HISTORY OF CRONULLA SOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL

In 1941 there were 200 children under 14 years of age residing in South Cronulla, so a public meeting was held, at which it was decided to ask Mr Clive Evatt, the Minister for Education, to establish a school in the area.

Two months later Mr Evatt and Mr A.J. Williams, the new MLA for Georges River, visited the area to inspect suitable sites. Then on 16 February 1942, Inspector Lewis sent a memoransum to the Chief Inspector recommending "the acquisition of a site, 'Wondah Flats' for an Infants' School at South Cronulla". The site, described as "one of the most beautiful in the Commonwealth", was inspected by Mr Evatt in October of the same year.

With an initial enrolment of 40 children, Cronulla South Infants' School opened on 28 January 1943. A large, rambling, brown timber house with wide verandahs and a central hallway provided accommodation for the children and Miss Dorothy Frizelle, the Teacher-in-Charge. Prior to acquisition by the Department of Education, the building had been holiday accommodation called "Wondah Flats".

A short time later, Mrs Peg Vincent, who still lives in Cronulla, joined Miss Frizelle as an assistant teacher.  At the same time there was a request by the Cronulla Nursery Kindergarten Association to share the building.  The request was granted.

In 1944, an inspection was made by the Officer-in-Charge of the Building Branch re the cost of renovations to that part of the building housing the Infants' School.  He reported that renovations "would emphasize the shabby appearance of the remainder" and he could not recommend the cost of 165 pounds and 15 shillings "to paint the exterior, replace broken glass and carry out repairs which are absolutely essential."  He concluded that even if the renovations were done "it would not improve the appearance to such an extent that any official opening could be made which would reflect any credit on the Department."

Following this report it was decided to "dispose of the proposal for an official opening function of the existing school premises."

Miss Frizelle, who married and became Mrs King, and Mrs Vincent continued to run the school, even cleaning it themselves every Friday afternoon.  A bond of friendship developed between the two, strengthened by the fact that both had husbands away at war - one in the Air Force, the other in the Army.

In 1945 the Department of Education had plans drawn up for a new building , our current administration building.  Official records dated 18 October 1945 state:

"This new building, a single storey structure of brick construction with corrugated asbestos roofing, is now being erected on a site at the corner of Trevellyan Street and Ewos Parade and at completion will provide accommodation as follows:

The main entrance hall and corridor, a room for the Headmistress, a staff room, store, hat room, one standard size infants' classroom and a kindergarten-classroom unit with hat room and a store adjoining.  An open paved terrace will flank the kindergarten room on one side.

The building has been planned so that all rooms will have a north-eastern aspect and will command an extensive view over Shelley Beach.

Drainage, water and electrical services installations and all requisite fencing is included in the work which is being carried out by contract at the price of £5,395."

Tenders were called for and accepted; the building commenced and on 20 October 1945 the Foundation Stone was laid by Mr Williams in the presence of Mr Heffron.  By now, the school enrolment had increased to 59 pupils.

In his speech Mr Heffron paid tribute to Mr Williams with the following words:

" ... you owe a good deal to Mr Williams.  I can honestly assure you that Mr Williams has been a most consistent advocate for this building, and believe me, I'm happy to see the work now going on if it is only to get relief from his persistent demands.

That is how it should be.  The first and foremost duty of any member representing an electorate is to look after the interests of his constituents.  That is what you elect him to Parliament for, and if he fails in that, well he isn't doing his job ..."

As building progressed, a report in the Propeller newspaper indicated Sutherland Council was upset as the Department of Education had not submitted the plans for their approval and had decided upon a fibro cement roof when council had requested they use tiles.  (The original roof was replaced with corrugated iron in the early 1970's.)

Classes moved into the completed building in mid 1946 and as the population was growing, Mr Heffron approved the establishment of primary classes.  That same year, on 11 November, Mr Arthur Birnie arrived to take up his appointment as Principal, a position he held for the next 17 years.

Finally, on Saturday, 26 April 1947, the school was opened by Mr Heffron accompanied by Mr Williams, although the building had been in use for nearly 12 months.  The flag raised at the ceremony was donated by Mrs Euphemia Willis, grandmother of brothers Don and Robert Willis (1943-50's).

[Official opening plaque to be inserted]

With continued population growth, double portable classrooms were erected as needed, the first being erected in 1950.

Also in 1950, the house on the corner of Ewos Parade and Lucas Street (an area we now call "the bottom grass") was demolished.  Mr and Mrs McManus, who owned and lived in the house, were elderly when the department acquired the site, so the Department allowed them to remain in the house during their lifetime.

