Dalby State High School facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dalby State High School
Block C, south side
Location	28B Nicholson Street, Dalby, Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia
Design period	1940s–1960s (Post-WWII)
Built	1953–1959
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name: Dalby State High School
Type	state heritage
Designated	19 August 2016
Reference no.	650036
Type	Education, Research, Scientific Facility: School – state (high)
Theme	Educating Queenslanders: Providing secondary education
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Dalby State High School is a special school in Dalby, Australia. It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because of its important history. The school first opened on its current site in 1954. It was built between 1953 and 1959.

A Look Back at Dalby's School History

Dalby State High School opened in 1954. Before that, older students went to Dalby State School. That school had a special "high top" section for secondary students since 1914.

The land where Dalby is today belongs to the Barunggam people. European settlers arrived in the 1840s. Dalby became a town in 1853.

Early Schools in Queensland

In the 1860s, Queensland started building many schools. These were called "National Schools." They were often made of timber because it was cheap and easy to use. The government created standard plans for school buildings. This helped make sure schools were built quickly and efficiently.

Dalby's first school opened in 1861. It was called Dalby National School. Later, it became Dalby State School.

Dalby's Growth and the Need for More Schools

Dalby grew a lot when the railway line arrived in 1868. More people meant more students. By 1914, Dalby State School added a "secondary department" or "high top." This was for older students. It was an affordable way to offer high school classes.

Over time, more students joined the high top. By 1944, there were 41 students. The school also started teaching practical subjects. These included domestic science (like cooking and sewing) and woodwork. These skills were important for the local industries.

After World War II, Dalby grew even more. Many young farmers moved to the area. The town's population increased. This meant Dalby State School became very crowded. By 1954, it had over 1000 students!

Building a New High School

Because of the overcrowding, the government decided to build a new high school in Dalby. Plans were made in 1953. The new school would be built on a large piece of land.

In the 1950s, many new high schools were built in Queensland. They had large grounds for sports. They also had special buildings for science, home economics, and workshops.

Architects started planning schools differently. Instead of strict grid layouts, they designed schools that could grow easily. They also thought about how sunlight would enter the buildings.

Dalby State High School Buildings

The first buildings at Dalby State High School were built near Nicholson Street. They were arranged in a staggered way, connected by covered walkways.

• Block A (eastern part): This was a prefabricated timber building from 1953–1954. It was used for domestic science classes.
• Block B (eastern part): This was another prefabricated timber building from 1953–1954.
• Block D: This was a highset timber building from 1954–1955. It was used for the intermediate school and administration.
• Block C: This timber building was added later, from 1956–1958.
• Block F: This was the administration building, built in 1958–1959.
• Block J: This was a brick vocational building, also built in 1958–1959.

Special Building Designs

Some of the first buildings, like parts of Block A and Block B, were special. They were imported from England. They were called "Boulton & Paul" buildings. These buildings were made from pre-built parts. This helped Queensland build schools quickly after the war. They had lots of windows for light and fresh air.

Block D was a common type of timber school building from the 1950s. It was built high off the ground, creating a covered play area underneath.

Block C was a newer design. It used special timber trusses to support the floor. This meant there were fewer poles underneath, creating more open play space.

In the late 1950s, the school added Block J (a brick vocational building) and Block F (the administration building). These buildings used brick, which made them look more permanent and important.

School Life and Changes Over Time

Dalby State High School officially opened on 4 September 1954. The Minister for Education noted how much secondary school enrolment had grown.

Students and parents helped plant trees around the school. They also prepared the sports oval.

In 1956, Grade 8 students moved to the new high school. Grade 7 followed in 1957. The school offered many subjects, including academic, commercial, and agricultural science.

The school continued to grow and change. More classrooms were added. A tuckshop was built in 1965. New science blocks and other facilities were added over the years.

In 1976, a fire damaged part of the school. A new building was constructed in 1977 to replace the damaged section.

The school's size changed slightly in 1996 to create a car park. In 2011, Dalby State High School took over the Dalby Agricultural College. This became its "Bunya Campus," with a farm and residential college.

Today, Dalby State High School continues to be an important part of the Dalby community. Many generations of students have learned there.

What Makes Dalby State High School Special

Dalby State High School is important because it shows how education in Queensland has changed. It has great examples of school buildings from the 1950s. These buildings show how architects designed schools to meet new needs.

The way the buildings are laid out, with covered walkways and open play areas, shows the planning ideas of the 1950s. The Boulton & Paul buildings show how Queensland used prefabricated parts to build schools quickly after the war.

The school also has a strong connection to the Dalby community. It has been a place of learning and pride for many years.

Images for kids

• 

  Dalby State School and "high top", circa 1935

• 

  Cactoblastic monument, commemorating the eradication of prickly pear, Dalby, 2008

• 

  Site map, 2016

• 

  Block A, east end

• 

  B block, north side

• 

  Block D, south side

• 

  Block J, south-west end, looking north-east from Block C

• 

  Block F (former administration building), north-east corner

See also

• History of state education in Queensland
• List of schools in Darling Downs