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South Wagga Public School - Wagga Wagga Local HistoryThe South Wagga Public School, situated on the corner of Edward and Best Streets, was officially opened in January 1892. The contract to build the school was won by Charles Hardy & Co, and was completed within 11 months; one month ahead of schedule.

The establishment of South Wagga Public School in some ways coincides with the trends and growth of the town heading into the 20th century. With the arrival of the railway to Wagga in the 1880’s, the population of Wagga increased rapidly. Not only were there more people in the town, but a great movement towards the southern end of town had begun; this was to be called ‘Newtown’. Businesses, stores, tradesman and accommodation started to relocate from the Fitzmaurice Street end, and emerge along Baylis and Edward Streets to make the most of the travellers coming into town from the railway.

With this southward shift and increased population, there was an urgency to establish a second school in Wagga. At the time, the Wagga Superior School already existed in Gurwood Street, along with schools at North Wagga and Lake Albert. However there were two insufficiencies with the Wagga Superior School; it had grown overcrowded and Gurwood Street was proving to be too great a distance from the students living in Newtown.

Approval was given in May 1889 and plans were drawn up for the new school. It was requested that the plans allow for the ever expanding population and that the building be of a permanent nature; constructed of brick and iron. The cost of the new school was approximately ₤4,223.

The school opened with 69 boys, 75 girls, and 123 infants; a total of 267 pupils. The teaching staff included Mr Graham (Headmaster), Miss Dorothy Wright, Miss Burgess, Miss R. O’Byrne and Master C. Goode.

References: ‘The Belltower - A history of South Wagga Public School’, WWA 19/01/1892


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