1

HistoryofSchoolinginthe

AvonValley,WA.

MissAmyCarleton’sPrivate‘GreywellLadies'FinishingSchool’,

SpringfieldProperty,Northam,1849-1906.

RebeccaDoughty,LocalResidentoftheAvonValley,2016

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“ThisbooklethasbeenproducedaspartoftheassessmentforARCH8403

DirectedStudyinCulturalHeritageManagement,agraduatetopicinthe

DepartmentofArchaeology,FlindersUniversity.”

Itmaybereproducedforeducationalpurposes.

3

Contents

ResearchProjectOutline Page4

RegionalSchoolsMap Page7

HeritageSites Page8

Acknowledgements Page9

ShireofNorthamSchools Page11

ShireofGoomallingSchools Page24

ShireofToodyaySchools Page34

ShireofBeverleySchools Page54

ShireofChitteringSchools Page59

ShireofYorkschools Page65

Researchresults Page78

SchoolListing Page81

References Page89

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ResearchProjectOutline

This projectwas developed to research the history of schooling in the Avon Valley,

Western Australia. This was achieved through examining existing literature,

interviewingcommunityandrelevant individualsandgroups,collatingresourcesand

producing a report, booklet and presentation. It has involved extensive

communicationandinformationsharingwithindustrypartnersandhasrevealedhow

schoolingwasestablished in thearea, inwhat formandwhy,bywhomandtowhat

end. Italsoexploredkey individualsandgroupsresponsible fortheestablishmentof

schoolingintheareaduringcolonialsettlement.

ResearchProjectMethods

Initiallytwoindustrypartnerswereselectedtosupportandguidethisproject.These

wereBelleMoore,theSecretaryfortheNorthamHeritageForumInc.andmemberof

Northam and Districts Historical Society Inc., Northam, and Caroline Parnham, the

Headof Secondary, St Joseph's School,Northam,whose family shares a richhistory

with the Avon Valley region. Several meetings and discussions were held with the

industrypartnerstoexplainthepurposeandtoreportprogressoftheresearchforthis

project. This involved several email conversations, phone communications and

physicalmeetings.

An initial timeline was developed which plotted planned activities for each month

fromthecommencementtothecompletiontimeoftheproject.Theactivitiesbegan

with extensive archival research through libraries, internet, newspapers, tourism

offices,Shiresandschools.Followingthegatheringofmaterialandinformationfrom

these sources, interviews were conducted with community members and the

descendantsofprominentpioneersettlersoftheAvonValleyregion.The individuals

interviewed were identified through newsletter communications throughout the

region which included schools, shires, community groups, historical societies and

parishes. Notices called for community consultation and request for information

regardingearlyruralschoolsintheregionandseveralcommunitymemberswereable

toassist.

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At the completion of the interview process several photographic expeditions were

facilitated whereby physical visits to sites and locations of past rural schools were

undertakenandruinsorplaquesphotographed.

These visits were beneficial in that they provided a clear understanding of the

landscapeandisolatedenvironmentwithinwhichtheseearlyschoolsoperated.They

alsoprovidedanopportunitytoplotruralschoolsonanAvonValleymapenablingan

overviewofthenumberofruralschoolsoperatingwithinaregionandtoassistinthe

understanding of the impact of the Centralisation policy between 1946 and 1957,

when isolated schools became obsolete and children were forced to travel to

townshipstoengage ineducation,therebyforfeitingtheirabilitytoassistwithfarm-

workandhouseholdactivities.

The final task from his project was to collate all of the material and information

gathered in a coherent manner, ready for presentation to industry partners and

relevant community groups. This took the form of a booklet divided into relevant

Shires of theAvonValley. The booklet outlines a brief history of the project and of

ruralschoolingintheregionbeforeindividuallyprovidingthenames,dates,teachers

andother informationabouteachschool.Wherepossibleaphotographofeachsite

hasalsobeenincluded.

ResearchProjectConclusions

The researchprojectessentially revealed thatmany small rural schoolsweregreatly

isolated from townships, while still providing a valuable education to the local

community. It became apparent that educationwas highly regardedby settlers and

wasaprioritywhichtheyweredeterminedtoachieve.Teacherswere largelyfemale

and were well respected and appreciated throughout the district, many of them

teachinginanumberofschoolsintheregionovertheyears.

History suggests that schools were initially small, family-oriented affairs (Erikson

1974:288)onlyenlargingwith theonsetof community connections. Largernumbers

requiredlargerpremisesandcommunitiesworkedtogethertoprovidetheresources,

teachingandfacilitiesrequiredfortheeducationofchildren.

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Overtimelargerschoolswerebuiltandsubsidisedbythegovernmentandfinallythe

Government'sEducationCentralisationPolicyresulted in largeschools located inthe

more populated townships (Buchanan 1997:371), for which they provided funding,

teachers,facilitiesandresources.Thesmallerruralschoolsfellintodisrepair.Insome

casestheyweretorndownandmaterialsusedonthefarmsandinothers,roomswere

left standing and used to store machinery and farm equipment or for boarding

travelers(Erikson1974:209).

Severalschoolroomswerelaterrefurbishedandconservedfortourismpurposes,such

as the Konongorring schoolroom found in Goomalling. Several of the stone

schoolroomsweremaintainedandusedforfarmhandlodgingsbeforebeingcleaned,

refurbished and prepared for tourism, such as Quellington Farmstay (Shire of York

1981:185)inYork,SlaterHouse(Retrievedfromwww.goomalling.gov.auSept–Nov)in

GoomallingandMorbyCottage(Garden1979:71)inNortham.

TheGovernmentEducationpolicywhichwasintroducedinthe1833-1870s(Garden

1979:80)placedmanyrestrictionsandconditionsonsmallruralschoolstoensurethey

were eligible for funding support. Rules included that students were required to

attendschooluntiltheyreached14years,therewasaminimumrequirementforthe

numberofchildrenenrolledinschools,schoollocationswererequiredtobecentralto

students and parents and community members were required to contribute to

schoolingwhichmeanttheyneededtoprovidesomeresources,equipmentandlabour

towardsthebuilding,maintenanceandupkeepoftheschool(Mclaren2002:117,118).

The Government Centralisation policy was introduced and implemented between

1946 and 1957, (Tully 2002:76) when transportation was provided to rural isolated

schools.Thispolicyrequiredchildrentoattendcentralcentresfortheireducationand

largerschoolswerebuilt intownships(Mclaren2002:179).Thisledtotheclosureof

smallruralschools(Buchanan2000:216).

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MapofColonialRuralSchoolsintheAvonValleyRegion

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StateRegisteredHeritageSite HeritagePlaceNumber

Conner’sHouse 2567

StAloysiusConventofMercy 12164

Sinclair’sCrossing/MountainPark 12146

Syred’sCottage/BejoordingComplex 02585

HawthorndenFarmPrecinct 04121

Leeder’sHouseToodyay 12154

Harper’sCottageToodyay 12163

BucklandHomestead 01843

Hassell’sCottageToodyay 3698

Donegan’sCottageToodyay 4555

Monger’sYardYork 23467

Eliza’sCottageYork 2868

YorkPrimarySchool,YorkBoy’sSchool 2877

GwambygineFarm(School) 14880

ConventofMercyandSchoolYork 2879

StPatrick’sConventSchoolYork 2898

BallyBallyHallBeverley 164

AvondaleStateFarm(School)York 5566

SlaterHomesteadGoomalling 3522

BucklandHomesteadandFarmBuildings 1843

MorbyFarmCottageNortham 1837

NorthamSeniorHighSchool 1883

FermoyHouse(MaristBrothersSchool) 1874

NorthamPrimarySchool 1881

Gray’sOldHouseBindoon 14087

CatholicAgriculturalCollegeBindoon 14087

SouthBindoonSchool 14172

Brockhill(Spice’s) 14176

BindoonSchoolBindoon 14081

Hassell’sCottageToodyay 3698

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thankmany people for their supports and efforts in assistingme to

locateinformationintheprocessofresearchingthisproject.Thosepeopleincludemy

Industrypartners,CarolineParnham,HeadofSecondaryStJoseph’sSchoolandBelle

Moore theSecretary for theNorthamHeritageForum Inc. andmemberofNortham

andDistrictsHistoricalSocietyInc.

Additionally,themanylocal librariansofYork,Toodyay,Northam,VictoriaPlainsand

Beverley and the Shire offices of York, Beverley, Chittering, Toodyay, Northam and

Victoria Plains. These people include Lindy and Tamara from York, Jody Thompson

fromVictoriaPlains,WendyfromGoomalling,

Communitymemberswhowereabletooffervaluableinformationandstoriesoftheir

memories of schooling include Elaine Lawrence, Genny Budas, Caroline Parnham,

JocelynSpadaccini,MarieChomiak,RyanSinclairandShonaHolland.

FlyersandcallsforcommunitysupportweresharedbymanylocalschoolsinallShires,

including Bolgart Primary School, Northam Primary School, West Northam Primary

School,NorthamSeniorHighSchool,StJosephs’School,ToodyayDistrictHighschool,

York District High school, Goomalling Primary School, Sacred Heart Primary School,

Goomalling Primary School, Beverley Primary School, Bindoon Agricultural College,

BindoonPrimarySchoolandChitteringPrimarySchool.

The tourist centres in Toodyay, Goomalling, Northam, York, Beverley and Chittering

were enormously helpful in guiding me in the right direction to locate secondary

sources,aswellasassistingmetoidentifypastandpresentschoolsitesformetovisit

andphotograph.

Sources were located through Trove, www.trove.com.au and Inherit,

www.inherit.heritage.wa.gov.au.LocalShireswerevaluablepointsofcontactviaemail

andphoneandtheirwebsitesprovedusefulforhistoricalinformationandgeography

and included www.northam.wa.gov.au, www.toodyay.wa.gov.au,

www.goomalling.wa.gov.au, www.york.wa.gov.au, www.beverley.wa.gov.au,

www.chittering.gov.au.

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ShireofNorthamRuralSchools1836MorbyCottage

JohnMorrellarrivedinNorthamfromLondonandwasprovidedwithalandgrantof500acres25milesdownriverfromMountBakewell.Hewasacarpenter,skillswhichwereinhighdemandinthenewcolony.Hebuilthisowncottage,fencesandshelters.HeerectedthefirstChurchinthedistrictandthefirstschool.Hisbuildingsweremudbrick and his school operated for local residents for several years. It later becameknownasMorbyFarmSchool(seebelow).MorbyCottageisnowatouristattractionontheoutskirtsofNorthamandhasbeenrefurbished.

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MorbyCottage,Northam.

1849–1906GreywellFinishingSchool

MissAmyCarletonoperatedasmallprivateschool from1849–1906.ShehadbeenthegovernesstotheThrossellandtheDempsterfamiliesofNortham.ShepurchasedSpringfieldlandonYorkRoadandbuiltafinishingschoolforyoungladies.Thisschooloperated until 1906whenMiss A F Bird opened a girl’s school in St John’s Hall onWellingtonStreet.

GreywellLadies’Finishingschool,Northam.

1860MorbyFarmSchool

During 1860sMorrel’s descendants continued his school’s operations. FredMorrellemployedatutorandhischildrenandthoseofhisneighboursenjoyedarichandfulleducation.ThefirsttutorappointedwasJamesKnight,followedbyCorneliusHardey.Morrell died of Pneumonia in 1843. His grave is situated in a field on QuelquellingRoadonKatrineDriveandismaintainedbyatrustandMorrell’sdescendants.MorbyCottagewasconstructedofquarriedstone,cuttimberandshingles.Morrellhadglassdoors and windows which he had brought from England and the building wascompletedbyPeterandWilliamChidlow.

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1860-1874KatrineSchool

SimonViveasherectedtheKatrineSchool,neartheKatrinehomesteadandchurch,forchildrenofsurroundingresidents.TheodoreRichardstaught27childrenfrom1864–1874. The daughter of local resident JamesWilkerson continued teaching after thattime.Therentpaidtotheeducationcommitteeontheroomwas12pounds.ItwasasmallbrickbuildingerectednearthecreekonKatrineDrive.Itcommencedoperationin1860and in its final year, 1874, therewerea total of 16pupils. The teacherhadbeenMrsGrowse,thewifeofthelocaldoctor.

SiteofKatrineSchool,Katrine.

KatrineHomestead,Katrine.

1860s–1929StSavioursChurchSchool

A small timber school was built in the 1860s at the rear of St Saviour’s Church onKatrineDrive.Theschoolisnolongerpresentonthesitealthoughthesmallbuildingatthe rear of the church suggests that it may have been situated here. The schooloperateduntil1929.

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PlaqueatStSaviour’sChurch,Katrine. StSaviour’sChurch,Katrine

StSaviour’sChurch,Katrine.

1863–1871Northam-YorkRoadSchool

ThegovernmentfinallyagreedtoestablishaschoolinNorthamandpaid30poundstobuilditand25poundsforits’operation.Settlerswhowishedtohouseaschoolwerepaid40pounds.Theschool situatedon theYorkRoadoperated from1865andwas16x15feet.ThefirstschoolmasterwasHardey,howevertheschoolwasclosedin1866,duetolownumbersoflessthan12students.Itreopenedin1867andlocalresidents

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enrolled their small children, some of whomwere very young and were carried toschooleachday,toensuretheenrolmentswereadequate.JamesH.Lloydtaughtfrom1867,bywhichtime70childrenwereenrolled.Theschoolclosedin1871.

1865–1878NorthamBoysSchool

The1870sbroughtwithittheintroductionoftheCompulsoryEducationclause,whichdeclared that all children needed to be engaged in education. In 1872 Northamestablished their own board of education, which had previously been underNewcastle/Toodyaydistrict.The firstactionof theboardwastoestablishaseparateschool forgirlsandboys.By the1870sLloydwas teachingboysonly in theoldYorkRoadSchoolbuilding.NorthamBoysSchoolclosedin1878.

1865–1878NorthamGirlsSchool

MrsTauntontaughtgirlsattheMechanicsInstitute,whichservedastheGentlemen’sLibrary.ManyofherteachingmethodswerequestionedbyparentsandLloyddecidedtosendhisgirlstotheboys’schoolstoensuretheyreceivedanadequateeducation.Hefoughtacourtcasefortherighttodoso.NorthamGirlsSchoolclosedin1878.

.

NorthamGirls’School,Northam.

1868–1876BucklandSchool

Buckland School was located along Bejoording Road and was established by localresidents. Buckland was known as one of the ‘best bush schools in the colony’.Studentswere taught byW.H. Perrin. Buckland Schoolwas a part of the enormousmansion,BucklandHouse,andpropertystillsituatedinthislocation.BucklandHousewas constructed of stone with corrugated iron roofs. Several cottages are on the

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property which possibly housed the school. In 1876 the school closed and wasrelocatedthreemilesawayandnamedWongamineschool.

BucklandHouseandProperty.

