Katanning State School. Katanning State School. Katanning State School. Katanning State School. Katanning State School. Katanning State School. Katanning State School. Katanning State School. Katanning State School. Katanning State School.
The Dore Street School (Katanning Primary School) opened in 1902 and then, with a regular program of additions to accommodate growing enrolments and the closure of small outlying schools, the school reflects the expansion of the Shire of Katanning to a major centre of the Great Southern Region.
The school has played an integral role in the town of Katanning as well as in the Great Southern Region as a place of learning and social interaction for it pupils for over 120 years. There are children from a variety of ethnic groups enrolled at the school, many of whom, English is their second language.
On 23 April 1902, Reserve 5771, bounded by Dare Street, Daping Street and Bokarup Street and the then unformed Dore Street, was set apart for a school site. The size of this reserve meant that the school could be expanded in the future, to meet increased enrolments and growing needs and requirements.
In July 1902, the contract for the erection of the school and quarters was awarded to J H Brown for a cost of £1,057/2/0. The contract was completed in December of that year. In 1903, the new school, which was able to accommodate 100 pupils, was opened.
The school was constructed of brick and consisted of two classrooms, with a hat lobby and lavatory each for boys and girls, two shelter sheds (one each for boys and girls), outside latrines and two 1000 gallon tanks were also provided. A teacher’s quarters was also built along Daping Street.
Staff at Katanning State School
It was not long before additional classroom space was required, and a series of extensions to the original school building occurred in 1905, 1911, 1912, 1920, 1922, 1923, 1947, 1951-53. In 1915, further accommodation was supplied by the construction of two (separate) Pavilion Classrooms located on either side of the main school building closest to Dore Street (no longer extant).
Other additions to the Katanning Primary School comprised the relocation of former school buildings to the Katanning site. In 1912 the former Wagin Manual Training School building was relocated to the site. In 1946, approval for the relocation of the Dongolocking school – a timber, asbestos and corrugated iron building – to Katanning was given. In 1949, former Whittakers Mill school quarters were brought to Katanning to provide accommodation for the then Assistant Head Teacher.
KATANNING PRIMARY SCHOOL
Katanning Primary School
In February 1960, the school was officially called the Katanning Primary School, and further works and extensions were carried out between 1961 and 1967. In 1980, a new canteen and undercovered area was added. In 1981, the old school quarters were demolished. In 1996 the top quadrangle area was paved and a gazebo was built. In 2000 a further upgrade of the quadrangle was undertaken.
Katanning Primary School became an Independent Public School in 2013. The school runs a range of programmes to support student learning, social development and pastoral care. All children in the school are welcome at its Breakfast Club. Along with a daily nutritious breakfast, it develops social skills, teaches table manners and provides a smooth transition from home into the school day.
Staff members also run a variety of enrichment clubs throughout the year to provide a range of engaging experiences, with offerings including: the school choir; yidakee club for boys to learn to play the yidakee/didgeridoo; STEM Clubs, encouraging greater interest and understanding in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, a running club and a culture club. Other before and after school activities offered at various times during the year include athletics training, swimming training and ‘Active After School’.
Parents and the community play an important role in supporting Katanning Primary School and are active in the School Board, the uniform shop, the Breakfast Club, the P&C and in formal events.
In 2004/2005 Dongolocking School was relocated to the Katanning Museum Site, rather than at Bokarup St end of school. A pre-primary playground and shade cloth area have been added to the lower wing of the school.
HEAD TEACHER REPORTS
Katanning State School
HEAD TEACHERS MONTHLY REPORT.
SEPTEMBER.
Great Southern Herald
9 October 1926 – P2
Early in the month Mr. Rockliffe, District Inspector, made his annual inspection and examined all the classes with the exception of two. As they usually do, the children gave their best, and generally acquitted themselves creditably. Until every class has been examined, however, the general report of the school will not be made. Two things, however, seemed to me to stand out as of almost uniform merit throughout the classes, and these were the general neatness of all written work and the marked quality of drawing. The spirit of eagerness in oral subjects was very pleasing throughout. I have no fault to find with the way the scholars worked.