[Photograph of official opening to be inserted]

EARLY CLASS PHOTOS

[photos and newspaper article to be inserted]

By 1960 the need for additional accommodation for the Infants' classes was a significant concern.  As a consequence, the northern side of Trevellyan Street, was developed and on 18 March 1964, a new building of 8 classrooms was ready for use.  The brass plate in the foyer shows that the Principal was Mr Alfred Wright, who had succeeded Mr Birnie on 28 January 1964, and the Infants' Mistress was Miss Turner.

Within a few years the school was again suffering from the effects of an expanding population and the parents were upset over the condition of the portable rooms - unlined, unheated and unlit.  A rather long battle was about to start and after 4 years of letter writing between parents and officials, the headline in the local paper on 30 October 1968 read:

"NOW IT'S THE KIDS WHO MAY STRIKE"

On 5 March 1969 Mr Griffith, M.L.A. for Cronulla, was reported as saying "work would begin as soon as possible on a two-storey, 4 classroom block."

On 18 March 1970 the headline was:

"PARENTS WANT SCHOOL STRIKE"

because work had not commenced on the new building as promised.

Mr Griffith said he "deplored the parents' preparedness to use young children to achieve their purpose and that it was a wicked, irresponsible state of affairs."

Fortunately, on 15 April 1970 the headline was:

"STRIKE CALLED OFF"

and in early 1971 work on the new building commenced.

On 4 November 1972 Mr Griffith, now Chief Secretary, opened the new two-storey block which replaced several portable classrooms used previously.  The block comprises 4 classrooms and what school authorities claim are "the best toilets in Sydney".

"The second stage of the program is expected to begin early next year when portable rooms still in use will be replaced progressively."

However, all portable rooms remained in use until March 1975, when 2 were destroyed by fire.  The others are still standing and in use today.  1975 also marked the arrival of our first and only female principal, Mrs Audrey Thompson, one of the few such appointments in the district.

Education at Cronulla South progressed smoothly.  Innovative ideas in many curriculum areas made Cronulla South a leader, gaining positive publicity in local, state and national media.

Class sizes and numbers of teachers were ever present issues.  In March 1985, the school needed 2 more students to qualify for an extra teacher.  The P&C decided to advertise for the pupils and received for its money a lot of unexpected publicity.  Television crew and city newspapers swarmed all over "the little school in Ewos Parade".  The advertisement, placed in "The Leader", a local paper, described the school as "the best equipped of its size in the area" and urged parents to "take advantage of this opportunity for small class sizes".  This boosted the school's population by 1 child.

Cronulla South Public School, in April 1985, secured its extra teacher, despite, and not because of, its much publicised advertising campaign for more students.  Two children moved into the area and enrolled at the school, enabling Principal, Mr John Huxley, to establish an additional class and to hire another member of staff.

In 1996, as the school responds to children's needs in all Key Learning Areas, there are 301 children enrolled in 11 classes.  The P&C Association bought the school's first computer in 1988 and this was carried from room to room on a weekly roster.  Today we are able to boast computers, complemented by up to date hardware and software in all classrooms, offices and library.

Academically, culturally and athletically, Cronulla South has been an outstanding school, producing the leaders for the twenty-first century.

MR BIRNIE

Mr Birnie, Principal from November 1946 until December 1963, is remembered by many former students and teachers.

I remember ...

" .... one of the kindest but firmest teachers that I ever had throughout my entire school life ... his abilities brought and prepared us for the long road ahead by broadening our minds and bodies in all things good.  He had us spelling words of difficult make up, arithmetic by rote, choral work, making our own puppets, producing our own radio shows and the like"

Ernest Johnson (1943-1948)

" .... a strong disciplinarian."

Richard McLachlan (1943-1949)

" .... he used the cane a lot ... he loved putting on plays and shows.  One day he got us to dress up for the songs we were singing and I remember being most impressed by Ron Woodland's hat with bobbing corks ("Waltzing Matilda").

... He loved quizzes and he encouraged us to think up questions too.  When it was my turn I asked, "What was the largest explosion in the world?".  As it was not long after the war everyone said the atom bomb, but it was Krakatoa in Java.  I was very pleased with myself."

Peter Foulcher (1944-1950)

" .... he loved music, especially 'Lorelei'."

.... when I was in 6th grade, Cronulla RSL ran an Anzac Day essay competition on Gallipoli.  Mr Birnie insisted that I do the essay.  I won the competition.

