CLUMBER COMMUNITY EDUCATION
SCHOOL FACILITIES
In 1837 a day school was in operation in the second Church to be built at Clumber with Mr Thomas Peel as schoolmaster, a position he held up to 1848. By November 1837, tenders were called for the erection of a schoolmaster's house next to the Church. Thomas Peel was replaced by James Hallier and was paid £30 per annum. He was also responsible for the cleaning of the Church and had an allowance of 19/6 for expenses for this task.
In January 1850 William Cadwallader became the new headmaster and he also served as the local preacher. In October as the threat of another border war loomed , plans were made to move to a defended Camp on Edward Timm’s farm, Prospect. It was decided that as this site was more open than the Church, it would be easier to defend. On 23 December the children were examined and commenced a holiday of 3 weeks , but this was interrupted by the opening of hostilities and on 27 December the move to Prospect commenced.. Wattle and daub houses and wagons were used as accommodation. War continued throughout 1852 and ended in March 1853 when school resumed once more on 7 March. William Smailes was tasked with the position of Teacher in 1861.
in 1867 the current Church was built and school classes were continued in the old 1837 school .
By September 1873, the second Church had been taken down and a new school-room was built.This school was enlarged in 1875 and the Chapel Committee agreed to allow the Albany Farmers' Friend Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars to use it for their meetings.
Schoolmaster's House (L) built in 1837 , School (R) built in 1873 and enlarged 1875
A NEW SCHOOL IS BUILT
Clumber Public School photographed in 1913
The Clumber Public School
In September 1902, the Trust Properties Committee resolved that an acre of Church ground be made available for the erection of a Government- aided Public School. In the following month they made arrangements for the renovation of the School-master's house , built in 1837, at a cost of £250.
In July 1903, the Reverend John Smart took over as resident minister and Elizabeth Trower promised to build a new Day School for Clumber, in memory of her father, Thomas Peel.
It was to accommodate 100 children and White Cooper of Grahamstown was asked to prepare plans. It was decided to name the new building the Public Undenominational School Memorial.
In April 1904, Elizabeth Trower was able to approve the tender of Mr McAlister.
A bazaar was held on 9 November 1904, the King's birthday, to liquidate the debt resulting from the renovation of the School-master's house.
Professor George Cory lectured on the British Settlers and Elizabeth Trower unveiled the marble tablet in the school foyer on the opening on 9 February 1905.
Thomas Peel, an 1820 Settler, honoured at ClumberSchool opened in 1905
Memorial Plaque for Thomas Peel, first teacher at Clumber School
This marble plaque was incorporated in the last Clumber School to be built in 1904 by the descendants of Thomas Peel, the first school teacher appointed at Clumber in 1837. This to honor his contribution to educating the youth of the district.
The existing Church at that time was the building used as a school. The succeeding Churches were also used as places for education until such time a dedicated building for education could be erected.
Pupils of Clumber School in the 1950’s
Most of these pupils, schooled at Clumber, are direct descendants of the 1820 Settlers
The successive Clumber Schools have served the children of the district since the 1830’s . Various buildings have housed the pupils over time. This group of children from the 1950’s were schooled in the current building, a National Monument built in 1905.
Clumber School opened on 9 February 1905, photographed 2020.
