Page 331 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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STANFORD MERTHYR SCHOOL

A school bell was supplied on 30th June 1903 by Halliday Brothers
of Erskine Street Sydney, at a cost of £8.17.6. ($17.76).

On 29th July 1903, a request was made by Mr. A.A. King of Maitland
to conduct mining Ambulance classes at the new school. Because of the nature
of the request, permission was granted.

The new school ground was fenced by Alfred Waters and James Webeck,
both of Pelaw Main. The fence was completed on 3rd September 1903 and the
two men were paid £57.4.3. ($114.43).

School pupil enrolments increased dramatically. A new town,
Kurri Kurri (popularly known as "Kurri"), had been surveyed. Pelaw Main and
Stanford Merthyr villages mushroomed as both these new collieries found their
coals in such demand and warranted extensions in the areas worked and numbers
of men employed. The Department of Public Instruction was very cognizant of
the Education requirement and took frequent surveys. Inspector H.D. McClelland
in December 1903, reported to his Department that ninety one (91) Kurri school
children were attending Pelaw Main School and one hundred and fifty four (154)
Kurri school children were attending the Stanford Merthyr School. On such
evidence, steps were taken to have a new school constructed at Kurri.

Meanwhile, teacher H. Brown applied for urgent additional school
accommodation at the Stanford Merthyr school. His school enrolment which
had been one hundred and forty two (142) pupils in August 1903, more than
doubled that of his first day's pupil numbers. When there were one hundred
and ninety (190) pupils at the end of September 1903, immediate attention
was required. Inspector H.D. McClelland had been closely watching this
population explosion in the Kurri - Heddon Greta - Pelaw Main - Stanford
Merthyr areas. Because he was aware of his Department's plans to perhaps
build a new school at Kurri, his recommendations for Stanford School might
have been influenced by this knowledge.

Inspector McClelland recommended a 'cheap lean-to' verandah
room, sixteen (16) feet wide on the southern end of the school room. Because