The school closed in 1870 but reopened in the following year with Mr Richard H Jarman as the head teacher and an average attendance of 23 students.

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•  When the Trustees appointed Mr Richard J Shepherd as teacher in 1873, the school had 23 students, with “prospect of increase”.

 

When Schools Inspector Hosking visited Blyth Plains school in November 1874 he found the master had been absent since October 14.

In answer to the Board’s letter, the teacher Mr Shepherd stated that having been obliged to go to Clare he gave his scholars a fortnight’s holiday, not being aware he was breaking the rules.

The inspector decreed that one month’s salary was to be deducted from Mr Shepherd’s stipend.

 

The school was again closed in 1875.

In 1876 the tramway from Hoyleton was extended to Blyth Plains, later the site of the township of Blyth and soon after a school was erected there.

Blyth Plains School reopened in 1877 but its revival was short-lived.

 

In August of that year the South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail reported that

“Our new school building in the township (of Blyth) is progressing and, I understand, will soon be finished.

It will be a great boon to this part of the country as a school was much needed, many children being deprived of educational benefits as they are at too great a distance from the other school on Blyth’s Plains.

At that school I hear the lady teacher gives general satisfaction, and that the attendance is augmenting considerably.”

 

In Nov 1877 two tenders were received in relation to works at Blyth Plains School and were referred to the architect.

In 1878 Miss Grace Kerr taught at Blyth Plains.

The school was open for a total of 70 days and although 38 students were enrolled, the average attendance was 16. 

Parents contributed £5/5/10 in fees compared to nearby Blyth School which was open all year and received £37/15/10 in fees.

 

In March 1880, the SA Register reported that Blyth Plains School was in need of repairs and additions, and its location was not convenient for children living at Kybunga.

A deputation representing the residents of Kybunga and neighbourhood had visited the Minister of Education the previous month to put the case for a school at Kybunga.

There were 97 children in the neighbourhood, with 58 of school-going age.

 

It was also reported that “there was a school on Blyth’s Plains but it was practically closed,

its situation not being sufficiently central to meet the requirements of Kybunga and neighbourhood,

besides which it was in great disrepair, and altogether inadequate for school purposes.

 

The consequence of this lack of educational facilities in the district was that a large number of the children were growing up in ignorance.

Some children from seven to nine years of age did not even know the alphabet, and more than one family had left the district rather than see their children deprived of all educational advantage.”

 

The school at Blyth Plains finally closed in 1881 with the opening of Kybunga School.

Some of the families in the area during the years the school was open included Sampson, Goodridge, Shepherd, Growden, Lawson, Nottle, Hall, Paterson, Reid, Roberts, Hill, Treloar, Longmire, Mee, Fogden, Adair and Best.