Page 272 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

295.

PAXTON SCHOOL

STATE ARCHIVES FILE NO. 5/17297-2

One of the last mining areas to be developed was that of Stanford
Main No. 2 Colliery. This had been promoted by the East Greta Coal Mining
Company. This was an area of 2574 acres of surface freehold and development
commenced in the early part of 1922. By February 1923, the colliery was
producing coal.

As in other mining areas, this development had soon attracted its
own mining village. Parents within this new village were soon seeking the
establishment of a school. Mr. James Kelly, the Secretary of a newly formed
Paxton Progress Association, forwarded written requests dated 24th February
1923, 4th April 1923 and 14th May 1923. With one of these letters, Mr. Kelly
had forwarded a two page petition signed by twenty (20) parents and displaying
the names of thirty five (35) children, whose ages ranged from 5 to 14 Years,
all living within a quarter of a mile from the centre of the village. Mr.
J. Kelly had stated that the nearest school was over three (3) miles distant
and some of · these children were walking to Ellalong to attend school.

Finally, the Department of Education agreed to establish a school.
During the negotiations, a Mrs. Florence M. Hindmarsh had offered to rent an
enclosed verandah of her home as a temporary school at a weekly rental of 10/-
($1.00). The school commenced on 5th June 1923, with Mr. Daniel O'Donnell
as the first teacher. The school started with an enrolment of thirty seven
(37) pupils. The Department had provided seven (7) . desks which seated five
(5) pupils each. So, on the very first day, seating was two short.

The teacher, Mr. D. O'Donnell had also offered his own two building
blocks situated alongside James and Florence Hindmarsh' residence and the now
temporary school, to be used as a temporary playground. Inspector W.E. James
considered the 'Hindmarsh' School accommodation, which was twenty six (26) feet
long by ten (10) feet wide, was much too crowded. Towards the e~d of 1923,
when the school enrolment had reached fifty eight (58) pupils, Inspector
W. James arranged with Archdeacon Saxon to rent the Church of England Parish
Hall at Paxton. The hall was rented at £1.10.0. ($3.00) per week from 14th