ARIAH PARK CENTRAL SCHOOL

Reid Street ARIAH PARK NSW 2665

PH: (02) 6974 1105     FAX: (02) 6974 1017

History of Ariah Park Central School

The following information on the early history of the school has been compiled by Mary McPherson, History Information Officer, Department of School Education Library.

Early attempts to have a school established.

The first apparent move towards the establishment of Ariah Park School was made by a well educated widow whose children were of Chinese descent. Local Broken Dam resident Margaret Fong wrote to the Minister on 14th July 1891 requesting a school and the resulting application for a Provisional School (average attendance necessary at this time 12-20 (2) was dated 23rd August 1891 (1). Parents listing children to attend the school were John Brown, Thomas Sanderson, Thomas Harrison, Margaret Fong, Samuel Harrison, James Howard and Robert Sanderson. (1) The residents wrote that there was a school site already surveyed in the village of Mandamah and that timber for a school building could be obtained from the saw mill within half a mile of the school site (1).

The matter was referred to Inspector Gerald O'Byrne for investigation and when he finally did report on 21st April 1892 her wrote that there was 'No population sufficiently close to Broken Dam to warrant the Department spending money on buildings. Last time I visited, I was given to understand that steps were about to be taken to prepare an old building to to opened as a "hose" (ie. House to House) school' (1). A second application was dated 28th May 1892 and this time the children of James Howard, Thomas Harrison and Margaret Fong were listed to attend. (1) On this occasion O'Byrne reported: 'The first site proposed was in the township of Mandeman(sic) but to this objection was made as not being central. Mr Howard proposes to hold the school in a hut about a mile on the Temora side of the township'(1).

The school did not go ahead on this occasion, partly because Inspector O'Byrne reported on 17th August that 'the Fongs (six children between the ages of 4 and 13) are said to be on the eve of leaving' (1) and also because the parents refused to guarantee the teacher's salary. James Howard wrote his opinion on this matter to O'Byrne on 14th September 1892 thus: "It is quite sufficient tax upon us to find School Building without us being made responsible for the teacher's salary. If that is the result of all the promises you made to us, you may as well of said so at the commencement of these negotiations.' (1) O'Byrne then reported to the chief inspector on 21st November 1892: 'I made another visit last week to this place, and visited several of the houses. Although I think that Broken Dam will be a good centre some day, yet, at present, there is nothing to warrant the Department in spending one shilling on buildings ' (1).

Again in August 1893 James Howard of Broken Dam wrote to the Department requesting a school and saying that there were 19 children between the school attendance ages of six and 14 (1). A formal application was not lodged on this occasion and after Inspector Lancelot Lawford was asked in May of the following year whether an application had been lodged, he put a temporary end to the matter by reporting on 20th August 1894 that 'The homes are too far apart & it is evident that there is not sufficient interest taken in the matter for the proper form to be filled in by the residents' (1). The residents again applied for a school at Two Mile Tree near Broken Dam on 26th April 1897 (1). On this occasion parents listing children to attend the proposed school were: Roberty McKay, Stewart Elliott, S. Harrison, M. Clarke, Sanderson, G. Davey, I. Peters and John Constable (1).

Inspector Lawford reported on 8th May 1897: 'I thing a HT (Half Time) school might be established and worked with Beaconsfield (later Quandary), some 5 or 6 miles East. 'I recommend that the residents be offered a HT school on these terms.' 'They will of course have to find the building & a grant of 3 pounds might be made for its furniture when they report its completion. The residents were not happy with the offer of a Half Time School and on 27th May of that year local Member of parliament, Thomas Fitzpatrick wrote to the Department: ' In re. the proposed half time school at Ariah Park, Merool Creek, I am in receipt of a letter from Mr S. Harrison, complaining that the half time school will be no use to them, there is 20 children that will attend the school, I think the Dept. should grant a sum of money to build the school, the people in the district are very poor, and the present drought is ruining them" (1).

On the subject of this appeal Inspector Lawford noted on 31 May: 'If the statement that the drought is ruining the people be correct it woule be a sufficient reason in itself for declining to spend money in building a school. But apart from that it seems on the face of it not a case for any but a Half Time School. (1)

The residents then decided to wait until more land would be opened for settlement some weeks from then before pursuing the matter of the school as they wanted a full time school (1).

