Page 95 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

102.

"CESSNOCK BR.II.NCH" SCHOOL

To follow the story and history of the "Cessnock Branch" school,
one must read the early history of the Cessnock Public School. To avoid
duplication, that same early history is not repeated here. This background
takes the history of the Cessnock Branch School right up to the time when
the growth of the township of Cessnock compelled the transfer of a school
and the headmaster, · Mr. Ernest Cameron, to a newly built building. The
location was more central and suitable to meet the demands of the dramatic
growth following the development of the new Greta coalfields in the area.

However, the old school in the cemetery grounds was maintained.
It was still under the control and administration of Mr. E. Cameron, who
for a time continued to reside in the school residence and to travel to
the newly built school in Aberdare. The old school was re-named "Cessnock
Branch" School. The teacher was C. Walker.

School enrolment numbers at the Cessnock Branch were maintained
and commenced to grow, as more and more mining developments caused a continuing
growth of Cessnock township. Soon agitation and public support sought a
transfer of the "Cessnocl< Br·anch" sc:1ool to a more suitable site in the
area.

Quite strong press publicity was shown towards the school in the
cemetery and the need for a transfe~. A detailed precis of a press article
published by Sydney's "Daily Mail" in the issue dated 11th August 1923,
is given in the Nulkaba School section. Perhaps as a result of the comments
in this article as to the "overcrowcing", a portable classroom had been
placed at the "Cessnock Branch" schcol on 26th April 1924.

The growth of the Cessnock-Aberdare Primary School in -both

enrolment numbers and status, plus the establishment of another school,
"West Cessnock" in the township of Cessnock, made the remote control of
Cessnock Br3nch school almost unworkable. After fifteen 115) years of
this sys tern, "Cessnock Branch" was r".::-na.rned "NulV.aba" and becaini:: a
separate school on 29th April 1922.