Bulimba State School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bulimba State School |
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The school in 2015
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| Location | 261 Oxford Street, Bulimba, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1840s–1860s (mid-19th century) |
| Built | 1915–1955 |
| Official name: Bulimba State School | |
| Type | state heritage (landscape, built) |
| Designated | 26 November 1999 |
| Reference no. | 601874 |
| Significant period | 1860s, 1910s, 1930s (historical) 1910s (fabric infants' school) 1915–ongoing (social) 1930s |
| Significant components | swimming pool, classroom/classroom block/teaching area, sports field/oval/playing field, wall/s – retaining, school/school room, garden/grounds |
| Builders | Michael Robinson |
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Bulimba State School is a special old school located at 261 Oxford Street in Bulimba, Queensland, Australia. It's considered a 'heritage-listed' site, which means it's important to history and protected. The school was built over many years, from 1915 to 1955. It was officially added to the Queensland Heritage Register on November 26, 1999, recognizing its historical value.
Contents
The School's Early Days
Bulimba State School first opened its doors in 1866. It has many buildings and structures from different time periods. These buildings show how education in Queensland has changed over the years.
Before the school was built, classes were held in Bulimba House and later at the Baptist Church. In April 1866, people in Bulimba met to raise money for a new school. They needed a school because Bulimba was growing as a farming area. They collected £61, which was a lot of money back then! The government agreed to help build the school.
In June 1866, Michael Robinson was chosen to build the first school building and a house for the teacher. He finished the work by October. While the school was being built, classes started on July 16, 1866, in the Wesleyan Chapel.
The first school building and teacher's house were at the top of the school grounds. As more families moved to Bulimba, the school needed more space. Two extra wooden sections were added. Around 1900, the school was raised up, creating eight classrooms on the ground floor.
Growing Pains and New Buildings
Even with the additions, the school quickly needed more space. In 1915, a separate building for younger children (infants) was built facing Oxford Street. This building was made of timber and raised on stumps, providing space for toilets and a play area underneath. It had three classrooms with large windows for light and fresh air.
In the late 1920s and 1930s, the school population kept growing. By the early 1930s, there were over 520 students, with more than 150 in the infant classes. It was decided that the older wooden classrooms should be replaced with a new, bigger building. The infant building was still in good condition, so it stayed.
The 1930s were a tough time because of the Great Depression, which meant many people were out of work. The Queensland Government started big building projects to help people find jobs.
New School and Sports Facilities
As part of this plan, the Bulimba State School grounds were leveled in 1935. Tennis and basketball courts were built. In 1937, strong walls were built around the school and tennis court to hold back the soil. These plans were drawn by Gilbert Robert Beveridge. He also designed the new main school building. This new building was one of many large, multi-story schools built during this time to help with unemployment.
The new brick Bulimba State School building was finished in 1938 and cost £21,965. It had two main floors and a basement. The ground floor had six classrooms for 240 students, plus rooms for teachers and a clerk. The first floor had seven classrooms for 272 students and another teacher's room. In total, the building could hold 512 students. The basement had play areas and toilets for students and teachers.
More Changes and a Swimming Pool
In the 1950s, more big changes happened. Around 1952, the Infant School building needed repairs, including strengthening the roof. Windows were also updated.
The school's swimming pool and changing rooms were built in 1955. This was on the site of an old tennis court. Parents and supporters raised money for the pool from 1953 to 1955, and the Queensland Government also helped.
In 1957, a new two-story classroom section was added to the main building, making it look more balanced. Later plans for more additions were not carried out. In 1959, another high timber-framed building was put up.
School Life and Special Events
Student numbers at Bulimba State School reached their highest in the early 1960s, with over 950 students. After that, numbers slowly went down. However, as of 2017, more young families moved into the area, and the school had 820 students.
In 2016, the school celebrated its 150th anniversary with a special heritage weekend. This included a dinner, a DVD, and a book called "Play the Game" about the school's history.
On October 25, 2017, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visited the school hall. He launched the first part of his autobiography, "Not for the faint-hearted : a personal reflection on life, politics and purpose". This book covered his life up until he became Prime Minister in 2007. Bulimba is in the area that Mr. Rudd used to represent in government.
In 2019, Michael Zeuschner, who had been the school's principal since 1995, moved to Mansfield State School.
What the School Looks Like Today
Bulimba State School covers a large area of land, about 1.88 hectares (that's like 4.6 acres!). It's surrounded by Oxford Street, Wentworth Parade, Riding Road, and Barton Parade. The school grounds are on a steep hill that slopes down to the west. The main school buildings and play areas are on the flatter parts at the top. Paths wind down the hill to netball courts, cricket facilities, and a lower oval near Riding Road.
