Warwick West Boys', Girls' and infants' School (Central School)

On June 25 1875 the foundation stone was laid for the Warwick West Boys', Girls' and infants' School, today known as the Warwick Central School. The event was marked by a public holiday was proclaimed. At the time, it was the largest gathering every assembled in the town. A procession was held; the band led the procession, followed by the Volunteer Corps, the Mayor, aldermen and officers of the Corporation, the Odd-fellows in full regalia, the Good Templars, and the school children followed up.

Speaker at the laying of the foundation were Messrs. Marlay (chairman of the local committee) and C. B. Daveney.
In July 1875 the building approached completion. Mr and Mrs Canny were appointed master and mistress of the new school.
Mr Canny's salary was 177 pound ($354.00) per annum, he taught a fifth class of 4 boys and a forth class of 27 boys.
Mr A.J. Haswell was junior assistant teacher, being in charge of a third class of 18 boys, his salary was 85 pound ($170.00) per anum.
Other teachers were Messrs. J. Hutcheon salary 85 pound ($170.00), P. Mc-Dermott salary 55 pound ($110.00), S. Spencer salary 47 pound ($94.00), and J. McKinlay.
Mrs Canny salary for head mistress of the Warwick West Girls School was 105 pounds ($210.00) per annum. Total salary for the two schools amounted to 964 pounds ($1928.00).

Extracts from Centenary Booklet 1875-1975

The report of the Board of General Education for 1866 appears to contain one of the earliest references to a vested school at Warwick. The report read: Warwick…. The boys' school is administered by a master, assistant and pupil teacher. This school is remarkable for regularity and punctuality of attendance, and the tone and spirit of the pupils are excellent.
The establishment of a school library, chiefly at the voluntary expense of the children themselves, is an interesting characteristics, peculiar, I believe to this school.
This prepress made by the pupils, as ascertained by periodic inspections, is of a clear and well-defined character that leaves no doubt of the efficiency of the management. The attendance has steadily increased for two years, and still increasing……….

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