Key information
- Address:
- 172 Burwood Highway, Burwood, 3125
- Opened:
- 15 November 1856
- Closed:
- 1 January 1990
- School type:
- Primary
- School number:
- 461
- Other names:
- Wesleyan Day School, Ballyshanassy Common School, Burwood State School, Burwood Primary School
The history of Burwood Primary School
1856
Burwood opened as a denominational school called the Wesleyan Day School. It was located at Damper Creek, Nunawading.
The first head teacher was Barraclough, but the first paid head teacher was Richard Hurry.
1857
The school received extra money for Richard Hurry's wife, Ann, to help with teaching.
1864
The school became Ballyshanassy Common School (No. 461).
1865
A new school building was built.
The head teacher was Walter Brookes. He would stay on as head teacher for 23 years.
Mr Brookes' assistants included his wife and later his daughters, Isabella and Agnes.
1877
During the 1870s the local population grew.
In 1877 Nunawading State School (No. 464) closed. Miss Demsey, one of Nunawading's teachers, transferred to Ballyshanassy. It also received leftover property from the Nunawading's closure.
1879
The school's name changed to Burwood State School (No. 461).
1883
As the local population continued to grow, the school added a brick extension to house a new infant school for 40 children.
1906
The main school was extended again.
1928 to 1931
The school received more improvements:
- school yard asphalted
- electric lights installed
- school bank established
- piano and drums purchased.
1932
The Mothers' Club presented the school with a bell. This was still at the school in the 1970s.
1934
A large schoolroom, a staffroom and an office for the head teacher were remodelled, and built. A new classroom for grades 7 and 8 was also built.
1950
A new infant school was added.
1952
The school bought land next door to build a new oval.
1954
A new wooden classroom was built.
1959
Three more wooden rooms were added. The library was also opened.
1960
Attendance was up to 580 students.
1960s
Because it had a lot of students, Burwood became a ‘special class' school in the 1960s.
By 1963, for the first time since the 1890s, the head master no longer lived at the school.
A new arts and crafts room was built.
1967
The arts and crafts room was used in a 1967 TV film for the in-service training of teachers.
1969
Diploma students from the Burwood Teachers College also used the school.
The number of students at Burwood fell as more schools opened around the local area.
1970
The name of the school changed to Burwood Primary School in 1970.
1981
1990
The school closed in 1990.
Find more interesting facts about this school
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