Moorooka State School facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Moorooka State School
Moorooka State School, as seen from Beaudesert Road, 2015
Location	Sherley Street, Moorooka, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Design period	1919–1930s (Interwar period)
Built	1928–1929, 1932–1933, 1933–1956, 1946–1964, 1946, 1955–1956
Architect	Department of Public Works (Queensland); Frederick George Kirkegard
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name: Moorooka State School
Type	state heritage
Designated	28 August 2015
Reference no.	602861
Type	Education, research, scientific facility: School-state
Theme	Educating Queenslanders: Providing primary schooling
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Moorooka State School is a historic school located in Moorooka, Queensland, Australia. It first opened its doors in January 1929. The school buildings were designed by the Department of Public Works (Queensland) and Frederick George Kirkegard. This school is so important that it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on August 28, 2015.

A Look Back: Moorooka School's Story

Moorooka State School opened in 1929. It was built to serve the growing number of families in this area, which used to be mostly farmland. The school started with a special type of building called a "Sectional School." As more students arrived, new buildings were added in 1933 and 1946. In 1956, a modern, three-storey brick building was constructed. This was because many new homes were being built in Moorooka after World War II.

The school has been open almost continuously since it began. It even closed briefly during World War II. Moorooka State School has always been a central part of the local community. It's a place for learning, and also for important social and cultural events.

How Moorooka Grew

The area now known as Moorooka was once called "Boggo." It was traditionally home to the Turrbal people. For a long time, Moorooka was mainly used for farming. But things started to change when the Beenleigh railway line arrived in 1885. This made the area more attractive for people to build homes.

The Moorooka railway station opened in 1887. Even though there was some flooding in 1893, more people began to move here. By the early 1900s, Moorooka was still mostly rural. Most residents lived near Ipswich Road and Beaudesert Road.

Why Schools Are Important to Communities

Building schools was a key step for growing communities. Local people often helped by donating land or their time to build schools. The school community also helped with upkeep and new projects. Schools became a symbol of progress and a source of pride. They created lasting connections among students, parents, and teachers.

In 1911, about 350 people lived in Moorooka. By 1921, this number had grown to 791. People started asking for a state school in Moorooka around 1912. Before their own school, children from Moorooka went to Rocklea State School or Yeronga State School. The land for Moorooka State School was bought in December 1927.

Designing the First School Buildings

The first building at Moorooka State School was built in 1928. It followed a standard design from the Public Works Department. The Queensland Government used standard plans for school buildings to save money and ensure quality. From the 1860s to the 1960s, most Queensland schools were made of timber. This was an affordable way to build schools, even in distant areas.

These standard designs were always being improved. They aimed to make classrooms better for learning, with good light and airflow. Queensland schools were known for their smart designs that suited the local climate.

The Sectional School Design

A very successful design was the "Sectional School" (Type DT/1), introduced in 1920. This was a high-set timber building. It brought together the best ideas from earlier designs. It was practical, affordable, and met both educational and climate needs. This design also made it easy to add more sections as the school grew.

Older school buildings were often built facing the street. But by 1914, designers started to orient buildings differently. They wanted classrooms to get the most natural light from the south. The Sectional School design had a wall of windows on the south side. Verandahs were usually on the north side. The end walls were designed to be removable. This meant new sections could be easily added, making the buildings longer.

The first Sectional School building at Moorooka (now called Block B) was built facing east-west. It had five classrooms and a verandah on the north side. A teachers' room was also part of this building. About two-thirds of the space under the building was a concrete play area. Three classrooms had folding walls, so they could be opened up to create a large hall. This first building could hold 200 students. It cost £2,607 to build.

Moorooka School Opens and Grows

Moorooka State School opened in January 1929 with 139 students and 6 teachers. By the end of that year, 230 students were enrolled! At the official opening in March 1929, the Minister for Public Instruction, Thomas Wilson, noted the school's great view and its design for future expansion.

The community worked hard to improve the school. The Ladies Committee helped get a piano, a sewing machine, and books for a library. They also helped install electric lights. In 1931, two tennis courts were opened. These were paid for by the School Committee, the Ladies Committee, and teachers.

As student numbers kept rising (averaging 260 by 1933), a new two-classroom wing was needed. This addition (now Block A) opened in May 1933. It was another Sectional School building, connected to the first one. It had the same design features, including large windows and a teachers' room.

School Life During World War II

Moorooka State School Band welcoming home soldiers from World War II, circa 1945

World War II affected Moorooka State School. In 1942, the US Army built a camp nearby. Because people feared a Japanese invasion, the Queensland Government closed all coastal state schools in January 1942. While most schools reopened in March, Moorooka State School stayed closed. The US Army used the school from February 1942. Most Moorooka students went to Junction Park State School during this time. However, they were allowed back to their own school on July 13, 1942.

After the war, many new homes were built in Moorooka. This led to even more students needing to attend the school.

Post-War Expansion and New Buildings

The population of Moorooka and nearby areas grew a lot after WWII. In 1947, about 8,364 people lived in Moorooka, Rocklea, and Salisbury. By 1954, this number jumped to 12,163!

