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1870
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Drilling for coal - 1870 Woodford |
Transit of Venus - 1870 Linden |
Drilling for coal - 1870 Woodford |
In 1900 the residents of Hazelbrook and Woodford (Population in 1911 : Hazelbrook - 168 Woodford - 158) petitioned the Department of Education for a public school to be established in the area. Promoted by S. W. Pring, A. C. Hewlett, D. A. Lalor, C. Hanson, F. T. Adams, C. F. Liebrand and James Lloyd; they indicated on their application that there were 19 intending pupils. However, Inspector McKenzie thought that all children could attend Lawson Public school by rail and the application was rejected.
In 1901 the Progress Committee of Hazelbrook and Woodford, sent a further deputation to the Minister of Education. The Committee had discussed a possible site for a public school. The suggested land was said to be centrally situated, accessible to all residents, in a healthy and pleasant situation, level and suitable for building purposes. The application was rejected again.
In 1905 three further requests were made, this time the Committee mentioned the needs of children of summer visitors who stayed for periods extending beyond the normal school holidays. Inspector McKenzie's report to the Department of Education was more sympathetic this time. He admitted the seasonal population changes, pointed out the severity of the winters and noted the inconvenient train times. "Those children going to school (at Lawson) by rail leave Hazelbrook at 7.30 a.m. and leave for home at 1.45 p.m." Unfortunately the applications were still not approved.
Not everyone was keen on education for their offspring. For neglecting to send children to school, quite a number of people in the mountains were fined sums of 5 and 6 shillings. It was reported in the Blue Mountains Echo of 6th March 1909, that one delinquent had to pay 4 guineas or go to jail for 21 days.
In 1923 there was yet another deputation regarding the need for a primary school in Hazelbrook. The Minister for Education himself visited the 'Brook' to inquire into the matter but nothing came of this appeal either.
It was 1925 before land was eventually purchased, for the possible site of a Public School. The land was bordered by Bathurst Road (now Great Western Highway), Hazelbrook Parade and Beechmount Avenue. Beechmount Avenue was named for Beechmount House which was located there in the 1880's. Until 1988 it was incorrectly signposted as Beachmount.
On the school there was a cottage known as 'Cambewarra'. This cottage was let by the Department of Education. The site was distinguished by a row of pine trees visible from Springwood to Wentworth Falls.
By 1927, 27 children from Hazelbrook were attending Lawson Public School. According to the Lawson Headmaster the permanent population of Hazelbrook was then about 300. It was around this time that the convent school was opened at Lawson and as several Hazelbrook children were intending to leave Lawson Public School and enrol there, numbers were considered insufficient to establish a school at Hazelbrook.
1929
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Highway Construction Woodford - 1929
In 1937, the citizens of Hazelbrook formed a Public School Establishment League and approached the authorities through the United Australia Party, but once again their application was refused. There were 36 pupils travelling to Lawson and Katoomba on the 'Squib', the name given to the school train. Eric Smith remembers, that at age 7, he had to walk a mile to the station before catching the 'Squib' or the 'Stumpy' up to Lawson.
Approval was at last given to establish Hazelbrook Public School as a Infants School. Heather Flanagan (nee Anderson) recalls that the first pupils had lessons in the Scout Hall then the Methodist Hall, moving eventually into new building on the site of the present school. Mr Steinberger was the builder. The first Teacher and Principal, Mrs Farnsworth, was not officially appointed until 3rd May 1946. When school commenced on the 19th May 1946 there were 34 infants pupils enrolled with primary children continuing to go to Lawson.
1948
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Woodford Bends 1948
1952 was an important year for the school, as promotion to Primary status was effective and additions were completed at a cost of 4000 pounds. Mr E. Riley was appointed as the headmaster. Enrolments at the school included over 40 girls from Haddon Hall under the auspices of the Sydney City Mission. Girls from Haddon Hall continued attendance at the school until 1970.
Ronald Bembrick appointed as the Headmaster
Between 1958 and 1962 the school had four members of staff Ron Bembrick (Headmaster), Owen Smith, Mary Quealy and Mrs Connie Morrison. Mrs Bembrick taught sewing to the girls. Mary Baaner (nee Quealy) in 1988 reminisced : "I spent four happy years at the school. I remember an old cream coloured piano that had the ivories missing. A spirit duplicator purchased by the P. & C. in 1959-60 meant a radical change in teaching methods."
By 1963, the school had 3 classrooms, a weathershed and sewing room.
The old 'Cambewarra' cottage which had been used as a tuckshop and library was removed in 1964.
From 1965 boys from Weroona, then a home for state wards run by the Department of Child and Social Welfare, attended the primary school and enrolments swelled to 171. At this time Athol Lees was Headmaster.
A school magazine, the Lyrebird, was published from 1966, by Miss Eldridge and two students, Lloyd Wildy and Russell Clarke.
A grove of trees was planted at the front of the school on 11th August 1967, during Education Week. This was to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the completion of the railway from Penrith to Wentworth Falls.