The school has several buildings, including Block A, B, C, and D (which is a movable classroom). There's also a newer administration and resource center, and a timber classroom block that was recently built. Strong concrete walls hold back the soil along Oxford Street and Wentworth Parade. A tennis court is located in the north-eastern corner, a few meters above street level. Near the tennis court and swimming pool, you'll find Block D, a shelter, and an adventure playground.
Block A and B create the eastern and northern edges of the main parade area. Part of this area is now used for a new outdoor learning space and the verandahs of the new resource and administration building. A new classroom building is located to the west of Block B.
The in-ground concrete swimming pool has covered seating and changing rooms around it. Block C, which used to be the infant school and is now used as the Preschool, is located west of the swimming pool and faces Oxford Street.
Block A: The Main Building
Block A is a large, two-story brick building with a basement and a tiled roof. It looks very balanced and grand. The main entrances are marked by special projected sections. A tall, decorative spire (called a fleche) is in the center of the roof.
The building's design makes the basement level look different from the two floors above. The brickwork in the basement is smooth and looks like a strong base. Above that, the red brick walls have decorative columns made of darker bricks. These columns have simple, neat details at the top and bottom. A decorative band runs around the top of the building, just under the roof. The main entrance has a grand doorway, and two straight staircases lead up to it from the north and south.
In the basement, there's a play area between the stairwells. Boys' toilets are at the south end, and girls' toilets are at the north. There were separate facilities for younger children, older children, and teachers. These have been changed over time to include a parents' room and storage areas. The play area has rounded brick corners to make it safer.
The classrooms have wooden floors, while hallways and utility areas have concrete floors. Rainwater pipes are hidden inside the walls. Four windows with smaller windows above them provide light and air to the hallways and classrooms.
On the ground floor, the main entrance hall separates the office and the head teacher's rooms. This hall leads to a long corridor that connects five classrooms. The middle three classrooms can be divided by folding doors. A cloakroom and a cleaner's sink are at the end of each stairwell. Another classroom and cloakroom are at the southern end of the building. The first floor has a similar layout.
Other School Buildings
Block B is a tall, timber-framed building supported by steel beams. Stairs at each end lead to a narrow verandah on the northern side. This verandah has a continuous rack for hats and bags and provides access to three classrooms.
Block C is also a tall, timber-framed building on concrete stumps. Its three classrooms have been changed into two, and some folding walls have been removed. Parts of the verandahs have been enclosed, and the stairs have been changed. The roof was recently replaced with corrugated iron, and the small spire on the roof was removed. The ceilings are curved and lined with wooden boards.
Biscoe Wilson Architects later oversaw the construction of the new 10 General Learning Areas (GLA) and Library along Oxford Street.
Why Bulimba State School is Special
Bulimba State School is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it meets several important criteria:
Showing Queensland's History
The school, started in 1866, has many different types of buildings from various periods. These buildings show how education and the community in Queensland have grown and changed over time.
The main brick building (Block A) and the concrete retaining walls, fences, and gates built in 1937–1938 are important. They show how the Queensland Government helped the economy and building industry during the tough times of the 1930s Depression. These walls, fences, gates, and courts are also special to the local community because local workers were hired to build them as part of a relief program.
Block A, built in 1937–38, is a significant building from between the two World Wars. It shows how much Bulimba's population grew and became stable.
Showing School Characteristics
Bulimba State School shows what a primary school should look like. It has different buildings and open spaces built over many years for learning. The school's buildings and grounds offer various spaces, including open playgrounds, a formal parade ground, pathways, sports areas, a swimming pool, and tennis courts. It also has sheltered areas under buildings and on verandahs.
The main building is an excellent example of a large school building from the period between the World Wars. Its use of brick and simple, classic details is typical for government buildings of that time. Bulimba State School's main building continues the tradition of beautiful buildings created by the Queensland Public Works Department.
Its Beautiful Design
The school building is a great example of design from the Queensland Government Architect's office. It has a strong, impressive look and simple, classical details that make it beautiful.
Bulimba State School and its grounds are also important because the main building is a landmark. It stands out in the community and helps people find their way. The large brick building sits high on Carlton Hill, looking over the surrounding suburbs. You can see great views from the school to Moreton Bay, Hamilton, and New Farm, and the school itself is easily seen from afar.
Its Connection to the Community
Bulimba State School is highly valued by its community. It provides an essential service and connects the past with the present through its long history in the area.
Its Link to Important Work
The main building of Bulimba State School follows the tradition of fine buildings constructed by the Queensland Public Works Department, an important group in Queensland's history.
