Application was made for a Public School at Daceyville in
September 1913, and, after inquiry, the Minister approved of
the establishment of a school for Infants only.
A site containing 5½ acres of land with frontage to
Isaac Smith and Astrolabe Roads was obtained from the Housing
Board, and on this a double portable room was erected for school
purpose. School came into operation early in 1914 with Miss
L Bass as teacher. The enrolment at the end of June of that
year was 38, and the average attendance was 30.7.
Source: NSW State Government records
By 1916 the enrolment had grown to 117 and the existing building
was too small. As the suburb was rapidly growing it was decided
to establish a primary school and to erect a suitable building.
Owing to the shortage of funds, however, the erection of the
new building had to be deferred, and, instead, two rooms were
added to the existing building.
The school was converted to Primary status in 1917 and Mr
M McKean became headmaster. At the end of that year the enrolment
was 212 and the average attendance 161.
Source: NSW State Government records
The site on which the building stood was deemed unsuitable
and not central enough for local requirements. In 1920 therefore,
an exchange of land was effected with the Housing Board whereby
the present site containing 5 acres, 1 rood, 36 perches was
secured by the Department.
A new building was erected in 1921, costing approximately ₤18,000.
It was planned to accommodate 576 pupils in addition to the
Kindergarten section, but in little more than a year this accommodation
was overtaxed. This led to the provision of additions comprising
8 classrooms for 388 pupils, the work being completed in 1925
at a cost of ₤6,687.
With the increasing attendance at Daceyville arose a demand
for super primary instruction, and, in 1925, the Headmaster,
Mr Keating and the local Parents and Citizens’ Association
applied for Manual Training and Cookery classes to be established.
There were, at that time, 132 boys in 6th class and a similar
number of girls.
