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1866
1870
20 August 1870
The Church of England schools presented 130 pupils in attendance, fifty-one of which were infants, the number on the roll being 163. Among the writers I noticed Sarah Mardon and Clarence King as being very good ; while in tho Latin class C. King and Adolphus Tylor stood first2
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1875
23 October 1875
23 October 1875
MUDGEE CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL.
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.
ON Friday last I paid a visit to the above school, a substantial and elegant building having a frontage to Church and Market streets, and situated just at the rear of the main street. Eleven years ago the building in which the school was held was truly a disgrace to the town, which even then, though railway to Sydney had not entered the minds of its inhabitants, and few of the present handsome buildings were erected, yet showed promises of becoming a populous and important place. The building referred to consisted of a small wooden structure, more fit for a stable than a school, and totally inadequate for the purpose of teaching children, while the ground floor and other deficiencies all combined to make the place very un healthy. Things were in this condition when Mr. Samuel Bent first took charge of the school, having been sent thither from the Denominational Sydney Normal School in which he underwent a course of training preparatory to entering on the duties of a teacher. To a man of Mr. Bent's ability and energy the miserable and inadequate building in which he commenced his labours must have been a grievous eye sore; but by dint of persistent application to the Local Board, and by inviting the co-operation of the public through the medium of the local Press, he had the pleasure in a few years of taking charge of the present commodious and suitable building.
The foundation-stone of the school was laid about seven or eight years ago by Bishop Barker who delivered on appropriate address on the occasion to the assembled guests among whom were many of our pre sent influential residents. The length of the building is about 40 feet, its height 14, and its width 20 feet, while a play-ground extends about 50 yards towards Market-street and 30 in an opposite direction. Not far from the school is the Episcopalian Church, the pastor of which (the Venerable Archdeacon Gunther) is the chairman of the Local Board of the school, W. J. Henningham, Esq., being the secretary. With the exception of these two gentlemen the members of the Local Board take little or no interest in the school, one member having absented himself entirely from the meetings for the past five years, not from any grudge or quarrel, but from mere apathy and indifference. The school consists of two departments - the primary division, and the infant school, the latter being held in the building which formed the old school, which has been repaired to adopt it to its present use. The whole building is remarkably well ventilated, a DESIDERATUM of the utmost importance in a colony like New South Wales.
Mr. Samuel Bent was head teacher for nine years, and did much towards raising the school to its present position; but about two years ago that gentleman was removed to the Kiama Public School, and awarded a first class certificate by the Council of Education, as a special mark of promotion. During his stay here he was presented with a handsome gold watch and at his departure with an illuminated address and a purse of sovereigns. The present head teacher is Mr. Charles Hill Spier, formerly of the Bulli Public school, a very able and skilful teacher, who is very popular among the people here, and who is ably assisted by his son, Master J. H. F Spier, who was recently appointed pupil teacher, and by a very industrious female teacher, Miss K. James, who has charge of the third class. Miss M. O'Hea is the mistress of the infant department, having held that position for five years. Miss O'Hea stands high in the estimation of the public, and is assisted by Miss Sarah Cook, a talented female teacher.
The number of pupils in attendance in both departments is about 270, while the average attendance exceeds 180. The subjects in which the children display marked proficiency are reading, singing, writing, arithmetic, and needlework. I notice also that bookkeeping is taught, which I think a very necessary subject. The singing of the pupils cannot, I believe, be beaten at any school. At the last annual examination, Inspector O'Byrne awarded it the mark "very good." The needlework forms the special care of Mrs. Spier and Miss James who gave it every attention, and whose painstaking endeavours are crowned with marked success. At the annual examinations the school always ranks high, while six lads from it successfully presented themselves at the University public examinations one of them passing the senior grade in seven subjects and taking the head mark for proficiency in Chemistry and the English Language.
