Weston Public School
On 25 Jul 1903, the Department of Public Instruction purchased land from James Weston and Jane Swanson for £100 for the construction of a school consisting of a single classroom, a small hat room and an open verandah.
Above: The Weston School is the white building at centre in far distance.
~ Coalfields Heritage Group
14 July 1903: The Weston Progress Committee was elected.
The executive were: (Pres) Morris Williams; (Sec) W Walters; (Treas) Mr Butler; (Committee): J Jones; George Payne; George Gillard; William Allen; Steve Hubbock.
The estate owners granted the Weston township land to build a School of Arts, and the Progress Committee were advocating for a Post Office and school since the nearest school was two miles away.
WESTON PUBLIC SCHOOL OPENED 1905
The following information if from the Weston Public School website:
Weston Public School
On 25th July 1903 the Department of Public Instruction purchased land from James Weston and Jane Swanson for $200. A school consisting of a single classroom, a small hatroom and an open verandah was built by contractor, Henry Russell.
The school opened on 23rd January, 1905, and the first teacher was James McKay. However he reported that the school had seating for 65 pupils and 151 pupils enrolled on the first day. He also complained that the school had no lavatory provisions. Classes had to be held in local halls and the population continued to grow. The building was extended in 1906 and 1908 and in 1910 an Infants Department was formed. At this time the school had seven teachers and 377 pupils.
16 Sep 1903: William Walters wrote several letters during 1903 applying to have a school established at Weston. The following, dated 16 Sep 1903, reveals his sense of urgency. The town population was increasing rapidly and children were described as 'running wild' :
Above: The letter written by William Walters 16 Sep 1903 expressing the urgency for a school in Weston.
1905: The first Weston School commenced in 1905 and was built by contractor Henry Russell. The school opened on 23 January 1905 and was extended in 1906 and 1908.
1910: In 1910, the Infants Department of the Weston School was established. At this time the school had seven teachers and 377 pupils.
WESTON SCHOOL FIRE 1913
Above: Weston School fire in 1913
~ IGUIW - Callaghan Collection
On Sunday 21st December, 1913, the school building was destroyed by fire. Even the joint effort of the Kurri Kurri Fire Brigade of nine Firemen and the Weston .
1915:
The building of a new brick building was commenced in 1915 and was finally completed and occupied on 1st May, 1916. The new school had 8 classrooms, a Headmaster's room and a Staff Room. There were also two weather sheds and two separate sets of lavatories.
NEW WESTON SCHOOL BUILDING COMPLETED 1916
Above: Weston Primary School
~ Alex Frame
WESTON SCHOOL HEADMASTER'S RESIDENCE
Above: The former Headmaster's residence 43 Eighth Street Weston.
This Headmaster's residence was purchased in 1921. It was once occupied by Headmaster H. S. Holt and was near the creek but on the opposite side of the creek to the school. This residence originally had a vacant block on each side. The one with the horses in the photo below used to be a tennis court and the other block used to be an orchard.
~ Elizabeth (Holt) Clark
~~~~~
1920s:
After the First World War many new people came to settle in the area and by 1920 there were 346 primary pupils and 155 infants.
An indignation Meeting was held at Weston's Thomas' Hall to protest at the inadequate state of the Weston Public School.
1921:
In 1921 a weatherboard house in Ninth Street [Eighth Street] was purchased to be the Headmaster's residence (see photograph above).
1922:
In 1922, two classrooms and a verandah and balcony were added to the school building.
1925:
In 1925 the first Kindergarten class was established. Primary numbers continued to increase and so, once again, portable classrooms had to be brought in. In 1926 land was purchased from Jane Yates and William Morgan for more playground.
1928:
By early 1928 school enrolments were 385 pupils in the primary school with a staff of seven teachers and 253 pupils in the infants school with five teachers. A new Infants building was built ready for the 1929 school year.
WESTON INFANTS SCHOOL
Above: Weston Infants School - built in 1928
~ Glennis (Wilkinson) Gray
1937:
Electricity was connected to Weston School on 3rd December, 1937.
1945:
In 1945 more land was purchased for playground. During February, 1945, the Weston Public School Mothers' Club funded the installation of electricity to Weston School. A portion of the playground was asphalted in 1946.
Above: Former Headmaster of Weston School, Mr. H.S. Holt
Mr. Holt was headmaster in 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950.
The horses belonged to the Lumsden family of Eighth Street, Weston. The residence had vacant blocks so the horses were bought to the Headmaster's residence to help keep the grass down.
~ Elizabeth (Holt) Clark
1966:
A new toilet and ablutions block was built in 1966.
