Brisbane Central State School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brisbane Central State School |
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The school in 2008
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| Location | Rogers Street, Spring Hill, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s–1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1874–c. 1927 |
| Architect | Richard George Suter |
| Official name: Brisbane Central State School, Brisbane Central State School, Leichhardt Street (practising) School, Leichhardt Street State School for Boys, Girls, Infants | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600312 |
| Significant period | 1870s–1880s, 1900s–1910s, 1920s (fabric) 1875 ongoing (social) 1870s–1880s (historical) |
| Significant components | hospital, classroom/classroom block/teaching area, school/school room, play shed |
| Builders | Dennis & Sons |
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Brisbane Central State School is a very old and important school located on Rogers Street in Spring Hill, Brisbane, Queensland. It was designed by a famous architect named Richard George Suter and built in 1874. Over the years, more buildings were added. This school is also known by its older names, like Leichhardt Street School. Because of its long history and special buildings, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. Today, it's the only state school left in the inner city of Brisbane.
School History
People in Spring Hill wanted a primary school in 1873. This led to three separate schools opening on January 25, 1875. These were the Leichhardt Street Boys' School, Girls' School, and Infants' School. They all started in one building that was built in 1874.
As more students came, new buildings were added. These included a playshed in 1887 and a timber classroom building for the boys' school in 1909. An infants' school building was built around 1952. The school also got playgrounds, walls, and lots of trees.
Education in Queensland
Providing schools was very important to the early governments in Australia. After Queensland became its own colony in 1859, the government started to organize education. The Education Act of 1875 made primary education free, compulsory (meaning kids had to go), and non-religious.
This helped make education the same across the state. By 1900, most children in Queensland could read and write. Schools were seen as a key part of a town's success. Local people often helped build schools and they became a big part of the community.
Schools were places for learning, but also for social events. Things like fetes, fundraisers, and sports days often happened there. Many people in the community felt a strong connection to their local school.
School Building Designs
The Queensland Government created standard plans for school buildings. This made sure schools were built consistently and saved money. Architects kept improving these designs over time. Queensland school buildings were known for being good at controlling temperature and light.
Schools usually had several parts. These included the main teaching buildings, the school yard, and places for sports. They also had play equipment, shade structures, and gardens.
The first building for the Leichhardt Street schools was a brick building. It was designed by Richard George Suter. He was a private architect who designed many school buildings for the government between 1865 and 1875. Suter had a big impact on early Queensland architecture.
His school designs were simple, one-story brick buildings. In 1873, he added verandahs (covered porches) to his designs. These verandahs gave extra space for hats, play, and even classrooms. This "classroom and verandah" design became very common in Queensland schools.
Early School Life
The first school building was T-shaped and had three large classrooms. Two were for the boys' and girls' schools, and one smaller one was for the infants' school. By October 1875, there were over 600 students!
In 1887, a playshed was built. Playsheds were open-sided shelters with roofs. They gave students a covered place to play, especially when it rained or was very hot. They were also sometimes used for teaching. Playsheds were common at Queensland schools until the 1950s.
School Grounds and Trees
In 1889, a big tree-planting day was held at the school. Before this, the school grounds were quite bare. Planting trees was important for shade and to make the school look nicer. Educators believed that gardening taught kids good values and helped them appreciate nature.
More than 50 shade and ornamental trees were planted by the students. This event was so successful that it led to Arbor Day celebrations all over Queensland the next year. Between 1889 and 1892, about 150 trees were planted at the school.
Improving Classrooms
The original Suter building often felt crowded. It also didn't have enough light or fresh air. From 1893, the Department of Public Works took over school design. They worked hard to improve classrooms.
They tried different ways to get more natural light and air into rooms. This included bigger windows and special roof vents. Good lighting was very important because there was no electricity back then. Windows were made larger to let in more light. Desks were often placed so light came from the students' left side. This helped reduce glare and shadows.
Over time, the Suter building was changed to improve its lighting and ventilation. Skylights and dormer windows were added to the roof. A large arched window was also added. The back verandah was removed, and new windows were put in to make the classrooms brighter and airier.
