Warwick State High School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Warwick State High School |
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Warwick High School, 2017
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| Location | 15 Palmerin Street, Warwick, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900–1914 (Early 20th century) |
| Built | 1914–1915, Block A, 1914, Block B, 1932, Block C, 1958, South connecting wing, two–storey concrete, 1959, North connecting wing, 1963, former plumbing workshop, 1968–1969, Science and toilet block extension |
| Architect | Thomas Pye |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Warwick State High School; Warwick Technical College / Warwick Intermediate School | |
| Type | state heritage |
| Designated | 28 June 2018 |
| Reference no. | 650062 |
| Type | Education, Research, Scientific Facility: School – state (high) |
| Theme | Educating Queenslanders: Providing secondary education |
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Warwick State High School is a historic high school located at 15 Palmerin Street, Warwick, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Thomas Pye. The main building, Block A, was built between 1914 and 1915. The school is also known as Warwick Technical College and Warwick Intermediate School. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 28 June 2018.
School History
Warwick State High School first opened on its current site in 1914. It began as the Warwick Technical College and High School. Before this, it operated from an older location on Guy Street.
Over the years, the school grew a lot. In 1929, it became home to Queensland's first intermediate school. A new building for this, Block C, was added in 1932. More buildings were constructed in the 1950s and 1960s as more students joined.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) designed all these buildings. They form a beautiful group of school buildings from the early to mid-20th century.
Early Buildings
The first important buildings were:
- Main Building, Block A (1915)
- Workshops Block, Block B (1914)
Later, the Intermediate School Building, Block C (1932), was added. As the high school grew, more buildings were built:
- South Connecting Wing (1958)
- North Connecting Wing (1959)
- Block F (1963)
- Block D (1968/69)
Warwick's Growth and Education Needs
Warwick became an important town for farming and business. It needed skilled workers for its industries like flour milling and engineering. In the 19th century, technical education happened in local "schools of arts." These were like community learning centers.
By the early 1900s, the Queensland Government became more involved in technical education. They wanted to train more skilled workers. The government started taking over existing technical colleges and building new ones.
Technical education in Warwick started in 1895 at the School of Arts. By 1910, a high school section was added. This was called the Warwick Technical High School. It was the first technical high school in regional Queensland to be run by the government.
A New School Site
The school quickly needed more space. In 1912, a local vote decided to use part of Cunningham Park for a new, larger school. This park was a public recreation area.
The Queensland Government was building many large public buildings at this time. This included impressive brick school buildings. These schools were designed individually, not to a standard plan. They had big budgets and looked grand.
Queensland Government Architect Thomas Pye designed the new Warwick Technical College and High School. Construction began in 1914. The main building, Block A, was a two-storey brick building with a tiled roof. It had a special carved stone emblem above the entrance. This emblem showed the school's motto: "Virtute et Labore" (by hard work and excellence).
A separate two-storey Workshops Block, Block B, was built first in 1914. It had workshops for blacksmithing, plumbing, and carpentry. Both buildings were officially opened in October 1915.
Charles Astley: Art Master and Pottery Pioneer
Charles Astley (1869–1929) was the art master at Warwick Technical College from 1908 to 1925. He was a talented artist and musician. He taught woodcarving and started china painting classes.
In 1918, Warwick acquired a pottery kiln. This allowed Astley to start pottery classes. Warwick Technical College was a leader in teaching pottery in Queensland. Astley's students even showed their pottery at big exhibitions. He won a bronze medal at the British Empire Exhibition in London in 1924.
Astley also carved the sandstone emblem above the entrance to Block A. He was a very important person in Warwick's cultural life.
The Intermediate School
In the late 1920s, Queensland introduced "intermediate schools." These schools helped students move from primary to secondary education. They taught vocational subjects and prepared students for higher certificates.
In February 1929, Warwick Technical College and High School opened Queensland's first intermediate school. The students first used the top floor of the workshops block.
A new building, Block C, was built in 1932 specifically for the Intermediate School. This was the second purpose-built intermediate school in Queensland. It was designed to match the existing buildings. It had classrooms, drawing rooms, and science rooms.
School Expansion in the Mid-20th Century
From the late 1940s, the school started acquiring more land for sports fields. Hamilton Oval, named after the first principal, Robert Campbell Hamilton, was created in 1951.
In the late 1950s, two new two-storey connecting wings were built. The South Connecting Wing (1958) linked Block A and Block C. The North Connecting Wing (1959) linked Block A and Block B. These wings created an enclosed courtyard in the middle of the school. They were designed to blend in with the older buildings.
More additions were made in the 1960s. A plumbing workshop, Block F, was completed in 1963. This building had large workshop rooms for metalwork and plumbing. Around this time, the intermediate school system ended.
In 1964, construction began on Block D, a new Science and Toilet Block extension. This building extended from Block C. It had toilets and showers on the ground floor and science labs on the first floor.
The school also gained more land from Cunningham Park in 1968. This helped provide more space for the growing school.
Recent Developments and Community Role
In the 1970s, the school continued to grow. A Great Hall was completed in 1977. A new library building was finished in 1986.
