.

1995 - July 12
Summer Concert of music, drama and dance.

1995 - July 17
Changeover Day - all children spend the day in their next classes for September - this is an annual event on the last Monday to ease the transition.

1995 - July 18
School Sports Day - very hot - a record turn out.

1995 - July 21
School broke up for Summer - Mrs Godhard and Mrs Soper, who taught at Dronfield Junior School for 29 years and 27 years respectively, both retired today, and had a presentation evening.

1995 - July 28
New classroom block completed on time and handed over to the school.

The summer holidays saw a major change in the school environment. The remaining external classrooms were demolished and a new yard laid. Through voluntary help all the classrooms were thoroughly cleaned and redecorated. The spare classroom was converted to an Art Room, with facilities for art, the performing arts, and technology.

1995 - September
The school opens with 343 pupils, but because of budget cut backs the school drops from 11 classes to 10. Miss Brailsford joins us from Brampton Junior School.

1995 - September 8/10
48 Y6 children went on a residential weekend to the Kingswood Adventure Centre organised by Mr Anderson.

1995 - September 17
Sunday Open Day for parents to see the new classroom block. Many parents donated a plant or shrub for the new gardens.

1995 - October 17
Design Students from Nottingham Trent University erected a Dragon Amphitheatre of Seating and 6 sculptures of children to enhance the environment.

1995 - October 31
All Y6 children visited the Eden Camp for their history project.

1995 - October 31
Children Worldwide organised a 'Gladiators for God' full week event.

1995 - November 4
Over 100 parents and pupils saw Sheffield United v Portsmouth.

1995 - November 8
The school hosted an IT Roadshow to demonstrate the computer work done at school.

1995 - November 29
Mr Toft retired, and Mr Wood took over as school caretaker.

1995 - December 4/7
All Lower School children performed in 'The Jolly Postman' show.

1995 - December 8
School Choir sang at the switching on of the Dronfield Christmas Lights.

1995 - December 15
School Carol Service at St.John's Church.

1996 - January 14
Both Boys and Girls U11 Teams represented Derbyshire at the Table Tennis Team Championships at Grantham, both finishing runners up.

1996 - February 1
Many present at the induction of the new Rector of Dronfield, Barrie Green, who replaces the retiring Rev Palmer.

1996 - February 4
Education Sunday Service at St.John's.

1996 - March 8
England Basketball player Jason Swaine came to coach children (several sessions).

1996 - March 15
Krypton Factor Sponsored Challenge event raised �3,200 for school funds.

1996 - March 27
Boys and Girls played well at the Dronfield 6 a side Football Tournament.

1996 - March 28/29
Y3 and Y6 visits to Eyam for project work.

1996 - April 2
Decorated Eggs and Egg Rolling competitions held.

1996 - April 26
Mrs Girdler's Choir won the Chesterfield Music Festival.

1996 - May 27/31
Trip to France for 48 Y6 children organised by Mrs Girdler.

1996 - June 7/9
Y4 residential trip to Castleton Rotary Camp.

1996 - June 12
Y3 children visited Chatsworth for the day.

1996 - June 13
Helicopter visited school to take class and aerial photographs. (See Gallery page)

1996 - June 14
Drama Club visited Granada Studios, Manchester.

1996 - June 19
Chesterfield Kwik Cricket Tournament - our school won.

1996 - June 21/23
91 Y5/6 pupils enjoyed residential weekend at Hartington Hall Youth Hostel.

1996 - June 30
Environment Day at School - many parents and pupils helped.

1996 - July 3
Jack In a Box Theatre Company performed 'Glitz and Pieces' to all children.

1996 - July 5
Summer Music Concert

1996 - July 10
Y5 pupils on day out to American Adventure World.

1996 - July 12
Full School Audit
Children on visit to Graves Park Tennis Centre

1996 - July 16/18
Evening performances of musical concert 'Blast Off' played to packed houses.

1996 - July 24
Mrs Girdler, Deputy Head, left to take up her new post of Headteacher of Blackwell Primary School. Because of budget cuts the school operated for a year without a Deputy Headteacher.
Miss Evans, who had taught at Dronfield Junior School for over 30 years, retired this summer.

