Page 168 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

191.

KI T CHE NE R S C H 0 0 L

Plans for the Kitchener Public School were for it to be a timber
building with a corrugated iron roof. It was to have two classrooms, each
twenty three (23) feet by twenty three (23) feet, a hatroom fifteen (15) feet
by eight (8) feet and a verandah thirty one (31) feet by eight (8) feet.
The design was to accommodate eighty four (84) pupils. The Government Archi-
tect had estimated that the construction of the new schoo~ two lavatori~s and
fencing the school grounds could cost £850.0.0. ($1,700.00). Three (3) quotes
were received, ranging from ~1,129.0.0. ($2,258.00) to £1,458.0.0. ($2~916.00).
The successful tender was made by Mr. A. Watterson of Leichhardt who commenced
work on 6th January 1920, authorised by Contract N.o. 1564.

The new school was completed and ready for occupancy on 2nd August
1920. Some new furniture had been despatched from Sydney on 19th June 1920,
but it was mostly the old school furniture which was transferred and utilised
in the new school.

Prospects at Aberdare Central Colliery continued to expand and coal
production and output grew steadily. Increased numbers of miners resulted
in yet more and more children at Kitchener Public School. A further additional
teacher assistant had been appointed in May 1925. When the Education Depart-
ment's School Inspector, Mr. F.W. Mannell made his annual inspection, he found
the school enrolment had reached 122 pupils. These pupils were being taught
by three (3) teachers in the two (2) classrooms and on the school verandah.
In his report to his superiors on 5th June 1925, Inspector F.W. Mannell
indicated:-

"That electric lighting had recently been provided in Kitchener
Village; a Hotel licence had been tran~1ferred from Morp~~th to
Kitchener, and a Hotel was about to be erected. Although
Kitchener was unlikely to become an important place, recommend
that additional classrooms should be constructed. Pending
Department's decision on possible extensions, Batterham's Hall
should be hired to provide temporary accommodation."

The Education Department accepted their Inspector's recommend-
ation to lease Batterham's Hall. The Hall was leased at a weekly rental of