150 years: Ararat Primary School

Learn about the history of Ararat Primary School, one of Victoria's oldest public schools.

Key information

Address:
70-78 Moore Street , Ararat, 3377
Opened:
15 October 1865
School type:
Primary
School number:
800
Other names:
Ararat Common School, Ararat State School

The history of Ararat Primary School

  • 1865

    Ararat opened as a common school in 1865. Two denominational schools were combined to form the new school. The schools that combined were the Church of England school and the Presbyterian school. The first head teacher was Ruben Welch.

  • 1868

    Building works on a new school building were completed by 1868.

  • 1873

    The number of students were growing and the school building and grounds were not big enough. A new site on the intersection of Moore Street and King Street reserved to build a new school.

  • 1875

    A new school building opened in 1875 when there were 509 students enrolled. 

  • 1877

    The number of students enrolled reached 831 by 1877.

  • 1908

    The school building was renovated and lighting was improved. 

  • 1914

    The school was remodelled again in 1914 to accommodate 632 students. The central tower was removed and offices were added. 

  • 1924

    A mother's club was formed in 1924. 

  • 1965

    The school commemorated its 100th anniversary in 1965. The Premier of Victoria, The Hon. H.E. Bolte MLA, opened a new school library to mark the occasion. 

  • 1970

    The school was renamed Ararat Primary School in 1970.

  • 2022

    Ararat Primary School is still in operation.

Find more interesting facts about this school

The Public Records Office (PROV) is the archive of Victoria's State and local government. They look after some of our oldest school records, and we can use these records to help us understand what school life used to be like.

Now it is your turn to do some detective work. Take a look to see what information they have on this school.

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