Newmarket State School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Newmarket State School |
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Entrance portico to Block A, 2015
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| Location | 320 Enoggera Road, Newmarket, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919–1930s (Interwar period) |
| Built | 1910–1960, 1933–1934, 1947, 1954, 1955–1956 |
| Architect | Queensland Department of Public Works, Boulton & Paul Ltd |
| Official name: Newmarket State School | |
| Type | state heritage |
| Designated | 5 February 2016 |
| Reference no. | 650020 |
| Type | Education, research, scientific facility: School-state |
| Theme | Educating Queenslanders: Providing primary schooling |
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Newmarket State School is a special old school in Newmarket, Brisbane, Australia. It was designed by the Queensland Department of Public Works and Boulton & Paul Ltd. The school was built between 1910 and 1960. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 5 February 2016 because of its history and special buildings.
Contents
School History
Newmarket State School first opened on 4 July 1904. It started with 135 students. The school is about five kilometres from the centre of Brisbane. It shows how schools and their buildings have changed over time.
The school has a brick building from the 1930s (called Block A). It also has a special timber building from the 1950s (called Block B). These buildings are surrounded by playing fields, paths, and old trees. The school has always been an important part of the Newmarket community.
Early Days of Education
By 1900, the Queensland Government had helped most children learn to read and write. Schools were very important for new communities. People often gave land and helped build schools. Schools became a place for everyone to gather and feel proud.
The government created standard plans for school buildings. This helped make sure schools were built well and didn't cost too much. Queensland school buildings were good at staying cool and getting enough light.
When Newmarket State School opened, the area was mostly farmland. Parents of the first students worked as farmers, dairymen, and timber-cutters. The school was built on nine acres of land.
Newmarket grew as a suburb. A railway station opened in 1899, and a tram line reached the school in 1926. More people moved to the area, and the school became very crowded. By 1913, there were 419 children enrolled.
The Great Depression and New Buildings
The 1930s brought big changes. The Great Depression meant many people lost their jobs. The Queensland Government started big building projects to help people find work. They built new schools, offices, and hospitals.
These projects also helped improve school grounds. At Newmarket State School, workers leveled the oval and filled a gully. This work created large playing fields, which became a common feature in Queensland schools.
The school needed more space. So, between 1933 and 1934, a new brick building was constructed. This building (Block A) faced Banks Street.
The government wanted these new brick schools to look strong and hopeful. They were often designed in a classic style. Each school was unique, but they shared many features. They were usually two storeys tall and had a main entrance.
Block A at Newmarket State School was opened on 30 June 1934. It was a two-storey brick building with a red brick base. It had a main entrance with three round arches. The gables had a special half-timbered design. The building had 13 classrooms and offices.
After World War II: Growth and New Designs
After World War II, many babies were born. This was called the "baby boom." Schools became very crowded again. The government needed to build new classrooms quickly and cheaply.
Newmarket State School's student numbers grew a lot. In 1954, there were 728 students, and by 1958, there were 919! The school needed more space.
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In 1954, a new timber building was added (Block B). This was a special type of building called a Boulton & Paul building. These buildings were made in Britain and shipped to Queensland. They were quick to put together. They had lots of windows for light and air.
Block B was built north of Block A, facing the playing field. It started with two classrooms. In 1955 and 1956, more classrooms were added to Block B. These new parts were designed by the Department of Public Works to match the Boulton & Paul style.
Over the years, other buildings were added or removed. In 1958, the original 1904 timber school building was sold. A tuckshop was built under Block B in the 1950s.
School Today
Newmarket State School still uses its original site today. It has the 1934 brick building (Block A) and the 1954 Boulton & Paul building (Block B). The school grounds have tennis courts, a playing field, and old shade trees.
The school is an important part of the community. Generations of students have learned there. It's a place for social events and celebrations.
School Buildings and Grounds
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Newmarket State School is on a large site at the corner of Enoggera Road and Banks Street. The school buildings are on the highest part of the land, along Banks Street. The land slopes down to a playing field.
Block A: The Main Brick Building
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Block A is a long, two-storey brick building. It faces Banks Street. The main entrance is at the western end. It has a special arched doorway. The building is made of red bricks at the bottom and has a lighter finish on the top floor.
The main entrance has three round arches. The middle arch has fancy wrought iron gates. The gables (the triangular parts of the roof) have a decorative timber design.
On the back side, you can still see where more parts of the building were planned but never built. Windows have timber frames and open outwards. Some windows on the front have small roofs over them to provide shade.
Inside, there's a long hallway on each floor. Classrooms are along one side. The building has an original staircase with metal railings. Some classrooms still have their original timber folding doors.
The toilet block was added in 1947. It matches the brick style of the main building.
Block B: The Timber Classrooms
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Block B is a long, timber building raised off the ground. It has a sloped roof. It includes the 1954 Boulton & Paul section in the middle and two newer sections from 1955 and 1956.
The outside is covered in timber planks. You can see the lines where the different parts of the Boulton & Paul building join. The building has many large windows.
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There's a verandah (a covered walkway) along the northern side. It has timber floors and railings where bags can be stored. The verandah has timber-framed windows.
Inside, the Boulton & Paul section has flat walls and ceilings. Some of the original dividing walls have been removed to make bigger classrooms. The area under the building has a concrete floor and brick toilet blocks.
School Grounds
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The school grounds have many old trees. Two large fig trees are along Banks Street in front of Block A. There are also four large fig trees and a kauri pine tree near the tennis courts. Some of these trees were planted before 1936.
The paths in front of Block A have been updated with concrete and bitumen. There are also garden areas with memorials.
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From Block A and the school grounds, you can see great views of the surrounding suburbs and the Brisbane city centre. Block A, with its large fig trees, is a well-known building in the area.
Why Newmarket State School is Special
Newmarket State School is important for showing how state education in Queensland has changed. It has special buildings from different times in history.
The brick building (Block A) and the landscaping were part of a government plan in the 1930s. This plan helped people find work during the Great Depression.
The Boulton & Paul building (Block B) shows how schools used pre-made parts in the 1950s. This helped them build quickly for all the new students after World War II.
The school is a great example of a Queensland state school. It has well-designed buildings and large grounds with trees and play areas.
Block A is a good example of a Depression-era brick school. It's two storeys tall, has a nice design, and a clear entrance.
Block B clearly shows it's a pre-made building. You can see where its parts join together. It has a timber frame, a verandah, and lots of windows.
The school buildings, especially Block A, look very nice. They show the sense of progress and strength that the government wanted to create. Block A is a noticeable building in the area, especially with the old fig trees around it.
Newmarket State School has a strong connection with its community. It started in 1904 because local people worked hard to raise money. Many generations of children have gone to school there. It's a central place for the community to gather for events.
See also
- History of state education in Queensland
- List of schools in Greater Brisbane
