History: Cooyal School
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School name: Cooyal
Other name: -
County name: Phillip
Transferred:
URL for linking: https://nswgovschoolhistory.cese.nsw.gov.au/schoolHistory?schoolId=2125
Operating dates:
Type of school Opening date Closing date
Public School May 1877 Aug 1916
Public School Jun 1920 Dec 19621
1880
Henry Rienits Appointed
On 22 June 1880 Mr Henry Rienits was appointed teacher at Cooyal Public School2 .
1897
Teacher Transferred
On 5 March 1897 teacher Mr P C Morrissey was transferred from Cooyal School to The Glen Public School3
.
On 5 March 1897 teacher Mr J Benson was transferred from Nelson School to Coooyal Public School4
.
1918
17 October 1918
Cooya] School Will Not Be Reopened.
Captain Dunn, MLA, who has been pressing the matter of the reopening of the Public School at Cooyai (Stony Creek) on the attention of the Department has been informed that the existing conditions do not warrant the reopening of the school, the request for which cannot be acceded to5 .
1919
11 September 1919
Cooyal School and Residence.
For the erection of a new school and residence at Cooyal Central, the tender of Wurth and Wright at £13000 has been accepted6 .
1920
8 July 1920
Cooyal School Opening
Owing to the flooding of the Cooyal-Mudgee district roads, consequent on the heavy rain of last week, the ceremony of the opening of the new Public School at Cooyal, planned for last Saturday, and that was to have been performed by l W F Dunn, M.L.A., Minister Agriculture, has been indefinitely postponed7 .
19 July 1920
Cooyal Central School
OPENING CEREMONIES. AND PICNIC AND SOCIAL
Another feature of Cooyal's development as one of the most thriving and important country centres in the great Mudgee district, was the official opening on Saturday last or the brand new Central School. All details of the opening were entrusted to a committee of prominent citizens, with Mr. W. Garretty, jun., as secretary, and they carried out the numerous onerous duties devolving on them in a manner worthy of the occasion. The announcement that a picnic and sports gathering were to be held attracted a large crowd of visitors to Mr. W. Garretty's sen., spacious paddock directly opposite the school building during the early hours of the morning, and shortly after lunch had been served one of the largest crowds ever seen at a public function at Cooyal was present to participate in the festivities. The proceedings throughout the day were characterised by some highly interesting and keenly contested sporting events, and a merry-go-round and hoop-la show which occupied space on the ground provided much enjoyment, not only for the juveniles, but also for several of the adult attendants. During a brief lull in the merriment, the assemblage proceeded to the building, where Mr. Inspector Hayes performed the opening ceremony.
Mr. F. J. Coleman, relieving teacher at Mudgee South Public School, occupied the chair, and expressed his appreciation and thanks to the committee for their kind invitation to him to be present in their midst on such an auspicious occasion. He had resided in the vicinity for upwards of eleven years, hence he was no stranger, and naturally manifested a keen interest in the welfare of Cooyal. It was a matter of very great pleasure for him to be present to witness the opening of the new Central School by Mr. Hayes, more especially in view of the fact that its establishment provided a long felt want. Mr. Templeton the newly-appointed teacher, was a highly qualified officer, but parents should not lose sight of the fact he required their earnest and active co-operation to achieve the best results, and the speaker favored and urged the immediate establishment of Parents and Citizens' Association. In Mr. Inspector Hayes they had a gentleman thoroughly experienced in education, and he had the welfare of the children at heart. Mr. Inspector Hayes was very pleased to see such a large attendance of parents and children to witness the opening of the new Central School. The matter of the establishment of such an institution was placed before a meeting of the parents not long ago, when they were unanimous in the opinion that the building should be erected as early as possible. They acted wisely as the school ranked in such a grade that they would now have the advantage of the services of a highly qualified teacher. The children were entitled to the best education under the best conditions and he was sure that Mr. Templeton would give every satisfaction. He heartily agreed with the chairman's suggestion regarding tho establishment of Parents and Citizens' Association. The Central School would be the means of bringing Cooyal into greater prominence and giving it the status it was entitled to. He trusted that the parents would give the teacher every encouragement by sending their children regularly. Mr. Hayes then unlocked the door of the building amid great enthusiasm.
