Back to search results » Back to search page »

Hamilton North Primary School SS2035

Location

cnr West Boundary Rd) and Andrews St HAMILTON, Southern Grampians Shire

File Number

HAMDS #117

Level

Stage 2 study complete

[1/1]
26669 Hamilton North Primary

Statement of Significance

SIGNIFICANCE: »Other than Hamilton Primary School SS 295, most important in region for its age and, in a humble way, its much extended architecture. Model school for the region.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Hamilton North Primary School SS 2035

Andrews St (cnr West Boundary Rd)

The Hamilton North Common School No 897 was established on the Coleraine Road about a mile from the present site which was purchased by the Education Department in 1872. The conditions there were intolerable. ([i]) The present building combining a classroom and a teacher's residence were built by 1878 and the school opened on 1 April of that year with 72 pupils in the single room. The first Head Teacher was Benjamin Hodges who stayed on until 1890. ([ii]) Under the next Head Teacher, John James Jenkin, 1907 -14, the school became a Model School where training in rural teaching was given to Junior Teachers. He was also instrumental in having the North Hamilton Hall erected. The residence was also used as the Local Post Office. ([iii]) In 1890 there were 103 pupils but the school nearly closed down at the turn of the century to cut costs. ([iv]) The Headmaster from 1924 to 1936 was Mr F W Smith and from 1966 to 1970 he was Mr G A Brown. The school's Mothers' Club was formed in 1928 and Mrs W Scott was Secretary for 38 years. The school has always taken a keen interest in horticulture and agriculture.

The buildings have always been typical of their period. The first major alteration was in 1933 when two extra rooms were formed at the rear. ([v]) In 1946 the former residence was added as teaching space. To accommodate the population explosion of the baby boomers, the school was substantially extended by the mid 1950s. There are ancillary buildings in the three and half acre grounds. The buildings remain relatively intact and are in good condition. The whole of the complex is of local significance for its architectural interest and its historical associations.

FOOTNOTES

[i] Garden, D, Hamilton, p 88. It was called "The Black Hole of Calcutta" because of the over crowded conditions created by compulsory education.

[ii] Education Department, Vision & Realisation, Vol 2, p 68.

[iii] From 1937-1959 according to Hamilton North Primary School No 2035 Centenary, unpaginated and possibly from 1883 to 1895 according to Garden, p 118.

[iv] Garden, p 151.

[v] Vision & Realisation, p 69.

Group