Stinker’s History: Old school days

STUDENTS who attended Nelson Bay High School during the 1970s and 80s will recall the days of “End of year Activities”.

This was during a period when school was fun and permission slips and paperwork were limited.

With a total enrolment of around 350 students, the school was declared a full High School in 1975 when those who were progressing into years 11 and 12 could remain in Nelson Bay and not travel to Raymond Terrace or Newcastle to complete their studies.

It was in 1975 that I was appointed to Nelson Bay High School as the first PE teacher.

Nelson Bay and the surrounding district was very different to what we experience today.

The kids arrived each morning in one of Fogg’s buses from Anna Bay, Bobs Farm and Soldiers Point to join those from Nelson Bay who rode bikes or walked.

Principal Tom O’Dwyer’s first challenge was to insist on the wearing of uniform, footwear and attending regular assemblies.

Being the sons and daughters of fishermen, oyster growers and small business folk and living in a relaxed community, the kids could generally be described as “laid back”.

I must say they were great kids, well mannered, respectful and spirited with a unique character.

All of the Principal’s objectives were met in the newly appointed high school, apart from the last two weeks of school in December, leading into Christmas.

Yearly exams had been completed, and a majority of students could see no reason to continue to attend school, choosing to spend their time at Box, One Mile and Birubi beaches or jumping off Shoal Bay wharf.

To the Education Department this desertion of school was unacceptable, requiring the introduction of something that would encourage the students to return to school for the final fortnight.
“End of Year Activities” was to be the solution.

Every teacher was to offer a course that would encourage the students to return.

Bushwalking, rod and furniture making, art and pottery were a few courses offered.

Maths teacher Mr Goudge and I offered a five-day Camping and Fishing course on Fingal Island.

As you could expect we had a rush of enthusiastic kids, however we were limited to a group of twenty.

The problem was how to transport the group on to the island, particularly when the Fingal Spit was covered.

The local Water Police obliged on one or two occasions; Teddy McLeay offered his trawler “Matadore” and local fishermen Jim Chalkley and Ken Barry always made their trucks available when the Spit was dry.

We teachers enjoyed the experience as much as the kids. Exhausting but very rewarding.

I think the activities lasted for around 10 years when the bureaucratic paperwork and justification system finally put an end to what was a great initiative.

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE