East Perth Primary School (fmr) (Jack Davis House – Infant School (fmr))
In 1895, East Perth Primary School opened with just 30 pupils, but a few months later the headmaster was told to stop enrolling students when he had more than 200 on the books. These numbers show the demand for public education in the area towards the end of the late 19th century.
Construction of East Perth Primary School began in 1895, and the first section was completed that year by Templar Brothers for £781. As the local population increased, the school was extended and altered to accommodate more children and for specialised tuition in such areas as Domestic Science. Additions were carried out in 1897, including an assembly room, two classrooms, two cloakrooms, a verandah and two shelter sheds.
However, the nature of East Perth changed with the substantial growth in industry in the area. The housing stock became poorer and only the working class remained, and even then only in pockets. Industry expanded into the residential areas causing a decline in the population of the suburb. Eventually East Perth Primary School was no longer needed in the area.
In the 1980s, the East Perth Project put a stop to further industry and a new era of careful redevelopment took place which promoted improvement in natural resources such as Claise Brook and the lagoon. New residential communities were developed in a prime location adjacent to the City of Perth, and former industrial sites were redeveloped. Today, East Perth Primary School has been restored and adapted for use as offices.
In 1895, East Perth Primary School opened with just 30 pupils, but a few months later the headmaster was told to stop enrolling students when he had more than 200 on the books. These numbers show the demand for public education in the area towards the end of the late 19th century.
Plans for a primary school were first drafted in 1894 by the Public Works Department (PWD) under the direction of George Temple Poole. Poole had been appointed Colonial Architect in 1888 and was responsible for the design and overseeing of all public works. Responsible government in Western Australia in 1891 together with the increase in population following the discovery of gold, saw the spread of public works, including schools.
Construction of East Perth Primary School began in 1895, and the first section was completed that year by Templar Brothers for £781. The school was described in the Annual Report of the Public Works Department:
Schools, East Perth – This building is constructed of brick, and, together with an additional room afterwards added, affords accommodation for 100 children. The work is completed. A temporary classroom has since been erected; but as even as this accommodation is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the Education Department, a large addition is being made to the building, which will increase the total accommodation to about 300. There are also the necessary cloak rooms, lavatories, teachers’ rooms and outbuildings provided. The contract has been let for this addition for £1,926.8s., to be completed 28th November 1896.
As the local population increased, the school was extended and altered to accommodate more children and for specialised tuition in such areas as Domestic Science. Additions were carried out in 1897, including an assembly room, two
classrooms, two cloakrooms, a verandah and two shelter sheds. Later additions, in 1902 and 1903, added several free-standing structures on the site.
However, the nature of East Perth changed with the substantial growth in industry in the area. The housing stock became poorer and only the working class remained, and even then only in pockets. Industry expanded into the residential areas causing a decline in the population of the suburb. Eventually East Perth Primary School was no longer needed in the area.
In the 1980s, the East Perth Project put a stop to further industry and a new era of careful redevelopment took place which promoted improvement in natural resources such as Claise Brook and the lagoon. New residential communities were developed in a prime location adjacent to the City of Perth, and former industrial sites were redeveloped. Today, East Perth Primary School has been restored and adapted for use as offices.