Warwick East State School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Warwick East State School |
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Warwick East State School, 2015
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| Location | 45 Fitzroy Street, Warwick, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1840s–1860s (mid-19th century) |
| Built | 1864–1912 |
| Architect | Benjamin Joseph Backhouse |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Warwick East State School, Warwick National School | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600947 |
| Significant period | 1860s (historical) 1860–1910s (fabric) 1860s–ongoing (social) |
| Significant components | school/school room |
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Warwick East State School is a special old school building in Warwick, Australia. It's located at 45 Fitzroy Street. This school was designed by a famous architect named Benjamin Joseph Backhouse. It was built between 1864 and 1912.
The school is also known as Warwick National School. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it's a very important historical site.
Contents
The School's Early Days
The main brick building at Warwick East State School was built in 1864. It was designed by Benjamin Backhouse, who was a key architect in early Queensland.
How Warwick Grew
Warwick started to be mapped out in 1850. Soon after, people began buying land there. In 1861, Warwick became a town with its own local government. It grew steadily as a main town for the Southern Darling Downs area. During the 1860s, people in Warwick started building strong, lasting buildings made of brick and stone.
Starting the First School
The very first school in Warwick opened on October 25, 1850. It was set up by the Board of National Education. A local leader, George Leslie, worked hard to make this happen. He wanted to make sure his own children and others in the area could get an education. The school started with thirty students.
The first headmaster was George Abbott. The school closed for a short time in 1852. It reopened in 1853 with George Lewis as headmaster. Jonathan Harris then took over in 1855 and stayed until 1860.
Schools Before Queensland Became a State
Before Queensland became a separate state in 1859, the New South Wales Board of National Education managed schools. This board was created by Governor Charles Augustus FitzRoy in 1848. The Warwick National School was one of the first four National Schools in what would become Queensland. Another school opened in Drayton in 1851. By 1860, separate schools for boys and girls were also in Brisbane.
Education After Queensland's Separation
After Queensland became its own colony in 1859, its new government took charge of education. The Education Act of 1860 created a new Board of Education. This board combined the roles of the old National and Denominational Schools.
The Warwick National School, along with three other government schools, came under this new board. Soon after, in 1864–65, the current brick building was constructed. It was designed by Benjamin Backhouse. This new brick building joined an older wooden classroom that had been there since 1850.
Benjamin Backhouse's Designs
Benjamin Backhouse worked in Brisbane from 1861 to 1868. He designed many early National Schools for the new Board of Education. These included schools in Toowoomba, Condamine, Laidley, Maryborough, Bowen, Nanango, Bald Hills, and Goondiwindi. He also designed many early churches in Queensland.
Changes to the School Building
When it was finished, the Warwick National School was a single-story brick building. It had an entrance porch and small windows. By 1874, the school buildings were not big enough for the growing town. So, a new school, the Warwick Central State School, was planned. When this new school opened in 1875, the old Warwick National School became known as the Warwick East State School. It still has that name today.
In 1878, school inspectors suggested adding two wide verandahs to the 1864 brick building. They also suggested enclosing the northern verandah for bathrooms and classrooms. This work was completed for £175.
By 1911, some people felt the school's location was not ideal. There were concerns about the surroundings. However, a new site was not found. Instead, improvements were made to the existing buildings.
In 1912, the Public Works Department noted that the lighting and air flow in the 1864 brick building were poor. To fix this, a large window on the south side was made bigger. Two dormer windows were added to the roof. The floors were changed to concrete, and the brick walls were painted. A hat room that had been added near the entrance was removed.
Over time, more school buildings were added to the site. But the original brick building remains important. It is still used today as a school hall and for music classes. It has kept much of its original look.
What the School Looks Like
The old Warwick National School building is inside the grounds of Warwick East State School. It stands out near the main entrance, surrounded by nice gardens.
Building Features
This simple, one-story building is rectangular. It is made of painted brick and sits on a rendered base. The roof is gabled and made of corrugated iron. On the east side of the roof, there are two wooden dormer windows. These windows have three parts that can open.
The main entrance is on the south side. It has a projecting porch with a gabled roof. This porch has three round arched openings. These arches are made of four layers of brick. Above the arches, there are small, rectangular openings for air. Below these, there is a rendered sign panel. On the south wall, there is a large window with twelve panes of glass. The north side of the building has similar air openings and a central twelve-pane window.
Verandahs and Windows
The west side of the building has a verandah with a skillion roof. This roof is supported by square timber posts. The northern end of this verandah is enclosed with horizontal wooden boards. The west wall has six vertical sash windows, each with four panes. These windows are evenly spaced around a central doorway. The window sills are rendered and sit on projecting bricks. The window frames are outlined with projecting bricks.
The east side of the building is similar to the west. It also has an open verandah and similar windows. However, the arched window openings on the east side extend higher and have windows that open from the center.
Inside the Building
Inside, the building is one large open room. The roof is lined with timber boards and supported by strong wooden beams. The inside walls are painted brick with a rendered base. The floor is made of timber boards laid over a concrete slab. At the northern end of the room, there is a stage with five steps leading up to it.
Why It's a Heritage Site
Warwick East State School was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. It meets several important standards:
Showing Queensland's History
The former National School shows how Warwick grew in the 1860s. It is one of the oldest government school buildings still standing in Queensland. It helps us understand how the education system developed in the state. This building also shows an early time in Queensland school architecture. Back then, schools were often built with strong masonry (brick or stone), before timber became the main building material.
A Great Example of School Design
This building is a good, well-preserved example of Benjamin Backhouse's work. It shows the main features of early schoolhouses. It started as a single room and was changed over time. This was done as people realized how important good air flow and lighting were for school buildings.
Its Beautiful Look
The building is simple but well-designed. It adds to the nice look of Fitzroy Street. The old National School is also well-placed among the gardens within the Warwick East State School grounds.
Important to the Community
The community values this building very much. It is the earliest school building in Queensland. Many local people have attended this school over the years. This gives it a strong connection to the community.
Images for kids
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Warwick East State School, 2015
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Front view of the Warwick East Central State School, around 1928
