Blackburn Primary School

Last updated

Blackburn Primary School
Location
Blackburn Primary School
185 Surrey Rd

Blackburn
,
Victoria
,
3130

Australia
Coordinates 37°49′1.07″S145°9′26″E / 37.8169639°S 145.15722°E / -37.8169639; 145.15722
Information
MottoAlways Ready
Established1st of May 1889
Sister school Beijing FCD International Yuan Yang Primary School and Nanjing Fuxing Primary School
School number2923
PrincipalAndrew Cock
Years offeredPrep - Year 6
GenderCo-educational
Enrollment433 (2023)
HousesCook, Dampier, Tasman, Sturt
Colors   Maroon, Gold

Blackburn Primary School is a public co-educational primary school located in the Melbourne suburb of Blackburn, Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1889, the school was the first in Blackburn and the 2923rd state school in the country. [1] [2] It was a forerunner in school instrumental music education in Australia.

Contents

According to the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, Blackburn Primary School had an enrolment of 440 students and employed 32 teaching staff and 19 non-teaching staff as of 2024. [3] It is administered by the Victorian Department of Education. [3]

History

The original schoolhouse, photographed in 1911 Photograph - Black and white photograph, Blackburn Primary School, 1911.jpg
The original schoolhouse, photographed in 1911

State School No. 2923 opened on the 1st of May in 1889. It had 116 students and two teachers (including the head teacher) on the roll in 1890. [4] The headmaster John Williams lived opposite the school site and had previously been the headmaster of Sagoe Common School No. 463 where Blackburn students had studied prior to No. 2923's opening. [5] A brick building was opened in 1902 with musical performances by schoolchildren to accommodate the growing population. [6] Further expansions were made in 1912-13 with an acre to the east bought from orchadist Auguste. Zerbe [7] and an acre and thirty perches from merchant "A.H. Hirch". [8] [9] [10]

Post World War I, the school motto "Always Ready" was coined. This features on the school uniform and in the logo of the school. Then head teacher Franz Stielow planted the first school garden during this decade, with gardening now a specialist (taught by subject dedicated teacher) in modern times. Blackburn Primary School's first official parent organisation 'the mother's club' was formed during the 1902 by Miss. M. J. Edmonson, a teacher at the school. The club held fundraisers and events supporting the school. [11] [12] A Drum and Fife Band created in 1929 by head teacher Harold G. Bretherton who was a returned serviceman, was the school's first instrumental music ensemble. [13] The band was one out of 13 in Victoria. [14]

The overpass on Whitehorse Road, photographed in 1977 Black and white photograph, Blackburn State School No. 2923, 1977.jpg
The overpass on Whitehorse Road, photographed in 1977

In 1944 the grounds were expanded again. One acre on the corner between Surrey and Whitehorse road was purchased from local councilor Roy Smith 1449 pounds and a plot of land to the north from "Mrs. F. Platt" for 345 pounds. Mrs. Platt's land later became the oval area. [15] The 1940s-1960s saw car traffic increase in Melbourne. [16] This became a concern for Blackburn Primary School's parents, especially on the large thoroughfare Whitehorse road. Police were instated at the Whitehorse road crossing after 11 year old Heather Gale was struck and died in 1958. [17] This is now the location of an overpass. [18]

In 1964, Laburnum, Blackburn Lake and Springvale Primary Schools opened, greatly reducing the school population. [19] A plan of the school buildings from this year showed reassignments of the emptied classrooms for art and crafts, science, a library and a film room. [20] In 1978 Blackburn Primary School hosted refugee children living in the Eastbridge Hostel in Nunawading for an English language learning program but they were moved to St Joseph's Catholic School in Surrey Hills. [21]

The school's centenary in 1989 sparked refurbishment of the school bell [22] This bell had previously swung from a gum tree in the early years of the school. [23] A school history was also written by Lynne Dickson.

