NYABING PRIMARY SCHOOL

Nyabing Primary School

Written on behalf of school,
by Mrs Kylie Freeman

TIMELINE

1915 On 2^nd February, 1915, Nyabing School was opened with eleven students enrolled. During the first year, student numbers grew to fifteen. The families represented at the school were the Kippin, Charsley, Wisbey, Fenton, Cox, Elliot, Coff, and Fiebig.

Mr Thomas Sherwood was the appointed teacher. Here is an excerpt from the school journal of Mr Sherwood;

Consequently, they had forgotten most of their work. The remainder have not attended school and I have classified them as follows: Infants, Standard 1, 11 and 111. On account of their high ages I shall endeavour to give them a good grounding in the lower work so that I may more readily bring them into Standards running with their ages. I feel pleased with the endeavours intellectually and progress should be good.”

“January 26^th, 1915 – I arrived at Nyabing School on Tuesday but no furniture or school stock had arrived, therefore I could not begin work.”

February 2^nd – “Mr Kippin kindly supplied some boards to sit on. With these I opened school on this Tuesday morning at the usual hour of 9.00am and began duty. There were eleven present and one other, at age of four but not reckoned in the total. About five of this number had attended school for a time, some two and three years ago.

February 5^th, 1915 – the weekly average was eleven. School stock and furniture arrived. Mr Kippin lent the boys a horse and cart and all the big boys assisted. On Saturday, I put the classroom in order”.

On 16^th August, 1915, Aimee Fiebig started teaching at the school. She taught at the school for five years. Her husband, Mr O Fiebig was to have been the teacher but because of the outbreak of World War 1, and Fiebig being of German descent, he was unable to take up the position and therefore Mrs Fiebig took it on.“

Settlers Hall in 2012.
This was originally in the grounds of the old Nyabing Garage and was moved to this position in 2008. This was the first school 1915-1923

1921 On February 2^nd, 1921, Gladys Davie was transferred from Nungarin to Nyabing School, staying until December, 1923. There was an enrolment of 14 students, which rose to 19 in 1922. The families attending Nyabing in the 1920’s were Charsley, Langley, Killey, Gaby, Quartermaine, Coff, Fotheringham, Coote, Jury, Hemmingway, Mitchell, Blundy, Johnston, Shields and Mills. A library was started with a credible collection.

1922 There were 89 volumes regularly used. The School Inspector, Mr P H Gladman, noted the gardens were excellent and the sale of produce had been instrumental in supplementing the library funds.

1923 This year saw the move of the school out of the Settler’s Hall. In the last term, school was conducted in the Ante-room of the Agricultural Hall which had been built in 1919, opening on the 8^th October, 1919. The Superintendent found the Ante-room of the hall most unsuitable in summer as the heat from the roof was intense. The teacher commented that the room was hardly bearable at times.

The Brownie Hut was used as the school from 1924 till 1963. This photo was taken in 1985, prior to its restoration

The Brownie Hut was used as the school from 1924 till 1963. This photo was taken in 1985, prior to its restoration

1924 A new school building measuring 20ft x 30ft was opened on January 26^th, 1924. It must have seemed like a palace after the Ante-room of the hall. There were now 30 pupils on the roll. Mary Byrne was the new teacher.

1925 Mary Byrne stayed until April, 1925. Dorothy Dolling took her place, transferring from Bellevue but she only stayed until the July 30^th. Nancy Reilly came from Toolbrunup, starting on 4^th August, transferring to Katanning at the end of the year.

1926 Minnie Evans was appointed on February 3^rd, 1926. She stayed until April 4^th, 1928. There were 23 pupils. The school was reclassified to a Class 6, indicating it could sustain an average attendance of over 20 pupils.

1928 Beryl Cahill was appointed in June 1928, staying until August 1929.  The enrolment had grown beyond 35 to warrant the appointment of a monitor, Miss Mary Wilson.

1930 This year saw the Great Depression [2] hit Australia. With prices for wheat and wool dropping drastically, this saw many farms being abandoned and families leaving the district, which affected the numbers at the school.

1935 There were 31 students enrolled and the school celebrated its 20^th birthday. The teacher was Mr Samuel Lynn. Mary Wisbey was the Sewing Mistress for three years. Sewing was a very important part of the curriculum for the girls.

