Tarampa State School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tarampa State School |
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East elevation of the Tarampa State School teaching building, 2014
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| Location | 18 Manthey Road, Tarampa, Somerset Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s–1890s (Late 19th century) |
| Built | 1886–1897, 1894, Leopard tree, known as 'Dibby Dibby' tree, 1897, 1934 |
| Architect | Robert and John Ferguson; Queensland Department of Public Works |
| Official name: Tarampa State School; Tarampa Provisional School | |
| Type | state heritage |
| Designated | 1 May 2015 |
| Reference no. | 602849 |
| Type | Education, research, scientific facility: School-state |
| Theme | Educating Queenslanders: Providing primary schooling |
| Builders | J G (George) Schlecht |
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Tarampa State School is a special old school located in Tarampa, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by famous architects Robert and John Ferguson and the Queensland Department of Public Works. The school was built between 1886 and 1897 by J G (George) Schlecht. It's also known as Tarampa Provisional School. This school is so important that it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on May 1, 2015.
Contents
A Look Back: School History
Tarampa State School first opened its doors on April 1, 1880. Back then, it was called Tarampa Provisional School. It started in a private house with 20 children. The school was built to help the small but growing farming community in the Brisbane Valley.
The first school building was put up in 1880 by Mr. Graff. It cost £60. As more families moved to the area, the school needed to grow. In 1886, a new main teaching building was constructed. This building was designed by the Ferguson brothers. Other important parts of the school were added later, like a playshed in 1897 and a new house for the teacher in 1934.
The school has been open non-stop since it began. It has always been a central place for the local community. Many social and cultural events have happened here.
Early Days of Education
Providing education was very important to the government in early Queensland. Laws were made to set up schools and make sure everyone got an education. By 1900, most children in Queensland could read and write.
Local communities often helped build schools. They would donate land and even help with the building work. Schools became a symbol of progress and pride for towns. People who went to the school, their parents, and teachers often felt a strong connection to it.
To make sure schools were built well and didn't cost too much, the Queensland Government created standard plans for school buildings. Most schools from the 1860s to the 1960s were made of timber. This was easy and cheap, even for schools in far-off areas. These standard designs were always being improved. They were especially good at keeping classrooms cool and bright.
Growing with the Railway
Tarampa grew when the Brisbane Valley railway line reached nearby Lowood in 1884. This made it easier for farmers to sell their crops and helped the timber industry.
Because more children were enrolling, Tarampa Provisional School became a State School in 1886. Provisional schools were a way to teach children in small, rural areas. If a town grew, like Tarampa did, the provisional school would become a state school. A new teaching building was built for £500 by J G (George) Schlecht. The old school building was then used as the teacher's house.
The Ferguson Building
The new school building was built using a standard design from 1880. Robert Ferguson was in charge of school building designs from 1879 to 1885. He was the first to really think about how to keep school rooms airy. He designed timber buildings with high, curved ceilings and vents in the roof to keep them cool. He also added more windows.
His brother, John Ferguson, continued using these designs until he passed away in 1893. The Tarampa State School building is a great example of this design. It's a low timber building with a gabled roof and verandahs at the front and back.
In 1897, the school building was made longer, from about 34 feet to 50 feet. A wall was added inside to create two classrooms.
The School Playshed
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In 1897, a playshed was built at the school for £59 10s. Playsheds were important because they gave students a covered place to play, no matter the weather. They also served as extra teaching spaces when needed. These sheds were usually open-sided with timber posts and a hipped roof. They were a common addition to Queensland schools from the 1880s to the 1950s.
School Life and Changes
Around 1900, Tarampa continued to grow. More land was opened up for small farmers. A cream depot was set up, and a butter factory opened in Lowood in 1903. This helped dairy farmers. Tarampa's population reached over 500 people in 1911. By 1919, the two-room school building had 117 children!
In 1928, the school building was repaired and painted. More changes were made in 1933 to improve the light and air inside. Windows were made wider and lower.
The community also helped improve the school. In 1928, they built a new fence and fixed the tennis court. Photos from the 1920s show tennis being played there.
Jubilee Celebrations
In 1930, the school celebrated its 50th birthday! About 1,000 people attended, including 14 students from the very first day. They raised £130 for school improvements. A big dance, called a Jubilee Ball, ended the celebrations. It was a huge success for Tarampa.
