Key information
- Address:
- Beaufort 3373
- Opened:
- 1 January 1860
- Closed:
- 31 May 1955
- School type:
- Primary
- School number:
- 717
- Other names:
- Waterloo Flat Common School
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 Waterloo Flat State School
1860
Waterloo Flat opened in the goldmining centre of Waterloo.
The original school building had three rooms.
1918
The miners and their families left the area over a few decades.
This caused the number of students enrolled at the school to fall.
This caused a district inspector to report in 1918 that 'The township is a decadent mining centre', reflecting that it was in decline after the heyday of its gold mining boom.
During the First World War the students contributed money and goods to the war relief fund.
1927
A Young Farmers' Club was formed and the first trees were planted in the school's timber plantation.
1931
The head teacher, T. Ryan, and his students built a tennis court in the school grounds. As the school was built on a slope, this became the only level ground on the site.
1942
Two rooms that were no longer used as classrooms were turned into a handcraft room and a puppet theatre.
During the Second World War students continued supporting the war relief fund.
1948
The school won the Australian Natives Prize. These were annual prizes awarded for the best kept school grounds.
1954
The school only had six students.
1955
The school closed in 1955.
Students travelled by bus to Beaufort Higher Elementary School (No. 60).
The school building and teacher house was sold.
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.
Oldest enrolment record
This register shows the students enrolled at Waterloo Flat from 1899 to 1915. It is currently the oldest enrolment record that PROV has for this school.
Oldest school inspection record
This inspector report is dated 1927 to 1948. It is the oldest review of school performance that PROV has for this school.
Updated