1936 The school enrolment numbers fell to 24. Mr Richard Greep was appointed as the teacher. Mr George Withers came in February, 1937, straight from Training College.

1937 In May of 1937, Mr Withers was replaced with Mr Fred Gibbons.

1940 The school was down graded to a Class 7 because of the decrease in numbers. This only lasted a year as the numbers increased again, as North Kuringup School closed and the pupils came to Nyabing. Mr George Hill was the teacher for 1940.

Families who were attending the School in the 1940’s were Manuel, Guelfi, Sargent, Naylor, Hobley, Batt, Atkinson, Quartermaine, Addis, West and Ryder.

1948 June 4^th, saw the formation of the Nyabing Parents and Citizens Association.

1949 There were 24 pupils, which increased with the start of the first school bus run. In 1950, student enrollments had increased to 30. There were 14 enrollments during the year but most did not stay for the whole year. In 1951, numbers increased to 46. There was an admission of 21 pupils during the year. The school was upgraded to Class 5 status, due to the sustainability of 45 students. This upgrade allowed the appointment of an Assistant Teacher.

The 46 pupils were accommodated in the school and the CWA Hall. As the numbers grew in the Junior School to 47 by 1953, the classes had to be rearranged and eventually moved from the cramped confines of the CWA rooms to the hall.

SCHOOL BUSES

1951 Due to the increasing enrolment numbers, the Public Works Department was approached for plans for an additional classroom, Head Teacher’s office, store and sealed area at the Nyabing Primary School. Approval was granted but the work was deferred as it was proposed to remove the existing school to a new site before starting the above mentioned additions.

1952 Enrollment numbers were up to 56 with 24 new pupils admitted during the year. Accommodating all students was a great concern. It was expected the number would increase to 70 by 1953. In 1953 the estimate of 70 pupils grew to an enrolment of 81.

1954 The Bristol Unit opens and Nyabing Primary School becomes a three-teacher school. The official opening was held on November 18^th, 1955.  Staff at the school were Ray Aitken, Peta McGuckin and Muriel Aitken. The Junior School students were based in the old school building (Brownie Hut). The Junior School continued to operate in the old school quite separate from the Senior School until the Bristol Unit was extended in 1963, when they all became one school.

1955 There was an enrolment of 89 students. The P&C were very active and brought the following items for the school – piano, library books, wireless and batteries and equipment and material for cane-work.

Strong support was forthcoming from local citizens, sporting groups and the Nyabing Primary School P&C for a project to make a games ground beside the school. To improve sporting skills and physical education, the P&C provided cricket bats, footballs, basketballs and climbing frames. The school competed at Kukerin in the combined field sports, and the inter-school athletics meeting was held at Nyabing.

There were great hopes for music in the school, which boasted a junior percussion group and recorder groups. It was hoped that the recorder players would be proficient enough to provide music for the folk dancing groups.

1957 The three staff members were Mr Clare Boxall, Miss Glenys Gilby and Elizabeth Murray. Maintenance reports by the Superintendent indicated that the “accommodation is adequate” The old school needed repairs and renovations. A recommendation was made to “see toilet paper fixtures in the lavatory blocks”. The P&C and Road Board were active in clearing and levelling another section of the grounds for the football field. In celebration of Arbour Day, the students planted trees at the Memorial Gardens, with the assistance of the local RSL Branch.

1958 The year of 1958 saw new staff in attendance at Nyabing Primary School, Mr Kevin Hamilton, Glendon Moran and Glenys Ogilby. A.C.E.R. Testing programme was carried out for students in grades 4-10. The Junior School was using the Happy Venture series [2] for reading. The School Inspector felt the School Club was having a very beneficial effect on the children’s attitudes and behaviour.

1959 Student enrollments reached 100 in 1959. Plans were being made to lay a cricket pitch and to bitumise part of the school grounds. Three school buses were servicing the school A strong move was afoot to have a fourth established bus run to the north of Nyabing.

1960 Enrollments increased to 109. The school Inspector praised the current Headmaster’s efforts and found the school to be an active one where scholastic improvement is obvious and where formal and social growth is strongly featured.

