Ironside State School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ironside State School |
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Ironside State School, 2020
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| Location | 378 Swann Road, St Lucia, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Elevation | 43 Meters above sea level |
| Height | All buildings are either 2 or 3 stories tall. |
| Design period | 1919–1930s (Interwar period) |
| Built | 1935–1959, 1940–1955, 1953–1955 |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Ironside State School | |
| Type | state heritage |
| Designated | 27 July 2018 |
| Reference no. | 650060 |
| Type | Education, Research, Scientific Facility: School – state (primary) |
| Theme | Educating Queenslanders: Providing primary schooling |
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Ironside State School is a special school in St Lucia, Brisbane, Australia. It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because of its important history and unique buildings. The school was built between 1935 and 1959. It became a heritage site on 27 July 2018.
Contents
A Look Back: The School's History
Ironside State School first opened its doors on 10 October 1870. It was originally called "Toowong Provisional School." It has had a few different names over the years, including Toowong State School and Indooroopilly State School. The school is located in St Lucia, about 4.5 kilometers southwest of Brisbane's city center.
The school shows how state education and school buildings have changed over time in Queensland. It still has a special brick building from the 1930s, built during the Great Depression. It also has a beautiful front entrance area and old trees. The school has always been a very important part of its local community.
Early Days and First Schools
The land where the school stands was once home to the Turrbal people. In the 1850s, settlers started farming in the St Lucia area. By 1871, a sugar mill opened, and local farmers grew sugarcane.
Starting schools was a big step for new communities. People often gave land and helped build the schools. Schools became a central place, showing how much a community was growing. They also became a source of pride.
The first attempts to teach children in St Lucia were private schools, starting in 1864.
From Provisional to State School
Ironside State School began as "Toowong Provisional School" in a temporary building. It had 42 students. Provisional schools were for smaller communities that could promise at least 15 students. Many state schools today started as provisional schools. The government provided teachers and books, but not the buildings.
In February 1871, the school moved to its current location. This land was given by a major landowner, Thomas Lodge Murray-Prior. The first school building was a simple timber house with a porch. The community helped raise money for the school.
When railway stations opened nearby in 1875, more people moved to the area. Because of more students, Toowong Provisional School became Toowong State School in 1875. By 1879, it had 146 students! In 1881, it was renamed Indooroopilly State School.
Land Changes and New Names
Even though the area grew, poor roads made it hard for land sales to be fast. In 1884, the school's land was sold to an architect named Richard Gailey. He then officially gave the land to the government for the school.
In 1888, the school was renamed "Indooroopilly Pocket School." This was to avoid confusion with a new Indooroopilly State School.
The big Brisbane flood of 1893 affected low-lying areas of St Lucia. The area stayed a small, rural community for about 50 more years. Still, the school grew, and new parts were added in 1895 and 1908.
To make things clearer, Indooroopilly Pocket State School was renamed Ironside State School in 1905. This name came from a nearby estate.
Growth and the Great Depression
In the early 1900s, Brisbane's population grew a lot. Land around Ironside State School was divided into smaller blocks for homes in the 1920s. This meant even more students for the school.
The school grounds also got bigger in the 1930s. This extra land was used to create new sports fields. The school grounds grew to about 1.51 hectares.
The Great Depression started in 1929. It caused a big slowdown in building work. To help people find jobs, the Queensland Government started a large building program. This included building many strong brick schools.
These "Depression-era" brick schools were often designed in a classic style. They looked strong and hopeful. Many were two stories tall with an open space underneath for play. They usually had a main entrance in the middle and classrooms facing south.
Block A: A Special Building
Ironside State School's main brick building, called Block A, was designed by architect Thomas Robert Gladwin. He worked for the Queensland Department of Public Works. This building was constructed in four stages between 1935 and 1959. This was due to more people moving to the area and problems getting building materials after World War II.
The first part of Block A was finished in 1935. It had four classrooms and space for 168 students. The building was made of brick with a tiled roof. The lower part was plastered to look like stone. The old timber school building was sold and moved away in 1936.
Block A was officially opened on 16 November 1935. It had classrooms on both sides of a central hall. The classrooms had large windows and were accessed from a covered walkway (verandah). The building was made of brick and concrete.
After World War II, many more children needed schooling. This was due to immigration and the "baby boom" (a time when many babies were born). Ironside State School's student numbers grew even more when the University of Queensland moved to St Lucia in 1946.
