Society looks at early school struggles

THE Torquay and District Historical Society is starting its celebrations for History Week with a look back at the struggle to build the town’s first school.

The society has researched the beginnings of the Torquay Primary School, and over the past two years has assisted the school in scanning photos and registration papers.

It all began in 1896, when a petition from residents for a school was sent to the Education Department, with a list of 22 children who would attend a school if one could be opened.

This request was declined, and John Brown later agreed to convey the children of Torquay to and from Mt Duneed School for four pence per child daily.

Three years later, the department was asked again to open a school, and Education Department inspector A. Jackson reported there were nine permanent schoolchildren and four under school age in the town, with three more children expected to attend if a school was opened. He recommended that a full time school be started, and suggested the Recreation Hall.

A school opened on September 23, 1900 in the Presbyterian Church with 16 children, with Alice Meagher as head teacher. The church wanted 10 pounds a year rent but the Education Department would only pay 7 pounds 10 shillings.

By May 1901, Ms Meagher wanted to close the school until a stove was put in, complaining it was so cold that the children couldn’t hold their pens. The school was moved in June to the Recreation Hall.

A school site fronting Boston Road and Bristol Street was purchased in 1905, but a school was not built until five years later and was completed on June 1,1910.

This followed the rent at the hall being raised to 20 pounds annually in 1909 – the department threatened to close the school, but later decided to pay the increased cost as well as proceed with building a school.

The Torquay and District Historical Society will have a special opening at their rooms at “History House”, 18 Price Street, Torquay, on October 21-22 from 2-4pm. Entrance is free, as will be the tea and coffee, cakes and scones with jam and cream.

Histoy week runs October 15-22.