Burrangong Heights Public School.
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The Spring Creek School was on the main road from Wombat to Young, being 4 miles from Young.
At the time when efforts to establish a school in the area was first contemplated it was called Spring Creek.
But as time moved on it was named Burrangong Heights and was known by this name until 3 Februray, 11 1919, when it was renamed Boara.
The settlers were mostly gold miners and labourers with freehold homesteads.
Being auriferous the land had not been opened up for free selection, hence the holdings were very small.
Most of the farms were 10 to 30 acres and the people generally poor.
Most of the 300 settlers had lived in the area for 10 or 15 years and were likely to remain there.
By 1877 here were about 70 children in the Burrangong Heights area and they would have had to have made a 9 mile return trip to Young.
An average attendance of 50 would be possible and on 14 th January 1878 the council agreed to establish the school.
The Lands Department immediately entered into negotiations to have a two acre block on the Wombat Road dedicated and 28 acres dedicated as a school paddock.
The transaction was completed on the 17 May, 1879.
Messrs Gough and Vandiderstein at a cost of £830 was ready for use on July 1 1880.
It contained a 17'6"x25', and a residence of four rooms Teacher W.J. Chapman, was appointed on 26 th August, 1880.
He had previously taught at Murrumbateman Public School.
In September he noted the urgent need for playground equipment.
A wooden detached kitchen had been erected in 1889.
Major additions had been constructed in 1907 including a covered way from the main building to the kitchen.
Another bed room 13'6" x 12' and a wooden washroom and bathroom block.
By 1920 verandah's were along 3 sides, the eastern one in 1895, the school room partitioned in 1914.
A tennis court was in existence.
The official opening of the school was on October 3, 1880, but it had come into existence when locals from Spring Creek applied for a school to be built.
The names of the local promoters were: John Chasworth ,labour ;John Hunter, miner. Henry Smith , miner. William Charles Reynolds, farmer.( all C of E), Michael Travers, miner (R.C) George Phillips, miner,(Wes. miner.)
- Brian James supplies the information for his column to be published in the Young Witness each Tuesday on behalf of the Young and District Historical Society Inc.