NIANGALA Public School celebrated a major milestone recently, marking 125 years of continuous education.
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More than 150 past students, teachers and visitors helped to celebrate the event, when they gathered to enjoy a cuppa and a chat before touring the school.
The current six students led the formal ceremony, before Principal, Annette Brown, addressed the audience.
Graham Galvin, President of Niangala P&C, unveiled a plaque which sits on a large rock surrounded by handprints of the current students.
Also on display across the day was a selection of the students’ artworks, while the punishment book attracted plenty of interest with people checking if their name was there.
Visitors were keen to view the changes to the school including a permanent classroom, the Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA), the multi-purpose sports court and a vegetable garden.
The day serving as a tribute to the school’s motto – ‘Learn to Live – Live to Learn’.
A BIT OF HISTORY
George Caldwell commenced duty as the first teacher at Niangala on Monday 30th November 1891, with an average attendance of 23.9.
In 1897, when the average attendance dropped to 11.9, there was a recommendation to close the school. However, as mining prospects brightened, the school was given a further trial with William Hiscock as the teacher.
In 1899 Syd Uren was nominated as the teacher and during his 23 years at the school he fought for improvements, but it was not until 1955 that a brand new school was ready for use.
A few years later Education Department inspector reported that the building was ‘badly constructed, draughty and cold, the classroom and verandah cluttered with a general depressing feeling’.
Repairs and renovations including flyscreens, guttering and enclosing the verandah were carried out from 1961 to 1965.
In 1981 the appointment of a second teacher meant that the children from Weabonga joined the school.
In 1952 a school bus service began and Jack Bartholomew’s Austin truck and a box like structure on the back transported 15 students to school.
Niangala P&C was formed in the 1920’s and they worked hard to obtain a new school and a teacher’s residence.
In 1988 the P&C began working towards obtaining a library for the school.
In 1991 a second demountable classroom arrived, allowing the old school building to be converted into a library/administration block.
In 1991, with Principal Rosalie Rolfe and an enrolment of 48 students, Niangala Public School celebrated its centenary. Today, the school has just 6 students, but continues to uphold a great tradition.