East Fremantle Primary School

Statement of Significance

East Fremantle Primary School, a primary school campus comprising two limestone masonry teaching blocks, a limestone masonry covered assembly and various other structures and features, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: together, the various elements that make up East Fremantle Primary School form a significant and coherent group of buildings; the initial use of a limited range of materials, forms and detailing and subsequent conformance to that range has given the precinct an identifiable and largely homogeneous aesthetic character which together with its location on a rise contributes to making the place a minor landmark in East Fremantle; the original design of the place incorporates aspects of standard plan for schools development in the period 1898 to 1901 and is representative of Western Australian Government hall and gallery schools constructed during that time; the development of the place between 1898 and 1901 coincided with the period of major growth in Western Australia in the wake of the 1890s Gold Boom and with the proclamation of East Fremantle as a municipality; and, the place has been associated with various individuals, including architect John Pidgeon, who with the PWD was responsible for the design of the 1970s adaptation; with Senator Dorothy Tangney, who worked there as a monitor; and with Alan Bond, who attended the school as a student. Refer to Heritage Council of Western Australia's Register of Heritage Places - Register and Assessment Documentation.

Physical Description

East Fremantle Primary School, 8 Forrest Street is a primary school campus bounded by Marmion Street, East Street, Chalmers Street and Forrest Street on land Reserve 3465. The place sits on a limestone ridge with views over Fremantle and the harbour. It is located within suburban development including two blocks of three storey flats on the corner of Chalmers and Forrest Streets. To the west of the site is the John Curtin College of the Arts which is also included on HCWA’s Register of Heritage Places. The campus comprises two main limestone classroom and office buildings, and a compatibly constructed assembly and toilet building together with the other lesser structures which are mostly of recent, prefabricated construction. The buildings are set within landscaped grounds which include mature trees, bitumen paving, grassed and sand play areas and gardens. Classroom ‘A’ fronts Marmion Street and is a single storey limestone building with a hipped roof that has skillioned roof additions on the southern and eastern sides. Classroom and Administration block ‘B’ fronts Forrest Street is a part two storey random ashlar limestone building with a hipped and gabled roof clad in Colorbond. There is a loggia supported by concrete columns on the north west of the ground floor. The single storey limestone block covered assembly and toilet block is situated between the two main blocks. The playing field is situated on the north western corner of the site. The demountable structures front Forrest Street and the pre-primary centre is located at the end of the cul-de sac. Landscape features include the southern forecourt garden (between classroom and administration block B), the northern forecourt garden (between Marmion Street and classroom block A. There is bitumen paving and mature gum trees on the site. Refer to Heritage Council of Western Australia's Register of Heritage Places - Register and Assessment Documentation. A Heritage Assessment was prepared in Aug 2009 by the City of Fremantle for a DA submission to Council for proposed construction of a music and art and stores block and additions and alterations to incorporate the relocation of the toilets.

History

Refer to Heritage Council of Western Australia's Register of Heritage Places - Register and Assessment Documentation. A Heritage Assessment was prepared in Aug 2009 by the City of Fremantle for a DA submission to Council for proposed construction of a music and art and stores block and additions and alterations to incorporate the relocation of the toilets.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining. (These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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