1868-1876GreenhillsSchool

Greenhills school in Irishtownwas established in 1868with 15-20 children enrolled.The teacher was James Haselby who was an ex-convict. The school experiencedinstabilityandwasopenedandclosedseveraltimeduetofluctuatingnumbers.

1876-1945WongamineSchool

WongamineschoolwastherelocatedBucklandSchoolandcommencedinthislocationin1868.ItwasthreemilesnorthofBucklandSchoolandhadadirtfloor.TheteacherPerrinhad taught for40years. In1908 JuliaElizaStrattonmarriedablacksmithandworkedattheschooluntil1911whenanagriculturalhallwasbuiltandTereseBarryrentedthehall.ThefinalteacherwasMurielBurtonwhowaspresentuntil1945whentheschoolclosedandthechildrenwerebusedtoNorthamschools.

SevenSpringsSchool

SevenSpringsSchoolwasbuiltbyPoleandsixpoundswaspaidtotheteacherThomasWard.Therewere12pupils.

1868WicklowHills–NunyleSchool

Nunyle school was an old farm building and was used as a school until FrancisWhitfield Junior donated land and his workmen, including JohnMcCluney, to buildWicklowHills Schoolon thecornerofWoodindaleandHallRoads.This small schoolhousewasopenedforthecostof85pounds,withaceremonywithReverendHarper

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layingthefirstcornerpost.BishopHaleattendedwithhiswifeandsister,MrsMolloy.TheteacherwasJohnVernonWarrenandalthoughtheschoolwasclosedafewtimes,its’1899re-openingwelcomedMissABrennanastheheadteacher.

1878-1879NorthamSchool

GeorgeThrossellwascommissionedtobuildanewbrickschoolin1877,onthecornerofHawesandWellingtonStreets.Theschoolopenedin1878.

1890-1897ClacklineSchool

ClacklineSchoolwasestablishedin1890

1898IrishtownSchool

IrishtownSchoolwaserected in1898andwas locatedon theBejoordingRoad. Theschoolwasrebuiltthreetimesandthefinalsiteismarked.ItwassituatedbesidetheIrishtownAgriculturalHall.

IrishtownAgriculturalHall,nexttothesiteofIrishtownSchool.

1899–1940sJennapullinSchool

JennapullinSchoolwaslocated15kmalongtheGoomalling-NorthamRoadwhichwasadirtroadatthetime.ItwasinitiallyasmallmudbrickschoolbuiltonthefarmoftheMorrellfamilywhichremainedinthefamilyuntilthe1960s,andlaterwasrebuiltasasmallbrickroomwithtwowindowsandafencedschoolyard.

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JennapullinSchoolphotosoutsidetheschool1910.

Asideandfrontverandahsportedschoolbagracksandsupportedacorrugatedironroof. A hall was built adjacent to the school to house dances and corrugated ironroofing provided a link to the originalmudbrick buildingwhich became the supperroom in the 1930s. The property had a tennis court which students were able toutilise.

There were approximately 20 children and the subjects studied included spelling,arithmetic, general science, geography and history, manual arts and needlework,whichwasusuallytaughtbythewifeoftheschoolmaster.E.H.Martinwasoneoftheearly school mistresses who boarded at the farmhouse. She had come from SouthAustraliaandmarriedaMorrell.Herdescendantsstillresideinthearea.

AnEnglishbookusedatJennapullinSchoolin1920s.

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Thecanewasused fordisciplineby theschoolmaster. In the1940s theschoolhousewasusedasaSundaySchoolwhereStanIngramtaughtthechildrenuntilhewentintotheArmyandhencetowar.

1901-1945CunjerdineSchool

CunjerdineSchoolwasestablishedontheLeeder’s farm in1901andwassituated infrontofthehomestead.MartinFoxwasthefirstschoolmaster.Mostchildrenstartedschoolat4yearsofagetoensureenrolmentswerekepthighenough.ThisfarmwasontheborderofNorthamandGoomalling.

LeederschoolbookfromCunjerdineSchoolandthenusedatNorthamSeniorHighschool.

In 1915 teacher J.H. Larsen requested a move to ensure the school was morecentralised which occurred in 1916. Families who could attend now were Powell,Shipway Hannagan, Forward and Smith. Teachers included Mr D’Evelyne and JohnMilneuntil1920. In1923afiredestroyedtheschoolandstudentsweretaughtforawhile in a private home at Quelquelling. This private school soon closed andCunjerdineschoolwasreopenedbyCatherineButlerinnewschoolquarters.

Aplaygroundwasbuilton flat landbutoverwinter it flooded. In1941school issuesincluded continuous flooding, cramped space, lack of adequate water supply andextensiveandongoing issueswith insects.The longest serving teacherof the schoolwasH.B.Brokenshirewhoservedfrom1934-38.

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CunjerdineSchoolPhotos1913-14.

Theschoolhadlongwoodendesksdesignedforfivestudentsandlargewoodenpinecupboards for resources,books, inkbottlesetc.A teachersdeskwas situatedat thefrontwith a blackboard. Twowater tankswere located at each school and parentswereresponsibleforensuringtheywerefull.

Studentswalkedor rodehorses toschoolwhichmeant theyneeded tobepreparedwith a chaff bag which was tied to a tree in the school yard. Students claimedparticulartreesfortheirhorseandallstudentshadchorestodoatschooltohelpwithhorsesorstudentlunches.

EnglishandMathsschoolBooksfromCunjerdineschool.

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CunjerdineSchoolPhotos1931.

1903SistersofStJosephoftheApparitionSchool

TheSistersofStJosephsoftheApparitionopenedaCatholicSchoolin1903andin1912anewbuildingwaserectedtohousetheirstudents.Someamazingsistersworkedatthisschoolteachingchildrenlifeskills.TheseincludeSisterLeonard.

By 1967 the school was becoming overcrowded and in 1969 it was decided toamalgamate the two schools, Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition and theMaristBrothersschooltobecomeStJoseph’sSchool,Northam.Aschoolboardwascreatedwhichcomprisedoffivesistersandthreebrothers.TheBrothersdepartedNorthamin1982whilstthesisterscontinuedtooperatetheschool.In2016theschoolintroducedyear11students.Theschool isstill inoperationtodayandboasts600studentsfromPP–Yr12.

StJoseph’sSecondarySchool,Northam.

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1905WestNorthamSchool

TheGovernmentestablishedajuniorschoolinWestNorthamwhichcoveredthefirsttwo grades of school. This opened in 1906 and had restrictions around the ages ofchildren and geographical boundaries. In 1913West Northam School increased theeducation provided to include Third standard and required more space toaccommodate extra children. St John’s Churchmoved enabling the school to rent aroom.WestNorthamschoolisstilloperationaltoday.

1907EastNorthamSchool

Student numbers grew enormously in East Northam. There were 300 studentsenrolledatEastNorthamschool in1907.This figuregrewto412 in1909and530 in1913. The school is still in operation today under the name of Northam PrimarySchool.

1920NorthamSeniorHighSchool

NSHSwasbuilt 1921on10 acresof landdonatedby theCouncil from Leake EstatePark.ThefoundationstonewaslaidbyHalastheMinisterforEducationin1920.Itisadoublestoryfacedbrickandroughcasebuildingwithbrickopeningsand12panelsforwindows. Ithasaquadrangle, ahall, a caretakers cottageanda symmetrical façadewithaporchforthemainentry.Itwasthefirstpostprimaryeducationintheregionand is the largest secondary school outside of metropolitan Perth. Northam SeniorHighSchoolisstillinoperationtoday,educatingstudentsfromYrs7-12.

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1926–2016MureskAgriculturalCollege

TheMuresk Agricultural College was built 26km north of Northam overlooking theAvon River. It was designed to school farmers’ families and in 1969 it became aWesternAustralian Institute of Technology. It is positioned on 900 hectares of landandprovidesaneducationinagricultureandlivestockforyoungfarmers.

MureskAgriculturalCollege,Northam.

1949MaristBrothersCollege,FermoyHouse

TheMaristbrothersestablishedtheircollegein1948.Itcommencedasaboysschoolforyears4-10andcameunderthetutelageofFatherLenihan.By1967theschoolwasbecomingovercrowdedand in1969 itwasdecided toamalgamate the two schools,Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition and theMarist Brothers school to become StJoseph’sSchool,Northam.Aschoolboardwascreatedwhichcomprisedoffivesistersand three brothers. The Brothers departed Northam in 1982 whilst the sisterscontinuedtooperatetheschool.In2016theschoolintroducedyear11students.Theschoolisstillinoperationtodayandboasts600studentsfromPP–Yr12.

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FermoyHouse,Northam.

StJoseph’sPrimarySchool,Northam.

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ShireofGoomallingRuralSchoolsGeorgeSlaterfoundedGoomallingin1854andsettledin1855.HebuiltahomesteadforhisfamilyontheGoomalling-WyalcatchemRoad,twokilometresnortheastofthecurrenttownofGoomalling.

Studentsatesandwichesofmuttonordrippingandsometimesthey’dkillparrotsonthe way home to make pies to eat for lunch the following day. Students playedhopscotch, rounders, football, knucklebones and marbles. Teachers encouragedplanting vegetables and flowers; bulbs included freesias and geraniums, sunflowers,sweetpeas.Attheendofeachyearstudentsheldachristmasconcertattheschoolorhallandbooksweregiventostudentsinaprize-givingceremony.Studentspresentedsinging,recitations,playsanddances.

1868–1876WongamineSchool

The earliest school in the Goomalling Shire was Wongamine School established in1868.WilliamHenry Perrinwas offered 25 pounds salary to teach in the small dirtfloorschool. It closed in1876whenGovernmentgrantedmonies foranotherschoolontheToodyay-GoomallingRoad.Perrinretiredafter40yearsofteachingin1901.

1868SlaterSchool

Slater'sinitialrequestsforaschoolwasturneddownin1855andsoSlaterdecidedtobuildhisownschoolroomandteachersresidenceonhisproperty,whichencompassed20,000 acres. During the spring of 1868, after his buildings were completed, Slaterengaged a teacher to educate his own children as and well as the children of thedistrict. Slater’s residence and schoolrooms nowoperate as a schoolhousemuseumandtouristvenue.

SlaterSchoolandsurrounds,Goomalling.

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1906RomanCatholicSchoolandChurch

In 1906 a Roman Catholic school and Church was built in Goomalling. The firstfoundation stone of the Roman Catholic School and Church was laid by ReverendFatherM.Hoyne.

1906GoomallingSchoolandtheSchoolmastersHouse

The firstschoolestablished inGoomallingwasbuilt inThrossellStreetonthesiteoftheSchoolmaster’shouse.Harperpaid268poundstobuildtheschoolandteacher’squarters.

TheGoomallingSchoolmaster’shousewasbuiltin1906.OneofthefirstschoolmasterswasMr C. G. Rosswho taught from 1913-1938. Itwas used by schoolmasters until1976.

SchoolMaster’sHouse,Goomalling.

Theschoolboasted8.5acresofspaceandopenedwith23studentsandtwoteachers.MaryHamilton,fromUpperPreston,wasoneoftheteachers.ThefirstschoolmasterwasMrHarry Illman. By 1907 only 11 childrenwere attending the school andMissAdelaideDunntaughtbutby1909hadgrownto33children.Alterationsweremadein1910andschoolwasheldintheMethodistchurchwhilstthebuildingoccurred.

By 1919 Silver Hills School had closed and their students were transported toGoomallingandso therewere67enrolmentsand three teachersworkingunder theheadmasterCyrilG.Ross.TheMechanics institutewasusedasa school roomandanew classroom was added to the school. An influenza epidemic spread acrossGoomallingwhichcausedclassroomstobeusedasahospital.In1927twoadditionalroomswereaddedandrenovationswerecompleted.

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In 1945, parents conducted a petition for a new brick school to accommodate thelarge and growing population of 120 students. These enrolments now includedchildren from three merging schools around the district. The junior students weretransferredto theGolfClubHousewhilst infantsweretaught ina rentedgalvanizediron shed on the corner of Railway and Throssell streets, near the automotive andplumbingworkshops.By1938theschoolhad90studentsfromaroundthedistrictandby1955anewschoolwasrequiredtobebuilt. In1947the infantsschoolmovedtothe Lesser Town Hall and the pavilion from Wongamine School was brought toGoomallinguntilthenewschoolhadbeenbuilt.

1955-1989GoomallingStateDistrictHighSchool

Goomallingstateschoolopenedin1955inanewthree-roomedschoolbuiltoftimberwith an asbestos roof. It was built on a 10 acre site borderingWilliams street andstudents commenced under headmaster Lionel P. Smith and two teachers, Mr A.SmithandBrionySpencer.TheParentsandCitizensgrouperectedanoldshedusingmaterialsfromtwosheltershedsattheoldschoolandtheMinisterforEducation,MrW.M.Hegney,openedtheschoolbeforeparents,residents,pupils,pastteachersanddignitaries.Enrolmentquicklyroseto128bytheendoftheyearandtheschoolwasfencedandasportsareacleared.

In1959additionsweremadetoenlargetheschooltofourclassroomsandtheParentsand Citizens group provided a basketball court and designed a red and grey schooluniform. The school held a fancy dress ball and school concerts in the town hall.Severalyearslaterrenovationswererequiredagaintobuildanadditionalclassroomtocaterforover160students,atthecostof2300pounds.

TheStateSchoolbuildinginThrossellStreetwasrenovatedin1964asakindergartenandopenedwithatotalof17enrolments.Anewkindergartenwasalsoopenedonthecorner of James and Wollyam street and in 1969 a new dome-shaped fibre glassbuildingwasdesignedbyPaulRitter.

TheschoolwasreclassifiedasaJuniorHighSchoolin1969andenjoyedhugenumbers.LouisG.Youngtaught19 first-yearhighschoolstudents in theprimaryschooland5teacherssharedtheresponsibilityfor196primaryschoolagedstudents.

LandwassoonpurchasedonthecornerofHoddyandEatonstreetsforanewjuniorhighschool.Classroomswerebuiltforhomescienceandmanualartsandstoreroomsand toilets were also added. Later two additional classrooms were built. The highschoolattendedthisschoolthefollowingyear.

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Inthe1970stherewere8teachersworkingwithHeadmaster,GrahamKingston.Fourschoolbusesconveyed100childrenfromoutlyingareas.

Theprimaryandsecondarysiteswereonemileapartandin1972therewasarequestfortheschooltounifyasGoomallingDistrictHighSchool.Moreadditionalclassroomswerebuiltaswellasastaffroom,courtswerelandscapedandanartsandcraftscentrewas operated by Don Redman. In 1988 a pre-primary centre was opened in ademountablebuildinginthedistricthighschoolgrounds.

Goomalling School ceased to operate as a District High School in 1989 as theenrolmentsforsecondarystudentsreducedtojust10.TheschoolwasreclassifiedasaPrimarySchoolandCarolineDunsirewasappointedthePrincipalin1993.

