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PLEASE NOTE THIS ARTICLE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

 

 

The educational history of the site bounded byPacific Highway,Nelson Street, Orchard Road and Mowbray Road commonly referred to as the Sydney METRO Dive Site.

Educational History of the Metro Dive Site

There is rich history of the development of educational institutions within the West Ward of the City of Willoughby. The first educational institution was dedicated to adult, working males (School of Arts and Mechanics Institute – 1870).

The Mowbray House School (originally known as Chatswood Preparatory School opened in 1906 in the small stone building that had been built in 1875 as a School of Arts. The building was then used as the Council Chambers before becoming vacant. The Headnamsater was Mr Bavin. It wasn’t until 1883 that the first Public school was established (in Findlay Avenue). The school (Chatswood Public School) moved to its current location on the Pacific Highway in 1896. One year later, in 1897, the first Catholic school opened in Archer St (Our Lady of Dolours). The area around the Catholic Church in Archer St became the focus for Catholic education in Chatswood with the later development of Pius X College and Mercy College. In 1901, another educational institution for workers was established (after hours) within the premises of Chatswood Public School. This was the Chatswood Evening College. It was then variously known as the Evening Continuation School and the Commercial Evening Continuation School. In 1971 the College moved to Chatswood High School (eventually being known as the Macquarie Community College in 1988). In 2003,the College relocated to 8 Thomas St, Chatswood.

There was a school run by a Mrs Urquhart on the site of the Chatswood Bowling Club.

The next tranche of school developments was centred on Centennial Avenue where in 1906 a small school was established. The school became known as Astraea College and later the Church of England Girls School (until 1993) when it was reopened at Astraea College and functioned until 1936. Also in 1906, Chatswood Preparatory School opened in Mowbray Rd (on the site of the prior School of Arts and Mechanics Institute). In 1914 the name of the school was changed to Mowbray House School. It closed in 1954. A small school in Victoria Ave was opened in 1911. It moved to Albert Avenue in 1914 and was known as Brackley College. It closed in 1919.

I expect you are referring to Astrea College. This was established as a private school in Thomas Street Chatswood by Miss E A Keys in 1893 (another source says 1900). Photos indicate that it was on the corner of Lane Cove Road (now Pacific Highway). The school moved to a Federation Mansion on the corner of Lane Cove Road and Centennial Avenue in 1906 and it changed its name to the Church of England Girls’ School in 1916. From 1912 the school expanded to a second Federation mansion next door. At one stage there was also a kindergarten that claimed Edward Gough Whitlam and Marcus Loane (Archbishop of Sydney) as students—Gough Whitlam went onto Mowbray House School.

Mowbray Public School opened in 1953. In 1955, the Kindergarten providing early learning open in Dalrymple Avenue. Chatswood High School in 1959. The Chatswood Intensive English Centre (within the grounds of Chatswood High) opened in 1979.

Around 2011 the establishment of the North Harbour Learning Community ushered in a new mode of education. The learning unit, clustered around Chatswood High School comprised the primary schools of Chatswood Public School, Mowbray Public School and Castlecove Public School. In 2014 due to overcrowding at Chatswood Primary School, ten demountable classrooms were installed on the Chatswood High School site to house students of Chatswood Primary School. This is known as the Centennial Avenue Learning Community.

More recent times have seen an expansion of the number of early learning centres (most pre-schools). In addition, there has been a plethora of coaching colleges

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

 

DETAILS OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

1870-75: North Willoughby School of Arts and Mechanics Institute, Cnr. Pacific Hwy and Mowbray Rd  

 

Schools of Art and Mechanics’ Institutes were educational establishments originally formed to provide adult education, particularly in technical subjects, to working men. The first move to establish a School of Arts in the Municipality of Willoughby was made as early as 1870. It first met in John Bryson’s cottage ‘Belmore’ on the north-eastern corner of Mowbray Road and Lane Cove Road (now Pacific Highway). The office bearers were all closely associated with the North Willoughby Council as aldermen or as auditors.

