Page 270 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

293.

OAKVALE PUBLIC SCHOOL

basis of a three (3) months trial. Inspector J. Bradley was directed by the
Council to keep a close watch on the Oakvale School.

Inspector Bradley made his official annual examination of Oakvale
Public School on 29th November 1871. In his report to his superiors, he
stated:-

"On 29th November 1871, I examined Oakvale Scho'ol. I
found nine boys and seven girls in attendance from an
enrolment of 13 boys and 15 girls. The schoolhouse
is fair for the place, but needs additional furniture.
The classroom is not tidily kept. Discipline was
tolerable. Instructions given were fair and the
teacher's methods generally suitable".

On 1st February 1872, at the end of the three mc~ths trial period,
Inspector Bradley made another visit to Oakvale Public School. He reported
by letter to the Council of Public Instruction that "I ha'le fo1.md much
improvement in Steinbeck's work".

Whilst enroute to examine Buchanan Church· of England Denominational
School on 17th June 1872, Inspector Bradley paid an 'unexpected' visit to the
Oakvale Public School. Perhaps the r'reedom . from inspections for over four
months had lulled Teacher Steinbeck into a false sense of freedom from possible
supervision. However, at 10.10 a.m. on that day, Inspector Bradiey found the
school's day had not begun and the children still romping in the playground.
Inspector Bradley stated that he found the classroom to be very untidy; the

class roll had not been marked for over a week; some school fees had been paid

within the past fortnight and were shown in the Oakvale School ?ees· Account
Book, but no receipts had been made out. There were a ntL~ber of other neglects
and defects.

When Ir.specter Bradley told Mr. Steinbeck he inter.dee to recorrunend
his dismissal to the Council, Teacher Steinbeck gave immediate notice of his
resignation. Upon receipt of this, Inspector Bradley recomme~ced to the Council