The First World War had a great impact on the school and its community. Children donated their pocket money to The Soldiers' Welfare Fund and girls knitted socks for the soldiers during sewing lessons with Miss Drummond. Local heroes were those men dressed in khaki with a tale to tell about the war and the children sang patriotic songs about a war they didn't really understand in a place called the Middle East. Many teachers, such as Alfred Couchman, were promoted when they returned to school as a recognition of their war service.



Everyone became very patriotic and one of the very important celebrations included the Empire Day pageants. The children would rehearse for weeks while their mothers would make special swords and helmets for the occasion.









The depression of the 1930s had a profound effect on the school and the community. There was much unemployment and people were forced to rent houses which lacked basic facilities. Many survived on food coupons and many of the school's children were inadequately clothed and fed. The school community rallied together to make soup for children who came to school unfed. Miss Duffy, a teacher at the school who supported her parents, would bring the remains of the weekend's roast for the children to eat.

School conditions were very primitive during this time. In each class there were 50 children with no relief staff so that if a teacher was away the partition was simply opened and the class size doubled. There were no fans, heating, floor coverings, library or school hall. But the school spirit remained high.


Natalie and Irena

"With a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Diploma of Education I was paid three pounds per week after a period of unemployment. I was, however, more fortunate than my predecessor whose appointment had been for alternate fortnights to spread around the available funds." Maureen Deer - Teacher...1935-36

The Second World War came with many scary instructions for the Glenmore Road children.
There were bomb shelters and buckets for incendiary bombs!
A trench was dug into the sloping playground and the children practised air raid drills.
Underneath the kindergarten building there was a room full of stretchers, ready for use.

There was a "Brown Out" - not a total ban on light as in Britain, but the street lights were dimmed and cardboard funnels placed around the interior lights and windows were covered.

There was a predominance of older women teachers during this time due to the men being away at war. School life continued as usual with free milk being delivered at recess. This was opened with a piece of looped wire which punched open a flap. Playground games included skipping, hopscotch and marbles. Cigarette cards were lined up agains the school walls and knocked down from a distance.

War has begun. Oral words of hope and love. Ruthless armies firing rifles. Lives at stake. Death in every corner. War isn't over just yet, Atomic bomb hit the earth. Rampaging citizens. Trillions dead already. War is nearly over. Over is the war. Harriet and Chloe - 4 Verde	War started in 1939. Oral messages of hope. Ruthless armies fire rifles. Lives at risk. Death is everywhere. World at war. Amazing sites destroyed. Rampaging citizens. Trillions die. Water is full of ships. Our schoolchildren are poor. Jed and Max - 4 Verde
World War Two. Original buildings destroyed. Real people screaming. Lives in danger. Distrubed people. War!! Awful experiences. Raging people in the cities. 4 Verde	War has begun. Oral messages of love and hope. Rifle shots could be heard. Lives at stake. Death everywhere. World in a worrying time. Appaling things were happening. Ruthless people sneaking in. 2 wars - I hope they end!!! Ruby - 4 Verde
WORLD WAR TWO During World War Two, Glenmore Road students had to undertake several safety measures. These included hiding under a desk, putting cardboard on the windows so that they didn't shatter, digging a trench in the playground and returning home if Sydney was invaded. Hugh - 4 Verde

Music now playing : The Soldier

        

Go LEFT to the Contents Page - Go RIGHT to "Glenmore Road's Timeline".