1875-77: North Willoughby School of Arts and Mechanics Institute, Mowbray Rd

A site in Mowbray Road next to ‘Belmore’ cottage was purchased (this site is now occupied by the Sydney County Council Works Depot). A building fund was commenced and the foundation stone of the School of Arts building was laid in 1875. It was a fine sandstone build­ing which in 1957 was moved to Beaconsfield Road to become the Holy Trinity Church. In 1877 Willoughby Municipal Council rented the building for use as Council Chambers. Council purchased the building in 1879 and it remained in use as Council Chambers until 1903. After Council takeover of the building, the School of Arts became defunct, although the building itself continued to be known as the School of Arts.

IN 1880 WITH THE PASSING OF THE PUBLIC INSTRUCTION ACT, FUNDING HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM PRIVATE SCHOOLS, SO MANY CLOSED, PAVING THE WAY FOR THE OPENING OF A LARGE NUMBER OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS (THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF EARLY PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN WEST WARD).

1883 – 1895: Chatswood Public School  (Findlay Ave)

The first school in Chatswood was situated in West Ward. This was the original that was at 17 Findlay Avenue. The school opened on 9th September,1883. It was built on 2 acres of land in what was know as McMillans Paddock. The land was owned by Richard Harnett. At the time it was reported that the young children were growing up (near the Chinamen’s gardens) as heathens.

There had been a school application by Messrs Bowen, Burt, Fathers, Montgomery and Treatt to the Department of Public Instruction on 23/02/1882. The weatherboard shed that became the school building was 10m long, 5m wide with 3m ceilings and could hold 54 pupils. It opened in July 1883. Rainwater tanks collected drinking water from the roof. Thirteen families with a total of 53 children living within a radius of 3½ miles undertook to send their children to the school. On opening the school had an enrolment of 34 pupils with Miss Agnes Burt as the first teacher. She remained there until 1894. By late 1885 there were 99 pupils enrolled. Another classroom was added in 1886 and later a verandah. A pupil teacher was also appointed. The pupils paid 3 pence a week for their education and it was the teachers’ difficult task to collect the money. Payment was abolished in 1906, but attendance was not made compulsory until 1916. The school was transferred to its present site on Pacific Highway in January 1896.

1895 – 1914: Chatswood Superior Public School, Pacific Highway, Chatswood

The main school building was erected in 1896 as a single-storey three classroom, together with a teachers’ residence on land that was previously used as an orchard. The main building was progressively expanded in four stages between 1898 and 1983. An additional three classrooms were constructed along the Pacific Highway frontage in 1898, a two-storey wind of six classrooms was erected on the north side of the building 1903 to accommodate 400 girls and first storey additions to the original buildings were added during 1915. A separate infants’ school building was erected during 1928 and opened for the 1929 school year.

 

For more information see Chatswood Public School Centenary: 1883-1983 by Robert Wildie

c1896: St Catherine’s, Archer St, Chatswood: 

 

Sisters of Mercy established a private school; St. Catherine’s on opposite side of Archer Street after purchase of house HILLGROVE (demolished). New Convent and school (Our Lady of Dolours)  established in 1905 opposite present church.

 

 

Chatswood Evening Public School, Pacific Highway Chatswood: 1901 –  1911

The passing of the Public Instruction Act, 1880 saw the establishment of Evening Public Schools which were devised to give an elementary education to adolescents who had either no or defective prior schooling. Such a school opened on 10th October 1901 and continued until 1911 when it was closed. It was replaced by the Evening Continuation School.

Chatswood Commercial Evening Continuation School, Pacific Highway Chatswood: 1912 – 1946

On 14th March, 1912, the Commercial Evening Continuation School was opened. THis school catered for young people in employment who wished to increase their expertise in particular areas.

