Mitchelton State School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mitchelton State School |
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Blocks B–C and Administration Wing Courtyard, from E, 2018
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| Location | 47 Glen Retreat Road, Mitchelton, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1940s–1960s (Post-WWII) |
| Built | 1950–1960, 1952–1954, Block C (Highset Timber School Building with semi–enclosed stair) (1952, 1952–1959, 1952, 1952, 1953–1954, Block A (Boulton & Paul Building) (1953, extended 1954), 1957, 1958–1959, (Highset Timber School Building with semi–enclosed stair) (1958 |
| Architect | Boulton & Paul Ltd; Department of Public Works (Queensland) |
| Official name: Mitchelton State School | |
| Type | state heritage |
| Designated | 23 August 2018 |
| Reference no. | 650063 |
| Type | Education, Research, Scientific Facility: School – state (primary); Education, research, scientific facility: School-state |
| Theme | Educating Queenslanders: Providing primary schooling |
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Mitchelton State School is a special school in Mitchelton, Queensland, Australia. It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it is an important historical site. The school was designed by Boulton & Paul, Ltd and the Queensland Department of Public Works. It was built between 1950 and 1960.
Contents
The School's History
Early Beginnings and Growth
Mitchelton State School first opened in 1916. It was originally called Groveley State School. The school is about 8.5 kilometers northwest of Brisbane CBD. In 1952, students from Years 3-8 moved to the current school site. Younger students (Years 1-2) stayed at the old site until 1986.
The school's design from the early 1950s was carefully planned. Buildings were placed in a unique, spread-out way. Six of these original buildings are still used today:
- A special pre-made timber building called Block A (built 1953, extended 1954 and 1970).
- Four tall timber school buildings with stairs (Blocks B, C, D, and E). These were built between 1952 and 1958.
- A timber Administration Bridging Wing (built 1952, extended 1970). This wing connects Blocks B and C.
Walkways connect these buildings. The school also has nice grounds with old trees, play areas, and sports fields. The school has always been a very important part of the Mitchelton community.
From Farmland to Suburb
The land where Mitchelton State School now stands once belonged to the Turrubal people. In 1864, the Queensland Government sold this land. The Mitchelton and Keperra areas became farming communities. They were known for vineyards and wineries.
Building schools was very important for new communities. Schools became a central place and a sign of progress. They created lasting connections for students, parents, and teachers. Groveley State School opened in 1916 for children of the local farmers. It was on Samford Road, north of the current school.
In 1918, a railway line opened, connecting Gaythorne to Mitchelton. This led to more houses being built. Farmland was divided into smaller blocks for homes. The first housing estates were sold near Groveley State School.
School Name Change and Expansion
Groveley State School changed its name to Mitchelton State School in 1923. More people moved to Mitchelton, and the school grew. A bigger school site was needed. In 1935, the Department of Education set aside land on Glen Retreat Road. This land was south of the old school. Plans for the new school were made, but it took 15 years to move.
World War II and School Life
When War in the Pacific started in 1941, Queensland schools were affected. Coastal schools closed in January 1942. Most schools reopened in March 1942, but attending was optional. During wartime, schools often helped with community efforts. Students and staff at Mitchelton State School grew food and flowers for hospitals. They also raised money and collected items for Australian soldiers.
After World War II, many more children needed schooling. This was due to new families moving to Australia and a "baby boom". Schools became very crowded. Many new buildings were needed, and old ones were extended. The main goal was to build schools quickly and cheaply.
Post-War Growth and New Buildings
The number of students at Mitchelton State School grew a lot. It went from 331 students in 1939 to 657 in 1950. Temporary classrooms were added, but the school was still too crowded. The community asked for a new school. In 1951, the Department of Public Works announced six new classrooms would be built.
After the war, new schools were planned carefully. They were placed well within neighborhoods. Architects also thought about how the sun would hit the buildings. They found that classrooms should face south, with verandahs on the north side. This allowed for good light and air. The buildings at Mitchelton State School were placed this way.
New standard school building plans were created in the 1950s. These were tall timber buildings with play areas underneath. The most common type was the "Highset Timber School Building with semi-enclosed stair." These buildings were long and narrow with a sloped roof. Classrooms opened onto a north-facing verandah. They had many windows for light and fresh air. Blocks B and C at Mitchelton State School were built using this design in 1952. The Administration Bridging Wing was also built then.