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In 1934, a new house for the teacher was built. The old teacher's house (which was the original provisional school building) was sold. The new house was modern and well-built, with three bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, and a verandah. Teacher's houses were usually separate from the school buildings, with their own fenced yards and gardens.
Trees and Play Areas
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The school grounds have many established trees and gardens. These were planted to make the school beautiful and provide shade. In the 1870s, school inspectors said it was important to plant shade trees in playgrounds. Arbor Day celebrations, where trees are planted, started in Queensland in 1890. Teachers believed gardening taught students hard work and helped them appreciate nature.
The school celebrated its 75th birthday in 1955. About 1,300 people came! A special leopard tree, known as the 'Dibby Dibby' tree, was planted around 1894. Other old trees on the site include jacaranda, eucalyptus, and a large fig tree.
Modern Changes
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Between the 1960s and 1980s, Queensland education changed a lot. School buildings were updated to match new ideas. In 1977, the west verandah of the main teaching building was enclosed to create space for a library and health services. In 1981, the library and storeroom were updated.
In 1980, the school celebrated its 100th birthday with a published history book.
In 2011, a new multi-purpose building was constructed. The old library space in the Ferguson building became the school administration office and a resource centre. Other improvements included paving the undercover area and adding soft-fall material in the playground for safety.
Tarampa State School is still open today. It has been a key part of the Tarampa community since 1880. Many generations of students have learned there, and the school grounds have hosted countless social events.
School Buildings and Grounds
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Tarampa State School is in a rural area, surrounded by farms. The school has a few main buildings: the Ferguson teaching building (built 1886, extended 1897), the playshed (1897), and the teacher's residence (1934). There's also a large leopard tree, known as the "Dibby Dibby" tree, planted around 1894.
The Main Teaching Building
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The Ferguson building is near the front of the school, facing Manthey Road. It's a timber building with verandahs on both the east (front) and west (back) sides. These verandahs are now enclosed. The building has a gabled roof made of corrugated metal. The ends of the roof have large timber-framed windows with small windows above them, protected by timber hoods.
The front verandah has the main entrance. Part of it is still open, but the north end is now a small office, and the south end has modern sliding windows. The back verandah is fully enclosed. Inside, the building was originally one large classroom but is now divided into two rooms. The ceiling is curved and made of timber, with exposed timber beams.
The Playshed
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The playshed is behind the main building. It's a timber structure with 10 posts and a hipped roof. The roof framing is visible. The eastern side has timber lattice screens, and the southern side is enclosed with corrugated metal.
The Teacher's House
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The teacher's residence is in its own fenced yard in the southeast corner of the school grounds. It's a timber building on concrete stumps with a hipped and gabled roof. The house faces Manthey Road. It has bedrooms and living rooms, a kitchen, bathroom, and a verandah that wraps around the front and north sides. This verandah is now enclosed.
The inside of the house still has its original layout. It has a central hallway with rooms on either side. The walls and ceilings are made of timber boards. Many of the original doors and windows are still there.
School Grounds and Trees
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The southern and eastern parts of the school grounds have many trees, gardens, and paths. The northern and western parts are open fields. There's a tennis court near the front of the school. You can also find memorials in the garden beds, like one for Australia's Bicentenary and another for the school's 125th anniversary.
Important trees include the large leopard tree (the 'Dibby Dibby' tree) and a big fig tree in the teacher's yard. Other trees like jacaranda, maple, and eucalyptus also grow on the school grounds.
The school stands out in its location, and you can see views of the surrounding countryside from the school grounds.
Why Tarampa State School is Special
Tarampa State School was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on May 1, 2015, for several reasons:
- Shows Queensland's History: The school shows how state education and school buildings have changed over time in Queensland. It has examples of old government designs, like the Ferguson-designed building (1886), the playshed (1897), and the teacher's house (1934). The school grounds also have important features like old trees and a tennis court.
- Shows What Old Schools Were Like: Tarampa State School is a great example of an early Queensland state school. It has large, landscaped grounds with shade trees, play areas, and sports facilities. The buildings are made of timber and were built using standard government designs.
- Important to the Community: Schools have always been a big part of Queensland communities. They connect past students, parents, and teachers. They are places for social events and volunteer work, and they make the community proud. Tarampa State School has a strong connection with the Tarampa community. It has been open since 1880, teaching generations of children. It's a key meeting place for social events and has strong community support.
See also
- History of state education in Queensland
- List of schools in West Moreton
