Trentham Trumpet ‘Back to School’

The TDHS has regularly been contributing articles to the The Trentham Trumpet in recent years. This story, written by Sue Worthington was published in the Trumpet in February 2022.

If you would like to look at other previously published Trumpet Newsletters, they are available via their archive https://www.thetrenthamtrumpet.com.au/archives

Many of the stories recorded in The Trumpet, have been gathered together and published in the Trentham Tales. This, along with our other publications are available from our Online Store.

Fern Hill Primary School

Back to School

Written by Sue Worthington

Since the 1850s, 'back to school' in our district has meant to any one of the 21 Primary schools recorded as operating in that time. These were predominantly, single classroom, single teacher schools, with fluctuating numbers, and grades from 1-8. For many older residents, it was the only formal education they experienced.

In the 1930s, Merv Stevens recalls Garlick's Lead as having "8 grades, 40 students, and 1 teacher", and Blackwood North a total of 8 students, with regular daily attendance of 5.

Classroom life was generally a variation of Frank Brady's 1930s Coliban (Spring Hill) experience: "we started off on slates in grade 1 and sat at desks with inkwells mixed and filled every day. On the teacher's desk sat a black strap, like a big coiled snake. I copped it a lot."

The teachers were mostly male, with female 'assistants', one Bruce McKenzie particularly remembers in 1930s Trentham for "the cuts she gave me".

Getting to school was simple "Walk! A couple of mile through the paddocks" remembered Grace Moloney of 1920s LIttle Hampton. Frank Brady and his brother initially "double banked a pony", leaving it in the yard during the day. But when his younger sister started school, they too were left with "shanks pony".

The district's bitter winters were always a challenge. Reports to the department repeatedly noted "cold children cannot much benefit from our teaching". In 1880s, the Union Saw Mill School reported melting snow under the door that "rendered the classroom bitter, in spite of a large fire."

A 'large fire' was for a long time the only option for warming the room. Chanters Lane School in 1945-50 "was cold and dark - electricity didn't come to the area until 1961. The small wood fireplace was lit by the older boys, but only on extremely cold days." In Garlick's Lead, Ian Braybrook remembers "the dunnies were at the back, miles away. Every time you went you had to bring back a stick of wood for the fire".

Not surprisingly, building fires were common. Ivan Smith remembered walking the 4 miles to Spring Hill, only to find the whole school burned to the ground. "With great delight we walked the 4 miles home. But Grandfather didn't believe us. We thought we were going to have to walk back again!". For the remainder of 1936 the school operated out of Bartletts store.

Most students sat only one external exam, the Merit Certificate at 13, and that was the end of their schooling. "My father told me, ‘That’s all the education you need." said Frank Brady. "I’ve got plenty of work for you here'. And he did!"

Despite the hardships, these rural schools were always remembered with great fondness. Tellingly, Robin Parsons notes that, at aged 8 he moved to a 400 student school in Geelong -"I hated school from that day on".