Albany School (Gate 3)

Like most small communities, Albany residents insisted upon a school for the training and wellbeing of young pupils. Lucas Creek School, operating out of a small Presbyterian Church-owned chapel, opened in 1865 with George Morton as its first teacher. Unfortunately, he was disqualified by the school inspector and the school quickly closed. Seven years later, the tiny school reopened with fifteen students. It shared its teacher, Mr. Beaumont, with Dairy Flat School to the north. This and the size of the school proved unsatisfactory to the locals, so they set to work to fix both issues.

In 1874, the Education Board obtained land for a new school to the south of the village along the main road to Northcote. Alexander and George Pannill were put in charge of construction. Kauri timber was brought to the Government Landing, and father and son carted these by bullock wagon to the new site, where they began building the structure. The schoolhouse was twice the size of the chapel and included a fireplace at one end and a porch at the other, which was later converted into a second room. Due to delays, the new school did not open until August 1876, when a grand ball was held in celebration.

Charles Cholmondeley-Smith of Long Bay was appointed the school’s new teacher. Students came from throughout Albany, Greenhithe, Browns Bay, and Long Bay. Cholmondeley-Smith did not remain for long—he was ignobly fired in 1878 for unspecified reasons. He sued and won, but he did not regain his position. Teachers came and went, with many travelling from Browns Bay and some also teaching at other nearby schools. Since the 1960s, the school has grown considerably, but the old schoolhouse can still be seen from a distance through Gate 3 of Albany Senior High School.

Walk 50 metres to the south and then look across the road.