About DCPS
Phillip Cumming's barn at Cumming's Corner, with its paling roof and board sides, was the first location of DCPS. Established in 1864 it sheltered the 59 children who were our very first students. The Primitive Methodists started the school with State aid, and employed as teacher Henry Sanders, a man of indifferent health. School fees varied from 6d to 2s 6d a week. With the arrival of newcomers, including quartz miners, agitation began for a common school, and, although hot opposition came from the Primitive Methodists and `old established residents', the new school was gazetted on 11th June, 1869, to be built on Crown Land at a cost of 135 pounds.
The one room national school opened with 53 pupils on 1st July, 1870 on the present site. Mr Edward Bills was headteacher, and Mrs. Bills handwork mistress. A drawing master, Ross, was appointed the following year, and Miss Taylor became assistant in 1874. Nillumbik School No 1003 (as it then was) drew its pupils from as far afield as Tanck's Corner (Yarrambat) and Upper Diamond Creek (Wattle Glen).
The school population fluctuated with the fortunes of the district.
The average period of schooling was five to six years depending on whether the children were required to work at home in the orchards or carting wood. Pupils usually commenced when they were six, and left at either eleven or twelve years of age. Not all reached the 6th class standard (which later became equivalent to eighth grade) but those who did sat for their Merita, a certificate which indicated you education was satisfactorily completed.
In 1877 a second room had to be provided. With mining and the growth of orcharding, nearly 200 children crammed the building at the time of the first World War. As mining declined and the district stabilised, the enrolment fell to 54, by the mid 1940's, and then, as the residential trend began, there commenced a new steadily accelerating expansion. By the end of the 1950's the first room of the new block was built.
By 1969, the school had eleven classrooms, and a push developed for a new school at Diamond Creek East as growth continued.
It is interesting to note, even after Centenary Celebrations, some children sit under the same roof that sheltered their Great Grandfathers in the distant days of 1870.
The new four classroom wing was opened in 1996.
Through efforts of parents, the school now boasts a library, multi-purpose room, IT centre, well equipped Art/Craft room, canteen and playground equipment.
