Page 100 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

107.

"CESSNOCK EAST" SCHOOL

Cessnock East school playground was increased by a further
area of three (3) acres, one (1) rood and twenty eight (28) perches, which
was advised in the Government Gazette dated 6th March 1942. This had been
part of Portion No. 460, Parish of Cessnock and had been within the Stock
and Cattle Reserve No. 38282. The area formed part of the Cessnock Tank area
that had been established in that reserve to assist Cessnock township's
water supply,. which was dedicated by Government Gazette issued 4th November
1904. This additional site had been sought by several previous Cessnock
East School headmasters, because they considered the playing area was far
too small for the school's enrolments.

Over-all repairs to the school grounds were completed by the
Education Department's staff on 16th October 1953. Costs of £650.6.0
($1 ,300.60) were charged to this activity.

School enrolment numbers continued to be maintained over the
years. With trends in class numbers and methods of teaching alterations
as objectives of the Teachers' Federation, pressure from the Cessnock East

P & C Association for more accommodation and supported by local Parliamentary

Representatives, found reward by the erection of a single timber classroom.
The successful contractor was N. Voigt with a tender of £7,500.0.0
($15,000.00), which was approved on 29th January 1959. Again, to relieve
the cramped accommodation, a new portable classroom was transferred from
Maitland during 1965.

However, these moves did not meet or remove the congestion.
The Education Department, on 5th May 1967, was compelled to have additions
to the school constructed. These additions consisted of two new classrooms,
a kindergarten classroom and an inf an ts classroom. These last two rooms
were separated by folding partitions. A new hat room and staffroom, another
toilet, a new ablution block, clinic an~ a food service u~it, made the
project quite a substantial effort. Tt~ succ~ssful contractor was N.E.
· Hinds Pty. L':d. of Adamstown. His tend~!:" pr'...ce was £33,090.0.0 ($66,180.00).
The work was completed and opened on 15th March 1968.