Block B had a verandah facing north. Classrooms were on the top floor. The ground floor was an open play area. The classrooms had large windows and could be joined together. Block C was very similar to Block B.
The Administration Bridging Wing connected Blocks B and C. It had offices for the Head Teacher and staff. It also had a medical room and toilets. This wing opened onto a small balcony. The area between the buildings was used for school assemblies.
On January 29, 1952, students from Years 3-8 started at the new school site. The younger students stayed at the old site. Building the new school cost £22,580.
Prefabricated Buildings and Further Extensions
Due to a shortage of building materials and many new students, more buildings were needed. In 1953, Block A was built. It was a special pre-made building from a British company called Boulton & Paul Ltd. These buildings were put up quickly at many schools in Queensland.
Boulton & Paul buildings were made of timber. They had verandahs and sloped roofs. They also had many windows, letting in lots of light and air. The classrooms were larger than older ones.
Block A at Mitchelton State School was extended in 1954. Three more classrooms were added. Block C also got an extra classroom.
Another tall timber building, Block E, was built in 1957. It was connected to Block C by a walkway. Block D was also built in 1958. It was connected to Block B. These buildings also had verandahs and large windows.
School Grounds and Facilities
School grounds were very important in Queensland. They provided outdoor play areas and sports fields. Trees and gardens were planted to make schools look nice and provide shade. In 1957, the Head Teacher ordered fig trees, bauhinia trees, and leopard trees. By 1960, there were many trees planted around the school. The school also had a playing field and two tennis courts by 1958. A swimming pool was added by 1964.
Some changes were made to the buildings in the 1970s and 1990s. These changes are not considered part of the school's main historical importance. In 1986, Mitchelton State School and Mitchelton Infants School joined together at the current site.
In 2013, Mitchelton State School became one of Queensland's first Independent Public Schools. In 2016, the school celebrated its 100th birthday. They published a history book and brought together people who had been part of the school.
Today, the school still uses its 1950s site. It has the Boulton & Paul building, four tall timber buildings, the Administration Wing, and walkways. It also has its original landscaped grounds, play areas, sports fields, and old shade trees. Mitchelton State School is very important to the Mitchelton community. It has been a central place for generations of students and many community events.
School Buildings and Features
Mitchelton State School is on a large site of about 3.19 hectares. It is located about 8.5 kilometers northwest of Brisbane city. The school can be reached from Glen Retreat Road. It is also bordered by Mimosa Street, Turnbull Street, and a creek. The school has five tall buildings and a tall Administration Bridging Wing. These are at the south end of the site and are connected by covered walkways. The school grounds are well-kept. They include a playing field and tennis courts.
The important historical parts of the school include:
- Block B: A tall timber school building from 1952.
- Block C: A tall timber school building from 1952 (extended 1954).
- Administration Bridging Wing: A wing from 1952 that connects Blocks B and C.
- Block A: A Boulton & Paul building from 1953 (extended 1954). It also has an extension designed by the Department of Public Works.
- Block E: A tall timber school building from 1957.
- Block D: A tall timber school building from 1958 (extended 1959).
- The way the school site was planned in the 1950s. This includes covered walkways and courtyards.
- Landscape features like the playing field and old trees.
The way the school is planned is typical for Queensland schools from the 1950s. Long, narrow buildings are connected by covered walkways. They create open play areas called courtyards. Blocks A, B, and C are lined up in a staggered way. They face slightly east of north, with verandahs facing north. Blocks D and E are connected to Blocks B and C. They are also lined up in a similar way.
Highset Timber School Buildings
Blocks B, C, D, and E are long, tall timber buildings. They have gable roofs. The buildings have verandahs facing north. These verandahs lead to classrooms on the south side. Stairs at the ends of the verandahs are partly enclosed with timber and windows.
Inside, Blocks B and C have similar layouts. They have classrooms and break-out areas. Block D has classrooms and staff rooms. Block E has two classrooms. The areas underneath these buildings are used as play spaces.
Other important features include:
- Corrugated metal roofs.
- Timber walls on the outside.
- Timber walls and ceilings inside.
- Verandahs with timber floors and posts.
- Bag racks that act as verandah railings.
- Timber stairs outside.
- Old timber windows and doors. These include large casement windows and double-hung windows.