Chatswood Evening College, Pacific Highway Chatswood: 1946 – 

Chatswood Intermediate High School, Pacific Highway, Chatswood: 1918 – 1935

It became apparent with increased enrolments that there was a need  for an additional High School on the North Shore. After representations by the P&C to the Minister, Chatswood became a High School. By 1933 enrolments on the site had grown from 150 to nearly 1,000. The P&C directed it attention towards persuading the Department of Education to build a permanent high school at Chatswood. However, after unsuccessful attempts for a permanent high school the Chatswood Intermediate High school was closed (Wildie 183 p.39)

There appears to be a gap in the recorded record about high school classes between 1935 when the Intermediate High school was closed and 1959 when Chatswood High School opened. (Ed.)

Our Lady of Dolours, Archer St, Chatswood: 1896 – ????

 

Sisters of Mercy began teaching in Our Lady of Dolours’ Church/school in 1896.

 

 

 

Our Lady of Dolours, Archer St, Chatswood: 1897 – 

 

In 1897, Our Lady of Dolours opened in Archer Street where it is still operating.

 

 

 

Unnamed school, Thomas St, Chatswood: 1900 – 1906

A school commenced by Miss E. R. Keays in Thomas Street in 1900. in Phillips (    ) p.___ there appears to be a reference to a Public School on the southern corner of the Pacific Highway and Thomas St.

School of Arts, Victoria Ave, Chatswood: 1904 -1910

The School of Arts was revived in 1904 and moved to a temporary location

New School of Arts, Victoria Ave, Chatswood: 1910 – 1977

 

 

A new School of Arts building erected in 1910 in Victoria Avenue.

 

 

Unnamed school, Centennial Ave, Chatswood: 1906 – 1908

Formerly school at Thomas St, Chatswood. Moved to a large two-storeyed house in Centennial Avenue built in 1893 as a ‘gentleman’s residence’.

 

 

 

 

 

Astraea College, 8 Centennial Ave, Chatswood : 1908 – 1919

From the Rate Books it appears that the name Astraea College was first used in 1908, which name it retained until 1919 .

This school was enlarged in 1912 when it took in the adjoining house, a similar two-storeyed residence.

There is a picture of girls at Astrea College in 1903. This is inconsistent with the assertion that the name was first used in 1908.

The Church of England Girls School, 8 Centennial Ave, Chatswood: 1919 – 1933

 

Formerly Astraea College. Renamed the Church of England Girls’

School. Miss Florian Elkington became headmistress in 1920 and continued until the school closed in 1933. This was a day boarding school for girls but accepted boys in kindergarten classes. Both Gough Whitlam (future Prime Minister) and Marcus Loane (later Archbishop of Sydney) attended the kindergarten

 

Astraea College, Centennial Ave, 18 Centennial Chatswood; 1933 – 1936 Miss Elkington re-opened the Co of E Girls School as Astraea College but it finally closed in 1936.

There is a heritage report on 18 Centennial Ave in the Chatswood Library Local History files under Church of England Grammer School (Astraea College).

Chatswood Preparatory School, Mowbray Rd: 1906 – 1914

Boys school. Opened and conducted by Mr Lance Bavin. It commenced in 1906 in a

small stone building in Mowbray Road which had been built in 1875 as a School of Arts and had been used later as Council Chambers (this was on the north-east corner of the Pacific Highway). When it became vacant Mr Bavin started his small preparatory school there with an enrolment of thirty-two pupils. Over the years the school was enlarged.

 

 

Mowbray House School, Mowbray Rd, Chatswood: 1914  – 1954

In 1914 the name Chatswood Preparatory School was changed to Mowbray House School. It was a boy’s school. Gough Whitlam attended the school. The original small stone building became the Mowbray House School Chapel. By the early 1950s the Electricity Commission had acquired the land on which the school was situated, but the little stone chapel which had played such an important part in the early history of the Municipality, was removed stone by stone and re-erected in Beaconsfield Road in 1957 to become the Church of the Holy Trinity.

