White Gum Valley Primary School

1941-1950

From the the school journal and archives
Click on the thumbnails for a larger image, where available.

1941 The enrolment had declined to 194 and one classroom was not being used.  "First practice in A.R.P. given today.  Upon 3 sharp blasts of whistle children left school rooms and scattered." 11/3/41 School Journal.
1942 212 pupils.  Teachers attend conference on trenches and required number dug by senior boys and completed 10 days later.  Voluntary Evacuation in March reduces pupil numbers to 160, slowly children return from evacuation in May. Pupils back to 210.  Measles epidemic.
1943 242 Pupils. On the 16th December the P&C Association presented a picture of Group Commander HJ Edwards VC, DSO, DFC to the school.  The function held at 2pm attended by the Minister for Education; Hon Kitson, Chief Secretary: Director of Education: Mr Senior Inspector Edmundson as President of the RSL of WA: Mr & Mrs Edwards parents of Group Captain Edwards, Councilors of Fremantle.
1944 50 Children taken on warship upon invitation from Captain.  Piano damaged by vandals, culprits caught and dealt with!
1945 Mumps epidemic. School participated in Peace celebration held by Fremantle Municipal Council the Mayor presented the school with a Union jack.
1946 307 pupils. Measles epidemic.  Children whose sixth birthday occurred in the second half of the year were excluded from school due to staffing difficulties.
1947 Enrolment 305 and the old school building was used as an infants classroom.
1948 303 pupils enrolled. Graham Duckham of Kalamunda visited the school as an ex student from 1907-1912.
1949 328 Pupils.  Mobile Visual Education Unit visited films presented were; Hare & Tortoise, Children from Holland, Harvey Irrigation, Working Rivers.  School presented with 16mm sound film projector by P&C.
1950 401 pupils.  Junior Red Cross Educational Tour between WGV and Gnowangerup took place. School Itinerary Here
"This school is at a very interesting stage of development.  It has grown rapidly over the last two years.  The admission of many migrant children from the British Isles over recent months has been a welcome addition to the school.  The migrants and low rental families were provided with very primitive temporary, barrack type accommodation known as Melville Camp (ex army camp) in South Street over Carrington Street and an area known as Davis Park just beyond Lefroy Street."
1901 - 1910 | 1911 - 1920 | 1921 - 1930 | 1931 - 1940
1941 - 1950 | 1951 - 1960 | 1961 - 1970 | 1971 - 1980 | 1981 - 1990