Albany Creek State School
From the mid-twenties to the mid-thirties,
As seen by a student of 1927
(as presented by Matt Campbell II to the year 7 class of 1976)

Enrolments
The maximum number of children on the roll during my time at school was just under 70 (maybe 67), and the minimum was about 25. New enrolments ranged from 23 in 1932 to 19 in 1927 with the lowest, 5 in 1933.

Teaching Staff
When I first commenced school there were two teachers, the Head Teacher, Mr. Clement Bleakley, who had then been at the school for 17years, (Ed’s note – Bleakley Park named after him at Sussex Drive), and the assistant teacher, Miss, Mono Bleakley, the Head Teacher’s daughter, who was transferred in 1928 and whose place was taken by a local girl, Miss Jean Leitch. Miss Leitch was transferred in 1929, and is now the Principal of a Girls’ and Infants’ school in Brisbane. (Ed’s note – Since Retired) No assistant teacher was appointed during my stay, and it wasn’t until the war years that another appointment was made.
Whenever there was only one teacher, older children would often supervise the junior classes. Although there were classes from one to eight, sometimes these would be combined to reduce the workload on the teacher. To reduce confusion in the classroom, some classes would be moved out on to the veranda, weather permitting.

Teaching and Subjects
When a child reached eighth grade, if he or she showed promise, they would be prepared for the Scholarship examination, and if they passed this, they would go a high school or college.
The Scholarship examination was abolished some years ago when Grade eight was transferred to High School.
Subjects taught were the ones required for the Scholarship examination, and differ somewhat from those taught today. The basic ones were English, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, History, Geography and Civics (Social Studies). Teaching methods were completely different, many things being learnt parrot fashion. The cane was a much used teaching aid and was frequently wielded when homework was unsatisfactory.

Projects
On one afternoon a week, the boys would tend their garden project – dig out the weeds, dig the garden beds, gather horse manure, and carry water. While this was going on, the Teacher’s wife would teach the girls sewing.

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Peter Campbell - 0418 774 663