Lance Bavin served as Headmaster for the forty-eight years of the school’s existence. He was brother to Thomas Rainsford Bavin, one-time Premier of New South Wales. Gough Whitlam (later Prime Minister of Australia) attended the school from 1923-1927. Renowned poet Kenneth Slessor also attended the school.

 

Unnamed school: Victoria Avenue, Chatswood: 1911 – 1914

This was a small college conducted by Miss Eleanor Cranston. The school was originally situated in a large cottage in Victoria Avenue opposite the present Civic Centre and between Anderson and Spring Streets.

Brackley College: Cnr Albert Avenue and Anderson Sts, Chatswood: 1914

Early in 1914, the school from Victoria Ave (see above) moved to the north­western corner of Albert Avenue and Anderson Street where it was first called Brackley College.

Brackley College: Archer St, Chatswood: 1914 – 1919

Late in 1914 the school was again moved, this time to the western side of Archer Street (three doors south of Johnson Street) where it remained until 1919. The school closed the school when she married. From the Rate Books it appears that Miss Cranston always used her own rented homes in which to conduct the College, and that it never outgrew this private home accommodation. Her house in Archer Street, originally called ‘Backwell’ was renamed ‘Brackley College’ in 1917. Brackley College was a girls’ school but small boys were enrolled in the lower classes. Among those who received their early education at Brackley College were John Conrad Jaeger, later Professor of Geo­physics at the Australian National University, and the late Mr Justice McClemens.

For a description of Brackley College by a former pupil, Miss limaTaylor, see The Good Old Days.

Chatswood Evening College: at Chatswood Public School (see above): 1901-1911

In 1901 an Evening College was commenced at Chatswood Public School.

Evening Continuation School: at Chatswood Public School: 1911 – 1912

Replaced the Chatswood Evening College (see above)

Commercial Evening Continuation School, at Chatswood Public School: 1912 – 1946

Chatswood Evening College: at Chatswood Public School: 1947 – c1970

In 1946 the Continuation School was re-organized to offer a broader range of non-vocational courses. Its name was then changed to Chatswood Evening College and it became one of the largest in the State.

There is a newspaper article celebrating the Evening’s College 40 years Service to the community.

Chatswood Evening School, at Chatswood High School: 1971 – 1997

In the 1970s the Chatswood Evening College was transferred to Chatswood Co-Educational High School.

Mowbray Public School, Mowbray Rd West, Lane Cove North: 1953 – 

The increase in population of the Mowbray Road West area, following the creation of new streets, made the building of a public school in the district a necessity. In 1953 the Education Department resumed land in Kingsford Smith Street for the construction of a new school which was completed in 1957 and called Mowbray School. It faces on to Mowbray Road, and has infants and primary departments. In 2014, due to massively increased demand from residential rezonings along the Lane Cove side of Mowbray Rd, the Department of Education announced a redevelopment of the school site to increase enrollments from 300 students to around 1,000 students.

According to Eric Russell’s, Willoughby – A Centenary History…1965, the school was called Chatswood West Public School. It took 100,000 pounds to build.

During 2015 – 16, Mowbray School was 90% demolished and a new 1,000 pupil state-of-the-art 3 storey school was built. This resulted in pupil number increasing dramatically to around 600 in 2017.

Christian Brother Chatswood, Kirk Street, Chatswood: 1937 – 

 

The first Principal was Rev. Brother R.B. Quirke. He supervised a staff of four to teach 147 boys.

The school changed its name to St Pius College

 

 

1955 –      : Kindergarten Union (KU) 61 Dalrymple Ave, Chatswood

The preschool was built by Willoughby Council  in 1955.  It is licensed to the Kindergarten Union to provide quality early childhood education for children aged 3 to 5 years

St Pius X College, Anderson St, Chatswood: 1956 – 

 

Originally called Christian Brothers Chatswood.

