Old Perth Boys School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Perth Boys School |
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Old Perth Boys School
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| General information | |
| Type | Government school |
| Location | Perth, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 31°57′15″S 115°51′17″E / 31.9543°S 115.8546°E |
| Construction started | 1847 |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 25 June 1993 |
| Reference no. | 2117 |
The Old Perth Boys School is a very old and important building in Perth, Western Australia. You can find it at 139 St Georges Terrace. This building was the very first government school in Western Australia. It is a one-story building made of limestone. It was designed by William Ayshford Sanford in 1852. The school is a great example of buildings from the mid-1800s in the early days of the colony.
Building Style
The Old Perth Boys School was built in a style called Gothic Revival architecture. This style looks a bit like old churches. It is a single-story building made of limestone. It has a very steep roof, which was originally covered with wooden shingles. The windows are tall and narrow.
The building looks a lot like a church. An extra part, called a wing, was added to the north side in 1865. Another wing was added to the south side in 1868. The original shingle roof has since been covered with corrugated iron. Also, the bell tower and the pointy top (spire) are no longer there.
History of the School
The Perth Boys School first started in 1847. However, it did not have its own permanent building right away. Students met in different empty places. One of these places was the Old Court House.
The spot chosen for the permanent school building used to be a flour mill. This mill was powered by water. It was run by Henry Willey Reveley, who was an engineer for the Swan River Colony.
Building the school began in February 1853. It was finished in 1854. The school was designed by William Ayshford Sanford. He was the Colonial Secretary from 1852 to 1855. During this time, he was also in charge of the education board. He cared a lot about schools. Sanford designed both the Perth Boys School and the Fremantle Boys School.
Sanford loved church architecture. This is why the school looks like a church in the Gothic Revival style. Building the school cost more money than expected. This was because the ground was very wet and needed stronger foundations. The building was long and narrow. It was also too small for all the students. The small windows made the inside too dark. It also did not have enough fresh air. A balcony (which is gone now) was then built at the western end.
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In 1865, a small southern wing was added. Two years later, a northern wing was built. For many years, the school had about 200 students. But in 1894, more people came to Perth because of the gold rush. The number of students grew to 346. More space was needed. Temporary wooden rooms were built at the eastern end of the school.
At the same time, plans were made for a new school. This new school, for both boys and girls, was on James Street. It was finished at the end of 1896. All the students moved to this new building.
The Old Perth Boys School building became part of the Perth Technical College in 1900. In 1976, the Public Works Department fixed the front fence. In 1977, the building became offices for the National Trust of Australia (WA). The Trust worked to fix the stone walls in 1978.
In the 1990s, the building was used as a shop for the National Trust. It had a bookshop and a restaurant. In 1995, the shop became a cafe run by a private group. The Trust put a new roof on the building in 2000–2001.
What It Is Used For Now
The National Trust of Western Australia owns the Old Perth Boys School building. It used to be a café and a wine bar. In 2015, Curtin University announced a new plan. They signed a lease with the National Trust. Curtin University now uses the building for different activities. They are working with the National Trust to get the inside of the building ready.
Why It Is Important
The Old Perth Boys School building is very important to Western Australia's history. It was added to the Register of the National Estate in March 1978. This register lists important places in Australia. The National Trust (WA) also recognizes its value. It was officially added to the State Register of Heritage Places on March 13, 1992. This means it is a protected historical site.
- Old Perth Boys School and the National Trust Clement R. H., (The National Trust of Australia (WA) )
- Perth Boys School - 1847 - 1947 - The Story of the First Hundred Years of a Great School with a Background of the History of Education in Western Australia John K Ewers, (Perth Government Printer) 1947
