Bundaberg Central State School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bundaberg Central State School |
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Bundaberg Central State School central block, 2014
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| Location | 13 Crofton Street, Bundaberg Central, Bundaberg, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Built | 1890, 1900–1907, Playsheds (1900, 1907) |
| Built for | Department of Public Instruction |
| Architect | Robert and John Ferguson; Queensland Department of Public Works |
| Architectural style(s) | Carpenter Gothic |
| Official name: Bundaberg Central State School; Bundaberg South State School | |
| Type | state heritage |
| Designated | 28 November 2014 |
| Reference no. | 601533 |
| Type | Education, research, scientific facility: School-state |
| Theme | Educating Queenslanders: Providing primary schooling |
| Builders | William Calvert |
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Bundaberg Central State School is a historic school in Bundaberg, Australia. It is located at 13 Crofton Street. The school was designed by famous architects Robert and John Ferguson, along with the Queensland Department of Public Works. William Calvert built the main school building in 1890.
The school is also known as Bundaberg South State School. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 28 November 2014. This means it is a special place that needs to be protected because of its history and importance.
A Look Back: School History
Bundaberg Central State School first opened in January 1875. Back then, it was called Bundaberg South State School. It was located on Bourbong Street. In July 1890, the school moved to its current spot on Crofton Street.
The first building on the Crofton Street site was finished in 1890. It was built using a special design by architects Robert and John Ferguson. As Bundaberg grew, so did the school. More buildings were added, including two playsheds in 1900 and 1907. The school also got special trees, like a group of hoop pines planted around 1955. For over a century, the school has been a very important place for the local community.
Early Bundaberg and Education
The land around Bundaberg traditionally belonged to the Kalki people. European settlers arrived in the 1840s and 1850s. Timber cutters came in the mid-1860s. People started buying land in Bundaberg in 1867 to grow sugar. The town of Bundaberg was officially mapped out in 1869.
Bundaberg became a busy port and service center. This was helped by ships coming and going. It also became the port for copper mining from Mount Perry in 1881. Bundaberg became a major sugar town as the sugar industry grew quickly from the 1880s.
In 1871, land was set aside for a school in the center of Bundaberg. The local community helped raise money for the first school buildings. These were finished by January 1875. In July 1875, about 123 students attended the school every day.
Providing education was very important to the governments in Australia. Queensland started its own public schools after becoming a separate colony in 1859. By 1875, Queensland had 230 public schools. The State Education Act of 1875 made primary education free and required for all children. This helped most Queensland children learn to read and write by 1900.
Schools were seen as key to a community's success. Local people often gave land and helped build schools. The school community also helped with upkeep and new projects. Schools became a central point for communities. They showed progress and were a source of pride. Many people felt a strong connection to their old schools.
School Changes and New Buildings
In September 1883, the school was split into two. There was a boys' school and a girls' and infants' school. Bundaberg South Boys' School opened in a new building. The Bundaberg South Girls' and Infants' School used the old school building.
By the 1880s, the school's original site became very valuable. The town council wanted the school to move. In 1889, the government decided to move the school. It went to a new site, two blocks south of the old one. This new site was better for businesses.
A new building for the Girls' and Infants' School was built on the new site. William Calvert built it for about £2600. The new site covered a whole block. It was bordered by Woondooma, Barolin, Crofton, and Maryborough streets. The Boys' School building was also moved to this new site. The new Girls' and Infants' School building was ready by July 1890.
The new school building followed a standard plan from the Queensland Government. The government used standard plans for school buildings. This helped make sure they were consistent and saved money. From the 1860s to the 1960s, most Queensland school buildings were made of timber. This was easy and cheap. It also helped build schools in far-off areas. These standard designs were always being improved. They were good at controlling the climate, light, and air inside.
Ferguson Architects' Designs
In 1879, Robert Ferguson became the first architect for school buildings. He quickly improved school designs. He added tall, fancy spires on the roofs for air flow. He also put in larger windows. These windows were high up, so they didn't let in drafts or too much sunlight. His buildings were low to the ground on brick supports. In bigger schools, classrooms were arranged around a central area.
Ferguson's buildings looked very nice. They had lots of detailed timber work. People said they were much better than earlier school buildings.
