Milton State School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Milton State School |
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Entrance to Block A
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| Location | Bayswater Street, Milton, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919–1930s (Interwar period) |
| Built | 1923–1936, 1935–1937, 1935–1937 |
| Architectural style(s) | Spanish Mission |
| Official name: Milton State School | |
| Type | state heritage |
| Designated | 28 April 2017 |
| Reference no. | 650049 |
| Type | Education, research, scientific facility: school – state (primary) |
| Theme | Educating Queenslanders: Providing primary schooling |
| Builders | Queensland Department of Public Works |
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Milton State School is a historic school located on Bayswater Street in Milton, a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was built by the Queensland Department of Public Works between 1923 and 1936. This school is so special that it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 28 April 2017, meaning it's officially protected for its historical importance.
Contents
- Discovering Milton State School's Past
- Exploring the School Buildings
- Why Milton State School is Special
- Famous Former Students
- Images for kids
Discovering Milton State School's Past
Milton State School first opened its doors in 1889. Back then, it was called Rosalie State School. It's located about two kilometers west of the main city area of Brisbane. The school's buildings and design show us how education in Queensland has changed over time.
In 2017, the school still had some very old parts. These include a brick building from the 1930s, built during the Great Depression, and a two-story timber building from 1923 that was later used for different purposes. There are also old retaining walls, stairs, and beautiful mature trees. The school has been teaching students continuously since it first started!
How Milton Grew Around the School
The land where Milton State School stands was once outside Brisbane's main town area. It was part of the traditional lands of the Turrbal people. In the 1850s, large blocks of land were sold here. The suburb of Milton got its name from "Milton House", a home built in the early 1850s.
In the 1860s, Milton was mostly large houses on big properties. But things changed when the railway to Ipswich opened in 1875. More people moved in, and Milton became a mix of small homes, shops, and factories. A distillery opened in 1871, and the Castlemaine brewery started in 1878. This led to a big population increase in the 1880s.
Later, a tram line opened in 1904, making it even easier for people to live in Milton and travel to the city. All this growth meant more children, and soon, there was a big need for a school.
The Community's Role in Starting the School
In the 1880s, many new homes were built, and people living in the Rosalie and Milton areas really wanted a state school. Schools were seen as very important for new communities to grow and succeed. Often, local people would donate land or help build the school. The school became a central part of the community, a sign of progress, and a source of pride.
In February 1886, local residents formed a committee to push for a school. They chose a piece of land that was part of a Water Reserve. This land was free, which was a big advantage over other possible sites. This area was once a swamp called Red Jacket Swamp. Even though the swamp caused some problems with smells, the site was still chosen for the school.
In 1888, a builder named James Loynes was chosen to build the new school for £999. The first timber school building was ready by February 1889. It had one classroom, an office for the head teacher, and front and back verandahs.
Opening Day and Early Growth
Rosalie State School opened on 18 March 1889 with 261 students. By the end of that year, 422 students were enrolled! A second classroom was added quickly. The school soon changed its name to Milton State School.
The number of students kept growing, reaching an average of 850 by 1898. More additions were made to the school in 1891 and 1899, and two playsheds were built by 1896.
Trees and Play Areas
School grounds were always important in Queensland. They provided space for play and sports. Trees and gardens were planted to make schools look nice and provide shade. In 1889, Milton State School was one of the first schools in Queensland to celebrate Arbor Day. Students planted 65 trees, including Moreton Bay figs, Bauhinia, Poinciana, and Jacaranda trees. The goal was to make the school grounds beautiful and help with the smell from the nearby swamp.
The school grounds slowly grew bigger, especially along Bayswater Street. In 1901 and 1920, more land was added. The corner where Baroona Road and Bayswater Street meet was once the home of the Milton Volunteer Fire Brigade.
A School with a Swimming Pool
In February 1914, Milton State School officially opened a swimming pool! This made it only the second state school in Queensland to have one. The parents helped pay for the pool, which was 40 feet long and 16 feet wide.
This first pool was later replaced by a new, bigger concrete pool in November 1930. The new pool, which is still there today, was 75 feet long and 25 feet wide. It cost £1206, and again, parents provided most of the money.