While the examinations are in progress the junior classes of the school were endeavouring to reach perfection in the practices for their fancy dress ball. This was held in the Town Hall on September 17 and was a very great success. Fourteen fancy sets occupied the floor, the sets being as follow: A.B.C., Red Indians, Hawaiians and Pirates, The Glad Eye, Harlequins and Columbines, Question and Answer, Carnival, Pierrot, Heralds, Nursery Rhymes, Moths and Candles, Ladybirds and two mixed sets. The hall was crowded with parents and friends, who found great delight in the amusement of the little ones.
During the weekend following the ball, Albany scholars to the number of fifty visited the town and played school teams hockey, football and baseball. In all games our scholars were successful, the football team scholars and ex-scholars defeating a combined team of High and Central school players by 9 goals 13 points to 2 goals 6 points. The hockey team defeating the High School hockey team by 3 goals to 2 goals, and the baseball team defeating the Central School team by 22 rounders to 15 rounders. Home successes seem to mark these inter-school games; last year Albany beat our players at Albany in all three games. In the afternoon, members of the Parents’ Association kindly motored visiting teachers around the district. In the evening the scholars entertained the visitors at a social. The visit was marked by delightful weather and was a success in every way, except to the one unfortunate who missed his return train in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Before leaving, Mr. Reedy, headmaster of the High School, expressed his thanks to those who so kindly billeted the teams or helped the purpose of the visit in any other way. I think we can claim to have returned Albany’s repeated hospitality suitably. The pleasurable intercourse afforded children by the visits is a splendid thing for their training in citizenship, and I am glad to see it supported so wholeheartedly by townspeople.
The week following the Albany visit was very full. In the first place we set out to do our share in egg collecting for the Silver Chain Fund, and in the course of the week sent away over 80 dozen eggs in the cause of charity. The response was splendid and speaks well again for Katanning’s public spirit. Small lots of eggs have come in since and these I have sold at current rates and put the proceeds in the Children’s Hospital box which is kept at the school.
Next, the upper school received instruction that was well worthwhile from an illustrated lecture by Mr. A. Stephen, Director of the Nitrate of Soda Propaganda Committee, who was visiting W.A. in connection with the Science Congress. Mr. Stephen’s lecture not only graphically portrayed the principles of scientific fertilising, but gave most interesting geographic information of Chili, its towns and industries. Very hearty applause marked the interest of the large audience of scholars had taken in the lecture.
Then, to close the month, or rather to open the new month, the long-awaited Parents’ Day was held at the school. Parents began to gather just before two o’clock at the school, and, until their numbers became too great for convenience, were taken through the school from the lowest class upwards. But we miscalculated on rate of movement. With twelve places to visit we could only allow five minutes to a room. We found, however, that we could not move a body of grown-ups as speedily along our corridors as we could a body of scholars, and it was after dismissal time before we got through, and then, too, some visitors did not see all classes. Of course, the youngsters were delighted to have those interested in them see their work, but not nearly enough time could be given to the inspection. On another occasion Visitors Day will, I hope, be to a section of the school that can be seen fully. A visit to see domestic work or manual work, or science, or infant work, needs an afternoon to be properly made use of. Everyone, however, seemed delighted with what was seen; and from a teacher’s more critical point of view practically nothing more could be wanted so far as what was given was concerned. My only regret is that visitors could not stay longer in each room. However, that can be remedied. The old-time photo kindly lent by Mr. Beeck caused a good deal of fun amongst those who recognised many prominent townsmen and townswomen in the group of the few-year-old’s of twenty years ago.
On the evening of the parents’ visit to the school the Parents’ Association held an old-time dance in the Parish Hall. The long round of fixtures for the month, however, must have tired people, so that the attendance was not large. The evening, nevertheless, was highly enjoyable. Mr. Markey played for the dances and there was scarcely a time when everyone was not taking part. There was room to make the most of the dances and I think everyone did so. At the close of the evening association members, who have felt for some time that they should in some way recognise the sterling services rendered without omission of a single occasion of school functions, presented Mrs. Dilworth with some handsome bronzes in recognition of her devotion to the activities of the association. The recipient was taken completely by surprise but was nevertheless proud at having earned the association’s thanks and assured the gathering that her services for the school gave her pleasure that even the handsome gifts could not measure.
