Page 346 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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WATT AGAN CREEK SCHOOL

The 1890's saw problems for the Wollombi Brook regions to maintain
sufficient pupil numbers to hold their status even as 'Provisional' schools.
Dairy Arm in 1889, had difficulties in obtaining a teacher. Commencing in
January 1890, Dairy Arm School had an enrolment of sixteen (16) pupils and Mount
Finch had eleven (11) pupils. The Department decided that the best arrange-
ment to provide a teacher was to combine Dairy Arm and Mount Finch as 'Half-
time' schools. By 1893, as the numbers had dropped to eight (8) pupils, it
was resolved to close Mount Finch School and to unite Dairy Arm and Murrays
Run as 'Half-time' schools. It is interesting to note that seven (7) of the
eight (8) Mount Finch pupils joined the Dairy Arm School.

Murrays Run 'Half-time' school was the next to feel the effects of
the loss of school enrolments. In March 1893, there were eleven (11) pupils
enrolled. By September 1894, enrolments had again dropped dramatically.
As a result, Murrays Run 'Half-time' school was closed on 30th August 1894.
Dairy Arm School was joi ned with Wattagan Creek on a 'Half-time' basis, with
Teacher Alex Lochrin being shared. This union continued until 15th October
1910, when with seventeen (1/) pupils enrolled, Dairy Arm was raised in status
to that of a 'Provisional' school. On this same date Wattagan Creek 'Half-
time' schcol was joined with Laguna 'Half-time' school, sharing Teacher A.E.
Cory. This linking was retained until 30th July 1926, when Laguna School became
a 'Provisional' and Wattagan Creek was closed.

Meantime, more major repairs were made and completed on 8th December
1919, by W.2. Woodbury. He supplied the materials and including his labour,
was paid £7.17.6. ($15.76). The work had included a new roof on the boys'
lavatory. He also had to re-ha ng the schoolhouse door. Over a period, white
ants had caused damage to the schoo~ building. For these repairs Mr. Woodbury
supplied:-

Ten ne1,.; ;1all-slabs Ten f eet by six inches by H inches
One angle-stud
One 'riind c;,1-s tud Te n feet si x inches by four inches by four inches
One verandah plate Ter. feet six inches by four inches by three inches
Si:< feet by four inches by three inches.

Finally, the building was re-surfaced with cold water paint.