Mount Riverview has a rich history, review this page to learn more about our school.
The beginnings of a school
Even though Blaxland East Primary School opened in 1964, the Department of Education could see the need for a future school in the Mount Riverview area. A research officer, Mr J A Orange, reported that if a school were built to commence in Term 1 of 1971, 130 students would be eligible to enrol.
Building commenced in 1970, and in June 1971, the school opened with 6 classrooms, a shelter shed and administrative offices, for 109 students with 4 teachers (including a teaching principal and deputy). The first principal was Mr Alexander Ringland. By the time the school opened, it was discovered that enrolments were expected to double by 1973. An additional four classrooms were constructed in 1972. The school's emblem and motto 'honour above all' was agreed on by the principal and parents and citizens' association (P&C).
The school song
The school song was composed in 1972 by Mrs Anne Brock, a teacher at the school who was also a talented musician.
Above the river stands the hillside,
And above the hillside stands the trees,
Above the trees there stand the mountains gazing eastward to the sea,
Above our pleasure put our duty,
Hold our heads high loyal and true,
But our honour, this above all, for our school, Mount Riverview.
Principals at Mount Riverview Public School
Mr Alexander Ringland – 1971 to May 1973 (retired)
Mr John Schweers – May 1973 to 1978 – Mr Schweers pushed for more land for the school to increase the playing fields. The school had almost 7 acres, however 3 of those were in a gully. Lots 34-40 Blackbutt Circle were purchased on 1 September 1977, at a cost of $90,000. A demountable library was added to the school early in the 1977 school year. Prior to this, the library resources and classes were held in a room which later became the staff room. During Mr Schweers' time at Mount Riverview Public School, there was a large concrete pipe play structure, donated by Rocla Pipes at Emu Pains. Mr Schweers had a keen interest in the environment, and drove the creation of a 12 stage nature trail circuit, spilling into the reserve to the rear of the school. Students cleared the paths and maintained the walking tracks.
Mr John Avery – 1979 to 1982 (retired) – In 1979, Mount Riverview Public School became classified as a 'class 1' school, which means a school with over 450 students. Mr Schweers did not have the required seniority with the Department of Education to continue as principal at Mount Riverview Public School, and was replaced with Mr Avery, a change that was resented by the community at the time. Mr Avery took over at Mount Riverview Public School not long after the Granville train disaster, which affected many families in the lower Blue Mountains community, since the train involved was a morning Blue Mountains-Central commuter train, with 83 casualties. Mount Riverview Public School during these years was a demountable village, frightfully unpleasant in wet weather. There were over 25 classes (over 600 students at its peak) but only 10 permanent classrooms. Interestingly, towards the end of this time, the department's system of promotion through lists changed to a merit selection system.
Mr Bert Argell – 1983 to July 1985 (retired) – During this period, a project which had been commenced by Mr John Avery was finally completed after four years of fundraising by the school community: a sport complex including a tennis court, netball and two volleyball courts, two practice pitches and a batting wall, all under floodlight, with the majority of the work completed by volunteer parents over many working bees, and by Mr Brian Bethell (a parent who worked in construction), who organised workmen and contractors, and was the project administrator. A major community event at this time was the re-opening of the Lennox Bridge on its 150th anniversary, 16 September 1983.
Ms Shirley Anderson – 1986 to 1987 (retired) – Numbers had started to drop by now, back towards 400 enrolments.
Mr Ken Schaefer – 1988 – Ken was passionate about the environment, nature and sustainability. Global warming was a growing issue in the news, and he was concerned to teach young people that they had the power to change the future, that the future world need not be gloomy. The futures education committee was created, with active recycling and composting programs, and a school kitchen garden project. With the exceptional talent of two teachers, James LeHuray and Gail Etheridge, Mount Riverview Public School produced four musicals, and performed them at Springwood Civic Centre, complete with professional lighting and sound equipment. Enrolment at this time was around 300 students, with 17 teachers.