Cannon Hill State School facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Cannon Hill State School
Cannon Hill State School as seen from Wynnum Road, 2015
Location	845 Wynnum Road, Cannon Hill, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Queensland Heritage Register
Official name: Cannon Hill State School
Type	state heritage
Designated	12 June 2015
Reference no.	602854
Type	Education, research, scientific facility: School-state
Theme	Educating Queenslanders: Providing primary schooling

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Cannon Hill State School is a school in Cannon Hill, Queensland, Australia. It is a special place because of its history and buildings. The school opened in 1915 and is located at 845 Wynnum Road. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 12 June 2015, which means it's protected for its historical importance.

A Look at Cannon Hill State School's History

Cannon Hill State School opened in 1915. It was built to teach children in the growing area of Cannon Hill. This suburb is about 5 kilometers east of central Brisbane. After World War II, more people moved to Cannon Hill. This meant the school needed more buildings for all the new students.

The school has several important buildings. These include an original timber building from 1915 and newer ones from 1947, 1950-51, 1954, and 1959. It also has one of Queensland's earliest state school swimming pools, built in 1921. The school has been open non-stop since it started. It has always been a central place for the local community. Many social and cultural events have happened here.

Why Schools Were Important in Queensland

Providing education was very important to the early governments in Australia. In Queensland, laws were made to make education better and more organized. The State Education Act of 1875 made primary education free and compulsory. This helped many children in Queensland learn to read and write by 1900.

How Cannon Hill Grew

Before 1900, Cannon Hill was mostly farms and open land. Industries like brickworks and meatworks started to grow there. By the early 1900s, Cannon Hill became known for its meat industry. A large abattoir (meat factory) opened in 1913. This brought many new families to the area. With more people, there was a big need for a local school. Before Cannon Hill School, children had to travel far to other schools.

The Community Helps Build the School

Local communities often helped build schools. They would donate land and labor. The Bartlett family, who owned a lot of land in Cannon Hill, were key to getting the school built. They sold land to the Department of Public Instruction in 1914 for the school site. Walker James Bartlett was even the chairman of the first school committee.

Designing Queensland Schools

The Queensland Government used standard plans for school buildings. This made them consistent and saved money. From the 1860s to the 1960s, most school buildings were made of timber. This was easy and cheap. These standard designs were always being improved. They focused on good lighting, ventilation, and climate control.

Cannon Hill State School cost about £3034 to build. It officially opened on 25 September 1915. The first building, called Block B, was a great example of a modern school design. It had a U-shape with classrooms and teachers' rooms. The design allowed for lots of natural light and good airflow. Experts at the time called it "the most scientific building yet erected" in Queensland.

School Grounds and Community Life

In 1916, a sports ground was added to the school. Play-based education was important, so outdoor spaces were needed. Trees and gardens were also planted to make the school look nice. Arbor Day celebrations, where trees are planted, started in Queensland in 1890. These activities taught children about hard work and beauty.

Schools became important community hubs. They were a symbol of progress and a source of pride. Many events happened at the school, like dances, fairs, and concerts. On 23 September 1919, an avenue of trees was planted as a war memorial. This showed the school's connection to wider community events.

The School Swimming Pool

In 1921, one of Queensland's earliest state school swimming pools was built at Cannon Hill. It cost about £496. The local community, including volunteers and parents, built it. They got very little money from the government. The pool was built after a child almost drowned in a local waterhole. The community worked hard, holding "working bees" on weekends to build the pool and changing sheds. This shows how strong the link was between the school and the community. The pool has been used since it opened on 9 December 1922.

Growing Pains and New Buildings

School numbers stayed steady for a while. But after World War II, many more students enrolled. This caused overcrowding. To help, new buildings were added.

Block F (1947): This new building was added and connected to Block B. It looked similar to Block B but had some newer features.
Block C (1950-51): This was a temporary building. It used a mix of old and new building styles. These temporary buildings were built quickly to handle the large number of students after the war.
Block E (1954): This was a "highset" timber building. It had classrooms upstairs and a covered play area underneath. These designs allowed for lots of natural light and air.
Block A (1959): This building used new steel supports. This created even more open play space underneath. It was also partly built with brick.

Over the years, other changes were made. These included new classrooms, toilet blocks, and a pre-school center. Some older buildings were removed or rebuilt as needs changed.

School Grounds Today

The school grounds still have many old, mature trees. You can see large fig trees and mango trees. Some of these trees are from the original private residence gardens. The front gardens still have the original pathway and terracing from 1914. An avenue of trees also lines the path from Block A to Block C.

In 2015, Cannon Hill State School celebrated its 100th birthday! A museum was set up at the school to honor its long history. The school has taught generations of students and remains a key place for community events. It has many important buildings designed by the Department of Public Works and its early swimming pool.

What the School Looks Like

Cannon Hill State School is on a large site. It is bordered by Wynnum Road, Molloy Road, Princess Street, and houses. The school sits high up from Wynnum Road, making it a noticeable landmark. The main entrance is on Wynnum Road, where the original timber building (Block B) stands out. The land gently slopes down towards the south and east. The school buildings, play areas, swimming pool, and tennis courts are in the northern part of the site. The playing fields are to the south.

The school has many different buildings and outdoor areas from different times.

Block B – The Original Timber School Building (1915)

The original school building, Block B, in 2015

Block B is a large timber building with a U-shape. It has three main classroom wings connected by verandahs (covered walkways) on the north side. This building shows many features of early 20th-century school design. The classrooms are wide, and the verandahs are also wide. Two small teachers' rooms stick out from the building. Six sets of timber stairs lead up to the verandahs. Block B is connected to other buildings by covered walkways.