The P&C had donated a typewriter and sporting gear. A fourth bus service came into operation, for families living in the north-east of Nyabing.

1961 Student enrollments had increased to 102 in 1961 and were expected to increase. The Department advised that a new room would be added to the main building.  In 1962, expectations were met, with 119 enrollments, with another rise foreseen. This was the first year four teachers were appointed. Classes were taught in the CWA building and the old school. It was recorded that “the Nyabing Primary School ran very smoothly despite the scattered nature of the buildings”.

ONE SCHOOL

The new school was part of the Bristol units which opened in 1954. The wishing well in the foreground has since been removed.
This photo c1969-71.

1963 There were staff changes. Mr Les Hamill and Maxine O’Donnell replacing Jim Varnavides and Robin South. There were 129 students enrolled. Two more classrooms, staff-room, cloakroom and septic toilets were built in this year. The new additions were first used in September, 1963. This was the first time the whole school was housed in one building block, rather than being spread around town.

The bitumen area was extended. The four bus services were carrying 100 pupils to and from school each day. The P&C were very active within the school. Sporting activities were a means of widening the contact of the pupils with outside community and matches and competitions with surrounding schools were engaged in as frequently as possible.

1966 to 1968 Mr Ronald Carmody was Headmaster.  His staff included Les Hammill, Joy Sharp, Moya Rodgers, Leslie Gillett, Clyde Selby, Rita Tognini and Vivienne Lehmann. These years were happy and productive years for the school.

There were students who attended Gnowangerup Junior High School to participate in Manual Arts and Home Science. A Junior Farmers School Club functioned in the senior room. Term socials were held for pupils. A school pantomime was produced in the Town hall in 2^nd Term, 1969. The P&C continued to give active support, developing the school oval and gardens. A donation of $500 was provided which enabled staff to purchase sporting equipment, teaching aids, a radio and PA System. The PA system was connected to all the rooms and broadcasts could be heard at the flick of a switch. Parent Education talks were given at the school in 1968.

Between 1972 and 1974 there were some changes in the Nyabing Primary School. Due to the introduction of Living Away From Home allowances, saw the number of student enrollments decrease. The numbers decreased from 103 to 83, which caused the loss of a teacher in 1974, to bring Nyabing back to a three teacher school status.

1972 A new section of lawn was sown on the south side of the school building. A total number of 36 trees were planted on Arbour Day. Additional reading materials were purchased and provided by the P&C. Pupils visited Pingrup to see a school performance of “The King and I”. The Inter-school Sports carnival was hosted by Nyabing. Other schools participating were Pingrup, Kukerin, Tincurrin, Dumbleyung and Dudinin. Inter school chess fixtures were held against students from Katanning Senior High School.

A total of 55 pupils were provided with free transport by the Dental Health Services to Pingrup for preventative care treatment at the Mobile Public Health Dental Clinic. The mobile van still makes an annual visit to the school.

1974 The spare classroom (due to reduced student numbers at Nyabing Primary School), was converted into a library.  A Therma copier, overhead projector, an IMP kit and a set of Children’s Britannica books were added to the schools resources. The grounds and oval were also considerably improved.

1975 Up until 1975 students were not required to wear shoes to school and therefore the majority of students were bare footed each day. A motion was presented to the School Council, which was subsequently passed – Students were required to wear footwear everyday. What an uproar!

From 1975 to 1978 John Lockley was Headmaster. The enrolment numbers steadied around the 80-85 mark in these years. A monthly film show was started in 1975 to raise money for equipment. The school had a joint camp with Pingrup in the Stirling National Park.

1978 saw the long veranda enclosed, the breeze-way next to the staff-room was closed in with double glass doors (horrors for the duty teacher!) Arts Access boxes were delivered to the school regularly with stimulated the children’s interest in painting.

Students from Years 5-7 attended a camp at Pemberton. “WA Week” was another occasion enjoyed by all the children who came dressed in period costume and made damper and billy tea.

The P&C was attended by up to 20 people and they raised around $2000.00 each year. This was spent on school amenities and to subsidise swimming lesson travelling costs.

