G resford News • December
The
2015, p 17
q “Our Stories” Feature r
with a similar school at Tea Tree, (Mirannie) some 8 miles away. The teacher, Edward Tomkins who lived at Lostock would ride across the range to Tea Tree after lunch and return to Lostock in the evening. This was however only a temporary setback and by 1902 enrolments had recovered and Lostock was again upgraded to public school status. By 1934, the 1883 building was in a dire state of repair. A cheap solution was found by taking the materials from the old Strathisla school and the 1883 Lostock school and using these to build The 1883 Lostock school & residence c 1918. Thomas Scott teacher a new school. James W Bourne was appointed as the first Lostock school continued till 1978 when Strathisla subsidised school closed teacher in Aug 1878 and by 1880 sometime around 1927 and children it was closed and the children transferred enrolments had reached the level required to Mt Rivers. either took correspondence lessons or for the school to be upgraded to a public rode to Lostock school. Can anyone help Some 33 teachers were in charge at with a photo and a location for this school? school. H.H. Brown was vindicated! Lostock over the years. Thomas Scott A new school and residence was erected provided the longest period of service at Lostock School (1878-1978) In May 1878 an application was made to establish in 1883. During the 1890s however 19 years (1912-1931). Glen Clarke was enrolments declined and Lostock for a a provisional school with local families the last teacher at Lostock. committing to sending 16 children to the time (1901-2) was operated half time school. Inspector J. D Bradley was asked to report on the suitability of the building provided by the community and the school's viability. He was not impressed by the building which was in fact the old Wesleyan Chapel and in regular use for a service each Sunday. In addition he found that 6 of the children committed by local families were actually attending Mt Rivers school and on this basis he concluded that; "the establishment of a school (at Lostock) is of doubtful expedience". The local member H.H. Brown intervened and a school was established in July 1878. Inspector Bradley was very annoyed at this political interference and did his best to have the decision overturned – but to no avail.
Lostock school late 1970s