Mr. J. Foley, teacher of the Budgee Public School, said it afforded him much pleasure to be present on such a noteworthy occasion. He was greatly interested in the Cooyal Central School, as some of the children who were to be taught there had been under his care. He impressed on the minds of parents the numerous benefits that were to be derived from a Parents and Citizens' Association. Mr. Templeton was a highly qualified officer selected from a large number of applicants and he was sure that he would give entire satisfaction.
Mr. F. McGrath expressed pleasure at being present. It was a source of much delight to parents to have such a fine building in their midst, and to have secured the services of a teacher who came to Cooyal with the highest credentials. He felt sure that Mr. Templeton would make good, and assured him that, if he required the assistance of parents at any time it would be readily forthcoming.
Mr. J. Sheehan briefly addressed the assemblage, after which the chairman formally introduced Mr. and Mrs. Templeton. He was sure that they had created a most favorable impression at Cooyal, and trusted that their stay in the district would be most pleasant.
Mr. Templeton responded. He would always endeavor to do his best for parents and their children. He was confident that the attendance would be large enough to warrant the appointment of an assistant teacher, and with the co-operation of the parents he felt sure that they would make the school one of the best in the district.
A PRESENTATION.
Mr. J. .Sheehan, on behalf of the residents of Cooyal, presented Mr. Hayes with a magnificent cigar holder. He thanked him most heartily for being instrumental in having the school erected and for being in attendance to celebrate the opening ceremony.
Mr. Hayes briefly responded, remarking that he hoped the residents would not fail to annually celebrate the anniversaries of the opening of their school, and that they would not forget to invite him to be present.
VOTE OF THANKS.
On the proposition of the chairman a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the ladies, and the National Anthem was sung.
THE BUILDING.
Before taking their departure for the sports ground the parents, children, and several visitors were grouped together in front of the building and photographed by Mr. E. Wright, of Mudgee, who attended for that purpose, under special engagement to the committee.
The visitors made an inspection of the building, which has been erected in excellent style by Messrs. F. Wurth and C. Wright, of Mudgee. It stands on an ideal site on the main road, a distance of about two miles from the post office. A couple of hundred yards from the school building stands the schoolmaster's residence.
THE SOCIAL.
In the evening a social was held in Mahon's Hall, and was largely attended. Mr. D. Gaffney was M.C., and the music was gratuitously furnished by members of the assemblage. Miss F. Robinson of Mudgee, rendered valuable assistance8
.
12 August 1920
Working Bee at Cooyal
The Central Public School at Cooyul, the official opening of which was recently reported, stands on a very heavily- timbered piece of ground. The residents determined to clear the area, and on Saturday, 7th Instant, a number of them assembled at 10 o'clock and put in a strenuous afternoon. The trees were attacked in a face, grubbed out, the logs cut in convenient lengths, and neatly piled.
A short break was taken about 4 o'clock, when some of the local ladies served afternoon tea. No sauce was needed. Each appetite was as keen as need be.
One pleasing feature was that several residents who were prevented by other engagements from attending in the afternoon, came in the morning to do their shift.
Amongst the workers was a 'boy in blue' from the H.M.A.S. Australia.
If permission can be obtained from the Education Department, it has been decided to cut a drain on the eastern side eft the ground to carry off storm waters. This is a very necessary work, and until It is completed the premises will .always be in danger of flooding, with consequent likelihood of trouble for the children. Parents will be informed when the date has been fixed9
.
1923
15 November 1923
SNAKE AT COOYAL SCHOOL
There was much excitement at Cooyal central school on Friday last, when a snake was found in a shed. The incessant barking of a dog caused the teacher, Mr. D. H. McMonigal, to ascertain the cause. On looking into the shed a brown snake was seen, and after some difficulty, it was pinned to the ground and killed. The snake was 4ft 6in. in length, and is the second to be killed on the school premises this month10 .