Mount Morgan Central State School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Morgan Central State School |
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Mount Morgan Central State School, 2001
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| Location | 44 Morgan Street, Mount Morgan, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s–1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1887–1997 |
| Official name: Central State School, Boys School | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600747 |
| Significant period | 1880s–1910s (historical) 1880s–1890s (fabric blocks A B C E) 1880s–ongoing (social) |
| Significant components | school/school room |
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Central State School is a historic school located at 44 Morgan Street in Mount Morgan, Queensland, Australia. It first opened its doors in 1887. The school is also known as Boys School. It has been recognized as an important heritage site in Queensland since 1992, showing its long history and special design.
A School for a Gold Town
The Central State School in Mount Morgan welcomed its first 58 students in 1887. The number of students quickly grew. Because of this, the school needed to be made bigger just one year later. Many other buildings were added as the school kept growing over time.
For some years, from 1898 to 1930, boys and girls were taught separately. During this time, a different school for girls and younger children operated elsewhere. After 1930, the school became a mixed school again, teaching both boys and girls.
Mount Morgan's Gold Rush
The town of Mount Morgan grew very fast because of a gold mine. This mine became one of the richest gold mines in the world. Before 1882, some small mining claims existed. Then, in 1882, three brothers named Morgan found gold claims covering most of the mountain.
In July 1882, they partnered with three businessmen from Rockhampton. Later, in 1886, they sold their shares. This led to the creation of the Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company Limited. As the mine grew, the town quickly developed. It built important services for its fast-growing population. The company continued mining until 1929. A new company then took over, producing gold and copper until 1990.
Starting the School
Land was set aside for a school soon after Mount Morgan was mapped out in 1884. Queensland was the first Australian colony to offer free primary education in 1870. A special group looked into education in Queensland in 1874. This led to a new law, the State Education Act, in 1876.
This law created the Department of Public Instruction. It also set up a system of State primary schools. The government provided teachers and books. However, communities with more than 30 potential students had to pay one-third of the school's costs.
On May 5, 1885, a public meeting was held in Mount Morgan. People discussed getting a school for their town. Soon after, they asked the Department for a school. They listed 34 children in the area who could attend. People started raising money. Wesley Hall, the General Manager of the Gold Mining Company, gave a large amount of money.
Growing Pains and New Schools
The first school building opened on May 16, 1887, with 58 students. But within a month, 115 students had enrolled. An extension was built just one year after the school opened. This new part made the school almost three times bigger.
By May 1888, Mount Morgan's population was booming. The school had 346 children and 7 teachers. The school was made even bigger in 1891. By 1897, it had 871 students. At this time, the school was very crowded. People also worried about boys and girls learning together, which was seen as unsuitable then.
So, it was decided to build a second school. This new school was for girls and all children under 7 years old. The Girls' and Infants' School was built on Pattison Street. It opened in August 1897.
Modern Changes and Growth
Other schools opened in the Mount Morgan area in the 1900s. The Boys' School was expanded again in 1908 with a new building. On January 1, 1929, the school became a mixed school once more. Students from grades 6 and 7 moved to the Intermediate School. This school later became the Mount Morgan State High School.
In 1946, a building was moved to the site from a closed school. This school was in Walter Hall, a suburb of Mount Morgan. This building is now known as D Block. The school continued to add new facilities. F Block was built in 1965. An adventure playground was added in 1979. G Block was built in 1994.
Changes were made to the original 1887 A Block in late 1996 and 1997. These changes created better offices for the school's administration. The updated building officially opened on July 29, 1997.
Exploring the School Buildings
The Central School buildings are located on land that slopes down. This slope leads towards the corner of Morgan and Central Streets. The buildings are surrounded by many trees, including old pine and jacaranda trees.
The Main Buildings
Most of the school's main buildings are made of timber. They have gabled roofs covered with corrugated iron. They are raised on stumps of different heights to fit the sloping ground. Verandahs and breezeways connect these buildings. All the buildings look similar because they use the same building methods, materials, and shapes, even if the small details are different.
Block A: The Original School
A Block holds the original school building from 1887. It is now used for administration offices. The old hat room next to the verandah now stores records and equipment. The wall that used to divide the classrooms has been opened up. However, these new changes have not greatly affected the building's original look.
It has a curved ceiling. It also has casement windows with small windows above them at one end. Louvres are along the sides. There is also a special window panel along one side of the roof, like a clerestory.
Block B: The Library
B Block is the extension that was built in 1888. This building now houses the school library. It has ceilings made of diagonal wooden boards. These ceilings are supported by decorative trusses, which are like strong beams. A clerestory window is built into these trusses, letting in light. It also gets light from panels of hopper windows that open onto the verandah.
Block E: Detailed Design
E Block, built in 1891, has many beautiful details. It features pairs of fancy, turned brackets under the eaves at the ends of the building. The verandahs have ceilings made of diagonally set boards. A small room is located across the verandah from the classrooms on the southern side.
The inside of this block also has diagonal board ceilings. The west wall has a large section of windows. These are joined by rows of glass louvres along both long sides of the building. The building is divided into two rooms. One is a classroom, and the other is the music room. The school bell is mounted on the south-west corner of the verandah.
Block C: Classrooms and Comfort
C Block, built in 1908, has three classrooms. It has verandahs on its north and south sides. The inside has a curved ceiling and walls lined with beaded boards. It also has sash windows with hopper windows above them. This building now has air conditioning. There is a lunch area under this building. A new shelter shed has been built in the playground, designed in a traditional style.
Block D: A Relocated Building
D Block, built in 1946, has three classrooms. It looks quite similar to the older buildings. It also has single-layer timber walls. Its gabled roof is covered with corrugated iron and extends over verandahs on the east and west sides. The walls facing the verandahs have exposed wooden studs. The inside has a curved ceiling. Its rooms can open into each other. Large panels of windows are in the end walls.
Newer Blocks: F and G
F Block, built in 1965, has a brick lower floor. Its upper floor is made of timber and contains classrooms. Block G, built in 1994, is a single-storey building with a metal roof. Its shape, size, and details fit well with the older buildings.
School Entrance
There is a timber pergola gateway at the entry from Central Street. It looks very much like a home entrance. It is located behind newer concrete fence posts.
Why This School is Special
Central State School was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. It met several important requirements to be listed.
A Look at Queensland's History
The Central State School shows how Mount Morgan grew after gold was found. It also shows how the Mount Morgan Mine opened in 1886. The group of buildings, built and expanded since 1887, also shows how timber schools developed in Queensland.
Great School Design
The buildings at Central School show the main features of timber schools. They reflect how architects from the Works Department designed buildings. They solved problems of light and air flow to suit Queensland's climate since 1887.
A Beautiful Landmark
The school site is important for how it looks in the town. The buildings use similar materials and shapes. This creates a visually pleasing group of buildings at an important intersection in Mount Morgan.
Important to the Community
The Central School is very important to the community in and around Mount Morgan. It has provided public education for many generations of students.
Gallery
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Mount Morgan Central State School entrance, 2018
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Murals at Mount Morgan Central State School, 2018
