Page 23 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

18.

ABERMAIN PRIMARY SCHOOL

from the original school site at Abermain and re-erect at the new Neath
Infants school.

The old school site was the matter for discussion between
the Education Department and the Lands Department on a number of occasions
between 1912 and 1939. In 1939 the Education Department advised that
it was no longer interested in additional school sites at Abermain.
The original grant was then cancelled and the site reverted to Crown
Land.

In 1914, 414 pupils were enrolled, and these had a daily average
attendance of 316. Numbers continued to be maintained. By the beginning
of the 1919 year (27th January, 1919) there were 439 pupils enrolled.

During the winter of 1915, Mr. M. Audet, building contractor
of Maitland, installed brick chimneys in all the classrooms at a contract
price of £95.15.0 ($191 .50). The same contractor erected two weather-
sheds on 3rd April, 1918 for a price of £275.0.0 ($550.00).

Towards the end of the 1918 school year, a kindergarten class
was commenced in one of the weathersheds. This had been constructed
partially in the design of pavilion classrooms, with some thought towards
a later expansion to an additional classroom. It was found that the
open-walled area required protection for the kindergarten class by enclosing
the gaps with blinds. Added work for the teachers, was that furniture,
etc., had to be transported daily from the pavilion room to the main
building. The pavilion-weathershed was enclosed by the Department of
Education's work staff at a cost of £94.0.0 ($188.00).

During the 1920's, many applications were made by the
Abermain Parents and Citizens Association, and equally supported by
the headmaster and his staff for more classroom accommodation, plus
repairs anc re-painting of the existing buildings. Many plans by the