Page 114 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

121.

CESSNOCK SOUTH SCHOOL

The Education Department records show that in February 1926 Mrs.
A. Fitzpatrick was appointed as the first Headmistress; on 23rd March 1928
The Cessnock South School enrolment was eighty-eight (88) pupils and on 8th
March 1929, a weathershed was built.

Much political pressure was made between March and May 1934 as
to a change of location of Cessnock South Infants School. The Cessnock
Trades School was seeking to take over the Infants School and to utilise
the classrooms for plumbing courses. Quite strong moves were made by both
sides on the issue. The citizens of South Cessnock petitioned Governor
Philip Game by requesting that the infants school should be maintained.

A portable classroom was transferred on 5th April 1935, from
Carlingford to Cessnock South Infants School. By requisition No. 12795, the
Education Department had directed its workshop staff to make this transfer.

Due to a dramatic drop in infant school pupil enrolments from
eighty (80) to forty-two (42) pupils, the Cessnock South Infants School was
reduced in status on 5th May 1936 and became an adjunct of Cessnock-Aberdare
Primary School. Finally, the infants school was closed on 30th April 1939.

Again, agitation from South Cessnock residents brought about the
re-opening of Cessnock South Infants School with the start of the 1959
school year; earlier, during November and December 1958, the Education
Department's paint and repair staff had made renovations to a classroom,
which was then used as accommodation for the infants pupils. These
renovations have been estimated to cost £699.7.2 ($1,398.72).