BHPS - School Centenary (1892-1992) Magazine

By the year 1920, the name of the school had already been changed from Hurstville West to Dumbleton and a new era was ushered in following the conclusion of World War I and the Peace Treaty of 1919.

ROYAL VISIT

In 1920, His Royal Highness, Edward, Prince of Wales visited Australia in H.M.S. "Renown" and was given a tumultuous reception by the citizens of Sydney. School children from many of the schools in N.S.W. (including Dumbleton) took part in a display performed before His Highness at a Sydney venue (possibly the Showground).

On 7th May 1920, Infants Mistress, Miss Mary Heney sent a request to the Chief Inspector of Schools, J. Dawson M.A., begging that Miss Deasey, whose transfer from the teaching staff had been arranged, be retained, as she had trained the infants for the display and, "no other teacher can carry on the work."

Presumably, the display was impressive because Prince Edward (known to the Royal Family as David) issued a letter of appreciation dated 16th August 1920, to all school children in the State, in which he said, in part:-

Doubtless, this favour was granted to the delight of children and the staff of all schools in the State.

REQUESTS TO THE DEPT. OF EDUCATION

On the 28th May 1920 the Headmaster, Patrick J. Bennett, had applied to the Chief Inspector for the Supply of, the necessary material for playing Basket Ball at the school and conducted his letter with a touch of old world charm, in the manner current at the time:-

In due course, the request was authorised and on 4th August 1920 Mr. Bennett claimed, and was granted, the sum of one shilling and sixpence to reimburse him for incurring the cost of delivering the equipment, from Hurstville Public School to my school. Also, on 28th May the Headmaster had requested the supply of dual desks for one room at the school, where long desks were still in use. This request was "stood over" because the Department's Workshops were unable to cope with orders from new schools.

Earlier in the year, the cleaner at the school had forwarded a written complaint that the wage received for cleaning duties was insufficient, and as the work was performed by her daughter and herself, ��- with the high cost of living, about 30 shillings per, week for two, will not go far. The Dept. demurred, pointing out that, the pay was determined in accordance with an agreement which has been entered into, between the Dept. and the cleaners.

A teacher, Mr. John A. Byrne, applied for Recreation Leave in July 1920, as he had been employed as a teacher since 1882 and he wished, to give his nerves and throat a full period of rest, next year, if possible. It is noteworthy that this request was written in beautiful Copperplate writing, and the request was granted.

GRAZING RIGHTS

Mr. W. Acason had written to the Headmaster on 13th July 1920, seeking permission to graze cows on the school grounds, where there was a copious supply of tall grass. He had just purchased a dairy situated directly opposite the school in Belmore Rd (now King Georges Rd) and proposed to only graze the cows on the school grounds after school hours. The Dept. stated that, owing to the possibility of damage to the school gardens, the request cannot be acceded to.

(Note: the house occupied by the dairyman is still standing, at the time of writing, opposite the school and is located sideways to the street.)

DISCRIMINATION

Class sizes at this time varied between 40-50- pupils! Mrs. M. A. Gollan, who had taught from 1898-1908 applied on 26th October 1920, for reinstatement as a permanent teacher owing to the inability of her returned soldier husband to support the family. Despite support from the School Inspector and the Headmaster, the Dept. replied, - that as you are a married woman, you are ineligible for permanent employment as a teacher.

STOLEN TAPS

Criminal activity has always been present in society and in December 1920, the Headmaster reported to the Police that ten brass taps had been stolen from two lavatories at the school. Penshurst Progress Association was mindful of the needs of children at the school and in May 1921, had written to the Director of Education asking, that bubble taps be placed at Hurstville West Public School, as at present there is an epidemic of sore mouths amongst the school children which is being spread on account of drinking from the taps. The Under Secretary replied that, no funds are at present available for this purpose.

SPORTS FACILITIES

Playing fields in the area were non existent, so many requests were made to the Education Dept. for permission to use the school grounds for sports purposes.A typical request was forwarded from Mr. W. Hill, of Hampden St, on 15th August 1921, asking permission for use of the wicket in the school grounds on Saturdays by the Dumbleton Cricket Club.The Under Secretary replied that, the Dept. is unable to grant your request.

