In his article of July 2, 1948, Parry provided a history of Moss Vale Public School. He began with a brief recapitulation of the career of William King, whom he described as "one of the most colourful, eccentric and irresponsible figures to have contributed to life in the early days of the NSW colony, dubbed for posterity as The Ladies' Walking, Flying Pieman". Parry noted that, while this man's connection with the subject at hand was slight, he felt it to be of interest and justified because King had been one of the earliest educationalists in the Moss Vale district. In Parry's words:

"William King first saw the light of day in London, on March 19, 1807, his father being once paymaster of accounts in the Treasury, Whitehall. Young William was intended for the Church but displayed a marked predilection for sporting activities. He was partner in a stockbroking firm for a time and later became a Treasury clerk. In both capacities, however, he proved a failure because of their being too irksome for his 'unsettled temperament'. In 1839, at the age of 32, he came to NSW, being appointed subsequently by Archbishop Broughton as schoolmaster at Sutton Forest. Later he became a tutor, but tired of this and became barman at the Hope and Anchor, Sydney. From this job, King, tall and fair, of fine physique, prolific speechmaker, generally clad in 'a hunting cap, two waistcoats, skin-tight breeches and large black boots' and carrying a whip, gravitated to vending pies, 'piping hot and swimming in gravy on diminutive blue plates'. Other similarly unorthodox cavorting by him were legion for a time. He died at Liverpool Asylum in 1874.

From King it is a natural transition to Moss Vale's public school. Residents made application for a school in 1867, the locality then being known as Sutton Forest North, the name having been given by John Morrice, MLA, owner of the majority of the surrounding land. At that time, Moss Vale railway station was in course of erection, whilst the nearest school was a Church of England (Mixed) about three miles distant (presumably at Sutton Forest proper).

Morrice conveyed an acre of land to the Council of Education as a site, a school and residence being erected on it by a contractor. The building is dated 1868, but was actually completed early in 1869, and instruction by the first teacher, William Macdonald, commenced with an enrolment of 60. According to a report in the Sunday News of April 19, 1925, the size of the school was 28 by 16 feet. After several years Macdonald was succeeded by Mr Bousfield, who remained for many years, during which time attendance considerably increased, and a second room, of brick, 50 by 20 feet, was added.

The local School Board decided in July 1872 that the name should be changed from Sutton Forest North to Moss Vale, and this was ratified by the Council of Education. In 1887, the original site of one acre having been found inadequate to fulfill the needs of the increasing attendance, two acres, purchased from Mrs Jane Martin, were added to the original area.

More recently, in 1928, another building, principally of brick, containing three classrooms, staff room, and other appurtenances was added. The Sunday News article mentioned above stated that Mr Berman succeeded Mr Bousfield who, in turn, was followed by Mr Crane, whilst, in 1911, Mr Tynan took over. Tynan was an alderman of Moss Vale Council for some years and, in 1918, went to Thornleigh. The next appointee was Mr Burrell, who remained in charge until 1924, enrolment reaching 252 during this period. His successor was Lieut-Colonel Ford, DSC, and amongst subsequent headmasters have been Messrs Beavis, Bruce, Tapp and Halpin, whilst the present head [1948] is Mr Allan, who took over in 1933. In 1944, a secondary section was added to the curriculum at Moss Vale, instruction being provided in home science, agriculture, and junior technical subjects."

Parry also noted that 343 pupils were enrolled at Moss Vale Public School in 1948.