East Brisbane State School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Brisbane State School |
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Entrance court and building, 2015
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| Location | 90 Wellington Road, East Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s–1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1899–1939 |
| Architect | Department of Public Works |
| Architectural style(s) | Arts & Crafts |
| Official name: East Brisbane State School, Brisbane East State School | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 6 November 1994 |
| Reference no. | 601476 |
| Significant period | 1890s–1930s (fabric) 1890s–1930s (historical) 1899 ongoing (social) |
| Significant components | school/school room, tower – bell / belfry |
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East Brisbane State School (EBSS) is a special school in East Brisbane, Australia. It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it is an important historical place.
The school is located at 90 Wellington Road. It is right next to The Gabba stadium. The Queensland Department of Public Works designed the school. It was built between 1899 and 1939. In 2023, the school had 297 students.
Contents
School History: Building a Community Hub
East Brisbane State School was once called Brisbane East State School. It was one of the first large brick state schools in Brisbane. The first part of the school was built in 1899. More parts were added in 1900, 1938, and 1939. A separate timber building for younger students was built in 1910–11.
This school was built because many families were moving to East Brisbane. Before this school, children went to schools in other areas. These included South Brisbane and Kangaroo Point.
Why East Brisbane Needed a School
In the 1880s, more homes were built in East Brisbane. But there was no school planned yet. Then, in 1897, electric trams came to the area. This made it easier and cheaper for working families to live there. Many more people moved to East Brisbane.
The government department in charge of schools saw the need. They decided to build a primary school. However, they did not expect so many students.
Early Days and Growth
The first school building was planned for 350 students. It cost about £1,800. When the school opened on 10 July 1899, about 800 students arrived! By the end of that year, 1008 children were enrolled.
Because so many students came, the school needed to grow fast. By mid-1901, two more classrooms were added. A central entrance with a bell tower was also built. This cost another £2,323. The school could then officially hold 730 students.
East Brisbane State School was one of the first large brick schools in Queensland. Many similar schools were built around this time. This was because the population was growing quickly. Other schools like Norman Park State School and New Farm State School also opened.
Architects and Design
The Department of Public Works designed these schools. They had a team of very talented architects. Alfred Barton Brady was the Government Architect from 1892 to 1922. His Senior Assistant, Thomas Pye, helped a lot with the designs.
Their office designed many important government buildings. These included post offices and courthouses. They also designed schools. Two famous schools they designed were Wooloowin State School and Windsor State School. These were seen as model schools.
School Life and Features
More students kept joining East Brisbane State School. In 1907–08, a large playshed was built. This gave students a covered area to play.
In 1910–11, a separate building for younger children was added. This was the Infants' School. It cost about £1,000. It had two classrooms with modern "kindergarten equipment." This was considered very advanced for the time.
In 1910, a shipping company gave the school a special gift. It was the bell from the ship SS Melbourne. This bell still hangs in the school's bell tower today.
Later Additions and Student Numbers
From the 1910s to the 1930s, East Brisbane continued to grow. By the late 1930s, the school needed even more space. In 1937–38, the school added extensions. This included making the northern and southern parts of the building bigger.
In the next year, more additions were made. An extra floor was built over the central part of the school. These big changes were finished in 1939.
Over time, fewer families lived in inner Brisbane suburbs. This caused student numbers to drop. In 2013, there were 197 students. Many students also spoke English as a second language.
However, student numbers started rising again after 2017. In 2023, there were 297 students. In 2024, the school's enrollment reached 314 students. This was more than its planned capacity of 309. To manage this, the school limits how many students can come from outside its local area. Teacher numbers have also increased to match the growing student body.
Plans for Relocation and Why They Changed
In 2023, there was a plan to move the school. It was going to move to the Coorpooro Secondary College site. This was because The Gabba stadium was going to be rebuilt. The stadium project was planned for the 2032 Summer Olympics.
The new school site was thought to be better. It could hold more students (350). It also had more green space. It would be safer for students, away from busy main roads. The new location would have an indoor sports hall and a swimming pool.
However, many people did not like the idea of moving the school. This included staff and students from both schools. In March 2024, the Gabba project was stopped. The Premier, Steven Miles, said it was too expensive. Because of this, East Brisbane State School did not have to move.
School Building Description
East Brisbane State School is a brick building. It has a two-story central part. Two single-story wings stick out from the sides. These wings create an entrance court. The roof is made of corrugated iron.
The main entrance has a tall tower. This tower has a bell turret. The school's name is written in fancy letters above the entrance. Steps lead up to an arched porch. The central part of the building was originally one story. The upper floor was added in 1939. The single-story wings have also been made longer over time. Some of the covered walkways have been closed in.
The walls are made of bricks of different colors. Inside, the walls are smooth up to about 6 feet high. Above that, the bricks are painted. In the oldest part of the school (from 1899), the roof supports are made of light wrought iron. The ceilings are made of pine wood boards.
The area under the school building is open. It is used as a playground and has an asphalt surface. The classrooms get a lot of light from high gable windows. Air flows out through special panels in the ceilings. This helps keep the rooms fresh.
Heritage Listing: Why the School is Special
East Brisbane State School was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 6 November 1994. This means it is recognized as an important historical place. It meets several important standards:
- It shows how Queensland's history developed.
The school shows how quickly East Brisbane and Woolloongabba grew. This growth happened when public transport expanded around the late 1800s. The large brick buildings show Queensland's strong economy at the start of the 20th century. East Brisbane State School was one of the first big state schools in Brisbane.
- It shows the main features of its type of place.
The school's design uses brick and simple details. This was common for government buildings of that time. Its simple shape, different materials, and central tower show its unique style.
- It has important artistic value.
East Brisbane State School is a great example of a school building. It was designed by the office of the Queensland Government Architect. This office was considered one of the best in Australia at the time.
