Page 325 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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356.

SAWYERS GULLY SCHOOL
STATE ARCHIVES FILE NO. - 5/17599

Sawyers Gully, situated on the old Maitland-Wollombi road, evidently
acquired its name from the timber or bush workers, who won trees from the
area. In the very early days "Deadman' s Creek" obtained its name from a
traditional story, that an overseer brutally killed some of his convict
road-makers on its banks. George Brown, coroner and business entrepreneur
at Cessnock, in about 1880, had established a timber mill in this area.

A request was made on 12th August 1893 for the establishment of
a provisional school at Sawyers Gully. In the application, it was stated
that there were about twenty (20) children between the ages of four (4)
years to fourteen (14) years within a two mile radius of the proposed school.
This was within the requirements set out by the Department of Instruction.
The Department gave its approval and it appointed W. Hall, John Murray, John
Farrell and Richard Lodge as the Local School Board.

On 2nd February 1894, a provisional school was established at
Sawyers Gully. It operated in a room at the home of John Millard, a selector.
The rental for the rocm was two shillings and six pence ($0.25¢) per week.
The first teacher was Samuel Fuller. He had twenty (20) pupils enrolled,
seven (7) boys and thirteen (13) girls.

The school room in the John Millard home was of very poor standard.
In April 1897, the te2cher, James Mc Shane, requested the Department of
Instruction to ceil the classroom with calico, canvas or wood.

By the end of December 1897, school enrolment numbers had sharply
dropped. Consequently, with the start of 1398, Sawyers Gully School became
a 'half-time' school status. The teacher, Archibald Mc Inness, was shared
week about with Brown Muir School.

Sawyers Gull] School was re-named Hedden School on 20th ;12rch 1899.
The enrolments had Shown a slight improvement, sufficient in February 1900
to again become a provisional school. !rlilliam Forrest was appointed the
teacher. The increas~ in pupil numbers continued and in October 1903, the