Education in Boroondara

THE principal and oldest school in the district is the well sustained NATIONAL School. Five years ago a few children were gathered together in a wretched hut opposite the site of the "Bee-hive" Hotel, on the Bulleen Road. These were subsequently removed to as rude an edifice on the other side of the road. A couple of holes, about a foot square each, in the wall, disclosed to view a score or so of pupils. The next movement was to the Ovens, a couple .of low-roofed little zinc houses, on the Hawthorne Road, near the Post-Office. Two experienced teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin, were engaged to instruct the youth under such trying circumstances. Nothing but thorough devotedness, and a high sense of duty, could have sustained their efforts. The Hon. the Speaker took a lively interest in the school, subscriptions were raised, the National Board was liberal, and a substantial stone school room and teachers’ residence were erected on the Reserve of Hawthorne, near to the church. This was accomplished in 185—. «sic» With a sensitive and weakly frame, the labours of the school pressed heavily upon the health of the master. His heart was in the school-room, and he would not retire from his work «32» even when urged by friends and the pangs of disease. He died in harness, and left behind him a name to be loved and an example to be followed.

The school has since been conducted by his widow und his stepson, Mr. William Bryant, a man who combines with firmness of discipline a kindliness of feeling, and with a zeal for his office an aptitude to teach. At the present time 150 children are receiving a practical and even an accomplished education with enlarged accommodation, and ample appliances, the school has increased facilities for progress.

A WESLEYAN SCHOOL was established at Hawthorne in 1855 when the services of the Sabbath were closed, the pupils generally diminished, until the school died a natural death. An attempted resuscitation proved a failure.

Soon after the time of the establishment of the National School in 1852, a Mrs. Knight obtained a few children near the northern part of the PARK RESERVE. Her hut was on the Reserve, in the neighbourhood of the newly erected lodges of the proposed Lunatic Asylum. Mrs. Simpson, the Lady Bountiful of Northern Boroondara, took the mistress under her protective care. By her benevolence a number of poor orphan children were placed at the school. Such was the affection of these little ones towards their friend Mrs. Simpson, that they invariably saluted her as their mother. Tents were erected on the Reserve for their accommodation. The number increased, benefactors came to the help of the foundress of the institution, and subsequently there arose on Emerald Hill the splendid establishment of the Orphan Asylum, whither the poor children were removed.

Mr. Joseph Foy opened a school in the BAPTIST CHAPEL about three years ago. The commencement of the Kew School, and other causes, so lowered the «33» numbers in attendance that Government aid was suspended.

The KEW CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL has been conducted nearly three years by a very able teacher with considerable success. The building is a substantial structure, and of a size more than sufficient for the present wants of the village. Few schools can exhibit such a display of thorough discipline, combined with a superior system of instruction.

The Roman Catholic school was long held on a portion of Mrs. Dyce’s leased land in the Survey. The accommodations were sufficiently rude, because of the uncertainty of tenure. The master was in his own quiet way an enthusiast, devoted to his young charge, and not unsuccessful in his efforts.. The land being put up for sale, the school-room was sold for £10, and the scholars were removed to Nunawading, where they have now a new and very handsome edifice.

A ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL at Hawthorne lapsed for awhile, but has since been resuscitated with hopeful vigour by an experienced colonial teacher. A suitable building of some architectural pretensions is now constructed to rece1ve the pupils.

Several Private Schools have been established in Boroondara.