History of West Pennant Hills Public School

Early Days

For the first fifty years of the twentieth century, the area around Thompson’s Corner remained rural, sending large loads of oranges to market via Thornleigh and Pennant Hills railway stations each morning. Steam trains transported them to Sydney as quickly as modern electric trains do today.

At the century’s start, interest in education grew. Henry Parkes’ free public school system was followed by Schools of Arts, meant as cultural centres in towns and villages, though ahead of their time.

After 1900, while schools near the railway expanded, Pennant Hills Public School at Thompson’s Corner stayed small and isolated. A new school closer to the railway was built, called Pennant Hills East Public School.

For many years, Headmaster Mr Pike and his assistant taught in one large classroom. Though 50 to 60 children were enroled, attendance often dropped to about 40. Gardening flowers and vegetables occupied much time, and the school became known for its beautiful grounds. Mr Pike also owned a museum of natural and historical objects, left at the school.

In 1907, the local Fruitgrowers’ Union sought permission to hold meetings at the school, but this was denied to avoid setting a precedent and because meetings could get political.

In 1912, Mr Robert Smith succeeded Mr Pike as Headmaster. The Parent & Citizens’ Association was formed, with Mr L G Smith as Secretary. They requested help from the Department for improvements:
a) fencing the eastern playground (declined);
b) wire netting for gardens to keep out rabbits and stock (approved);
c) glass showcases for the museum (declined);
d) more furniture to separate Infants from Primary children (declined).

Infants remained with Primary students, sitting in rows on terraced forms and dual desks. The small room was sometimes used for manual work.

Two annual concerts attracted large crowds of parents and children; at least one was outdoors using the teacher’s verandah as a stage. The P & C requested a new school building, suggesting the old be used as a School of Arts. However, funds were tight as Australia built its Navy and trained a militia; soon after, World War I began. The old school remained for over forty more years.

In 1912, Mr Smith built a shed at his own expense for his horse and buggy, using new and second-hand materials. Upon transfer, he sold it to Mr Frazer, who offered it to Mr Hayes. Mr Hayes declined, so Mr Frazer sold it to Mr Oxley for £6. When Mr Oxley left, he offered it to the Department of Education for £5/10/-, which was accepted, and the shed stayed.

In 1919, the P & C requested fence repairs, noting the fence was rotted and the playground a rubbish dump. Despite efforts to beautify the grounds, roaming dogs and stock damaged gardens. The Inspector agreed. A £115 tender from Mr F Walker was accepted, the Lands Department resurveyed the grounds, and by year’s end, a new timber fence was built.

Settlement was slow through the 1920s and 1930s. Tar-sealed roads gave way to a concrete road built during the Great Depression by Unemployment Relief Labour.

After World War II, the first major increase in students occurred. An aluminium building with four classrooms, office, and staffroom was added, followed by a two-room Kindergarten. The old school and residence were demolished; the shed disappeared, and the well was filled.

Within a few years, the P & C provided equipment like projectors, piano, typewriter, duplicator, radios, and sports gear. However, as the district grew rapidly, many children near the school attended Beecroft Public School instead.

A New Century

For the first half of the twentieth century, Thompson’s Corner was a quiet rural area, famous for its orange orchards. Each morning, steam trains carried stacks of fruit from Thornleigh and Pennant Hills stations to Sydney.

At the turn of the century, interest in education grew. Henry Parkes’ free public schools were followed by Schools of Arts, meant to bring culture to communities. After 1900, schools near the railway expanded, but Pennant Hills Public School at Thompson’s Corner stayed small and isolated. A new school, Pennant Hills East, was built closer to the railway.

Headmaster Mr Pike and his assistant taught in one large classroom. Though around 50 to 60 children were enroled, attendance often dropped to 40. The school was recognised for its beautiful gardens, and Mr Pike left behind a museum of natural and historical objects.

In 1907, the Fruitgrowers’ Union asked to hold meetings at the school, but permission was denied to avoid setting a precedent and because meetings could turn political.

In 1912, Mr Robert Smith replaced Mr Pike. The Parent & Citizens’ Association formed, led by Mr L G Smith. They requested several improvements: fencing the playground (denied), wire netting for gardens (approved), showcases for the museum (denied), and furniture for infants (denied). Infants stayed with primary students, and the small room was used for manual work.

Annual concerts filled the school with parents and children, sometimes held outside. The P & C pressed for a new building, but funds were tight as Australia built its Navy and trained a militia, and then World War I began.

Mr Smith built a horse and buggy shed at his own expense. After changing hands, it was sold to the Department of Education and remained on site.

In 1919, the P & C requested fence repairs, describing it as nearly flat and rotting, with gardens damaged by animals. The Inspector agreed, a new timber fence was built, and the grounds were resurveyed.

Settlement was slow through the 1920s and 1930s. Roads improved, with concrete laid during the Depression by relief labour.

After World War II, the first major influx of children arrived. New aluminium classrooms and a kindergarten building replaced the old school and residence; the shed and well were removed.

The P & C supplied equipment like projectors, a piano, typewriter, radios, and sports gear. As the district grew quickly, many children living nearby attended Beecroft Public School.

Rapid Growth

In 1959, 85 children were redirected to Pennant Hills West to relieve Beecroft, prompting the ‘Wilkes’ case and a surge in new school buildings: two Infants and three Primary classrooms were quickly added.

The Infants Department, led by Mrs J Perrett and later Mrs J Thame, became separate with its own Mothers’ Club. Rapid growth meant classes were held in the Presbyterian Hall and even a hatroom for six years.

The Grounds Committee planted over 200 trees, keeping the old pines and gums, and a steel fence was built around the playground in 1963. In 1964, the creek went underground, and two basketball courts were added. Lawns were planted to maximise play space.

The Association and other groups raised thousands annually, helping both Infants and Primary departments develop strong libraries.

The first Deputy Principal was Mr M Purser (1960), with Mrs B Nay for Infants and Mrs E Westwood for Primary.

Continued growth led to a brick wall and tall fencing for safety and noise reduction. Since the 1990s, new facilities arrived thanks to government funding and the P & C—library, hall, C.O.L.A., demountables for arts, after school care, and extra classes. Wifi, rainwater tanks, and solar heating were added.

The school celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2000. Mr Terence Malone served as principal from 1996 to 2007, followed by Ms Kerri Brickley, and Mrs Donna Harris from 2012.

A history book by Philippa Smith is still available from the school.