Page 127 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

134.

CONGEWAI SCHOOL
(ORIGINAL NAME EGLINFORD PUBLIC SCHOOL)

When Arthur H. Rattan took over the school in January 1912, he
complained strongly to the Department about the sub-standard conditions.
Inspector W. Cornish investigated the complaint and in his report to his
superiors, recommended the construction of a new school. The Publ~c Works
Department prepared plans and specifications. The new building was to be
a timber structure, twenty one (21) feet by seventeen (17) feet and was to
have a verandah and also lavatories with concrete floors. The classroom was
designed to accommodate forty (40) pupils. Eglinford (later Congewai) School
enrolment at this date totalled twenty eight (28) pupils. The Public Works
Department had estimated that the new school should cost £180.0.0 ($360.00).

When tenders were called, the successful contractor was Mr. Joe
T. Henry of Morpeth, with his tender of £249.10.0 ($499.00) which was dated
6th March 1912. The schocl was completed on 23rd May 1912. The old building
was converted on 16th March 1916 to a weathershed by Mr. A. Powell of Ellalong.
For this work, he was paid £10.15.0 ($21.50).

On 15th December 1915, Mr. R. Payne of Ellalong, was paid £2~10.0
($5.00) to make repairs on the school's water storage tanks. The Education
Department's works staff made minor repairs and a repaint of the school on
19th May 1927. The work estimate was assessed at £62.7.6 ($124.76).

On 7th February 1930, a petition from the residents of the area .
requested that the school na~e be changed from Eglinford to Congewai.

By the end of 1931, Congewai School (previously Eglinford) had
reached a total of thirty three (33) pupils. The Education Department used
the unemployed relief work to improve the Congewai School, by extending the
building ten (10) feet, plus minor carpentry and plumbing repairs. The work
was authorised by Order No. 2607, dated 26th April 1934. New additional
school furniture was requisiticned - this included five (5) desk tops and
forms with back rests, e3ch t0 be six (6) feet eight (8) inches long.