Page 38 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

33.

AL L ANDAL E S C H 0 0 L

had estimated a construction price of £270.0.0 ($540.00). Tenders
were called for the erection of a new schoolhouse. Its dimensions
were to be twenty-one (21) feet six (6) inches long by twenty (20)
feet six (6) inches wide by twelve (12) feet six (6) inches high.
It was to have a seven (7) feet six (6) inches by ten (10) feet verandah
and a seven (7) feet six (6) inches by ten (10) feet hat room. It
was designed to accommodate forty (40) children. The successful tenderer
was Reece Lewis. His contract price was £159.0.0 ($318.00). The
new building was completed and occupied on 6th July, 1909.

On 1st October, 1910 the old $lab school buildings were ·
sold for £10.0.0 ($20.00) to Dr. A. Oscar Walker of 'Woodville Cottage',
Greta, for use in his building at Greta.

Mr. F.W. Griffin took up duty as teacher-in-charge at Allandale
Public School on 3rd July, 1919. Three weeks later, when a regular
postmaster could not be found, Mr. F.W. Griffin also took up that
position, doing both jobs concurrently. To do this, he had first
to obtain the permission of the Education Department.

As enrolments slackened and lessened during the early 1920's,
a close watch was kept by the Education Depart~ent. .Finally a recommenda-
tion by the Departmental Inspector closed the school at the end of
December, 1927.

Some ten years later, some political pressur~ had the Allandale
Public School again re-opened. Mr. Bernard Harris was appointed teacher-
in-charge on 28th September, 1938. Enrolments were still not high
and almost immediately started to diminish. The school finally closed
per:nanently on 18th February, 1942.