Page 353 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

384.

WE S T 0 N S C H 0 0 L

w. Williams Labourer Aged 16 years
Grocer " 16 II
R. Gollan Fruiterer 17II II
Con Aslanis Blacksmith 20II II
H. Curton Grocer " 17 II

o. Luker

Teacher McKay advised his Inspector that he had to purchase six (6) kerosene
lamps at 15/- ($1.50) to provide sufficient lighting for his evening class.
Within one month, Mr. McKay reported that twenty seven (27) persons enrolled
for the evening school. However, by 4th December 1909, Teacher McKay
recommended that the evening school be discontinued, due to "no attenders".

On 19th October 1910, the Department of Public Instruction announced
the formation of an Infants Department at Weston School. The same report showed
that at that date the school had seven (7) teachers and 377 pupils. Further,
that R. Aikman's house in Weston had been rented for use as the Principal's
residence.

Weston Primary School was destroyed by fire at 9.30 a.m. on Sunday
21st December 1913. At the time the alarm was received, Kurri Fire Captain
Percival was visiting Weston Fire Captain Jarvis. Despite that, both the Kurri
Fire Brigade of nine (9) Firemen and the Weston Fire Brigade of four (4) Firemen,
were soon in attendance. However, the school was destroyed because even the
joint efforts of both brigades failed to contain the blaze. An inquest was
held at Weston on 30th December 1913, to determine the cause of the fire and
the persons responsible. A reward of £100.0.0. ($200.00) was offered for
information leading to a conviction.

The loss of the school building required immediate action by the

De~artment to per~it the school to continue to function. Shedden's Hall was

once more rented and housed 120 pupils. The Infants class and Lower First

class, totalling •r- pupils, were placed in the Methodist Chur-:h under the

l. 'J (

supervision of teachers Miss Surtees and Miss Johnson. The Methodist Church

had been acquired at a weekly rental of 12/6d. ($1.25) per week.