At a later date, a decision was made to establish a tennis court at the top end of the playground and the preparation and levelling procedures were executed by primary boys under the direction of a teacher. Road work was in progress on Belmore Rd (now King Georges Rd) and this work was undertaken with manual labour and horse drawn "tip drays". Additionally, a steam operated road roller was in use on this project and the Headmaster requested the operator of the roller to enter the school grounds and roll the surface of the court. Apparently, with official approval, this was done and the roller made several passes, backwards and forwards, over the whole required area, doubtless giving that court the hardest surface of any in the district. Unfortunately, the wooden bridge spanning the gutter in the street was never designed to withstand the load of a steam roller and the said bridge was completely crushed by the machine, when crossing to enter the school grounds.

NEW AMENITIES

Difficulty existed in supplying homes in the vicinity with town gas and as an example, Hurstville Municipal Council wrote to the Dept. on 8th December 1921, requesting permission to lay a gas pipe through the school grounds to the home of the Town Clerk in Edmund St, as this house was the only home in the street and the Gas Company refused to extend their mains to the property from Stoney Creek Rd.

During 1924, further representations were made to the Dept. from Dumbleton Progress Association for the installation of "Bubble Fountains" in the school: the original proposal for this facility had been initiated by the Headmaster in 1917!

Two new weather sheds were built in the school grounds, adjacent to Belmore Rd in

1924 and the Headmaster, Mr. F. Grainger, supported a claim from the cleaner for extra money for cleaning this additional structure.

FIRE IN SCHOOL GROUNDS

On 2nd February, 1926, the P.and C. Association petitioned the Dept. to have a proper incinerator installed in the school grounds.This letter supported a similar urgent request from the Headmaster, Mr. J. Gettens, on 29th January,1926, following a grass fire the previous day, which started when a piece of burning paper was blown from old garbage tins used to burn waste paper. The resultant fire was eventually extinguished by pupils, teachers and residents, but not before damage to neighbouring fences had been sustained. There was no telephone available at the school to notify the Fire Brigade, but they did attend later, when the fire had already been brought under control.

PUBLIC HALL

As there was no public hall available in the area, the school building was frequently sought as a venue for the holding of meetings by various organisations.

Huge trees in the playground had long been a matter of concern with respect to the safety of pupils and on 3rd September 1926, a quotation of seven pounds ten shillings from Mr. E. E. Watson was accepted and the trees were felled and removed.

As previously mentioned, the school building was used for the conduct of meetings by the public and the matter reached a high level when the Chief Secretary ( Mr, Mark Gosling M.L.A., Member for Hurstville) wrote to the Minister of Education (the Hon. W. Davies M.L.A.) for approval for this practice to continue, as a Public Hall Committee was being formed to build one, if possible.

It is thought that electric lighting was installed in the school building at about this time, as a pole type substation had been established in Belmore Rd in 1925.

Following this improvement, the Dept. sanctioned the use of the school building for the conduct of municipal elections on Saturday, 28th April, 1928, as a result of representations being made by the Town Clerk (Mr. Geo. R. Morris.)

As late as 1929, the Dept. was still being approached by the Boy Scouts Association for use of the school building for the holding of meetings on a regular basis.

MAINTENANCE

Cutting of long paspalum grass in the school grounds was the subject of a request to the Dept. from Dumbleton Progress Association ion on 21st May, 1928, but the Dept. stated that without the co-operation of local assistance, nothing could be done except for offering occasional help owing to the regular duties of gardening staff elsewhere.

During 1928, numerous requests were made to local Members of Parliament for assistance in making representations to the Dept. for such work as new fencing around the school, new doors, gates, painting of buildings etc. Additionally, Hurstville Council was asked to provide satisfactory footpaths outside the school as the existing footpaths constituted a danger to pupils in wet weather. The Parents and Citizens Association was also active in asking the Dept. for the provision of seats in the school grounds and the asphalting of the assembly ground at the rear of the main building.

During this period, there were numerous cases of vandalism causing damage to school property, whilst burglaries occurred from time to time.

Over the decade, new schools were opened at Penshurst and Lakemba and as a consequence, the total number of pupils decreased to a much lower figure.

PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS

The bulk of the foregoing account has been gleaned from official documents passing between school personnel,local residents and the Dept. of Education, but following are comments and observations based on my own recollections of my attendance at "Dumbo".

