History of APS

Introduction

This school was built on 5 acres of Crown Land, Allotment 1, Section 18, Parish of Doutta Galla, County of Bourke on 7th of February, 1961.

The first Head Teacher, William C.V. Bennett, and a staff of eight enrolled 279 pupils chiefly from the over-crowded Maribyrnong Primary School.

In common with assistance for other district schools, the Hon. A.E. Shepherd supported district representations and pressed for its erection. The eight classroom concrete veneer and timber building soon proved in-adequate; six classrooms were added in 1963 and eight in 1968-69.

The maximum enrolment was 900; the opening of Milleara Primary School in 1968 reduced this to its 1969 figure of 760.

Original Committees

Cr D.W. Wilson was elected Chairman and C.J. Mutton Secretary of the original Committee.

Mothers' Club officials were Mesdames O'Brien (President) and Smith (Treasurer). A canteen has operated since 1964.

Principals Appointments

February 1961 - Mr William Charles Bennett
February 1966 - Mr Walter Robert Deakin
February 1968 - Mr John Patrick Lorenz.
February 1979 - Mr John Frederick Isles
February 1985 - Ms Nola Therese Kennett
January 1993 - Ms Kathleen St Clair Chapman
September 1996 - Mrs Margaret Bailey
January 2001 - Mr Paul Malcolm Mulroyan