Manning Primary School

Statement of Significance

• The place has aesthetic value as a good, largely intact demonstration of the Inter War and Post War International style executed in brick and tile. Internal details that remain from the original construction are likely to reflect this style
• The place has historic value for its association with the establishment of Manning in the Inter War years and its rapid expansion in the period following World War Two.
• The place has historic value as a demonstration of the commitment to public housing by the state government.
• The place has social value for the many members of the community who have attended the place as students, staff or through association with friends and family

Physical Description

One of the early sections of school that had been constructed by the 1950s is located towards the northern end of the development along Ley Street, comprising the section from the northern boundary to the projecting wing. There was also a long single storey range constructed on an east-west axis to the rear of this classroom area. By the 1960s the school had doubled in size with further building along the Ley Street frontage to the south of the projecting wing and another range on an east-west axis to the rear.

The buildings along Ley Street present in a uniform manner being of brick construction with hipped roofs and a regular rhythm of chimneys on the front edge of the roof. The lower section of the walls is face brick with the upper section being rendered as was typical of school construction in this era. The windows are multi-paned timber framed double hung sashes. The section to the south of the projecting wing was of similar construction though the style of the windows was slightly different.

The roof has been reclad with red Colorbond and shade structures have been installed above the windows but the school still presents to Ley Street with a high level of authenticity. The school has been further developed to the rear of the Ley Street buildings but these cannot be seen from the road.

History

The suburb of Manning was named after the Manning family who were large property owners in this area as well as in the Cockburn district. By the mid-1930s, the area was described as having a scattering of weatherboard houses in the bush, a grocery store and tearooms at Canning Bridge and humpy homes made of bush timber, flattened tins and Hessian bags. The children of these homes had to walk a fair distance to either Applecross or Como Primary. This changed with the building of Canning Bridge Primary School which was opened in February 1936. The Head Teacher was Arthur Turner.

The one roomed school was constructed of brick with a wooden verandah. It was set in banksia bushland and sandy soil. The initial enrolment was 37 pupils. Children of standards higher than three still had to travel to other schools until Canning Bridge School was expanded in 1940. At this time the school became known as South Como School.

The population of the school stayed fairly stable until after World War Two, when building materials became more readily available, and Manning Park Estate was developed, the population of the district began to rise. By 1950, 79 students were attending the one roomed school with the older students having to be taught on the verandah. Once again the children above Standard Three had to attend Como Primary.

Prior to the 1951 school year which had an enrolment of 173 children, two classrooms and an office were added and the school was renamed Manning Park. In this post war period the State Housing Commission undertook the development of 1,000 homes in Manning, South Como and Salter Point and the population of the area exploded. Four Bristol prefabricated rooms were added to Manning Park and by 1955, 616 children were enrolled to be taught in 13 class groups (average of 47 students per class)

As home-building in the area continued, pressure on the school resources with the growing enrolments mounted. In 1956 the school reached its maximum population with 801 students and 17 teachers. As a result three new brick classrooms were built. In 1957 the school went through yet another name change to Manning State School. This coincided with lessening the pressure on the school with the opening of Koonawarra Primary and a number of children moving to the Catholic School across the street. The last brick classroom was added to the school in 1958. As the population gradually declined the Bristol prefabricated classrooms were removed.

The P&C have been an integral part of the school community, the P&C supplied the public address system, siren, loudspeaker and radios as well as stationery, library books and sports equipment. A large project the P&C undertook was to raise funds for the building of a canteen which was opened in 1963.

Since the initial programs of work which created the main school buildings, the facilitates on the campus have increased with pre primary facilities, library and an undercover area.

The roof of the original classroom block was originally terracotta tile which was replaced with red zincalume in 2010. The form and extent of this classroom block have not changed significantly since the late 1950s although internal additions and alterations have been undertaken in response to changing standards and educational expectations. The school continues to provide educational services for children aged from Kindergarten to Year 6.

Integrity/Authenticity

High / Moderate

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.