1906-1920Wagilinschool

Michael Comer, Henry Slater and EdwardWestern applied for a school atWagilin.ThreeacresweresetasideinCoomer’spaddockandtheschoolwasopenedbyMissJessieDonnelly.Therewere16pupilswhich includedthechildrenofCoomer,Slater,WesternandMckay.In1907theteacherwasMissLilyEgan.MissHildaG.Welbournetaughtfrom1908-1912.ShehadmarriedFrankUheofGenera,Botherling.Theschoolhadasmallplaygroundenclosedwithajarrahfence.Theinteriorwaslinedwithplainironandwascolouredlightpink.In1910theschoolmovedtotwoacresofSmithlandso that itwasmore centralised for local children.HildaWelbourneopened thenewvenuewith16students.In1913theschoolwasrenamedKarranadginandtheoriginalsitewascancelledin1920.

1907-1913Jennacubineschool

Halfway between Goomalling and Northam the Jennacubine town was built on arailway siding. The namemeans ‘salt water’. A small school was operated here forseveralyears.Jennacubineschooloperatedoutofthecurrentstore.

1907–1913StIsadore’sRomanCatholicChurchSchool,Jennacubine.

Asenrolmentsdiminishedinthesmallerruralschools,StIsadore’sCatholicSchoolwasestablished in Jennacubine. St Isidore’s Catholic Churchwas built of brick inGothic-style.Itopenedin1907onlandthatwasdonatedbyW.E.Colling.Thechurchwasusedasaschooluntil1913.

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1912–1951GoomallingCatholicSchool

Goomalling'sfirstCatholicSchoolwasbuiltinForwardStreetandoperatedfrom1912-1951. The site now houses Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School which is now aprimaryschoolstillinoperation.

SacredHeartCatholicPrimarySchool,Goomalling.

1913-1924Karranadginschool

KarranadginSchoolwastaughtbytheteacherCorneliaJackson.Shehadeightpupilsincluding children of the Enright, Smith, Edward, Waldock, Matthews and Fredafamilies. Connie (Cornelia) Jackson boarded at the home of T. R. Sight and wasrequiredtocleantheschoolonaregularbasisaswellasteachthechildren.Thepantoiletsystemswerechangedweekly.AtsomepointEdwinSmithtaughtattheschool.TheSchoolwaseventually closed in1924due to continued lowattendanceand theschoolbuildingwasmovedtoKonnongorring.

JennacubineSchool/Store

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1913WalyormouringSchool

WalyormouringSchoolwasestablishedwhenA.E.Fair,J.W.CummingsandH.E.Whiterequestedaschool.TheschoolwasbuiltbyJ.E.MooreofGoomallingfor159pounds.ItwasdecidedthatteacherswouldboardwithMrsFairandMissLiliasE.Nickollwastheteacher.Theschoolopenedwith twelvechildren, threeboysandninegirls fromthelocalfamiliesofBufton,FairandCummings.

1914UcartyRoadSchool

Ucarty Road School was situated six miles south east of Goomalling on a five acretriangle reserve at the junction of Ucarty and Meckering road. The school wasoperatedbyOliveWilsdonwitheightmaleand17femalestudents.Theschoolwasaportablebuildingstandingonwoodenstumps. Itwasbuiltof timberand ironwithawoodenfloor.Thereweretwowatertanksandaseparatetoiletforboysandgirls.Thechildren attending the school were of families which included Eaton, Bourke,Schlicihinger,Lord,Glass,French,Maddock,Wilkins,FrenchandFitzgerald.

OliveboardedtwomilesawayforonepoundperweekwithMrsM.CurleyonEaton’sProperty.ShelatermarriedMichaelG.Eaton,alocalfarmer.ErnestSmiththentaughtthe children however duringWorldWar Two he joined the armed forces. The nextteacherwasAgnesHeaseman.

By191723studentsfrominfantstoyear6.TeachersIsobelCraneandIolaArmstrongtaught in1921.EileenRebbechiwastheteacherduring1922. In1926parentsofthechildren erected a weatherboard shelter shed. The school was closed due to wetweatherseveraltimesin1932whilststudentswereunderthetutelageofMabelBluntwhohadtaughtfrom1929-1932.Thiswasduetothefloodingofthecreeksandroads.Ucarty Road school was closed in 1934 when a family with many children left thedistrict, leaving enrolment numbers below the required levels. It reopened as aGovernmentassistanceschoolwiththefamiliesofWoolhouse,Silchinger,SadlerandBrown. Hannorah Leeson of Rocklands was the last teacher and the school finallyclosedin1934againduetolownumbers.

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1920Botherlingschool-Barabadji

Applicationwasmadeby Johnson andWhite for a school twomiles fromBurabadjisiding. A five acre reserve was selected to house a portable building which wastransported. There was much delay between the application and the actual schoolopening, however when it finally did open, Gladys Brandis was the teacher. TheteachersboardedonJackMckay’sWaverleyfarmoronJCummings’farm.

AttendanceattheschoolwasrecordedandincludedchildrenofthefamiliesofSlater,White, Johnson,Uhe, LordandFitzgerald. Later the Lichfield’s children joined them.JoanRansonarrivedin1924toworkasateacherhoweversheresignedattheendof1925andtheschoolcloseduntilFloraCameronre-openedit.Atthattimeenrolmentroseto19.Asheltershedwaserectedbyparents, the interiorheatedbyacast ironwoodstove.Theparentsrosteredthemselvestoprovidemilkandcocoa.

TeacherEuniceJohnsonfollowedFlorabutin1932numbersdroppedtojustnineandthe schoolwas closed by ThelmaNettle in 1934. Itwas reopened shortly later as aregulationfourschoolbyKittyO’Sullivan,JackMcKayandH.D.Parnham,whohadsixboysbetweenthem.Thesepeopleguaranteedtheteacher’ssalary. In1937numbersincreased with children from the families of King, Brennan and Hird. By 1939enrolments fell to just eight and the school finally closed in 1939. The remainingMcKayboyswereeducatedbycorrespondence.

1920–1926RuelsBoardingHouse

QuinlanStreetboastsRuel'sBoardinghousewhichwas initiallyaboardinghouseformenbutlaterbecameaccommodationforboys.

1920–1926BlacksmithsCornerSchool

Asmall ruralschooloperatedonthecornerofGoomalling-CalingiriRoad.Thiswasaone teacher schooland it is thought that it fell intodisrepairandwastedaway.Thecornernowhousesapicnicareaandbushwalks.

SiteofBlacksmith’sCornerSchool,Goomalling.

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1925–1973KonnogorringSchool

KonnogorringSchoolwaslocatedontheGoomalling-NorthamRoad.Itwasasmallone-teacher school which operated form 1925-1973. Due to damage and lack ofmaintenance,theschoolwastransportedin1976andnowresidesonThrossellStreetin Goomalling. It has been restored and operates as a museum in the historicalprecinct,besidetheoldSchoolmastershouse,whichhasbeenonsitesince1906,andanoldschoolbusfromearly1900s.

CharlesWhitfieldstatedthatheattendedtheoneteacherstateschoolin1946at8yrsof age. He remembers learning a lot about writing with the inkwells and copyingwriting.Onhisfirstdayofschoolhissisterrodeherbikewithheandhisbrotherthewholethreemilestoschool.ThisschoolwasclosedduringthewaryearsbutreopenedwithMiss Porous who fell in love with local Valentine,Mr Lee. Long lunches wereenjoyedbystudentsasshewouldvisithimandtheyeventuallymarriedandtookoverthelocalstore.

Onarrival at school the studentswere required to lineup;boyson left andgirlsonright,fromsmallesttotallest.Theywouldgreeteachothereachmorningandthensay‘God Save theKing’ and ‘Our Father’ before sittingdown. Several year groupsweretaught in one room. Mr Hillam, who was the grandparent of one of the students,broughtfruitonahorseandcartandhelovedthekids.TeacherMissLiveleyalsofellinlovewithalocalman,BertDewandhewouldvisitherattheschoolduringlunchtimes.

PlaquesonKonogorringSchool,Goomalling.

RefurbishedKonoggoringSchool,Goomalling.

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1931-1946KarranadginSchool

In1931localresidentsappliedforschool inKarranadgin.ResidentsincludedChester,Slater, Waterhouse, Haywood, Waldock, Smith, David and Dick. The school wasopenedin1932undertheassistedschoolsprograminaprivateweatherboardbuildingdonated by the Chester family. The government required the school to have eightpupilstoopenandateacherwastobefoundbyparents.Parentspaidthesalaryof72poundsperannumtoMrsA.V.MacDonaldand in1933 theschoolwasmovedtoamoreadequatebuildingofferedbySmithandsons.KarranadginschoolbecameafullGovernmentschoolin1934withMissM.E.Howieastheteacher.AnotherteacherwasGrace Nenke in 1937, with a total of 27 students. The School closed in 1946 andstudentsweresentbybustoGoomalling.

1940-1968StJoseph’sSchool

St Joseph’sschoolwasaboysboardingschoolwhichwasopened inGoomallingandaccommodatedupto28boardersfromoutlyingareasofGoomallingandDowerin.Upto70studentsattended.CitychildrenwerehousedintheconventinWW11forsafety.PermanentmaleboardersstayedatPatBrewerton’sfarmandgirlsstayedonThomasSlater’sproperty.In1942RogerGleesongifted1000poundsfortheerectionofanewschoolwhichwasboughtnexttothepresbyteryandwouldbelaterbeusedasajuniorschool.Contestswereheldinthetowntoraisefunds.GoomallingConventschoolwasbuiltofgreygranitewhichhadbeenquarriedfromW.G.Slater’sproperty.ReverendA.Catalan,fromNewNorcia, laidthefoundationstoneon18thJune1950andthenewschool opened the following year. It had the space for 150 primary and secondarystudents. Teachers included Sisters Clare, Patricia, Finbar, Stanislaus, Alphonsus,AsumptaForrestandVeronicaMcdonald.Sadly theold schoolburneddownaweekaftermoving.

TheSchoolbusservicecommencedinthe1940sandboardinggraduallyreduceduntilit closed. In 1963 the secondary school was no longer available and theMeckeringearthquake in 1968 caused extensive damage requiring demolition. It was deemedunsafe and was replaced by a cream brick and terracotta tile Convent in 1969,however,bythatstageonlytwonunsremainedintheConvent.Musicwastaughtbythe nuns until 1973. Repairs and painting were undertaken and a new primaryclassroom was erected with a Government grant in 1974. Roger Gleeson, a localresident,bequeathedlandandmoneysothatfurthereducationcouldtakeplace.Bythemid 1970s therewas a distinct increase in lay teachers. In 1986 a lay principalRobyn Masters was appointed and a full time preschool opened in 1990 with 39students.

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Sportswasveryimportantduringtheseearlyschooldaysandmanyschoolstookpartin the interschool carnivals, competingagainstother rural schools.During the1970sthe Goomalling schools were consolidated and enlarged to become District HighSchools,operating fromkindergartentoYear10. Allof thesmall ruralschoolswerecloseddownby1955exceptKonnongorringSchool,whichremainedoperationaluntil1973. Only two of the original 16 schools founded continue to operate currently.These are Goomalling Primary School and Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School.Secondarystudentsarenolongercateredforandtraveltolargertownshipstoaccesseducation.

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ShireofToodyayRuralSchoolsWestToodyaywasdiscoveredin1831byDaleEnsigndaleandGeorgeFletcherMoore.It was situated approximately 5km west of the present site of Tooday. The moveoccurredafternumerousfloodingsoftheWestToodyaytownsiteandthenewtownwasnamedNewcastle,howeverduetoconfusionwiththeNewcastlelocatedinNewSouthWales, the townwas renamedToodyay, in linewithAboriginal culture. It is avariationonthenameDuidgee,whichthelocalAboriginalgroupshadforthearea.

1847-1855HarperSchool

Harper school was situated at 11-13 Harper road. The school was operated byReverendC.Harper,whotaught50childrenfromthedistrict,mostofthemwithin4miles of Toodyay, initially from his library. As the enrolments grew he used MrsClarkson’s residence and Mrs Harper assisted him. The children learned reading,writingandarithmetic.Thechildrenofpensionersandfarmersraisedthenumbersandoneacreof landwasfinallydonatedfortheschooltooperatemoreeffectively.Thislandwasgivennearthehiringdepot.

1853DarbyConner’sSchool

Darby Conner, whowas a pensioner guard from Ireland, set up a small school in astrawhutonhis property andwaspaid a small amountdaily to teach the children.Therewerefewpupilsbutbeforelongnumbersstartedtoincrease.

1854–1857ColonialSchool

MrsDrummondlaidthefoundationstoneforthefirstofficialschool inthedistrict inNovember1854.SomeofthefundsforthisschoolweretakenfromtheChurchfundsand totalled 65 pounds. The government provided 250 pounds and the schoolcommitteeraised247pounds. InitiallyeighteenstudentswereenrolledandstudentsweretaughtfromIrisheducationalbooks,whichsettlershadbroughtwiththem,andparents were charged a small tuition fee. No tuition was requested from those inpoverty.

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Itwasalargebrickbuildingdesignedtoaccommodateboarders.AlfredGreywasthefirstteacher.BishopShortandReverendHarperwerebothpresentandateaandcakeceremony took place. 300 people attended the school opening. The school wasoperatedbypensionerguardswhocouldclaimsixpenceperdayfromthegovernment.In 1857 the school was forced to close due to flooding. By then 55 children wereenrolled.

1855BraybrookSchool

HarperbuiltaparsonageatBraybrookpropertywhichwasasinglestorypropertywithsolidbrickwalls,astonecellarandaredironshingledroofwithanundercroft.Italsofeatured an enclosed verandah and multi pane timber windows. Reverend HarpercommencedaSundayschoolandMrsHarperoperatedagirl’sschool.JuliaHarperalsoassistedherfatherReverendCharlesinteachingatBraybrookandSundayschool.

1856–1857ToodyayDistrictSchool

ToodyayDistrictSchoolwasestablishedandcommencedin1856with55childrenandthe firstSchoolmasterwasDrAlfredGrey.Hewasanewcomer to theareaandhadopenedacollege inPerth.Hewaspaid25poundperyearandalso receivedparentfees.Unfortunatelyhecausedascandalinthecommunityandwasdismissedafterjustafewmonths.Aneweducationcommitteewasformedbythefamiliesoftheoriginalsettlers and Joseph Wylde was employed at 40 pounds per year. He was betterqualifiedthanGreyandtheCentralBoardofEducationinPerthpaidhiswages,hencetheschoolbecameagovernmentassistedschool.ItwasWyldethatsuggestedthatalibrary be built in the school and in time the new school replaced the numerousprivate schools in the region. Parents had only to identify a suitable classroom andteacherinordertoobtaingovernmentfunds.In1857floodingcausedthefoundationsoftheschooltoweakenandthewallswerecrackingandsoWhitfieldopenedaprivateschoolnearby.

