Toowoomba South State School facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Toowoomba South State School
Building on the corner of Ruthven and James Streets, 2014
Location	158 James Street, South Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia
Architect	Department of Public Works (Queensland)
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name: Toowoomba South State School
Type	state heritage
Designated	2 December 2013
Reference no.	602824
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Toowoomba South State School was a special school in Toowoomba, Australia. It is a heritage-listed site, meaning it's an important historical place. The school was designed by the Department of Public Works (Queensland). It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 2 December 2013.

This school is one of the oldest primary schools in Queensland. It was the first State School to open in Toowoomba in 1865. The school was originally for both boys and girls. It closed its doors in 2013.

A Look Back: School History

Toowoomba South State School started as Toowoomba National School in 1865. It was built on a large piece of land in what was then the main part of Toowoomba. Over the years, many buildings were added. These included a playshed in 1884 and a large brick building in 1941. The school was a key place for learning for many years. It was also a social hub for students, parents, and teachers.

How Toowoomba Grew

European settlers arrived in the Toowoomba area around 1840. This land traditionally belonged to the Giabal and Jarowair people. A small settlement called Drayton grew first. But by the late 1840s, "The Swamp" (now Toowoomba) became more popular. It had better land for farming and a good water supply. By 1857, "Toowoomba" was the official name. It quickly became the main town for the Darling Downs region.

In 1853, the government set aside land in Toowoomba for important public buildings. This included a spot for a National School. People in Toowoomba really wanted a government school. By 1861, they were actively asking for one.

Education in Queensland

Before Queensland became its own colony in 1859, the New South Wales Government started National Schools. Queensland continued this after it separated. The Education Act of 1860 helped make schools more organised. 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 many Queensland children learn to read and write by 1900.

Schools were very important for new communities in Queensland. Local people often helped by donating land or labour to build them. Schools often became a source of pride for the town. They were also used for many community events.

The Queensland Government created standard plans for school buildings. This helped save money and keep things consistent. Architects kept improving these designs. Queensland school buildings were known for being good at climate control. They also had good lighting and ventilation. Most schools until the 1960s were made of timber.

Building the First School

Even though land was set aside in 1853, it took a lot of effort to get the school built. In August 1863, people were working hard to get a National School for Toowoomba. The local committee promised £100 towards the building cost.

The foundation stone for the school was laid on 25 January 1864. The school was designed by architect Benjamin Backhouse. It was built by Mr. Young. Other important buildings in Toowoomba were also being built around this time.

The Toowoomba National School opened on 22 January 1865. James Hodgson was the first Head Teacher. The school quickly became too small. A new building was finished by October 1869 for girls and infant students. The school then split into two: Toowoomba South Boys' State School and Toowoomba South Girls' and Infants' State School.

In 1869, the schools were officially separated. The original building on Ruthven Street became the Girls' School. A new Boys' School campus was built on Neil Street. The two schools were separated by Neil Street and a church.

School Growth and Changes

By the 1870s, Toowoomba was a busy town. The railway arrived in 1867, helping the town grow even more. The hospital next to the school moved to a new location in 1877. The school then expanded onto the old hospital site. The boys used the former men's ward, and the girls and infants used the former women's ward.

A playshed was built behind the old hospital buildings in January 1884. Playsheds were covered outdoor areas for play. They were also used for teaching when needed. They were common at Queensland schools from the 1880s to the 1950s. The playshed at Toowoomba was a standard design. It is the oldest building still on the school site.

By the 1890s, the main business area of Toowoomba had moved. The old town hall site became available. In 1906, the girls and infants moved to a new school building on this site. The old women's hospital ward was taken down.

By 1938, the two Toowoomba South schools decided to swap sites. The boys' school needed more playground space. The move meant the boys could use the large playing field of Groom Park. In December 1939, it was decided to build a new brick building for the girls' and infants' school.

The New Brick Building

Plans for a large, three-storey brick building were drawn in December 1938. This was by architect Gilbert Robert Beveridge from the Department of Public Works. Many brick school buildings were built during and after the Great Depression. This was part of a government plan to create jobs for unemployed people. Large new buildings were also built at Toowoomba East (1936) and Toowoomba North (1937) schools.

Brick school buildings were less common than timber ones. They were usually built in richer areas with growing populations. These buildings were designed to be impressive. They had good light and ventilation. The brick schools of the 1930s were seen as symbols of progress.

The brick school building for Toowoomba South Girls' and Infants' State School was very noticeable. It faced James Street. It was a three-storey building with open play space on the ground floor. The two upper floors had 11 classrooms, teachers' rooms, and cloakrooms.

Construction of the brick building started by March 1940. It was almost finished in early 1941. The building was officially opened on 21 June 1941. It cost £16,500 and could hold 480 students.

The Open-Air Annexe

Behind the new brick building was an older building. It had been moved from the former girls' and infants' school site. This was an Open-air annexe, the first of its kind in Queensland. It opened on 29 November 1913.

Open-air annexes were designed to have lots of fresh air and natural light. This was thought to be good for students' health. They had only one large room and one wall. The other sides were open with adjustable canvas blinds.

However, these annexes didn't work very well. They didn't offer much protection from the weather. So, by 1929, the open-air annexe at Toowoomba was enclosed with windows. It was later used for "opportunity classes." These classes helped students with learning difficulties.

In 1960, the Toowoomba Opportunity School moved to its own building. The open-air annexe was then used for music, film classes, and a library.

