Alexander Pittock, pictured with his son and wife, was the second teacher-in-charge appointed following Finley Public School being officially declared.
Finley’s first dedicated school building was erected and ready for occupation by March 1896.
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It was built on the present Primary school site, and made of Murray pine weatherboards.
Inspector Pearson noted “that all the outside of the woodwork should be painted with three coats of good white lead and oil finished off in light stone colours”.
The successful tender for the wooden building was Mr William Haslem of Albury, for the sum of 63 pounds and 10 shillings.
Toward the end of that school year, the enrolment of children attending the school had reached 35. The average attendance was 27.7.
As a result of this, the Finley Provisional School was raised in status to be renamed the Finley Public School.
This occurred officially on September 30, 1896, but triggered the departure of Mr Templeton as teacher-in-charge.
Because of the change in status, Mr Templeton was no longer qualified.
Replacing him at the school on October 29 was Henry Kullmer, a native of Germany.
But not everyone was happy with his appointment.
Prejudice reared it's ugly head when one local resident wrote to the Department one month into his tenure questioning the appointment of a “foreigner”.
The author said he would be now sending his child to be taught in Victoria, as “she is not learning anything at this school” and “the children do not understand him (Mr Kullmer) when he speaks to them.”
Following renewed complaints at the beginning of the school year, it was decided to move Mr Kullmer from the school.
Although as Chief Inspector Bridges wrote, “Mr Kullmer is a respected, well conducted man, and though he speaks with a slight German accent, there is nothing in his speech to interfere with his usefulness”.
Mr Kullmer was moved to Blowering School and was replaced at the school by Mr Alexander Pittock in April, 1899.
At the time moves were being made to have Mr Kullmer moved on, Finley Public School enrolment had 53 children enrolled, and an average of 33.5 attending.
Inspector Pearson reported “it is probable the enrolment will reach 100 in 12 or 18 months, as the prospects are very good".
Grow and change Finley Public did, many times over the next 130 years.
Today it is one of two primary schools in the town, and feeds students into Finley High School - which did not exist when the primary school opened.
Leading the school for the 130th celebrations is an executive team consisting of principal Owen Gill and three assistant principals - Cherilyn Taig, Amanda Lyons and Ruth Haynes.
Finley Public School also has another 10 teaching staff, three administration staff members and five school learning and support staff.
Rounding out the FPS team is general assistance Bruce Robertson, who keeps the grounds in spectacular shape.
Finley Public School is an innovative school where the vision is to create 21st century learners in a safe and supportive environment, where every student is challenged and engaged in learning within a culture of high expectations.
The school aims for students to aspire and strive towards the highest possible learning in all areas of the curriculum and civic responsibility.
Through personalised learning, students are encouraged to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to be self-regulated and collaborative problem solvers in a local and global society.
The core values of respect, responsibility and learning underpin the vision for all at Finley Public School.
Finley Public School's current principal Owen Gill, pictured with Amber Lawlor and Marlee Simpson, started with the school in 2023.
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