A successful application

In the following year (1898) local resident S. Harrison wrote to the Department on 22nd June (his words are as he wrote them):

Dear Sir, 'please send me a nother form to get a school hear as laid the one you sent dow on the table and one of the little children tore it up' (1)

A replacement form was sent to Mr Harrison on 24th June and was filled in by the residents and dated 4th July 1898 (1). The 17 children listed on the form to attend the proposed school were those of Joseph Hannon, S. Harrison, Stewart Elliott, Charles Gouge, John Constable, George Cashman and G.F. Davey (1)

As a result of this application Chief Inspector Frederick Bridges successfully recommended that a Provisional School [average attendance necessary at this time 10 - 20 (2)] be established in a building to be erected by the Department (1).

Specifications were drawn up for a building of colonial pine, if available, measuring 18ft x 15ft x 10ft (1). The successful tenderer for the building was Herbert Butler of Temora whose tender was for 65 pounds 17 shillings, and who had completed the building by 10th December 1898 (1).

The dedication of the two acre school site, Portion 28, parish of Mandamah, County of Bourke, was not gazetted until 6th September 1899 (1). A further 8 acres adjoining the site were also temporarily reserved for a school paddock (1).

Early Teachers

Inspector Lawford reported in December 1898 that "There may be some trouble re the matter of lodgings for a teacher. I could not make any satisfactory arrangement at the time of my visit but I am inquiring further. I recommend that the appointment of a teacher be held over pending.... my report re lodgings.

By February 1899 the residents were becoming impatient and Thomas Fitzpatrick MP wrote to the department:

'I have been requested by the residents of Broken Dam to draw your attention to the fact that no teacher has been yet sent to the school, recently erected, at Ariah Park, via Temora. 'Mrs Clark of Broken Dam, a most respectable family, has offered to accomodate (sic) the teacher. Twenty-one year old Darius Brunt was appointed to the school, his first appointment, on 19th April 1899 (3). In September 1899 the school's enrolment was 22 and nine of the pupils were driving horse-drawn vehicles to school (1).

Because he could not get suitable accommodation at Ariah Park, Brunt was appointed to Lintondale School near Temora on 5th February 1902 and on 20th of that month the following parents sent a petition for the appointment of a teacher to Inspector Charles Friend: John Constable of Kurrajong Park; S. Harrison of Ariah Park; McKay of Oakwood; Peters of Broken Dam and Margaret Clark of Broken Dam (1). The petitioners wrote:

' That the said school has been closed since the commencement of the Christmas vacation in December last with the exception of one week. 'That we are extremely anxious for the sake of the education of our children that the Department should take steps for the re-opening of the school immediatley. "That as it is impossible to get any resident within two miles of the school to board a Teacher we beg respectfully to make the following reccommendation (sic) for the consideration of your Department. 'That Mrs Thomas McCawley nee Kibble who... is an excellent teacher and competent Sewing Mistress and is about to take up her residence on Ariah convenient to the School, be appoionted to the position of Teacher. "That as Mrs McCawley has had Departmental experience as a Teacher and has had extensive experience as a Governess almost up to date and is a lady of good moral character your petitioners respecfully request you enquire into her status and qualifications for the position with a view to reccommending (sic) her appointment. (1) Mrs McCawley was not eligible for employment by the Department however, and the Ariah Park parents were informed that a teacher would not be appointed 'until they are prepared to provide comfortable lodgings within a reasonable distance of the school' (1). By 21st March 1902 local resident S. Harrison, who lived half a mile from the school, was offering to board a teacher as no other accommodation could be found (1). Not having heard anything further by 3rd April Harrison wrote again (his words are as he wrote them) that 'we would like to have a teacher sent as soon as Posible as the children is forgetting wath they learned.(1)

Inspector Friend noted that 'A male teacher should be appointed - one accustomed to bush life, if possible. Route train to Temora, thence coach towards Broken Dam' (1) Eighteen year old Charles Beckenham was appointed to the school at a salary of 88 pounds per annum on 13th May 1902 but his stay was very short as he was appointed to Bribaree (later Bribbaree) School ten days later (3).

