Yass Public School

Caring, Sharing and Shaping the Future

Telephone02 6226 1017

Emailyass-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

School History

History

Agitation for a non denominational school began in 1876 led by a group of local businessmen and as a result plans were completed in January 1877 and forwarded to The Council of Education. With some slight alterations the new plans were approved and provided for the accommodation of 258 pupils in two departments.

The primary department was to contain two rooms 46ft by 22ft and 22ft by 14ft. The infants department was one room 38ft by 20ft. An Inspector's room was also attached. Included in the plans was a residence consisting of four rooms plus a kitchen and servant's room.

In April 1878 an area of two acres, two roods 24 perches was granted by the Government. The new school buildings were erected by a local builder, Mr Robert Beverly, at a cost of £4,895. The school opened in January 1879 under the charge of Mr James Brierly assisted by Miss Emma Day as the infants' mistress. By February 1879 the average attendance was 50.

Two weather sheds were erected in 1881 and in 1882 an additional area of land was acquired measuring three acres fifteen perches located between the school and the river.

In 1890 some two roods were given up for the purposes of the new tramway.

The residence had a bathroom and washhouse added in 1895.

Sometime between 1901 and 1904 the school was reclassified as a Superior Public School and was further reclassified as a District School in September 1906. Two new classrooms were added in 1908 and in 1909 an Evening Public School was established. By 1939 school numbers had reached 300 necessitating the installation of two portable classrooms.

In 1942 the Yass District School was renamed the Yass Intermediate High School and in 1961, when the new Yass High School was opened, it became the Yass Public School.

In 2004 Yass Public School celebrated its Quartocentenary; 125 years of Caring Sharing and Shaping the Future

In 2007 Yass Public School won the NSW Department of Education and Training Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

List of teachers

Name

Date Appointed

James Brierly

03/01/1879

William Johnson

30/06/1893

Philip Wayne

20/07/1897

Ebenezer Dash

09/10/1906

John Hopman

08/01/1910

John Hedberg

01/11/1912

HG Stoyles

05/09/1913

Charles McCoy

12/01/1915

Amos Lee

17/01/1917

Ellrington Lewis

08/01/1918

Stanley O'Conor

21/05/1921

James Brigden

03/02/1925

Stanley Dixon

13/12/1929

Mark McGrath

03/12/1931

William Corrigan

30/11/1934

Ross Thomas

10/12/1937

Norman Ferguson

27/11/1940

Arvon Williams

13/12/1944

Gordon Brown

03/02/1948

Irvine Perrett

30/01/1951

Clarence Moye

27/01/1953

Alan White

28/01/1958

Reginald Bailey

01/01/1961

Herbert Holland

28/01/1964

Information courtesy Yass &District Historical Society Incorporated.