Post-War Growth and New Additions

After World War II, many more students started school. This was due to the "baby boomers" generation. Schools across Queensland became very crowded. Many new buildings were constructed.

Toowoomba continued to grow after 1945. The city's population increased quickly. This led to more students at Toowoomba South Girls' and Infants' State School.

In 1945, the school received money from the government to celebrate the end of World War II. The mothers at the school decided to use the money to build the "Oslo Lunch Room." This was a tuckshop that offered healthy lunches. It was a standard, temporary building.

In 1947, a three-storey extension was added to the back of the 1941 brick building. This added two more classrooms. To make space, the playshed was moved further south.

In 1952, the Oslo Lunch Room was changed to be used for domestic science lessons. It was later converted back into a tuckshop in 1964.

In 1955, the school bought back some land that had been sold in 1906. An infants' wing was built on this land between 1957 and 1959. It was called the "Wadley Wing" after a former head teacher, Aileen Wadley. This building was connected to the main building by a covered walkway.

School Grounds and Community

The school grounds were designed to include trees, playing fields, and gardens. Trees were planted for shade. Arbor Day celebrations, where trees are planted, started in Queensland in 1890. These events taught students about hard work and nature.

The school celebrated its 100th birthday on 30 October 1965. There was a big party with entertainment and a tree planting ceremony. A memorial was unveiled, and an art gallery was opened inside the brick building.

Between the 1960s and 1980s, education in Queensland changed a lot. New building designs were created. Timber was no longer the main building material.

In 1975, a new library building was constructed. The open-air annexe was moved again to make room for it. It was placed near the southern edge of the school site.

On 1 March 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. A large covered games area was also built.

In 1990, the school celebrated its 125th anniversary.

In the 2000s, the number of students at the school went down. By 2013, there were only about 70 students. Many students had English as a second language. In May 2013, the Queensland Government announced the school might close. Despite protests from the community, the school closed at the end of 2013.

School Buildings and Features

Toowoomba South State School is located on a main road in Toowoomba. The school site is about 1.5 hectares (3.7 acres). It is next to St Patrick's Cathedral. The school has several buildings: a three-storey brick building, the Wadley Wing, the Oslo Lunch Room, the open-air annexe, the playshed, a library, a covered games area, and a multi-purpose hall.

The Main Building (1941)

The main building faces James Street. It is a large, three-storey brick building with a classic design. It has a central path leading to the front entrance.

The building has a ground floor with open play space. The two upper floors have classrooms. The outside is made of brick. It has many timber-framed 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 timber floors and plastered walls.

Two stairwells connect the floors. The stairs are made of concrete. The ground floor has a large play area and toilets.

The Wadley Wing (1959)

The Wadley Wing is connected to the main building by a covered walkway. This long, narrow building is made of brick and timber. It has a sloped roof.

The building is split into two parts. The eastern part is raised up on timber supports. The western part is raised on round concrete columns. The ground floor has a classroom and toilets. The western part has an open play area.

Stairs connect the different levels. The upper level has a verandah along the northern side. This verandah leads to the classrooms. The classrooms have large windows that let in a lot of light.

The Oslo Lunch Room (1945)

The Oslo Lunch Room is a small, timber building. It has an enclosed front verandah and one large room. The outside is covered with timber panels. The verandah has windows. It has a sloped roof.

You enter the building by stairs onto the verandah. The verandah has small rooms at each end. The main room has a timber floor. It has modern kitchen equipment inside.

The Playshed (1884)

The playshed is a timber-framed shelter. It has a concrete floor and a sloped roof. Two sides are covered with corrugated iron. There are timber seats around the edges.

The Open-Air Annexe (1913)

The open-air annexe is a timber building. It has one large classroom and an enclosed front verandah. The walls are covered with timber boards. The roof is sloped and covered with metal sheets.

You enter the verandah by stairs. The verandah has a timber floor. The classroom is a large space with a timber floor. It has good ventilation.

Near the annexe is a small timber building. This building was likely a teacher's room that was moved from the annexe in 1975.

Other buildings on the site include a library (1975), a covered games area (1983), and a multi-purpose hall (2012). These buildings are not considered historically significant.

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 on the grounds. These include pepperinas, camphor laurels, and jacarandas. There is a timber seat with plaques remembering past students. A stone monument from the 1965 centenary is also in the garden. Behind the main building is a large paved area for parades.

Why This School is Important

Toowoomba South State School is important for several reasons:

• History of Education: It shows how state education in Queensland developed. It has buildings from different periods, showing how school designs changed over time.
• Rare Buildings: The open-air annexe is rare because very few of these types of buildings still exist. The Oslo Lunch Room is also uncommon.
• Typical School Features: The school shows what a typical Queensland state school looks like. It has buildings designed by the Department of Public Works. These buildings were made to let in natural light and air.
• Beautiful Design: The main brick building is important for its beautiful design. It has a classic style and is well-built. Its location on a main road makes it a landmark in Toowoomba.
• Community Connection: The school has a strong connection to the Toowoomba community. It was started by local people in 1865. It taught many generations of children. It was a central place for social events and had strong community support.

Famous Former Students

• Glynis Nunn (Saunders), who won a Gold Medal in the heptathlon at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
• Edwin John Godsall, who was the 38th Mayor of Toowoomba.
• Ross Cedric Miller, who was the 62nd Mayor of Toowoomba.
• Bernard Joseph Beirne, who was the 37th Mayor of Toowoomba. He was the first mayor born in the local area.