Page 364 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

395.

WOLLOMBI PUBLIC SCHOOL

to be "L" shaped. The schoolroom suggested was to be thirty (30) feet by
seventeen (17) feet. The Master's quarters were to be twelve (12) feet by
seventeen (17) feet with a bedroom twelve (12) feet by twelve (12) feet.
The building was to have 'slabbed walls' nine (9) feet high and the joists,
rafters, posts, battens and floor boards were to be of sawn boards. The
structure was to be erected on a 'sleepers' base. The building was to be
shingle roofed with seven (7) windows; a double chimney was to be erected
to service both the classroom and the Master's quarters. The Government
Architect Robertson approved as reasonable, William Meadows' quote of £220.0.0
($440.00).

The Wollombi Local School Board did raise some objections to the
collecting of funds for the erection of a school building on what was considered
by the Local Board to be unsuitable land. However, on 21st September 1854,
it finally forwarded its one third share of £73.6.8 ($146.68). William Meadows
was then instructed to proceed with the construction. The local Wollombi
School Board, in a letter to the National Board dated 27th May 1855, advised
that the new Wollombi School and residence was completed and ready for occupancy

The Department of Public Instruction 1854 Annual Report, in Appendix
"A", under the heading 'Schools and Attendances', lists:-

"Wollombi - Re-opened in June 1855, and during the
calendar year, there were 30 pupils -
15 boys and 15 girls on the roll.
These had a daily average attendance
of 12 boys and 13 girls".

In October 1857, William Taylor of Wollombi had supplied a new desk
for £3.10.0 ($7.00). In November 1857, masonry repairs were made to the
schoolhouse chimney at a cost of £3.0.0 ($6.00). On 15th Ja~uary 1858, Charles
Kelly of Wollombi completed the erection of forty six (46) perches of fencing.
For this ~ork he was paid £14.0.5 ($2 2 .05). In Februar1 1858, a school bell
was purchased and including the erection of a pole, cost £6.13.8 ($13.38).