Page 261 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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284.

NUL KABA S C H 0 0 L

commenced with 108 pupils and was immediately overcrowded. Mr. Cameron
continued to live in the Allandale School residence. Because of the large
enrolment at the new school, Headmaster Cameron recommended that the Allandale
Road School should be kept open. This recommendation was accepted. Mr.
C. Walker took charge of the old school which was re-named "Cessnock Branch
School".

Cessnock town quickly developed and expanded with the ever increasing
mine developments. People commenced to elect to live in the new towns with
the men travelling to work at the mines. Real Est.ate 'Auction Sales' opened
up many areas surrounding the old Cessnock Village. The Cessnock-Aberdare
Primary School was increased in size to house the large school population.
In 1915, when these enrolment numbers had exceeded 1~000 pupils, major
construction was required.

Meanwhile, Cessnock Branch School maintained its enrolment and
increased, as more people settled and built in areas closer to the Cessnock
Branch School. There was much agitation by these people to have a new school
built and re-sited. The 'Branch' school had been built near the old cemetery
and in the early days this cemetery, like the school, had also been small.
However, the influx of many thousands of people in nearly twenty years had seen
the cemetery size also increase and encroach closer to the school.

For over fifteen (15) years, 'Cessnock Branch' School was administered
as an adjunct to the Cessnock-Aberdare Primary School. In the records of the
Education Department the teachers at Cessnock Branch School for this period
are shown as being members of the Cessnock-Aberdare Primary School staff.
Both schools continued to grow in pupil enrolment numbers. Another school,
"C~ssnock West", with its own administration, had opened in closer proximity
to the Cessnock-Aberdare School. In 1920, the Cessnock-Aberdare School had
also become an unclassified Intermediate High School. These increases and
added responsibilities finally encouraged the Education Department to sever
the remote control and to divide into two schools. The old Ces~nock Branch
School was re-named "Nulkaba School" on 29th April 1922. Teacher Michael
Waters was placed in charge.