Our School History: 1884 - Now

Infants Building 1962

There were four teachers on staff, teaching, combined classes (I think it appropriate at this stage to point out that there were 4 teachers prior to 1900). Classrooms were crowded and facilities limited, improvements for many years would have been few.

However, after the 1955 flood - when there was approximately 12-15 inches of water in the main building things seemed to change. After the ‘clean-up’ a new spirit of self-pride developed in the school and community. Gardens and tree plantings were encouraged.

Up till now the wearing of uniforms was limited - many children particularly boys, attended school bare footed. Uniforms became ‘the thing’ - navy tunic summer and winter, boys grey shorts and shirt. It was during this time that the red sports tunic for girls was introduced.

After the 1955 flood, residential development took place in the West ‘out of flood’ area. This together with the buses bringing children from outlying areas, greatly increased the population of the school. So when I returned to the school as Librarian during 1971-72 a great transformation had taken place. The ‘old’ 4-room building had been raised. New class­room blocks were erected, can­teen established and the new administration and library block of today were under con­struction. The Infants depart­ment had become indepen­dent of the primary department and there was a great increase in school staff. I was proud to be able to ‘setup’ the library and be librarian for two years.

Pupils and teachers on school lawns 1956

Developments at Narrabri West Public School during the 1970’s were dominated by efforts to provide additional accommodation to cater for increased enrolments. The new additional accommodation was provided at the school in 1972 and Narrabri was also selected for the provision of a Pre-School within the school grounds. A further service was provided at the school when construction of a Dental Clinic commenced on the 9th June 1980.

In 1970 the Principal Mr. R. Rice reported that the existing enrolment at Narrabri West Public School was 222 and it was expected that the enrolment would reach 256 two years later. One class was accommodated at the Church of England Hall, one mile from the school and two classes were accommodated under the elevated building. Because of the increased enrolments, the Principal requested the building of a Primary Administration Block, two Primary Classrooms and one additional infants classroom. The Principal’s recommendation was supported by Inspector F. Jones. In that same year approval was granted for the construction of a two-storey block to contain an administration unit, library and three brick veneer class­rooms. Later a fourth classroom was added to the plans but it was decided to transfer a timber portable classroom from the site on the completion of the entire project. Funds of $136,000 were provided to permit the acceptance of a tender for this project and the contractor J. Scott Pty Ltd. commenced working on the new project on the 13th August 1971.

The Narrabri West Infants Mothers Club expressed concern about the short­age of accommodation at the school in 1972. Inspector F. Higgens arranged with the Principal for a survey of future enrolments to be carried out during 1972 and, if necessary, for an application for additional accommodation to be prepared for submission at the end of that year when recommendations were being sought for the year 1975. Because of the construction of new accommodation at the school, the Department of Education felt that there would be ample accommodation for the Primary and Infants classes. It agreed that it will be necessary for one infants class to occupy a room in the Primary Department but reported that “this situation is not uncommon in schools throughout the State’’.

On the 17th April 1972, the additional accommodation was occupied and the Principal requested the removal of the portable classroom so that the playground could be leveled to allow for drainage. The new accommodation was officially opened on the 29th September 1972 and a commemorative plaque was unveiled. However, the wooden portable building was not removed from the grounds until the end of November 1972.

In September 1974, plans were completed for a proposed Pre-School for the Narrabri West Public School. The Principal of the School Mr. M. Cowgill, agreed that the best site was selected but expressed concern over the access road which was very boggy in wet weather. The problem of the access road was overcome and finally funds of $89,230 were made available to allow for the construction of the Pre-School centre.

The Pre-School centre was designed to cater for a maximum of fifty four year-old children. The centre has a loft area above the main play area which assists the teacher to implement the concept of “Open Education”. Another important feature of the design is the “Parent Room”, where parents meet in an informal way to discuss their interests or needs. A Parent Library has been incorporated in this room to broaden parents’ knowledge of early childhood. Construction of the centre began on Friday 10th December, 1976 and the building was ready for occupation in November of the following year. because of the climatic conditions in Narrabri, the school requested the construction of a shelter over the sandpit in the pre-school grounds. However the high cost of the project would not allow this shelter to he provided and covers for the pit were provided.

It is interesting to note that the schools of Narrabri are in a flood liable section of the town and in 1976 the State Government commenced a program of flood plain mapping for all towns on non-tidal rivers in New South Wales which experience significant flood problems. Narrabri was the first town selected so that markers could be attached to State Government and Local Government buildings, and in public recreation areas and other prominent locations within a town. The Regional Office at Tamworth had no hesitation in allowing the marking of appropriate Narrabri Schools.

Narrabri West Public School is unique because it is celebrating its centenary in 1984, and it also represents the tremendous variety of architectural styles that have developed in our schools during the past one hundred years. The early weatherboard style is still evident but today one can also see the modern brick buildings that are a feature of our more recent schools.