Hamilton State School No 295

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE


Hamilton State Primary School No 295
42 Gray Street


This building has regional significance for its architectural interest as an example of the use of the Gothic style in school buildings and for the overall form of the structure with its pyramidal roof over the end pavilions, and for its historical importance as the first and still most important State School in Hamilton. The use of Gothic for schools was conventional because of its associations with mediaeval learning and monasticism. Also conventional is the bi-partite planning to accommodate boys and girls. Many schools could be compared with this building. In particular, the school's historical significance lies in its associations with the town's early educational history in which, unlike many rural communities, Hamilton's earliest schools were national (state) rather than denominational (church) schools.([i]) Moves for a national school were initiated in 1849 by Acheson French, a free thinker, and the town's first Police Magistrate. The present site was set aside for a national school in the first 1850 Township plan. A timber National School was opened there in June 1852. ([ii]) The present school, State School No. 295 was opened in September 1876, replacing the earlier building on the site. ([iii])


The building has enjoyed many alterations in the way of upgradings not least of which was the conversion of the original windows to larger ones at the end of the century. This was associated with a call for better light and ventilation in classrooms. Otherwise the building is relatively intact and in good condition. With the school yard, it is a major component of the streetscape spanning from Gray Street to the Botanic Gardens.