Baldivis Primary School

Statement of Significance

The place has aesthetic value as a modest weatherboard and iron school building in the Inter War style. It is representative of the one room school type designed and built by the PWD during this period.

The place has historic value for its association with the Group Settlements established on the Peel Estate from 1922.

The place is a rare remaining example of the group settlement schools in the region.

The place has social value for the many members of the community who have attended the school or the play group at the location.

Physical Description

A pair of timber framed and iron former classrooms located on the edge of the Baldivis Reserve and overlooking Baldivis Road.
The two buildings are similar in their execution, both one room structures with front and rear additions. The external walls are clad with fibre cement sheeting and weatherboard cladding to the east elevations. Windows to both are 6-over- timber framed sashes, with awnings to the openings on the north elevations. The northernmost building has four windows to the north and south elevation whilst the second building has three openings to the north and south elevations. Both buildings are accessed by ramped timber veranda’s with skillion canopies. The rear additions have skillion roofs and are a combination of enclosed and open spaces extending across the full width of the building.
A commemorative rock and plaque has been placed within the grounds commemorating the memory of the pioneers of the district, 1923.
The buildings are located approximately 50m apart, forming a central grass quadrangle between them. There are several mature peppermint trees (Agonis flexuosa) surrounding the buildings, particularly along Baldivis Road.
A number of secondary buildings are also located around the site.

History

These two school buildings were built during the time that Group Settlements were established on the Peel Estate, from 1922.
A total of four schools were built; the first at Baldivis (Group 50-54), followed by those at Karnup, Wellard and Group 81. The first application for a school was made in July 1923 by the settlers on Group 50 and 54. It was completed on 20 October 1923, and opened in February of the following year.
The school buildings were of the standard one-roomed country type designed and built by the Public Works Department. The classroom was constructed so that the room could be divided if required.
At first this school site was known as Group 50-54 School, but in June 1926 its name was changed to Baldivis, as by that time, Group 54 was served by the Wellard School.
The Group Settlement population of school-age children declined in the 1930s. The Group 81 School closed around 1936; the Karnup School around 1940; and the Wellard School closed in 1947-48. By 1950, only the Baldivis School remained and its population was increasing. In 1950, a new shelter shed was built. In 1953, the school population was 52.
In 1954, the former Group 39 School was removed and re-erected at the Baldivis Reserve adjacent to the Baldivis School building. The Baldivis Primary School operated from this site until 1978.
In 1978, a new brick building was constructed west of the original school site on the site of the current Baldivis Primary School. The primary school has been operating from that site since then and grown and developed in response to the growing population. The two original school buildings have continued to be used and are currently [2017] occupied by the Baldivis Play Group.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Degree
Authenticity: High Degree

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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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.