1989:
In 1989 the building known as the Infants block was extended to provide administration area, offices and a staffroom.
1996:
In 1996 work commenced on a new Library and Hall as well as refurbishment of the whole school. The new buildings were officially opened by Senator John Tierney in March 2000.
2000:
In 2000 enrolment was 230 students in 8 classes.
2010:
In 2010 there were 187 students in the school and 7 classes.
Headmasters and Principals at Weston Public School have been:
James McKay - 1905-1910
Fred Lewis - 1910-1915
Herbert Buttsworth - 1922-1924
Sidney Hobson - 1924-1926
Frank Sherring - 1926-1929
Hector Lang - 1929-1931
Horace Beavis - 1931
Robert Somerville - 1931-1938
Ernest Byrne - 1938-1939
Roy Devine - 1939-1944
Leonard Kaye - 1944-1945
Hilding Holt - 1945-1951
Ronald Bell - 1951-1955
Robert Wallschuzky - 1955-1968
Tressler Harvey - 1968-1975
Arthur E. Harris - 1975-1979
David M. Davies - 1979-1987
William Stewart - 1987-1992
Peter Chapman - 1992-1996
Allan Withers - 1996-2010
Bibliography
PARKES, W.S. , COMERFORD, JIM & LAKE, DR MAX - "Mines, Wines & People" STATE RECORDS NSW
For more information on Weston Public School, please visit the school website:
A SELECTION OF WESTON SCHOOL CLASS PHOTOS
Above: Weston Infants c.1916-17. The brick school building was completed in 1916
~ James Wallwork
Above: Weston Public School - Class 1 - About 1920, possibly earlier.
~ Barbara Phoenix Andrews
Above: Weston Public School - Lower First Class - About 1920, possibly earlier.
~ Barbara Phoenix Andrews
Above: Weston School class photo taken about 1923
Violet London is centre front, sitting between the children with their arms over the back of the chairs.
~ Kevin Parsons
Above: Weston Primary School - Class 1A 1931
~ John Forster & Jenny (Jean) Goodall nee Forster
Above: Weston Kindergarten - 1933
Back L-R: Johnny Young, Geoff Cox, Bill Conden, Russ Cook, Bill Stanbridge, [?), Alec Frame
Middle L-R: Nev Austin, June Frame, [?), Veronica Walters, {? Hancock, Joyce Widdrington, Flo Joyce
Front: (?), (?), (?), Jean Young, (?)
Above: Weston Kindergarten ? 1933
Back Row: 1st on left, Stan Beverley
~ Jennifer Drylie
Above: Weston Kindergarten - 1934
John Lewis is in the back row, 4th from the right and wearing a bow tie. His grandfather, also John Lewis, lived on Sawyers Gully Road near Gingers Lane.
Can you name others? If so, please contact Wayne Proctor through the Facebook group:
I grew up in Weston and Survived
~. Wayne Proctor
Above: Weston School - Class 1B - 1934
Back Row L-R: ? ; John Young; ? ; Alex Frame; Tom Gollan; ? ; John Beatty; ? Homes; Billy Campbell
3rd Row L-R: ? ; ? ; June Frame; ? ; ? ; Betty Johnson; ? ; Daphne Wylie; Enid Prescott; Grace Kylie
2nd Row L-R: Kenny Rouse; ? ; Brian Lee; Hubert Boyce; Gordon Bailey; Harry Matthews; Jimmy Robson; ? ; Geoff Cox; Stewart Blake
Front L-R: ? ; ? ; ? ; ? ; ? ; ?; ?; Jean Young; ?
~ Alex Frame
Above: Weston School - 1st Class - 1935
~ Jennifer Drylie
Above: Weston Public School - c.1938
~ Lynne Kermode
(Many names not known. Can you help? Please contact Lynne Kermode)
Above: Weston School
~ Alex Frame
Above: Weston Public School - No date
Back L-R: A. Robinson; D. Bevis; W. Houston; R. Patterson; G. Green; G. Solway; A. Williams; E. Stoker; G. Douglas; J. Cook
3rd Row L-R: N. Findlay; C. Tilley; E. Evans; M. Williams; E. Graham; B. Taylor; H. Mitchell; E. Aubin; S. McDonald; M. Hogg
2nd Row L-R: E. Westoe; E. Hindhaugh; B. Bradley; R. Wallace; F. Elsley; E. Tickle; L. Fisher; E. McKinnon; N. Blair; E. Noble
Front L-R: G. Standbridge; A. Harrod
~ Peter Williams
Above: Weston Public School - 1st Class - 1939
~ Dawn (Frame) O'Connor
Above: Weston Public School - 3rd Class - 1939
~ Les Bender
Above: Weston Public School - 3rd Class - 1939
Back L-R: L. Blatherwick; A Harrod; G. Douglas; H. Wells; J. Cook; A. Williams; A Priest; W. Houston; A. Robinson; E. Stoker; D. Bevis; G. Standbridge; ?
