Page 211 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

234.

MISTLETOE FARM SCHOOL

ment paid the account.

Because of the family feuds, school attendance suffered badly.
Finally, in order to establish peace and harmony at the school, Inspector Lynch
recommended that the school, with a possible fourteen (14) regular attenders,
should be moved to a new site. This was on two (2) acres of land donated
by Mr. M.J. Quinn for a peppercorn rental. The site selected by Inspector
Lynch was opposite the junction of Belford Road and Deasy's Road. Very strong
objections were raised by F. Bendeich of the 11Hazeldale" property. However
the Department, having accepted their Inspector's recommendation, remained
adamant. The school was moved by J. Matthews of Rothbury at a tender price
of £12.10.0. ($25.00). It was opened in its new position with a new teacher,
Mrs. Mary Martha Hickey, on 21st August 1917. Subsequently, the Department
of Education resumed five (5) acres. The Government Gazette dated 11th March
1921, shows the Mistletoe Farm School and grounds as being sited on Part of
Portion No. 168, Parish of Rothbury, County of Northumberland.

Avery Tyrell, on 17th August 1930, applied to the Depart~ent of Edu-
cation for a paddock to be fenced to hold the schoolchildren's horses. He
stated that his children had a five mile journey daily and that their horses
were their only means of transport. The Department of Education rejected
the application due to lack of funds but indicated to Mr. Tyrell that it had
no objection to parents carrying out such work.

On 12th November 1932, Mrs. R.E. Phillips complained about the severit~
of punishment meted out to pupils, particularly her children, by the teacher,
Mr. Darrell Edmonds. An investigation by the Department into the charge did
not support her allegations.

A police report dated 7th May 1937, advised of a breaki~g and entering.
The teacher, Fredrick Griffin, advised his Department of the petty theft of
twelve (12) penny writing tablets.

Like other areas, and with population moves, the school enrolments
dwindl~d and the total fell to thirteen (13) pupils. During early 1937, the