OBJECT TITLE / NAME

Mornington Primary School Grade 5 & 6 1959

DATE1959

MEDIAImage

COLLECTIONMornington and District Historical Society

REG NO.1375

HISTORY

Throughout the 1870’s and 1880’s Mornington continued a steady growth and in 1874 it was considered that the Common School House at the corner of Main and Ross Street was no longer adequate. A larger and more central site was wanted, and placards were set up to encourage offers of two acres or more for the purpose. The present site in Vale Street was chosen after others in Hampden Street and Barkley Street had been inspected. Points in favour of the site were that it was in the main high and dry. It’s four and a half acres were a good size for school and grounds, and it was removed from future traffic on Point Road (Main Street) and had a view of the Bay, though only 150 yards from the main road, it was completely obscured by scrub. The price paid for the land was 150 pounds. Though the land was purchased in 1874, the tenders were not called until 1877. The condition in the old school were cold and uncomfortable, for the 91 children who attended in 1876. There was no fireplace and no form of heating. The new school opened in 1878.

DESCRIPTION

This photo shows 41 children and a teacher in arranged in four tiers. Some are in uniform, and some are in ordinary clothes. In the background are several Cyprus trees. The teacher is a man. The boy in the centre of the front row is holding a sign stating “Mornington 2033 1959 Grande 5 & 6”.

SUBJECTS

Historic buildings, Schools

KEYWORDS

Barkly Street, Historic buildings, Main Street, Mornington, Mornington State School, Ross Street, Schools, Vale Street