Danebank School 1963–1974; the Ruby Payne-Scott Lectures

Abstract

In 1963, after her children had reached the age of 12 (Peter) and 10 (Fiona), Payne-Scott took a position as a part-time science and senior mathematics teacher at the Danebank Church of England School for Girls in Hurstsville,¹ only 5 km distant from her home in Oatley. Hurstville was easily accessible by train from Oatley, and Ruby’s children were, of course, at local schools (Chap. 12). At Danebank School, she was known as Mrs. Ruby Hall. Two photographs of the school in early 2007 are shown in Fig. 14.1a, b. She had already taught at Woodlands School (Chap. 3) for a year and a half in 1938–1939 and, though this new experience started off in a promising fashion, it became quite disappointing after a few years. A major reason was the debilitating effect of possible Alzheimer’s disease (Chap. 15). In 1963, Danebank was a small school and had no specialist scientist teacher. The Wyndham Scheme had been introduced into NSW schools in 1962, and science in Years 7–10 was compulsory for all students, leading to optional multidisciplinary sciences in Years 11 and 12. Biology was the only science taught at Danebank. Mrs Joyce Cowell (Principal) was impressed by Ruby’s academic qualifications, but there was little or no discussion of Ruby’s earlier achievements. At this time, teaching was viewed by women with young families as an ideal profession, as it was possible to combine school hours and holidays with the duties of raising a family. Teachers at private schools did not have to be academically qualified, and their salaries were lower than those of teachers in state schools. Private schools therefore often had a reputation of offering an inferior standard of education.² Some parents would send difficult or poorly achieving children to a private school in the hope that smaller classes and a different philosophy might bring about improvements in attitude and academic progress. Facilities at Danebank were basic, with only one small room for science. Payne-Scott was responsible for organising the new laboratories and equipment essential for the new State and Commonwealth requirements for Science education. She remained effectively in charge of science and senior mathematics until her retirement in 1974.