Lake Macquarie History

Rathmines Public School History Project, 1991

The first school at Rathmines opened in January 1936 with 6-8 students and one teacher. It functioned as a susidised school operating out of the public hall. Subsidised schools were a way for the government to provide education facilities when the number of students in the area was very small. The Department of Education provided materials such as books, pencils and paper, but the community provided the building and the teacher.

The establishment of the R.A.A.F. base at Rathmines during the second world war brought more families and children to the area, and a Provisional School was approved in September 1941. The new school opened for it's first lessons on Monday 19th October, 1941.

1991 marked the 50th anniversary of public school education at Rathmines. To celebrate this milestone, the school produced and published a book "Reaching for the sky : Rathmines Public School 50 years on 1941-1991", and undertook an oral and written history project to interview and capture the stories of current and past teachers, pupils and parents.

These interviews can be accessed by following the links below.

Oral histories

Written Interviews

Acknowledgement of Country

We remember and respect the Ancestors who cared for and nurtured this Country. It is in their footsteps that we travel these lands and waters. Lake Macquarie City Council acknowledges the Awabakal people and Elders past, present and future.

Council acknowledges traditional custodians throughout Australia. We commit to listening deeply to and collaborating with First Peoples in our work.

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