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Chatton East School

 Record Group
Identifier: A0174

Dates

  • 1879 - 1976
  • Majority of material found within 1879 - 1948
  • Majority of material found within 1971 - 1976

East Chatton School

East Chatton [or Chatton East] School was likely known in its earlier years as Chatton School. It was created to help ease the need for schools closer to the centre of Knapdale Run. On the 22 February 1879 there was a meeting of householders to define the boundaries for the Chatton School District and to elect a School Committee. Elected were James Donald (Chairman), H. W. Hustain (Secretary), F. Milne, A. Black, A. Cruickshank, J.... Noble and P. Ford.

Only six days after their election the committee met to plan the construction of the new school and by August the Committee was ready to ask the Education Board for a teacher and all necessary basic classroom equipment. The land for the new school was acquired from Mr. Daniel Archibald.

Mr Tuson was the first teacher at Chatton and the school opened swiftly after his appointment, circa. 20 December 1879. Forty-five children were enrolled at this time. The school grew in importance for the community with requests for its use by a singing class, the debating society, and for Sabbath School and Sunday services all recorded in committee meeting minutes. As the years progressed work was done to install electric lights as well as build both a play-shed and tennis courts.

Around 1900 it was recommended in a school inspectors report to alter the name of the school to East Chatton to conform to local and post office usage of the name. Later, in 1912 school boundaries were revised for the opening of North Chatton School to which 8 pupils were transferred.

Unfortunately, in the 1940’s the committee could not find suitable board for the teacher, nor could they increase the school’s roll, leading to the school’s temporary closure in November 1948. After discussions with the Education Board it was decided to permanently close the school and transport the remaining pupils, by bus, to Maitland School. Soon after, both the school and the schoolhouse were removed from the site.

- Notes by E.M. Easton -

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Extent

2 box(es) (Boxes 1 - 2)

Language of Materials

English

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