PEACE MEDAL - 1919

My first association with Dumbleton School took place in 1919 when, at the age of three, my elder sister took me to school to receive a Peace Medal which had been issued by the Commonwealth Government to commemorate the signing of the Peace Treaty, ending World War 1. The Government had decreed that every child in the Commonwealth should receive this particular emblem and so all children present on this occasion filed past a dais where the medal was pinned on by a returned soldier amputee, still in uniform. Passing on to the next tables in succession, recipients were handed a bun in a bag, an apple and a bag of boiled lollies. This medal is still in my possession and in hindsight, it is ironic to think that this gesture was made in all sincerity, in the hope that there would never be another conflict on this scale.

THOSE FIRST YEARS

Prior to starting school, most children in the vicinity under the age of five years old, could clearly hear the school bell rung during the day and yearned for the arrival of the day when they would be enrolled.

Children starting school at that time will recall being enrolled in first class and the teacher was a small woman named Miss Heney, and looking back, it would appear that she was typical of the Edwardian era: she wore an ankle length heavy skirt, white blouse, button up boots, and her hair was coiled up in a "bun" on top of her head. Quite often she sat in her own high chair, out front, to enable her to see everyone in the class. For good work, children were rewarded with the honour of occupying this chair for a short time. The children were marched into the classroom in single file, hanging their hats on a row of hat pegs in the corridor as they went past, singing the following song, the words being to the best of my recollection:-

Soldier boy, soldier boy, where are you going?
I go to serve my country and the red, white and blue.
I go to serve my country for duty is a-calling
Soldier boy, soldier boy so brave and so true.

Now the day is over, night is drawing nigh
Shadows of the evening steal across the sky
Now the darkness deepens, stars begin to peep
Birds and beasts and flowers, soon will be asleep.

In second class, after filing into the classroom, it was usual for children to stand up at their respective desks, and facing the teacher, sing:-

A teacher named Miss Eggins sometimes played a mandolin and taught a song, the opening lines being:-

Come little leaves said the wind one day
Come o'er the meadow with me and play
Put on your dresses of red and gold
For summer has gone and the days grow cold
Over the green fields they danced and flew
Singing the soft little songs they knew�?

The bush was grey, a week to-day
Olive, green and brown and grey
But now the spring has come to stay
With blossoms for the wattle.
It seems to be, a fairy tree
It dances to a melody
And sings a little song to me
The graceful, swaying wattle.

EARLY ACTIVITIES

Second class was under the supervision of Miss Davies who taught among other things, how to do fancy work using huckaback material, red thread and a bodkin. Such things as table doilies were made, along with serviette rings, by both boys and girls, and the completed articles were finished with frayed edges.

Class work was carried out on a wood framed slate owned by each individual pupil, using a special slate pencil.Slates were cleaned off with a wet sponge and a dry cloth carried by each child and the slate was ready for re-use. When dictation was given and no mistakes were made, the teacher chalked a "0" on the slate and later, all children with a "0" on their slates stood up to be recognised for their ability.

Writing using pencil and paper was eventually introduced, the paper being provided with guide lines to ensure that the height of the letters was uniform.

Plasticine was widely used for modelling and was a grey putty like substance with a distinctive odour. It was easily shaped with the hands and would retain its form indefinitely.

A large sand tray was located at the front of the room and was frequently used to demonstrate aspects of subjects being taught and also to encourage the expression of ideas from the children.

Figure dancing in groups and maypole dancing were taught in class and these routines were practised and eventually performed before an audience on special occasions.

Good work was rewarded by allowing the pupil to sit "at the front" i.e. at the front row of seats in the classroom.

SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND ROUTINES

The school buildings comprised the original brick building, two semi-detached weatherboard classrooms in the playground, since demolished, an old original weathershed adjacent to the washroom in the middle of the playground and a semi-detached weathershed erected in 1924.

