NSC History
​(Excerpts from "Jubilee of Secondary Education at Numurkah 1924-1974").

 How the Houses were named.
It was decided to give the Houses the names of men who gave their lives on active service during World War II and whose families have had long associations with the school. The names chosen were Christie, Gray, Tweddle and Hunkin.

CHRISTIE HOUSE - John Christie, who died of wounds received in action in North Africa, was the son of Mrs. Margaret Christie, of Katunga, and the late Cr J.S. Christie, and a grandson of John Scott Christie, who came to the Goulburn Valley in 1876 and first selected land at Yalca.

GRAY HOUSE - John Adam Gray, who died of illness in a Japanese prison camp, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. A.F. Gray of Drumanure, who recently left the district to reside in Melbourne. is grandfather, Donald Gray, was a pioneer settler at Tallygaroopna and came to Drumanure in 1887.

HUNKIN HOUSE - Gregory H. Hunkin, a son of Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Hunkin, of Numurkah, gave his life on service with the R.A.A.F. in England. His father, Mr. W.H. Hunkin was chairman of the School Committee over a period of many years.

TWEDDLE HOUSE -Charles Tweddle, who was lost at the fall of Rabual, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Tweddle, who retired to Numurkah, having of recent years disposed of their farm at Baulkamaugh. The Tweddle family were among the original settlers of Waaia district. Joseph Tweddle made a first selection of land at "Helensvale", Waaia.


History
The Numurkah Primary School (S.S. 2134) originated out of a proposal by a selector William Saxton about 1878. Five acres of land in the present central situation had been allocated for a school in the initial town survey (bordered by Quinn, McCaskill, Callendar  and Gray Streets).  A one room Primary School with teacher's quarters of 2 rooms (later used as a Head Teacher's residence and then as a shelter shed) was transported to the site and set up at a cost of 190 pounds.  It was officially opened in September. 1879 by District Inspector, Robert Craig. The teacher, Mr. Thomas Livingstone rode in from Drumanure on horseback each day. Mr. Charles Ross of Shepparton became his assistant. There were no buses in those days and pupils walked or found other means of reaching school. Horse back and horse an gig were common. They were tough times and tough people. Most areas remained in timber (pines, bull-oaks) and scrub and it is reported that Mr. Brenion had to plough a furrow for his children to follow to and from school. Other families blazed trees. 

There were 29 pupils representing all classes. Families in the original enrolment were: Brenion (4), Callander (3), Collett (2), Cuthbert (1), Elliott (2), Green (2), Mortill (1), McAuliffe (4), Paterson (2), Ralston (1), Tilburn (2), Saxton (5).  Since the passing of the Education Act of 1872 pupils of all ages commenced their education wherever a school was provided. But many found it tedious or hard-going and were irregular in interest and attendance. Generally their object was to obtain a Certificate of Exemption. Soon the "Standard" was established at Class 4 level (allowing pupils to leave) while the "Merit" at Class 6 provided a goal for further education. Later with the adoption of eight "Grades" there was a Qualifying Certificate at Grade 6 and  the Merit Certificate at Grade 8. By 1882 the school attendance was 40 pupils and by 1900 it was over 200 and in Infant Room (30' x 18') was added.

From among the early teachers and students we can be proud of such people as Thomas Livingstone (later Minister for Public Instruction in Victoria) , John T Saxton (Chief Inspector of Primary Schools), Miss Mary Lane (a Medical Officer for many years with the Education Department), Arthur Green (Minister for the Presbyterian Church) and more recently Mr. George Moss (M.L.A. Leader of the Country Party), Sir Frank Selleck, (Lord Mayor of Melbourne 1955-57), Mr. Ronald A. Reed (former Senior Master Numurkah H.E.S. wo served in the 1960's as Director of Secondary Education) Mr. Harold Krutli (who in 1974 received recognition for 50 years of dental practice in Maryborough Vic). 

The H.E.S. (Higher Elementary School) Years
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