Mr Phil Mort was one of Nyabing Primary School’s longest serving Headmasters’ staying for six years. Mr Mort believed that “just because our school was situated in the country this was no reason to exclude all the amenities and extras enjoyed in the city”. Mr Mort withstood opposition to have a rifle range developed at the school as he felt that all the children were surrounded by guns and should learn to use them and gain respect for their dangers. The children were taught Fire Arm Safety and Usage by such parents as Dave Ogle and Barry Ramm.

SCHOOL EMBLEM

A lasting symbol of Phil Mort’s time at the school is the Nyabing Primary School emblem. A graphic designer was commissioned to produce an emblem; the one chosen represents an open book of learning and the ploughed furrows of a paddock indicative of the industry in the district.

A school uniform became compulsory for students to wear at this time. The colours representing Nyabing were brown and yellow. A school uniform – another outrageous decision!

1985 This was a very productive year for Nyabing Primary School students. They participated in activities such as the propagation and nurturing of seedlings in the school nursery for their Trees Programme, Tidy Towns contest, a Music Festival in Katanning, “Three Schools in One” programme with Kukerin and Pingrup, Kalgoorlie Camp for years 4-7 students and an excursion day to Katanning. The culmination of the school year was the production of the “Flying Pieman”.

The school celebrated its 70^th Anniversary with the production of a school magazine. Funds raised by the P&C enabled the school to purchase additional reading books, maths books, a new photocopier and assist financially with the camp, excursion and swimming.

1987 Computers were introduced into schools. One was supplied by the Department and the Nyabing Primary School P&C provided another. A group of mothers came in one day a week to assist the children in studying a programme to familiarise them with the use of the computer. Also during this, Italian classes were introduced and the school participated in a Music Festival in Katanning.

1990 The Nyabing Primary School and community celebrated the 75^th Anniversary. Mr Steven Yates was the Principal and other staff members were Kim Lawrance, Lia Bulsing, Janet Avdich and Fiona Plumb.

The introduction of the School Decision Making Group (School Council) meant a great deal of additional work for the Principal. Parents are being encouraged to take a much more active part in the running of the school.

The Nyabing Primary School P&C provided air conditioning units for all rooms, telephone answering service and facsimile machine to facilitate more efficient running of the school. The knowledge of Mr Yates possessed in using a computer also added another dimension to the schools operation.

The Nyabing Primary School Creed (1990)

This is our school
In these rooms and on the playing fields
We will fit ourselves for the future
Let us not throw away these precious years
But gain from them all we can
Let us always remember
That a school is not a building
But a gathering of minds and hearts
And a place of friendly guidance and help
This is our school.

1996 Nyabing Primary School students travelled to Lake Grace to witness the Black String Puppet Show. His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffries [2] visited Nyabing. During his visit, junior students presented a musical dance number called Mousercise, and the senior students presented a short play “Footy Fever”.

Students used Telematics (a telephone and computer link-up) to continue with their learning of Japanese, in addition to having a visit from a Japanese family who stayed for 11 weeks. Mrs Yamanaka taught the students about the Japanese culture. She taught origami, showed students a traditional tea ceremony and talked about sumo wrestling.

Takeshi, her son, was in year 5 and learned how to play football. Students had the opportunity to listen to a professional bagpipe player, known as the Shanty Man. Mr John Budesilik visited the school, as did two Police Officers, offering advice on bike safety, as well as a visit from Basa Basa, an African musical group.

1998 Nyabing Primary School hosted many highlights throughout the year. There was swimming lessons and carnival, cricket and hockey carnivals, netball and football clinics, a trip to the snow, Technology Day, Scitech Roadshow, Turtle Island, Gould League Visit, Fun Run (in the rain!) and a visit to the Mallee Fowl Visitors Centre. Students learned Japanese this year. Students had their lessons via Telematics, which is a relay system over the phone into the classroom. Students learned about the Japanese language and culture. As school Principal, Mr Craig Anderson and his staff were certainly kept on their toes.

2000 The new millennium. A year like so many others – busy, busy, busy. The year started off with an excursion to Katanning to see the Echo Orchestra. A visit to the Art Gallery gave the students an opportunity to see period costumes and old memorabilia.

