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| Lawson Methodist Sunday School Picnic, 26th January 1914. Photo from Blue Mountains Local Studies/CC BY-SA 2.0 |
The long anticipated picnic of the Chain of Ponds Public School came off last Saturday, and was very successful.
The youngsters assembled at half-past nine, and marched a short distance from the school into a corner of Mr. Hinds' paddock. On entering the gate they received sufficient sweets to allay their expectant appetites.
They then began their day's sport, which was kept up vigorously by the promoters until dinner-time. The prizes in all cases being strongly contested for, delighted the spectators, and there soon began to appear on the scene a vast crowd of people, who, coming from all parts round about, kept increasing in number as the day advanced.
The spread which was prepared by the mothers - was laid in the old schoolroom, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. The treat was all that could be desired; cakes of all descriptions, sizes, and shapes, tarts, sponge rolls, &c., without number - and, in fact, everything likely to tempt the appetites of the little ones - were there. The mothers are deserving of great praise, not alone for their excellent cooking, but their forethought in providing such variety.
After doing ample justice to these good things, and all the visitors being feasted, the fourth-class spelling bee took place, in which Miss E. Johnson (1st) and Miss E. Hinds (2nd) proved the victors, but not till all the others had tussled against catching and difficult words. Mr. C. Grovenor, of Gunning, who presented the prizes, highly complimented the children for acquitting themselves so nobly and their teacher - Mr. Gallop - for their proficiency in spelling. Mr. J. Johnson acted similaly in presenting prizes to Master J. Hinds and Miss E. Granger, who were first and second winners of the third class spelling bee. Mr. E. Hinds also presented Miss M. Granger with five shillings for competing with his son for such a length of time.
Amusement, intermingled with scrambles, was then resumed, and after a pleasant evening tea was called, which being partaken of, the teacher thanked the parents on behalf of the children. " God save the Queen" was then sung and the children dismissed, all feeling well satisfied with their day's amusement and carrying home some token of victory. A silver-mounted malacca whip handle, several bridles, and watch guards were run for.
Mr. Poplin, of Yass, and Mr. Hinds indulged in a little pigeon-shooting, the former killing all his birds and the latter losing one. The young folks finished up the day very pleasantly in all sorts of amusements.
A very noticeable feature in this picnic was the good order which prevailed throughout. Every one seemed anxious to make it a day of success, as no doubt it was, as the following balance-sheet will show :- Collection amounted to £9 8s; picnic expenditure, prizes, &c., £6 8s; balance, £3; amount collected on day of picnic by Mr. M. Johnson, £2 8s; surplus fund in hand of teachers, £5 8s. On dispersing, a vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Gallop, who, in reply, called for three cheers for the working committee (Mr. Hinds, Mr. Alchin, Mr. M. Johnson, and Mr. J. Johnson), the ladies, &c., which were given with great enthusiasm, and thus ended a very pleasant day's sport.
The above article appeared on page 4 of the Goulburn Evening Penny Post, Tuesday 27 November 1888. View the original article on Trove.
The above article appeared on page 4 of the Goulburn Evening Penny Post, Tuesday 27 November 1888. View the original article on Trove.
CHAIN OF PONDS PUBLIC SCHOOL (1871-1916)
Chain of Ponds Public School operated from April 1871 to November 1916 as part of NSW Public School District 58. For the first 7 years, it was a Provisional school, with between 15 and 24 students.
The 1878-1879 Education Report states that the school "reopened" in 1878, with 46 students enrolled (19 boys, 27 girls) - this was when it was upgraded to a Public School.
The school was governed by a local board of 5-6 members, although not without drama - as suggested by the resignation of "hon. sec." Mr Johnson in July 1879 due to "the apathy of the other members of the board". Two new board members were appointed in September - Mr Grainger assuming the role of hon. sec.
In September 1883, the teacher, Mr Shanahan, was presented with a gold locket and gold pin when he left the school. Mr Shanahan must have replaced Miss Corbett some time after 1880, as she was complimented for her patience in keeping the school open when only 4 students attended on the first day of school in 1880. A few weeks later (12 Feb), 30 students were in attendance when the district inspector, Mr Murray, visited.
I have found very little information about the location of the school. The 1888 school picnic article notes that it was a short distance from "a corner of Mr. Hinds' paddock", and the 1935 county map has a label suggesting that it was on the Chain of Ponds Road, somewhere near the current Hume Highway.
The school was relegated to Half-Time status (minimum 16 students) in 1904, in partnership with Berebangelo Public School, then to Provisional (minimum 10 students) in 1906 following the closure of Berebangelo school before it finally closed at the end of 1916.
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