Gosnells Primary School

Statement of Significance

Gosnells Primary School has historic value as it demonstrates the establishment of a school for country teachers, in Gosnells in 1907, highlighting the rural beginnings of the area. The school mirrors the development of Gosnells in the ongoing incremental development of the facility. It has historic value for its association with leading teacher Robert Murdoch and for its long association with the teacher Mrs Mary Carroll between 1923 and 1956. The school building is representative of the architectural style and form of schools of the period and the streetscape plantings are similarly typical of the site response. The place has social value as many people in the district have had some association with the school since 1907. The place has social and historic value for its association with innovative teaching methods embraced and taught by Robert Murdoch. The identification of the school as a 'model' school demonstrates its influence on the theory and practice of teaching.

Physical Description

The Gosnells Primary School is set behind a row of mature trees. The complex is a combination of two different building styles and varying construction materials. The original school has been extended and altered and is no longer easily identifiable. An impression of consistency has been maintained, with the walls of most buildings being red face brick to sill height, and then rendered above.

History

The decision to build Gosnells Primary School was a response by the Education Department to a request from local parents. According to the Gosnells Estate maps, a school already existed in the Estate and many people moved to the area under that misconception. In 1904 a petition was sent to the Education Department requesting a school and in 1905 a provisional school started in the Methodist Church with 16 pupils. The first teacher was Arthur Hemeleers. The school soon outgrew the Church facilities, and in August 1906 the Public Works Department called for tenders from contractors for the construction of a school and quarters on land provided by the Gosnells Estate Company. The design was one of the standard designs prepared by the architects within the Public Works Department. The successful contractor was J. W. Pearson with a tender of £774 0s 8d. The school opened in 1907, as a 'model school'. Applicants for employment and teachers of small schools were sent to the school so they could study methods and become acquainted with the management of a small school. Teacher Robert Murdoch (Murdock) provided the example, and received high praise from the Department. During the first year, 38 applicants and teachers spent time at the school, mostly for approximately one week of study. As the school grew to approximately 50 students during the first year it was no longer suitable as a model school for the 'one person' regional school. Murdoch was influenced by the Nature Study Movement and inspired his pupils to establish a garden and orchard, experimental agricultural plots, a coral fountain and a tennis court. The main showpiece; however was a landscape dominated by a working model of a volcano, ingeniously constructed to teach geographical terms through practical observation. People flocked to the school on Arbour Day, 1908, because, as the local correspondent wrote: 'The people of Gosnells are very proud of their school, the institution in every detail being regarded as a credit to the Head Teacher, Mr Murdoch'. (The Gosnells Story, McDonald & Cooper, p. 162.) The success of the school was apparent in the decision to call for tenders for the construction of an additional classroom in March 1909 and in 1910 for tenders to construct additions to the quarters. The successful contractor for the addition to the quarters was R. Ward with a price of £120. One teacher who had a long association with the school was Mrs Mary Carroll who started teaching in 1923 and retired in 1956. (See entry for Mary Carroll Park, Verna Street, Gosnells). Extra classrooms were provided during the 1947-53 post World War Two period and in the 1960s a new canteen was supplied, while the active Parents & Citizens Association contributed to the constant improvement of the school facilities. The school continued to expand during the 1970s and 1980s with new classrooms and demountable buildings. In 1985 an historical booklet was produced including anecdotes from ex-students such as the difficulties of getting to school over flooded rivers and streams, and through the bush during heat waves. In September 2005, to celebrate the 100 years of the school opening, the City of Gosnells Historical Society donated a fountain, to replace the 'Coral Fountain’ that had long since disappeared. Cutting the ribbon was Norma Handmer (nee Brown) a past pupil of the school. The fountain was dedicated to the memory of Miss Grace Michel who attended the school in c.1912.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High degree Authenticity: High degree with incremental development

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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