Albert State School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Albert State School |
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Albert State School as seen from Albert Street, 2014
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| Location | 210-220 Albert Street, Maryborough, Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Built | 1883 |
| Built for | Department of Public Instruction |
| Architect | Robert Ferguson |
| Architectural style(s) | Carpenter Gothic |
| Official name: Albert State School; | |
| Type | state heritage |
| Designated | 28 November 2014 |
| Reference no. | 601525 |
| Type | Education, research, scientific facility: School-state |
| Theme | Creating social and cultural institutions: Commemorating significant events; Educating Queenslanders: Providing primary schooling |
| Builders | George William and Edwin Negus |
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Albert State School is a historic school in Maryborough, Australia. It was built in 1883 and is known for its beautiful design. The school has been open ever since, serving the local community. It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because of its importance.
Contents
A Look Back: The School's History
Maryborough's Growth and New Schools
Maryborough started as a small town in 1847. It grew quickly, becoming a major port by 1859. Gold was found nearby in 1867, making the town even busier. The 1880s were a very successful time for Queensland. Maryborough's population grew a lot. Many new buildings were constructed, including Albert State School.
The first government school in Maryborough opened in 1862. But between 1875 and 1891, nine more schools opened. This shows how fast the area was growing. The government wanted to make sure all children could get an education. The State Education Act of 1875 made primary education free and required. This helped many children learn to read and write.
Schools were very important for new communities. Local people often helped build them. Schools became a symbol of progress and a place for community events.
Building Albert State School
Planning for Albert State School began in 1881. A two-acre piece of land was chosen. Local builders, George William and Edwin Negus, won the contract. The school cost about £2500 to build.
The school was designed by Robert Ferguson. He was the first Superintendent of Buildings for the Department of Public Instruction. Ferguson made new school designs better. He improved how air moved through classrooms. He also added more windows for light. His buildings had fancy timber decorations. They were considered much better than older designs.
The main school building at Albert State School was typical of Ferguson's style. It was a large timber building with many gabled roofs. It had a tall ventilation spire on the roof. The building had three big classrooms and verandahs all around. It was decorated with Carpenter Gothic timber work.
Opening and Expansion
Albert State School opened on 9 July 1883. It had 220 children on the first day. The building was designed for 250 students. But by the end of the year, 450 students were attending! The school quickly needed more space.
In 1884, Robert Ferguson designed extensions. Large classrooms were added to the back of each side wing. More hat and cloak rooms were also added. The new parts matched the original building perfectly. By 1885, the school was said to be "the second best in the colony."
By 1891, the school had 611 students daily. This made it the largest co-educational school in Queensland. A report in 1896 said it was the best-equipped school in Maryborough. It was praised for its high academic results. The school also had beautiful grounds with many trees.
School Grounds and War Memorial
The school grounds were very large. They had open play areas and many trees. Trees and gardens made the school beautiful and provided shade. In 1915, a report said the trees were well cared for. Classes were sometimes held under the trees. The school was called one of the "beauty spots" of the town.
A war memorial was built at the front of the school. It was unveiled on 14 December 1917. The memorial was a tall sandstone obelisk. It honored past students who died in World War I. It had 25 names at first, and 18 more were added later. This memorial became a place for remembrance ceremonies.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the main school building was changed. These changes helped improve lighting and air flow. In 1926, the building was raised on tall brick posts. This created a large, covered play area underneath.
Windows were also made larger to let in more light. Big classrooms were divided into smaller ones. This made the rooms brighter and airier. Albert State School kept most of its high windows. But some windows were enlarged. Classrooms were also divided into smaller spaces.
In 1930, a marble tablet was added to the building. It honored George James, who was the head teacher for 24 years.
In 1932, a new teaching building was added. It was for younger children. This building was attached to the back of the main building.
The school grounds continued to grow. More land was bought between 1951 and 1961. Land across Zante Street was also acquired from 1960.
Some small changes were made to the main building. In the 1950s, interior walls were lined. A flat ceiling was added. Later, hat and cloak rooms were extended. Parts of the verandahs were enclosed for staff rooms. The original roof spires were removed at some point.
