Buranda State School facts for kids

Buranda State School is a special old school building in Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Australia. It was designed by the Queensland Department of Public Works. The school was built between 1920 and 1928. It is now listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because of its important history. This means it's a protected place.

A Look Back: Buranda State School's Story

Buranda State School first opened in 1918. It is about three kilometres southwest of the centre of Brisbane. The school shows how state education and school buildings have changed over time. It still has its original timber school building from 1920 and 1928. Inside, you can see special boards honouring students who served in World War II.

The school also has a swimming pool, a changing shed, and terraced areas from 1926. There's a sports oval, old retaining walls, and big, old trees. Buranda State School has always been a very important part of the Buranda, Stone's Corner, and Woolloongabba communities.

How the School Started

The land where the school stands was traditionally home to the Turrbal and Jagera Aboriginal people. In the 1880s, more and more houses were built in the Buranda area. By the early 1900s, there were enough families to need a school. The government believed that schools were very important for new communities to grow and succeed. Schools often became a central place for everyone, showing progress and pride.

The Queensland Government created standard plans for school buildings. This helped make sure schools were built in a similar way and didn't cost too much. From the 1860s to the 1960s, most Queensland schools were made of timber. This was easy and cheap, even for schools in faraway places. School designs kept getting better, especially for controlling the climate, lighting, and fresh air.

Buranda State School was first set up as a separate Girls and Infants School in 1918. A Boys School opened in 1920. This helped ease the pressure on other nearby schools. The school got its name from the nearby Buranda railway station.

The Boys School Building (Block A)

The Buranda Boys School opened on 27 September 1920. It had 173 students. The main building, called Block A, was a tall timber building. It had a long verandah facing north and special rooms for teachers. The building had a central part and two side parts. It could fit 320 boys in eight classrooms. The space under the building was used for play and toilets.

This type of building, first used in 1914, was a big improvement. It solved problems with light, fresh air, and classroom size. It created a modern and ideal learning space. Designers made sure classrooms had lots of natural light without glare. Windows were made bigger and lower. This helped light fall on students' left sides, so they wouldn't cast shadows while writing.

School Grounds and Fun Activities

School grounds were also very important. Schools had outdoor play areas and sports fields like ovals and tennis courts. Trees and gardens were planted to give shade and make schools look nice. In 1890, Queensland started celebrating Arbor Day. This was a day for planting trees. People believed gardening taught kids hard work and helped them appreciate beauty. Buranda State School celebrated Arbor Day for many years, planting many trees.

The school's committee worked hard to raise money for improvements. They held fetes, dances, and other events. One big project was the school swimming pool, built in 1926. It also had a dressing shed, a goldfish pond, and pretty gardens. The community worked together to clear and dig the ground. The government provided the materials.

Swimming pools became popular at Queensland schools in the early 1900s. Learning to swim was seen as good exercise, healthy for kids, and important for water safety. Buranda's pool was one of the early ones built in state schools.

Children reading in the library, circa 1950

Changes and Growth Over Time

In 1927, part of the swimming pool's retaining wall collapsed. It was quickly repaired. As more students joined, the Boys School got a two-storey addition in 1928. This added four more classrooms. By 1934, the school had 1217 students! This led to a separate Infants' School opening nearby.

The school committee kept improving the grounds. They built a shelter shed, improved drainage, and created lawns and flower beds. A concrete retaining wall and steps were built near the oval around 1928-29. The sports oval was finished by 1934.

World War II also affected the school. In 1942, many coastal schools closed because people worried about air raids. When they reopened, going to school was optional. Students and staff dug trenches for safety. Schools also helped the war effort by growing food and raising money for soldiers. Buranda students went to concerts and helped Red Cross appeals.

To remember the students who served in the war, the school created an honour board. It was unveiled in 1944 and listed 456 former students. A second, smaller board was added later. These boards are still in the school today.

After the war, student numbers slowly dropped. Many families moved to outer suburbs. Also, some houses near the school were removed to build a new highway. In 1967, the Girls and Infants Schools and the Boys School combined to become Buranda State School, all on the Boys School site.

