150 years: Norval State School

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

Key information

Address:
Norval, 3377
Opened:
1 January 1871
Closed:
31 December 1941
School type:
Primary
School number:
1068
Other names:
O'Possum Gully Common School, Norval Common School

The history of Norval State School

  • 1870s

    The school opened as a common school in 1871. It was called Opossum Gully at the time. It later changed its name to Norval.

    The first head teach was George Ellis.

    The schoolhouse had a classroom and there were rooms attached to it for the head teacher to live in.

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

  • 1900

    There were 42 students at the school in 1900 (26 girls and 16 boys).

  • 1916

    A new head teachers house was built that was not attached to the schoolhouse.

  • 1920

    The number of students enrolled at the school had risen to 80.

  • 1941

    Norval State School closed in 1941.

    Its buildings were moved to Maroona State School (No.1943).

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