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Balwyn Primary School (No. 1026)

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

Key information

Address:
86B Balwyn Road, Balwyn 3103
Opened:
24 May 1869
School type:
Primary
School number:
1026
Other names:
Balwyn Common School, Balwyn State School
Email:
balwyn.ps@education.vic.gov.au
Phone:
03 9836 7121

How to find enrolment and other school records

If the school is open: contact the school directly to access your 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 Balwyn Primary School

  • 1865

    Balwyn opened as a common school in 1869. The first head teacher was Thomas A. Serpell and 22 students were enrolled. The school building had a hardwood shingle roof and pine floor. A teacher residence was added to the building later.

  • 1873

    The school became a state school in 1873.

  • 1877

    The school site was considered too small in 1877. A new location on Balwyn Road was purchased.

  • 1880

    The new school building opened in 1880.

  • 1951

    A fire ‘burned out the main and oldest part of the school and destroyed all the records'.

  • 1970

    The school was renamed Balwyn Primary School in 1970.

  • 1992

    A new hall opened in 1992.

  • 1996

    An Early Years of Schooling Complex opened in 1996.

  • 2010

    A ‘Prep-2 Learning Space’ was added in 2010.

  • 2014

    The number of students enrolled continued to grow and two more classrooms were added.

  • 2015

    Student numbers continued to increase and two more classrooms were added. The music centre was also refurbished.

  • 2018

    The school marked its 150th anniversary in 2018. A mosaic created by all the staff and students was unveiled and a historical exhibition was on display.

  • 2022

    Balwyn 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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