Arthur White

On 23rd May 1902 twenty-year old Arthur White was employed by the Department as teacher at Ariah Park School on probation for twelve months at an annual salary of 72 pounds which was increased to 88 pounds the following year (3). White required leave for three weeks late in August 1903 because of a wounded knee-cap which meant he was unable to walk (1). In 1903 White was asked to obtain tenders for a new brick chimney at the school but he did not recommend the use of local Broken Dam bricks as he had learnt that these were unsound. Forwarding the successful tender for the work to the Department, Inspector Friend wrote in May 1903: 'the old chimney was destroyed by a cyclone. The enrolment for March qr= 24 Average 17.8. The surrounding country is well improved & the Barellan railway line has been surveyed near the school. 'I recommend that the tender (Ten pounds seven shillings and sixpence) of Mr Herb Butler of Temora, be accepted. Time limit 3 weeks.

White, who was obviously a keen teacher, reported in March 1905 that four pounds had been subscribed by local residents towards the cost of books for the library which the residents wanted to see begun at the school. He asked the Department for assistance in the matter but was informed that the Department did not assist such libraries by money grants. (1) In the same month he made a separate unsuccessful application for assistance towards an experimental farm which he had begun at the school. He wrote that 'The area of the ground is 2 square chain, fenced and wirenetted. 'As wheat growing is the princpal industry of the district, I intend to give special prominence to the growth of this cereal (1).

White made a successful request on 8th December 1905 'to close this school today, Friday 8th inst, in order that I may attend the funeral of the late Mrs S. Harrison. All the children of the school will be at the funeral'(1).

In November 1907 White was given permission to have his sister Elva White who was a recent arrival in the district, teach sewing to the girls at the school following a petition requesting a sewing teacher which was signed by local residents: E. Mackay; Mrs C. Dunn; H. Heath; S. Harrison; M. Cuddy; Mrs C. Peters; Mrs Quayle; Mrs Thomas Macpherson; Mrs J. Moriaty; Mrs E. Dunlop; J. Constable; Margaret Clark; Mrs William Mock; Mrs Davey and another illegible name (1).

In February 1908 White married local resident Miss C.M. Fong of Broken Dam (3) (perhaps a relative of the school's first proponent, Margaret Fong). In February 1910 White's wife was granted accouchement leave of two months from teaching sewing - a statement of the need for this leave being written by local nurse E. Judd (1). A further period of accouchement leave was taken for the last two months of 1911 and the early months of 1912 (1 & 4). Early in 1912 Miss Williams, a competent dressmaker of this town, was to teach sewing at the school.

White was living one and a half miles from the school in March 1908 in the cypress pine house on 225 acres of land which he had bought from J Baker of Temora in 1906. By 31st March 1909 he had moved to a new pise house in Ariah Park which he had bought for 200 pounds (4). On 31st May of the same year local resident A.H. Judd wrote that White 'is at present living in a place near the Hotel, originally built for a shop - no other suitable dwelling being available at the present time (4). Because he found this house to be in an unhealthy position White had moved back to his private residence by September of that year (1).

In 1908 parent john Cuddy of Pretty pines worote to Memeber of parliament, Patrick McGarry asking him 'to see if parents can get any allowance from the Eduction Department where they drive six miles to school. 'My eldest child drives her two sisters and three of Mr Grevaskas's children (1). McGarry wrote to the Minister on 28th July of that year forwarding Cuddy's letter and describinh him as being 'a very poor man... (who) cannot afford to buy horse feed for the Conveyance of those Children' (1). The Department's regulations however did not allow for any payment to Cuddy (1).

The school became a Public School (average minimum attendance 20) in October 1904 (2), and the move towards a new site for the school began in 1905 when S. Harrison wrote to the Department saying that although the school had recently become a Public School (in October 1904) the building had not been enlarged and the children wer no better off thant previously (4). In response to this request Inspector Walter Nolan reported in November 1905: 'The existing building provides ample accommodation for the present attendance; but it is not central... The pupils now enrolled have long distances to travel. The Temora-Barellan railway line, now in course of construction, will be completed to Ariah Park by next April. The centre of one mile north of the existing school. I understand that the surveyor has already selected a school site near the proposed siding. The school will ultimately have to be removed thereto' (4).

