Key information
- Address:
- Cnr Mostyn and Urquhart Street, Castlemaine, 3450
- Opened:
- 1 August 1855
- School type:
- Primary
- School number:
- 119
- Other names:
- Castlemaine National School, Castlemaine Common School, Castlemaine State School, Castlemaine Primary School
The history of Castlemaine Primary School
1855
Castlemaine opened as a national school in 1855.
Classes were held in a tent that was erected on the corner of Urquhart and Mostyn streets.
The tent was labelled ‘National School'.
72 students attended (36 boys and 36 girls).
John Miller was the head teacher and his wife, Agnes, the work mistress.
Population growth soon made a larger and more permanent school necessary.
1856
The foundation stone was laid for the Castlemaine National School.
The school was built in the Norman style and included two large classrooms.
Fraser was now head teacher, followed by Main.
1860s
The school became a common school in the 1860s.
The head teacher at the time was W Palliser.
1870s
The school was renamed and became Castlemaine State School in the 1870s.
Attendance at the time rose to 210.
1875
The local community requested a larger school building.
The new building was opened by the Hon. Angus Mackay, MLA, Minister of Public Instruction.
It is still the school's main building to this day.
1876
The school became the first teachers' training school to be established in Victoria.
1878
The school had 900 students.
Castlemaine North State School (No. 2051) opened the same year.
1915
Students outside Castlemaine Primary School in 1915 when it was called Castlemaine State School 1921
Students during class at Castlemaine Primary School in 1921 when it was called Castlemaine State School 1929
A mothers' club was formed.
1955
Castlemaine State School observed its centenary. To mark the occasion there were displays, reunions, processions, concerts and social events.
A centenary publication was published.
1968
The school became a training school for students from the Bendigo Teachers College.
1969
Attendance at the school increased to about 237 students.
1970
The name of the school changed to Castlemaine Primary School in 1970.
2005
The school observed its 150th anniversary.
2022
Castlemaine Primary School is still in operation. The school building built in 1875 is still in use.
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