Grenville Primary School (No. 1153)

The school, originally known as Fernside, opened as a common school in 1872.

The school was situated in a lush grazing field south of Ballarat owned by John Crombie. The 2-acre site was a gift from Crombie. A hardwood building with a shingle roof, was built in 1871.

The first head teacher James G Macdonald and 34 children were enrolled.

Average attendance in 1872 was 24.

The teacher's house was a small bark house. In January 1875 the Department of Education purchased the building.

Grenville became a state school from 16 February 1875.

When head teacher Macdonald left in 1876, his house next to the school was bought by the department. The one-acre site became part of the school.

From 1893, District Inspector Shelton often described the school building as old and shabby, in need of a replacement.

In 1896, bushfires destroyed the fencing around the school.

A new school building was opened in August 1901.

Bushfires once again damaged the school fencing in 1906.

A fire in February 1953 destroyed the school building and all records to that date.

Records of the closed Garibaldi State School (No. 2173) were also lost in that fire.

A school building from Pootilla State School (No. 2095) was moved to the site.

With the number of students increasing, a new classroom was added in 1966.

The name of the school changed to Grenville Primary School in 1970.

The school closed in 1990 due to declining enrolment.