Toowoomba South State School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Toowoomba South State School |
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Building on the corner of Ruthven and James Streets, 2014
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| Location | 158 James Street, South Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Architect | Department of Public Works (Queensland) |
| Official name: Toowoomba South State School | |
| Type | state heritage |
| Designated | 2 December 2013 |
| Reference no. | 602824 |
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Toowoomba South State School is a special heritage-listed building in Toowoomba, Australia. It was designed by the Department of Public Works (Queensland). This school was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on December 2, 2013.
It is one of the oldest primary schools in Queensland. The school first opened its doors in 1865. At that time, both boys and girls learned together. Toowoomba South State School closed in 2013.
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How Toowoomba South State School Began
Toowoomba South State School started as Toowoomba National School in 1865. It was built on a large piece of land in the middle of Toowoomba. Over the years, many buildings were added to the school. These included a playshed, an open-air classroom, and a large brick building. The school was a very important place for education. It was also a social and cultural hub for the Toowoomba community.
Early Settlement in Toowoomba
European settlers arrived in the Toowoomba area around 1840. This land traditionally belonged to the Giabal and Jarowair people. A small town called Drayton grew from 1842. It was a stop for farmers and travelers. Later, "The Swamp," now Toowoomba, became a better place to settle. It had good land for farming and a better water supply.
In 1853, the government set aside land in Toowoomba for important public places. This included land for a hospital, churches, and a school. The school's original spot was at the corner of Lawrence and Ruthven Streets. This is now where the school hall and sports courts are. The current main school buildings are on what used to be the hospital site.
Queensland's First Schools
The government played a big role in setting up schools. Before Queensland became a separate colony in 1859, the New South Wales Government started National Schools. Queensland continued this after 1859. The Education Act of 1860 helped make education more standard. It set rules for what was taught and how teachers were trained.
The Education Act of 1875 made primary education free, required, and non-religious. This helped bring basic reading and writing skills to most Queensland children by 1900. Local communities often helped build schools. They would donate land or labor. Schools often became a source of pride and a place for social events.
Building the First School
Even though land was set aside in 1853, it took ten more years for the school to open. In 1863, people in Toowoomba worked hard to get a National School. The Board of Education decided to build a brick school for £300. The town promised to pay £100 towards the cost.
The foundation stone for the school was laid on January 25, 1864. The school was designed by architect Benjamin Backhouse. It was built by Mr. Young. Other important buildings like the Post Office and hospital were also being built in Toowoomba at this time.
Toowoomba National School opened on January 22, 1865. James Hodgson was the first Head Teacher. Soon, more students came, and the first building was too small. A new building for girls and young children was finished by October 1869. The school then split into two: Toowoomba South Boys' State School and Toowoomba South Girls' and Infants' State School.
School Changes and Growth
In 1869, the schools officially separated. The original building on Ruthven Street became the Girls' School. A new Boys' School was built on Neil Street. In 1878, the Girls' School became Toowoomba Middle Girls State School. The Infants' School also opened as Toowoomba Middle Infants.
Toowoomba grew a lot in the 1870s. The railway arrived in 1867, making the town a major hub. The economy grew, and the town improved its services. Old temporary buildings were replaced with more lasting ones.
In 1877, the hospital next to the school moved to a new location. The school then used the empty hospital buildings. The boys used the old men's ward, and the girls and infants used the old women's ward.
The Playshed: A Place for Play and Learning
A playshed was built behind the old hospital buildings in January 1884. Playsheds were covered outdoor areas. They were used for play and sometimes for teaching. They were usually open on all sides with a roof. The playshed at Toowoomba was a standard design. It was 30 by 20 feet with a hipped roof. It had seats around the edges and a gravel floor. This playshed is the oldest building still on the school site.
By the 1890s, Toowoomba's main business area moved. The school's area on James Street became less central. In 1906, the girls and infants moved to a new school building. This was on the site of the former town hall. The old women's hospital ward was torn down.
A Big Move for the Schools
By 1938, it was decided that the two Toowoomba South schools would swap sites. The boys' school needed more playground space. Moving to the girls' site meant the boys could use the large playing field of Groom Park. In 1939, the old boys' school building (the former men's hospital ward) was approved for demolition. A new brick building was planned for the girls' and infants' school.
The New Brick Building (1941)
Plans for a large, three-story brick building were drawn in 1938. This was part of a government program to create jobs during the Great Depression. Many new school buildings were constructed during this time. These brick schools were seen as symbols of progress. They were designed to be modern and provide a good learning environment.
The new brick building for Toowoomba South Girls' and Infants' State School was built facing James Street. It had three levels. The ground floor was an open play area and toilets. The two upper levels had classrooms, teachers' rooms, and cloakrooms. Most classrooms faced south.
Construction of the brick building started in March 1940. It was finished in early 1941. The building officially opened on June 21, 1941. It cost £16,500 and could hold 480 students.
The Open-Air Annexe (1913)
Behind the new brick building, an older building was moved from the former girls' school site. This was an "Open-air annexe," the first of its kind in Queensland. It had opened in 1913.
Open-air annexes were designed to improve ventilation and natural light in classrooms. They had only one large room and one wall. The other sides were open with canvas blinds for protection. This design was thought to be good for students' health.
The annexe at Toowoomba was a timber building with a gable roof. It was 22 by 44 feet. It had a west-facing verandah. The open sides had adjustable canvas blinds. However, these annexes were not very practical. The open sides offered little weather protection, and the blinds wore out quickly. By 1929, the Toowoomba annexe was enclosed with windows.
After it was moved, the open-air annexe was used for "opportunity classes." These classes helped students with learning difficulties. They also taught disabled children practical skills. This was an important step in making education available to all students. In 1960, the Opportunity School moved to its own building. The annexe was then used for music, film, and as a library.
