Boddington Old School

Statement of Significance

The school configuration represents the historical growth pattern of the town. The long and prosperous progress of the Boddington Township can be illustrated by the ongoing formation of detached structures on the site. Gardens and traditional architectural formations represent Boddington's nature.

Physical Description

The Old School consists of two major detached buildings, surrounding rooms and a toilet block. The original building was dedicated to the primary school and the newer division was utilised for secondary students.

The original school house, the building closest to Bannister Road, has a medium-pitch timber roof covered with painted corrugated iron. The building is framed with timber, externally clad with weatherboards and flat fibro-cement linings above. The primary school house functions as a double storey at the west end of the structure. Enclosed within the U-shape structure, lays a bitumen quadrangle.

The secondary school is an L-shaped single storey building, with brick constitution, enclosed with a zincalum gable roof.
A toilet block (1974), girls and boys shelter sheds (1948), manual arts room (1969), resource centre (1982), shed, and covered stage pavilion (2005), rest detached; lining the initial structures.
The teachers quarters (1928), pre-school (1980), and a toilet block (1942) have been demolished in the transition of use.

History

Before the Boddington District High School was built, school groups would consist of merely twenty or so students. One teacher and one single room would facilitate these students.
Numerous schools existed in the Marradong area, one in Crossman, one in Marlin, one at Quindanning, and one in Boddington. The number of schools can be explained by the lack of motorised transport, larger families/ increased population in rural areas and the significant distances␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣, in was public policy to provide school buses for children. This was when Boddington School was used for all the children of the district.
Once mining operations expanded, and the student population rose three-fold, local mining companies contributed $600,000 for additions to the existing buildings.
A modern and practical school was designed and constructed elsewhere in town. The new school has sufficient space for future development.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.