Page 120 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools
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CESSNOCK WEST SCHOOL
On 9th October 1925, a portion of the playground was tar-sealed
by the contractor, Mr. M. Audet, at a cost of £95.12.3 ($191.23).
Enrolments continued to increase. It became necessary on 14th
October 1925 to make use of a portable classroom for school accommodation.
On 19th March 1926, a new portable double-room classroom was transported from
the Education Department's work section at Drummoyne to the Cessnock
West School grounds. The Department assessed the cost of construction and
transport of this new unit at £599.1 .8 ($1 ,198.18). With the arrival
of this portable classroom, the rental of the Picture Palace was cancelled
and the two clas·ses held there were transferred to the portable classrooms.
By 7th November 1926, the enrolments at the primary school had reached
four hundred and forty six (446) pupils, two hundred and six (206) boys and
two hundred and forty (240) girls. These pupils were being taught by nine
(9) teachers in eight (8) classrooms. The infants school had two hundred
and ninety nine (299) pupils, who were housed in five (5) rooms. The Education
Department called tenders for the construction of a new infants school. The
successful contractor was Southton and Waller of 112 Dumaresq Street, Ha~ilton.
Their quote had been £5,351 .18.9 ($10,703.89) and the building was completed
on 2nd June 1927.
To provide a larger playground for this new infants building, Lot
No's. 6,7,14 and 15 Section "A" were resumed.
On 8th June 1927, by Education Department Requisition No. 0-99,
a further portable double-room classroom was transported to Cessnock West
School. Costs of this portable classroom for its construction and transport
were estimated at £545.15.4 ($1 ,091 .54).
On 15th February 1928, a further vacant block, Lot No. 8,
Sec tion "A", facing Wollombi Road was resumed. This bloc I< was owned by
John Smith, who was paid £145.0.0 ($290.00) compensation. This made the
total Cessnock West School area two and a half (2~) acres. W. Williams
