Page 166 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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K I T C HE NE R S C H0 0 L

One - Six (6) feet by four (4) feet Press
One - Three (3) feet by two (2) feet Table
One - Chair.

School commenced on 7th December 1916 with George L. Evans as the
first teacher. He had a total enrolment of twenty-two (22) pupils, ten (10)
boys and twelve (12) girls. The teacher, Mr. G.L. Evans, could not find
accommodation in Kitchener and he travelled from Cessnock by horse. For this
he was granted a forage allowance of £10. 0. 0. ($20.00) per annum: A local
resident was paid £3. 0. 0. ($6.00) on 19th February 1917 for removing under-
growth from the play area.

In July 1917, the teacher, Mr. G.L. Evans advised the Education
Department that his classroom had no ceiling. In order to relieve the very

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cold conditions he requested that the class rooms should be lined with pine
boards, or alternatively, with hessian. The Departmental Inspector who
examined the request obtained a quote of £13. 0. 0. ($26.00) for pine board
lining. Because it was a rented premises, and for this he considered this
price was too high, he recommended that this course not be followed. The
Inspector thought that the hessian lining was also too dear. He suggested
that a stove and iron smoke piping be supplied instead. The Education
Department adopted this alternative and forwarded the .stove in late July.

When Aberdare Central Colliery commenced to produce coal in
September 1917 and gave indications that it had good prospects, the Education
Department took the initiative and obtained an area of five (5) acres three (3)
roods fourteen (14) perches in Section No. 17, Village·of Kitchener as a future
school site. Mr. S. Nicholson surveyed the area which was dedicated and
gazetted on 8th March; 1918.

School numbers grew slowly. By February 1919 the total enrolments
had reached sixty ~0) pupils. The teacher, George L. Evans, advised his
Department that his school had six (6) desks, each seating five (5) pupils -
provision only for thirty (30) pupils. From his enrolment of sixty (60)
pupils, he had a daily average attendance of forty-nine (49). He requested