Page 340 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

371 .

SWEETMANS CREEK SCHOOL

On 2nd April 1907, Joseph Head of Lamb ton, completed the construction
of a new school building and lavatories. The old school, which had been
situated up on the side of a hill and closer to Millfield (on a four [4]
acre site), was purchased for £5.0.0 ($10.00) on 10th August 1907 by A.O.
Sweetman. The new building, designed to accornmoda te forty (40) pupils, was
erected closer to the main road.

A Parents and Citizens Association for Sweetmans Creek School
was formed on 19th May 1910 with W. Howell as Secretary. This Association
was given permission to use the school classroom to hold its meetings.

One of the Parents and Citizens Association's first efforts was
to endeavour to have a teacher's residence erected. The school's enrolment
at this date was twenty (20) pupils, with a daily average attendance of
e i g ~: een (18). To meet the request, the Department of Public Instruction
2ro 22se d to shift the Laguna s chool teacher's residence to Sweetmans Creek.
Laguna residents immediately submitted a pe ti ti on opposing such a move.
However, this proposal did not proceed because when tenders were called to
transport the Laguna residence, none were received. The Department's
archi:ect estimated that it would cost £400.0.0 ($800.00) to construct a
four (4) roomed dwelling plus a kitchen and laundry. Mr. G.H. Morton of
Hopetoun Street Kurri, submitted a tender of £466.15.0 ($933.50). The
Department finally decided not to build the residence, but instead to use
teachers of single marital status.

A.O. Sweetman of Swee t mans Creek, on 7th April 1912, supplied a
new water storage tank at a cost of £2.12.6 (S5.26). When a newly appointed
teac her to the school , Edgar Squire, on 30th April 1912 complained about the
poor lighting and ventilation in the classroom, the Department engaged W.D.
i':orris of Seargeant Street Cessnock to make a window in the Northern wall.
t1r. W. Morris received £3.16.0 ($7.60) for this work. The school house was
e n s ~ arp sloping ground same th i rt y (30) fee~ from and above the main road
fe nce. On 22nd June 1913, Mr. W.D. Morris constructed a brick step approach
for which he was paid £7.8.0 ($14.80).