Inspector Nolan wrote in November 1906 that 'It has been represented to the Minister that increased settlement of a permanent character is being made near Ariah park Railway Platform.' (4)

An area of 1 acre 3 roods 29 perches, being section 9 Parish of Mandamah County of Bourke, was reserved for public school purposes in 1907 (1). Local resident S. Harrison had an annual lease on thus land. He was asked in October 1907 wheter he had any objection to the Department's immediate occupation of the land so that a new school building could be begun and in reply he wrote to the Department on 22nd of that month (his words are as he wrote them): 'I would be pleased if the School was complet now as the one we have is not fit for the chilren in Sumer... I wont stand in the way of it Beaing started'(1).

Edward Higgin of 'The Rectory' Temora offered to buy the old school building in January 1908 at which time it was still in use as a school. The Department replied that the building might be needed for a weathershed and that in any case disposal would be by tender (1).

A new school building (26'6" x 21'4" x 13" with attached hatroom/washroom/weathershed) was built by John Waugh for 390 pounds and 12 shillings, the work being begun on 21st July 1908 and finished on 17th October of that year (1). Inspector thomas Walker wrote on 14th August 1908 that during the last quarter there had been an average attendance of 23.9 out of an enrolment of 38 and that 'The existing school is over a mile from the township; the new school is in the township. The attendance at the new school will certainly be better than in the existing school '(4).

On 6th November White wrote that the old school building was to be moved west for use as a Provisional School and that furniture and 'Maps, Wall sheets, Table, Chair and Blackboards be left at the school. The attendance [at Ariah Park] will reach 48 or 50 scholars when the new building is opened' (1). Inspector Walker ordered the following furniture for the new school building; 6 large 8ft 4ins desks and forms 6 small 8ft 4ins desks and forms 1 medium sized blackboard 1 easel 1 medium sized table (1)

Parents' and Citizens' Association secretary, A.H. Judd successfully applied in February 1909 for wire netting to enclose the school ground against the many rabbits of the locality. Judd wrote that 'Mr White wishes to give the children practical lessons in planting seeds, flowers etc, which he cannot do until the ground is netted in' (1).

In 1909 R.S. Heath, secretary of the Ariah Park Church of England requested the use of the school buildin gfor church services as the hall in which they were being held was about a mile out of town and there were not enough seats and also the building was about to be sold. The Department refused this request as church services were not permitted in buildings owned by the Department. (1)

Following a request for a teacher's residence from the Progress Association, Inspector Walker reported on 8th April 1909:

'Ariah Park is a railway station on the Temora-Barellan line. It is a growing place supported by wheat farming which is here a permanently established industry. Originally the school was a mile out of town, but towards the end of last year a new building to accommodate between 50 and 60 pupils was erected on a vested site in the village. 'The enrolment last quarter was 47 and the average attendance was 33.5. Of the permanence of the population there seems to be no doubt whatever '(4).

In April 1910 a weatherboard teacher's residence was being erected by John Waugh of Croydon for the contract price of 498 pounds 10 shillings and the residents applied to have the school horse paddock fenced but the Department considered they might do this work themselves (1). White wrote that he would occupy the new residence on 30th September that year (1).

White suffered ill health in 1909, 1910 and 1911 and he resigned because of ill health in March 1912 (1 & 3). In his letter of resignation he wrote that as a restorative step for his health he inteded to travel for 12 months and he hoped he might be able to return to teaching. He did resume teaching in 1914 at nearby Primrose Park School (3). He then enlisted for World War 1 and afterwards taught at many different schools in the state until he finally resigned in 1945 from Clergate School near Orange (3).

1912

Thirty-two-year-old Thomas Miles took over as teacher of the school after Arthur White, being appointed to the school in March 1912 and remaining there until he enlisted for World War 1 (1). He too later returned to teaching and was employed at many different schools (3). Not long after his arrival at the school, on 29 April 1912 Miles wrote to Inspector Skinner makeing a successful request to havce the residence fenced as 'at the present time there is absolutely no privacy. There is no yard to the house at all, and the children can play right up to the doors. Moreover when the clothes are hung on the lines they stand a very good chance of being soiled by the children when at play (4).

In October of the same year, 1912, Miles made a successful application to have fly screens fitted to the residence, writing that 'In this locality the flies are exceptionally troublesome, and at present it is impossible to have a meal, without them getting in the food and liquids'(4).

