PRIMARY SCHOOL NO. 1479

The Brighton Road St Kilda Primary School No.1479, designed by Education Department architect Henry Bastow was constructed in 1874-75. The single-storey building consisted of ten rooms on either side of a central passage. The four central rooms were 20 by 20 feet, flanked by two rooms of 30 by 20 feet on each side. A second storey was added to the four central rooms in 1887-88, and the tower on the west facade was moved to a central position. In 1901 the galleries were removed and in 1902-03 some windows were altered. During 1919 the school opened as Brighton Road State School Emergency Hospital to cope with overcrowding in Public Hospitals due to 'flu epidemic patients. In 1922-23 the main school was remodelled and further additions were made. The building is Gothic style and constructed of polychrome brick with foundations of bluestone. The slope of the land made possible a basement store at the rear which is still intact. The two storey central bay incorporating the moved tower was added in 1887-88 in a sympathetic manner. The entrance of the school is emphasised by an ornamental parapet and by segmented polychrome brick arches over the door. The slate roof is still in place. The large classrooms of the original plan have been partitioned. The coved timber ceilings are intact but have been painted. The main front classroom retains its original trusses.

How is it significant?

St Kilda Primary School is of social, historical and architectural importance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it significant?
St Kilda Primary School is of social and historical importance as a representative example of a school dating from the first phase of building by the Education Department after the introduction of free, compulsory and secular education under the Education Act of 1872. It is important for its use as a temporary hospital during the 1919 influenza epidemic when the Public Hospitals became overcrowded. It opened as a hospital from 12 February 1919 until August 1919, during a 6 month period the Brighton Road State School Emergency Hospital treated over 600 patients, of whom 49 died. The shelter sheds were used as a temporary morgue. Classes for some of the children were held elsewhere during this time.

St Kilda Primary School is of architectural importance as it exhibits the principal characteristics of an Early Education Department Urban Gothic School which has been extended to accommodate changing educational needs. It retains its paired arched windows and the ornamental parapet over the front entrance. It is believed to have influenced the plan of Geelong West and Daylesford Schools. The school illustrates elaborate details in its window treatment with a saw tooth string course over a double course of brick in a contrasting colour above the windows. Its interior is significant for retaining decorative detail such as the coved timber ceilings and original roof trusses in some classrooms. The school is associated with Henry Bastow, Education Department and Public Works Department architect between the years 1873 and 1894.

Group

Education

Category

School - State (public)