Key information
- Address:
- 41 Prince Street, Gisborne 3437
- Opened:
- 1 November 1853
- School type:
- Primary
- School number:
- 262
- Other names:
- Gisborne School, Gisborne Common School, Gisborne State School
- Email:
- gisborne.ps@education.vic.gov.au
- Phone:
- 03 5428 2022
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 Gisborne Primary School
1853
Gisborne opened as a national school lin 1853. The first head teacher was R.L.M Gregory and his wife was headmistress. The average attendance was 63.
Classes were first held in a tent. It was replaced with a timber building by the end of the year.
1862
The school became a common school in 1862.
1863
The school received its number, No. 262, from the Common School Board of Education in 1863.
1864
The schoolhouse was made bigger so that students could board (live) at the school. 52 students attended the school.
1870s
The school became a state school sometime at some stage between 1873 and 1878.
In 1873 the school consisted of the main room, a smaller room with gallery, dining room and 3 bedrooms. It also had a drawing room, kitchen, servant's room and storeroom. The building had a central courtyard with a well and pump.
A new brick school building opened on Prince Street in 1877. The building could accommodate 200 students. The old school building became the teacher's house.
1885
The school closed in June for three weeks due to diphtheria.
1892
The school was connnected to mains water. The well and pump were no longer needed.
1879
The old schoolhouse was turned into a house with 10 rooms.
1912
A new 5 room house was built. The old house was sold and moved elsewhere.
1920
Gisborne became a higher elementary school.
1924
Two brick rooms were added to the school.
1928
The pine plantation was planted. The trees would be sold when fully grown to raise money for the school.
1934
By 1934 students above grade 6 had moved to the local high school.
1967
The football oval was built.
1970
The school was renamed Gisborne Primary School in 1970.
2022
Gisborne 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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