150 years: Bacchus Marsh Primary School

Learn about the history of Bacchus Marsh Primary School, one of Victoria’s oldest public schools.

Key information

Address:
56/62 Lerderderg Street, Bacchus Marsh, 3340
Opened:
13 May 1850
School type:
Primary
School number:
28
Other names:
Bacchus Marsh National School, Bacchus Marsh Common School, Bacchus Marsh State School, Bacchus Marsh Primary School

The history of Bacchus Marsh Primary School

  • 1850

    Did you know that Bacchus Marsh is the oldest school still operating in Victoria?

    Bacchus Marsh School opened on 13 May 1850 with 34 students under the head teacher, HG Ball.

    The original school was located in a rented building, on the right-hand side of Bacchus Marsh Melbourne Road, just past Woolpack Road.

  • 1863

    In April 1863 the Bacchus Marsh School was combined with three other small schools in the area:

    • Korkuperrimul National School 
    • Maddingley National School 
    • The Church of England School 

    These schools then became known as the Bacchus Marsh Central Common School.

  • 1865

    The school moved to its current location, a brick schoolhouse on Lerderderg Street, Bacchus Marsh.

  • 1870s

    The school was renamed and became Bacchus Marsh State School.

  • 1970

    The name of the school changed to Bacchus Marsh Primary School.

  • 2000

    Elevated view of Bacchus Marsh Primary School around 2000.

     

  • 2022

    Bacchus Marsh Primary School is still in operation. The original school house is still in use. 

Find more interesting facts about this school

The Public Record Office Victoria (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's your turn to do some detective work. Take a look to see what information they have on this school.

Updated