The year progressed along quickly with students hosting an Easter Egg Hunt and a parade at assembly. Students were treated to an excursion in Narrogin to see the Scitech Road Show.  Term 3 saw Nyabing host a Japanese Exchange student, Mr Tommo.  This was a wonderful opportunity not only for Mr Tommo to learn about Australia and our customs but for our students to learn about his lifestyle and Japan. The students were treated to a visit from the local Police, who displayed their pursuit car and explained how they use some of their equipment and their duties.

The Athletics Carnival was a fantastic sporting opportunity, buoyed this year by the Olympic Games, which the children were following intently. Students from Nyabing and Pingrup were introduced to Musica Viva. The band members played the violin, flute, piccolo and cello.  This was followed by a tabloid sports day, which included Carpet Bowls, Frisbee and Sticks. The year was rounded out with Cross Country at Narrogin, Tennis Clinic and Jump Rope for Heart and the end of year concert

2001 Mr Scott Morgan was Principal at Nyabing Primary School. The year was jam packed with learning opportunities, incursions and excursions. The year started off with the Swimming Activity Day with Woodanilling and Broomehill, followed by Sport Development Days of football, cricket and netball.

Our school took time to remember ANZAC Day [2] and what it represents. An excursion to Dumbleyung provided the opportunity for students to see Circus Maximus. There was also a visit from poet and songwriter John Budiselik, winning the state-wide Bike Week Cycle to School competition, the problem solving day at Kukerin, planting trees for National Tree Day, the Narrogin Cross Country event, a visit to Pingrup to see Musica Viva, the senior class camp to Perth and having a finalist in the Vi Barham Award for Excellence.

2003 Another year goes flying passed. Staff and students went to Pemberton for camp, along with Kukerin and Pingrup. Throughout the year there were several incursions and excursions, including Dreamer in Space, Leaping Loonies and Questacon. Our students also had the privilege of watching and being coached by the Danish National Gymnastics team who visited Dumbleyung.

Sporting opportunities were well supported throughout the year. Nyabing won the interschool Athletics Carnival, this year. The placed equal first at the Lake Grace Football Carnival and performed well in netball and hockey carnivals.

2006 Nyabing Primary School Principal Julie Ramm reflected on the year gone by and how much a small school can fit into a busy learning program. The Student Council were active in raising money for the school and for nominated charities such as the Bone Marrow Institute and the Christmas Box Appeal. Some of the funds raised for the school assisted with the purchase of a water fountain and garden seal for the Memorial Garden.

The biggest event of the year was the school camp, which took students, staff and parents to Canberra. What a wonderful experience for one and all. “Puppetease” visited the school and showcased some puppets which were entertaining. Students were taught how to make puppets with everyday objects. Celebrating WA Week, the students made Aussie tucker such as pies and lamingtons.

On Pioneer Day Nyabing Primary School students dressed up in olden day clothes. Some of the senior students were among 200 competitor’s at the Narrogin Cross Country this year, with some fantastic results. The Lake Grace Minkey Hockey Carnival was a successful day, competing against several other schools. Students were fortunate to visit the Shire of Kent office to discuss the roll of Local Government within the community.  Around the school grounds, changes and improvements were made such as construction of the gazebo, planting of the new Memorial Gardens and the installation of new playground equipment.

2007 A great start to the year for Nyabing Primary School with eight Kindergarten students enrolled – the biggest group of students in many years.  What a treat it has been to watch all eight of them learn what school life is all about and the development they have made…. Some highlights from the year include: “Walking With Dinosaurs” gave some students their first Big Production Show experience…., We won the Golden Flipper trophy at the swimming carnival, We proudly sang “Living in the Wheat Belt” at the Margaret Cotton Music Festival, Mrs Germain (school gardener) received an Award for 20 years of service with the Department of Education & Training, Camp Logue Brook challenged many students (and staff!), 100% of students who sat WALNA were above the Bench Mark, 100% met Achievement Target in Writing and Nyabing Primary received an outstanding School Review Report from the District Director.

2008 Principal Julie Ramm says “2008 has been a year that will stay in my memory for years to come for many reasons; I have seen students celebrate personal successes in their learning; succeed in interschool competitions and sporting events, and the continued improvements they have strived to achieve.  The students have made each day enjoyable for me to come to work.

