Page 92 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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CESSN0 CK SCH0 0 L

Cessnock High School as a high school (first class) was
established in 1934. Although still on the primary school site, it
was entirely separate. Mr. J.E. Murray was the first High School
headmaster. The new High School had an enrolment of nine hundred
(900) pupils. On 5th August 1938, the present high school building
on its present site was opened. The first headmaster was Mr. John
Gibson. By 1940 the school had 1 ,036 pupils, making it at that time
the largest high school in N.S.W., or perhaps even in Australia.
However more than one third of the pupils were housed in various areas.
Some in the "Annexe" in the primary school ground and some had to
travel to attend classes at the Technical College in South Cessnock.
During 1942, the classes previously held at the Technical College,
including metalwork, woodwork and technical drawing, were provided
accommodation at the "Annexe" in the primary school grounds. By 30th
September 1957, all the high school classes were housed in buildings
on the present site.

On 28th May 1946, playground improvements were made to the
Cessnock Primary School by the Education Department's repair and painting
staff. The cost of the project was estimated at £1 ,092.10.7 ($2,185.07).
On 15th February 1968, the staff in this section of the Department
effected repairs to some of the school buildings. These repairs were
assessed as costing £2,393.0.0 ($4,786.00).

A larger project was also completed by the Education Department's
staff on 29th October 1968. This work involved the construction of
a new food service block, a new toilet and ablution block and weathershed
or shelters covering 760 square feet. This major activity was estimated
to have cost £20,554.10.0 ($41 ,109.00).