New Buildings and Changes
Because the school was still crowded, a new high-set timber classroom building was built in 1909. This new design was better for ventilation and provided covered play space underneath. This high-set style became a common feature of Queensland schools.
By 1914, a separate building for the Infants' School was also built.
In 1927, another school, the Brisbane Normal School, closed down. Its teachers and students moved to Leichhardt Street State School. This school also took on the job of training new teachers. The three Leichhardt Street schools then combined into one big school. It was unofficially called the Central Practising School. More buildings were added to fit all the new students and teachers.
During the 1930s and 1940s, the school was known as the "Scholarship Factory." This was because many students did very well in high school scholarship exams. Some famous people, like Jack Pizzey, went to this school.
The school was officially renamed Brisbane Central State School in 1954. A fire damaged part of the Suter building in 1973.
A large, new brick infants building was finished around 1952. This building had lots of windows for light and air. It also had an open play area underneath. This building was used by the school until about 1966. After that, it became the Brisbane Institute of Child Guidance, which helped children.
The Practising School moved out around 1959. Its building was used as a Children's Dental Hospital for a while. Around 2008, it was given back to the school and renovated in 2010.
Over the years, some buildings were added and some were removed. New toilets were built in 2004, and older ones were taken down in 2012.
Student numbers at Brisbane Central State School have changed a lot. There were over 1000 students in the 1930s, but fewer than 100 in the 1980s. In 2013, there were 220 students.
Today, the school still has its original 1874 Suter building, the 1887 playshed, and other buildings from 1909, 1929, and 1952. It also has its playgrounds, walls, and old trees. It's special because it's the only inner-city state school left in Brisbane.
School Buildings
Brisbane Central State School has several important buildings and features. These include the Suter building (from 1874), a playshed (1887), the old boys' school building (1909), the old practising school building (around 1929), and the old infants' school building (finished by 1952). The school also has playgrounds, retaining walls, and beautiful gardens with old trees.
The Suter Building
The Suter building is a one-story brick building with a gabled roof. It faces the main entrance of the school. The building has special decorative brickwork. It has a timber verandah (covered porch) at the front. The roof has a tall, pointed spire in the middle and dormer windows (windows that stick out from the roof).
Inside, there are five classrooms facing one way and one central classroom facing another. The classrooms have timber-lined walls and ceilings.
The Playshed
The playshed is an open-sided shelter made of timber. It has a gable roof supported by timber posts. The roof is covered with metal sheets, and the ceiling is lined with timber. It has a concrete floor and seats around the edges.
The Former Boys' School Building
This building is made of timber and has a gable roof. It's a "high-set" building, meaning it's raised up on tall brick piers. The space underneath is enclosed. Stairs lead up to the main level. This level has verandahs on two sides. Inside, there's one large classroom with a high, curved ceiling.
The Former Practising School Building
This is a large, high-set timber building with a gable roof. It's located on the eastern side of the school grounds. The inside of this building has been changed over time. The upper floor is now one big open space.
The Former Infants' School Building
This building is on the lowest part of the school site. It's a two-story brick building with a tiled roof. The main entrance has large round windows and a curved concrete awning. There's a verandah on one side. The inside has been changed to create offices, but you can still see where the classrooms used to be.
School Grounds
The school grounds are terraced, creating flat areas for playing. There are many old and beautiful trees, including camphor laurels, fig trees, hoop pines, palms, jacarandas, and eucalypts. There are also gardens and other plants.
Heritage Significance
Brisbane Central State School is important for many reasons, which is why it's on the Queensland Heritage Register.
- History: It shows how Spring Hill grew as an early suburb of Brisbane. It's also one of the oldest brick schools in Queensland. It's special because it's the last inner-city state school in Brisbane. It also played a big role in training teachers in Queensland.
- Design: The school shows what state school designs were like in the 1870s in Queensland.
- Beauty: The old 1870s building, with its materials and location among mature trees, looks very nice. It adds to the historic feel of Spring Hill.
- Community Connection: The school has a strong connection to the Brisbane community. It represents the history of Spring Hill, one of the city's oldest areas.
- Architectural Importance: The 1874 building is a great example of architect R.G. Suter's work. It shows high-quality design and craftsmanship.