The bell post stood in the playground and the first bell was rung at 9 a.m. to summon pupils to school, whilst the second bell was rung at 9.25a.m., prior to assembly in class lines. It was a great honour and privilege to be appointed "bell monitor" and this prized appointment was jealously guarded by holding the bell chain for long periods of time to prevent anyone else usurping that function. School finished at 3.30 p.m.. Lunch was for one hour and there was a shorter period for morning tea. On Monday mornings, a ceremony of allegiance was assiduously followed with the whole school assembled in lines facing the flag and reciting in unison:

BANKING

Prior to assembly on Monday mornings, Banking facilities were available, with a teacher acting as a teller for the Govt. Savings Bank of N.S.W. Deposits were entered in the depositor's Pass Book, with amounts deposited varying from three pence to as much as one shilling in rare cases. These accounts were encouraged by the Bank and interest was accrued at the rate of 4 3/4 %, which was higher than that offered by any other Bank at the time.

MORNING TEA

Morning tea was enjoyed by staff during the morning recess and the tea was usually made by two girls who carried the title of "Tea Monitors" and these positions carried significant status for the appointees. It was normal practice for some teachers to stand in a group in the playground whilst partaking of this refreshment as an alternative to remaining inside the building, because there was no Staff Room as such.Some teachers ate their lunches in the classrooms at lunchtime, with the exception of the Headmaster who enjoyed the privacy of his own office.

MR GETTENS

During the early twenties the school served a large area, with children being drawn from the districts of Penshurst, Peakhurst, Lakemba, Kingsway and Hurstville West.. (Penshurst school opened in 1925 with the Dumbleton Headmaster, Mr. Grainger being transferred to the new school. His place was taken by Mr. J W Gettens.)

WHO NEEDS SHOES?

Because of a dearth of transport, children usually walked to school, with most boys, and some girls, being barefooted. The result of this practice was that the soles of the feet became like leather and crossing pebbly ground was no problem except that "bindies" in the grass caused considerable discomfort. Stubbed toes and cut feet occurred with disturbing frequency but the opinion was widely held that footwear was reserved for use on Sundays when one wore one's best clothes.

EARLY CONDITIONS

Conditions in the school rooms were spartan when compared with present day practice. There was no heating, no cooling and no artificial lighting, whilst on the entire school premises there was no telephone, no first-aid accommodation, no canteen no assembly hall, no staff room, no enquirIes office and counselling of pupils and/or parents was unknown. The only source of energy in the school consisted of a gas ring in one classroom used for making the teachers' tea and possibly one gas ring in the Headmaster's office.

An attempt was made on one occasion to kindle a fire in the fireplace of the 2nd class room but this action was short-lived as the only fuel available consisted of sticks collected in the grounds.

As previously mentioned, at one stage, the school did not possess a proper incinerator, and even when a cast iron article was provided for the disposal of combustible waste, it was found that the inclusion of fruit peelings and stale sandwiches produced foul smelling smoke for long periods of time from the smouldering contents.

Absence from school owing to illness was quite common: it was widely accepted that at some stage, children would suffer from one or more of the following:- influenza, gastritis, rheumatic fever, chicken pox, measles, boils, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, asthma, ring-worm, rickets, whooping cough and/or tuberculosis.

THE "DUNNIES"

As sewerage facilities were unavailable in the area, the school lavatories were all outdoors and located at some considerable distance from the classrooms. The three weatherboard "dunnies" were serviced by the iniquitous pan system and consequently were indescribably dirty, smelly and a breeding ground for flies and other insects.. The stench was highest during the summer months, whilst in the rainy weather, access was very wet underfoot and excursions "across the yard" were reduced to a minimum. During lessons, permission to go to the "loo" was, at times, given grudgingly, as staff believed that such requests were open to abuse, but in hindsight, this right should never have been questioned owing to the possible unfortunate result of a denial.

DISCIPLINE

In the early years of the decade, the Headmaster, Mr. Patrick J Bennett was a strict disciplinarian who was regarded with awe by all pupils in the school. He was a tall heavily built man distinguished by a full military moustache and a commanding personality. During teachers' hours, he invariably wore hard straw cuffs on his wrists to protect the cuffs of his coat from chalk when writing on the blackboard. He maintained order in the school with the aid of a cane which he used when required with devastating effect, but as a teacher, he was regarded with esteem.

Being caned for a misdemeanour was a painful experience, especially in the winter months. After receiving this punishment, the victim's fingers would become swollen, numb and painful for a considerable time afterwards, so much so that, quite often, writing with a pen was most difficult until a sense of feeling returned, in due course. At times, this treatment was meted out with little restraint, but more often the cane was used sparingly.

