Lower Homebush
State School
Inspectors Reports
1937-1961
Inspector
Woodhouse reported that there had been a garden established in 1936 and that this had been
securely fenced. He indicated that there had been great care bestowed upon it and that
there was a fine display of flowers, even there was a general scarcity of flowers.
He
complimented the state of the building and the decoration of the interior, as well as the
instruction of the pupils and the high standard of work.
During 1938
Inspector Hutcheson described the grounds as very, tidy with many healthy gum trees which
formed a memorial to the district soldiers who had served in The Great War.
It was again
noted that the school, although large, was kept in immaculate condition by the Head
Teacher. At this time there were nine children enrolled in the school.
School
enrolments were on the decline and at the inspectors visit in 1940 there were only seven
children on the roll. These were in 3 grades 7, 5, 3 and 1. The children's manners were
noted as being exemplary, and both bookwork and application were praised
During 1942 a
vegetable plot and pasture experiments were carried on, despite the small number of
pupils.
The
environment was seen as pleasant and of value in the character training of the children.
It was also noted that there was a bright fire burning in the mornings.
Four of the
seven pupils were not promoted at the end of 1940 as here had been an epidemic during the
year and many of the children had not completed the required work due to prolonged
absences. If they completed the work they would be promoted as he situation arose.
Children were congratulated
on their knitting for the soldiers.
It was also suggested that
as there were so few children and that the teacher had been at the school for seven years,
that it may be n her best interests to obtain an appointment to a larger school which it
was felt that she could quite admirably cope with.
In 1942 it was
noted that the teacher was a married woman who had returned to teaching, and although she
was not familiar with some of the current methods she was keeping the school running well.
Letters of
appreciation and interest had been received from some of the soldiers who had been
supplied with goods, which had been knitted by the children.
Problems with
rabbits were evident at various times but in they presented a danger to the children in
that they had excavated large areas around the toilets.
A note
was made with regard to one little girl in grade five in 1943 who was approximately two
years ahead of her chronological age in her academic skills.
The teacher was, at this time, walking two miles to school,
which she found to be rather a long way some days
Comment was made that
there was no play pavilion, however, this was not really a problem as the empty room and
the wide verandah allowed sufficient protection from the heat or inclement weather.
Enrolment
increased again to 10 in 1945. It was suggested the trees should be pollarded to allow
better shade for the children. The garden beds were prepared, but could not be planted
until sufficient rain had fallen.
Instruction
had been thorough and the children had performed well at the annual examination and at
intermittent tests.
Social Service activities
had been conducted in the school and more than fifteen pounds had been forwarded to the
Education Department's War Effort in the previous year.
Maintenance of
the school was noted in 1946 with the toilets having been replaced, repairs made to the
floor of the school room, replacement of old pictures with new prints, resurfacing of the
teacher's table and the desks and the fire-place had been repainted. It was described as
being in a clean, attractive condition.
The reading
matter in the school was supplemented by books on loan from the Gillies Bequest Library.
During 1946,
it was noted that the children had raised thirty nine pounds for the War Relief Fund and a
further nine pounds fifteen shillings in social service for the "Food for Britain
Appeal".
Rural Science
was undertaken and the daily meteorological information was recorded.
In 1947 the
children raised five pounds and fifteen shillings which was donated to the "Yooralla
Hospital Appeal".
The children
also competed annually in the local District Sports Association Athletics competition.
There was no instruction in swimming as there were no facilities available for this
activity.
Children had
also been encouraged to join the Gould League of Bird Lovers.
The report in
1950 pointed out that despite the efforts of the teacher and the pupils at gardening, the
soil was poor and as a result the produce was disappointing. It was suggested that either
a load of better soil or several loads of manure should be obtained to improve the quality
of the garden beds. Hardy trees were progressing slowly.
A wireless set
had been purchased and installed and was a valuable addition to the school's equipment.
Books had also been purchased for the library.
The teacher
was traveling from Avoca daily by bicycle.
In the report
for 1954 the Inspector complimented the school and the children who he described as well
trained in methods of investigation and showing marked self-dependence. The following year
it was noted that many of the children were working on individual assignments and
were quite proficient in using reference books.
There were 10
pupils enrolled in 1956. The school was described as having a happy working atmosphere
where the teacher-pupil relationship was very pleasing.
It was noted
that the children operated school banking accounts.
By 1959 improvements had been made to the
garden area in front of the school and the area had been refenced and the fence painted.
Nesting swallows presented a nuisance around the building, but it was seen as very
difficult to exclude them.
The smaller
classroom had been brought back into service for an art and nature study room and was also
used as a common room in bad weather.
The small room
had been converted to a projector room very effectively.
There were no
further reports before the school closed.