Back to search results » Back to search page »   Print 

NORTHCOTE HIGH SCHOOL

Location

19-29 ST GEORGES ROAD, NORTHCOTE, DAREBIN CITY

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
Northcote High School at 19-29 St Georges Road, Northcote was built in 1928-29 and was one of only three boys' high schools at the time it opened. Later, the school became a co-educational facility and its facilities were enlarged. It is one of three secondary schools established in Darebin in the Inter-war period. The following elements contribute to the significance of the place:

- The 1928-29 building, which is a symmetrically composed, two-storey building in the inter-war Free Classical style. It has a bay at centre that projects forward, which has a brick pediment with a rendered top. An insignia with a cartouche with the letters 'N H S' is below the pediment. At ground level in this central bay is an archway that leads to a recess that has timber frame double-doors, with a fanlight, that is the main entrance. At each end of the school building are projecting bays. The school has a hipped roof clad in slate tile and the windows of the school are timber frame with multi-paned upper and lower sashes, with multi-paned pivot sashes at top, of a style commonly found on Education Department buildings of this period.

- Original, or early landscape elements within the front setback of the 1929 school, and the curved drive leading from St Georges Road. The significant trees include Canary Island Palms (Phoenix canariensis) symmetrically spaced across the facade (one appears to have been removed), Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) and a Norfolk Island Hisbiscus (Lagunia patersonii).

The additions to the 1929 building and other buildings and trees on the site are not significant.

How is it significant?
Northcote High School at 19-29 St Georges Road, Northcote is of local historic, architectural, aesthetic and social significance to Darebin City.

Why is it significant?
Historically, Northcote High School is significantasan illustration of the development of State secondary educationduring the inter-war era andas one ofthe first boys high schools to be established in Victoria. It is also significant as an example of the new or expanded educational facilities built during the inter-war periodthat provide tangible evidence of the significant growth experienced in Darebin during the 1920s. It is also significant as an example of the buildings designed under the direction of E. Evan Smith, Chief Architect of the Public Works Department. (AHC criteria A.4, D.2, H.1)

Architecturally, the 1928-29 building is a fine example of a secondary school designed in the Free Classical style in Darebin.The mature landscaping contributes to the aesthetic qualities of the setting of the school and appears to have been designed to emphasis the symmetry of the architecture. (AHC criteria D.2, E.1)

Socially, Northcote High School is of significance as an educational facility that is known, used and valued by the community for over 70 years. (AHC criterion G.1)

Group

Education

Category

School - State (public)