More parts were added to Block A in 1947, 1948, and 1959. All these additions matched the original design.
School Grounds and Community Spirit
School grounds were always important. Trees and gardens were planted to make schools look nice and provide shade. Playing fields and sports courts were also added for students to play.
The Ironside State School grounds were developed after Block A was built. The school community, especially the Parents and Citizen's Association (P&C), helped raise money for these improvements.
Between 1936 and 1946, a playing field was created. Tennis courts were added in 1940 and 1951–52. A basketball court was built in 1956, and a swimming pool opened in 1958.
In 1952, plans were made to improve the school's landscaping. This included building stone walls, concrete steps, and paths. The current entrance driveway and brick gateposts were put in place by 1955.
Block A has been changed a bit over the years. In 1996, the upper floor verandah was enclosed. The area underneath the building was also updated for offices and practice rooms.
Most other school buildings today were built after 1960. These include the Centenary Library (1970) and many other blocks for classrooms and a hall.
Ironside State School has always had a strong connection with the St Lucia community. Fancy dress balls and fetes were popular ways to raise money. The school has celebrated many anniversaries, including its 150th anniversary on 10 October 2020. During this celebration, a time capsule from 1988 was opened, and a new book about the school's history was shared.
The school still operates from its original site today. It remains a key part of the St Lucia community. Many generations of students have learned there, and it's a place for many community events.
What the School Looks Like
Ironside State School is on a triangular piece of land, about 1.8 hectares in size. It's located in St Lucia, about 4.5 kilometers southwest of Brisbane's city center. The main road, Swann Road / Hawken Drive, runs along the front of the school.
The school buildings are in the middle and highest part of the site, around a landscaped courtyard. The most important building is the large brick building from the Depression era, called Block A. It's very noticeable and can be seen from many places in the area.
Block A (1935-1959)
Block A is a long, H-shaped brick building with a tiled roof. Its long sides face north and south, and it looks the same on both sides of its main entrance. There's plenty of open space around the building, which helps natural light and air get into all the rooms.
It has two floors of classrooms, with an open space underneath (called an undercroft) at the east end. The undercroft walls are finished to look like stone. This area was originally partly open but is now fully enclosed for classrooms. You can see slight differences in the brickwork, showing it was built in stages.
The front (south) side of the building has many timber-framed windows. A short, wide staircase leads from the driveway to the main entrance. This entrance has an arched doorway with the school's crest and the words "IRONSIDE STATE SCHOOL" written on it.
Inside, the classrooms are on the southern side. They are reached by a long covered walkway (verandah) on the north side, which ends at stairwells at each end of the building. The walls inside are plastered. Classrooms have timber floors, while the verandah floors and stairs are concrete. Some walls between classrooms and the verandah have been changed, but you can still see where they used to be.
Front Entrance Area
The open play area and driveway in front of Block A create a grand entrance to the building. This open space allows people to see Block A clearly from the main roads, Hawken Drive and Swann Road. It makes the elegant architecture of Block A stand out even more.
Why Ironside State School is Special
Ironside State School was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 27 July 2018 for several reasons:
- It shows how Queensland's history of education changed. The school, which started in 1870, has a great example of a brick school building from the Depression era. This building shows how the government thought about education during that time. The school also has well-designed grounds with play areas, sports facilities, and old trees. The building was finished in stages because of the huge growth in population after World War II. The school's grounds show how important play and beautiful surroundings were for children's education.
- It shows the main features of a special type of school. Ironside State School is a good example of a Queensland state school built during the Depression era. It has a large, well-preserved brick building within landscaped grounds, with old shade trees, assembly areas, and sports facilities. The main brick building is a great example of its kind. It has two stories, an undercroft, high-quality design, brick outside, a tiled roof, and a central entrance. The rooms are arranged in a line and accessed by verandahs.
- It is beautiful to look at. The brick school building at Ironside State School is beautiful because of its design, large size, and brick exterior. It shows the government's ideas of progress and lasting quality. The building also looks great from the street. It stands out and is a very visible part of the area from Swann Road and Hawken Drive.
- It has a strong connection with the community. Schools are always important to communities. They connect with past students, parents, and teachers. They are places for social events and volunteer work, and they show local pride and hopes. Ironside State School has a strong and ongoing connection with the St Lucia community. It started in 1870 because of local fundraising, and generations of children have learned there. It's a key meeting place for social and special events, with strong support from the community.
