Jones, Bridget
Family background
Bridget Jones was born near Picton in 1860, one of thirteen children (five of whom became teachers), to John Joseph Jones and Bridget nee Quig.
Diamond Provisional School
When she was 22, Bridget took up a position at Diamond, north-west of Crookwell, where residents had erected a typical slab building with bark roof and timber floor. The expected attendance was soon exceeded and Diamond became a Public School with Bridget retaining charge, although unqualified. In her second year, she experienced health issues, both physical and psychological. Firstly, she suffered an ulcerated throat and by going home to recuperate was exposed to siblings with Diphtheria so had to isolate and delay her attendance at an examination. In her third year, when defects were found in school records and her defence of 'sore eyes' was seen as inadequate, she took two month's leave for 'nervous debility'. Later that year she sought to close school due to scarlet fever in the district and asked to go home to study for an exam, but the inspector denied her request as there were '7 miles of health-giving gum trees' between the school and infected household. By her fourth year, a new school was needed at Diamond, the original being almost 'void of a roof'. Only a few weeks after Bridget occupied the new building, she was transferred.
Boro Provisional School
Her next appointment was at Boro (previously Boro Upper; east of Bungendore, north of the Kings Highway), a lower-ranked school, so she no longer received rent assistance. Problems soon arose as complaints were made that she kept irregular school hours and occupied herself by sewing and reading rather than teaching. Although she denied these allegations, the claims were substantiated by an investigation. While the charges were not grave, the case was brought to the Minister's attention since Bridget was so unpopular several children had been withdrawn from Boro school. As a result, she was reprimanded and moved.
Googong Provisional School
In November 1885 Bridget was appointed to Googong where she seems to have initially managed satisfactorily. In early 1886, a selection of needlework by her pupils received special mention at the Goulburn Agricultural Show. A year later, she was deemed eligible for classification after an exam, pending a pass in one subject (Drawing). In 1887, however, her appointment became temporary as her qualification was still incomplete and later that year, she was reproached for keeping inaccurate school records and faced an allegation of ill-treating a pupil. Fortunately, the matter was soon resolved and six months later she was promoted.
Quirindi Public School
In July 1888, now 28, she commenced as Teaching Assistant at Quirindi, a factor in her appointment being her capacity to teach needlework. Bridget had only been at Quirindi two months however when issues arose. Firstly, she was called to explain the poor state in which she had left the Googong school. Next, the Quirindi principal brought forward a list of concerns about her competence including the pupils' lack of progress; incorrect roll marking; allegedly boxing children's ears; and insubordination. Unfortunately, Bridget inflamed the situation by declaring that her teaching was being 'purposely obstructed by defective organisation' and she was found guilty of 'gross impertinence' and shortly after removed to a smaller school.
Colonna Provisional School
In May 1889 Bridget took charge at Colonna, near Barraba, and over the next three years repeatedly asked to be moved for health reasons and appointed close to Sydney where her parents resided, but these requests were denied due to her unsatisfactory career. In October 1891, however, as she stated her health was 'giving way', the local inspector supported her request for removal but before a position was arranged she left Colonna, arriving in Sydney 'out of her mind' according to her family. She was granted leave to the end of the year, with her school remaining closed during this time.
Temporary appointments
Bridget did not return to Colonna. From February to May 1892, she held temporary positions at inner city schools, then her health deteriorated and she had two months leave. Next, she gained a position at Newtown North, but was soon warned 'to effect improvement or be removed to a small school'. After two months she was diagnosed with 'nervous prostration' and took extended leave. In early 1893, Bridget's father tendered her resignation stating, 'My daughter is very unwilling to resign but her health has become so shattered that she is unable to discharge her duties'.
Later life
After leaving teaching, Bridget appears to have lived in Sydney with the support of family members. While her father's action was presumably well-meant, an unfortunate consequence was revealed several years later when she applied for compensation, a Departmental memo noting '... Miss Jones' health in 1892-3 was evidently such that if she had applied for permission to retire from the service ... she would probably have been allowed a gratuity'. The resignation made on her behalf and the elapsed period of seven years, however, negated her legal right to recompense. Bridget died in 1910, aged 50, and was buried in Camden in a family plot.
[Biography prepared by Joanne Toohey, 2024. Sources include NSW school teachers' rolls 1868-1908, NSW school and related records 1876-1979, historic newspapers, NSW births, deaths and marriages index, and 'Early Education and Schools in the Canberra Region', (1999) by Lyall Gillespie.]
Schools
- Googong
11/1885 - 07/1888