The Report Card

In 1954, Walter Horsburgh’s mother received an “urgent and highly confidential” letter from her son’s teacher. Inside was her four year old son’s report card. Comments included: “English: Doesn’t worry about it. Has his own”, “Arithmetic: Knowledge of the prices of lollies and ice cream v. good” and “Social Studies: Has a remarkable knowledge of mum’s kitchen, particularly where biscuits and cakes are kept”. With a final remark “The best boy this side of the [drawing of a black stump].”

This delightful report card was written by teacher and headmaster David John Sherwin of Jones Island Public School in 1954.¹ Walter was not yet of school age but was allowed to attend school every Friday with his siblings to give his mother a break – hence the whimsy of the report.

David Sherwin’s first teaching appointment was in 1926 at Lost River School, NSW.² Over his career he worked in several rural schools including Forest Hill, Pulletop and Luddenham.³ He was at Jones Island from 1954 until 1959.⁴ Sherwin retired to Jamberoo near Kiama where he died in 1968 aged just 62.⁵

Walter kept his report card as a reminder of the teacher who brought joy to his early school life.

Author: Janine Roberts with the kind permission of Walter Horsburgh.

Back: Mr David Sherwin, Brian Hammond, Allan Horsburgh, Robert Sherwin, Brian Coombe

3^rd Row: Raylee Myers, Margaret Black, Frank Speziale, Spencer Hockey, Walter Dennes

2^nd Row: Wal Horsburgh, Gary Horsburgh, Bill Black, Eric Fuller, Tom Laurie, Robert Coombe, Dallas Hockey, Ken Norton

Front: Maureen Cavanagh, Zandria Laurie, Joyceline McKay, Gaye Horsburgh, Lynne Myers, Marlene Dennes.