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HawthorndenPrivateSchool

HawthorndenPrivateSchoolwasoperatedat310Toodyay-Bindi-BindiroadjustfivekilometresnorthofToodyay.Thepropertyfeaturesalargetwostorybrickandtimberand renderedhousewitha frontverandahof timberand timber sashwindows.Theroof is iron roof. The homestead was built by local builder Hassel andmany otherbuildingssurviveontheproperty,oneofwhichwasoperatedasaschool.

1860BejoordingSchool

BejoordingSchoolwasestablishedinthe1860sonthepropertyofearlysettler,Syred,in Tenth Road, Bejoording. The school was brick with timber doors and an openverandah. Ticket of Leave men were employed as teachers. It is situated at 3260ToodyayBindiBindiRoadBejoording.Thisisnowacommunityownedbuildinganditisproposedthatitwillbecomeatouristsite.

RuinsofBlacksmith’sShoponSyred’sproperty,Bejoording

Syred’sCottage,BejoordingSchool,Bejoording.

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1864–1873SteamMillSchool

DrummondconvertedtheMillHouseintoaschoolandteachingquartersandcharged15poundsrent.DrummondjunioremployedJohnActonWrothtoteachhischildrenandthechildrenofhisworkmeninanemptycottageneartheSteamMillFarm.WrothwalkeddailytoschoolandMrGeorgeHaywardwasappointedheadmasterofSteamMillschoolat40pdhehad21pupils.Haywardworkedasabookkeeperandaclerktosupplementhisincome.Theschoolclosed1873whenHaywardandJamesDrummondJuniordied.JamesDrummondJrwasavolunteerfirefighter.Onedayhehadfoughtafirewhilstillfrominfluenzaandasaresultcontractedpneumoniaanddiedathome.

SteamMillSchool,Toodyay.

(ImageCourtesyoftheStatelibraryFlourmillsofWesternAustraliaslwa_b2463435_3)

1865ExperimentalEveningSchool

Postmaster Joseph Beete Ridley, operated and experimental evening school from4pm-sunsetasasixmonthtrial.

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1865–1887NewcastleSchool

TheNewcastle schoolwas built at the rear of the Depot Barracks in 1865 andwasoriginally a government built school in Old Toodyay however it later closed due tocontinued floodingof theAvonRiver. In1869Alison Innes replacedLydiaFarmerastheteacherofclassesatNewcastleSchooluntil1872.

1867-1870FarmerSchool

SchoolmasterMrsFarmerwaspaid25poundsandhadanenrolmentof20childrenwhomshetaughtinthelargeroomofahouseinToodyay.Shepaid10poundsrentonthehouseandMrsInnestookover1869.

1868NewlyinePrivateSchool

NewlyinePrivateSchoolwasoperatedbyJ.T.Cookeandwaslocatedonhisland.

SevenSpringsSchool

Seven Springs School was built by Jas Pole and received rent of six pounds. TheappointedteacherwasThomaswardandhehad12pupils.

1869–1875Bejoording/CulhamSchool

Localsettler,Syredandothercommunitymembershad20childrenofschoolagewhoneeded educating within walking distance of Bejoording and so an application wasmadeforaschooltobeoperatedinthemud-brickroomatSyred’shomeat34SecondRoad,Bejoording. Itwasdifficult toobtain a teacher.Until one couldbeappointed,SamuelPhillipsinvitedthefamiliesforclasseswithhisgovernessathishomesteadatCulham,onToodyay–Bindi-BindiRoad.EventuallyThomasFisherbecametheteacherforBejoordingSchool.In1871theteacheratBejoordingSchoolwasJamesTuckerandwhenhefinishedteachingFrederickCartertookover,resigningin1875.

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1870–1874ClintonStSchool

ThisschoolwaslocatedattherearoftheformerBarracksoftheconvictdepot.Itwasconverted toa schoolroomandhadviewsof thecourthouse,hospital yardand thepolicewhich createdanawful atmosphere for the children. Therewere64 studentsenrolledhoweveronlyanaverageof42attendedregularly.Themasterandmonitorshadaroomandtheschoolclassroomwas24x16ft.TheSchoolmasterin1883wasC.F.Cooperwhoreported to thedepartment that the roomwas toodarkandunsafe.Plans were made to build a new school and to convert the existing space into ahospital.In1874thecompulsoryattendanceactwasimplemented.Thisdictatedthatchildren aged 6-14 years within 3 miles of a school were required to attend. DanConnerexaminedthelocalschoolsandpupilstoensurefamilieswerecomplyingandheoftenbrought lollipopsforthechildren.Hecharged12parents forneglectingtheeducation of their children that year. As a result enrolments rose to 48 that year.JamesHubbard taught Conner’s children at his home as he recognised the value ofeducation.

1870sMongerSchool

ThetopstoryoftheoldMongerstore,alongtheriverinToodyay,operatedaprivateschool for a time until they renovated. During that time students attended MrsPiesse’shomeforschooling.

1871JamesInnesBoardingschool

James Innes opened a boy’s boarding school fromwhich he also offered tuition toselect day students. He conducted his schooling from a large airy building with aplaygroundforthechildren.In1873MrInneswastheSchoolBoardsecretaryforthearea and secured a two roomed cottage. Complaintwasmade that itwas dark andcrowdedandbeforelongprejudicialissuesaroseaspeoplewerenotcomfortablewiththechildrenofconvictsandcolonistsbeingschooledtogether.

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1871MrsElizabethPrivateSchool

Mrs Elizabeth Anne Whitfield operated a private school and had full enrolment.Students were taught French, music and art by her mother as well as the ‘3 Rs’ –reading,‘rithmaticand‘riting.HermotherhadpreviouslytaughtherownchildrenandthoseofherneighboursatKnockdominieSchool.Theschoolwasathick-walledbrickand stone home. It had four rooms and high ceilings, jarrah floorboards, a roomykitchenandopenfireplacesinthreerooms.

Whitfield’sSchool,Toodyay.

1871DumbartonPrivateSchool

DumbartonPrivateSchoolwasoperatedonDumbartonRoadonthefamilyperopertyof the Sinclair’s, local settlers to the area. The location is also known as Sinclair’scrossing.Thisschoolhad40childrenandwastaughtbyJ.V.Warrerr.Familymembersremaininthedistrict.

DumbartonPrivateSchool,Homestead,Dumbarton

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1874UnofficialCatholicSchool

AnunofficialCatholicSchoolwas locatedat the rearof theSt JohnCatholicChurch.Therewere30plusstudents inthesmallroomandthefirstteacherwasFrancisKirkJunior.

1879-1884GlendeargSchool

GlendeargSchoolwassituatedonToodyay-Bindi-BindiroadinBejoording.JasTuckerwasappointedastheteacher.MissJaneMackintoshprovidedprovisionalschoolingatGlendeargwhenBejoordingschoolwasclosed.Glendeargschooloperateduntil1884.

1880sToodyayChapelSchool

ThechildrenoftheHennesseyandFergusonfamilieswalkedtoMissMcKnightattheToodyay Chapel School until Reverend Taylor arranged a school for Coondle andBejoordingchildren.

JohnBrittSchool

JohnBritt,alocalfarmer,andhisneighboursbuiltamud-brickschoolhouseneartheNewcastleBridge.Itwasveryhotinsummerandcoldinwinter.Lateramulti-usehallwasbuiltonthesite.

1884-1900PellMellSchool

MissEvaLynchtaughtatherparents’homeinPellMell,nearBejoordingandCulham,until1895.TheoriginalLynchcottagewasreroofedandwhitewashedattheexpenseofthegovernment,andusedasaschooluntilthegovernmentbuiltagalvanizedironand timber school in the 1890s. Wroth and Lloyd carried out the works. In 1898Norman Fry, a teacher at Pell Mell, conducted Barn Dances to raise funds for theschool.PellMellSchoolclosedin1900.

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1885–1864ToodyayValleySchool

Originally the Toodyay Valley School was taught in small cottage, Leeder’s Cottage,andin1859movedtoasmallroomattherearoftheCatholicChapelofSantaMariawhichwasusedasaschooluntil1897.ThechildrenweretaughtbyMissMcKnightandhersister,whotaughtchildrenfor12years.Whenwaterwasscarcestudentswoulddrink from the local spring behind the bar,whichwas a fairwalk up the road, andchildrenweretoldtobringabottletoschooleachdayforthispurpose.JosephWyldewas appointed teacher in 1857 and when he resigned 1861 the school closedtemporarilyuntil1862.In1864AquillaBulltaughtbuttheschoolfinallyclosedattheendoftheyearduetolownumbersandflooding.

ToodyayValleySchool,Toodyay.

1887WhitfieldHouseSchool

Whitfield Housewas built for John ActonWroth in 1863 andwas originally a smallstone home with a shingled roof. In 1887 Mrs G. Whitefield used the rooms as aprivate school. It is situated on the Goomalling/Toodyay Road and is currently aprivateresidence.

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1887–1920sDukeStreetNewcastleStateSchool

At 2-4 Duke Street a school was opened in 1887 afterWilliam Demassen signed acontract tobuildanewschool to replace theonebeing flooded. ItwasdesignedbyTemplePooleandbuilt inecclesiastical gothic stylewith three roomsandwasbrickwithashingleroof.Theroofextendedalongits’lengthfortimberframedclassroomsandboastedschoolgrounds.By1899,102studentswerebeingeducatedinabuildingwhichhadbeenbuilt toaccommodate just50 in1887 thereforeanextra roomwasadded.MrRussellandparentstookchildrentovisitthezooforanexcursion.TheleftToodyayat7amandreturnedhomeat11.30pm.Formanystudents itwastheirfirsttriptoPerth.

In1902ArthurHoughtonRusselllefthavingbeentheheadteacheratNewcastleStateSchool for 4.5 yrs.WilliamT.P. Archibald became the temporary head teacher afterhim.Duringits’operation,prizeswerewonforcarpentryandbasketwork.Oneofthestudentshadbuiltwagonhubscompletewithrimsandspokeswhichalsowonprizes.AdditionsandworkswerecarriedoutonschoolovertheyearsbyC.J.Cooke.

In1917theSchoolMasterR.BookeCowdenorganisedaparent-visitdayattheschoolso families could view thework their childrenwere accomplishing.Hal Colebatch, alocalpolitician,waspresent.

Theschoolwasoneofthefirst inthestateto implementneweducationalmethods.These included elements of self-discipline, observation and training suited to futurefarmersandcountryresidents.In1918specialschoolinstructorsweresenttoToodyayfrom around the state and a total of 27 visiting teachers arrived to view the neweducationmethodsinactionandlectureswereheldintheTownHall.SeniorInspectorJohnAlbertMiles supervised the process and itwas the largest school instructionalprograminthestateatthetime.AschoolboardformedaroundthistimeinToodyaychairedbyJonathanSomerset.

In1919asmallweatherboardbuildingwassentdownfromCueandthestudentsuseditfrom1919-1920asamanualtrainingroomatToodyaystateschool.From1921-1954thebuildingwasusedforadomesticscienceroomforgirls’cookingandmorningteas.Itwaslaterusedaspolicechargeroom.

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Weatherboardbuildingofmanyuses,1919,Toodyay.

1889–1898Leeder’sHouseCatholicSchool

WilliamLeeder’shouseissituatedat94StirlingTerrace.Itwasbuiltinthe1870sandisasinglestorydouble-brickhomewithashingleroofandpaintedchimneys.Itfeaturedtimber framed sash windows. In 1884 it was extended forward to include an openverandahwithposts. ItwasoriginallyownedbyW.G.Leederhoweverin1889itwaspurchasedbytheSistersofMercyandoperatedasaCatholicSchooluntil1903.TheSisterspurchasedandestablishedtheStAloysiusConventofMercyseveraldoorsupthestreetandoperatedfromthere.

Leeder’sHouseCatholicSchool,Toodyay.

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1895–1937MumberkineSchool

MumberkineschoolwasasmallmudbrickcottagewhichwasopenedbyMissMaryB.Bourkeinanoldfarmhouse.Sheoperatedtheschoolhalftime.ItwaslocatedseveralkilometersfromBucklandHouse.

1895JurokineSchool

JurokineschoolwasoperatedparttimealsoatthehomeofMrWilkins.

Bothoftheseschoolsenjoyedaclosecommunityassociation.Theyhadaparentsandfriendsgroupwholovedtoparticipateincricket,gamesanddanceswhichwereheldinW.H.Butterly’sbarn.

1896–1970sClacklineSchool

Clackline school was situated 17km west of Northam, 80km east of Perth. It wasgazettein1896andtheschoolopened.In1929studentsandteacherE.W.Memberybuiltacommemorativesculptureofalionandplacedaplaqueonarocktocelebrate100 years of British colonisation. The school closed in the 1970s and is no longerpresent.

1897-1937MumberkinePublicSchool

In 1897 James Dobsonwas paid 100 pounds to build another school. Charles Glassdonated3acresoflandatRosendaleonGoomallingroadandJamesByfieldwonthetender,whichwas484pounds,toerectasingleroom,corrugatedironbuildingwithaverandah on three sides. The school was opened in 1898 with James Dobsoneducating. The sewingmistresswasMissNellie Sheen. Between1901 and1907 theschoolwastaughtbeEthelbertF.Edwardes.Thisschoolclosedin1937.

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1897CoondleSchool

CoondleprovisionalschoolwasopenedonPhillipsRoadin1897andwasasmallmud-brickschool20x16ft.Ithadthreesmallwindowsandthestudentscalleditthe‘blackholeofCalcutta’.TheteacherwasMissMercySyredwhohadtaughtatBejoordingformanyyears.Thegovernmentsubsidisedcostsandfinallyanironroofschoolwasbuiltwithaverandahwherethefamiliesheldsportscompetitions,dancesandconcerts.

1897DeepdaleHallSchool

DeepdaleHallwasalargegalvanizedironbuildingandusedasachurchandaschoolwhentheToodyayValleySchoolwasclosed.

1898-1935SilverHillsSchool

MrGwlynHReesdonated5acresoflandnearCockerdingBrookin1898foraschool.The school operated half time sharing the teacher with another school from 1902-1906,Mr ThomasO’Loughlin. Therewere 12 students including an aboriginal child,Calvin,whosefamilylivedalongLongForestRoad.SchoolexcursionsincludedpicnicsontheMortlockRiverandtheraces.Theschoolclosedin1935withanenrolmentofjustsevenstudents.ThelastteacherwasMrPaulMitchell.ThechildrenoftheSchellfamilytravelledeightmilesfromtheirhousenortheastofGoomallingtoSilverHills.

