School History

by Anna (year 4)

Ermington Public School opened Monday, 9th January, 1888 with one school building, a residence for the teacher, a well-grassed playground and a weather shed. By 1889 there were children's gardens and further plans to beautify the grounds.

1915-16 - Problems with the School: The problems in the large school room were poor lighting, poor ventilation and it was an old fashioned classroom. The small classroom was too small (16' square, 11' high). It had no desks and light was poor for students and teacher. In 1916 the small classroom was modernised. It had a new door for ventilation, desks, and the floor was levelled. In the 1920s the school is extended to form two classrooms and a hat room which cost them 480 pounds. There is still no electricity. The land at the back of the school down to Brush Road is purchased for the future. They made the playground better by adding two swings and one tennis court (No play on Sundays!!!). In 1950 there was a school tuckshop in a small shed.

There were 300 children who were in wooden portable classrooms, one aluminium classroom and the original school building. In 1951 more land is given to the school and used for the Infants playground. The 1970s - In the 1970s there was a long wooden portable building which contained four classrooms, an office and storeroom used by the primary. The assembly area was made of asphalt and the original building was used as a classroom and sewing room. In 1973 the oval was levelled to provide a better playing surface. In 1974 the Minister of Education announced changes to Ermington Public School. The changes that were made were six infants classrooms, a library, administration block and eight primary classrooms. The total cost was $879,600. The work started in 1975, completed in 1977.

Now - Ermington Public School is not just buildings. It's a place you go to for . . . .