The front of the building looks balanced and even. It has large windows that let in lots of light. These windows are protected by wide, tiled hoods with decorative timber supports. The building still has much of its original timber decorations. The verandahs have timber posts with decorative arches and railings. Inside, the classrooms have timber floors and walls. Some original features, like ventilation boards, are still there. The area under the building is open and used for play.

Block F – Timber School Building (1947), with Extension (1957)

Block F, built in 1947 with a 1957 extension

Block F is south of Block B. It has two parts: a highset building from 1947 and an extension from 1957. The 1947 part looks similar to Block B in its layout and outside details. It has a covered verandah. The 1957 extension is also highset, with a covered play space underneath. It has many windows that let in light.

Inside, the classrooms in Block F are now mostly open-plan. Some original features, like high windows and timber walls, can still be seen. The area under the building is used for play.

Block E – Highset Timber School Building (1954)

Block E, a highset timber building from 1954

Block E is connected to Block F. It is a highset timber building with three classrooms and a smaller room. It has a verandah on the north side, accessed by timber stairs. The area underneath is partly enclosed and used for play.

The south side of the building has many large windows. The north verandah wall has double-hung windows. Inside, the walls and ceilings are lined with flat sheets. Some original doors are still in place.

Block C – Temporary Classroom (around 1950-51)

Block C is a low-set building from around 1950-51. It has vertical timber walls and a partially covered verandah on the north side. A former teachers' room sticks out from the north side. This building shows features of temporary classrooms built after the war.

The walls are made of single timber panels. The south and east sides have windows that open outwards. The verandah wall has double-hung windows. You enter the classrooms from the verandah through old timber doors. The verandah has original features like ventilation boards and bag hooks. Inside, the classroom layout has been changed, but you can still see where the original walls were.

Block A – Timber and Brick School Building (1959)

Block A is a long building that runs parallel to Wynnum Road. It is connected to Block B by a covered walkway. This building has two main parts: a two-story brick section and a highset timber and brick section. It uses strong steel supports, which create a large, open play area underneath. The roofs are tiled.

The two-story brick section has toilets and storage rooms on the ground floor. The first floor has offices. A staircase connects the two parts of the building. The western part has four classrooms upstairs and an open play space below. It has many windows along the south side. The north-facing verandah is now enclosed with glass. The area underneath has open steel supports and is used for play. An extra classroom is also located on the lower level.

School Grounds and Outdoor Areas

The school grounds have lawns, gardens, and many old trees. There are also pathways, terraces, and retaining walls. These features are mixed in with the school buildings and playing fields.

The front of the school is raised up from Wynnum Road. It has a fenced lawn and terraced gardens with many plants. The original concrete pathway from 1915 leads up to Block B. You can see mature trees like Poincianas, Wattles, Figs, and Moreton Bay Ash around the school.

There are asphalt areas between the buildings, including the parade ground (now covered with artificial turf). A large mango tree, linked to the early private residence, is near the parade ground. Several shade trees form an avenue running south from Block A.

The rectangular swimming pool, opened in 1922, is south of Block E. It has a concrete shell and surrounding area. There is a modern building next to the pool. Concrete tennis and basketball courts are to the east.

The playing fields are on lower ground to the south. They are surrounded by grassy slopes. A retaining wall made of stone defines the eastern and northern edges of the playing field. Two large fig trees stand between the pool and the playing field. More mature trees are in the southeast corner, near the Pre-School Centre.

Why Cannon Hill State School is Special

Cannon Hill State School was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2015. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.

Showing Queensland's History

The school shows how state education and school buildings have changed in Queensland. The different buildings are great examples of government designs. These designs changed over time to fit new ideas about teaching.

The original timber building (1915) shows how school design improved, especially with light and classroom size.
The temporary classroom (around 1950-51) shows a time when schools needed quick solutions for more students after the war.
The highset timber buildings (1954, 1957) show new designs that came after World War II.
The timber-framed building with open supports (1959) shows how steel was used to create more open play spaces underneath.
The early swimming pool (1921) shows how popular swimming became for children's health and safety.
The large school grounds with old trees show how important play and nice surroundings were for children's education.

Showing What a State School Is Like

Cannon Hill School is a great example of a Queensland state school. It has large, landscaped grounds with shade trees, play areas, and sports facilities. It also has many timber teaching buildings built between 1915 and 1959. The school also has special features like its early swimming pool.

The large original timber building (Block B, 1915) is a good example of its type. It has a balanced design, timber structure, teachers' rooms, and good ventilation.
The nearby classroom building (Block F, 1947) is similar to the older building but with some changes from its time.
The temporary classroom (Block C, around 1950-51) is a rare example of its type. It has a low timber structure, a north-facing verandah, and many windows.
The extensions to Block F (1957) and Block E (1954) are good examples of highset timber school buildings. They have many windows and covered play areas.
The timber-framed building with open supports (Block A, 1959) is a good example of its type. It uses brick and timber with steel supports for open play space.

Its Beautiful Look

Cannon Hill State School is also important for its beautiful look and how it adds to the street. The original timber building (Block B, 1915) is very well-preserved and well-built. Its balanced front and decorative timber work make it very attractive. It stands out from the road, making it a landmark in the area.

Its Strong Community Connection

Schools have always been important to Queensland communities. They connect former students, parents, and teachers. They are places for social events and volunteer work. Cannon Hill State School has a strong and ongoing connection with the Cannon Hill community. It was started in 1915 because the local community raised money. Generations of children have learned there. The school is a main gathering place for social and special events, with strong community support.