The historical school house, a single storied brick building received a local heritage overlay in 1994. [24] Major construction was completed throughout the school in the 2010s, described by the local newspaper as a "rebuild". [25] [26]

Governance

Blackburn Primary School is an Australian public school not to be confused with Public school (United Kingdom). Primary schools in Victoria are governed by multiple organisations at the state and federal level. The Victorian Institute of Teaching is a statutory authority that regulates all teachers in Victoria. [27] Blackburn Primary School is part of the Inner Eastern Riversdale Melbourne Network. [28]

Demographics

As of 2023, Blackburn Primary School had 433 students. 29% had English as a second language and 0% were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders. [29] As of 2024, The school population is in the 94th percentile of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority's Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage. 54% of the school population has a language background other than English with the majority of these being unspecified Chinese. [30]

Curriculum

Blackburn Primary School uses the Victorian curriculum which "reflects much of the Australian Curriculum F-10" [31] . It has six specialist subjects. Of these kitchen garden is also taught at Old Orchard Primary School. The LOTE (Mandarin) is taught at Whitehorse and Old Orchard Primary Schools; [32] [33] [34] and Science introduced as of 2024 is also common among neighbouring schools [29]

Band & Instrumental Music Program

The music program at Blackburn Primary School was established early on in its history and was marketed as a strength of the school by local news. [35] Former minister of Education and musician Peter Garret claimed the school was an early and rare adopter of primary school symphonic band. [36]

Sports

Blackburn Primary School competes as part of the Eastern Metropolitan Region in interschool sports alongside APS (independent), Boroondara, Dandenong Ranges, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash-Waverley and Yarra primary divisions as part of Whitehorse Primary division. [37]

Community Involvement

Blackburn Primary School is a polling location [38] with democracy sausages. [39]

Local sporting club Blackburn Football Club ran clinics with the school as well as others [40] , with the 'Blackburn District Primary School Sports Association Girls Footy Day' being hosted at their grounds of Morton Park [41]

The school had connections to the neighbouring medical complex Blackburn Clinic in 1993; leasing parking land to the clinics and receiving "floodlit tennis courts, an amphitheatre, electric barbecue and other outdoor facilities" in return. [42] Parking land agreements have also been negotiated with the One Community Church which is based across Surrey Road. [43]

Alumni group "The class of 1957 group consists" of Blackburn Primary School alumni from the 1950s-60s [44] . The group documents the history of Blackburn and surrounding areas during their youth.

