150 years: Panton Hill Primary School

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

Key information

Address:
585 Kangaroo Ground Road / St Andrews Road , Panton Hill, 3759
Opened:
1 September 1871
School type:
Primary
School number:
1134
Other names:
Panton Hill Common School, Panton Hill State School

The history of Panton Hill Primary School

  • 1870s

    Panton Hill opened as a common school in 1871. It replaced Kingstown Common School (No. 786). Classes were held in a rough bush hut ‘built of palings, unlined and surmounted by a paling roof ‘. There were 29 students enrolled when it opened (15 girls and 14 boys).

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

    In 1875 a building on the main road was bought by the Department of Education to be used as the school. There was also a teacher's residence. 
     

  • 1889

    A new timber school building and detached teacher's residence were completed in 1889. The head teacher at the time was James O. Hughes. 

  • 1909

    The portable from closed school Smith's Gully State School (No. 1737) was moved to the school. The number of students enrolled was 72. 

  • 1923

    The school was remodelled and extended in 1923. 

  • 1950s to 1970s

    More classrooms were added in 1955, 1963 and 1970.

    The school was renamed Panton Hill Primary School in 1970.

  • 2022

    Panton Hill Primary School is still in operation.

Find more interesting facts about this school

The Public Records Office (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 is your turn to do some detective work. Take a look to see what info they have on this school.

Updated