In late 1946, a new wing for younger students (now Block C) was added. This was another Sectional School building, connected to the original one. It was high-set, with a concrete floor underneath for play. Its classrooms were larger than the earlier ones.

The Department of Public Instruction faced huge demand for schools after the war. This was due to the "baby boom" – a time when many babies were born. Schools became very crowded. Many new buildings were constructed, and existing ones were expanded. At Moorooka, a former army building was even turned into four classrooms in 1946.

The Modern Brick Building (Block D)

Block D under construction, March 1955

While many schools used standard timber plans, some larger schools got specially designed buildings. These were often made of brick and concrete. In 1953, plans were made for a new brick primary school building at Moorooka. This new three-storey classroom block (now Block D) was approved in 1953 and opened in 1956.

The building was designed by Frederick George Kirkegard. He was a student architect with the Department of Public Works. He designed it in a "modernist" style, which was popular at the time. Modernist buildings often have simple, clear shapes. They use materials like steel, concrete, and glass. Architects tried to make these buildings suitable for Queensland's climate. They used features like sun-shading and natural ventilation.

Block D: north elevation with verandahs and concrete fins, 2015

The new Block D at Moorooka was designed to have "classrooms and other facilities of the most modern character." It has a long, rectangular shape. It uses both facebrick and painted concrete. There are open verandahs on the north side with large concrete fins. These fins help control the sun. The building has many windows to let in light and air. The ground floor had an open play area. The upper floors had classrooms, a head teacher's room, and other facilities. A curved retaining wall made of Brisbane tuff (a type of rock) was also built near Block D.

Continued Growth and Changes

The school kept growing from the 1950s onwards. New tennis courts were built by 1955. In 1958, two more blocks (J and K) were built for the Infant's School. In the 1960s, student numbers rose from 700 to 1000! A swimming pool was added in 1963.

Over time, some older temporary buildings were removed. In 2006, Blocks J and K were sadly destroyed by fire. But a new multi-purpose hall was built in their place, opening in 2009. Today, Moorooka State School serves a diverse group of students, reflecting the many cultures in the suburb.

School Grounds and Green Spaces

Site plan of the school, 2015

The school grounds cover about 5.1 hectares (about 12.6 acres). They include many mature trees and garden beds. Some of these trees were planted by students on Arbor Days. The Department of Public Instruction always believed in the importance of outdoor play for primary school children.

Trees and gardens were also planted to make schools look nicer. In the 1870s, a school inspector named William Alexander Boyd said that schools in tropical areas needed more shade trees. Arbor Day celebrations began in Queensland in 1890. These events taught students about hard work and helped them appreciate beauty.

You can see mature trees along the northwest side of the school. Two tall pencil pines (Cupressus sempervirens) are near the main entrance on Sherley Street. There are also memorial plaques near one of these pines. One plaque remembers Anzac Day (from 2008), and the other celebrates the opening of the Outdoor Learning Centre (from 2004).

The school continues to operate from its original site today. It still has its historic timber and brick buildings from 1929 to the 1950s. These are set within beautiful landscaped grounds. The school is a very important part of the community. Generations of students have learned here, and it remains a key place for social events and gatherings.

What Makes Moorooka State School Special

Moorooka State School was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2015. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.

A Story of Queensland Education

Moorooka State School shows how state education and school buildings have changed in Queensland. The school has great examples of standard government designs. It also has unique buildings that met the school's specific needs.

The three connected Sectional School buildings (from 1929, 1933, and 1946) show the best of timber school design. They were built to meet both learning needs and the local climate.

The three-storey brick and concrete building (from 1956) shows how larger, more permanent schools were built after the war. This building's modern design and materials reflect the ideas about architecture and education from the mid-20th century.

The school grounds, with their old trees and landscaping, show how important play and beauty were in educating children.

Key Features of a Queensland State School

Moorooka State School is a great example of a Queensland state school. It has:

• Timber teaching buildings built using standard government plans.
• A unique brick and concrete building.
• Landscaped grounds with old shade trees, retaining walls, and play areas.

The three Sectional School buildings are excellent examples of their type. They have:

• Timber frames.
• Dutch-gabled roofs.
• High-set designs with play areas underneath (for the 1929 and 1946 buildings).
• Walls that could be removed for expansion.
• Northern verandahs that connect the buildings.
• Large windows on the south side for light.
• Teachers' rooms that stick out from the main building.
• Hat rooms.
• Single-layer verandah walls.
• Curved ceilings with metal rods and vents.
• Original doors and windows.

The brick and concrete building (from 1956) is a great example of a specially designed state school building. These were often built in busy city areas. Its mid-20th century modernist style includes:

• Rectangular shapes.
• Walls with different textures.
• Concrete fins for sun shade.
• North-facing concrete verandahs.
• A glass entrance and lobby.

A Special Place for the Community

Schools have always been important to Queensland communities. They connect former students, parents, and teachers. They offer a place for social events and volunteer work. Schools are a source of pride and show a community's progress.

Moorooka State School has a strong and lasting connection with the local community. It was started in 1929 thanks to the efforts of local people. Generations of children have learned here. The school has helped educate the area and is a key meeting place for social and memorial events. It has strong support from the community.