The Oslo Lunch Room (1945)
After World War II ended in 1945, the school received money from the government. The mothers at the school decided to use this money to build the "Oslo Lunch Room." This was a tuckshop that offered healthy lunches. It was based on a Norwegian idea for nutritious meals.
The Oslo Lunch Room was a small, timber building. It had a skillion roof and two connected rooms. It was positioned to the west of the open-air annexe. In 1952, it was changed to be used for domestic science lessons. In 1964, it became a tuckshop again.
The Wadley Wing (1959)
In 1955, the school bought back some land that had been sold. An infants' wing was built on this land between 1957 and 1959. This building was a standard design by the Department of Public Works. It was a long, narrow two-story building made of brick, timber, and concrete. It had classrooms and an open play space.
In March 1960, a plaque was put on the new infants' wing. It was named the "Wadley Wing" after Aileen Wadley, a teacher who worked at the school for many years.
School Grounds and Celebrations
The school grounds were designed to include trees, playing fields, and gardens. Trees were planted for shade and beauty. Arbor Day celebrations began in Queensland in 1890. These events taught students about hard work and the importance of nature.
On October 30, 1965, the school celebrated its 100th anniversary. A big fete was held, and a memorial was unveiled. There was also a tree planting ceremony and a tea for past students.
In 1983, the Toowoomba South Boys' State School closed. The boys joined the girls' and infants' school. The school was then renamed Toowoomba South State School. In 1990, the school celebrated its 125th anniversary.
In the 2000s, the number of students at the school decreased. In 2013, the Queensland Government announced that the school might close. Despite efforts by the community to save it, the school closed at the end of 2013.
What the School Looks Like
Toowoomba South State School is located near the main roads in Toowoomba. It is next to St Patricks Cathedral. The school has several buildings:
- A three-story brick building (the main building)
- The Wadley Wing
- The Oslo Lunch Room
- The open-air annexe
- The playshed
- A library
- A covered games area
- A multi-purpose hall
The Main Building (1941)
The main building faces James Street. It is a grand three-story brick building. It has a classic style with a central entrance. The outside is made of brick with large windows. The roof is made of corrugated metal.
Inside, the first and second floors have classrooms, teachers' rooms, and cloakrooms. These are accessed from a wide hallway. The classrooms have wooden floors and plastered walls. The ground floor has a large play area and toilets.
The Wadley Wing (1959)
The Wadley Wing is connected to the main building. It is a long, narrow building made of brick and timber. It has a gable roof. Part of the building is raised on timber supports, creating an open play area underneath.
The upper level has a verandah that runs along the north side. This verandah leads to the classrooms. The classrooms have large windows that let in a lot of natural light.
The Oslo Lunch Room (1945)
The Oslo Lunch Room is a small, timber building. It has an enclosed verandah facing north. It contains one large room. The outside is covered with timber boards. The roof is made of corrugated metal.
Inside, the verandah has small rooms at each end. The main room has a timber floor. It has modern kitchen furniture, which is not part of its heritage value.
The Playshed (1884)
The playshed is a timber-framed shelter. It has a concrete floor and a hipped roof. The south and west sides are covered with corrugated iron. There are timber seats along these sides.
The Open-Air Annexe (1913)
The open-air annexe is a timber building. It has one large classroom and an enclosed verandah on the west side. The walls are covered with weatherboards. The roof is made of corrugated metal.
You can enter the verandah from either end. The classroom is a large space with timber walls and ceiling. The windows let in a lot of light.
Nearby is a small timber building. This building was likely the teacher's room that was added to the annexe in 1929 and later moved.
The School Grounds
The school grounds have different levels for playing areas. There are concrete walls to hold the earth in place. Large, old trees grow in the grounds, including pepperinas, camphor laurels, and jacarandas. There is a timber seat around a camphor laurel tree with memorial plaques for past students. A stone monument from the 1965 centenary is near the main building. Behind the main building is a large paved area for parades.
Why Toowoomba South State School is Important
Toowoomba South State School is important for several reasons:
- Showing Queensland's History: It shows how state education in Queensland developed. It has buildings from the 1880s to the 1950s. These buildings show how ideas about education changed over time. The school also shows how Toowoomba grew as a major city.
- Rare Buildings: The open-air annexe is rare because few like it still exist. The Oslo Lunch Room is also uncommon. Only a few buildings were built to its design and survived.
- Typical School Features: The school shows what a typical Queensland state school looks like. It has buildings designed by the Department of Public Works. The buildings are placed to allow natural light and air inside.
The school has good examples of standard government designs, such as: * The playshed with its open sides and timber roof. * The open-air annexe with its timber frame and large, bright classroom. * The Oslo Lunch Room with its timber structure and north-facing verandah. * The main building with its grand style, three stories, and well-lit classrooms. * The Wadley Wing with its raised design and well-ventilated classrooms.
- Beautiful Design: The main building is important for its beautiful design. It has a classic style and high-quality construction. The school is also a landmark in Toowoomba because of its location on a main road.
- Community Connection: Toowoomba South State School has a strong connection with the Toowoomba community. Local people helped establish it in 1865. It has educated many generations of children. The school has been a central place for social events and has strong community support.
Famous Former Students
- Glynis Nunn (Saunders), Olympic heptathlon Gold Medalist in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
- Edwin John Godsall, the 38th Mayor of Toowoomba.
- Ross Cedric Miller, the 62nd Mayor of Toowoomba.
- Bernard Joseph Beirne, the 37th Mayor of Toowoomba. He was the first person born in Toowoomba to be elected Mayor.
