150 years: Crowlands Primary School

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

Key information

Address:
Crowlands, 3377
Opened:
16 February 1863
Closed:
31 December 1993
School type:
Primary
School number:
756
Other names:
United Episcopalian and Presbyterian School, United Episcopalian and Presbyterian Common School, Crowlands State School

Search for more school profiles

The history of Crowlands Primary School

  • 1863

    The school opened as the United Episcopalian and Presbyterian School.

    The first head teacher was Mr Butler and Mrs Butler taught sewing to the girls.

    Mr Butler was also the clerk of courts, post-master and registrar of births and deaths.

    Six students attended on the first day and the average attendance was 22 by the end of the first year.

  • 1864 to 1865

    Financial aid for the teacher's salary was provided by the Board of Education.

  • 1868

    The school became a common school.

  • 1870

    Samuel Wilkinson became head teacher.

    He also became postmaster.

  • 1875

    The Department of Education rented the building for school purposes.

    The school became a state school in the same year.

    At some stage, the school became known as Crowlands.

    The exact date of its name change is unknown.

  • 1889

    Wilkinson left the school.

    The school building transferred from Bulgana soon after his departure.

  • 1882

    A fire destroyed sections of the school's interior and roof as well as the teacher's house.

    The damage was immediately repaired.

  • 1910

    A new school building was built.

  • 1968

    There were 34 students enrolled.

  • 1970

    The name of the school changed to Crowlands Primary School in 1970.

  • 1971

    Enrolment rose to 48.

  • 1993

    The school closed due to low enrolment.

    The building is now a private house.

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 records that can help us understand what Victorian schools used to be like.

Now it's your turn to do some detective work. Take a look to see what info the PROV have on this school.

Oldest inspection record

This inspector report is dated 1940 to 1959. It is the oldest review of school performance that PROV has for this school.

Find all the records PROV holds for this school(opens in a new window)

Updated

Back to top