New Buildings and Vocational Training
As Milton's population grew, the school needed more space. A new wing with three classrooms was added in 1919. In 1923, another two-story building (Block B today) with six classrooms was added. This building cost £2500. By 1923, about 900 to 1000 students attended the school daily.
In the 1930s, the school also got tennis courts. These were first in Gregory Park, which was once Red Jacket Swamp but had been filled in and used as the school's playground. The tennis courts were later moved to their current spot near the swimming pool.
The Depression-Era Brick Building (Block A)
The biggest change in the 1930s was the construction of a large brick school building, known as Block A today. This building was built between 1935 and 1937. During the Great Depression, many people were out of work. The Queensland Government started a big building program to create jobs and help the economy.
These "Depression-era" brick school buildings were designed to look strong and hopeful. They were often two stories tall with open spaces underneath. They usually had a grand central entrance and many classrooms. Each building was designed by an architect from the Department of Public Works, so they had different styles, like Spanish Mission features with arched windows and fancy decorations.
Plans for Milton's new brick school, from February 1935, showed a long, symmetrical building with three parts. It would have an open area and toilets on the ground floor, and two floors of classrooms above. The building was designed with Spanish Mission-style elements, like decorative tops and round arches over the windows.
Construction started in early 1935. The new building was meant to replace the older school buildings. It had ten classrooms on each of its two upper floors, able to hold 800 students. Some classrooms had folding partitions, so they could be opened up to create a large space for school assemblies.
Repurposing the Timber Building (Block B)
Only one of the old main school buildings survived the construction of the new brick school. This was the two-story timber building from 1923 (Block B). Instead of tearing it down, it was moved further north in 1936. It was then remodeled to offer vocational training, like domestic science (cooking and sewing) and manual training (woodwork and metalwork). This cost £913.
Vocational training was important to the Queensland Government. It helped students learn practical skills. The remodeling of Block B created special rooms for these subjects. The new brick school, costing £30,000 in total, was ready for use in March 1937 and officially opened in May. By then, 833 students were enrolled.
World War II and Beyond
During World War II, air raid shelters were built in Gregory Park for the students. Because people were worried about a Japanese invasion, coastal schools in Queensland were closed in January 1942. When they reopened, students could choose whether to attend. Instead of digging trenches, sandbags were used to create six above-ground shelters. Everyone, including students, parents, and staff, helped fill and sew the sandbags.
After the war, changes continued. Even though student numbers went down, smaller class sizes still meant new additions were needed. In 1951, more land from Gregory Park was added to the school. By this time, palm trees and other mature trees were growing around the school grounds.
A three-classroom timber building (Block C) was added around 1952–1955. Parts of the open play area under Block A were also enclosed for temporary classrooms. In 1959-60, a new timber and brick wing was added to Block A, which included a library.
Over the years, Block B was changed to become a Technical College and later used for other educational programs. Minor changes were also made to Block A, like enclosing parts of the undercroft for a tuckshop and music room.
For the school's 100th birthday in 1989, a small model of the first school building was made. A special quilt and a Centenary Courtyard were also created. In 2016, 686 students were enrolled. Today, Milton State School still operates on its original site, and its historic brick building is a well-known landmark in the area. The school remains an important part of the Milton community, teaching generations of students.
Exploring the School Buildings
Milton State School covers a narrow area of about 1.02 hectares along Bayswater Street. A fence separates the school from Gregory Park, which the school uses as its playing field. The school buildings are located along Bayswater Street, on the highest part of the grounds. The most noticeable building is the large brick school building (Block A). North of Block A is the timber building (Block B) that was once used for vocational training. The school grounds also have many important old trees, retaining walls, stairs, and sports areas.
The Main Brick Building (Block A)
The main brick building, Block A, is a long, two-story building with an open space underneath (called an undercroft). It faces southwest. Since the undercroft is below street level, you reach the main entrance on the first floor by walking down a wide path and steps. The building is symmetrical, meaning it's the same on both sides. It has a long central part with a projecting entrance, and shorter wings on either side.
