Until 1924 all enrolments in art school courses were done on a subject-by-subject basis and a student could be enrolled for six or more individual courses. But in 1924 there developed a remarkable school within a school, the Girls Central Art School. Although not named as such until 1928, the school had been a reality since 1924, when the organisation of the total school was tightened up, no doubt feeling the effects of the directorship of McCoy, who was a precise organiser.
The Superintendent of Technical Education’s report for 1926 stated that the school was:
now feeling the good effects of the reorganisation of staff, timetables and curriculum and the proper classification of the staff. The syllabus for art teachers certificates of three grades has been published and during the year a number of teachers presented work towards obtaining these qualifications.
The full-time day courses developed into the Girls Central Art School: in 1926 Charles Fenner referred to them as ‘full-time day courses for young people from 14 years upward’, and in 1927 it was further defined as a full-time day course of a super primary character in which ‘education leans heavily towards art and drawing subjects. From 50 to 70 students attend this branch’.59
The following contributions of former students and autobiographical records of teachers catch the ethos of The Girls Central Art School. The tone of the school matters more than precision in chronology. Neville Weston’s thesis fills in the early details and will be referred to where it enhances the narratives.
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© Erica Jolly and individual authors |
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