Also in 1912 local solicitor Alexander Scobie, who was secretary of the Ariah Park Progress Association, requested that the horse paddock at the school be fenced. The Department gave the association a grant of 15 pounds towards the work which was carried out by AJ McMaster and was completed by August 1912 (4).

A second classroom is added

Not long after its erection in 1908 the school building had been found to be too small. In 1912, 74 residents signed a petition protesting that the accommodation was inadequate for the attendance - the building having been built to seat 50 when there were often over 60 presnt. Inspector Skinner successfuly recommended the addition of an extra room to accommodate about 50 infants (4). The addition of this 24' x 21' classroom plus a hatromm and verandah was carried out in 1913 by F. and R. Matthews of Temora for the contract price of 320 pounds (1 & 4). Theacher Thomas Miles moved the infants into their new classroom late in October 1913 (4). He wrote that this was absolutely necessary, owing to the crowed state of the original room (4).

By 1914 the school was overcrowded again. There were three teachers and two classrooms and as a temporary measure 4 desks and forms each 8ft 6 ins long were to be sent for use in the hatrooms (4).

The Farmers and Settlers Union, per its secretary Leslie Donaldson had applied for an assistant teacher in 1910 (1) but the first assistant at the school was apparently mary Davis, who was appointed to Ariah Park School in May 1912 and remained there until she resigned at the end of 1917, giving her address as 'Kelleevy', Garangula Road, Murrumburrah (4 & 3 & 1).

In June 1914 Mary Davis was on sick leave and the Temora Star reported that no relieving teacher had been sent to help Miles and that he had 'to look after over 100 children in two classrooms, with the assistance of some of his elder pupils' (4). The article contrasted this state of affairs wiht the prompt sending of relief staff when an employee of the Bank of New South Wales took ill. In response to this publicity Chief Inspector James Dawson noted that 'A relieving teacher sh'd be sent at once (4).

In July 1917 the then head of the school, Vivian Elphick requested that two teachers be sent to assist him. He wrote that 'Miss Davis is the present assistant has had a nervous breakdown due to overwork and will probably be two months absent from duty. There are 126 children on the roll. The attendance (average) last week was 115.9' (4). The Department noted that an assistant had been sent (4).

Four electric lights were installed in the school residence in 1915 after Miles applied for this, writing that 'I am prompted in making application during these troublous times, solely by the fact, that if the work is carried out while the electrical engineers are in town, a saving of at least 4 pounds would be effected (4).

A third classroom is added

In June 1918 Inspector George Dart reported that 'The two class-rooms are not capable of accommodating the number of pupils now attending' (4). Permission was given for the school to occupy the dressing room at the side of the stagre at the local hall across the street for 10/- a week. Local resident R.H. Webster noted in November 1918 that this room was not satisfactory as there were 'sundry touring companies using the stage almost constantly' (4). Although it was inconvenient, this arrangement continued until additions to the school were completed just before Christmas holidays in 1919 (4).

Dart reported in 1918 that 'The town is making solid progress'(4). The school continued to be overcrowded and in May 1919, following a telegram from the head of the school, William Cochrane, Inspector Dart reported that 'There are 120 children present at Ariah Park on 22nd May'. I recommend that the vacancy caused by [assistant teacher] Miss [Agnes] Palmer's resignation be filled very soon' (4).

Another classroom 24ft x 21ft plus verandah and hat room were added to the school building in 1919 by Berry Brothers of Ariah Park for the contract price of 433 pounds 13 shillings and dual desks, rather than the old long forms were supplied for this room (4). As noted above, the work was completed just as school finished for the year 1919 (4).

The operation of the school was affected by the influenza epidemic of 1919 and on 29 July of that year the head of the school, William Cochrane reported: ' While both Assistants are absesnt through illness (Influenza), and the attendance is still under 30 pupils, [the enrolment had been 120 in May of theat year] through the same cause, I can manage the school until Miss [Eileen] Sweeney resumes duty on Thursday 31st Inst. Then, if the attendance does not get too large for two rooms, Miss Sweeney and I can manage until Miss Ellen Law resumes duty on Monday 11th August (4).

The school's cleaner, Mrs J. Biggar made a successful application for increased pay for her work in November 1919. Cochrane noted in relation to this matter that Ariah Park was 'A very hard school to keep clean on account of the dust and frequent dust storms. It is well worth an increased allowance. It takes one cleaner 8 hours per week' (4).