And now we await the return of our old teachers. who have been on leave. By the time this letter is in print Miss Oborne and Miss Roberts will have again taken charge of their classes after six months’ absence. We welcome them back again and feel sure that their extended holiday will have brought them a freshness which will enable them to continue their work with gladness at Katanning. Those who have relieved them – Mrs. Palm and Mr. Flanagan – we part from with regret. The many little gifts the scholars voluntarily made to these departing teachers shows the esteem in which the scholars held them. Mr. Flanagan’s help in sport alone, in which he himself excels, has been of great service to the boys, and Mrs. Palm’s patience and industry with the little ones is much appreciated.
And now everyone’s mind is on “show” work. The Agricultural Society’s schedule has been exhaustively studied and dozens of expectant prize winners in every room anxiously await the periods in which they may prepare to gain the laurels. Competition is keen and friendly, and some good work is being done. The Agricultural Society deserves great credit for the encouragement it gives to children’s industries.
The attendance for the month has averaged 93 per cent, out of an enrolment of 434.
Saving’s Bank deposits have averaged £8/17/6 per week.
Those whose work has been of special mention for the month are as follow:
Best for Month.
Infants III.: D. Gill, O. Folland, S. Cory, L. Hanna.
Std. I.: S. Coate, J. Morrell, M. Gare, R. Lindner.
Std. II.: H. Hollebon, G. McRae, D. Marris, J. Clapp, E. Ruby.
Std. III.: P. Collingwood, A. Wearne, D. Ridley, L. Waters.
Std. IV.: H. Buckley, L. Dawson. M. Wheatley, D. Filmer.
Std. VI.: G. Price, C. Shanks, E. Beckwith, I. Rogers.
Most Improved.
Infants I. and II: M. Rogers, T. Offord, D. Jamieson, S. Bishop.
Infants III.: N. Wanke, A. Hine, P. Stock, P. Barrot, G. Clapp.
Std. I.: B. Martin, E. Cattanach, E. Wheatley, E. Page.
Std. II.: L. Wingrove, B. Holding, P. Parnell, D. Collingwood.
Std. HI.: C. Newton, E. Wanke, E. Hale, P. Wheatley.
Std. IV.: C. Collingwood, G. White, F. Smith, C. Barker.
Std. V.: B. Armstrong, R. Kemble, D. Kemble, P. Chester.
Std. VI.: A. Swinhoe, K. McLeod, J. Butler, W. Cattanach.
KATANNING
STATE SCHOOL.
HEADMASTER’S MONTHLY REPORT
Great Southern Herald
12 March 1930 – P4
The staff of the school has been subjected to a number of alterations since the Christmas vacation. Mr. H. Holley, Head Teacher, was transferred to James St. Intermediate School at the end of 1929 and was succeeded by Mr. Alan R. Morrison from Swanbourne and late Advisory Teacher of the Education Department.
The following transfers from Katanning were made at the beginning of the year; Miss J. Findlater Smith, from Katanning to Pingelly; Mrs. E. Toms, to Denmark; Miss B. Annear, to Kalgoorlie; Miss D. Bailey, to Kojonup. To compensate for the above transfers the undermentioned assistants were appointed to Katanning: Miss M. Horsfall, B.A., from Albany High School; Miss M. Cawley, from Pingelly; Miss H. Routledge, from Teachers’ College, Claremont, but previously at Katanning; Miss W. Grogan, from Teachers’ College.
Of last year’s staff the following have remained at our school; Mr. D. R. Marshall, 1st male assistant; Miss A. Oborne, 1st female assistant; Mr. W. Thorpe, Miss E. Kissane, Miss P. Mathea, Miss E. Roberts. There is no doubt that the school has an excellent staff of highly trained teachers comparing favourably with any school in the State.
At the beginning of the year the customary election of prefects took place, and from the girls two of last year’s prefects were re-elected, viz., Dorothy Rangott and Crystal McDonald. Their sterling worth was appreciated hence their second appointment. Dorothy Rangott has attained the highest honour among the girls by being appointed Girls’ Captain of the School for the second time. Amongst the boys, new prefects were elected for 1930, viz., Ralph Filmer, Alan Cornelius, Bert Mullineaux. As with the girls, the boys are proud of and respect the Boys Captain, Ralph Filmer. Since the first day after the vacation all classes have been right hard at work and a successful year is ensured.
