Brisbane Grammar School Buildings facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brisbane Grammar School Buildings |
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Great Hall, Brisbane Grammar School
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| Location | 24 Gregory Terrace, Spring Hill, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900–1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1902 |
| Architect | James Cowlishaw, Richard Gailey, Robin Dods, George David Payne |
| Architectural style(s) | Gothic |
| Official name: Brisbane Grammar School | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 August 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600124 |
| Significant period | 1870s–1900s (historical) 1879–ongoing (social) main building: 1879–1925 (fabric) school house: 1870 |
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The Brisbane Grammar School Buildings are a group of historic buildings. They belong to the Brisbane Grammar School, a private school located in Spring Hill, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. These buildings are important because they are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means they are protected for their historical and architectural value.
Contents
History of the School
Brisbane Grammar School first opened its doors on 1 February 1869. It was one of the first grammar schools in Queensland. The very first school buildings were on Roma Street. They were designed by Benjamin Backhouse. These original buildings were later taken down in 1911.
The school moved to its current location on Gregory Terrace. This happened because the railway network expanded. The first stone for the new school was laid on 28 November 1879. The Queensland Government gave the school this land in 1878.
Trees were planted around the new school site. This included a line of Moreton Bay Fig trees along the main driveway. In 1918, some of these fig trees were replaced with palm trees. Students moved into the new school in 1881. The main building had a large hall and classrooms. It was designed by architect James Cowlishaw.
In 1887, the School House was opened. This building was designed by Richard Gailey. It provided a place for students who boarded at the school to live. It also had rooms for the headmaster and his family. Over the years, more additions were made to the school. Architect George David Payne designed new science labs in 1912. He also designed the New Building in 1916.
A special "German" field gun was given to the school in 1921. It was a trophy from World War I. The War Memorial Library was opened in 1924. It was built to remember the 1,020 former students who served in World War I. This library was designed by John Barr.
In the 1930s, the school faced challenges because of the Great Depression. Government funding was reduced. However, improvements were still made to the school grounds. Gardens and lawns were added to make the entrance more beautiful.
After World War II, more improvements were made. These included planting shrubs and creating new playing fields. A gymnasium was opened in 1953. A swimming pool was also opened in 1954. This pool was a memorial to students who served in World War II.
New buildings and additions continued in the 1960s and 1970s. These included a new science block and more classrooms. A Centennial Hall and library were also built. In 1992, the school bought the Old Correspondence School building. This building was originally used by the Department of Agriculture.
School Buildings
The Brisbane Grammar School has many important buildings. They are mostly made of brick with special stone details. They are designed in a style called Collegiate Gothic. This style looks a bit like old university buildings.
Main Building
The Main Building is at the very center of the school. It was the first building built at the new Gregory Terrace site in 1880. It has a large central area called the Great Hall. Classrooms are on either side. The building cost about £12,000 to build.
The Main Building has a grand entrance with a covered porch. This porch is made of Oamaru stone. Inside the Great Hall, the ceiling was painted blue with gold stars. Large stained glass windows were installed. They were made in Melbourne and show important British figures. These windows encourage students to "emulate their noble deeds."
In 1912, a Science Wing was added to the Main Building. This wing had chemistry and physics labs. In 1925, a second floor was added to the classroom wings. This created ten new classrooms. The roof of the Great Hall was repaired in 1935. Another stained glass window was added in 1951. It was a gift from former students.
The Great Hall has many special plaques and honor boards. These remember important people and events. For example, there's a bronze plaque for Sir Charles Lilley. There are also honor boards for students who served in World War I and II. The Great Hall is still a very important symbol of the school.
School House
The School House is a three-story brick building. It was built in 1887. Its main purpose was to provide a place for boarding students to live. Before this, boarders lived in houses off school grounds. The building also included a home for the headmaster.