In 1885, Robert Ferguson's brother, John Ferguson, took over. He continued using his brother's designs until he died in 1893. After that, the Department of Public Works took over school building designs. The time from 1879 to 1893 is known as the "Ferguson period." During this time, school buildings were greatly improved. They were better for teaching and learning.
The new building for Bundaberg South Girls' and Infants' State School was a Ferguson design. It had three parts arranged in a U-shape around a central area. Each part was low to the ground. They had timber walls and steep roofs. Verandahs were on two sides. Teachers' rooms were attached. The buildings had fancy timber decorations. This was typical of the "Carpenter Gothic" style of Ferguson schools. The inside ceilings showed the timber roof structure.
On 3 October 1894, the names of the two schools changed. They became "State School for Boys, Bundaberg Central" and "State School for Girls and Infants, Bundaberg Central." It was common for schools in growing towns to change names or move. This helped meet the needs of more students.
Playsheds and Amalgamation
Around 1900, two playsheds were built north of the main building. One was built in 1900 and another in 1907. Playsheds were open, timber-framed shelters. They gave students a covered place to play. Sometimes, they were even used for teaching. They were common additions to schools in Queensland from the 1880s to the 1950s. After about 1909, new school buildings were built higher up. This allowed students to play underneath them, so playsheds were not built as often.
Bundaberg kept growing in the early 1900s. On 26 January 1926, the two Bundaberg schools joined together. They became the Bundaberg Central State School. Around this time, the Boys' School building was moved to Bundaberg West State School.
Over time, the main Ferguson building at Bundaberg Central State School was changed. This was to make it better for teaching. For example, windows were changed to let in more light and air. In 1933, new windows were added to the ends of the east and west blocks. New dormer windows were also added to the roof of the central block.
Post-War Growth and Changes
Bundaberg continued to grow after World War II. The city council started many big building projects. These included new hospitals, schools, and a civic center. The city's population grew from 18,000 in 1952 to 27,000 in 1967.
Bundaberg Central State School also grew a lot in the 1950s and 1960s. Many new buildings were added. These new designs reflected the latest ideas about education. In older buildings, verandahs were often enclosed to protect from weather. Bag racks were added for storage. Windows were often changed to let in more light. Between 1963 and 1966, changes were made to the Ferguson Building. Bag and hat racks replaced most verandah railings. Glass louvres were put in.
The school grounds still have parts of a special forestry plot. These plots came from after-school agricultural clubs started in 1923. Students learned about farming and trees. The government wanted to teach kids about the importance of trees. They also used the plots to test different tree types. By 1953, about 380 Queensland schools had forestry projects. Students planted, cared for, and studied the trees. The forestry plot at Bundaberg Central State School was started by 1955. It has two groups of Hoop Pines.
In 1973, the central part of the Ferguson Building was changed into a library. Walls were removed. More changes happened in 1981 to create a staff room and health services rooms. In 1978, the western playshed was moved and turned. This made more space for other buildings.
Since the 1980s, more changes have been made to the Ferguson building. Windows were removed from some walls. Verandahs were enclosed. Large openings were made between classrooms and enclosed verandahs. This was a common way to make classrooms bigger.
The school celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1975. The Premier of Queensland, Joh Bjelke-Petersen, unveiled a plaque. Another plaque was unveiled in 2000 for the school's 125th anniversary.
As of 2014, Bundaberg Central State School is still operating. It still has the 1890 Ferguson building, the 1900 and 1907 playsheds, and parts of its forestry plot. The school has been important to Bundaberg since 1890. It has educated many generations of students. It is also a key place for community events.
What the School Looks Like
Bundaberg Central State School is located just south of the main city area. It takes up almost a whole city block. The school is bordered by Woondooma, Barolin, Crofton, and Maryborough streets. The main entrance is on Crofton Street.
Most school buildings are at the western end of the site. The rest of the property has playing fields, the forestry plot with hoop pines, and other old trees. A small gully runs across the northeast corner. The important buildings are the 1890 Ferguson teaching building and the two playsheds from 1900 and 1907. Other newer buildings are not considered historically significant. The old school house in the northeast corner is now privately owned.