.... Mr Birnie helped edit "They're a Weird Mob", a novel by Nino Culotta.  This comprehensive job of editing was carried out in Oatley pub."

Ian Formby (1945-1953)

" .... tough; had a closet containing a selection of canes which he used frequently."

Barry Piggott (1947-1951)

" .... loved singing"

Mrs Glover (parent 1948-1949)

[Mr Birnie's 6th class photo - 1948 to be inserted]

[Staff photo 1958 to be inserted]

" .... a lovely man; very helpful."

Mrs Wells (parent)

[Note: Mr and Mrs Fred Wells have had a very long association with Cronulla South School - as parents, members of the P&C, and grandparents.]

" .... when I was in 4th Grade, another boy and I arranged to fight after school outside the grounds (over a snapped pencil).  A young teacher saw us and yelled out to stop.  We didn't, and when shouted at again, I made the smart comment that 'no one could touch us as we were outside the school boundary'.

Mr Birnie appeared and shouted, 'INCORRECT! From the time you leave your front gate until you walk back in that front gate you are under my control'.

To this day I do not know if that was correct, but I do know that as a punishment Birnie banned the whole school from sport the following Friday.  We were not popular with the rest of the school."

Doug Murray (1949-1955)

" .... the headmaster, Mr Birnie, must have had some sort of ailment because he had the children go to the shop to get a packet of 'Bex' each day."

Ian Goode (1955-1959)

" .... the bete noir of the Education Department - disliked filling in forms."

Colleague

" .... I used to wash Mr Birnie's dishes at lunch and recess."

Janet Halyard (1948-1952)

[Note: The first person to arrive at the beginning of each year was given the privilege of washing Mr Birnie's dishes for the year.  Apparently it was a much sought after honour.]

" .... Mr Birnie took the morning assembly himself and always had a quiz or a joke for the children."

Mrs Gray (teacher 1962-1972)

PEG VINCENT

Peg Vincent, the wife of a soldier away at the War and the mother of Judith, was the second teacher to be appointed to Cronulla South Infants School (1943).  Five days a week Peg and Judith walked to school together.  Judith would be placed in the care of Miss King, the pre-school teacher, and Peg would cross the hall to her own classroom.

Peg stayed about 10 years, with a break for maternity leave when a second daughter, Jennifer, was born.  She saw the school grow and classified as a Primary School.  "They were happy years," and she took a great interest in all her pupils.  It was a small close-knit community in those days and Peg remembers them all, just as they remember her.

Finally it came time to move on and further her career.  Peg spent a couple of years at Kurnell before transferring to become acting Infants' Mistress at Mortdale.  Not long after her appointment, the Principal went on sick leave and Peg found herself taking on many of his administrative duties while continuing to teach her own class.  After two terms she decided that this wasn't what she wanted to do and resigned.

Not one to sit back and be idle, Peg enrolled at University and completed a degree, majoring in English and Psychology from New England University.  To help finances she taught Physical Education and swimming in her spare time.

Peg joined the Education Department again, training as a school counsellor.  At the completion of this course she took up appointments at Penshurst Girls' School and Blakehurst High School.  Even after retirement she still continued to fill in as a relief counsellor.

After 15 years counselling Peg decided enough was enough and now keeps active swimming and bushwalking.

Everyone spoken to says - "a great person."

SCHOOL'S COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

At the official unveiling of the Memorial to Matthew Flinders and George Bass, in 1948 children from Cronulla South School put on a pageant for which they built a cardboard replica of "Tom Thumb".

Co-incidentally at the unveiling of the landscape upgrading on 30 March 1996, to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the journey of Bass and Flinders into Port Hacking, it was Cronulla South children who were there once again.  This time there were fifty members of the school band with conductor, Mrs June Whitehead (nee Lee), an ex-pupil of Cronulla South (1956-1963).

To support the formal side of the occasion the band played our National Anthem, "Advance Australia Fair" and then delighted officials and spectators with its rendition of "Waltzing Matilda", "La Bamba" and "The Flinstones".

[photo of school anniversary to be inserted]

DISCIPLINE

The earliest official document in our school is the punishment book kept between 1952 and 1972.  Although the form of punishment may have changed with the abolition of corporal punishment, the crimes have not changed to any great extent, as can be seen by the entries for 1952.  Girls and boys still lock themselves in the sports' storeroom today!

One misdemeanour in 1953 - "Left playground on motor-bike" has not been repeated recently.

[exert from punishment book to be inserted]

Come back later for more of our story...but in the meantime have a look at some photos from the past. Click here.

Past Teachers-In-Charge and Principals