The school's first teacher was Mr Martin who was only at the school for a short time before leaving and being replaced by Mr. Cruikshank.

The parents of the first enrolments were miners who were all employed at the Wallarah Colliery or The Bay Pit, as it was generally known. Catherine Hill Bay village was then as it is now a picturesque replica of an English or Welsh mining town, the small houses crowded into a narrow street regardless of the space all around.

Some of the miners moved out to live round the lake shores, some to Lake Macquarie and some to Lake Munmorah. They took up portions of land, built simple houses (usually slab with earth floors to begin with) and farmed in between mine shifts.

The furniture in the building consisted of long desks seating up to six children (depending on their size) on backless wooden forms. All ages sat on these benches and legs dangled and arms stretched accordingly. The desk tops included holes for inkwells.

The original school built in 1922 was used for nearly 40 years.

There were two pit toilets with conspicuous green bands of grass growing around them.

The area around the school was thick scrub and the children had the opportunity to observe birds, lizards, insects and even the odd echidna at close range. The school was a haunt of the red-bellied black snakes and these were usually dealt with by the children.

For many years the bell hung in the Bulli Hospital where it was used as a meal bell. Mr J.S. Veigel of Woonoona, a member of the Bulli Hospital Board, retired from the board, and took the bell with him. On 15th August, 1962, Mr Veigel presented the bell to the citizens of Lake Munmorah to be housed in the school. It has not been used as a school bell, but is of historical interest.

The first water or sewerage came from a bore in the playground. A water diviner was employed and he indicated where water could possibly be found. The bore was put down and tests taken. The source of the water was fractured rock and the bore produced 300 gallons daily which was considered adequate for the school sewerage system.

In 1970 it was decided that another classroom was needed. The occurred the saga of the "Hole in the Ground". A government architect decided that a building should be constructed behind the existing building. The ground was considerably lower there and instead of the new building being placed on three foot piers, an area was excavated, levelled and the building placed on a concrete slab. The principal at the time Mr E. Potts, resisted the scheme strongly on the grounds of its unsuitability, drainage problems and general lack of commonsense. Despite heated exchanges, political intervention, and a lot of attention from the media, the building was completed. The predication proved correct. massive drainage programmes were carried out after heavy rains had ruined the carpet in the classroom and adjoining principal's office.

The original classroom was removed when "The Hole in the Ground" was occupied. It was taken by the Woy Woy Scout Group.

In 1992 the P&C, Staff and Community were successful in gaining assurances for the building of a new school. Stage 1 of this commenced on January 15, 1993 on the playing field and was completed by August. The students and teachers took possession of the new rooms on August 13th, 1993. Stage 2 of the development was the removal of the old school. The double classroom built in 1962 was saved, moved and renovated to become the Early Intervention Unit. The other permanent rooms and teacher's residence were demolished.

The completed school was officially opened by the Minister of Education, Mrs. Virginia Chadwick.

Since then an irrigated playing field, play areas, cricket nets and many other outdoor play and learning areas have been created.

Education in Lake Munmorah has come a long way in 75 years.

The area has seen many changes in its strive to become what it is today. The once small country school with only old wooden desks and no electricity has grown to become a suburban school with computers and all the necessary equipment needed to keep it up to date with society's demands.

The school has been through a lot, with agitations and problems caused by increased traffic. With the danger school children faced when crossing the highway, followed by increasing accidents whilst leaving the school. These problems were eventually rectified with the installation of an overhead bridge and traffic lights.

It has seen many teaching staff come and go, as well as had many students enrol. It has played a major part in many peoples' lives. Students, parents and staff have been actively involved throughout its entire history.

Lake Munmorah will continue to educate students and teach them the necessary skills needed to live the rest of their lives.

Lake Munmorah Public School