"Every locality, however remote, and every family, however humble": the formation of the Half-time schools of New South Wales 1866-1869

The Council of Education subsequently acted to clarify and control the situation and in doing so over 1868 and 1869 created a closely regulated structure for Half-time schools to which Half-time schools soon largely, but not entirely, conformed. The thesis explores the roles played by a diverse range of groups and individuals including teachers, clergy, local residents, as well as the Council of Education, its Secretary and inspectors, who shaped the development of Half-time schools as they pursued their frequently varying goals and/or their vision for Half-time schools. The thesis provides a detailed insight into the foundation period of Half-time schools, a previously neglected and largely unexplored aspect of rural education in New South Wales. It extends knowledge of the factors behind the long term goal to extend educational facilities to all children; the means employed in seeking to achieve this goal in thinly settled rural areas; and provides a perspective not previously available on decision making and policy formation within the first major educational bureaucracy developed in New South Wales.