The school building has changed over the years. Some verandahs were enclosed to make more rooms. Walls were removed to create larger classrooms. But the school still operates from its original site. It remains a key meeting place for the community. Generations of children have learned and played there.

What Buranda State School Looks Like Today

Site map, 2017

Buranda State School is on a large site in Woolloongabba. It's next to Cowley Street, Norman Creek, and the Eastern Busway. The school shares its site with Narbethong State Special School. The main school buildings are on a higher area in the southwest part of the site. You can enter from Cowley Street or Martin Street.

The Main Timber School Building (Block A)

Block A is a tall building made of timber. It has three parts arranged in a balanced way: a central part, an eastern part, and a western part. There are also two teacher rooms on the north side. The eastern part is longer because of a two-storey addition built in 1928.

The roofs are made of corrugated metal. The building sits on brick supports. A long verandah on the north side connects all the rooms. This verandah has a timber ceiling and some original railings. The walls of the verandah are made of single timber boards.

Inside, the central part has offices and staff rooms. The western part has a large classroom. The eastern part has classrooms on both floors. Many rooms still have their original timber walls and ceilings. You can see old timber windows and doors. Some original folding doors are still on the first floor of the 1928 section.

The space under the building has a concrete floor. Most of it is an open play area. Some parts are enclosed for classrooms, storage, or a tuckshop. An old art and music room is under the western part.

The Swimming Pool and Changing Shed (1926)

South of Block A is the rectangular concrete swimming pool. It has a timber changing shed along its northern side. The ground between the pool and the shed has concrete walls and stairs, creating terraces.

The swimming pool is about 23 metres long and 9 metres wide. It has tiled edges. The changing shed is a long timber building with a gable roof. It has a verandah facing the pool. Inside, there's a central entrance with changing rooms and shower rooms on each side. The walls are lined with timber boards.

The terraces around the pool include long retaining walls and stairways. These walls have rounded tops and drainage holes.

Other Cool Features Around the School

There are many old walls and gardens around the school. A tall stone wall is south and east of the swimming pool. There are stone-edged garden beds near the dressing shed. A low stone wall is along the Cowley Street side, part of an old garden at the school entrance. A concrete retaining wall with stairs runs north from Block A.

You can also see large, old trees, including fig trees. These are found near the swimming pool, Block A, and the Martin Street entrance. There's a playing field on lower ground to the east of the school.

Inside Block A, on the ground floor of the eastern part, you'll find the large timber Honour Board from 1944. A smaller Honour Board is next to it. These boards list the names of former students who served in World War II. There's also a small timber memorial for a former student named Adrian Blair. An old school bell hangs from the verandah of Block A's western wing.

Why Buranda State School is Special

Buranda State School is important because it shows how education in Queensland has changed. It has a great example of a standard school building design. This design was made to improve natural light, classroom size, and fresh air.

The old swimming pool, changing shed, and gardens from 1926 are also very special. They show how popular it became for children to learn to swim for health and safety. This pool complex is a rare example from the 1920s.

The World War II Honour Boards show how the school community supported a major world event. These boards are a way for the community to remember those who served.

The large school grounds, with their old trees, walls, and sports areas, show how important play and a beautiful environment were for children's education.

Buranda State School is a great example of a Queensland state school. It has teaching buildings built to standard designs. It also has large, landscaped grounds with old trees, play areas, and sports facilities. The main timber building is a wonderful example of its type. It has a balanced design, tall form with play space underneath, and large windows for light and fresh air. The swimming pool and changing shed also show what early school pool complexes were like.

The school building is beautiful with its balanced design, timber work, and decorative details. It looks very attractive from the north side.

Schools are always important to communities. They connect former students, parents, and teachers. They are places for social events and volunteer work. Buranda State School has a strong connection with its community. It has been a central place for the Buranda area since 1918. Many generations of children have learned there, and many social events have been held in its grounds.

Famous Former Students

• Leisha Harvey, who became a Member of the Queensland Parliament.

See also

• History of state education in Queensland
• List of schools in Greater Brisbane