St Pius X College started in 1937 as Christian Brothers Chatswood, initially going to the Intermediate level. In 1937, the College opened with 147 students. Today there are over 1100 students.

The College soon established itself as a place of academic excellence. Its first Dux, James Biggs, went on to great success as a Professor of Medicine, thus beginning a tradition of high-achieving students graduating from the College. The first Leaving Certificate class graduated in 1949.

Chatswood Co-educational High School: 1959 – 

 

Has been open since 1959 on Centennial Avenue. Wildie (1983 p.55) reports that in 1959, secondary classes from Chatswood Public School  were transferred to the the new high school. In 1959, the Education Department purchased a large property in Centennial Avenue, consisting of a house set in a garden of several acres.
This property was called ‘Chislehurst. It had been the family home of the Horden Family (drapers of Sydney). Read more about Chislehurst.

A recent proposal to lay a plaque celebrating Chislehurst contained the following citation: Originally called Mooroombah, a two storeyed brick house was built on 14 acres by J V.
Lamb in 1892 at 24 Centennial Ave and sold to K. Weidlmann in 1900. Edward Carr
Hordern, a member of the retailing dynasty, purchased the property in 1906 and renamed
it Chislehurst after his wife’s birthplace. Additions were made and he lived in the house
until his death in 1940. In 1953-4 the property was resumed by the Dept of Education.
Chatswood High School opened in 1959 and the house was demolished soon after. The
original stained glass window is over the Principal’s door.

North Willoughby School of Arts and Mechanics Institute, Cnr. Pacific Hwy and Mowbray Rd: 1875- 1877 Mechanics’ Institutes are educational establishments, originally formed to provide adult education, particularly in technical subjects, to working men. The first move to establish a School of Arts in the Municipality of Willoughby was made as early as 1870. It first met in John Bryson’s cottage ‘Belmore’ on the north-eastern corner of Mowbray Road and Lane Cove Road (now Pacific Highway). The office bearers were all closely associated with the North Willoughby Council as aldermen or as auditors. A site in Mowbray Road next to ‘Belmore’ cottage was purchased. This site is now occupied by the Sydney County Council Works Depot. A building fund was commenced and the foundation stone of the School of Arts building was laid in 1875. It was a fine sandstone build­ing, which in 1957 was moved to Beaconsfield Road to become the Holy Trinity Church. In 1877 Willoughby Municipal Council rented the building for use as Council Chambers. Council purchased the building in 1879 and it remained in use as Council Chambers until 1903. After Council takeover of the building, the School of Arts became defunct, although the building itself continued to be known as the School of Arts. The School of Arts was revived in 1904 and moved to a temporary position (further research required)

Mercy College, 101 Archer St, Chatswood: 1905 – 

 

 

Built on the site of the former St. Catherines School

 

 

Our Lady of Dolours, Archer St, Chatswood: 1896 – ????

 

Sisters of Mercy began teaching in Our Lady of Dolours’ Church/school in 1896.

 

 

 

 

 

Our Lady of Dolours School, Archer St, Chatswood: 1954  – 

In 1954, the building of Our Lady of Dolours School in Archer Street was commenced at an estimated cost of 35,000 pounds.

Our Lady of Dolours High School, Cnr Archer St & Malvern Avenue, Chatswood: 1964 – ???

A student increase in 1964 saw the commencement of another building on the corner of Archer St and Malvern Avenue.

1979: Chatswood Intensive English Centre

 

The school is located within the grounds of Chatswood High School at 24 Centennial Ave, Chatswood.

Chatswood Intensive English Centre is the first step for high school students arriving from overseas and wishing to continue their education in New South Wales. Chatswood Intensive English Centre (IEC) is part of the network of Intensive English Centres provided by the NSW Department of Education and Training and is situated within the grounds of Chatswood High School.

