Page 150 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

157.

ELLA LONG S C H 0 0 L

The first land acquired for the present school site was Allotment
No. 4, Section No. 9 of the Village of Ellalong and was obtained in June
1909. On 23rd September 1923, the school grounds were increased by an
additional two (2) acres two (2) roods twenty eight (28) perches, plus
an area of twenty five (25) perches from a closed lane. This was
achieved by the acquisition of Allotment No. 5, Section No. 9. This
acquisition was published in Gazette No. 209. The teacher's residence
remained at some distance from the new school and on its old original
site. This was on Allotment No. 2 Section No. 18 and was on an area of
four (4) acres three (3) roods ten (10) perches.

An application for a mining lease under the Ellalong school
teacher's residence was lodged on 2nd April 1924.

Water for the school had to be transported from Cessnock during
the summers of 1925 and 1926.

As a result of the new mining development and continuing
coal industry growth at Pelton Colliery in 1918 at Cessnock No. 1 Colliery
and Stanford Main No. 2 Colliery in 1922, and the tremendous growth of
population in surrounding villages, Ellalong also had its own mini-population
explosion. The Department of Education, in late 1927, decided to increase
the size of Ellalong Public School from one clas~room to three (3) classrooms,
each to accommodate forty eight (48) pupils, plus a hat room and a verandah.
The successful contractor was H.B. Sudlow of Desmond Street, C~ssnock.
His quote had been £1 ,388.10.0 ($2,777.00).

On 16th April 1928, Ellalong Hall was rented from Mr. W. King
at a rental of fifteen shillings ($1.50) per week to allow school classes,
whilst the renovations and additions were made. The new building was
ready for occupancy on 14th June 1928. The new school furniture arrived
on 24th September 1928. These included thirty six (36) dual primary desks,
which were thirty six (361 inches wide by twenty four (24) inches high;
twelve (12) infants desks thirty t•,10 (32) inches wide by twenty two (22)
inches high; also shelving etc.