150 years: Cathcart State School

Learn about the history of Cathcart State School, one of Victoria's oldest public schools.

Key information

Address:
Cathcart, 3377
Opened:
23 April 1872
Closed:
31 December 1950
School type:
Primary
School number:
1119
Other names:
Cathcart Common School, Old Ararat

The history of Cathcart State School

  • 1870s

    Cathcart opened in 1872 as a common school for 100 children. It was also known as Old Ararat. 

    The first head teacher was L.F. Renehan. It replaced the Church of England school that had operated since 1858.

    The schoolhouse was a brick building with two rooms and a porch.

    The school became a state school at some stage between 1873 and 1878.

    The schoolhouse was expanded in 1875 to accommodate 130 students.

  • 1950

    Cathcart was closed in 1950 because there were now only 6 children living in the area.

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. PROV currently only have paper records for this school. Take a look to see what info they have on this school.

Updated