The rise and decline of Homebush and Lower Homebush can be seen in the history of its schools. In 1861 a Church of England school opened, with classes held in a rented building. Over the next two decades the number of students increased to more than two hundred and two more schools were built, one at Homebush, with another, even bigger, at Lower Homebush – the Lower Homebush Primary School.
State school 1579 Homebush developed from No. 316 Homebush, which was a non-vested Church of England school opened on 1st of October 1861 with Mrs Isabella Reynard as head teacher.
The school had been built by public subscription and was a weatherboard building with iron roof and hardwood floor. It had been ‘originally an old store’. It stood on 1 acre (Allotment 25) and was also used for religious purposes.
In 1873, 99 children were enrolled, and the average attendance was 60. This building was leased by the Department (probably from January 1874) for £1 5s Od a month, until the new brick 50ft x 18ft building with porches at each end, was erected on the new 5 acre site chosen by DI Bolam (District Inspector of Schools). This site was part of Section 3 plus Allotment 22.
The green arrows show the locations of the school
The new Homebush School opened on 1st of June 1875 with Arthur Appleton and his staff of 2, all from No. 316 which was then struck off.
Group of school children in front of small brick school with gabled roof: Sign on school wall reads: State School 1579
L. Lang and Son, photographer. Date [ca. 1870-ca. 1900]
from State Library of Victoria Identifier(s) H2005.34/1723
The hairstyles and clothing of the older girls suggest this photo was taken probably not long after the school had opened.
While at Homebush 1579 Arthur Appleton was assessed as an intelligent and zealous teacher, his discipline was excellent, his records were satisfactory.
In 1877 a teacher’s timber residence of 4 rooms was built for £232. Rent was £16 p.a.
In 1879 there were sometimes 140 pupils present, but by 1894 the NE (net enrolment) had fallen to 32, and by 1903 to 18.
The school closed in 1904 and then reopened in January 1905 half-time with Lamplough. In 1908 the net enrolment fell to 12, and SS1579 closed on 8th of October 1908.
From Vision and Realisation, A Centenary History of State Education in Victoria, Education Department of Victoria 1973, Vol 2: 1579 Homebush (p.777)
Between 1879 and 1882 Elizabeth Jane Opie, later Mrs Field, taught at Homebush 1579. She received complimentary reports about her teaching: she was reported as teaching ell, she kept her class in good order and attention; her infants class was well managed; she was a good disciplinarian.
Public Record Office Victoria VPRS 13579/P0001, Teacher Record No. 4601-4900A image 62
John Porter was the teacher at Homebush 1579 from 10 April 1880 to 1884. The inspector’s report of 1880 said of Porter:
A very fair teacher, & works hard, weak as an organiser & as a disciplinarian is so inefficient that I doubt his ability to carry on a school of this size successfully.
A photo of the school was featured in the 2022 Victorian Government short film Shaping our past: school inspectors in Victoria
Homebush State School #1579 1903
Wikitree:
- Some of the Teachers of Homebush State School 1579
- Isabella Reynard (1830- )
- Arthur William Wellesley Appleton (1846-1925)
- Elizabeth Jane (Opie) Field (1855-1937)
- John Porter (1843-1925)
- Thomas William Kewish (1863-1937)
- Helen Hain (Craig) Kewish (1867-1953)
- In photo
- Eva Louisa (Squires) Taylor (1880-1961)
- Pearl Alice (Burkinshaw) Lashbrook (1893-1933)