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1900s–1910JimperdingSchool

ThissmallruralschoolhadafootbridgebuiltbyJamesInnessotheStrahanchildrentocross the riverand ismarkedby lemonscented/pinkbarkgumtreeswhichstudentAlbertMarkey planted. Students included children from the families of Chitty, Lee,Makey,StrachanandSinclair.Therewereninechildreninattendance.Theschoolwasclosedin1910andtheschools’watertanksweretakentoTenMileHillSchoolwhenitopenedin1913.Inthe1930sagoldextractbatterywasbuiltonthesitebutiscoveredbytherailwayembankmentnow.

JimperdingSchool,Toodyay.

1901-1920WestToodyaySchool

The West Toodyay School was situated on Julimar Road in West Toodyay. It wasWestern Australia’s first fully sponsored government school and was a single room20x35ft lined with wooden boards and a galvanized iron roof. Lemon scented gumtrees were planted by KateWaters on Arbor Day in 1912. Children attended fromnearby farms and the community. The school closed in 1920 and children weretransportedbythefirstschoolbustooperateinWAwhichwasahorsedrawnwagondrivenbyFredGreen.

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1902CatholicChurchPrecinct

ThreeSistersofMercytaughtfromasmallbungalowboughtfromGeorgeLeederonNewRoaduntil1898thenpurchasedandestablishedtheStAloysiusConventofMercywhich consisted of a Classroom and dormitory. It was funded by Daniel Conner, anotable local, andbequests fromhis family. It is a two storybrick and ironbuildingbuilt as a residence for the Sisters and female boarders. In 1921 new schoolroomswerebuiltadjacenttothebuildingaswellasanupstairsboy’sdormitory.Theentrancewasconcreted,upperverandahenclosedandakitchenandlargerearlaundryaddedon. StAloysiusConvent is situatedat34-38StirlingTerraceand remainspartof theToodyayCatholicChurchPrecinct.

CatholicChurchPrecinct,Toodyay.InitiallyStAloysiusConventofMercyCatholicSchool.

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1911–1946WatteningSchoolLocalsettlers,T.Camerer,E.LuddemanandG.Hansen,requestedaschooltoeducatetheirchildrenandothersofthelocalregion.TheyhadbeenattendingtheBejoordingSchool for some time but distance and travel time was an issue for busy farmers.Finally a Temperance Hall was built in 1911, which served the community as aschoolroom,churchandmeetinghall.TheteacherattheschoolwasMrJohnWallace.TheschoolwasbuiltofEgyptianbrickbats,jarrahandafinancialGovernmentsubsidyof 180 pounds. Sports competitions and dances were held regularly. Children rodehorsesorwalked toWatteningSchoolwhenBejoordingSchool closed.A tennis clubwasevenavailable to the studentsasMaxmillanCamererbuilt theTemperancehallnearhishome.

PlaqueinarockatthesiteoftheWatteningSchool,Wattening.1912–1925TenMileStateSchool

TenMile State Schooloperated from1912 -1925TenMile State SchoolonToodyayRoad, near Lover’s Lane junction. Chitty and Sinclair, local farmers, pushed foreducation and Chitty donated 10 acres on what was then Red Hill Road near thecurrent Lover’s Lane turnoff. The school was built by Crossley who tendered 149poundsandbuiltaoneroomwoodenschool.WatertanksweretakenfromJimperdingBrook school. The teacherwas 17yr old Gertrude Hassell who boarded at a nearbyfarm. Future teachers included Murtle Martin, Celia Coombes, M. O’Leary, V.Parkinson, Abney Harvey, Stella Hassell (Gertrude’s sister), Emma Bannister, Mr G.Mcnamara,FergusMcArthur,MrsA.Pattersonanduntilitclosedin1925,MissEileenPlummer.ClosurewasduetothetransportationofstudentstoToodyaySchool.

In1912 students included the childrenof families Sinclair,MarkeyandChitty. Somestudentswalkeduptofivemilestoattend.TheChittyfamilyhadmarkedtreestoshowthe way between school and home so their children did not become lost. Whennumberswere lowparentsbroughtchildrenfromelsewheretokeeptheenrolmentsupand the schoolopen.Parents took turns to supplywood, tend to toilets, rubbishandrepairs.

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Theschoolinspector,JamesMiles,visitedtwiceayearwiththemailcontractor,FredGreen.MissNesbitwasthesewingmistressandreligionwasheldmonthlybyRomanCatholicFatherMastertonwhenhecametovisitthearea.

In 1917 Miss Harvey arrived to teach. Lover’s Lane was named when a local ladcourted a teacher and the couplewouldwalk betweenNinemile andBlink Bonnie.LewisChitty,astudentattheschool,teasedthemwithasign‘Lover’sLane’whichhemadeusingsheepbrandingfluidonalargesheetofcorrugatediron.Thenamestuck.EileenPlummerboardedwiththeChittyfamilyandwasknownasPoppy.TheTenMileSchoolclosedin1925andwasmovedtoCorondeen,nearBolgart.Aplaquemarksthelocationandin1979severalex-studentsandfamilymemberssuppliedthematerialsandbuiltamarker.They includedIanMurray,LewisChitty,MickChitty,WallyChittyandAlisonBurnett.

ExStudentsandfamilymemberswiththemarkerforTenMileStateSchool.

1916-2016BolgartSchoolBolgartSchoolwasestablishedinthetinytownofBolgartwithmanyofthematerialsbeing taken fromWattening School, 12 kmaway.At somepoint itwas closed for atime,perhapsduetothesecondworldwar.InFebruary1957theschoolwasreopenedand11newchildrenattendedgradeone.The total enrolment was 53. Mr G.R .Kemp was the headmaster and Miss M.Cruttendenwas his assistant. The assistant was forced to attend hospital for acuteappendicitisandJudithSyredwastheactingreliefteacher.InJunetheattendancewasverypoorduetoseverefloodingoftheAvonRiver.In 2016 the school celebrates their centenary.A centenary celebration resulted in asmallamountof informationbecomingavailable to thecommunity,muchof it from1968.

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Somecommunityanecdotesarecomprisedbelow:In April 1959 Trever Larkin,MalcomClarke,Maureen Clarke and Ron Clarke arrivedoneminuteafterfirstrollcall.ThatyearinAprilanAnzacceremonywasheldwherebyMrR.Harrington,WorldWar2veteran,addressedthechildrenandthechildrenlaidawreath.InFebruary1961theheadmasterwasFrankBellandtheteacherMissD.Erickson.Theschoolenjoyedahighenrolmentof66students.From1958-1960PrincipalDickKempwasfollowedbyMrRalphCookandtheschoolwascategorizedasaclassfourschool.Theyhadsevenclassesfromyears1-7.MrRalphCookhadthreechildrenofhisown,aged2mths,2and4years,andhehadarrivedbycaravan.Theweatherwasveryhotandthefamilyhadnoschemewater.Asmallcornershopprovidegeneralconveniencesbutnofuel.InordertogetefuelthePrincipalcontactedLeoLeederwhodelivered44gallonsofpetrol.Milk was delivered to the school daily by the Clarke Girls as a priority. StudentMalcolmClarkewasonlyasecondarystudentforawhilewhohelpedatsportstrainingandhisbrotherCliffClarkewouldensure that theyhadenoughwood inwinterandwater.Cliffoncetookanechidnatotheschool.Anopendaywasheldin1960forparentstovisitandseethechildrenatwork.LaurieHarrington andMaureen Clarke rearranged the desks, set up a radio with weatherinstruments and the students performed a short folk dance, and showed a film.Children askedwhether the Parents and Citizens club could hire a bus to transportstudents toNortham for swimming lessonsor tobuyabarometer for theirweatherstation.MrHarringtonagreedtobringabarometertotheschool.Centenarycelebrationsinvolvedthecurrentstudentstolearnandpresentinformationabout the history of the school. Thiswas awonderful day dedicated to communitysupportandacknowledgement.Localresidentswereabletovisittheschoolandviewstudentwork,watchperformancesandplaysandsharetheirstorieswithstaff.1921–1926CulhamSchoolPhilipCulham’swifeoperatedasmallschoolfromherhomeuntilofficialschoolswereestablished.TheCulhamfamilyhomesteadisstillonsiteandoccupiedbydescendantsoftheCulhamfamily.

1926-1933ToodyayStateSchool

Toodyay State School was located on Duke street, Toodyay. The main buildingconsisted of a headmaster’s room and a classroom for years 6,7 and infants. Averandah passage ran the length of the building and there was a classroom andwashroomontheothersideforyears2and3.Thewashroomhadbasinsandwasusedtostoresportsequipment.Years4and5weretaughtfromaseparateroom.Studentshad the use of two tennis courts, a shed, a cookery room, a manual room and awoodshed.Boysplayedonthetownsideoftheschoolwhilstgirlsusedtheareaonthe

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topsidewiththeshedsforshelter.TheyalsohadaccesstoanorchardinClintonstreetand awell. The bus stopwas located at the south end of the orchard. A 6ft picketfencewithpointedslatssurroundedtheschoolwhichwasbuiltofbrickwithatinroof.The classroom for years 4 and 5waswoodenwith largewindows. The shedswerewoodenwithonesideopenandabenchseat.TeachersincludedJoanGoodandR.A.Johnsonwhowasefficientbutcruel,andMrsClaraJames.

Punishments included detention when students had unfinished homework. Themorning drill consisted of running on the spot and swinging your arms. StudentsplantedcerealsforthePerthagriculturalshow,ploughedandpreservedfruitfromtheorchard,driedraisonsandgrewtobacco.In1930thefreemilkschemewasintroducedto schools toaddress issuesofnutritionandadailybus servicebrought students toschool from outlying areas. These buses replaced the horse drawn lorry usedoriginally.TheIrishtownbuswascalledthechickenbusasithadboardsandnettingonthesides;theNunylebuswascalledthepigbusasitwasspottedcartingpigsduringthe holidays and the Culham bus was called the Charabanc. After the Charabanccrashedwithatrain,theBluebirdreplacedit.Whentheriverwasfloodingtheschoolbellsoundedthealarmandthebuseswouldcometocollectthestudents.Sometimestheyweretoolateandstudentswerestrandedforuptoaweekintown,stayingwithfamiliesintownuntiltheriverwentdownagainandtheycouldreturnhome

.

ToodyayStateSchool,DukeStreet,Toodyay.Headmaster’sHouse,ToodyayStateSchool,Toodyay.

Gamesthatstudentsplayedincludedthefollowing:

Marbles which were kept in cotton bags and were made of baked clay or glass,collectablecigarettecards,which featuredcricketers,dogsorships, football, cricket,basketballandtennis,keepingsilkworms,flyingkites,hilltrolleyswhichwasatrolleyonpramwheels and childrenwould conduct races downClinton andHenry streets,childrencaughtandbredferalpigeons,chasedrabbits,caughtsmall fish intheriver,dugwildpotatoes,heldmockwarswheretheywoulddigtrenchesandthrowwetclayballs at each other as hand grenades, a paper chase andmaking and planting stinkbombs.

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A terrible bus accident occurred on the 6 August 1931 at the Clinton street railwaycrossing.Itwasafoggydayandtherewasanewtraindriveroperatinganunscheduledgoodstrain,whopushedthroughthebuskillingtwosmallchildren,threeseniorsandinjuring 12 others. Nine year old Cecil Ferguson became trapped between the trainlinesandundertheengineandwasdragged20metres.Hehadtobedugoutandwasscarred and burned. He later became a beekeeper. Seven year old EllieMackintoshsufferedleginjuriesandherbrotherEwanwaskilled.AChinesegirl,LucyYockLunn,wasmiraculouslythrownclearofthewreckageanditwasshewhosoundedthealarm.Aninquestintotheaccidentreportedthatthechildrenhadbeensingingasongpriortothecollision.Aplaqueresidesinthetowninmemoryofthetragedy.

Plaquememorializingthebuscrashin1931.

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ShireofBeverleyRuralSchoolsTheShireofBeverleywassettledin1840sinthevalleyoftheAvonandDaleRivers.Itis situatedwest ofArmadale andWandering,Northof York, Southof Brookton andEastofQuairading.

Founder George Pownall was involved in the establishment of schooling in theBeverleyDistrict.HewasfirstresidentchaplainofYorkandBeverley.

Originalschoolsintheareahadsmallnumbersandstudentsweretutoredbytravellingtutorswhomovedonevery threemonthsand thewealthy familiespaidpermanenttutors.Manyboysoriginally attendedYork schoolsand studentsoftenhadonlyonedressoruniformforschoolandnoshoes.Manywalkeduptothreemilestoattend.Some came via a sulky or riding ponies which required watering, tethering andsaddling.Manyofthesefirstsmallschoolstaughtmanygradesinoneclassroom.

GilgeringSchool,NorthBeverleySchool,Beverley.

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1859–1910GilgeringSchool–NorthBeverleySchool

GilgeringSchool,alsoknownasNorthBeverleySchoolwasbuiltonFleay’sGilgeringproperty andwas supported by Reverend Frederick Lynch of Trinity College Dublin.Teacher George Blackiston was followed by Thomas Salkild in 1862 who taught 25studentsformanyyears.MillicentSeabrooktaught10childrenfrom1869–1873andhersistertaughtatSouthBeverleySchool.

In1877Lynchaccusedateacherofbeing‘lazyandincompetent’andin1885ateacherwasdismissedforcarryingand‘imbibing’ofawhiskyflask.

In the 1870s teacher Annie Robins retired and the school closed as there was noteacheravailable.Sheresumedteachingin1879.BlanchEarnshawreportsthat94%ofher students passed their lessons and the school was named the ‘most successfulcountryschool’.In1906theteacherwasHildaMeadowcroft.

1909reportsshowthattheschoolhad20studentsenrolledwhowerebeingschooledina small room,15ftx12ftwhichhad twodesks,able to seat fivechildrenateach.Therewasalsoateachersdesk,oneeaselandaboard.Afterashortperiodoftimetheschool suffered rain damage and was inundated with white ants. The ceiling wasdamagedtothepointofallowingthewindthroughtheschoolandstationary,whichwasdifficulttoobtain,hadtobekeptsafefromtheelements.

1859AnnandaleSchool

Annandale School was a small mudbrick building located on Annandale farm withJohnSewell’sdaughteras thetutor.Pupils includedTom,sonofConstableEdwards,Billy,sonofPioneerofDaleRiver,ThomasOtwayandLouis.

In1868theBeverleyboardofeducationelectedLynchaschairmanwhopetitionedthegovernmentforanewschoolontheAvonBridge.

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1869–1873AvonvaleSchool–SouthBeverleySchool

Nicholas Carey of Avonvale donated land and built a small mudbrick building withstone footings, a clay floor and thatched roof. School was taught by Miss AmeliaSeabrookofBrooktononasalaryof25poundsperyear.HersisterMillicenttaughtatNorth Beverley School. Reports were obtained from the government that declaredthatherstudentsachievedexcellentmarks.

By 1872water was undermining the foundations of the school and dust was risingthroughtheclayfloor,howeverdespitenumerousrequestsandcomplaints,nomoneywasoffered for repairsby thegovernment. 1873 reports reflect thatMiss Seabrookwas calling students names such as ‘barbarians, blockheads’ and hitting the on theheadwithastick.