In the summer holidays the old outside toilets were demolished and a new yard was created. The old central heating system was replaced with new boilers and radiators.
The bottom yard was fitted with �2,000 basketball posts donated by Sun Life of Canada and Sportsmatch.

1996 - September 9
New teacher Miss Watts joins the teaching staff. Pupil numbers drop to 326.

1996 - September 20
PC Dave Hedley gave a talk to all children about police work and the specialised equipment used.

1996 - September 27/29
48 pupils spent the weekend at the new Kingswood Activity Centre, Norfolk.

1996 - October 1
Rugby Roadshow - many children involved.

1996 - October 2
Boys and Girls played well at the Football Tournament at Stonelow Junior School.
The yard was painted with many yard games using a �500 grant from Education Extra, a national charity, which awarded the school a Certificate of Distinction for the many extra curricular activities offered.

1996 - October 5
A very successful Autumn Fayre was held with the support of many parents - �2,000 raised. Sheffield Steelers wheelchair basketball team (European Champions) opened the new basketball courts with a demonstration game.

1996 - October 8/12
Film Education Week - all pupils had free visits to the cinema.

1996 - October 27 / November 2
Y6 residential trip to France, including sightseeing, adventure activities, Paris and Disneyland.

1996 - November 21
Premises Sub Committee met, to discuss the school security since the Dunblane shooting tragedy in Scotland. As a result there were many subsequent security improvements to the school.

1996 - December 10 / 12
Performances of the musical 'Bugsy' to packed houses.

1996 - December 10
All lower school visited Elvaston Castle in period dress for A Victorian Christmas.

1996 - December 12
The whole school visited the Pomegranate Theatre, Chesterfield for the Christmas pantomime 'Hansel and Gretel'.

1996 - December 20
Carol Service in St.John's Parish Church.

1997 - January 9
Midland Bank presented the school with �500 to buy a digital camera.

1997 - January 14 / 17
Cricket coaching for many children by Derbyshire County players.

1997 - February 7
Education Sunday Service at St.John's Parish Church.

1997 - March 19
Derbyshire Schools Table Tennis Tournament. Amanda Shaw won the Girls U11 tournament.

1997 - April 16
Drama Club worked with actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company on the play 'Beowulf'. Subsequently they went to the Doncaster Civic Theatre to watch a performance.

1997 - April 17
Dronfield Junior won the Dronfield Mini Rugby Tournament.

1997 - April 18
Dronfield Junior School choir sang in the Chesterfield Music Festival, achieving distinctions in both categories.

1997 - May 1
School closed for General Election. Labour achieved crushing victory over Tories.

1997 - May 16 / 18
Y4 residential weekend trip to Castleton Rotary Camp.

1997 - June 10
2 classes took part in a 'Safety Crew' day.

1997 - June 12
Upper School on field trip to Skegness to work on their 'Contrasting Locality' project.

1997 - June 16
Sheffield Norton College students performed 'Hiawatha' play.

1997 - June 20
Sponsored Krypton Factor Challenge - very successful.

1997 - June 24
Dronfield Music Festival at the Gosforth site.

1997 - July 3
Chesterfield & District Kwik Cricket Festival - Our school won.

1997 - July 10
Jack-in-a-Box Theatre Company performed the play 'Persephone'.

1997 - July 14 / 20
Arts Festival Week. This was sponsored by the National Lottery, with a �5,000 grant, plus many other sponsors, including East Midland Art, and many local firms. The children did art for a full week, with many artists coming in to work alongside the children, producing sculptures, pottery, collage, batiks, mask making, mosaics, ceramics, murals, cane and basket work, well dressing and paintings. All classes visited the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and the week drew to a close with an Open Day of Sunday 20^th July.
There was also story telling, music and dancing, with puppet making, and the week's activities were filmed to make a souvenir video. Harry Barnes, MP, Steve Lismore, Vice Chair of the Education Committee and the Mayor of Dronfield, Nick Foster, opened the Open Day.

