Roelands School (fmr)

Statement of Significance

• The school has historic value for its association with the settlement of the town of Roelands in the early 20th century
• The school has social value for the many hundreds of individuals who were educated or taught at the school since 1904.

Physical Description

A much enlarged school complex which has retained the original school buildings. The main school room is of brick and weatherboard construction, shallow pitched Colorbond roof, vented gables, sash windows and a small weatherboard porch. The additional school rooms have been constructed in a similar design to the main school room.

History

The small townsite of Roelands was originally known as 'Collie River Crossing' and later 'Collie Siding' when the railway went through in 1893. Due to confusion with nearby 'Collie' gazette in 1897, the name was changed to 'Roelands' after the nearby farm originally granted to John Septimus Roe. The settlement grew in the late 1890s and local residents applied to the government for a school.

In 1895, there were 21 children living at Collie Siding and those who were able travelled to Frogmore (Brunswick).
At this time a private school was operating in the Catholic Chapel at Roelands (Collie Siding).

On 6th January 1903, approval was given to open a school in the Anglican Church building owned by Mrs Rose. On 3rd February 1903, Miss Agnes (or Agatha) McGuckin opened the State School with an enrolment of 27 students. This building was inadequate for the purpose and the Public Works Department prepared plans for a school and teachers quarters. The building consisted of a single roomed school and a simple teachers quarters of two rooms. The contract to be completed by 4th January 1905 was let to A.T. Brine for a tendered fee of £300.

Mrs A.E. Pine commenced teaching at the new school building on 28 November 1904, well in advance of the scheduled completion of the building. The teachers quarters proved to be inadequate almost immediately with several requests to the Education Department to improve the facilities for the generally single women who taught at the school.

In 1917, the Wokalup school building was transferred to Roelands for conversion to a more appropriate teacher’s quarters. This was undertaken by H. W. Doubikin for £146 and at the same time the school room was extended by removing the partition to the former quarters.

In 1922, a dedicated teacher’s quarters was built. In 1935, a new classroom was built and in subsequent years a library and staffroom.

Roelands School functioned until 1996 when the River Valley Primary School opened in Burekup.

The school continues to be used for an educational purpose [2014].

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate/ High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.