In the 5th class classroom there was a hole in the floorboards at the rear of the room. Following an inspection of the area under the floor, it was discovered that over a period of time, a large number of teachers' canes had been dropped down this hole, silently testifying to the revenge of previous recipients of this form of punishments.

THE "INSPECTOR"

When a visit by "the Inspector" was imminent, all children were warned to be on their best behaviour during an inspection of the class. One such Inspector was a Mr. Wilson who arrived at the school in his own motor car! This car was parked in the playground and no-one was permitted to approach it: The car was a "Bean" tourer (a well known English make) and such opulence indicated that a person of great status had arrived. However the most feared ogre in the Education Department was the "Truant Inspector". Although rarely, if ever, seen teaching staff overawed their charges by constantly reminding them that persistent and unexplained absences from school would be the subject for investigation by this Authority. The underlying connotation was that such behaviour could involve the removal of the offender from school, home and parental care, to a period of detention in a type of penal institution.

READING

Aids to education were practically non-existent: there were no projectors or radios, and T.V. had not been invented

Accordingly, a limited supply of library books provided the only source of additional reading and many of these books provided the only source of additional reading and many of these books still bore the stamp on the fly-leaf "Hurstville West Public School". Use of these books was not extensive, as was the case with a set of encyclopaedias in the classroom.

The Dept. published a "School Magazine" for use in primary schools and the contents included Australian stories and poems with an occasional song, and details of Roman and Greek Mythology.

'RITING

Following elevation to the primary school, most writing was performed with pen and ink, with pen nibs, holders and ink provided by the Department. This new innovation was invariably attended by blots, smudges and generally scratchy attempts to master this technique. The ink "well" was located at the upper middle section of the desk and there was also a receptive groove on the left and right hand side into which pens were placed when not in use.

Fourth class heralded in the practice of germinating wheat grains on damp wadding, the sprouting of roots from an onion seated in a jar of water and the transition of frog's eggs to tadpoles, and eventually, frogs. Sums involving long division were introduced at this stage.

'RITHMETIC

Arithmetic in fifth class became very complex owing to the use of the Imperial System of currency, weights and measures. Difficulty was widespread in comprehending the difference between the avoirdupois, troy and apothecaries system of weights and tons.(Avoirdupois covered drams, ounces, pounds, stones, quarters and hundredweights.) In linear measure, memories of inches, feet, yards, rods, chains, furlongs, miles and leagues are never forgotten. Similarly, it seems incredible that volumetric measure involved fluid ounces, gills, pints, quarts, gallons, firkins, hogsheads and barrels, while square measure included perches, roods and acres. The symbols for currency units of pounds, shillings and pence were �.s.d. (being abbreviation for libra, solidus and denarius) with half-pennies, pennies, shillings, crowns, pounds and guineas, being in general use.

MUSIC

All primary school children were marched into their classrooms from the assembly ground with a musical accompaniment on the school piano. One teacher, Mr. A. C. Naylor, was an accomplished pianist and he often played a stirring march for this purpose, but he sometimes shared this obligation with one particular pupil, who invariably played "Under the Double Eagle."

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical instruction was given to all classes, as physical fitness was considered to be essential to the well being of all school children in the state. To this end, the Dept. appointed an ex-army officer by the name of Major Redish to visit the schools and supervise the implementation of the Dept.'s requirements concerning physical exercises and Swedish drill, suitable for the children. He was a short red headed man with a small military style moustache who moved with alacrity and when he, himself, was drilling a group, his commands were barked out in a manner reminiscent of a parade ground.

At that. time, compulsory military training was applicable to all young men in their late teens and probably this instruction was a forerunner to the training given at a later date and to further this concept, the boys were known as "cadets". The girls were mustered into a group called the Junior Red Cross and with great pride wore a uniform consisting of black shoes, white sox, white dress and white veil with a red cross on the forehead.

SCRIPTURE

Religious instruction was provided once per week for those of the Protestant faith, by visiting ministers of religion from neighbouring churches: children from other faiths were exempted from this instruction and were classified as "other denominations."

