Page 32 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

27.

ABE RNE T HY S C H 0 0 L

consisting of four (4) acres three (3) roods thirty-one (31) perches
was dedicated as a school site and 'gazetted' on 24th July, 1915.

A continuing growth in school enrolments, and indications
that this particular Cal~donian Collieries pit, 'Aberdare South', was
planned to be one of the largest of the Caledonian Collieries Group,
pressured . the Education Department into drawing up plans for a new school
and teacher's residence.

The new school was completed and ready for occupation by 20th
February, 1918. The contractor had been Mr. A. Partridge-Wall of East
Maitland and his contract price had been £797.10.6. ($1,595.05). The
records show that just prior to the opening, along with other school
furniture, twenty (20) desks were despatched from Sydney on 17th January
1918. In the first quarter of 1918 enrolments had reached fifty seven
(57) pupils, who had an average daily attendance of fifty (51). The
first headmaster was Oscar T. Shaft, and his assistant (Mrs.) Eva Shaft.

Tenders were also called during 1918.for the const~~ction
of a teacher's residence. The Government architect set out the style
to be as that of the Education Department's standard 'Block Plan No.
4 (construction - wood)'. The successful tenderer was E. He:·1son, at
a price of ~950.0.0. ($1,900.00). The residence was erected en the corner
of Knox and Dapto Streets, Abernethy.

During September 1927, electricity was connected tc the school
and teacher's residence and on 28th November 1927, t~ey were connected to
the Hunter District Water Board mains. Both were repainted c•Jring
October 1928. The contract price for the painting was £119.19.4. ($239.94).

At the end of 1928, enrolments had reached nine~y (~J) pupils.