Marburg State School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marburg State School |
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Sectional School Building (Block A), from North, 2015
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| Location | Louisa Street, Marburg, City of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919–1930s (Interwar period) |
| Built | 1922, 1925, 1926, 1928 |
| Architect | Queensland Department of Public Works |
| Official name: Marburg State School; Marburg Rural School | |
| Type | state heritage |
| Designated | 9 October 2015 |
| Reference no. | 650002 |
| Type | Education, research, scientific facility: School-state; Education, research, scientific facility: Teacher's residence; Parks/gardens/trees: Garden-experimental/research; Parks/gardens/trees: Tree groups |
| Theme | Exploiting, utilising and transforming the land: Managing flora and fauna; Educating Queenslanders: Providing primary schooling |
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Marburg State School is a historic school in Marburg, Australia. It was designed by the Queensland Department of Public Works and built in 1922. The school is also known as Marburg Rural School. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 9 October 2015.
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A Look Back at Marburg State School
Marburg State School first opened its doors in 1879. It was originally called Frederick State School. The school was built to serve the farming families in the area. In 1888, its name changed to Marburg State School.
In 1920, Marburg also started a "Rural School." This special school taught practical skills. Both schools moved to the current site in June 1922. The school has been open ever since. It has always been a key place for the local community.
How Schools Started in Queensland
Setting up schools was very important for early communities. In Queensland, the government wanted to make education available to everyone. The Education Act of 1875 made primary education free and compulsory. This helped many children learn to read and write by 1900.
Local people often helped build schools. They would donate land or their time. Schools became a symbol of progress for towns. They were also places where people gathered for events.
To make schools efficient, the Queensland Government used standard building plans. Most schools were made of timber. This was an affordable way to build schools, even in remote areas. These standard designs changed over time. They improved things like climate control and lighting.
Growing with the Town
Marburg grew into an important town in the 1880s. The school also grew, with new parts added in 1888. In 1911, a railway line reached Marburg. This made the town even more important. However, the railway station was built close to the school. This made the school's playground smaller. More land was added, but it was too steep for playing.
The Idea of Rural Schools
In the early 1900s, there was a new idea for country schools. These "rural schools" would teach practical subjects. The goal was to help country children learn skills for farming. This would encourage them to stay and work in rural areas.
In 1917, Queensland's first rural school opened in Nambour. It was a big success. So, in 1920, three more rural schools were planned. One of these was for Marburg.
A new 10-acre site was bought for the Marburg Rural School. It was close to the town centre and the railway station. Being near the railway was important. Students from nearby towns could travel to Marburg for free. They would attend the rural school one day a week.
Rural school classes first met in rented buildings. In 1922, the old school buildings were moved to the new site. They were then used for vocational (job-related) classes.
New Buildings and Grounds
A new main school building was finished in 1922. It was a timber building, raised high on stumps. It had a special roof and large windows. Inside, there were five classrooms and a science room.
The school grounds were designed by William Ernest Bick. He was a famous landscaper from the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. He planned the layout of the driveways and planting areas.
In 1925, the school committee decided to fence off a horse paddock. They also planned to plant shade trees. A new teacher's house was also built in 1926.
The Teacher's Residence
Most Queensland state schools had a house for the teacher. This was especially true in country areas. It helped attract teachers to rural places. It also meant someone was always on site to look after the school.
The new teacher's house at Marburg was built in 1926. It was a high-set building with verandahs. It had three bedrooms, a dining room, kitchen, and bathroom. It was built to a very high standard.
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The Forestry Plot
Marburg State School has a special forestry plot. It was started in 1928 and was the first in Queensland. These plots taught students about trees. They learned about their economic and environmental importance.
The Department of Primary Industry helped by providing plants. Students planted different types of trees in rows. These included Bunya Pine, Kauri Pine, and Silky Oak. The plots also helped test how different trees grew in various conditions. Selling timber from the plots also gave the school extra money.
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School Activities and Changes
Besides regular subjects, Marburg Rural School taught many practical skills. These included farm-craft, leatherwork, and domestic science. Students also had a calf club and grew potatoes. They even raised pigs on the school farm!
