Atherton State School Head Teacher's Residence facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Atherton State School Head Teacher's Residence
Atherton State School Head Teacher's Residence, 2013
Location	42 Mable Street, Atherton, Tablelands Region, Queensland, Australia
Design period	1870s–1890s (late 19th century)
Built	1913
Architect	Queensland Department of Public Works
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name: Head Teacher's Residence, Atherton State School (former), Atherton Provisional School, Enterprise House, Principal's Residence (former)
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	21 October 1992
Reference no.	600013
Significant period	1891–1985 (historical) 1890s–1900s (fabric)
Significant components	residential accommodation – headmaster's house
Builders	Queensland Department of Public Works
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The Atherton State School Head Teacher's Residence is a special old house in Atherton, Queensland, Australia. It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, meaning it's an important historical place. The house was built in 1913 by the Queensland Department of Public Works. It was once known as Atherton Provisional School, Enterprise House, and the Principal's Residence.

Why Was This House Built?

Early Atherton and School Needs

The former Atherton State School Head Teacher's Residence was built in 1913. It was made for Joseph Johnson, who was the head teacher of the school. He had a large family, and their old house was too small.

Atherton is a town in Far North Queensland, about 50 kilometres (31 miles) south-west of Cairns. It is a main town in the Atherton Tablelands area. Farming, dairy, and tourism are important industries here.

In the 1880s, tin was found near Atherton. This brought many people to the area. Small logging camps were set up, including one called Prior's Pocket. In 1885, this area was surveyed and renamed Atherton. The town grew quickly, and soon a school was needed.

How Schools Started in Queensland

Governments played a big part in setting up schools. In 1848, the New South Wales Government started National Schools. When Queensland became its own colony in 1859, its government continued this. The Education Act of 1860 helped make schools more organised.

The Education Act of 1875 made primary education free, compulsory, and non-religious. A new department was created to manage this. This helped many Queensland children learn to read and write by 1900.

Schools were very important for new communities. Local people often gave land or helped build them. Schools became a place for learning, social events, and community pride. Teachers, parents, and students often helped maintain the schools.

Provisional Schools and Atherton's First School

Provisional schools were started in 1869. They helped small communities with few students. If a community had 15 to 30 students and built a school, the government would provide a teacher.

In 1890, a school committee formed in Atherton. They wanted a provisional school for their growing town. The community raised money, and a simple two-room timber building was built. The school opened in 1891.

The school had some problems. In 1895, the teacher left, and the school closed. It reopened in 1896 when a new teacher was found.

Atherton State School and a New House

The railway reached Atherton in 1903, bringing more people and growth. By 1904, Atherton Provisional School was very big. It had enough students to become a state school.

A new school building was finished in 1906. The old provisional school building was made bigger and became the head teacher's house. Richard Hooper was the first head teacher of the new state school.

Atherton became a main area for growing maize (corn). Many Chinese farmers worked in this industry. A large Chinatown grew in the town. The Golden Grove Butter Factory opened nearby in 1909.

A Bigger Home for the Teacher

In 1911, Joseph Johnson became the head teacher. He moved into the old residence with his wife and seven children. One of his sons also worked as a pupil teacher.

The house was too small for the Johnson family. In August 1911, Mr. Johnson complained that it was old and uncomfortable. An inspector agreed the building was in poor condition. The family moved to a rented house, and the old residence was sold in 1912.

The Queensland Government used standard plans for school buildings and houses. This helped save money and keep things consistent. These plans were improved over time. Most school buildings were made of timber because it was common and easy to use.

The Department of Public Works was in charge of school designs from 1893. They improved the standard plans for teacher houses in 1909. This was because teachers complained about how uncomfortable the old houses were. New designs had bigger verandahs for comfort.

The new house for the Atherton head teacher was different from the standard designs. It was a larger, ten-room timber house. It had four bedrooms, a sitting room, and a dining room. Standard designs usually had fewer rooms. The house was made bigger probably because of the large Johnson family.

In March 1913, tenders were called for the new house. H Boyle's tender was accepted. The Johnson family moved into their new home on 25 October 1913.

The Department of Public Works had many talented architects at this time. They designed many important public buildings in Queensland.

Changes Over Time

Joseph Johnson stayed at the school until he passed away in 1930. The school continued to grow. In 1931, it became a Rural School, offering manual training and home economics.

In 1984, a new State Primary School opened. Grades 5 to 7 moved there, and then grades 1 to 4 in 1985. The old Mabel Street primary school closed. The National Trust of Queensland added the residence to its register that year.

The land where the school stood became a local government reserve in 1988. The Atherton Shire Council took over the buildings. The former head teacher's residence became "Enterprise House" in 1997. It was used for government offices.

The house is still mostly the same today. Some parts have been changed, like enclosing a verandah to make new rooms. A ramp was added at the back.

What Does the House Look Like?

The former Head Teacher's Residence is next to the old Atherton State Primary School. It is a single-storey building made of timber. It has a complex roof with different sections and is covered in corrugated metal.

The house has a main set of rooms. It has an L-shaped verandah (a covered porch) on one side. Another verandah on the other side has been enclosed to make more rooms. A small wing sticks out from the back corner.

The front of the house faces Mabel Street. It has windows, a central section with a gabled roof, and a wide, open verandah. The verandah has timber posts and a railing. French doors open onto the verandah.

The open verandah runs along one side of the building. The walls on the verandah are single-skin, meaning they are just one layer of timber. A ramp now leads off this verandah at the back. A small room at the back corner has a separate roof.

You can get into the house from Mabel Street through a gate. A path leads to timber stairs and a wide front door. Inside, there is a short hall. The main rooms have walls and ceilings covered with vertical tongue-and-groove boards (timber planks that fit together). They also have timber floors.

The doors are old, with four panels and glass panels above them called fanlights. The French doors have two large glass sections. Many windows are double-hung, meaning they slide up and down. Some windows on the enclosed verandah are casements, which open outwards.

The yard around the house is grassy and fenced. There are a few trees around the edges. A concrete wall runs along Mabel Street.

There is also a garage in the yard. It has a sloped roof and is covered in metal sheeting. It has large double timber doors.

Why Is This House Important?

The Head Teacher's Residence of the former Atherton State School is important for several reasons. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992.

Showing Queensland's History

This house was built in 1913. It is special because it was not built using a standard design. It shows how important Atherton was as a regional town in the early 1900s.

The house's size and comfort show a policy from 1909. The Queensland Department of Public Works wanted to make teacher houses better. This encouraged teachers to stay in schools in regional areas.

A Rare Example

The Atherton head teacher's residence is a rare example of a non-standard design. Between 1893 and 1914, 19 school residences are still standing. Only three of these were built using a special, non-standard design.

A Good Example of Its Kind

This house is a great example of a purpose-built school residence. It was designed by the architects of Queensland's Department of Public Works. Its original room layout, materials, and location are still very much intact.

See Also

• List of heritage-listed places in the Tablelands Region