The School House was designed by architect Richard Gailey. It was made of red and white brick. The headmaster's family lived on the main floor. Dining areas were on the lower floor. The boys' dormitories were on the top floor. The design allowed the headmaster to easily keep an eye on the students.
Over the years, changes were made to the School House. In 1909, more rooms were added. The dining room was made larger. Some parts of the headmaster's home were turned into dormitories. In 1962, a separate house was built for the headmaster. In 1972, a new dormitory wing was added to the building.
Administration Building
The Administration Building is a two-story brick building. It was built in 1912 as a science block. It is next to the Main Building. It was designed by architect GD Payne. This building was meant for more advanced science teaching.
The Science Wing was designed to match the Main Building. It used similar brick and light-colored stone. It had tall, pointed arch windows. Inside, it had a large chemistry lab and a physics lab. These rooms were very tall with exposed roof structures.
The building cost about £6,000. It was opened on 26 July 1912. Later, in 1966, this building was changed. It became the Administration Building. This happened as part of the school's 100-year building plan.
New Building
The New Building is a two-story brick building. It was built in 1916. It is located near the Main Building, overlooking the sports oval. It was designed by architect GD Payne. The New Building was needed because more and more students were enrolling at the school.
The building was designed to have eight classrooms. It also included a chemistry and physics lab. The Public Works Department made some small changes to Payne's plans. The building was completed in 1915.
In the 1950s, the New Building was repainted. Its verandahs also became a grandstand for watching school sports. The classrooms in this building are still considered some of the best at the school.
War Memorial Library
The War Memorial Library is a unique octagonal building. It was opened on Armistice Day in 1924. It was built to remember the former students who served in World War I. It is located next to the Main Building.
The library was designed by John Barr, a former student. It has a steeply pitched roof and beautiful stained glass windows. The windows show figures that represent important values. These values include justice, honor, and loyalty.
The building's entrance has pointed arch wooden doors. The stone carvings around the doors have special designs. Inside, the roof structure is exposed. It has wooden beams and a timber ceiling. The library also has special wooden furniture. This furniture was probably designed by Barr. It includes display cases for important items.
The library holds a "Golden Book." This book lists the names of 1,020 Brisbane Grammar School volunteers from World War I. The War Memorial Library is now a museum and a place of remembrance for the school.
Old Correspondence School
The Old Correspondence School is a two-story brick building. It was built in 1899. It was originally used by the Department of Agriculture. It was a Stock Institute, which researched animal diseases. This was the first Stock Institute in Australia.
The building had labs and a photography room on the ground floor. The second floor had a museum and a lecture room. Animal sheds were at the back. The site was chosen because it had good views and was easy to reach.
Over time, the building's use changed. In 1909, it became the Laboratory of Pathology and Microbiology. This lab researched human diseases. In 1932, the building became the home of the Primary Correspondence School. This school provided education for children in remote areas. During World War II, many children studied through this school.
The Primary Correspondence School moved out in 1979. The Brisbane Grammar School bought the building in 1992. It was then renamed the S.W. Griffith Building. The building has nice brickwork and stone details. It also has two wooden staircases inside.
Heritage Significance
The Brisbane Grammar School Buildings are very important. They show how education in Queensland has changed over time. They also show the history of grammar schools.
- Main Building: This building is a great example of Collegiate Gothic style. It has early Australian-made stained glass windows.
- School House: This building shows how boarding practices have changed. It has a unique design and impressive interior spaces.
- Administration Building: This building shows how science education developed. It also highlights the work of architect GD Payne.
- New Building: This building shows changes in education policy. It is a good example of a well-designed classroom block.
- War Memorial Library: This library is special because of its design and rich symbolic meaning. It remembers the students who served in World War I.
- Old Correspondence School: This building shows the history of primary industries and public health. It also highlights the development of distance education.
The school buildings together form a beautiful and consistent group. They are valued by the community for their design and history. Many important people in Queensland's history have been connected to the school. This includes architects, headmasters, and students.