EMPIRE DAY

Traditionally, the anniversary of the birthday of the late Queen Victoria was still celebrated on 24th May each year, but the occasion may be better remembered as "Empire Day" by the older members of the community. During the morning of this day, a gala display usually took place involving all classes in the school before an assembly of parents, relatives and friends of the participants. Following this feature, the assembly would be regaled with patriotic addresses from notable citizens in the community extolling the significance of the day and emphasising the fact that we all belonged to, "our glorious British Empire on which the sum never sets." Appropriate songs were rendered such as "Rule Britannia", "Advance Australia Fair" and others of like nature.The afternoon was a half holiday.

School concerts were held occasionally, with the preparation for these events consisting of repeated rehearsals at school, under the direction of the staff. The final performance was usually staged in the Hurstville Masonic Hall (now demolished) before an appreciative audience of doting parents, relatives and friends of the juvenile performers.

REMEMBERING TEACHERS

A tribute was paid to Dumbleton School when in 1924 a teacher, Miss Jane Barry, who was previously at Cumnock Public School and suffered a mental breakdown there, was posted to Dumbleton to aid her recovery, as it was considered to be a quiet school.

Two teachers favourably remembered by their pupils. were Mr. A. C. Naylor and Mr. G. Hay, both of whom taught at the school for many years.

Also a member of the staff for many years, was Miss Biggs: this lady was of small stature, but she ruled her primary school charges with a firm hand and asserted herself in a very positive way. Nobody questioned her judgment because she had a prodigious memory and could recall misdemeanours long since forgotten. In later years, many of her ex-pupils, on reaching adulthood, re-visited her and obviously regarded her with great affection.

WHITE AUSTRALIA POLICY

During those years, the "White Australia Policy" was advocated, when the population of Australia stood at 5 1/4 million.This policy was supported by most stratas of society and although racial discrimination was not observed by children to any extent, a statement frequently heard was,"We must never become like the United States of America" and this warning was often espoused in the classroom. This attitude was officially promoted by governmental decree, but has since been considerably modified.

KIDS JUST BEING KIDS

Many families living in the environs of the school lived a somewhat meagre existence, judged by modern standards. This fact was exemplified by a number of children, some from large families, attending school dressed in pre-worn clothes. Many boys in particular, wore clothes until the material deteriorated to an advanced stage. Incredible as it may seem now, one lad attended classes attired in his fathers' cast-off waistcoat and hat, without arousing any comment.

The installation of "bubbler fountains" necessitated the laying of a new pipe from the water main in Belmore Rd into the grounds and this project left a gap in the ground under the surrounding fence. This opening was sufficiently large to permit the passage of an average juvenile male body and was used extensively by latecomers who thus avoided entering through the main gate. Because of this routine, the opening became known as the "bunny hole" and one lad used this mode of entry so consistently that the nickname of "Bunny" was bestowed on him and the name continued into his later life.

The proximity of Gardiners' Bush provided a diversion from school routine during lunch time and, quite often, children would visit this densely wooded area, collecting various items of interest including mistletoe and in summer time, cicadas. Hence during the afternoon, it was not unknown for classwork to be interrupted by the chirping in someone's pocket, of a "Double Drummer", a "Black Prince", a "Yellow Monday", a "Floury Baker" or a "Greengrocer".

Because of the nature of the playground, bare feet and legs soon became grimy and this feature was usually accepted. However, in one case in sixth class, the Headmaster was so appalled at the lack of overall cleanliness of one boy, that he provided a brush and soap and sent the subject of his attention out to a tap in the grounds, during lesson time, to wash himself, whilst another member of the class was appointed to ensure that the ablution was completed in a satisfactory manner.

BOYS AND GIRLS

Girls usually carried their lunches and their belongings in a small case or a hand held soft leather bag, whilst the boys invariably carried their lunch etc. in a leather school bag not unlike a knapsack which was fitted with a long leather strap and was usually slung across one shoulder.

A sewing teacher came to the school on a part-time basis to give instruction to primary school girls in the art of sewing and needlework, but details of this programme are not readily available. Boys on the other hand, were encouraged to show their skills in the woodworking sphere and produced various types of models under the tutelage of Mr A. Naylor.