- Original door and window openings.
- Concrete floors and timber seats in the play areas underneath.
Administration Bridging Wing
The Administration Bridging Wing is a tall timber office building. It has a skillion roof (a single sloping roof). A central walkway connects Blocks B and C. The oldest and most important part is at the southeast end. It has two office spaces and a toilet.
Important features also include:
- Timber walls on the outside.
- Corrugated metal roof.
- Flat wall and ceiling linings inside.
- Old timber windows and French doors.
Block A: Boulton & Paul Building
Block A is a long, timber-framed building. It has a gable roof. The building is almost level with the ground on the north side. But it is tall on the south side because the ground slopes. A northern verandah leads to classrooms on the south side. A single room (once a library) extends north from its west end.
The west part of the building is the pre-made Boulton & Paul design. It has classrooms and a break-out space. The east part is a similar design by the Department of Public Works. Some walls have been removed to change classroom sizes.
Important features also include:
- Corrugated metal roof.
- Timber walls on the outside.
- Special Boulton & Paul features: vertical timber strips showing the pre-made panels. Also, timber brackets under the roof and safety rails on windows.
- Verandahs with timber floors and posts.
- Bag racks as verandah railings.
- Timber stairs outside.
- Concrete stairs to the understorey.
- Old timber windows and doors. These include large awning windows and double-hung windows.
- Original door and window hardware.
- Large classroom spaces (7.32 meters wide).
- Flat wall and ceiling linings inside.
- Concrete floor and timber seats in the understorey.
- The walkway connecting to Block B.
Covered Walkways
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Raised, covered walkways connect the verandahs of Blocks B and D, and Blocks C and E. They have timber floors and corrugated metal roofs. They also have metal railings and V-shaped metal posts.
A ground-level covered walkway connects Blocks A and B. It has a corrugated metal roof and timber posts.
Courtyards and Outdoor Spaces
Open courtyards are found between Blocks A and B, B and C, and D and E. These are typical of the 1950s school plan. They are used as open play areas.
The school grounds are well-established. They have sports facilities, including a large playing field. Old leopard trees and a fig tree stand near the Glen Retreat Road entrance. Another old leopard tree is between the playing field and Mimosa Street.
Why Mitchelton State School is Important
Mitchelton State School was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2018. This means it is a place of special historical importance.
Showing Queensland's History
Mitchelton State School helps us understand how state education in Queensland has changed. It has great examples of standard government school designs. These designs show the ideas about education at the time. The school also has well-planned grounds with play areas, sports facilities, and old trees.
The way the administration and classroom blocks are laid out, with covered links and open spaces, shows how schools were planned in the early 1950s. This planning allowed schools to grow in an organized way.
The Boulton & Paul Building (Block A) shows how Queensland used pre-made buildings. This was done to deal with a shortage of building materials and a growing population after World War II.
The tall timber school buildings (Blocks B, C, D, and E) and the Administration Bridging Wing show how school designs changed in the 1950s. They were influenced by the Boulton & Paul buildings.
Showing Key Features of Schools
Mitchelton State School shows the main features of a Queensland state school from the 1950s. These include its 1950s site plan and its range of tall timber buildings. It also has a large, well-kept site with shade trees, and areas for assemblies and sports.
The school's layout is still complete. It shows how 1950s school planning allowed for organized growth. The five 1950s buildings are long and narrow. They are arranged in a staggered way, spreading out from the administration wing. They are connected by covered walkways around open play areas.
The tall timber teaching buildings (Blocks B, C, D, and E) are good examples of their type. They still have their tall design with play space underneath. They are made of timber, have gable roofs, and north-facing verandahs. They also have large windows and wide classrooms.
The Boulton & Paul Building (Block A) is a good example of this type of building. It shows its pre-made construction in its outside walls. It is a tall timber building with a gable roof and play space underneath. It has a northern verandah, wide classrooms, and many windows with safety rails.
Strong Community Connection
Schools have always been important to communities in Queensland. They connect former students, parents, and teachers. They are places for social events and volunteer work. Schools are also a source of pride, showing local progress and hopes.
Mitchelton State School has a strong and lasting connection with the Mitchelton community. It started nearby in 1916 and moved to its current site in 1952. Generations of students have learned there. The school is important for helping the community grow and for being a central gathering place.
