Mittagong History Schools
The history of schools in Mittagong.
In 1862 a Roman Catholic school was in operation in Mittagong and in 1863 the teacher was Miss Lyons and she was paid 60 pounds for her services. In 1865 the school had 22 pupils and was conducted in a weatherboard building that was also the church. A dwelling was built for the teacher in 1873. In September 1900 the foundation stone was laid for St Josephs Convent School and it was opened in February 1901. A new boarding school was built for the Sisters of St Joseph in 1926 and it accommodated 50 girls. The boarding school cost 8000 pounds and was opened by Archbishop Kelly in January 1927.
A public school opened at New Sheffield in 1865 and was under the control of the Council of Education and was carried out at the Methodist Church. The Council of Education acquired an acre of land in 1877 and a school was built on the land a year later. In 1865 the school moved from the Methodist Church to the new building. In 1880 the name of the school changed from New Sheffield to Mittagong. In 1889 the school was divided into infants and primary. In November 1937 a new two-storey building was built on a site covering 8 acres.
The son of Colonel WS Southey of the Madras Staff Corps, HE Southey, rented Throsby Park at Moss Vale and opened a school there with eleven boys in the early 1870's. The principal purchased the property Oaklands where the school continued to run for many years and additions were made in 1885. It was claimed that Southey in 1875 first introduced tennis in New South Wales at Oaklands.
Miss Winifred M West and Miss Phyllis AH Clubbe founded Frensham in July 1913. Miss West came to Australia in 1907 and met Miss Clubbe. They both considered founding a school so they both went to England where Miss Clubbe attended a Training School to do a course in physical training and Miss West taught at Harrogate College. They returned to Sydney in 1912 and in the next year they leased a house in Mittagong that they named Frensham after Miss West's birthplace.
Absence of rules is a feature of life at Fransham where girls are taught that rules to be observed are only made for consideration for the comfort and safety of others necessitates them. The students develop many interests and are encouraged to have a true love of knowledge that makes study a discovery and a joy. Clubs such as a Sketch Club, a Music Club and a Literary Club have been formed in connection with the school so the girls can express themselves.
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Tulip Time
25 September 2008
to 08 October 2008