Other improvements were made to the school grounds. An orchard was planted, and a tennis court was added. Fig trees were planted along the driveway in the 1930s.
The idea of rural schools slowly ended between the 1940s and 1960s. This was because farming changed, and more high schools opened. Marburg Rural School became a regular state school again in 1963. The vocational building burned down in 1959.
The school continued to change over the years. New classrooms were added, and the teacher's house was updated. A new toilet block was built in 1966. A pre-school building was added in 1978. The tennis court was moved to a new spot. In 2009, a new multi-purpose hall was built.
The school has celebrated many milestones. These include its 75th Jubilee in 1954 and its 125th anniversary in 2004. The school's bell, which was once stolen, was replaced in 1979.
Today, Marburg State School still operates from its 1922 site. It keeps its original buildings, forestry plot, and landscaped grounds. The school remains a very important part of the Marburg community.
What the School Looks Like Today
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Marburg State School is on a large, sloping block of land. It is in the small town of Marburg. You can see the main school building from the entrance. The teacher's house is to the east of the main building.
The school grounds are very well-kept. There is a beautiful driveway lined with mature fig trees. The grounds are divided into different areas. These include a teaching area, a playing field, the teacher's garden, a forestry plot, and a former horse paddock. The school stands out in its rural setting.
The 1922 Main School Building (Block A)
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This building is made of timber and stands high on stumps. It has a special roof shape and round vents. The teachers' annex has a hipped roof. You enter the building from the northern verandah.
Inside, the building has four classrooms. The ceilings are curved and made of timber. The teachers' annex has rooms for staff and storage. The area under the building is used as a shaded play space.
The 1926 Teacher's Residence
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The teacher's house is still very much like it was when it was built. It is high on concrete stumps and made of timber. It has a hipped roof. There are verandahs at the front and back.
Inside, the house has three bedrooms and a living room. There is also a kitchen, bathroom, and pantry. Many of the original timber doors and windows are still there. The walls and ceilings are lined with timber boards.
Grounds and Views
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The school grounds are well-designed and beautiful. Because the land slopes, you can see great views of the countryside.
The driveway is lined with old fig trees. This makes the entrance to the school very attractive. It also makes the school stand out in the area.
North of the teacher's house is the forestry plot. It has different types of pine trees planted in rows. A sign at the entrance says "Environmental Park; QLD's 1st School Forestry Plot; est. 1928."
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In the northwestern corner is the horse paddock. This is a fenced, grassy area with shade trees.
Why Marburg State School is Special
Marburg State School is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it is an important historical site.
A Look at Queensland's History
The school shows how education in Queensland has changed over time. The main school building (1922) is a great example of government school designs. It shows how buildings were made to suit both teaching and the local climate. The teacher's house (1926) shows how the government provided homes for teachers in country areas.
The school also shows the history of "rural schools." These schools were important for teaching practical skills to country students. The forestry plot (1928) is also special. It was the first one in Queensland. It taught students about trees and their importance.
What Makes It Unique
Marburg State School shows the main features of Queensland state schools. These include timber buildings built to standard designs. It also has large, landscaped grounds with old shade trees and play areas.
The teacher's house is a very good example of its kind. It still has its original design and many old features. The main school building is also a good example. It has its high-set design, large windows, and original ceilings. The forestry plot is an excellent example, with its rows of different pine trees.
Beautiful Design
The school grounds were designed by William Ernest Bick. He was a famous landscaper. The school is beautiful because of its well-planned layout. This includes the fig-lined driveway, the forestry plot, and the horse paddock. The sloping grounds are divided into different areas. This creates a lovely, park-like setting in the countryside.
A Special Place for the Community
Schools are always important to their communities. They connect past students, parents, and teachers. They are also places for social events and volunteer work. Schools often bring a sense of pride to a town.
Marburg State School has a strong connection to the Marburg community. It was started in 1879 with help from local fundraising. Generations of children from Marburg have gone to school here. It is a key gathering place for social events and celebrations.
