Any joy Elliott ?
Carol
I believe that La Retraite is the right school however I don't really have a way to be 100% certain. Knowing my relative was born in 1900 and went to this school I think her age matches up well with when the school existed, and the fact that my Grandma had mentioned the place having "lots of nuns" makes me more sure it's the right school.
I managed to find what looks to be an advert of sorts for the school, or at least the transcript of it:
Roman Catholic School for Girls - Convent of La Retraite, South Road, Weston-super-Mare
Under the patronage of His Lordship the Bishop of Clifton and the
Very Rev. Eustace Canon Barron.
The nuns of La Retraite are prepared to receive a limited number
of pupils to whom they can devote individual attention.
The school syllabus makes a special feature of languages and
literature, and while pupils can, if necessary, be prepared for
examinations, it has been drawn up mainly with a view of implanting
firm religious principles in the pupils, and of training them to become
cultured and well read women, fitted to occupy high social
positions.
Terms : — Pension, 22 guineas per term. Entrance fee, 2 guineas.
Special Subjects : —
Piano. 3 to 4 guineas ; violin, 3 guineas ; singing, 3 guineas ;
dancing, 1^ guineas ; painting, 2 guineas ; gymnastics, 1 guinea ;
riding, 3J guineas ; swimming, \ guinea ; for beginners, 1 guinea
per term. Library and games, 1 guinea per annum ; laundry and
medical attendance. Day boarders, from 3 guineas per term.
A reference is requested.
Fees payable in advance.
I also found this in the description on a History Trail for the area:
The far side of South Road was the site of several of the
grandest mansions in the district, occupied by La Retraite
Convent School for much of this century. Demolition and
rebuilding have broken up what was until recently a complete
vista of large, intact period building, and it is greatly to be
hoped that the people of Weston dc not allow more of
these magnificent houses to go the way of these or of ihe
Villa Rosa. Ahead, at the junction of Scuth Road with
Madeira Road, is a small tree-lined triangle which served
as the focus for the three rows of villas surrounding it. At
each corner is a niche which used to contain a drinking
fountain recessed into the wall.
Picture wise I have found two, one of the outside and one of the inside dining area. The dining area is dated long after my relative had left the town but it's still nice to see even if the inside had probably changed drastically in the 80~ years that had passed. Funnily enough the dining room picture is from the National Australian Museums website, never would have guessed I'd find an image of a school in Weston Super Mare on there!
Overall I am happy with what I know about the school, and while I can't be 100% certain it is the right school I have enough information for me to be happy with my assumption, at least for now
