Driffield School 2433

In May 1880 the people of Driffield forwarded a petition to their local member of Parliament Mr. F. C. Mason, the petition was requesting the establishment of a school for the area. The petitioners were: Alexander Deru, James Johnston, Thomas Hopkins, David Jones, David Williams, Adolphus Witholz, Joseph Rowley, and Samuel Vary.

The Driffield School No. 2433 opened on November 1st. 1881 in a portable structure with living quarters for the teacher. The building which was able to accommodate up to 30 pupils was constructed for the education authorities by Samuel Vary in October 1881 at a cost of £116.16.0.

The enrolment figure in the first year was 28 with the average attendance being 21, but this dropped to 10 in 1902 and the school became half-time with Hazelwood Ridge school No. 1768.

The school was burnt to the ground on 11th February 1905 in the bushfires that raged through the district that summer.

In February 1921 the Education Department received a petition from local residents requesting the re-establishment of the school at Driffield, as there were 28 children of school age waiting to attend classes.

Driffield School was not re-established until 30th of January 1923 when classes were held in the Driffield Hall, the hall was leased by the Department for £7.10.0 per annum. Poor enrolments caused closure again on 26th of August 1931.

The 30th of January 1940 saw classes resumed, once again in the Driffield Hall.

The school was established on its present site on the 29th. of March 1946. A residence for the use of the teacher was provided in 1951.

Head Teachers