Mount Barker Primary School

1877-1977

by J. Beard, M. Hillam, and J. Simmons

illustrated by L. Davidge

Published by Author, Printed by Mount Barker Courier Print, 1977, [First Edition], sepia coloured  photographs, monotone sketches, staple-bound paperback

Very Good Condition, minor edge and shelf wear, minor rubbing and bumping to edges and covers, previous owners inscription and details on inside front cover (see photographs)

“The school’s oldest old scholar, Mr. Frank Pope, is 97 years old this year which means that he was born just three years after the school was first opened.  We have been able to draw on the memories of such early old scholars in compiling information about the town and school.  The schools written records have also been invaluable.  Inspectors’ Registers start in 1885, the school journals provide a diary of events from 1905 when school journals were first used in schools, School Committee minutes date from 1926 and Welfare Club minutes from 1936.
A brief history of the town, leading up to the opening of the school, has been included in order to put the school in its historical and social context.  The achievements and foresight of the early pioneers as they are outlined in this record are remarkable when one reflects on the development that was made within the first forty years of the first settlement in South Australia in 1836 and in Mt. Barker in 1839.”