The original “School Room” in Christ Church can be seen in this original plan held in the National Archives of the United Kingdom MFQ1-236 (5). Click images for higher resolution copies.
The pen drawing of Newcastle, also reproduced in the Newcastle Herald article, appears to be identical to a copy we hold in the Ben Champion papers, at A5614 (iii), but dated to 1843. We have digitised the copy as well as the attached notes, presumably in the hand of Dr Champion.
I’ve also checked the UON’s Cultural Collections listings on Edwin J. Braggett that possibly related to the history of the school and found the following items:
Theses:
Thesis 16. The history of state controlled education in Newcastle 1866-1880 [manuscript]
Braggett, E. J. (Edwin J.), 1961
Thesis 17. A critical evaluation of the efforts of William Wilkins to improve the teaching profession in N.S.W. [manuscript]
Braggett, E. J. (Edwin J.), 1962
Thesis 18. Church and state in education in New South Wales, 1866-1880 [manuscript]
Braggett, E. J. (Edwin J.), 1962
Braggett, E. J. (Edwin J.), 1961 (Cover)
From convict era to modern times : Newcastle East School, 1816-1966
Braggett, E. J. (Edwin J.)
[Newcastle] : [Newcastle East Public School Parents and Citizens’ Association], 1966
Cultural Coll/RB CHAMPION 372.9944/1 B c.2
Archival items:
A6650 (v) From Convict Era to Modern Times : a collection of press clippings on convicts, schools and education in Newcastle 1816 – 1966, by Eddie Braggett. (In pencil – publication of this title in the library.)
C911 (viii) P/Copy press clippings relating to the convict history of Newcastle, all by author Eddie Braggett (1966)
C2133 (xv) Newcastle History 1801 -1815– hand written notes, copies of various articles and copied pages from published books including : The First Settlement at the Coal River; Newcastle’s early history By Eddie J Braggett 1984
T10,156 (Tape) Interview with Dr. E. Braggett in May, 1986 on his experiences at the University of Newcastle by Associate Professor D.I. Wright for the University History Project.
Gionni Di Gravio OAM | University Archivist
Cultural Collections (Archives) Auchmuty Library
Chair, Hunter Living Histories Initiative
Gianni, wonderful that you have these records at least. What a tragedy that so many of them have been destroyed. Perhaps would be a good idea if local residents who have a memory of their relatives who attended the school, could dig up anything they have and so patch together some of the records. Surely the Dept of Education would have some of them??? I know that my rellies who lived in Newcastle East must have attended the school and could give approximate dates of their attendance if necessary. Would there be any architectural/engineers/council records held elsewhere?? Just suggestions that may or may not be useful.
My daughter attended kinder in 1972 her name is Julie Anne Jones.