150 years: Betley State School

The school opened as a common school in 1865. It was called Middle Bridge Common School when it opened.

The first head teacher was William Porteous Little. The average number of students that went to school that year reached 21 (12 girls and 9 boys).

The timber schoolroom was built by the local community and was large enough for 30 students.

The school became a state school at some stage between 1873 and 1878.

The size of the school grounds was increased in 1877.

Repairs were made to the school in 1878 and a house with 4 rooms was provided for the head teacher.

A new timber schoolhouse was built to replace the old schoolhouse, which had collapsed from termite damage.

There were 48 students enrolled at the school by 1892.

Five local goldmines opened by 1909 and mining families had moved into the area. The number of students at the school was growing.

In 1910 the school changed its name to Betley State School and there were 99 students enrolled.

The number of students enrolled had dropped to 71 by 1914.

There were now only 13 students enrolled at the school. This was because the mines had closed and the mining families had moved away.

The number of students enrolled increased to 27.

There was no longer a teacher at the school because the number of students had dropped below 9.

The school closed in 1971.