Page 343 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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WATT AGAN CREEK SCHOOL

Wattagan School thus:-

"The schoolroom is in a rude slab hut, which is moderately
weatherproof. The classroom itself is kept clean.
Discipline is of a moderate standard. Teaching methods
are earnest and careful. The proficiency of the pupils
is of fair standard".

The 1869 Annual Report for the Department of Public Instruction records
that during that year, Wattagan Provisional School was further reduced in status
to that of a 'Half-time' school. Research to date has not disclosed with what
school Wattagan Creek was sharing the teacher. However, in February 1870,
Wattagan Creek was still of 'Half-time' status, but in this year (1870) its
teacher Sarah Lynch, was shared with Dairy Arm half-time school. This half-
time basis continued between Wattagan Creek and Dairy Arm for several years.
In his 1873 Annual Report to his superiors, Inspector J.S. Jones records that
he was unable to examine Wattagan Creek and Dairy Arm Schools because they were
closed for want of a teacher.

William Kent became teacher of the 'Half-time' schools of Wattagan
Creek and Dairy Arm in October 1873. In his 1874 Annual Report, Inspector
Jones records visiting these two half-time schools.

When in June 1875, the Dairy Arm School could not maintain sufficient
pupils, even for 'Half-time' school status and had to close, Wattagan Creek
was elevated to 'Provisional' school grade with Teacher Thomas Power. On 20th
June 1876, Thomas Power wrote to the Department of Public Instruction complaining
that attendances at his school were very small because the parents were employing
the children to assist in their farming pursuits. His school enrolment was
twenty five (25) pupils, but their daily average attendance was only fourteen
(14) pupils.

Inspector J. Jones added his complaints to the situation. He reporti::d
that the local School Board failed to provide a lavatory as he had requested
and there were other items he had ~numerated still requiring urgent repairs.