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 old school in East Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It's listed as a heritage site. The school was designed by the Department of Public Works. It was built between 1899 and 1939. You can find it right next to The Gabba stadium. In 2023, about 297 students went to EBSS. It became a heritage site on November 6, 1994.
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The Story of East Brisbane State School
East Brisbane State School was once called Brisbane East State School. It was one of the first big brick schools in Brisbane. The first part of the school was built in 1899. More parts were added in 1900, 1938, and 1939. A separate, single-storey building for younger children was built in 1910–11.
These buildings were needed because many families were moving to East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. In the 1880s, large areas were divided into smaller blocks for homes. But there was no school nearby. Children had to go to schools in South Brisbane, Kangaroo Point, or Dutton Park.
When electric trams arrived in 1897, it became easier for people to travel. More working-class families moved to East Brisbane. This made the area grow very quickly.
Building the First School
In 1897, the Department of Public Instruction saw that a new school was needed. But they didn't expect so many students. The first school building was planned for 350 students. It opened on July 10, 1899, with about 800 students! By the end of that year, 1008 children were enrolled.
By mid-1901, the school got bigger. Two more classrooms and a main entrance with a bell tower were added. This meant the school could officially hold 730 students. It had four large and three smaller classrooms.
East Brisbane State School was one of the first large brick schools built in Queensland. This happened around 1900. It was a time when Queensland was becoming more prosperous. Other schools like Norman Park State School (1900) and New Farm State School (1901) were also built then. These schools were designed by the Government Architect's Office.
School Design and Growth
Alfred Barton Brady was the Government Architect from 1892 to 1922. He worked with a talented team of architects. They designed many beautiful government buildings. These included post offices, customs houses, and courthouses. The Government Architect's office also designed schools. Two famous schools from this time are Wooloowin State School (1914) and Windsor State School (1915-16). They were considered very modern.
More students kept coming to East Brisbane State School. In 1907-08, a large playshed was built. Then, in 1910-11, a separate Infants' School was added. This building was about 24 meters long and 7.6 meters wide. It had two classrooms with special "kindergarten equipment." This was seen as very modern back then.
In 1910, a shipping company called Australasian United Steam Navigation Company gave the school a special gift. It was the bell from their ship, the SS Melbourne. This bell still hangs in the school's bell tower today!
Later Additions and Student Numbers
East Brisbane continued to grow as a place for families. By the late 1930s, the school needed even more space. In 1937-38, the school's northern and southern parts were extended. The existing parts were also updated. In the next year, another floor was added to the central part of the building. These big additions were finished in 1939.
Over time, fewer families lived in Brisbane's inner suburbs. This caused student numbers to drop. In 2013, there were 197 students. Many of them spoke English as a second language. But this trend changed. From 2017, student numbers started to rise again. In 2023, there were 297 students. The school expects to have even more students soon.
School Relocation Plans
In 2023, there was a plan to move East Brisbane State School. This was because The Gabba stadium was going to be rebuilt for the 2032 Summer Olympics. The school was meant to move to the Coorpooro Secondary College site by 2026.
The new site was planned to be bigger and safer. It would have more green space and be away from busy main roads. New facilities would include an indoor sports hall and a swimming pool. These would be shared with the secondary college.
However, many people, including students and staff, were not happy about the move. In March 2024, the Gabba project was cancelled. This meant East Brisbane State School would stay in its original location.
What the School Looks Like
East Brisbane State School is a brick building. It has a two-storey middle section. On each side, there are single-storey wings. These wings create an entrance area. The roof is made of corrugated iron.
The main entrance has a tower with 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 storey. The upper floor was added in 1939. Some of the verandahs, which are like open porches, have been closed in.
The walls are made of different coloured bricks. Inside, the walls are smooth up to about 1.8 meters 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 planks placed diagonally.
The area under the school building is open. It is used as a playground and has an asphalt surface. The classrooms get lots of light from tall gable windows. Air flows out through panels in the ceilings. This air goes through iron tubes and special ventilators.
Why East Brisbane State School is Important
East Brisbane State School is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it is a very important historical place. It shows how East Brisbane and Woolloongabba grew quickly around the late 1800s. This growth happened because public transport expanded. The large brick buildings also show how Queensland was doing well economically around 1900.
East Brisbane State School is important because it was one of the first big state schools in Brisbane. The way it was built, with brick and simple details, was common for government buildings at that time. Its simple shape, different materials, and central tower are good examples of its style.
The school is also important because it's a great example of a school building designed by the Queensland Government Architect's office. This office was considered one of the best in Australia at the time.
