Page 227 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

250.

MOUNT WILLS SCHOOL

addressed to L. Kenny, Teacher, Cl- Thomas Wills.

The 1869 Annual Report from the Department of Public Instruction,
under the section 'Provisional Schools and Pupil Attendances' records this
entry:-

"MOUNT WILLS Enrolment
17 Boys and 19 Girls - Total 36 Pupils."

In the same 1869 report, under the section headed ninspectorial School Visits",
Inspector T. Dwyer records amongst his school inspections, the following:-

"MOUNT WILLS visited on 21st May 1869. The schoolhouse is
unsuitable, insufficient, and is wretchedly
furnished. The tone is modern, but the
occupation is barely suitable and awkwardly
conducted. The methods are very mechanical
and poorly effective. Pupil knowledge is
unsatisfactory."

During the year 1863, the McDonald family donated an area of ground
from their "Glenmore" property for the construction of a Presbyterian Church.
The Church was . built by Joseph Drayton, first Australian Patriarch of the well
known Drayton Wine family. Adjoining the Church, the McDonald family had
provided the land for the present "Glenmore" Cemetery.

Following the very unfavourable report made by Inspector T. Dwyer,
on the facility and condition of the Mount Wills School, the local School Board
looked for a new school location and premises. The School Board consisted
of William Boughton, George Chick and G.F. McDonald. It was only natural
that the new Church, almost opposite the school and donated by G.F. McDonald's
family, should be considered as the logical site for the school. Arrangements
were made with the Church to utilise the premises as a school .

. The actual date of occupation of the Church as a school classroom