Dalkeith Primary School

Statement of Significance

The Dalkeith Primary School has aesthetic, social, historic and representative cultural heritage value. For many years the school bas provided a sense of stability to the education of the local children. Architectural qualities of the building include a sense of 'Australianess' that is common to many school buildings constructed in this era with wide verandahs providing necessary shade. Other elements such as the small paned sash windows and symmetrical facade complement the setting of the school in the middle of a residential area of similarly solid designed homes

Physical Description

The school faces south with the entrance door slightly recessed from two pairs of fluted pilaster columns flanking the door with a sash window on either side. The recess is in brickwork within a rendered brick support tiled roof. The buildings on either side has high chimneys to the classrooms with rendered and painted brickwork up to the sill height with vertical sliding sash windows (eight pane) above a small hopper window. An entry door is off each classroom with a short flight of steps around the courtyard to the north and playing field to the east. The site is circled by roads, with a lowmetal and mesh fence with trees on the perimeter.

History

Dalkeith Primary School was built owing to increasing population pressure on Claremont and Nedlands Primary Schools. After a number of sites were considered for the school the present location was chosen in 1936. Reasons for the choice of this site was its central location away from traffic. In order for the school to be built 14 residential blocks were resumed. Enrolments at the Infants School, on its official opening day on 7 June 1938, were low. Thirty six students attended, though facilities allowed for 100 pupils. Two teachers were employed, Thelma Potter and Kathleen Heaney, who was appointed headmistress. Enrolments had risen by the end of the first year. A history of the school shows an active parent body, who through the Parents and Citizens Association (P&C), continually helped improve facilities at the school. World War II encouraged community involvement in fundraising as well as protection schemes such as trenches and drills in ease of air raids. Immediately following the war the P & C were again active. By 1953, enrolments at Dalkeith Primary School were approximately 300, putting pressure on the classrooms. In 1955, Dalkeith was promoted to full Primary School status. Soon after, facilities were expanded with new classrooms and a library. After a lower population of children came through the school in the 1960s, enrolments increased again in the 1970s (peaking in 1977at 474). Changes supported by the P & C included a swimming pool (1971) and Library Resource Centre (1977). By 1988 enrolments were around 270 students. A wen known family connected to Dalkeith Primary was the Court family. Sir Charles (premier of WA during the 1970s and early 80s) and Lady Court sent their 5 children to the school. Today (1998). one son, Richard Court, is also Premier of WA as well as patron of Dalkeith Primary School

Integrity/Authenticity

Excellent

Condition

Very good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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