History

Orange East Public School opened on the 6th October 1890 with the Foundation Principal being Mr Thomas Abernethy. The school opened with 90 enrolments, and at the end of the next fortnight over 160 and two months later had over 200 on the roll. Abernethy had the assistance of Elsie Tuckwell. Elsie was a pupil teacher who was undergoing her teaching apprenticeship with Abernerthy as the master teacher. She was in charge of the 50 or 60 lower division pupils full time every day, while in the afternoon after school she would receive another hour of instruction from Abernethy.