Page 45 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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BE LLBI RD S C H0 0 L

a verandah thirty (30) feet by eight (8) feet. On 14th November 1923
the additional work was completed and occupied. By this date the enrolment
number had grown to two hundred and sixty two (262) pupils. In this
new section, to form a manual training room, a portion of the verandah,
an area fifteen (15) feet by eight (8) feet was enclosed. Furniture
was provided by transporting benches from Pelaw Main school.

Enrolments of pupils had grown to two hundred and ninety eight
(298) by 10th September 1924. This meant that such large numbers were
being taught by six (6) teachers in five (5) rooms. The headmaster,
George Ridley, requested additional accommodation. The Education Department
authorised that a single portable classroom twenty-four (24) feet by
twenty-one (21) feet, with a verandah twenty-four (24) feet by six (6)
feet, should be shifted from the Teachers' College, Double Bay to
Bellbird Public School. On 2nd July 1925, by Order No. 9266, the Education
Department approved the expenditure of £120.7.6 ($240.75) on the painting
of the transported portable classroom.

In March 1925, a request by Bellbird Progress Association
for the construction of two (2) weathersheds was denied.

On 19th June 1926, electric power from the Hetton-Bellbird
Colliery was installed.

On 19th February 1927, the headmaster, Frank Byrne, made an
application for a further additional portable schoolroom. It was not
until 1st July 1927 that the Education Depar::.ment gave approval by
Order No. 15882, at a cost of £304.6.9 ($608.69). Also, during
Feb!"'uary 1927' an additional area of one (1 ) acre, two (2) rods,
nineteen (19) perches was resumed and added to the school grou!"ld land.
On 21st April 1927, the Bellbird Parents and Citizens' Association
applied to the Education Depar::.ment for the construction of a
heac::iaster.'s residence. The Department denied th::; application.