The school building is surrounded by a paling fence, while a palisading encloses a neat garden which is attached to the teacher's residence. The whole school and premises are kept scrupulously clean, the only apparent deficiencies being the want of a lavatory and a couple of good weather sheds3
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1876
1 April 1876 Teacher Promoted
Mr. C. H. Spiers, teacher of the Church of England certified Denominational school, Mudgee, has been promoted from Class 11 B. to Class 11 A., the promotion having been obtained for ''good service,' in accordance with clause 46 of the regulations issued in connection with the Public Schools Act. Mr. Spiers is an earnest and indefatigable teacher, and the promotion is well merited4
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1880
22 June 1880 Appointments
The following appointments were made the Mudgee Certified Denominational Church of England School:
- Mrs Mary Hathaway, Assistant Teacher
- Miss Sarah Shute, Pupil Teacher
- Miss Harriett Wooley, Pupil Techer5
1926
21 June 1926
Plans have been prepared for St. John's Church of England Trust, Mudgee, for a new parish school hall to be erected at the corner of Church and Short streets. The structure will consist of an entrance hall and portico 10 feet wide, with three large class rooms and school hall at rear 60 by 30 feet6
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1937
20 September 1937
OLD PHOTO
Mudgee in the 60's
WHENCE CAME IT?
IN the rectory at Mudgee is probably the oldest photo in our town.
It depicts the laying of the foundation stone of the old Church of England school in the 60's on the site which is now occupied by the northern end of Marks' store building. A goodly company of local residents of the time - the men in top hats and luxuriant crops of sidewhiskers and the women in crinolines and shawls - is to be seen, but one of Mudgee's oldest residents, to whom the photo was shown, was unable to recognise any of them.
In the background are to be seen shops in Market street, which presented an entirely different appearance from what it does today. Where the Club House Hotel now stands was then the Maitland Hotel, our old resident tells us, and Nicholson's bakery occupied the site of what is now Holmes' bakery.
Canon Walker found the old photo under a pile of debris in the church vestry a few years ago. It now hangs in the rectory hall.
We would be pleased to hear from anyone who can tell who took the photo and who gave it to the church. It would also be interesting to know if there are any older photos In Mudgee7
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1948
22 April 1948
Early Education In Mudgee
Our Mudgee children have entered a great heritage and are well catered for this Centenary week with a rich programme of celebrations. I should like to add to that information already giver, to the public, some details of considerably importance so far missed except by the children of the Anglican classes in our Mudgee schools. I am fortunate in the possession of a large photograph that tells two stories of the Church's venture into education before the state established its school in Perry Street, in 1876.
My picture gives us a sight of an old slab school building referred to as follows in the journals of Bishop Broughton, when he made his third visit to Mudgee, in 1849: "Successful proceedings had also been taken for, the erection of a schoolhouse, for which I have since been able to supply a master, who is well spoken of; and I trust that much may be done here to impart the rudiments of a good plain education, not dissociated, as the manner of some is, from instruction in the Holy Scriptures and the Catechism, the principles of Christian belief, and the doctrines of the Church of England."
So far as I know, this is the earliest beginning of elementary education in Mudgee.
My photograph, however, was taken on the occasion of the laying of the foundation of the second Church of England school in Mudgee and shows a number of people gathered to watch Mrs. King, wife of a Mudgee medico, lay the foundation stone. The gentry of the district as seen in the picture included Paget Bayly, then owner of Havilah.
The movement for this bigger and better school began in 1865 and the foundation ceremony probably took place in 1866, in winter, judging by the attire of those present.
Those were the days when a local banker, Robert H. D. White, became famous by inheriting a huge fortune. He gave the school children a share in his celebration, by arranging a picnic for them, and also gave St. John's its fine organ and bell.
At the time of the establishment of the public school in Perry Street, there must have been a large enrolment at St. John's school, for when Mrs. Gunther, the Rector's wife, organised a Christmas party, she had to plan for the attendance of 141 boys and 126 girls. Mr. Dryhurst was the head teacher.
Last year saw the passing of two old pupils of this Church school, in the persons of Mrs. H. McPherson and Mr. G. H. Cohen8
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