Kingscote School

New Kingscote School.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE.

A large number of Kingscoteites and country residents met at Kingscote South on Saturday afternoon last to witness the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new school-house and dwelling now being erected by the Government on a block of land given to the Education Department for the purpose by Mr Arthur Daw. Mr R. C. Thorpe (Chairman of the Board of Advice) remarked that in a few minutes they would witness one of the most important events in the history of Kingscote, viz., the laying of the foundation stone of the new school. They owed & debt of gratitude to Mr A. Daw, who presented the block of land on which the school was to be erected as, without the gift, he did not think they would be present that day to celebrate the laying of the stone. He considered that it was in the schools and nurseries of to-day that the British Empire was being built, and a great responsibility rested with the teachers who had to teach their pupils to stand up for and protect their country.

He had very much pleasure in calling upon Mrs Daw to lay the foundation stone. Mrs Daw, with the aid of trowel and level (and the assistance of the Chairman of the Board of Advice) put the stone in position using the words " I declare, by God's grace, this stone to be well and truly laid this day." (Cheers.) 

Mr Prior said it must be gratifying to residents to be present at this ceremony and also at the driving of the pile of the new jetty, as it was seen that the Government had every confidence in K.I. All present would realise the importance of laying the foundation stone of the new school. Some might feel sad at not having had the advantages of education in their younger days which the younger generation would have. We lived in land where education was the highest of its kind. Any boy or girl who had any talent or ambition had the opportunity of making a name for himself or herself under the Commonwealth flag. That had been often proved by our public men. The teachers had great responsibility andhe appealed to the parents present to help them by farthering the teacher's work in the home. 

Cr. Daw thanked the speakers for their kind remarks re donation of land. He had been in a position to give the land and the education of the young under comfortable conditions was one of the best things to help along. He thought it the duty of parents to give their children all the schooling they could. He considered that the Chairman and members of the Board of Advice had been instrumental in securing the new school and he was very pleased that their efforts had resulted in success.Cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Daw, the Chairman of the Board of Advice and the contractor, after which tea and cakes were handed round. At the conclusion of the proceedings the Chairman of the Board of Advice and Mr Daw personally thanked the Kingscote Town Band for services rendered during the afternoon.

State School Appointments.

[1910] Mr H. H. [Herbert Henry] Rofe has been appointed as head teacher of the Kingscote State School, vice Miss Lindsay, who, whilst in charge here, gained general esteem and to whom we wish all prosperity in her future career.

[1915] Miss R. Turner, teacher.

[1917] See also his valedictory on 28 Sept 1917 as H. H. Rofe left Kingscote for Reynella.

Mr A. J. G. [Arthur James Gordon] Benier  has been appointed temporarily to succeed Mr H.H. Rofe as Head Teacher of the Kingscote Public School.

[1920] Mr A. J. G. Benier, who has been in charge of the Kingscote Public School for a little over two years, has received notice of his transferance to the Stockport School, and will leave on Monday for his new position, Mrs Benier and family following later. His successor, Lieut. L. H. R. Gordon, who returned from the front on Xmas Eve, is expected so arrive at Kingscote this evening. — Miss Ramsey, who has had charge of the Wisanger School for some time past has also been transferred, being appointed to the Kelly School on the West Coast, and will leave Kingscote to take up her new appointment on Thursday. During their residence on the Island Mr and Mrs Benier and Miss Ramsey have made many friends, who wish them every happiness in their new sphere of action.

[1921] Mr L. H. R. Gordon [Lionel Harrison Rankine Gordon], who for the past twelve months has been in charge of the Kingscote Public School, left on Monday, accompanied by Mrs Gordon, for Adelaide. After the holidays Mr Gordon will lake up his duties as head assistant at the East Adelaide School, to which position he was recently promoted, Mr and Mrs Gordon carry with them the best wishes of their many Island friends. Mr H. C. Pearce, from the Adelaide University, who succeeds Mr Gordon, arrived on Wednesday accompanied by Mrs Pearce and child.

[1923] SCHOOL CONCERT. Look out for — and patronise — tbe school concert, which takes place shortly. The teacher (Mr McHugh), is taking great pains with the children's' items, and half the programme will be given by adult talent. The proceeds are to be devoted to improving conditions at the School. The ground is to be levelled, and two gates erected with fencing, etc. The Committee also wish, if possible, to provide a set of carpenter's tools and have our boys taught something about carpentry. The concert is for a good cause — don't miss it. 

1874 to 1878 Lucy Ann Hibbert taught in the school building, Dauncey Street, Kingscote - after that it was at St Alban's Hall. During the 1890’s the school was then relocated to wood & iron building on the site of the Methodist church [Uniting Church]. Later a house was leased from a Mr. Hudson which was on the corner of Dauncey street & Murray Street . In 1904, the school was named Kingscote and Queenscliffe & did not appear on any records after that date. 1904 to 1906 Agnes Marion Johns taught in Dauncey street, Kingscote

In 1908 the school was owned W H Strawbridge.

1906 to 1909 Jane [Jean] Stewart Lindsay taught in Dauncey street.

-- Geoffrey Chapman

courtesy Kathy Barrett

MODERN EDUCATION.

[1948] A few years ago a proposal was put forward for the erection of an Area School on Kangaroo Island. This had rather a mixed reception from many who felt that the centralization of the system might retard the growth of more outlying areas. However with a wider knowledge of the many advantages to be obtained, the proposal was rushed forward, until the modern " Kingscote Area School" was at length opened. There would now be few, if any, who would revert to the former system. 

It is not the intention of this article to review the many advantages that are now being obtained by the children now attending the School. Rather we wish to point to the most obvious difference between the attitude of the present children and those of " the good old days" towards education. And the change is, that at present, the children " like" going to school. This is strange but true ; and however much we tend to decry most things modern, we are all agreed that this ' liking school" is a good thing. 

Now this has not come about merely with the erection of the Area School. Rather has this accelerated a process that has been going on for a long time. Indeed an inspection of other schools on Kangaroo Island will lead one to conclude that most children like going to school. 

Sometimes we are inclined to be sceptical and feel that " they don't teach them much these days," but a closer examination soon proves that they 'teach them much more then days." Indeed this is one of the main reasons why they " like" going to school. The variety of the subjects now taught, together with modern methods of teaching have relieved the monotony of school life. Instead of learning many lessons after the fashion of a parrot, children now take an intelligent interest in their subjects, and want to learn more. 

When children now leave school they don't feel that they're "finished," but rather they have a wider field of learning ahead. For after all the more one learns the more one feels there is to learn. Again we can't help feeling that the new approach to education is all to the good. It would therefore be wise for us to see that our children have as many opportunities as we are able to give them to take advantage of the system. Also let us learn the fundamental lesson of modern education i.e. "You are never too old to learn."