By 1968 enrolments reached 98 boys (including 24 boys from Weroona) and 74 girls. The school was divided into houses for the first time : Evans, Cox and Macquarie (Mitchell was added some years later). A small library was organised by the Hazelbrook Children's Library Movement.
Neil Keating appointed as Principal.
In July 1971 the old stone house known as 'Crecy' was purchased then demolished to make room for school expansion. Crecy House was named Crecy Street. The street itself was named after the Battle of Crecy 1714. The street ran parallel to Beechmount Avenue but no longer exists as it is part of the school grounds.
Crecy House was originally part of the Excelsior Estate. With a turreted stone frontage and large gates it was built for Henry Goodwin, who set up his home as a Naval Hospital. There was a sign in the grounds to that effect but the house was never actually used for that purpose. A Mrs. Crane leased Crecy as a guesthouse on February 1919, with dances held there on Saturdays. The last owners were the Mogg family. Mr. Norman Mogg was at one time a school counsellor at Hazelbrook Public School.
Ken White appointed as Principal
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Cox's Road Woodford
By 1975 there were 104 infants and 131 primary children enrolled. Work began on extensions which included an administration area, library, four classrooms, canteen and enclosed shelter area.
In the next ten years the school doubled in size.
1979
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Near Mt.View at Hazelbrook
John McDonald appointed as Principal
Building begins on the new school hall. Completed in 1986.
Another extensive building project began in 1986 and was completed in April 1987.
Mike Murphy appointed as Principal
In 1988 the school became the largest public school in the Blue Mountains with 18 classes, 520 students.
On the 28th April 1990 the Hon.Terry Metherell, Minister for education and Youth Affairs, unveiled the plague to mark the official opening of new school hall. Barry Morris (Member of Parliament) was also in attendance. Dr. F.G.Sharpe was the Director General of School Education at the time and Mr. Mike Murphy was the Principal. There was a demonstration by Teachers and Community regarding Public Education. One person arrested.
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Aerial of Woodford Bends - 1990
Mike Murphy Retires as Principal.
Ms. Christine Bentley appointed Principal.
School celebrates the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Students Ryan Smith and Stephanie Ford run with Mr. John Derham; local identity, city counsellor and actor, in the Olympics 2000 Torch Relay.
Tim Cole a community friend, teacher (at Hazelbrook from 1980-2000) died in a tragic accident, on 29th September 2000. His inspiration and dedication to learning made a difference to all who knew him.
Mr. Ian Kendall appointed as Principal.
A memorial garden was set up in the grounds to honour past teachers and members of the community, especially whose who have had significant input into the school. Benches were erected in honour of Mr. Tim Cole and Mr. Lindsay McLeod.
Mr McLeod (30/09/1928 - 03/06/2001) was a Life Member of the Hazelbrook P&C Association, a Founder of the Mid-Mountains Garden Festival and a stone mason by trade. He was a generous man who worked tirelessly in support of the school and in particular the school's greenhouse.
Mr Paul Cole is appointed Relieving Principal.
Mrs Kerry Brookes appointed as Relieving Principal.
School celebrates it's 60th Birthday.
The official launching of the Hazelbrook Public School Web Site.
Kindergarten classes reduced to a maximum of 20 students.
Mr Denis Anderson appointed as Principal
The new R.T.A. road (an extension of Hazelbrook Parade) at the rear of the school nears completion (February 2007). Beechmount Road is closed to incoming traffic, from the Great Western Highway. Further work on rear play area, previously known as the "Oval", is needed. The school's playing fields become almost non-exsistent. Senior students walk to Gloria Park for Friday morning sports session, de to lack of space.
MMOOSH (Mid Mountains Out of School Hours care facility) is relocated from the Great Western Highway side of the school to Hazelbrook Parade.
Many long-standing members of staff retire including ... Mrs Liz Charuk, Mrs Margaret Gittens and Mrs Cathy McMahon.
Announcement made regarding school upgrade by State Minister of Education, Ms Carmen Tebbutt.
Continuing work by R.T.A. at front and rear of school.
Formation of two Multi-Age Gifted and Talented Classes - a very new concept.
The School 4 Arts Performance "The Key" is a major success with all students from K-6 involved.
Environmental and Recycling was the focus of 2008 with a three Water Tanks installed to supply water to the existing toilet facilities and for the use in the school's Greenhouse.
Aboriginal Education was celebrated during Naidoc Week with an intensive program including Aboriginal Cultural Lessons, Art and Craft activities.
Opening of the Aboriginal Bush Tucker Garden.
Our oldest two portable buildings were moved at the conclusion of the year, in order to commence construction work on a new double storey office and administration block. This involved hiring the biggest crane in the Southern Hemisphere to lift them over existing structures in the school grounds and resiting them near the school hall.
A 19th Class is formed due mostly to the influx of 88 Kindergarten students.
Building works commenced on the school's new Administration block (April)
Approval for a new double storey, four classroom block to replace existing portable buildings near highway.
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