I have seen our Nyabing Primary School grounds transform into a school that is up there with the best of them.  The shade, playground equipment, water tank, pump and reticulation, new lawn and the surrounding garden beds are what any school would yearn for.

I have seen our staff grow in their knowledge and skills in many areas.  They continue to dedicate their time and energy beyond the requirements of their job. The parents and wider community have once again given their support in many ways.  Often it is the ‘behind the scenes’ work that no one else sees, that is invaluable and on behalf on the staff and students – thank you, we are extremely grateful.”

Highlights for this year have been Drew Paridaen’s nomination and selection as a finalist for the Vi Barham Award, the fruition of Investing in Our Schools projects and Community Water Grant works, receiving a $5000 grant to provide a program and resources for the 0-4 year olds, being one of the schools selected for an early offer Graduate and being deemed “Effective” as a result of Standards Review.

The coming together of our school and wider community to celebrate the year of 2008 at the Nyabing Primary School’s End of Year School Concert and Graduation Evening was a wonderful ending to a fantastic, successful and productive year.

2009 – A successful year of education and achievement. Nyabing PS received $300 000 as part of the Building the Education Revolution ‐ Primary Schools for the 21^st Century, School Pride projects, we congratulated Mrs Michelle Bamess who received an Award for 20 years of service with the Department of Education & Training, we were invited (and accepted) to participate in a National K/P/1 Review of Educational Practises, we thoroughly explored the exciting opportunity of becoming an Independent Public School. We thanked the P&C for every generous donation and busy bee they worked towards and we completed the undercover area and laying of the limestone blocks!

2010 – How lucky we are to be a part of such a fabulous school, is often the sentiment reflected within the community.  Nyabing Primary School really is a wonderful place for learning. Student Council representatives have been active in fundraising for our school and charities. Students attended the Young Leaders Camp in Perth which gave them the knowledge of how to be an effective leader and role model.

2012 – The Centenary Celebration of Nyabing this year gives us the opportunity to reflect on the past history of this wonderful, vibrant and progressive school and community. Nyabing Primary School will celebrate its Centenary in 2015. We look forward to updating these pages and sharing our stories with you.

IN THE NEWS

EFFORT AT NYABING.

Tambellup Times
3 August 1918 – P2

A social in response to the Y.M.C.A. appeal was held at the Nyabing School on the 26th of July, and took the form, during the earlier part of the evening, of a “Book Tea.” Two small prizes had been donated for the highest number of correct guesses and were won respectively by Mr. and Mrs. F. Halterman. The ingenuity of the competition was taxed to the utmost by one gentleman who wore a bead suspended from a string fastened to his hair and dangling over his nose – “Adam Bede” (a dam bead).

The auction sale of farm produce was conducted by Mr. Coote. A photographic enlargement of Nyabing honor board (which is a beautifully finished and artistic piece of work in jarrah) executed free of cost by Mr. J. Soafkin, to perpetuate the names of those who have enlisted from this district was won by Mr. Soafkin himself, who immediately put the picture up for auction, thus increasing the amount of the art union money already raised on the picture.

The remainder of the evening was spent in dancing, a splendid supper being provided by the ladies of the district.

The balance sheet is as follows:
RECEIPTS.
£ s. d.
Sale of Buttons 16 0
Book Guessing Competition 2 0 0
Cake 13 3
Auction Sales 5 12 4
Cash Donations 18 11
Art Unions:
Photo Enlargement (Nyabing Honor Board) 2 10 0
Sheep, T. Ford 15 0
P. H. Johnston 15 0
Pig, Mr. Langley 12 6
Pair Fowls, F. Feitch 6 0
Turkey, C. Wisbey 12 6
Total 16 11 6

EXPENDITURE.
£ s. d.
“G.S. Herald” 5 3
Richardson and Co. 3 9
Hire of Hall 7 6
Secretary Y.M.C.A. Appeal.
Katanning 15 15 0

Total 16 11 6

CAN YOU HELP?

It’s a decade since this report was compiled.
Much has happened within the Nyabing Primary School over those years.
Can you help bring this report up to date with new information and photographs?
If so please email admin@lostkatanning.au or CLICK HERE

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