Who were the teachers and what were they like?

Charles Matthews was appointed in 1843 aged 18yrs and taught in the Boy's School. The Inspector's Books for 1855-1859 gives the following rather damning description: 'Fairly qualified with some natural aptitude but does not command the respect of his pupils or maintain proper order and discipline. He fails in governing and he fails in successful teaching. It is right to mention that he is so lame as to require the continual use of crutches'

The Girl's School did not fare much better. Anne Joyce was appointed in 1831 aged 28. In 1855 she was described as having:'Pretty fair qualifications and some aptitude but takes little interest in the work. School is taught principally by the benevolent ladies resident in Holywood who attend daily for this purpose'.

By 1860 matters had improved and the schoolmaster was an:  'Active energetic man of tolerable scholarship and a sound disciplinarian'.

Mrs Jane Mussen the schoolmistress was appointed in 1857. Aged 42 and a widow she was a: 'Well qualified and experienced teacher. Systematic, painstaking, patient and assiduous'.

Mrs. Mussen is noted as having one monitor and an assistant. Monitors were trainee teachers often past pupils of the school who had shown a talent for their studies. Teachers got a premium on their pay for looking after their Monitor's instruction and also for order neatness and cleanliness.