Cochrane successfully sought permission to hold a school concert on 13th December 1919 and in 1920 the local Committee for the Soldier's Fund waws also successful in applying to have a holiday for the school on 24th March for a local sports meeting which was a fund-raising event (4).

A whirlwind on 15 February 1920 seriously damaged the roof of the residence at the school. The damage was repaired by contractors Berry Brothers of Ariah Park for 30 pounds (4).

In 1922 teacher William Cochrane made an unsuccessful request for the Department to supply him with lattice to enclose the residence verandah to allow some privacy and also so that the verandah could be used as a sleepout. He wrote: 'the School Residence, being situated at the corner of a Street and immediately opposite the Public Hall, is too much exposed to the Public, and has not sufficient privacy in its present state.

Local resident R.H. Webster applied in 1921 for the local Parents' and Citizens' Association to erect a 600 metre wireless receiving station at the school. He noted that 'In anticipation the senior pupils have for the last two months been learning the Morse Code and are improving rapidly'. (4) While a triangular shaped piece of land, section 7, being 2 roods 36 and half perches - which was apparently connected with this proposal - was dedicated for school purposes in September 1923, it is not clear from the records of the school whether the construction of the wireless receiving station went ahead. In December 1921 the residents received information from the Postmaster-General's Department that 'licenses are issued to the public for the purpose of experiment and research only, and are limited to reception of Wireless signals. The transmission of wireless signals is not permitted, except in very special cases' (4).

In February 1926 there were four teachers and three classrooms so that one of the teachers had to use the hatroom as a classroom. Permission was obtained to rent the supper room of the local hall for 12/6 per week.

A fourth classroom is added.

Further additions to the school building were carried out by contractor E.A. Saunderson of Ardlethan in 1928 for 675 pounds (5). The work comprised a new classroom (to accommodate 48 pupils) and a staffroom (5). When the school was inspected by Inspector Frank Ravenscroft in 1929 the head of the school Stanley Allan was most unhappy about the efficiency award of 78 which he was given (5). In unsuccessfully requesting a higher mark Allan wrote that he had organised a secondary section at the school and had 'been able to record results in the Intermediate' (5).

Twenty-two year old assistant teacher Gladys Field, who came from West Cowra, was appointed to the school at the beginning of 1929 (3 &5).. She was absent from school with mumps from 28 October until 15 November 1929. On 4 December that year she died of pneumonia in Carlton Hospital at Temora (5). The head of the school, Stanley Allan wrote the day after her death that she had been a brilliant member of the staff of this school (5).

In 1932 H. McGregor, secretary of the Ariah Park Unemployed, wrote to the Minister of Public Works suggesting the provision of a 20,000 gallon underground tank as a project for local unemployed people. The eEducation Department replied that ther was adequate water storage at the school and that experience had shown that the water stored in underground tanks 'frequently becomes unusable for drinking purposes and is dangerous to heal if so used '(5).

Empire Day and Commonwealth Day were celebrated at Ariah Park School on 4th May 1932. Reverends S.G. Cox and A.J. Davis gave addresses and the children sang the following songs: 'There's a Land of Hope and Glory', 'Australia' and 'God Save the King.' (5)

Douglas Petfield, the six-year old son of John Petfield the head of the school in 1934, suffered diphtheria in that year and was nursed by his mother in the school residence (5). Diphtheria occurred again at Ariah Park in 1938 when a child (who subsequently died) developed diphtheria in the house where assistant teacher Colin Donaghue was boarding (5).

Ariah Park Show was the reason for a holiday for the school on 10th October 1934 and on Wednesday 9th October 1935 (5).

The Parents' and Citizens' Associaton, per its secretary A. McMahon requested a shelter shed at the school in 1934. At this time the only shelter was provided by the three verandahs on the school building and by what the head of the school, John Petfield described as 'half a dozen single trees and numerous groups of small pines' in the playground.(7). The Department did not see the matter as being urgent however. (7) The P & C Association was finally successful in having the Department supply materials for a shelter shed in 1938 when S.S. Maynard was association secretary. By this time shelter was also needed for the bicylcles of children who rode them to school.

