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 special old school located at 44 Morgan Street in Mount Morgan, Queensland, Australia. It's known as a 'heritage-listed' site, which means it's an important historical place. The school was built over many years, starting in 1887 and continuing until 1997. It was also once called the Boys School. This school was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992, recognizing its historical value.
The School's Story
Early Days of the School
Mount Morgan Central State School first opened its doors in 1887. There were 58 students when it began. However, the number of students quickly grew. Just one year later, the school needed its first expansion. More buildings were added over time as the school kept getting bigger.
For most of its history, both boys and girls attended the school. But from 1898 to 1930, there was a separate school for girls and very young children. This other school was located elsewhere in town.
Mount Morgan's Gold Rush
The town of Mount Morgan grew because of a very rich gold mine. This mine became one of the wealthiest gold mines in the world. Before 1882, some small mining claims existed. Then, three brothers named Morgan found gold on the mountain top in 1882.
In July of that year, they teamed up with three businessmen from Rockhampton. Later, in 1886, the brothers sold their share. A new company, the Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company Limited, was then formed. As the town grew quickly, it needed more buildings and services for its increasing population. The company continued mining until 1929. A new company took over and kept producing gold and copper until 1990.
Starting a School for the Town
Land was set aside for a school soon after Mount Morgan was mapped out in 1884. In 1870, Queensland became the first Australian colony to offer free primary education. A special group was set up in 1874 to study education in Queensland. This led to a new law, the State Education Act, in 1876. This law created a 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 for 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, an application was sent to the Department. It listed 34 children in the area who could attend the school. People started raising money. The General Manager of the Gold Mining Company, Wesley Hall, gave a large amount of money to help.
Growing Pains and New Buildings
The first school building opened on May 16, 1887, with 58 students. But within a month, the number of students jumped to 115! 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 expanded again in 1891. By 1897, there were 871 students. At this time, the school was very crowded. People also thought it was not good for boys and girls to be mixed together. So, it was decided to build a second school. This new school was for girls and children under 7 years old. The Girls' and Infants' School opened in Pattison Street in August 1897.
Changes Over the Years
Other schools opened in the area in the 1900s. The Boys' School was expanded again with a new building in 1908. On January 1, 1929, the school became a mixed school again. 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 school site. It came from a closed school in Walter Hall, a suburb of Mount Morgan. This building is now called D Block. The school has continued to add new facilities. F Block was built in 1965, and an adventure playground was added in 1979. G Block was built in 1994.
The original 1887 building, A Block, was updated in late 1996 and 1997. These changes made it better for administration. The newly fixed building officially opened on July 29, 1997.
School Buildings and Design
Layout of the School
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 tall pine trees and beautiful jacaranda trees.
The main school buildings are made of timber. They have roofs that are shaped like a triangle (gabled) and covered with corrugated iron. These buildings are raised up on stumps of different heights to fit the sloping ground. Verandahs and open walkways (breezeways) connect the buildings. All the buildings look similar because they use the same building methods, materials, and shapes, even if the small details are different.
Main School Blocks
- A Block: This building contains the original 1887 school. It is now used for school administration. An old hat room next to the verandah now stores records and equipment. The wall that used to separate classrooms has been opened up. However, the new changes have not greatly affected the building's original look. It has a curved ceiling and windows that open outwards (casement windows). There are small windows above these (transom lights) at one end and adjustable slats (louvres) along the sides. One side of the roof has a special panel that lets in light (clerestory style).
- B Block: This part was added in 1888 and now holds the library. It has ceilings made of diagonal wooden boards. These are supported by decorated wooden frames (trusses) that also have a light-admitting section (clerestory). Light also comes in through panels of windows that open inwards (hopper windows) onto the verandah.
- E Block: Built in 1891, this building has many nice details. It has pairs of fancy, turned supports (brackets) under the roof edges (eaves) at the ends of the building. The verandahs have ceilings made of diagonal boards. A small room is located across the verandah from the classrooms on the south side. Inside, the ceiling also has diagonal boards. The west wall has a large section of windows. More light comes in from banks of glass louvres along both long sides of the building. This building is divided into two rooms: one classroom and one music room. The school bell is on the southwest corner of the verandah.
- C Block: This building, from 1908, has three classrooms. It has verandahs on the north and south sides. Inside, it has a curved ceiling, walls lined with beaded boards, and windows that slide up and down (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, built in a traditional style, is in the playground.
- D Block: This building was moved to the school in 1946. It has three classrooms and looks similar to the older buildings. It also has single-layer timber walls and a gabled roof covered with corrugated iron. This roof extends over verandahs on the east and west sides. The walls facing the verandahs have exposed wooden frames (studs). Inside, it has a curved ceiling. The rooms can open into each other, and there are large panels of windows in the end walls.
- F Block: Built in 1965, this building has a brick lower floor. The upper floor is made of timber and contains classrooms.
- G Block: Constructed in 1994, this is a single-story building with a metal roof. Its shape, size, and details fit well with the older buildings.
There is also a timber archway (pergola gateway) that looks like a home entrance. It is over the entry from Central Street, 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. This means it meets certain important standards.
Showing Queensland's History
The Central State School helps us understand how Mount Morgan grew. This growth happened after gold was found and the Mount Morgan Mine opened in 1886. The group of buildings, built and expanded since 1887, also shows how timber schools developed in Queensland.
A Great Example of 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 found ways to provide light and air in response to Queensland's climate since 1887.
Beautiful to Look At
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
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
