Page 313 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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344.

R0 C KV I E W S C H 0 0 L

On 15th April 1901, tenders were called by the Department of Public
Instruction for the lining of the school classroom with Gunnedah Pine. Mr.
Albert Joass was the only tenderer with a quote of £13.10.0 ($27.00). The
Department would not accept this tender considering it to be too high. The
work was finally done by the parents who also provided a ceiling.

Every February from 1903 to 1909, with an enrolment of thirteen
(13) pupils, the school had to close for varying periods from ten (10) days
to three (3) weeks, whilst the pupils worked in the vineyards during the
vintage season.

Following a request from the teacher, the Department of Public
Instruction on 1st July 1907, directed Mr. George Russell of Branxton to erect
a chimney and fireplace at the school. In the same contract, Mr. Russell
was required to supply and stand a four hundred (400) gallon water storage
ta~k. For the total work, he was paid £8.7.0 (S16.70).

On 10th June 1909, the Department of Public Instruction closed the
school because enrolments had dropped to seven (7) pupils. Despite an
application and a petition forv1arded late in the same year by Mr. C.J. Bercini, .
the Department would not alter its earlier decision and the school remained
closed.

On 3rd March 1915, Mr. 0. Guest, teacher at Rothbury, was reported
in the Maitland Mercury newspaper, as stating that a new school at Mistletoe
Far~ was being built on Mr. Mc Girr's property. Further, that the Department
of Education planned to demolish the old Rockview school and utilise the
materials at the new site. However, the supervising inspector, after an
examination of Rockview, announced that its materials were not worth moving.

Teachers-in-Charge at Rockview School ~ere:-

James ?arrell 22nd May 1893
Minnie Hooper 22nd January 1895
Wallace Lennards 23rd September 1897