Page 279 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

302.

PAYNES CROSSING SCHOOL

Committee as funds for such a school.

The Department of Public Instruction evidently was still sympathetic
to the area, and decided to establish a Provisional School. A hut was rented
from Ann Payne at a charge of 4/- ($0.40) per week. Collins Bros., School
Suppliers of Sydney, forwarded material on 11th February 1880. Stockyard Creek
School is said to have commenced on 12th F~bruary 1880 with James Bourne as
teacher. There were twenty nine (29) pupils in attendance.

I

The Department of Public Instruction had despatched some furniture.
On arrival it was found to consist of two fourteen (14) feet long desks and
only one fourteen (14) feet long form. In view of his school enrolment numbers
Teacher James Bourne was directed by his Department to have built locally, one
additional desk fourteen (14) feet long and two more forms of simila~ length.

Inspector J. Maynard of Maitland, on making his annual examination
of Stockyard Creek School during 1882, recommended -

'' ........ that a new school should be constructed
instead of the cµrr.ently used wretched slab hut
and which also does not provide accommodation or
residence for the teacher."

The Department of Public Instruction accepted the recommendation and took steps
to obtain a suitable site. A Government Grant of 4 acres 1 rod 0 perches,
was rr.ade on 28th November 1882, and gazetted on 4th December 1882. This land
was Portion No. 7, Parish of Coolamon. Portion No. 8, adjacent to the school
site was also reserved at the same time.

When tenders for the cbnstruction of a new school were called, the
successful contractors were R. and J. Jurd of West Maitland, with their quote

of £S38.0.0. ($1,276.00). The builders were authorised to proceed on 12th

Marc:-, 1883. When the building was partly completed, the Department decided
to move the structure to a higher plateau on the same . four (4) acre site.
Their officers had estimated the cost of the change of position as being