Page 67 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

74.

B UC HANAN S C H 0 0 L

the Buchanan school and residence were on freehold land; that these
buildings, including the outhouses were of timber construction but
were in poor state of repair. This condition would seem to indicate
that the Denominational school at Buchanan had had a number of years
existence. The report also advised that the school accommodation was
adequate; that it had a sufficiency of books and furniture; that
the school had a playground and a clock.

Some details for Buchanan School appear in the 1864, 1865
and 1866 Annual Reports. One of special significance should be shown
- this is that in the 1864 repo~t, the Buchanan schoolteacher is recorded
as being G. Molster, who was on an annual salary of £60.0.0 ($120.00).
The 1867 Annual Report registers an inspection made to Buchanan
Denominational School on 16th December 1867. This account shows that
Mr. G. Molster was still the teacher at a now increased salary of £72.0.0
($144.00) · per annum. On the day of inspection, there were eleven (11)
boys and five (5) girls at school. The Inspector considered the pupils
to be well-conducted, orderly and tolerably at~entive. He considered
the teacher's me~hods to be inanimate and devoid of energy and that
as a result, the proficiency of the pupils was very small. He did
think that the school premises were in moderate repair and reasonably
sufficient for the area.

In 1870, whilst the Church of England Denominational School
at Buchanan was still functioning, a N2tional Public school w-as opened
at Oakvale, about two miles north of the Church schoql. The first
teacher at Oakvale School was W.illiam Byron Steinbech. In July 1872,
this teacher was dismissed for ignoring instructions. Whe~ no other
teacher could be found as a replacement, Oakvale school was closed.

Public meetings, petitions and agitation over the next few
years showed the endeavours and enthusiasm of the local Buchanan residents
to again hav~ a National Public School established in their area.
But problems arose as to the most suitable location. Mr. James Price, who