3rd L-R: A. Lemarn; R. Patterson; C. Tilley; R. Wallace; Y. Kirkwood; M. Hogg; A. Henderson; B. Taylor; E. Evans; A. Hindmarsh; G. Solway; T. Evans
2nd L-R: E. McKinnon; E. Tickle; E. Noble; L. Fisher; F. Smith; N. Pullar; N. Findlay; J. Ramage; E. Aubin; N. Hadfield; E. Graham
Front L-R: J. Boyce; N. Blair; E. Westoe; E. Hindmarsh; M. Williams; B. Bradley; F. Elsley; H. Mitchell
~ Peter Williams
Above: Weston Public School - 2nd Class - 1940
~ Dawn (Frame) O'Connor
Above: Weston Public School - 4th Class - 1940
Back L-R: J. Cook; T. McGarva; A. Harrod; A. Robinson; L. Blatherwick; T. Hall; G. Standbridge; A. Hindmarsh; D. Bevis; A. Priest; R. Patterson
3rd Row L-R: J. Ramage; A. Henderson; N. Findley; N. Blair; F. Smith; B. Bradley; L. Fisher; R. Wallace; B. Devine; E. Aubin; E. Graham; N. Hadfield; Y. Kirkwood
2nd Row L-R: E. Hindhaugh; C. Tilley; F. Elsley; E. McKinnon; E. Westoe; E. Noble; B. Taylor; H. Mitchell; E. Tickle; E. Evans; N. Pullar; J. Boyce; M. Williams
Front L-R: G. Solway; H. Wells; A. Williams; E. Stoker; W. Houston; G. Douglas
~ Peter Williams
Above: Weston Public School - 3rd Class - 1941
~ Dawn (Frame) O'Connor
Above: Weston Public School - Class 5B - 1941
Back L-R: A. Foster; A. Dunn; N. Rutherford; D. Bevis; A. Robinson; J. Crump; A. Hindmarsh; A. Priest; T. Evans; E. Stoker
3rd Row L-R: F. Wiseman; N. Blair; E. Evans; N. Pullar; B. Taylor; F. Smith; E. Noble; B. Bradley; L. Fisher; E. McKinnon
2nd Row L-R: T. Hall; A. Williams; E. Tickle; J. Boyce; E. Hindhaugh; M. Williams; H. Mitchell; E. Westoe; G. Standbridge; W. Houston
Front L-R: H. Wells; G. Solway
~ Peter Williams
Above: Weston Public School - 4th Class - 1946
Some students have been identified.
Front Row: 3rd from LHS, Rosemary Turnbull. 3rd from RHS, Stella Emery.
Second Row from front: RHS sitting on chair, Mavis LeMarne. 5th from RHS, Jean Wylie.
Third Row from front: 4th from RHS, Ivy Gillard.
~ Narelle Dunn
Above: Weston Public School - 6A - 1949
~ Dawn (Frame) O'Connor
Above: Weston School
~ Dawn (Frame) O'Connor
Above: Weston School - Class 1A - 2B - 1952
~ Valerie (Wilkinson) Unicomb
Above: Weston School - Class 2A - 1952
~ Errol Wells
Back L-R: Tom Sneddon; Dennis Green; Robert Amos; Jim Feenan; John Blenkiron; Gary Johnson; Graham Conn; Kevin Franklin; Robert Barrass; Alan Saunders; (——); Roy Kedwell.
3rd Row L-R: Dennis Dick; Errol Wells; Dennis Watson; Kerry Newell; Julie Frame; Ralene Henderson; Sandra Balsdon; Ross Difford ; Darrell Beveridge; Noel Wolfe; Leonard Robinson.
2nd Row L-R: Barry Jenkins; Gladys Johnson; Joy Young; Julie Turner; Margaret Robson; Marion King; Ann Thomson; Sue Brown; June Goodall; Pam Cook; Pat Bradley; Edward Lloyd.
Front Row L-R: Dawnette Beveridge; Ivy Wilson; Frances Fullick; Dianne Crawford; Lynette Barker; Beth Norris; ? Marjorie Windall; Carol Dumbrell; Jennifer Hancock.
Above: Weston School - Class 1B - 1953
~ Ean Smith
Above: Weston School - Classes 3A and 4B - 1953.