Warwick State High School continued to offer evening classes for tradespeople until 1988. That's when the Warwick TAFE College was established.
The school celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2002. In 2016, Warwick State High School had 893 students. As of 2025, it still operates from its original site. It remains the only state high school in Warwick. It is a very important part of the community, having taught generations of students.
School Buildings and Design
Warwick State High School is on a large site that faces Palmerin Street. It is surrounded by Victoria Street to the north and Guy Street to the west.
The school has seven important buildings:
- Block A: The main classroom building, facing Palmerin Street.
- Block B: The workshops block, behind Block A.
- North Connecting Wing: Links Block A and B.
- Block C: The intermediate school building, south of Block A.
- South Connecting Wing: Links Block A and C.
- Block D: Extends west from Block C.
- Block F: The former plumbing workshop, north of Block D.
These buildings look like a family because they use similar materials and are arranged around an open courtyard. This courtyard helps the buildings get natural light and fresh air.
The school grounds are well-kept. There's a beautiful garden in front of Block A on Palmerin Street.
Block A: Main Classroom Building (1915)
Block A is a two-storey building that looks very grand. It has a granite base, brick walls on the bottom, and a stucco (a type of plaster) upper level. The roof is tiled and has a tall metal spire called a fleche. Large timber windows are placed all around the building.
The front entrance is special with carved sandstone decorations. Inside, there's a wide entrance hall and a concrete staircase. This building had rooms for business classes, chemistry, and a large hall for lectures.
Block B: Workshops Block (1914)
Block B is a two-storey building that was used for workshops. It has brick and stucco walls and a tiled roof. It has large steel beams inside. This building originally had a blacksmithing workshop and a carpentry workshop.
A small brick room was added to the back in 1922. This room housed a kiln for pottery classes.
Block C: Intermediate School Building (1932)
Block C is a two-storey building with a tall tiled roof and a metal fleche. It has a granite base and brick and stucco walls. The building faces north and has large windows that let in a lot of light and air.
Inside, there's a central hallway with classrooms on one side and bathrooms and teacher rooms on the other.
South Connecting Wing (1958)
This two-storey building connects Block A and Block C. It has a tiled roof and brick and stucco walls. The south side has many large windows.
Inside, there are classrooms and former storage rooms. A concrete staircase leads to the first floor.
North Connecting Wing (1959)
This two-storey building connects Block A and Block B. It's a long, narrow building with a metal roof. Its long sides have many windows. This wing provided classrooms and spaces for art and dressmaking.
Block D: Science and Toilet Block Extension (1968/69)
Block D is a two-storey building that extends from Block C. The ground floor has an open play area and a large toilet and shower block. The first floor has science classrooms.
The ground floor has brick walls and high windows. The first floor has many windows to let in light.
Block F: Former Plumbing Workshop (1963)
Block F is a one-storey brick building that was used as a plumbing workshop. It has a concrete floor and a metal roof. It has large double doors and many windows.
Inside, there are two large workshop rooms. These rooms still have some of their original timber workbenches.
Why Warwick State High School is Important
Warwick State High School is important for several reasons:
Showing Queensland's Education History
The school shows how state and technical education in Queensland has changed over time. Its buildings are great examples of government designs from different periods.
Warwick State High School was one of the first state-funded schools in regional Queensland. It was a leader in secondary and technical education. The early buildings (Block A and B) and Block C (the second purpose-built intermediate school) show this.
The later buildings (connecting wings, Block F, Block D) show how architects tried to create the best learning environment. They focused on natural light, classroom size, and ventilation.
Key Features of a School Complex
Warwick State High School shows the main features of a Queensland state high school and technical college from the early to mid-20th century. These include:
- High-quality, strong buildings designed by the DPW.
- Separate buildings for different subjects.
- Classrooms for learning trades and skills.
- Classrooms with lots of natural light and air.
- Gardens near the town center.
Each main building (Block A, B, C, F) also shows the specific features of its type of school building from its time.
Beautiful Design
The school buildings (Blocks A, B, C, and the connecting wings) are very well-preserved and beautiful. They are made of masonry (brick and stone) and have a similar look and feel. They are arranged around an open courtyard. Blocks A and C have special spires on their roofs.
The designs were meant to show progress and strength. They make the streets of Palmerin and Victoria look impressive. The school is a well-known landmark in Warwick. Many photos have been taken of its beautiful buildings.
Strong Community Connection
Schools are always important to communities. They connect former students, parents, and teachers. They are places for social events and volunteer work. They also show the pride and hopes of a local community.
Warwick State High School has been a key part of education in Queensland since 1895. Local fundraising helped build the new school in 1914–15. This made Warwick an important education center for the region.
The school has educated many generations of students from Warwick and nearby areas for over a century. It continues to be a central part of the community.
Association with Charles Astley
Warwick State High School has a special connection to the famous artist Charles Astley (1869–1929). He was the Art Master from 1908 to 1925. He was a pioneer in teaching pottery in Queensland's technical colleges.
Astley created the carved sandstone emblem above the entrance to Block A. He was also involved with the kiln room in Block B.