1872MourambineSchool

MourambineSchoolwasfundedbytheAnglicanchurch.Thefirsthourofclassesdailyincluded Religious instruction when students recited the Apostles Creed, the Lord’sPrayerandtheTenCommandments.

1872BeverleySchool

In1872thegovernmentfinallyagreedtoprovide landandateacher if thetownshipbuiltaschool.AbuildingcommitteewasformedandathreeroomedschoolhousewasbuiltonVincentstreet.Thebuildingwas47ft long,13ftwideandmadeofsundriedmud brick built on stone foundations. It had a clay floor and a thatched roof. ThebuilderwasWilliamMorrisonwhotendered36pounds includingtwotoiletsandtheschool was opened in 1873. By 1888 the bricks above the entrance doorway werefallingandtheroofwasleaking.

In1894BeverleySchoolwasfinallyrebuiltandtheexistingschoolbecametheteacheraccommodation. The new school later became the kindergarten. TomWard was ateacher at this school and celebratedprize days, concerts and arbor dayswhen thechildrenplantedtrees,whichmanyyears laterprovidedshadeforfuturestudentsoftheschool.

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1889 Bally Bally, Dale, East Beverley, Erindale, South Caroling, Mount Caroling,MountKokebyandJacob’sWellSchools

A number of schoolswere established in 1889. Eachwere a small school that localresidents were required to document the names, ages and number of studentsexpectedinorderforthegovernmenttofundthem.Issuesexistedastothelocation,suitablelandandaccesstowaterandmostlandwasobtainedfromfarmersdonatingsections of their farms. It was difficult to find builders and accommodation and toenable transport of building materials. Stan Manuel was awarded the contract totransportmaterials forDale School andhe travelled 23miles by horse and cart.Hebecameboggedandwasforcedtodighisequipmentoutwhichtookhimtwoweeks.Manyparentselected tobuild theschools themselves.Part timeschoolswereoftentheanswertolowenrolmentswhichhadteacherssuchasGeorgeTalbotteachingfivedaysafortnightattwodifferentschoolsofDale.

1911–1940sMillOliverStanesPrivateSchool

MillOliverStanesopenedaprivateschoolinLukinStreetwhichshehadplannedtobeakindergartenandagirl’sschoolhowever,by1913manystudentsenrolledwereofbothsexesandmanyages.Thisschoolwasopenforyearsandwhenitclosedchildrenattendedthestateschool.

1912–1924EastBeverleySchool

EastBeverleySchoolastaughtbyteacherMayJoffrey.Thereweremany issueswithaccesstocleanwaterandriskofinfection.

In 1924manyof the small schools closed and a bus provided transport for outlyingstudents toattend thecentral school. The transitionwasdifficult formany studentsbutmore opportunitieswere provided for in terms of sports, subjects, competitionand visiting other schools. Students learned cooking and had a broader range ofsubjectsavailabletothem.

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1924AboriginalSchool

AsmallaboriginalschoolwasopenedinDavidNoonan’shomeforaboriginalchildrentolearncooking,readingandwritingwithMrsArmstrrong.Studentsincludedchildrenofthefollowingfamilies;Knight,Otway,Grover,WansbroughandHenly.

AboriginalSchool,Beverley.

By 1946 five separate vehicles transported students to a central school and driverssleptatfamilyhomesontheirroute.

AruralschoolontheDalebreaksupforChristmasHolidaysDec1965

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ShireofChitteringRuralSchools1895–1909NorthBindoonSchool

North Bindoon School opened with 10 students enrolled including children of thefamiliesofWells,ByrneandPurser.Wellsdonatedaroomwhichwaswelllitandhadafireplaceandanoffice.TeacherG.E.Joneswaspaid15poundsperweek.Theschoolwasfurnishedwithtwoschooldesks,twosmalllockersandbookswhichweresenttoeach school. Conditions applied that enrolment had to remain over 10 students inordertocontinuetoattractfunding.Jonestravelledbyhorsethesevenmiledistancebetweenschools.

In1901NorthBindoonSchooloperatedonThompson’slanduntil1909.Atthistimethe building was removed and re- erected in Mooliabeenie in 1910 and studentsattendedschoolinits’newlocation.

1895–1914BindoonSouthSchool

BindoonSouthSchoolwasopenedin1895with10studentsofthefamiliesThompsonand Atkinson. It operated out of Kay’s home on Kays land and shared teacher G.E.Jones. The schoolwas closed in1896but reopened in1897with JohnR. Parkswhotaughtatbothschoolsfrom1897until1899.

William Holmes taught from 1900-1901. There were many issues with teacheraccommodation, shortage of water and the property needed a well sunk. In 1912renovationswereundertakenwhileteacherLeonardWoodwasteaching.Awatertankwas granted but the school closed in 1914 due to low attendance and enrolments.Teachers includedWilliam Considine from 1903 - 1906, EdwardWood from 1908 –1909andArthurLathwellin1914.In1916BindoonSouthschooljoinedMooliabeenieSchoolwithNorthBindoonandallstudentsattendedthenewschool.

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1895-1904ChitteringUpperSchool

ChitteringUpperSchoolwasthefirstchitteringschool.Itwasamudbrickschoolbuiltin1895onSpicelandatBrockhill.

Teachers taught atboth theChitteringUpper and Lower Schools and theyoperatedtogether as half time schools. Chittering Lower School was also known as the Lakeschool. The nest, a sculpture completed by Central Tafe Art School project, wascreatedtomarkthesiteoftheschoolonSpiceland.Teachersincluded:

1899-1900AnnieandAlfredPreston

1901ThomasBrown

1902-3FrancesBrown

1904FredNadebaum

1899-1952ChitteringLowerSchool–LakeSchool

ChitteringLowerSchool,ortheLakeSchool,was locatednear thesouthendofLakeChitteringonChitteringroad.Therewasnoteacher’squarterssotheteachersleptattheschoolbutquarterswerebuilt in1906.Theschoolconsistedoftwosmall rooms7x11ft and 10.5x11ft. There was a brush fence around the school and a vegetablegarden.Intimeanotherroomwasadded,paint,tanks,anouthouse,aWCandagateforthehorses.TheLakesSchoolwasclosedin1952.Teachersincluded:

1899-1900AnnieandAlfredPreston

1901ThomasBrown

1902-1903FrancesBrown

1904FredNadebaum

1906MaryWilliams

1907MaryMcKean

1908-1911ErnestandFlorenceCrocos

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1900-1984WannamalSidingSchool

E.K.ByrnemadeapplicationforaschoolinWanamalSidingwhichwouldeducate6-14students.ThelocationchosenwaslandoverlookingWannamalLakeandsettlerswerewilling to pay the rent on the building. Students were of various religions such asAnglican, Church of England, Roman Catholic andWesleyan. The site was six milesfrom Mogumber and when it first opened 16 children aged 5-10 years and 8-10youngerchildrenwereenrolled.Parents includedSamuelWoodswhohad3childrenaged 6-10, S. Kimberleywhohad 3 children aged 5-7, R.Masterswith two childrenaged8-10,M.Holstwithonechildof8years,E.Piloniwithfourchildrenaged5-10andE.K.Byrnewithfivechildrenaged5-9.

In1902SamKimberleyappliedforaschoolfor20childrenanddonatedfiveacresofland for the school. Plans were drawn and the school opened in 1904 with 23students, 12 boys and 11 girls. School leaving age was 14 years. The teacher,Nadebaum, from Bindoon pitched a tent on the marshes until the building wasapproved.Thisoccurredwhen238poundswasraised.

In 1904 the school was full time with teacher Henry R. Havil and building wascompletednorthofWannamalReserve.Havil remainedteachinguntil1905whenG.W. Gregory Smithwas appointed until 1909.Williams taughtwith Ellen Bagley andMayNadebaumasthesewingmistresses.

In1908hegovernmentawardedfundstomakerepairssuchasre-flooringtheschoolandprovidinga1000gallonwater tank.Theoldtankhadbeen leaking.ThegardenswereupgradedandpaintingwascompletedbyAndrewWardle.Asecondwatertankwasinstalledandthefirstonepadlockedtopreventtravelersfromstealingwater.In1911flywirewasfittedandin1912ashederectedforstorage.

Manyabsenteesoccurredovertheyearsforvariousreasonssuchastheneedtoassistwith farming, broken carts, no horse, flooding, illness such as ringworm, measles,whoopingcough,typhoidandinfluenza.

TwoschooleventswereArborDayandEmpireDay.Thesedaysbroughtgames,treeplanting,sports,schoolpicnic,horsejumping,dancing,toysandphotos,songs,medalsandprizes.TeacherWilliamsleftin1919andtheschoolclosedin1984whenstudentsweretransportedbybustoGinGin.ThefinalteacherswereBevalRippandDonnadiGuisepp.

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1908WannamalSouthSchool

WannamalSouthSchoolwasahalftimeschoolhowevernorecordremainsofwhereitmayhavebeenandnoruinshavebeenlocated.

In1895E.WellsandJohnKaymadearequesttoestablishtwoschools,oneeithersideofBindoonHill,withplanstooperatethreedaysperweekeach.

1910-1945MooliabeneeSchool

In1909arequestwasmadeforaschoolforthechildrenofthefamiliesGlover,Kaye,Ferguson and Read. Between them the families had 15 children aged 6-14 years. Ablockof landwasdonatedbyGloverandReadandthebuildingfromNorthBindoonSchool was moved at the cost of 146 pounds. The Gin Gin educational committeeoversawthetransfer.MissAliceJeffreytaughtthechildrenandwhileshewasthereawashtap,towelrailandshelterwerebuilt.Absencesandwelfareconcernswereoftenraised and an average of 10 students attended regularly. In 1928 fences weredamagedandrepairedunderRobertBruce.Healsohadflyscreensfitted.Theschoolwasclosedin1930withanenrolmentofjustsevenstudents.

Joan Bell was then taught by correspondence until the school reopened in 1935. Atankwas installedbutby1939 the tankwas leakingandmoredeskswere required.Theschoolclosed in1945andthebuildingwassoldto theProgressAssociationandmovedtoarecreationreserve.In1950abushfiredestroyedallthebuildings.

1920–1952LowerChitteringSchoolandHall

In 1920 local residents built a large hall 40x22ft with a fireplace, water tank andfurniture and it was used as a school also with the teacher accommodation at theO’Neil homestead. Eight children were enrolled of the names Beales, O’Neil andSandow. In 1925 the glass, gardens and blindswere replaced. In 1937 paintingwasundertakenandanewtankinstalled.In1946theteacherwasR.Samuel.In1947therewere41studentsenrolled.

In1952theschoolbustransferredstudentstoBullsbrookSchoolandLowerChitteringschool and Hall was closed. A sculpture of a handheld school bell was created byCentralTafeArtSchoolProjecttomarktheschoolsite.Teachersincluded:

1920-22MayEllenO’Neil

1923-31GladysGood

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32-34MaryDavenport

35-37MonaWatterson

38FredaChancy

39-42IreneCurtis

43-44HildaMaison

45IvyBrady

46KathleenGrow

47-51JamesHetherington

52IanRobertson

1941–1953StJoseph’sFarmandTradeSchool

WilliamPadburyofBindoonHillhadownedhispropertysince1924.In1936CatherineMusk donated the land to the Christian Brothers to build a boys home. Later StJoseph’s FarmandTrade school, KeaneyCollegewasopenedwith the firstprincipalbeing Keaney. Roman Catholic Boys aged 14-16 planned to train for two years asagriculturallabourersandmixedfarmers.Theboysweredelinquentssentfromcourtwhowerefed,clothedandtaught.Theschoolcommencedwith20boys.

StJoseph’sFarmandTradeSchool,Bindoon.

Soonafter41boysweresentfromClontarftoconstructthebuildingsunderBrotherFrancisPaulKeaneywhowas53yearsofageandhailedfromIreland.HeworkedtheboyshardandwhenClontarfwastakenbytheRAAFduringthewaralltheboysweresent to him. The boys lived under harsh conditions and inhumane discipline was

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frequentlyreported.SomeoftheissuesreportedincludedthattherewasnoReligiousinstruction, the school was a building site, the boys were engaged in drinking andparties, inadequate foodand clothingwasprovided to themand theboyswerenotbeingpaid.

In1946Keaneywasmovedonbut returned in1948.Theboysoften left the schoolgroundssquattingatnearbyfarmsandengagingintheftofbasicneedsitemssuchasfoodandclothingandbikes for transport.Theofficialopeningwasheld in1953andKeaneydiednotlonglater.

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ShireofYorkRuralSchools

1841Wallingsfordschool

Wallingsford Boy’s school was a private school with Reverend J.B. Wittenoom asprincipal.Theschoolwasestablishedin1841toinducegentrytotheregion.

1841-1953WesleyChurchNativeSchool

WesleyChurchSchoolwasestablishedin1841withtheoverallintentionofprovidingeducationinrelationtoChristianityandcivilizedbehaviourforthenativechildren.Theschoolwasoperatedfromamissionhousebutby1953itwasdeemedtohavefailed.

1846-1847SweetmanSchool

Thomas Sweetman applied to establish a government school for his own eightchildren. Therewere 34 students altogether, including neighbours’ children and thegovernmentpaidhim20poundshoweverhebecameillandsoin1847RobertD’Arcytaughtthestudentsinhisownhouse.

1848–1852YorkColonialSchool

G.R.Teedewasgranted20poundstoestablishtheYorkColonialSchool.InYorktherewere74boysand65girlsofschoolage.TwentyfiveboysattendedTeede’sschool.Noprovisionwasmadeforgirlsandstudentaccommodationwasprovidedattheschool.ParentspaidfeestowardTeede’swages.In1851TeederesignedandMrGeorgePopewaspaid30poundstooperatetheschool inhishomeatGlandstownneartheKingsHeadhotel.

1849EdwardBartlettSchool

ElizaBrown,alocalresident,hiredEdwardBartlettasatutorforherson,Kenneth.Hethen set up his own private school in the Anglican Church but later became analcoholicandtheschoolwasclosed.

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1850MarwickGirlsSchool

Aprivategirl’sschoolwasestablishedontheMarwickpropertyin1850.

1852-1871StPatricksConvent

StPatrick’sCoventwas taughtby JoanneWhitely fromKilkenny, Ireland.StPatrick’swasthefirstCatholicSchool.In1861studentswereeducatedbyMrJohnWarrenandfrom1866-1869ReverendAnselmBourketaughtthestudents.

1852Pope’sSchool

MrsPopeopenedagirl’sschool.Sheresignedin1853afterwhichMrGeorgeBlakistontaughtwithhiswifeassistingwith thegirls. In1854MissA.Neate taughtand therewas an attendance of 40 students. Whooping cough hit the town and Blakistonresigned and moved to Perth. In 1857 a permanent building was erected for YorkColonialSchoolwithaccommodationforboardersandTeedereturnedtoteachingfor100 pounds. In the newly built school desks were bolted to the floor in rows, twoinkwells were provided for each desk and each Friday was test day. Those whoachievedhighscoressatatthefront,whereasthosewhoachievedonlylowscoressatatthebackoftheroom.

