Page 316 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

347.

R0 T HBURY S C H0 0 L

Mr. A. Mansfield, Government Architect, on 28th September 1878,
prepared plans for a schoolroom and residence. The school classroom was to
be thirty (30) feet by sixteen (16) feet and twelve (12) feet high. The
residence was to have three (3) rooms and a kitchen. Mr. Mansfield estimated
that his school and residence should cost £870.0.0 ($1,740.00). The building
was constructed by John Sanger Brown of Lochinvar. The records do not
reveal his price or the cause of his delay in completion. Miss E. Kempe,
the Department of Public Instruction's Architect, reported to her superiors
on 23rd January 1883, that the Rothbury school was complete and ready for
occupancy. It opened on 1st February 1883, with Miss Ellen Kenny as the
first teacher. On 12th March 1883, she reported to the Department that the
attendance was only nine (9) pupils, four (4) boys and five (5) girls, due
to the grape-picking season.

In a reply dated 15th May 1883, Inspector D. Bradley answered a
query by stating that Rothbur y and Mount 1.-Jills were the same are=.; Mount
Wills being the old school and Rothbury the new.

A new weathershed was completed on 30th September 1883, by Samuel
Buckingha'11 of Elderslie. His quote had been £50.0.0 ($100.00). ·On 11th June
1886, Thomas Woodworth of Branxton, made some repairs and repainted the school.
On 29th April 1889, Thomas Farnham placed a floor in the weathershed, put
spouting to the underground tank; fitted a new pump to the underground tank.
For all these items he was paid £11 .0.0 ($22.00).

Some local conflict arose in the area re. the appointment of Mrs.
Minnie Doyle. Some sections were seeking a male Protestant teacher. At this
date, enrolments totalled forty six (46) pupils, who had a daily average
attendance of thirty one (31 ).

Early in February 1890, Albert Joass of Rothbury, made some repairs
to an elevated tan~. His price had been £7.10.0 ($15.00). Howe~er, these
repairs were not completely successful a~d Mr. Thomas Woodworth of Branxton