Page 117 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

124.

CESSNOCK WEST SCHOOL

a sub-division land sale by Caledonian Collieries. The particular area
purchased was Lot No. 1, Section "A". The Caledonian Collieries' land
had been part of "Farm Lot No. 24" from the original David Campbell's
Cessnock Estate land sale in 1853. The Caledonian Collieries sought
a price of £590.0.0 ($1 ,180.00) for the school block. The Government
Valuer General estimated the site value at £390.0.0 ($780.00). However,
the Education Department agreed to settle at an amount of £465.0.0
($930.00).

Sketch plans were _prepared for a new school for this site.
They show three (3) classrooms, each twenty-three (23) feet by twenty-
one (21) feet six (6) inches. At each end of these classrooms was a
hat room measuring eighteen (18) feet by seven (7) feet. A verandah
eight (8) feet six (6) inches wide ran the full length of the building.
When tenders were called, Mr. Montague Audet of Maitland, was the successful
contractor. His original tender price was £1 ,638.0.0 ($3,276.00), but
some alterations required by the Education Department added an extra
£256.6.8 ($512.68) making the final total cost £1 ,894.6.8 ($3,788.68).

The school was completed and opened on 31st May 1920 with one
hundred and forty six (146) pupils enrolled. The first headmistress
was Miss Amy Mc Gook. The Education Department shows in its records
the first school furniture supplied as being:-

84 dual desks
2 pointers
tripod
3 large tables
3 medium tables
3 small tables
5 chairs

A sanitary pan service was commenced on 5th June 1920.