1997 - July 25
School broke up for summer. Mr Roberts retired after many years teaching at Dronfield Junior School. Mrs Trafford started in September.

1997 - September 12
Anna Bowman from the Yorkshire Sculpture Park talked to all children about sculpture, and the exhibits at the Park.

1997 - September 21
Environment Day - Many parents came to help improve the school environment.

1997 - October 6 / 9
National Film Week - all children went to the cinema free.

1997 - October 23
Y6 visit to Eden Camp for history project.

1997 - October 27 / November 1
Y6 trip to France, sightseeing, activities, Paris and Disneyland.

1997 - November 6
Great Egg Race - a technology challenge evening for children and parents.

1997 - November 10
School presented with fine art prints by Sainsbury's.

1997 - November 14
Buddhist teachers visited school to talk to the children.

1997 - November 19
School closed due to heavy snow.

1997 - December 1 / 5
Ofsted Inspection Week by a Derbyshire Team led by Steve Bacon. Very good report.

1997 - December 11
Mayor of Dronfield Nick Foster visited school.

1997 - December 12
Choir sang at the outdoor switching on of the Dronfield Christmas lights.

1997 - December 19
Carol service at St.John's Parish Church.

1998 - January 4
Mrs Timperley joined the teaching staff.

1998 - January 20
John Fermer from Children Worldwide played guitar and many other instruments for all children.

1998 - January 29
Dronfield School drama pupils performed a play for all children.

1998 - February 1
Education Sunday Service at St.John's Parish Church.

1998 - February 23
Jason Thompson, sculptor, began to carve the storyteller's chair, "Kraken".

1998 - February
Sindalls builders constructed a sunshade shelter in the yard, part sponsored by Somerfield's and the Rotary Club of Dronfield.

1998 - March 9 / 13
Infant School had their Ofsted Inspection - very good report.

1998 - April 1
Mr Allen retired after 20 years at Dronfield Junior, and Mrs Taylor left to take up her new post at Nottingham.
Miss K.Brailsford appointed following Easter.

1998 - April 23
World Book Day - many events.

1998 - April 30
Royal Shakespeare Company workshop, followed by visit to Doncaster Civic Theatre.

1998 - May 8 / 10
Y5 residential trip to Kingswood Adventure Centre, Norfolk.

1998 - May 18 / 21
Fire Safety Week - every class had lessons from Fire Safety Officers about the dangers of fire at home.

1998 - May 20
Ferndale 6 a side football tournament at Gorseybrigg.

1998 - June 16
Derbyshire cricket tournament at Derby - Dronfield Juniors were runners up.

1998 - June 17
Lower school visit to Chatsworth.

1998 - June 19
World Cup Sponsored Event - very successful, Italy won.

1998 - June 26 / 28
Y4 residential trip to Castleton Rotary Camp.

1998 - July 1
Y3 trip to Cadbury World and Y5 trip to Mr Straw's house - topic work.

1998 - July 8
Y4 trip to Twycross Zoo
Governors Annual Meeting with parents - Miss Brailsford gave a talk about the new Literacy Hour.

1998 - July 10 / 12
Y5/6 residential weekend at Hartington Hall Youth Hostel and the American Adventure World.

1998 - July 14 / 16
Very successful performances of our 'Old Time Music Hall'.

In the Summer holidays there were many improvements to the school, including furniture renovations, refurbishments outside the art room, classrooms carpeted, vertical blinds fitted and floors repaired. Also during the holiday the School's Internet Website was first published 'online' by Mr Gordon.
Mr Clark appointed to the teaching staff.

1998 - October 8 / 12
Book Week - many activities, including library visits, Mary Carr, storyteller, fancy dressed discos etc.

1998 - October 23 / 28
Y6 trip to France, Mont St.Michel, Fourgeres, Chateau du Tertre, Paris & Disneyland.

1998 - November 12
Jack in a Box Theatre Company performed works by Robert Louis Stevenson.

1998 - December 1
Derbyshire Team Table Tennis Tournament, Dronfield Junior Boys won the U11 Derbyshire Team event.