The Centre’s supportive multicultural learning environment encourages all students to feel at ease in their new country and to quickly acquire English language skills, before moving on to the wider experience of a secondary school.
The Centre

Newly arrived students whose English skills are assessed as being insufficient for successful placement in high school classes attend the Centre to develop their language skills and prepare them for attendance at high school. Students attend five days a week during school terms.

On 8th September 2009 Chatswood IEC celebrated 30 years years of operations.

 

 

Little Learning School, 30-32 Albert Avenue, Chatswood:Date unknown

Little Learning School Chatswood is a large 80 place Child Care Centre that caters for the local community and families in the lower north shore area.

Coaching Colleges

There is now (2014) a plethora of coaching centres in the Chatswood area.

2011 (?): North Harbour Learning Community

The North Harbour Learning Community has been developed between Chatswood High School, Chatswood Public School, Mowbray Public School and Castlecove Public School. This provides opportunities for students from local schools to enrich and empower their thinking.

In 2011 fifty students from these schools each wrote, illustrated and edited a picture book for primary school students. primary school students were buddied with high school students and worked together by editing and commenting on each other’s work. The published works were exceptional and exceeded everyone’s expectations. Each book will be placed for loan in each school and Willoughby Library. The Young Authors Program was an authentic learning task and students learn well in this context. The literacy and creative skills gained are quite complex and our students met the challenges brilliantly.

2014: Centennial Ave Learning Community

Due to overcrowding at Chatswood Primary School, ten demountable classrooms were installed on the Chatswood High School site to house students of Chatswood Primary School.

2017: Aurora College

The NSW Department of Education’s innovative Aurora College, a virtual school for distance learners, took up residence in four spare classrooms at Mowbray Public School

REFERENCES

The Chatswood Public School Jubilee 1883 – 1933, Chatswood Public P&C ???

Wildie R (1983) Chatswood Public School Centenary 1883 – 1983 Chatswood Primary P&C Association

Twigg, L (2003) Chatswood Public School 1983 – 2003, The Continuing Story NP

Phillips, V (Ed.) ( 1983) The Good Old Days, Council of the City of Willoughby

APPENDIX

CHATSWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOL – PRESENTATION TO MISS BURT.

SMH – 31st August 1894

Yesterday Miss Burt, who for the past 11 years has had charge of the Chatswood Public School,was the recipient of several gifts, indicative of the appreciation in which her services to the school are held. There was a gathering of about 125 children  at the schoolhouse, besides parents and friends. Mr.Robert Forsyth presided over the meeting. He ex-  pressed the sorrow he and all other friends of Miss Burt felt at losing her from their midst, where shehad laboured earnestly for so many years.

Mr Cullen-having first presented to a pupil, Miss May Chaffer, a book on behalf of Mrs Ford, ofthe School Board for having sold the greatest number of tickets in aid of the Echo Farm Home-called upon another scholar to read an address from the friends and pupils of Miss Burt, and from the teachers associated with her. The address set forth that it was a token of their appreciation of Miss Burt’s unselfish efforts to aid their progress and pro-mote their welfare. This was handed to Miss  Burt, and Mr Cullen afterwards conveyed to Miss Burt a handsome flower vase -a present from Mrs.Ford-and an elaborate travelling bag with silver mounted fittings, a memento from the school. Mr.Cullen eulogised Miss Burt, and said that she was  leaving Chatswood to take charge of the East St.  Leonards Superior Public School in the place of Miss Cardwell , and he felt certain that she would meet with the same success  there as had attended her at Chatswood.A bouquet of violets was next presented to Miss Burt, who returned thanks. Prior to the arrival of Messrs Cullen and Forsyth, Miss Burt was given a card case and photograph album, both of chaste design, by her ex-pupils, on whose behalf Mr Asheracted. The proceedings, which were enlivened by several songs from the children, terminated with much cheering.