1860YorkGirlsSchool

YorkGirl’sSchoolopenedin1860onAvonTerrace.Itwasoperatedfromtworooms,onelargeandonesmall.ThiswaslocatedinthecurrentSalvationArmybuildingandMissShepherdtaughtthestudentsfrom1861-1871.MissAmeliaHorleyassistedwithteaching infants from 1869. Girls and boys were taught at this school until theyreached 7 years of age and then the boys attended the boy’s school and the girlsremained.From1863-1864MrVealwastheheadmasterattheboysschoolandthenEdwardBurch.EllenMcQuadeassistedin1867andthenin1868,JosephMill.

In1869until1871Blakistonreturnedtoteachingandachievedanaverageattendanceof35students.Blakistonresignedin1882andthenFrederickAugustusWadetaughtuntil1886.MrH.Islestaughtduringthetimethatthegirl’sschoolwasextendedwitha new verandah. This school later became an infants-only school. In 1892 IsleswasdismissedandMrWeldontaughtthestudents.

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In 1891 Henrietta Boyd taught and extensions were required due to increasednumbers. In 1892 the boys school became infants and the girls and infants schoolbecameexclusivelygirls.In1897MrsEdithHarknesstaughtattheinfant’sschooluntil1909andcontinuedtoassistattheschooluntil1918.

1861-1926GilgeringSchool

Gilgering School was built of brick with an iron roof. It had one main room and asmallerroomandfeaturedafrontandsideverandah.Theschoolclosedin1891duetolownumbersbutreopenedin1905with12students.In1911theenrolmentsweresolow that the schoolwas forced to operate half timewithGwambygine. In 1916 theschoolclosedagainandreopenedin1917,howeverin1926lownumbersfinallyforcetheschooltocloseandstudentsweretransportedtoYork.

1869-1885TipperarySchool

TipperarySchoolwasestablishedonTipperaryFarmwithanenrolmentof15students.Theroomfeaturedwhitewashedwallsandin1870therewere14children.OneoftheteacherswasMrClaytonHoward.In1871anewschoolhousewasbuiltfor50poundsandin1875asecondschoolwasbuiltofbrickwithashingledroofandtworooms.

In 1881 Miss Pikes resigned due to low attendance and the school closed butreopened in 1885. Numbers were still low and parents brought their 3 year oldchildreninanefforttokeepenrolmentsup,howeverdespitetheireffortstheschoolstillclosedsoonafter.

1869–1945GreenhillsSchool

GreenhillsSchoolwasestablishedin1869.Itwasanewschoolofbrickandtimberandby1877enrolmentsboasted45students.Thegirlslearnedneedlework.Theclassroomwas partitioned and a teachers quarter built whilst floor and toilet repairs wereenacted.In1878thegovernmentsanctioneditasaprovisionalschoolandMrsDuncanTeal taught. In 1895 a new schoolwas erected, built of brick andMissGladys Elliottaughtthestudentsfor75pounds.In1898theattendancewasverylow,below12andso the school was closed. In 1910 Bally Bally school was dismantled andmoved toGreenhills, which could then be re-opened, and their students attended GreenhillsSchoolalso.In1920MrHaroldMinchintaughtthestudentsandin1922therewere40students but these enrolments were steadily declining until 1945 when the schoolfinallyclosedandstudentsweretransportedbybustoYork.

68

1872-1971SistersofMercyandStJoseph’softheApparitionSchool

TheYorkconventwastakenoverin1871bytheSistersofMercyandStJoseph.Thisschoolwasatworoombuildingeducatinginfantstothe6thgrade.ItwassituatedonSouth Street and students were taught reading, writing, arithmetic, geography,grammar and needlework. Music lessons, languages, young adult elocution classeswerealsotaughtintheevenings.Ayearlyinspector’sreportwasmadeontheschool,its’teachersandeachstudent.

1883–1944QuellingtonGentleSchool

SamuelGentlebuiltaschool forthepurposeofeducatinghisownfivechildren.Theschoolhousewasasmallmudstrawandbrickroomwithathatchedroof,whitewashwalls and mud floors. It was built close to the original homestead. Samuel Gentletaughthischildrenandtheneighbours’childrenfor1shillingaweek.In1884Connortaught18childrenandtheschoolclosedin1885.Itre-openedin1889withMrGeorgePearsonteachingandin1891MrScottbuttheschoolsufferedfrompoorattendance.Anewschoolhousewasbuiltofbrickandmortaron1.5acresclearedbyMrGentleandin1899itwassurroundedbyfencingandHannahGleesontaughtfor90pounds.In1905anewroomwasaddedwhileMissMyraSmithtaughtandwatertankswerebrought fromTipperarySchool in1908. In1919 influenzapreventedattendanceandthe school closed again in 1920. In 1920 Mr C.T. Britts operated Quellington andMalebellingschoolhalftimeeachbuttheyalsosoonclosed.

QuellingtonSchool re-openedagain in1930withMissHazelPollandas the residentteacher.In1944therewerejust6children.Theschoolwasclosedforthelasttimeandthe furniturewas stored inYork. Studentswere transportedbybus toYorkand thedriver lived on Mr E. Daws’ property until 1952. The Gentle family purchased thebuilding back from government and lived in the old school house while their newhousewasbuilt.

69

QuellingtonGentleSchoolsite,York.

QuellingtonSchoolFarmstay,York.

70

1886-1920YorkGovernmentSchool

GeorgeTemplePooledesignedHowickStreetSchoolforboysandgirls.Ithadseparateentrancesandtheplaygroundwasalsoseparated.

In 1898 York Girls School and Boys school consolidated with Howick School andbecameknownasYorkGovernmentSchoolwith170students.In1902theschoolwasovercrowdedastherewere226students.AsaresulttheinfantsreturnedtotheAvonTerracecampusandupgradescommencedattheHowickStreetorYorkGovernmentSchool. In 1905 Harkness moved to the infant’s school. In 1908 the school wasconnectedtobothwaterandelectricityandin1918eveningclasseswereoperated.In1920more landwas purchased in Howick Street for the erection of a new infant’sroom and a modern pavilion room was built 30x20ft. York Government Schoolteachersincludedthefollowing:

1861-1871Shepherd

1871-1885JaneBoyd

18851897MrVeal

1898MissHenriettaBoyd

1898Amalgamatedwithboys’school

YorkInfantsteachers

1869-1896AmeliaHorley

1897-1909EdithHarkness

1910-1911EmmaKimber

1912-1913HelenGraham

1914-1916FrancisMetcalfe

1917MissMinnieWildy

1918MissJeanFreebairn

1920AmalgamatedwithYorkGovernmentSchool

Outlying schools taught reading,writing, tablesandmentalarithmetic.Dailydrillsofrunning and knee exercises were held. Students engaged in nature study andgardening.

71

1890-1911YorkGirl’sGrammarSchool

MissE.CatherineJobsontaughtschoolandmusicfromatwostorybuildingownedbytheMongerfamilyonthecornerofPooleStreetandAvonTerrace.Thebuildingwasdemolished in1912.Atthattimeshetaught fromthehomeofLindsayAshworthonPooleStreetand then fromtheSalvationArmybuilding in1905andOddfellowHall.ThegirlsboardedwithherinBroomestreet.

Oneoftheteachers,MissEdithKellytookthegirlsforafternoonwalksandtheywerenicknamedtheKellyGang.Theyworestrawhatswiththeirnamesembossed ingoldandtheywalkedtoMountBrown.Otherteachers includedMissKnowles,OwenandClance Langsford. Rosa Jobson, Catherine’s sister, taught the small children andcleaned.Daisy Rossi taught drawing and painting. She latermarriedGeorge TemplePoole. The school held concerts at the endof each year at theMechanics Institute.These involved dance and drama and fancy dress balls. Miss Schiffman would visitfrom Perth weekly to teach the girls dancing. In 1908 students won various musicawards and in 1911 the school was moved toWest Perth and became Perth GirlsGrammarSchool.

1890-1896YorkBoy’sGrammarSchool

TheYorkBoy’sGrammarSchoolwasestablishedbyMrBennett.ItasoperatedoutoftheAshworth’shomeonthecornerofSeabrookandCliffordStreetinYork.StudentsfromBurge’sSidingwouldtravelsevenmilestoattendtheschool.MrBennettusedhisbelt buckle for discipline and encouraged school sports. Mr Bennett transferred toGuildfordasatutorin1896andtheschoolwasclosed.

1892-1897Grigson’sWellSchool

Grigson’sWell schoolwas a small private school taughtbyMrWilliams inMargaretGrigson’shome,800yardsnorthofBurge’sSiding.Enrolmentscarried18studentsandMargaret provided a small roomwith weatherboard walls and a calico ceiling. TheteacherwasMrWardwhoin1893taught27students.MrLewistaughtafterhim.In1896MrJeremiahMurnanetaughttheschoolondonated landfromMrR.G.BurgesandthisschoolwasalsoknownasTipperarySchool.

72

1898-1930TipperarySchool

MrAlfredRegsonmovedfurniturefromGrigson’sWellSchooltothenewbuildingandMargaret became the sewing mistress. The stones used to build the school werecartedbythefatherofJackBlakiston,ArthurJess.Theroofwasiron,ceilingswoodandthe room featured a tall brick chimney. A picket fence ran across the front andplayground was provided for the children. In 1908 the school was fenced andconnectedtowater.In1914MrBlakistonrecallsanenrolmentof48children.By1930whentheschoolclosed,theschoolhadatotalof32students.

SketchofthesecondTipperarySchool,York.

TipperarySchool1918–laternamedBurge’sSiding,York.

73

Teachersincludedthefollowing:

1870sSarahO’Rourke

1898MrMurnane

1899-1903HenryO’Connor

19041906MrMoorhouse

1907-1911RobertKelly

1912-1914SydneyWeir

1915-1916DanielKehoe

19171921ArthurCameron

19221924FredGibbon

19251929DanKehoeandEdwardDewing

1899–1913BalladongSchool

BalladongSchoolwasestablishedin1899atthecostof30pounds.Thebuildingwastaken fromelsewhereanddismantledand re-erectedonsiteandnew furniturewassent. The school roomwasmade of corrugated iron, linedwith iron and containedsawdust insulation.Therewasa log tositon for lunchandstudentswalkedthroughthebushforupto7milestoattendtheschool.BalladongSchoolclosedin1913duetolownumbersandthebuildingwasmovedtoQuairading.

AsketchofBalladongSchool,York.

74

TeachersatBalladongSchoolincludedthefollowing:

1900-1901EmmaTaylor

1902-194EllieGleeson

1905-1907OlgaBurdak

1908AgnesJeffrey

1909MaryAsheandMissCrees

1910MaryBradleyandMrwhite

1911-1913RhodaStewers

1901-1910BallyBallySchool

BallyBallySchoolwaslocated6milesfromGreenhills.Therewere26childrenintheareaand in1906asheltershedwasaddedto thestructure. In1910theschoolwasclosedandstudentsweretransferredtoGreenhillsSchool,enablingittoreopen.

1905-1945MountHardySchool

MissTaylor taughtup to40childrenatMountHardySchool.A teachers’housewasattachedtotheschoolandevenprovidedasmallgarden.In1942MountHardySchoolwasclosedduetolownumbersbutreopenedin1943asanassistedschool.In1945itfinallyclosedandthechildrenweretransportedbybustoYork.

1907-1938MalebellingSchool

Malebelling School was operated on 2.5 acres of land with Margaret Mathesonteachingbutthereweremanyissueswithfloodingandaccesstocleanwater.In1919the school closed due to lack of teaching accommodation and re-opened in 1920sharingateacherwithQuellingtonSchool.MrsTaylorwalkedbetweentheschoolsandin1922parents contributed50% towardsa shelter shed for the school. In1938 theschoolwasclosedduetolownumberswhilstEstelleRogersonwasteaching.

75

1907-1927QualenSchool

Qualen School was operated byMr John Pinchbeet on one acre of land outside ofYork.Theschoolwasclosedin1927.

1908-1947GwambygineHicksSidingSchool

Gwambygine Hicks Siding School was established in 1908 and operated out of anunlinedshedonGwambygineFarm.Theschoolwasoperatedhalf timewithQualenSchool.In1909atentwaserectedforteachers’quartersandin1910afenceputup.In1913only21childrenwereenrolledandtheschoolwasclosed.Anewschoolwasbuiltwhichwasatransportablebuildingwithoneroom,aporchandarearverandah.Thebuildingwasweatherboardwithan ironroof.Asheltershedwasadded in1914andin1923abridgewasbuiltacrosstherivertoassistchildrentoaccesstheschool.

In1939therewere24childrenandin1947theschoolwasclosedandchildrentakenbybustoYork.Somestudenttravelledfivetoahorseandcartandsometimeshadtohelphorsepushthecartuphill.Thecanewasusedfordisciplineandgamesthatthechildrenplayedincludedfiveeggs,whereeachtimehadtotrytogettheeggsoftheother team, rounders where students hit a ball with a stick. Headlice were calledgreybacksandtreatmentincludedsoakingyourheadinkeroseneandoliveoilforhalfaday.

1911–1944TalbotBrook

In1911ConstanceNashtaughtstudentsatTalbotBrookSchooluntilitclosedin1921.In1925itreopeneduntil1928.Theschoolwasmadeofgalvanisedironandwasveryhot in summer and cold in winter. The school closed in 1944 and students weretransportedtoYork.

1911-1947JosephHillSchool

GraceHilltaughtherownsevenchildreninherhomeuntil1912whenshetaughtoutof a standard stable school ofweatherboard. It had one room and a verandahwasbuiltwithsecondhandmaterials.In1912AgnesJeffreytaughtuntilnumbersbecametoolowandtheschoolwasforcedtoclose.Itre-openedin1913withGwenMatthewsasteacherbutbeforelongshewasdismissedandtheschoolclosedagain. In1914itwas reopened with Thomas Whyte until 1915. A new teacher, Rebecca Cook, wasappointedbutwhenshedidnotreturnafterholidaystheschoolremainedcloseduntil1916.In1918MissLangandMrsIvyGentlyreopeneditagainandoperatedagarden.

76

Sheandthestudentsdevelopedaninsectcollection,foughtoffsnakesandreadbythefireplace.SheresidedatthehomeofMrJosephHill.In1921theschoolclosedduetothemeaslesandafterheavyrainsin1926.In1931enrolmentsdroppedagainandtheschool closed again in 1936. In 1942 the school was transferred to the Reynolds’property3.5milesawayandFrancisReynoldstaught.Theverandahwasenclosed.Theschool finally closed in 1947 and a bus was provided to transport students toMeckering. The actual building was also moved there to be used as a manual artsroom.