In the 1980s, more changes happened. The original teacher's house was removed. A tuckshop and toilet block were built in 1985. New teaching buildings were added in 1987. The school grounds grew to 2.9 hectares by 2014.
Today, Albert State School still operates. The main Ferguson building is still mostly the same. The school has been important to Maryborough since 1883. It has taught many generations of students. It remains a key gathering place for the community.
What the School Looks Like
Albert State School has a large main building and a war memorial. It stands on spacious grounds with old trees. The school is in a quiet neighborhood near the town center.
The main building faces northeast towards Albert Street. It is set back from the road. In front, there is a large lawn and gardens. A special memorial garden is at the entrance. It has a flagstaff, paths, and low hedges. Inside this garden is the sandstone obelisk war memorial. It lists 43 names of students who died in World War I. Behind the memorial, on the school building, is the marble tablet for George James.
The main building is made of timber. It is raised high on steel posts and brick walls. Underneath is an open play area with a concrete floor. The building is shaped like a "U". It has wide verandahs on both sides of each wing. Teachers' rooms are attached to the verandahs. The roof is made of corrugated metal. It has many gables. The gable ends have fancy timber decorations. These include carved boards, brackets, and lattice work. Metal louvres at the top of the gables help air move through the roof.
The building still has special window features. These are rare in other similar schools. The gable ends have metal hood mouldings over groups of windows. These show where the original narrow windows were. Other windows are tall and narrow.
Timber stairs lead up to the verandahs. The verandahs have decorative timber ceilings and posts. They also have a fancy cross-braced balustrade. The verandahs still have original tall windows into the classrooms. There are also newer windows. Large timber honor boards are on the front verandah wall. They list high-achieving students. The building also has metal hat hooks and an old sink. Original timber French doors lead into the classrooms.
Inside, the large classrooms are now divided into smaller rooms. But one classroom in the northwest wing is still its original size. The interior walls and ceilings have been updated. Short parts of the verandahs have been enclosed. But these changes can be reversed. The building still has original doors and hardware.
An old school bell is mounted near the northwest wing verandah. The school also keeps a collection of old items. These include desks, cabinets, photos, and a piano.
Other newer buildings on the school grounds are not considered historic.
Why Albert State School is Important
Queensland's History
Albert State School is important because it shows how state education grew in Queensland. It has a great example of an old government school building. This building shows how schools were designed back then.
The school was built when Maryborough was booming. This shows how important and rich Maryborough was in the past. The large, high-quality building reflects this success.
Key Features of Old Schools
Albert State School shows what early Queensland state schools were like. It has large, landscaped grounds with old shade trees. It also has play areas. The main timber teaching building is raised high. It has play areas underneath, verandahs, and bright, airy classrooms.
The main building, designed by Robert Ferguson, is still very complete. This is rare. It shows the key features of his designs. These include its "U" shape, large classrooms, and big verandahs. It also has high-quality timber decorations. Its design allowed for good natural light and air flow.
Beautiful Design
Albert State School is important for its beauty. The large main building stands out. It is in spacious, landscaped grounds with big shade trees. The war memorial at the front is a special landmark. It is a place for annual remembrance ceremonies. The main building is well-designed. It uses high-quality materials and has beautiful timber work.
Community Connection
Queensland schools have always been important to their communities. They connect former students, parents, and teachers. They are places for social events and volunteer work. Schools are a source of pride for local areas.
Albert State School has a strong link to the Maryborough community. It was built in 1883 with help from local fundraising. It has educated many generations of children. The school is a key gathering place for social events. It has strong support from the community.
See Also
- Maryborough Central State School
- Tinana State School
- Maryborough State High School
- Maryborough Courthouse
- St Paul's Anglican Church, Maryborough
- Maryborough railway station, Queensland
- Maryborough Boys Grammar School Building
- Criterion Hotel, Maryborough
- Maryborough Mortuary Chapel
- Maryborough Base Hospital
- Maryborough School of Arts
Images for kids
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Albert State School, circa 1890
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Rear view with playsheds, 2014