Notable Alumni

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Blackburn Journey to the East". The Age. 31 May 2000. p. 90. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  2. ↑ "Blackburn Primary School - Number 2923". Historical Victorian State Schools Directory. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  3. 1 2 "ACARA Data Access Program: School Profile 2008 – 2024". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority . Archived from the original on 3 March 2025. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  4. ↑ Pearson, Charles H. et. al. Education : report of the Minister of Public Instruction for the year 1889-90 . Department of Education Victoria, 1890, p. 23.
  5. ↑ "3572 John Williams". Teacher Record No. 3401-3700A. VA713, Board of Education, VA714, Education Department.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. ↑ "Blackburn State School". The Reporter . Vol. XIII, no. 43. Victoria, Australia. 23 May 1902. p. 2 (MORNING.). Retrieved 8 November 2025– via National Library of Australia.
  7. ↑ S. White. Letter to Education Department: Expansion of playing area (1911). cited in L. Dickson. Reflections. Accessed at Whitehorse Manningham Library, p. 11.
  8. ↑ A.H. Birch. Letter to Minister of Education: Offer of land (1912). cited in L. Dickson. Reflections. Accessed at Whitehorse Manningham Library, p. 11.
  9. 1 2 Da Costa, Robert (1978). Blackburn. A Picturesque History. Melbourne: Pioneer Design Studio. p. 74. ISBN   0909674132.
  10. ↑ "Blackburn State School". The Reporter . Vol. XXIII, no. 4. Victoria, Australia. 26 January 1912. p. 4. Retrieved 8 November 2025– via National Library of Australia.
  11. ↑ "BLACKBURN". Box Hill Reporter . Vol. 41, no. 1. Victoria, Australia. 13 January 1928. p. 7. Retrieved 8 November 2025– via National Library of Australia.
  12. ↑ "BLACKBURN". Box Hill Reporter . Vol. 42, no. 33. Victoria, Australia. 16 August 1929. p. 8. Retrieved 8 November 2025– via National Library of Australia.
  13. ↑ Dickson, Lynne (1989). Reflections. Blackburn, Victoria, Australia. pp. 27–30.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  14. ↑ https://bandblastsfromthepast.blog/2018/04/08/victorian-state-school-brass-bands-their-legacy-lives-on
  15. ↑ Dickson, Lynne (1989). Reflections. Blackburn, Victoria, Australia. pp. 42
  16. ↑ Tout-Smith, Deborah; Smith, Charlotte H.; McFadzean, Moya; Reason, Michael; Churchward, Matthew; Kinsey, Fiona (2016). "1945-1980 - Suburban City". Museums Victoria Collections. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  17. ↑ "Blackburn Parents Call for Police Patrol at Street Crossing". The Age. 7 May 1958. p. 12. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  18. ↑ "Article, Up and over to school". Victorian Collections. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  19. ↑ Trewhella, R, M (December 1963). "Head Teacher's Report". School News. Blackburn State School No. 2923. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 16 May 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ↑ Plan of School Buildings (1964) Cited in Dickson, Lynne (1989). Reflections. Blackburn, Victoria, Australia. pp.62
  21. ↑ Students of the Institute of Early Childhood Development (1981). "Photograph - Eastbridge Language Centre, Dr June Factor With Children in Playground". Museums Victoria Collections. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  22. ↑ "Centenary bell's new". Royal Australian Navy News . Vol. 32, no. 6. Australia, Australia. 31 March 1989. p. 8. Retrieved 8 November 2025– via National Library of Australia.
  23. ↑ "BLACKBURN". Box Hill Reporter . Vol. 42, no. 27. Victoria, Australia. 5 July 1929. p. 2. Retrieved 8 November 2025– via National Library of Australia.
  24. ↑ Allom Lovell & Associates (1994). City of Whitehorse Heritage Review: Building Citations
  25. ↑ Jolly, Laura (11 October 2014). "Blackburn Primary School's rebuild on track for April finish". Leader. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  26. ↑ Australia : Blackburn Primary School to receive a $5.2 million upgrade. (2013, May 24). Mena Report. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A331237977/GPS?u=monash&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=14934005
  27. ↑ "Statutory authorities: Department of Education". www.vic.gov.au. 14 August 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  28. ↑ "Regional model: Department of Education". www.vic.gov.au. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  29. 1 2 Cock, Andrew; De Castella, Anthony (28 March 2024). 2023 Annual Report to the School Community (PDF). Victoria State Government Department of Education.
  30. ↑ ACARA. "School Profile". My School. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  31. ↑ "Overview - About - Victorian Curriculum". victoriancurriculum.vcaa.vic.edu.au. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  32. ↑ "About BPS | Blackburn Primary School". Blackburn Primary School. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  33. ↑ "Curriculum Overview". Old Orchard Primary School. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  34. ↑ "Specialist Programs". www.whitehorseps.vic.edu.au. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  35. ↑ "Jun 06, 1992, page 9 - The Age at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  36. ↑ Garrett, Peter (8 August 2011), Blackburn Primary music students hit the right notes , retrieved 8 November 2025
  37. ↑ "School Sport Victoria – Eastern Metropolitan Primary". www.ssv.vic.edu.au. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  38. ↑ "When, how and where do I vote in the federal election?". www.9news.com.au. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  39. ↑ "Where to find a Democracy Sausage near you: Federal Election 2025 map". The Daily Telegraph. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  40. ↑ Parker, Peter (November 2018). BLACKBURN JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB POLICY MANUAL
  41. ↑ Girls to compete for Cup. (4 July 2017). Monash Leader, 12. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A534147190/GPS?u=monash&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=f05ee307. Retrieved 8 November 2025 – via Gale Onefile
  42. ↑ "$6.5 million super clinic opens". The Australian Jewish News . Vol. 59, no. 29. Victoria, Australia. 16 April 1993. p. 3. Retrieved 8 November 2025– via National Library of Australia.
  43. ↑ "Urgent calls for traffic crossing near Blackburn Primary School". Whitehorse Leader. 13 October 2010. Archived from the original on 24 March 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2025– via National Library of Australia.
  44. ↑ "Home". Blackburn Class 1957. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  45. ↑ Charles, Matthew (26 March 1998). "Rupert Henwood: Founded Sports Dynasty". Herald Sun . p. 68. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  46. ↑ Sedgman, Frank (7 January 1952). "I train for the "big game"". The Daily Telegraph. p. 6.
  47. ↑ Arnold, John, "Frank Walter Cheshire (1896–1987)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 26 September 2025
  48. ↑ "Guitar virtuoso of the underground.(News)(Obituary)", The Age (Melbourne, Australia), Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited: 9, 7 January 2010, ISSN   0312-6307

Further reading

Dickson, Lynne (1989). Reflections : Blackburn Primary School no. 2923 : a centenary celebration 1889-1989. Centenary Committee. — via State Library of Victoria

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