Page 21 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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ABERMAIN PRIMARY SCHOOL

Hall had one hundred and thirty seven (137) pupils. The two-roomed school
had one hundred and four (104) pupils, the average daily attendance of both
totalled one hundred and ninety nine (199). The inspector in a report dated
1st August 1909, had stated that when all pupils attended, some classes had to
be conducted in the open air .

. On 5th October 1907, the Lands Board (see 07-4726) had set aside
three acres of land in Allotment No. 1 Section No. 7 as a new school site.
This was between Dubbo and Melbourne Streets and bordered by Goulburn Street.
A further two (2) acres, two (2) rods, nine (9) perches, being Allotment Sectior
No. 7 was granted to the Education Department on 21st November 1912.

Pressure from the Abermain Progress Committee during early 1909
still sought the construction ~f a larger school on the new site. Increased
numbers of pupils forced the Department of Education to rent F. Hill's cottage
for use as extra classrooms. The need for the new school was urgent and
desperate.

Plans were drawn by the Public Works Architect, Mr. Mc Taggart,
which provided for eight (8) classrooms sized twenty-six (26) feet by twenty
(20) feet, two (2) teacher's rooms, two (2) entrance lobbies, two (2) hat
lobbies, plus toilets. The building was to be of wood on brick foundation.
The school was planned to accommodate 330 pupils. The successful tenderer
was George Taylor, contractor of Hamilton. The contract price of $2,146.0.0
($4,292.00) was accepted on 6th April 1909.

Town Water supply was connected to the school in progress on 7th
September 1909. The building was completed and was officially opened
by Mr. Matt Charlton, Member of Parliament, on Saturday 20th November 1909.
Before the morning opening, a procession led by Hebburn Colliery Brass Band,
had marched from Abermain Railway Station to the school. The Abermain
Citizen's Committee, headed by its Chairman, Mr. J. Parkinson, ent~rtained
the visitors and local people at a luncheon at the school. The new
school staff were introduced at the luncheon and took over and commenced