School History

Published in the “Harvester” School Magazine 1938.

Written by Frank McMullen the 1^st Principal of

Hurlstone Agricultural High School 1907 – 1916

“The Early Days of Hurlstone”

In the early years of this century, educational reform became a burning question. It was felt that all was not well with the schools, and this feeling became articulated when Professor Francis Anderson, of Sydney University, attacked the existing conditions, and forcefully demanded drastic alterations and reforms. Public interest was aroused, and so insistent became the demand for reform, that the Minister for Education of the day, the Hon. J. Perry, decided to call a representative educational conference. The deliberations of the conference and its recommendations led Mr. Perry to an important decision. He decided to appoint an Education Commission to visit Europe and America to investigate and report on Educational conditions in other countries.

The Commissioners appointed were Mr. G. H. Knibbs and Mr. J. W. Turner, then Headmaster of Fort Street School. Mr. Turner in particular was interested in the different types of agricultural schools in Europe and America. At Vilvorde, near Brussels, he visited a school for practical agriculture, which impressed him greatly. On his return to Australia , he advised the establishment of a similar institution in New South Wales. The Vilvorde School was a purely practical school, the only classroom work being lectures in agricultural science. When the matter was placed before Mr. P. Board, the Director of Education, and a most distinguished educationalist, he modified the suggestion considerably. Thus it was decided to establish a school which would:-

(a) carry on the ordinary school education of boys beyond the primary standard.

(b) Give a grounding in the elementary theory and practice of agriculture.

The new school was to be called the Hurlstone Agricultural Continuation School, and the buildings and grounds of the old Women Teachers’ College at Summer Hill were set aside for the purposes of the school. The buildings were old, some of them in a state of disrepair, and were generally quiet unsuited for the purpose. At an early stage in the school’s career, too, it became apparent that the grounds- about 26 acres in extent – were insufficient to allow for the proper development of the school.

However, the decision was made. It was decided to establish the school. Applications were called for the decision of Headmaster, and in January 1907, I was appointed the first headmaster. My job for the next three months was to organise for the opening of the school. The position was difficult one. I had no experience of agricultural education, and with the exception of the late Mr. H. W. Potts, Principal of Hawkesbury Agricultural College, there was no one to whom I could turn. However, a syllabus had to be drawn up. We found it very difficult to obtain information or literature which would be helpful. Nevertheless, a scheme and course of instruction were eventually evolved. In this I had great assistance from the late Mr. W. L. Hammond, B.Sc., who had been appointed Science Master ,and Mr. J. W. Hadfield, who was to be the first Field Foreman and Instructor in Agriculture.

It is now over 20 years ago since I vacated the position of Headmaster at Hurlstone, but I have maintained touch with many of the old boys. Some have attained important and responsible positions in the community, and are proof that even in those early difficult days the school did work which was of great value to the state. I am confident that all of them, and all who were privileged to serve on the staff of the school, are proud of its success in recent years, and to their congratulations add the fervent wish that it may continue to grow and increase in magnitude its services to the state.

Frank McMullen 1938