Usually, children were not inclined to enter the classrooms at other than lesson time, but an exception existed in the Year 5 classroom during lunchtime when Mr. Naylor, whilst having his own lunch, allowed children to sit at the desks and follow their own particular hobby, read books, or view sets of stereoscopic photographs using a stereoscopic viewer. This device enabled the viewer to merge the two photographs and produced a third dimension, giving depth to the resultant image, an effect which never ceased to hold the interest of those concerned.

When the Southern Cross is floating in the breeze
And we see the Nation's flag all wide unfurled
We know that on the land or on the seas
Australia's sons can meet and beat the world
In cricket ne'er the equals we have met
And should the foe be nearing,
No danger are we fearing,
When we have at hand the plucky boy cadet.

We dress him up in navy blue
With leggings so neat and brown
And we know he will dare and do
This boy from the bush and the town
Always ready when the foe draws near
Ready to fight, you bet
Little boy were proud of you
Australia's naval cadet.

"PERMIT TO ENROL"

In general, sixth class was devoted to the preparation for the examination at the end of the year. In the early twenties, successful candidates were issued with a "Qualifying Certificate" (Q.C.), but later this certificate was replaced with a "Permit to Enrol" slip which entitled the bearer to enrolment in a Super Primary School. Those wishing to enter a High School received supplementary instruction prior to the beginning of normal classes and at the end of the year, were candidates for the High School Entrance examination, which was additional to, and separate from the other examination. Few were inclined to partake of this additional work as the number remaining at school after reaching the age of 14, was not great.

With singing, the lesson began with the correct reference note being emitted from a tuning fork and then the whole class progressed through the scales doh-ray-me-fah-soh-la-te-doh: this exercise was invariably followed by renditions of "The Last Rose of Summer", "Abide with Me", et al.

It is noted that the Landing at Gallipoli was purchased by sixth class in 1926: each pupil brought 3d to procure the picture. It was primarily intended to commemorate an historical event in Australia's history, but was also a tribute to the fallen, including the Headmaster's nephew. Mr. Gettens was an intensely patriotic man with an unquestioning trust in the ideals of everything British.

SPORT

Organised sports for girls consisted of vigoro, basket ball, tunnel ball, rounders and gymnastics, whilst casual games were skipping, hopscotch and jacks.

Organised sport for boys concentrated on cricket, football, with lunch-time games of releasings, saddle-my-nag, and cocky lorum, the last two being responsible for torn coat pockets and shirts.

A more sedate game for both sexes was "two's and three's" which was often played by a whole class under the supervision of a teacher.

On Friday afternoons, a local bus was used during the summer months, to transport pupils to Ramsgate baths for an afternoon's swimming and, needless to say, this excursion proved to be a firm favourite for the participants.

At about this time, it was fortunate for the school that a large block of land, adjacent to the school grounds, in Belmore Rd, became available for acquisition by the Dept. The owner Mr McGregor, occupied premises on this land and was the purveyor of fruit and vegetables in this district, an occupation he followed after his retirement from the position of locomotive driver with the N.S.W. Government Railways. On his demise, the property was resumed and following demolition of the old buildings, was incorporated with the school grounds, resulting in a very large increase in the total area.

"SOUTHERN CROSS" FLIES OVER

Those attending the school in the latter part of the "twenties" were assembled in the playground in 1928 to watch the famous aircraft "Southern Cross" fly over, following the epic flight by Kingsford Smith, Ulm, Warner and Lyons across the Pacific Ocean from the United States.

During 1929, an East-West air race took place, with many aircraft competing.As the start of the event was broadcast on the radio,. one ex-pupil recalls hearing this transmission at home on a "crystal" radio receiver and in due course, on his way to school, saw some of the participating aircraft pass overhead.

THE "DUMBO" KIDS

It is a matter for pride for many ex-pupils of this area to be known as a "Dumbo" boy or girl; an expression still heard from time to time. Furthermore, many of the boys who attended the school in the "twenties", and who were deemed to be incorrigible and recalcitrant, served in the armed services with distinction in World War II.

Finally, whilst many occurrences in this decade have been recounted, it is not possible to recall many others, and so they must necessarily be left for anecdotal dissemination by others with long memories.

School Centenary 1892 - 1992

[Beverly Hills] [First 28 Years] [The Twenties] [The Thirties] [The Forties] [The Fifties] [The Sixties] [The Seventies] [The Eighties] [The Nineties]

Chapter 2. The Twenties