The new District Inspector, Mr. T. S. Edmondson has favoured the school with several visits and is already appreciated by both teachers and scholars. The Chief Inspector of Schools, Mr. J. A. Klein visited the school on February 28th and commented very favourably on the school generally. Miss E. Sheath inspected the sewing on February 10th and was very pleased with the work on hand. Lieut. McKissock, of the Commonwealth Physical Training Staff, spent a day on February 20th by giving excellent demonstrations on modern methods applied to physical culture. He commented on the splendid physique of the Katanning children and was gratified at the great opportunities for sport at the school with its extensive grounds surrounded by neat cyclone fence.
During the past month a mental survey of classes has been in progress and best work has been shown by:
Lower Infants.: Sybil Stokes and Joan Rafferty; Robert Bishop and Ronnie Stubbs.
Most improvement.: Alvin Budd and Sarah Loan.
Upper Infants.: Irene Brown and Norma Smith; Charles Box and Wm. Winscom.
Std. I.: Marjorie Millington and Fay Thomas; Vernon Williams and John Rogers.
Most improvement: Douglas McArthur and Edith Fildes.
Std. II.: Muriel Howard and Emmeline Jones; Alf. France and Ken Rides.
Most improvement: Arthur Hine and Shirley Payne.
Std. III.: Shirley McDonald and Bernice Budd; John Gray and Robert Richmond.
Most improvement: Leslie McArthur and Ford Quartermaine.
St. IV.: Mildred Thompson and Shirley Bishop; Eric Meyn and Stan Rimer.
Most improvement: Ray Heal and Doris Layton.
St V.: Evelyn Morrison and Edith Cattanach; George Stephens and Clarence Moore.
Most improvement: Clem Rafferty and Gwen Sibley.
St. VI.: Lorna Bird and Bertha Sampson; Max McArthur and Roy Rimer.
Most improvement: Fred Hine and Doris Collingwood.
Commended by District Inspector.: Joan Barker.
Best results of Std. VII tests and preliminary tests for Junior University Exam will appear in first issue of “Herald” during April.
Cricket.
Each of the’ factions played the Convent but owing to loss of their best players at Christmas time not one of the factions could put up strong opposition, the Convent being fortunate in retaining most of their good cricketers from last year. A school team then was selected to meet the Convent and proved capable of holding its own.
In the factions, “Golds” lead with 12 points, “Reds” are second with 8 points and “Blues” third with 4 points. The best individual scores since Christmas have been made by: White 45. not out; R. Rimer, 33 not out; Barrot, 22; Sampson. 21; Grey, 20; and Marten, 20. With the ball, White, McLeod and Wanke have done well. The school fourth team met the Convent “B” team and were defeated by 132 runs to 100, which was quite a creditable performance.
Tennis.
As in previous years many more players wish to use the school court than can be accommodated. Several of the beginners are showing promise, and if they persevere in the correct methods of making strokes, should become good players. When the new court is completed it should relieve the present congestion.
Girls’ Sport.
Baseball.
The girls have been very keenly alive to their weekly matches wherein eight teams have taken part. Reds (Captain Crystal McDonald) are at present in the lead. There is yet ample time for the other factions to displace the leaders before the completion of the matches at Easter. To date, the baseball practices and matches have been marked by one outstanding feature the hearty and free co-operation existing between the senior and intermediate girls. They play together; they help each other and exert a good influence which is most worthwhile.
With the advent of a few cool days the thoughts have been turned to hockey and the inter-school sports. The girls are just “pawing the ground” for the hockey season to commence.
Tennis.
A strong committee has been formed and players are enthusiastic. The interest manifested should result in a good team to compete in the forthcoming tournament. Bumping board contests should elicit the best players to represent their school. The officers elected are as follow: Crystal McDonald (Capt.), Dorothy Rangott (Vice Capt.), Merle Morrison, Ivy Radford and Leila Waters.
Owing to insufficient accommodation on the court many players are taking advantage of the brick walls for practice. It is hoped that the school will have an additional court ready in the near future.
Return to HOME Page
Return to EDUCATION Page
Go to KATANNING PRIMARY SCHOOL Website