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Gisborne Primary School

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

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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