The building has a Spanish Mission-style look. It's made of red bricks with rough concrete on the entrance walls and smooth concrete on other parts. The second floor has arched windows, especially at the entrance and along the main side. The entrance has a balcony over the main door and a decorative top section. Old iron railings are still on the balcony and along the entrance path. The roof is covered with terracotta tiles. Windows on the northeast side have tiled hoods with decorative timber brackets. An old school bell is attached under a window hood on the northeast side.
Inside, the rooms are along one side, connected by wide corridors. Stairs at each end of the central part lead to different floors. The entrance area has rooms for staff and offices.
What's Inside Block A?
The undercroft (ground floor) has toilets and was originally an open play space. Today, part of it is used for a tuck shop and music room. This level has concrete floors and smooth walls. The toilets still mostly have their original layout. Some old timber benches are still along the walls in the corridors.
The first and second floors originally had ten classrooms each. Now, they have been made larger by removing some walls, so each floor has six classrooms. The old hat and cloak rooms are now storage or staff rooms.
The corridors have concrete floors and plastered walls. The stairwells have concrete stairs and iron railings with timber tops, in an Art Deco style. A special timber board listing the names of students who served in World War I is on the first floor. Some original timber folding doors are still on the second floor, showing how classrooms could be combined.
The Timber Classroom Building (Block B)
Block B is a rectangular, two-story timber building located near Block A. It stands on low concrete supports and has timber walls. The roof is made of corrugated metal. An enclosed verandah runs along the southwest and northwest sides of the first floor, and another enclosed verandah is on the northwest side of the ground floor.
The ground floor has two rooms. The first floor has two classrooms, which can be joined by a modern folding door. The old southwest verandah is now part of the classroom space. The northwest verandah has several small rooms and storage areas.
School Grounds and Views
Around Block A, there are concrete retaining walls and stairs that were built to create flat areas for play and assemblies. A tall retaining wall along Bayswater Street has a concrete fence with three gates, including a decorative wrought iron gate at the main entrance.
Between the wings of Block A on the eastern side, there's a large concrete platform. This area is now partly covered by a new play area.
The school grounds have many important old trees. These include a row of camphor laurels and a fig tree along Bayswater Street, another large fig tree in the courtyard north of Block A, and rows of palm trees along the eastern fence line next to Gregory Park.
From Block A and the school grounds, you can see views of Gregory Park and the surrounding neighborhood. Block A stands out in the area, looking impressive with its open setting and framed by mature trees.
Why Milton State School is Special
Milton State School was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2017 because it meets several important criteria.
- Showing History's Evolution: The school shows how state education and school architecture have changed in Queensland. The brick building from the 1930s, along with its walls and stairs, is a great example of the government's efforts to create jobs during the Great Depression. The 1923 timber building, which was moved and reused for vocational training, shows how schools adapted and repurposed buildings. The World War I Honour Board reminds us of the school community's involvement in a major world event.
- Showing Key Features: Milton State School clearly shows the main features of a Queensland state school built during the Depression era. These include a large brick building, set within a landscaped area with retaining walls, old shade trees, and places for assemblies and sports. The brick building is a well-preserved example of its type, with its two stories, undercroft, high-quality design, brick exterior, tiled roof, and central entrance.
- Aesthetic Significance (How it Looks): The brick building at Milton State School is beautiful because of its elegant design, large size, and brick exterior. It was designed to show ideas of progress and lasting quality. The building also looks great from the street. Standing openly next to a park and surrounded by old trees, it's a very attractive and noticeable part of the area.
- Strong Community Connection: Schools have always been important to Queensland communities. They often have strong ties with former students, parents, and teachers. They are places for social events and volunteer work, and they represent local progress and hopes. Milton State School has a strong and ongoing connection with the Milton community. It was started in 1889 thanks to local fundraising, and many generations of children have learned there. It's a key gathering place for the community.
Famous Former Students
- Neville Thiele, a well-known audio engineer
- Bert Turner, who was a Member of Parliament in Queensland
Images for kids
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Block A undercroft, play space and tuck shop