Back Row L-R: Michael Collins, Barrry Purser, (?), Dennis Watson, Dennis Russell, Errol Wells, Cecil Sweeney, Kerry Newell, Barry Jenkins, Mervyn Fairley.
3rd Row L-R: Denis Green, Darrel Beveridge, Graham Conn, Don Clements, Hugh McKenzie, Kevin Franklin, Len Robinson, Robert Barrass, Dennis Dick, Max Welch.
2nd Row L-R: Robert Bignell, June Goodall, Sandra Balsdon, Joan Parker, Pat Bradley, Julie Frame, Carol McNabb, Pam Cook, Tom Snedden.
Front Row L-R: Frances Fullick, Lynette Callaghan, Margaret Robson, Julie Turner, Lynette Green, Marion King, Sue Brown, Yvonne Noble.
~Photo and names supplied by Errol Wells.
Above - Weston School Athletic Team - 1956
~ Ean Smith
Back Row L-R: John Seddon, Geoff Wilks, Joe Phelps, Errol Wells, Graham Forster, Ken Bradley, Ray Robinson.
Front Row L-R: Maureen ?, Wendy Logan, June Goodall, Pam Cook, Judith Turnbull, Margaret Robinson, Marilyn Bissett.
Above: Class 2A Weston Public School 1956
Back row L-R: Alan Jones, Philip Myers, Paul Hallawell, James Wallwork, Peter Frame, John Martin, John Gainor, Peter Roddy, John Logan
3rd row L-R: Eric Barker, Lynne Robertson, Gordon Wealands, Robert Nicholson, Robert Barker, ?? Jeanette Sneddon, Patti Tindall
2nd row L-R: Julie Forster, Evelyn Mullier, Diane Lloyd, Christine Clements, Valerie Spruce, Pamela Fuller, Carolyn Cridland, Julie Birch
Front row L-R: Valda Smith, Ruth Lewis, Lynette Bailey, Helen Linabury, Susanne Sullivan, Diane Hare and Mary Mosely
~ Lynne Kermode
Above: Class 1A Weston Public School 1957
~ Lynne Kermode
Above: Class 3A Weston Public School 1957
~ Lynne Kermode
Above: Weston Public School 1959, Class T (Transition)
~ I Grew Up in Weston and Survived - Facebook Group
Above: Sixth Class - Weston Public School - 1960
~ Lynne Kermode
Above: Class 2L - Weston Public School - 1961
~ I Grew Up in Weston and Survived - Facebook Group
Above: Class K - Weston Public School - 1964
~ I Grew Up in Weston and Survived - Facebook Group
Above: Class 1A - Weston Public School - 1965
~ I Grew Up in Weston and Survived - Facebook Group
Above: Class 3A - Weston Public School - 1965
~ I Grew Up in Weston and Survived - Facebook Group
~ I Grew Up in Weston and Survived - Facebook Group
Above: Class 2A - Weston Public School - 1966
~ I Grew Up in Weston and Survived - Facebook Group
Above: Class 4A - Weston Public School - 1966
~ I Grew Up in Weston and Survived - Facebook Group
Above: Class 5A - Weston Public School - 1967
~ I Grew Up in Weston and Survived - Facebook Group
Above: Kindergarten - Weston Public School - 1968
~ Toni Falk
Above: Class 1A - Weston Public School - 1969, Teacher: Mrs Murray
~ Toni Falk
Above: Class 5A - Weston Public School - 1969
~ I Grew Up in Weston and Survived - Facebook Group
Above: Class 2A - Weston Public School - 1970. Teacher: Mrs Mailfort
~ Toni Falk
Above: Class 6A- Weston Public School - 1970
~ I Grew Up in Weston and Survived - Facebook Group
Above: Weston School 1972 Prefects
Back L-R: James Evans; Mark Higginbottom; Glenn Beatty; Richard Wonders; Peter Williams ; Teacher Mr Harvey
Front L-R: Lesley Henry; Vicki Watt; Janelle Anderson; Tracey Hann; Julie Parsons
~ I Grew Up in Weston and Survived - Facebook Group
Above: Class 3-4M - Weston Public School - 1973. Teacher: Mrs Muir
~ Toni Falk
Above: Class 5A - Weston Public School - 1974. Teacher: Mr Stockwell
~ Toni Falk
Above: 6th Class - Weston Public School - 1975. Teacher: Mr Miller
~ Toni Falk
Above: Weston Public School - Class 3-K - 1980
~ Meredith (Falk) Robinson
Above: Weston Public School - Class 5-1 - 1982
~ Meredith (Falk) Robinson