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Kirkstall Primary School (No. 344)

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

Key information

Address:
Aire Street, Kirkstall 3283
Opened:
1 November 1861
Closed:
31 December 1993
School type:
Primary
School number:
344
Other names:
Kirkstall National School, Kirkstall Common School, Kirkstall State School

How to find enrolment and other school records

If the school is open: contact the school directly to access your records.

If the school has closed: contact the Archives and Records branch via email archives.records@education.vic.gov.au or 1800 359 140 and they will assist you.

  • 1860s

    In 1860, Eugene Flannary, a teacher, asked for a grant to build a national school in Kirkstall.

    He stated that 60 children were ready to attend.

    The school opened in 1861 in the home of John Barber.

    His daughter, Esther, was the first teacher. She was 15 years old.

    An inspector's report from 1862 described her efforts as 'creditable'.

    The inspector recommended that a male teacher be appointed when the new school opened.

    The school opened in 1862 under head teacher James Johnstone. It also became a common school that year.

  • 1961

    A new school building was erected in 1961.

  • 1970

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

  • 1993

    The school closed in 1993.

Find more information 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.

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