In 1935 the P & C Association's (secretary Rev. W. Rien) successfully asked for permission to erect a tennis court at the school for the use of the children. A condition of approval was, as was usual, that it was not to be used on Sudnays. (5).

In 1936 the Department considered moving the school building from Quandary, where the school had closed in April of that yreasr, to Ariah Park to relieve the overcrowding (7&2). In the following year, 1937, Inspector John Braithwaite wrote that the parents wanted a building transferred from Beckom School for a classroom. (7) The school's records do not indicate whether either of these buildings came to Ariah park School but some small school buildings (origins unspecified), were moved there in the 1930s-1950s (7 & 8).

The head of the school 1938-42 was Cecil Chambers. (6) At the beginnign of the school year in 1939 Chambers , in unsuccessfully applying for the Department to buy an electric refrigerator for the school residence, wrote: 'I believe a refrigerator to be essential in this locality, which is hot dry and dusty during the summer months, the temperature reaching 100 degrees and over many times. The ordinary cool safe is practically useless here and ice is unobtainable for ice-chests, the nearest ice-works being at Cootamundra. Consequently, under present conditions, much food is wasted '(5).

An epidemic of sandy blight (ophthalmia) occurred in the locality in 1939 (5).

A Central School

An area of 2 roods 20 perches was reserved for school purposes in October 1940 - this land was partly bounded by Hopetoun Street (7).

The school became a Central School in 1944 when this term began to be applied to public schools having a secondary section, although as noted above, the school had been presenting candidates for the Intermediate Certificate since at least 1928 (7). The school's Central School status was withdrawn for the years 1949 and 1950 because the number of Secondary students did not meet the Departments requirement which was a minimum average of 20 secondary pupils including 8 or more beyond the first year. (7) This reduced status caused local anger as the school and its P & C Associaton had been working hard to have a bus route established to bring more secondary pupils (7). It was pointed out to the residents that although the title 'Central School' had been removed this did not affect the course of instruction and that the main difference was that the head of the school was not entitled to a special Central School allowance (7). In 1951 Central School status was restored and has contined to the present (1998) (2).

In 1954 a total of James Boardman and John Greig Davey (7).

The school did not have the problem of too few secondary pupils in 1961 when secondary accommodation at the school was described as thus: '1. A first year group of 31 pupils is taught in a nearby rented hall. '2. A second year class of 26 is accommodated in a room 22' x 18'. '3. A third year group of 19 pupils is taught under most unsatisfactory conditions in an old extended small school unit measuring 18' x 17'(7).

At this time (1961) the Department decided to erect 'A new three classroom unit, on the separate site, bounded by Reid, Harrison and Hopetoun Streets, to contain a composite Home Science /Classroom, a combination Science /Classroom and a general classroom'(7).

Tenders for the new secondary building across the road from the primary building were not called until 1963 and the contract for 48,086 thousand pounds wnet to M.A. Aston of Grenfell who began working on it on 5th September of that year (7). The building was occupied by the school on 8th September 1964 and was to be officially opened in Education Week 1965 by Mr J. H. Taylor MLA (7 & 8).

The 18' x 17' wood building - the 'old extended small school unit' mentioned above had been demolished by the end of September 1965 (7). This building had been described thus in 1964 by the head of the school, Bruce Ada: 'The building is constructed of wood and iron. It is lined inside and out with weatherboard, including the ceiling of the classroom. The verandah is lined with fibro cement. The flooring is cyprus pine and the building is sitting on cypress blocks. The roof is of galvanised iron '(7).

ENDNOTES

1. Ariah Park School File 1898-1911 (AO NSW ref: 5/14674.4) 2. Government Schools of NSW 1848 to 1993, NSW Dept of School Education, 1993. 3. Teacher career records, NSW Dept of School Education. 4. Ariah Park School File 1911-1939 Bundle A (AO NSW ref: 5/14675.1) 5. Ariah Park School File 1911-1939 Bundle B (O NSW ref: 5/14675) 6. Heads of School Cards, NSW Dept of School Education. 7. Ariah Park School File (AO NSW ref: 14/7256) 8. Notes prepared by Dept of School Education and kept in its historical resources.

Copyright APCS 2005

ariahpark-c.school@det.nsw.edu.au

A NSW GOVERNMENT SCHOOL     -     http://www.det.nsw.edu.au