Difference between revisions of "Mallala School"

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May 1877 saw the completion of the first public school and residence in Mallala. 

The cost of £936 was partly contributed by the residents and the first teacher appointed was Mr Jas Phillips and the first name on the school register was Annie Eliza Harris. 

At this time the Central Board of Education was in operation and its inspectors were authorised to keep a tight rein on teachers and pupils alike. 

On two dreaded occasions per year schools were visited and standards were checked, children were examined, and the percentages of passes would affect the teacher's salary. 

In those days fees of 4 pence to 6 pence a week were collected, with exception being made for the very poor.

During the term Mr David H. Adams was headmaster, the Dublin Board of Advice came into being, comprising Messrs John Forbes, William Temby, George Marshman and Samuel Gray. 

However, according to a letter to the Minister of Education dated 31 January 1883 the chairman and only one other member appeared to be attending meetings and inspecting schools regularly.

The system of using young monitors seemed very popular in the early days with some being paid by the department, some by the head teacher, while some worked just for the honour. 

By 1892 the Mallala school district was gazetted and this incorporated surrounding schools.

Mr T. Nevin, an obviously progressive headmaster, gained a holiday for his pupils on 29 July 1908 to celebrate the opening of the People's Park. 

This project and many other innovations about the town are credited to his enterprise. 

He is remembered for his donation of the turret and spire on the Methodist church and, oddly, for his seemingly unending supply of white peppermints. 

The attendances greatly increased during the time the RAAF station was in operation and classes were seriously overcrowded.

In 1966 the Education Department began closing small schools and the first students to be transported by bus to Mallala were from Korunye and Reeves Plains schools.  

Then followed the closures of Grace Plains, Windsor, Dublin and finally Long Plains. 

With more enrolments and a substantial Commonwealth grant, many amenities were added, including more classrooms, a turfed oval, and a greatly upgraded library.

Related Articles

• New Two Wells School Opening
• Two Wells School
• Dublin School
• Grace Plains School
• Korunye School
• Lewiston School
• Long Plains School
• Lower Light School
• Port Gawler North (Two Wells) School
• Redbanks School

External Links

References

• Mallala Museum research notes - schools folders

• Life around the Light: A history of the Mallala District Council area, compiled by Two Wells, Mallala and District History Book Committee, Community Development Board of the Council District of Mallala, [Mallala, S. Aust.], 1985. 

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