150 years: Skipton Primary School

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

Key information

Address:
7 Montgomery Street, Skipton, 3361
Opened:
1 January 1858
School type:
Primary
School number:
582
Other names:
Skipton School, Skipton Common School, Skipton State School

The history of Skipton Primary School

  • 1858

    The school was opened by the Presbyterian church in 1858. The first head teacher was Ebenezer Blair and 22 students were enrolled. 

  • 1864

    The school closed in March 1864 due to lack of funding. Reverend W.T. Whan raised money and the school reopened in a new bluestone building in October 1864. 

  • 1870s

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

  • 1888

    A new red brick school building opened in 1888. The bluestone building was then used as the Masonic Hall. 

  • 1915

    A third room was added to the brick building in 1915. 

  • 1921

    Henry Bolte, Victoria's Premier from June 1955, was a student in 1921.

  • 1950s to 1960s

    Additional classrooms were added in 1957 and 1969. 

  • 1970

    The school was renamed Skipton Primary School in 1970.

    Photograph of the Skipton brick school building. Skipton Primary School building in 1970. Source: Laurie Burchell and the State Library of Victoria
  • 2022

    Skipton 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 information they have on this school.

Updated