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 historic school located at 261 Oxford Street in Bulimba, Queensland, Australia. It was built between 1915 and 1955. The school was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 26 November 1999, which means it is an important historical site.
School History
Bulimba State School first opened its doors in 1866. Over the years, many buildings and structures have been added. These additions show how education has changed and grown in Queensland.
Early Beginnings
Before the school was built, classes were held in different places. Students first learned at Bulimba House, which was the home of David McConnel. Later, classes moved to the Baptist Church.
In April 1866, people in Bulimba held a meeting. They wanted to raise money to build a proper school. Bulimba was one of the first farming areas in the colony. Because of this, a school was really needed. People at the meeting donated money. With help from the government, plans for the school moved forward.
In June 1866, a builder named Michael Robinson was chosen. He would build the first school building and a home for the teacher. While the school was being built, classes started on July 16, 1866, in the Wesleyan Chapel.
Growing School, New Buildings
As Bulimba grew, more students enrolled. This meant the school needed more classrooms. Two extra timber sections were added to the original school building. Around 1900, the school was raised up. This created space for eight teaching rooms on the ground level.
By 1915, even more space was needed. A separate building for younger children (infants) was built. This building was made of timber and stood on tall stumps. It had toilets and a play area underneath. Inside, it had three classrooms with lots of windows for light and fresh air.
The Great Depression and New Facilities
In the late 1920s and 1930s, the school population kept growing. By the early 1930s, over 520 students were enrolled. More than 150 of these were infants. It was decided that the older timber classrooms should be replaced. A new building was planned to hold 400 students. The infants' building was still in good condition, so it stayed.
The 1930s saw a big economic problem called the Great Depression. Building work almost stopped in Queensland. To help the economy, the Queensland Government started big building projects. These projects also created jobs for people.
Through this job creation program, Bulimba State School got new facilities. In 1935, the school site was leveled. Tennis and basketball courts were built. By 1937, retaining walls were added around the school and the tennis court. These plans were drawn by Gilbert Robert Beveridge. He also designed the new main school building. This new building was one of many large schools built during this time. It showed the government's effort to help with unemployment.
The new brick Bulimba State School building was finished in 1938. It had two main floors and a basement. The ground floor had six classrooms for 240 students. It also had rooms for teachers and a clerk. The first floor had seven classrooms for 272 students and a teacher's room. The basement had play areas and bathrooms for students and teachers.
Later Additions and Changes
More major building work happened in the 1950s. Around 1952, the Infants School building needed repairs. Work was done to fix it and make other improvements.
In 1955, a swimming pool and changing rooms were built. Parents and supporters raised money for this. The Queensland Government also helped with funds.
In 1957, a new two-story classroom section was added. This gave the main building its current balanced look.
Student numbers at the school reached over 950 in the early 1960s. Then, numbers slowly went down. By 1988, there were 242 students. However, as the area developed, more young families moved in. By 2017, the school had 820 students again.
Recent Events
The school celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2016. They had a special weekend with a dinner and a book about the school's history.
On October 25, 2017, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visited the school. He launched the first part of his autobiography in the school hall. His book was about his life up until he became prime minister in 2007. Bulimba is in the area where Kevin Rudd used to be a politician.
In 2019, Michael Zeuschner, who had been the school's principal since 1995, moved to a new role at another school.
School Buildings and Grounds
Bulimba State School covers a large area of about 1.88 hectares (about 4.6 acres). It is surrounded by Oxford Street, Wentworth Parade, Riding Road, and Barton Parade. The school site slopes downwards towards the west. The main school buildings and play areas are on the higher, flatter parts of the site. Paths lead down the slope to netball courts, cricket areas, and a lower oval.
The school has several main buildings, called Block A, B, C, and D. There is also a new administration and resource center. Concrete walls hold back the ground along Oxford Street and Wentworth Parade. A tennis court is in the north-eastern corner, higher than the street. Near the tennis court and swimming pool, you can find Block D (a movable classroom), a shelter, and an adventure playground.
Block A and B form the edges of the main parade area. A new classroom building is located west of Block B.
The swimming pool is in the ground and has covered seating and changing rooms around it. Block C, which used to be the infant school, is now used as the Preschool. It faces Oxford Street.
Block A: The Main Building
Block A is a large, two-story brick building with a basement. It has a tiled roof. The main entrances are marked by special parts that stick out. A tall, pointed structure called a fleche is in the center of the roof.
The building's design makes the basement look different from the two floors above. The basement walls are covered in a smooth finish. The upper floors have red bricks with special dark bricks used for decorative columns.
The main entrance has a grand doorway. Two sets of stairs lead up to it from the north and south.
In the basement, there is a play area. Boys' bathrooms are at one end, and girls' bathrooms are at the other. There were separate facilities for different age groups and teachers. Now, some areas have been changed for parents' rooms and storage. The play area has rounded brick corners to help prevent injuries.
The classrooms have timber floors. Corridors and other areas have concrete floors. Rainwater pipes are hidden inside the walls. Windows provide light and air to the corridors and classrooms.
On the ground floor, the main entrance hall separates the office from the head teacher's rooms. This hall leads to a long corridor. This corridor connects to five classrooms. The middle three classrooms can be divided by folding doors. Each stairwell has a cloakroom and a sink. Another classroom and cloakroom are at the southern end of the building. The first floor has a similar layout.
Block B and C
Block B is a tall timber-framed building. It has steel supports underneath. Stairs at both ends lead to a narrow verandah on the north side. This verandah has a continuous rack for hats and bags. It also provides access to three classrooms.
Block C is another tall timber-framed building. It stands on concrete stumps. Three classrooms have been changed into two. Folding walls have been removed, and parts of the verandahs have been enclosed. The stairs have also been changed. The roof has been replaced with corrugated iron, and a small decorative tower on the roof has been removed.
Biscoe Wilson Architects later managed the building of new learning areas and the library along Oxford Street.
Heritage Listing
Bulimba State School was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on November 26, 1999. This means it meets certain important standards.
Historical Importance
Bulimba State School, started in 1866, has many different types of buildings from different times. These buildings show how education has changed in Queensland. They also show how the school and the local community have grown.
The brick school building and the concrete retaining walls built in 1937-1938 are very important. They show how the Queensland Government helped the economy during the 1930s depression. The retaining walls, fences, gates, and courts are also special to the local community. This is because local workers were hired to build them as part of a job relief program.
The main building, Block A, built in 1937-38, is a great example of a large building from between the World Wars. It shows how much Bulimba's population grew and became stable.
Design and Features
Bulimba State School shows the main features of a primary school area. It has many structures and open spaces built over generations for learning. The school has formal areas like the parade ground and informal spaces like playgrounds. It also has pathways, sports areas, a swimming pool, and tennis courts.
The main building is a great example of a large school building from between the World Wars. It shows the typical features of this type of school. Using brick and simple details was common for government buildings then. The main Bulimba State School building follows the tradition of beautiful buildings made by the Queensland Public Works Department.
Aesthetic Value
The school building is a fine example of design from the Queensland Government Architect's office. Its size and classic details make it beautiful.
Bulimba State School and its grounds are also important because of their landmark value. The main building stands tall on Carlton Hill. It can be seen from far away and offers great views of Moreton Bay, Hamilton, and New Farm. It is a well-known point in the community.
Community Connection
Bulimba State School is important to its community. It provides an essential service and connects the past with the present. It has a long history with the area.
Association with Important Work
The main building of Bulimba State School continues the tradition of excellent buildings created by the Queensland Public Works Department.
