Pinjarra Primary School & School House (fmr)

Child Places

• 01754 Teacher's House (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The Old School & Teacher's Quarters is a fine intact example of a school building constructed in the late 19th Century to Public Works Department designs. Old School & Teacher's Quarters has contributed a major role in the development of Pinjarra over the years, being the first schoolhouse, the Road Boards Office, the parish Centre.

Physical Description

The Old School is built from local red brick with a steep roof and high ceilings. There are three tall ornate chimneys, with broken roofs, open timbered gables and asymmetrical composition. The building is considered part of the Victorian revival style. Old toilet blocks remain at the rear of the building with re bricks and an iron roof. The shool yard now forms part of the Heritage Rose garden. The Teahcer's Quarters is constructed from local red brick, with an iron roof. A jarrah verandah surrounds most of the house. The brick has been rendered on the south side.

History

In 1848, a small school building was erected just south of the McLarty home on Creaton Estate. The school was probably on land John McLarty was leasing from Francis Singleton. Singleton has requested a school as early as 1840, and was told that the Government would donate 20 pounds towards its construction. However, there were only four children of shool age in the vicinity, so the idea was shelved. At the new school, John Fairburn was appointed teacher on a small government salary with parents supplementing his wages. On opening the school had fourteen children attending but by April 1850 the numbers dropped below twelve and the government withdrew its subsidy. Without a salaried teacher, the school closed. Various efforts were made to organise teaching between 1850 and 1860, in various locations, but none seems to have lasted any length of time. In January 1860, John McLarty proposed using the Church (constructed in 1845) as a school, since 'The Church (which is going to ruins being so seldom used) requires repairing. I do not wish to see it fall to the ground as I paid a good deal of money towards the building and repairing it since'. McLarty's suggestion was not adopted, and by September 1860 Daniel Keen Condon, the newly appointed schoolteacher, opened a school in Pinjarra in a little wattle and daub house located near the original church. It also appears the accomodation was provided for Congdon. The School building did not last long, being destroyed in the 1862 flood. The police reported at the time "The Murray schoolhouse is a complete wreck, not one inch therof is standing". A new school was constructed on higher ground west of the newly-built St John's Church (constructed 1861). In 1871, a well was requested for the school, but the General Board said that one was not required as water could be obtained from the well at the police station. The matter was again raised in 1881 and this time permission was granted. The well was constructed by John McLarty (jnr) for 42 pounds, and a fence was erected around it. In 1887, the school requested a verandah, since "In winter any children arriving at the school before the time for opening the school are obliged to stand out in the rain which is not conducive to health". It seems that either a verandah was added to the building or a shed was erected for shelter. By the early 1890's the old school was becoming expensive to repair and was too small. The older section was in poor condition and in need of replacement. In 1896, teacher's quarters were built facing the church, and a contract was let to R. Green for the erection of a new school for 879 pounds, 16 shillings and 10 pence. This building, to the design of Government Architect George Temple Poole, consisted of two rooms, one of which was quite large, cloarooms for boys and girls, and a small manual training room. In 1921, a contract was let for the erection of a new school at the southern end of Pinjarra. The building comprised of three classrooms with provision for additional rooms. After the new school opened, the old school remained closed and unused. In 1924 the Pinjarra Roads Board took control of the Old School, leasing it from the Education Department. The building was used for various purposes, including accommodation for staff emplyed on road construction, meetings and as a venue for community groups. The Roads Board bought the School in 1933. A strong room was built into the Old School and the Pinjarra Roads Board accupied it as offices from 1935. It is also likely that one room was used as a Court House. When the new Civic Centre opened in 1964, the Anglican Church bought the Old School for use as a Parish Centre. it remained used as such until the 1990's when Murray Shire purchased it back from them and adapted it for use as a community centre. In 2010 it was occupied by a Quilter's Groups and the Teacher's Quarters is used as a residence.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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