Upper Castlereagh Public School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Upper Castlereagh Public School |
|
|---|---|
Upper Castlereagh Public School building in 1911
|
|
| Location | Castlereagh Road, Castlereagh, City of Penrith, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1878–1879 |
| Built for | Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia |
| Architect | George Allen Mansfield |
| Owner | Minister for Community Services |
| Official name: Upper Castlereagh Public School and residence | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 339 |
| Type | School - State (public) |
| Category | Education |
| Builders | James Evans |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Upper Castlereagh Public School is a special old school building. It is located at 312 Old Castlereagh Road in Castlereagh. This area is part of western Sydney, Australia. The school was designed by George Allen Mansfield. It was built between 1878 and 1879 by James Evans.
This property is also known as the Upper Castlereagh Public School and residence. It is owned by the New South Wales Minister for Community Services. The school was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it is an important historical site.
Contents
History of the School
The land where the school stands was once a large piece of land. It was given to Edward Field in 1803. Later, his family donated this part of the land. They wanted it to be used for building a school.
This school is very important. It shows how the government decided to offer public education for all children. This was different from education provided only by churches. The school in the church hall across the road stopped when this public school opened. For almost 100 years, this single-room school was the main place for children to learn in Upper Castlereagh.
James Rutledge arrived in Castlereagh in 1840. He worked as a school teacher. He was also a lay preacher, meaning he led church services. He wanted to build a church that could also be used for teaching. The church on Old Castlereagh Road opened in 1847. It is still the oldest Wesleyan church in Australia. For James and his wife Lucy, this church was very special.
What the School Looks Like
The School Building
The school is a simple rectangular hall. It has a small entry porch on the side. This design was common for rural public schools back then. It has a steeply sloped roof with decorative timber edges. The walls are made of brick. There are stone details at the bottom and around the windows. The roof is made of corrugated iron. The windows are covered with boards now. The main door is made of timber. There was also an original brick toilet building nearby.
The Schoolmaster's House
Next to the school is a simple house. It was where the schoolmaster lived. It is a Victorian-style cottage made of painted brick. It has a hipped corrugated iron roof. The front also has a veranda with a corrugated iron roof. Some original windows are still there. They are double-hung windows with small glass panes. The chimneys on the house have simple brick designs at the top.
Condition of the Buildings
As of 2002, the school and house were in poor condition. The iron roof was rusting. The gutters and drainpipes were also rusting. The exposed timber parts and painted areas were decaying.
There are plans to restore the school. It could be used for community workshops for children and adults. The residence could be used by a caretaker or guide. This person would help look after the heritage area.
Changes Over Time
A timber lean-to was added to the school building. Another timber lean-to was added to the back of the house. These additions were not in the original style.
More Information
This site is important because it represents early people and social patterns in Castlereagh. Its history is passed down through stories and old documents. Old fences and tree plantings show the original layout. Across the road are other important buildings. These include the original weatherboard school, the church, and Castlereagh Road itself. Keeping these sites in use helps preserve their history.
Why it's a Heritage Site
The Upper Castlereagh Public School is important for several reasons. It shows the early days of the Wesleyan movement in Australia. It also shows the development of public education. The first Methodist Church in Australia was built here. This area also had two early schools for the local community.
The site still shows part of the original layout of Upper Castlereagh. This is especially true for how it connects to Castlereagh Road. This whole area is a very important historical landscape.
The first school in the area started in the Chapel across the road in 1840. Then, in 1878, it became a public school. It was then controlled by the NSW Department of Education. The school and cottage were designed by G. A. Mansfield. He was a well-known architect in the 1800s. The school is part of a special heritage area across the road.
It is also important locally. Many early residents of the area were educated here. It shows the early growth of this rural community.
The Upper Castlereagh Public School was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. It met the following important standards:
- It shows the history of New South Wales.
The school reminds us of the decision to create public schools in the 1800s. It is also an example of Mansfield's work. He was planning Prince Alfred Hospital at the same time. The school, along with the Chapel, Hall, and Cemetery, forms a historic area.
- It shows great design or technical skill.
The school room and brick house are made of brick with a steep iron roof. They show how this rural community developed. They are part of the early Church and School area at Upper Castlereagh. The buildings look nice and fit well into their surroundings.
- It has a strong connection to a community or group.
With the 19th-century Chapel, Hall, and Cemetery across the road, this area is now a "heritage precinct." People continue to use the nearby academy for education. They also use the church for spiritual and social events. This keeps people coming to the area.
- It can help us learn more about history.
The site could be used for classes for school children. They could learn about Australian history. This includes the story of European settlement and Aboriginal people. They could also study different periods of growth in Australia.
- It is rare or uncommon in New South Wales.
The school shows the separation of church and state. This is seen in the two separate buildings. It also shows how the school, Chapel, and Cemetery were connected 125 years ago.
- It shows important features of cultural or natural places.
The site helps us understand life in the "interior" of a convict colony. It also shows land grants given to early settlers. The site across the road connects to the first gift to Australian Methodists. Many early settlers were connected to the Chapel built in 1847.
