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150 years: Dartmoor Primary School

Learn about the history of Dartmoor Primary School, one of Victoria’s oldest public schools.

Key information

Address:
76 Greenham Street , Dartmoor , 3304
Opened:
4 February 1871
School type:
Primary
School number:
1035
Other names:
Dartmoor Common School, Dartmoor State School

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This history of Dartmoor Primary School

  • 1870s

    Dartmoor opened as a common school 1871.

    The first head teacher was Janet Dunbar.

    There were 44 students enrolled but the average attendance was 27.

    The Church of England opened an earlier school on the same site 6 years before.

    This school was known for having ‘such sorry teachers'.

    The school became a state school between 1873 and 1878. The new Department of Education leased the Church of England building when it took over.

    A portable building was moved to the site in and it was used from 1878 for classes.

  • 1884 to 1889

    The school worked part-time with Glenaulin State School (No. 2653) from 1884 to 1889. The schools shared a single teacher, who had to divide their time between both schools. This was due to low student numbers at both schools.

  • 1887

    A storm destroyed the original building.

  • 1890

    The replacement building became dilapidated by 1890.

  • 1895

    School portrait with teacher and 21 children at Dartmoor State School in 1895.
    Dartmoor Primary School children in 1895 when it was called Dartmoor State School. (Source: Dartmoor Primary School)

  • 1901

    Teacher and children outside Dartmoor State School timber building in 1901.
    Dartmoor Primary School building in 1901 when it was called Dartmoor State School. (Source: Dartmoor Primary School)

  • 1913

    A new school building was finally erected.

  • 1914

    Sir Alexander Peacock officially opened the school building in 1914.

    Community gathering to celebrate opening of new Dartmoor State School in 1914.
    Celebrating the opening of the new Dartmoor State School in 1914. (Source: Dartmoor Primary School)

  • 1927

    The school building was extended.

  • 1950s

    Enrolments reached 90.

  • 1950s

    Two further extensions were completed in 1951 and 1954.

  • 1970

    The school was renamed Dartmoor Primary School in 1970.

  • 1971

    The school marked its 100th anniversary.

  • 1985

    The school building from Digby State School (No. 191) was moved to Dartmoor.

  • 1996

    The school marked its 125th anniversary.

  • 2022

    Dartmoor Primary School is still open and teaching students.

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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.

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