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Portland Primary School (No. 489)

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

Key information

Address:
45 Palmer Street, Portland 3305
Opened:
1 October 1856
School type:
Primary
School number:
489
Other names:
Portland School, Portland Common School, Portland State School
Email:
portland.ps@education.vic.gov.au
Phone:
03 4505 3333

How to find enrolment and other school records

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

The history of Portland Primary School

  • 1856

    Portland opened as a national school in 1856. The first teachers were Mr and Mrs Dunbar and 112 students were enrolled.

  • 1862

    The school became a common school in 1862.

  • 1870s

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

  • 1879

    A new school building on Palmer Street opened in 1879. Portland State School (No. 1182) and West Portland State School (No. 665) closed when the new larger school opened. The head teacher at the time was John Hill.

  • 1912

    The school became a higher elementary school in 1912. This meant that secondary classes for older students were added, like secondary schools today.

  • 1944

    A new building was added for the higher elementary school students in 1944.

  • 1956

    The secondary classes moved to Portland High School (No. 8230) when it opened in 1956. The building used for secondary classes became part of the primary school.

  • 1970

    The school was renamed Portland Primary School in 1970.

  • 2022

    Portland Primary School is still in operation.

Find more information 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.

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