Page 263 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

286.

NUL KAB A S CH0 0 L

Following the above newspaper article, on 21st August 1923,

Inspector F.W. Mannell made an investigation of Nulkaba School and furnished

his superiors with a report and recommendation. In his report the Inspector
said, in pa' rt:-

"I visited this school today. There is an enrolment
of 108, which is lower than usual on account of a
measles epedemic. It is generally about 120. The
accommodation consists of one room, 42 ft. by 16 ft.
affording space for 67 pupils. The average atten-
dance is over 90 in ordinary weather. There is no
hatroom or verandah. The weathershed (roof, 2 ends
and a floor) is sometimes used by the assistant, but
is quite unsuitable for teaching in".

Later, in the same report he stated:-

"The building, erected in 1876, is dingy and dilapi-
dated, but fit for occupation".

The Inspector's recommendation was for the erection of a portable
classroom as a temporary expedient. On Order of Requisition No. 7793, dated
26th April 1924, a portable classroom was despatched from Tempe workshops and
placed on the Cessnock Village side of the 'Branch' school. The cost of
transport was £101.19.9 ($203.99).

The Education Department had taken steps to obtain a new school site.
Section No. 5, Village of Nulkaba, an area of 4 acres 0 rods 32 perches, was
set aside and dedicated as a school building site in Government Gazette dated
2nd December 1924.

Plans were drawn up for the construction of a single storey brick
building with an asbestos-cement-slate roof. This was to ha~e three (3) class-
rooms, a staff-room and a hatroom. An eight (Q) feet wide enclosed verandah
ran the full length of the building on its northern side. The school was