Clyde North School No.118 (1858)
| In 1856 the first
approaches on behalf of the area were made by those residents living
near to the Cardinia Creek. In view of the fact that there were twenty-nine children living within on mile of Mr. O'Connor's house the residents inquired of the National Board of Education as to the possibility of the establishment of a school on the watering reserve near to the creek. (This reserve is at the end of Thompsons Road). |
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Dumaresq agreed to the plan and upon half an acre of land, that he rented, a room was built through the labours of the parents. The school room was built of lath and plaster, with a paling roof, floor and brick chimney and completed September 13, 1858. At 26 feet long and 13 feet wide, with a 9 foot ceiling the building was considered suitable as a school-room.
| A Committee of prominent persons (Lecky, Malloy and Adams) informed the Board
that they had appointed Dumaresq as their teacher. Dumaresq sent his testimonials
to the Board on November 23, 1858 and he was approved although school had
opened several days after October 10. In 1859 Dumaresq erected a dwelling
near to the school In 1861 Cranbourne National School (although at Clyde) became Common School No. 118 under new legislation just passed. Little changed however as children were still expected to pay fees although many did not because they could not afford it. |
| In 1867, after many requests, the school-room with residence (5 rooms) and
the land were purchased by the Board of Education. During 1869 extensive renovations
were carried out on the building to improve the teachers residence and enlarge
the classroom .In 1871 the dissatisfaction of the parents with Dumaresq forced him to hand in his resignation and a replacement was sought. The following teacher John A Noble, had a troubled time at Clyde and was ‘transferred’ to another school after six years. A relieving teacher, Mr Walker in 1879 was followed by Mr Thomas A.Twyford, who remained there for the next 36 years until 1915. Of him it is said “No other teacher is likely to equal his record of service to school and to district”. Legislation in 1872 made education free and compulsory and this ended many years of trouble over the collection of fees. Due to the poor condition of the school building, requests were made for a new school building which was completed on June 3, 1878. Three builders had tendered for the work (Duncan £522, timber. Powis £325, timber and Powis £428, brick), and Powis was selected to build the brick building. The history of the school from this period onwards is well documented and in too much detail to consider in this publication. In 1933 the school celebrated its 75th anniversary with two former students then 75 and 73 in attendance. Highlights reported in The Argus include twice winning the District sports, obtaining a 100% pass for merit students, having the highest percentage of school bank savings in the state and in 1926 H. Hook winning the State School long jump for his age group. |
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| The year 1958, which marked the centenary of Clyde North School was a very special occasion in the district and resulted in attempts to trace the history of the school by Mr. James L. O'Shea and the production of a historical scrapbook. [ Available for viewing at the Fisherman's Hut Museum, Tooradin.] |
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More Information about Clyde North School No. 118
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Questions and Comments
1. Did you know that one teacher, D Beasy (1953) was a Carlton Football Club player?
2. What happened at this school’s centenary in 1958?
3. Does anyone have photos of this school?
4. What happened to the machine gun given to the school as a war souvenir?
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Clyde North Primary School has a Facebook page for former students and teachers |
Sources
1. History of Clyde North School by J O’Shea
2. The Good Country
3. The Argus-Country News,
4. A Clyde History
5. Memories of Clyde North 1910-12, by Keith Escott
6. Public Records Office Victoria.
7. Vision and Realisation – Education Department files
8. Photos and student names from Cranbourne Historical Museum-Tooradin