The Ferguson Building
The Ferguson building is set back from Crofton Street. Gardens and other buildings are in front of it. Only the middle part is easily seen from the street. The building has three parts arranged in a U-shape. They are connected by a verandah on the side facing the old parade ground. The east and west parts are identical. Each has two classrooms. The central part is a bit longer and has a library and offices. Four old teachers' rooms are attached to the verandahs. The inner verandahs of the east and west parts have been enclosed. The building still has many of its original, beautiful timber decorations.
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Each part of the building is made of timber. It sits low on brick supports. The walls are covered with timber boards. The steep roofs have modern metal sheeting. The central block's roof has four dormer windows. It also has a large ventilation spire with a weather vane on top. The ends of the roofs have decorative timber brackets and designs. They also have triangular panels with fixed timber louvres for air flow.
The verandahs have their own roofs. Their ceilings are lined with timber boards. The timber posts on the verandahs are decorative. Where verandahs have been enclosed, the posts are still visible. Some parts of the verandahs still have their original cast iron railings. Most other railings have been replaced by bag racks. Small parts of early timber verandah enclosures are still there. You can get to the verandahs by short timber steps.
Most of the original windows have been filled in or replaced. However, some still remain in the old teachers' rooms. These are tall, narrow windows or casement windows. The old doors are timber double doors. Some still have tall fanlights above them.
Inside, all parts of the building have timber floors. The walls are lined with timber boards. The ceilings are sloped and lined with diagonal timber boards. The main roof supports are visible inside the rooms. They have decorative features. Some old internal walls are still there. Large openings have been made in classroom walls and verandah walls. Some old school items are still in the building. This includes a brass school bell.
The old teachers' rooms have curved ceilings. Their walls are lined with timber boards. They have timber picture rails and skirting boards.
Some newer parts of the building, like an office built in 1965, are not considered historically important.
Playsheds and Grounds
North of the main building are the two playsheds. Both are made of timber. They have hipped roofs covered with corrugated metal. Their floors are modern concrete. The western playshed (1900) has 10 posts. It has a timber wall at its southern end. The eastern playshed (1907) has 12 posts. It has a timber wall at its western end. The timber posts support the roof.
The school oval is on lower ground than the school. It is separated by a low wall. Along the northern edge of the oval is the forestry plot. It has two groups of hoop pine trees planted in rows. Other trees, like gum trees, are also in the area. A large fig tree stands near the old teacher's residence. Other old trees are found around the school grounds.
Why It's a Heritage Site
Bundaberg Central State School was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 28 November 2014. This means it is recognized as a special place for several reasons:
Showing Queensland's History
The school shows how state education and school buildings have changed in Queensland. It has great examples of standard government designs. These designs changed as ideas about education changed.
The Ferguson teaching building from 1890 is an early standard design. The two playsheds from 1900 and 1907 show that the education system thought play was important. The forestry plot shows a popular idea to teach students about trees and their importance. It also made the school grounds look nice and helped the school earn money.
The school's size and fancy features also show how Bundaberg grew as a sugar industry center from the 1880s. The sugar industry was very important for Queensland's development.
Showing Key Features of Schools
Bundaberg Central State School shows the main features of Queensland state schools. It has a group of buildings built using standard designs from the Department of Public Works.
The Ferguson school building (1890) still has its low, symmetrical U-shape. It has large classrooms and wide verandahs with teachers' rooms. It has high-quality decorations like timber work, cast iron railings, and a tall ventilation spire. Inside, it has sloped ceilings with exposed roof supports. Some original walls and doors are still there.
The playsheds (1900, 1907) have open sides. Their timber-framed roofs are supported by timber posts.
Its Beautiful Design
The Ferguson teaching building is very well-preserved. It is a beautiful building made with high-quality materials. It has a balanced design and decorative timber work, including the ventilation spire.
Its Strong Community Connection
Schools in Queensland have always been important to their communities. They often have strong connections with past students, parents, and teachers. They are places for social events and volunteer work. Schools are a source of pride and show a community's progress.
Bundaberg Central State School has a strong and ongoing connection with the Bundaberg community. It has been open since 1885 and has taught many generations of children. The school has helped with the education of Bundaberg. It is also a key meeting place for social events and has strong community support.
See also
- List of schools in Wide Bay–Burnett
- History of state education in Queensland