1913-1921MissesYeomanPrivateSchool

MissesYeomanestablishedaprivateschoolin1913whichsheoperatedfromasmallroomatherhome inPoole Street, Yorkuntil 1918. Shehad12 students andas theroombecametoosmallshetaughttheschoolfromtheAnglicanParishHall forbothboys and girls from 1918 until 1921. Misses Yeoman’s private school was the lastprivateschoolinYork.

1927–1934RockGullySchool

MissGwenPeentaughtatRockGullySchoolhoweverin193212studentscontractedaneyedisease,reducingattendancedramatically. In1933theschoolwascloseddueto the heat and in 1934 it closed again due to low attendance. School books andequipment were sent to Greenhills School and the Rock Gully School building wastransportedtoMoorineRock.

77

1930-1946BurgesSidingSchool

Burge’sSidingSchooloperatedfollowingTipperarySchool.Itwasfurnishedwithfive-seaterdesks,bencheswithnobacksand inkwellsonthetable. In1930a totalof32children attended however by 1932 only 20 children remained. In 1932Mr ArthurHartleytaughtthechildrentoplaymusicalinstruments,singingandmaypoledancing.Tennis courts were available for the use of students and children learned dancing.Schoolstudentsattendedbycart,pony,walkingandtrain.Theschoolclosedin1946duetothegovernmentcentralisationpolicyandbusestransportedstudentstoYork.

TeachersofBurge’sSidingSchoolincludedthefollowing:

1930-1931EdwardDewing

1932Hartley

1933-1934SamuelLynn

1935-1937ThomasCowan

1938-1939EugeneEnsor?

1940-1941EricLofthouse

1942MarkBunden

1943-1946MaryPearce

78

ResearchResults

TheresearchintocolonialruralschoolsintheAvonValleyregionrevealedthatthere

werefarmoreschoolsthanhadbeenanticipated.Thestoryoftheestablishmentand

maintenance of education from that period has been very interesting and it is

supposed that many community organisations and Shires of the region will benefit

greatlyfromtheoutcomesofthisresearch.

Threephotographicexpeditionsencompassed school sites and remains found in the

Shires of Goomalling, Toodyay, Victoria Plains, York and Northam. In total 39 sites

were identified and recorded within these boundaries, which operated schooling

between1840s–1920s.Asmallnumbercontinuedonthroughoutthe1920s–1950s

whentheywereclosedduetotheEducationalCentralisationpolicy.

TheGoomallingregion includeda totalof6schoolswithin thetowncentrewiththe

remaining 14 schools being located between Goomalling, Toodyay and Northam.

Theseschoolsoperatedbetween1854–1969.Alsocontainedwithinthetownshipis

the Goomalling Schoolhouse museum which includes the original school Masters’

house from 1906 from the original Goomalling school and the Konoggering School

whichwasaone teacher schooloperatingon theGoomalling road from1925-1974.

ThisschoolwastransportedfromtheGoomalling–NorthamRoadin1976tooperate

asa touristsite.Aplaquehasbeenplacedonthewallexplaining thetransferand it

hasbeenrefurbishedtoreflectits’richhistory.

GoomallingalsoboastsSlaterHouse,whereSlaterbuilthisschool,whichconsistsofa

buildingcomplexandnowoperatesasatouristvenue.BlacksmithCornerfeaturesa

rockandpicnicareaandRuelsBoardingHousestillexistsalthoughisnowresidential.

Goomallingcurrentlyhas twoschoolswhichoperate in the township,apublicanda

Catholicschool,bothprimaryagedstudents,PP-yr6.

Toodyayandsurroundingregionsincluded54schools,whichoperatedbetween1847

– 1933, approximately 8 being within one of the towns of eitherWest Toodyay or

Newcastle(InitiallyToodyaywasWestToodyaylocated5kmupriver.Thenewlocation

wasnamedNewcastleandin1961thiswaschangedtoToodyay).

79

Theremaining46schoolswerelocatedbetweenToodyayandGoomalling,Bolgartand

Northam. Someof these schoolswere located in small rural townswhichnowexist

only in terms of localities such as Bejoording,where Bejoording and Syred’s School

were located and are still standing today, operating as a Community group venue,

Bucklandhouse,whichisalsostillstandingalthoughresidential,WatteningSchoolSite

whichismarkedbyaplaqueonalargerockanditisbelievedthatthematerialsfrom

WatteningSchoolwererelocatedtoBolgartschoolin1915-6whenItwasbeingbuilt,

andCoondleschoolwhich issignpostedonly.Theschoolswhichwere located in the

townshipweremostlyhouses,manyofwhicharestillfunctionalasresidentialhomes

andtwopreviousschoolsnowoperate fullyaschurches.Toodyaycurrentlyhasonly

oneDistrictHighschooloperationalinthetown,yearsPP-12.

Schools inBeverleyoperatedfrom1859-1946andnumbered16,withonlyacouple

located in the township of Beverley and the remaining schools were dotted in the

surroundingareas.MourambineSchoolwasfundedbytheAnglicanChurch(Buchanan

2002:189).BeverleycurrentlyhasonlyoneDistrictHighschool inthetownshipfrom

PP-yr10.AnAboriginalschoolwasoperatedfrom1924.

Chittering totalled 9 schools which encompassed a large area known as Lower and

UpperChittering,BindoonandWannamal.Schoolsoperatedinthisregionfrom1895-

1946.Onlytwoschoolswerewithinactualtownswiththeremainingschools located

betweentowns.Theestablishmentofschoolinginthisregionwasmoredifficultthan

othersandalittlelaterintime.Asitisalargegeographicalregion,fiveschoolsremain

intheChitteringregion,providingeducationfromPP-yr12.

Yorkcontainedoperationalschoolsfrom1841-1975andboastedatotalof33schools

locatedbetweenYorkandNorthamandBeverley.Only4schoolswerelocatedinthe

township of York with the remaining rural schools being located in surrounding

regions.YorkcontainsonlyoneDistrictHighschooltodayfromPP-yr10.

Northam established schooling in 1846-1969. Eleven schools were located in the

township, whilst 15 additional schools were located in surrounding areas. Morby

CottageisnowoperatingasatouristsiteandKatrineSchoolandcomplexiscurrently

80

residential.StJoseph’sSchoolisstilloperationalandistheonlyCatholicSchoolinthe

town.TherearefiveadditionalschoolslocatedinthetownofNortham.

TheNorthamregion,whichincludesClackline,IrishtownandKatrineprovidedatotal

of25schoolsduringthisperiod.Only fourof thesewere locatedwithin thetownof

Northam, the remaining 21 being located along the routes towards York, Bolgart,

Toodyay andGoomalling. The townofNortham currently has six schoolswithin the

township.

Anenormousnumberofschoolswereestablishedduringthisperiodthroughout the

valley and there were some distinct similarities in the manner in which they were

establishedandoperated.

Many of the early schools were held in the rooms of homesteads of pioneering

families.Theintentionaroundeducationwasdirectedtowardstheirownchildrenand

thoseofneighbouringfarms.Asthepopulationgrewandwordescapedthatchildren

wereaccessingreading,writingandarithmeticclassesona local farm,morefarmers

werekeentosendtheirchildrentogainaneducationunderthetutelageofthewifeof

settlersorspecialisttutorswhotravelledthecountryside.

Asschoolsbecamelargeranditbecamemoredifficulttoaccommodatethenumberof

children wanting to access schooling (Buchanan 1997:70), communities worked

together toestablish locations,buildingmaterials andworkmen toerect singlemud

brickschoolrooms(Buchanan1997135)roofedwithtin.Localfarmersdonatedwater

tanks and resources and pooled their finances to pay a small fee to a self-elected

teacher(Buchanan1997:140;Erikson1974:213).

81

Location School Operationalyears Condition/Status

Northam MorbyCottage 1836-1860s Refurbished Tourist

site

Greywell

FinishingSchool

1849-1906 Excellent/

Residential

KatrineSchool 1860-1874 Unaccessible/

Residential

St Saviour’s

Churchschool

1860-1929 Nolongerpresent

Northam –York

Rd

1863-1871 Nolongerpresent

Northam Boys

School

1865-1878 Inaccessible

Northam Girls

School

1865–1878 Businesspremises

BucklandSchool 1868-1876 Agricultural Hall/

residential

GreenhillsSchool 1868–1976 Signpostonly

Wongamine

School –

relocated

Buckland

1876-1945 Noremains

Northam School

–GirlsSchool

1878-? Building remains/

Business

Jennapullin

School

1899–1940s Residential

Cunjerdine

School

1901–1945 Residential

Sisters of St

Joseph of the

Apparition

1903-1969 Current St Josephs

SchoolSecondary

82

School

WestNortham 1905–current Current west

Northam Primary

School

EastNortham 1907–current Current Northam

PrimarySchool

St Isadore’s

Roman Catholic

School

Jennacubine

1908-? Inaccessible

Northam Senior

HighSchool

1920–current Current Northam

SeniorHighSchool

Muresk

Agricultural

College

1926–current WA Institute of

Technology

Marist Brothers

Boys School

FermoyHouse

1949-1969 Current St Joseph’s

SchoolPrimary

St Joseph’s

SchoolNortham

1969–Current

Current St Joseph’s

School

Goomalling Wongamine

School

1868–1876 Nolongerpresent

SlaterSchool 1868- TouristSite

Roman Catholic

School and

Church

1906 Residential

Goomalling

School

1906-1969 Current Goomalling

PrimarySchool

WagilinSchool 1906-1910 Nolongerpresent

Karranadgin 1913–1946 no longer present –

83

School moved to

Konnongorring

Jennacubine

School

1907–1913 St Isodore’s Catholic

Church

Goomalling

CatholicSchool

1912-current CurrentSacredHeart

CatholicSchool

Walyormouring

School

1913-? Nolongerpresent

Ucarty Road

School

1914–1934 inaccessible

BotherlingSchool 1920-1939 Inaccessible

Ruels Boarding

House

1920-1926 Residential

Blacksmiths

Corner

1920-1926 No longer present -

Rockandpicnictable

Konnogorring

School

1925-1973 Now situated at

Goomalling

Schoolhouse

museum

Toodyay HarperSchool 1847–1855 Residential

DarbyConners 1853 Nolongerpresent

ColonialSchool 1854–1857 Nolongerpresent

BraybrookSchool 1855-? Nolongerpresent

Toodyay District

School

1856-? Residential

Bejoording

School/ Syred’s

School

1860-? Communityhouse

Steam Mill

School

1864 Business

NewcastleSchool 1865–1887 Barracks

84

FarmerSchool 1867–1870 Residential

Newlyine Private

School

1868 Residential

Wicklow Hills/

NunileSchool

1868 Nolongerpresent

Bejoording

CulhamSchool

1869-1875 Residential

ClintonStSchool 1870-1874 Nolongerpresent

MongerSchool 1870s Nolongerpresent

Whitfield House

School

1871-1887 Residential

James Innes

BoardingSchool

1871 Residential

Dumbarton

School

1871 Residential

CatholicSchool 1874–1901 Nolongerpresent

GlendeargSchool 1879-1884 Nolongerpresent

Toodyay Chapel

School

1880s Nolongerpresent

PellMellSchool 1884–1900 Nolongerpresent

Toodyay Valley

School

1885–1864 Nolongerpresent

Duke St

Newcastleschool

1887–1854 Residential

Leeder’s house

catholicSchool

1889-1903 residential

JurokineSchool 1895-? Nolongerpresent

Mumberkine

School

1895-1937 inaccessible

Deepdale Hall

School

1897 Residential

85

CoondleSchool 1897 Nolongerpresent

St Aloyisius

Convent of

Mercy

1898–1930s Current Catholic

Precinct

SilverHillsSchool 1898-1935 Nolongerpresent

Toodyay State

School

1899- Residential

Jimperding

School/ West

ToodyaySchool

1900-1920 Nolongerpresent

Wattening

School

1912–1946 PlaqueonRock

Ten Mile State

School

1912-1925 Sign post – Lover’s

Lane

BolgartSchool 1916–current Stilloperational

CulhamSchool 1921-1926 Residential

Toodyay State

School

1926-1933 Residential

Beverley Gilgering School

– North Beverley

School

1859-1900 Nolongerpresent

Annandale

School

1859 Nolongerpresent

AvonvaleSchool 1869-1873? Nolongerpresent

Mourambine

School

1872 Nolongerpresent

BeverleySchool 1872 Nolongerpresent

Bally Bally, Dale,

Erindale, South

Caroling, Mount

Caroling, Mt

1889 Nolongerpresent

86

Kokebyschools

MillOliverStanes

School

1911–1940s Ruins

East Beverley

School

1912-1924 Current Beverley

School

AboriginalSchool 1924 Nolongerpresent

Chittering WannamalSiding

School

1900-1984 Nolongerpresent

Wannamal South

School

1908-? Nolongerpresent

BindoonSouth 1895-1914 Nolongerpresent

ChitteringUpper 1895–1904 Nolongerpresent

Chittering Lower

–LakeSchool

1899-1952 Tourist site -

Sculpture

Keaney College/

BoysHome

1941-1953 Current Catholic

AgriculturalCollege

Mooliabeenee

School

1910–1950 Nolongerpresent

York Sweetman

School

1846 Nolongerpresent

York Colonial

School

1848-1852 Residential

Pope’s Girls

School

1852- Residential

YorkGirlsSchool

1860-1898

Current Good

Samaritan’sBuilding

HowickStSchool 1886–1898 Residential

York government 1898–1951 Current York District

87

school HighSchool

YorkDistrictHigh 1975-present Current York District

HighSchool

BalladongSchool 1899–1913 Nolongerpresent

Grigson’s well

school

1892–1897 Nolongerpresent

TipperarySchool 1898–1930 Residential Church

Site

Burges Siding

School

1930–1946 Nolongerpresent

Quellington

School

1884–1944 TouristSite

Malebelling

School

1907-1938 TouristSite

Joseph Hill

School

1911-1947 Nolongerpresent

GreenhillsSchool 1869–1945 Nolongerpresent

BallyBally 1901–1910 Nolongerpresent

RockGully 1927–1934 Nolongerpresent

TalbotBrook 1911–1944 Nolongerpresent

Gwambygine

Hicks Siding

School

1908–1947 Nolongerpresent

QualenSchool 1907–1927 Nolongerpresent

GilgeringSchool 1861–1916 Nolongerpresent

Mount Hardy

School

1905–1945 Residential

Wallingsford

School

1841-? Residential

WesleyChurch 1841-1853 ChurchSite

Sister of Mercy 1872-1971 Convent

88

andStJosephs

York Grammar

School

1880 Residential

Miss Yeoman

PrivateSchool

1913–1921 Residential

GirlsSchool 1890–1911 Residential

York Grammar

SchoolBoys

1890-1896 StillStanding

89

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