Bassendean Primary School

Statement of Significance

• The earliest buildings in the school grounds have aesthetic value for their demonstration of the Federation style in an educational institution and are representative of the government designs of the period.
• The place has historic value for its association with periods of growth in the Bassendean district. From the initial construction in 1906, the school facilities have had to respond to the demands of a changing population.
• The place has social value to the many members of the community past and present who have been associated with the school since 1906.
• The school contributes to the community sense of place for its continuity of purpose since 1906 and as a demonstration of the community commitment to the district through the periods of activism by the wider community on behalf of the school community.

Physical Description

A single storey building constructed of red brick with a corrugate metal roof. The front entrance is located towards the west corner of façade. The timber and glass front door is a modern addition. Above the front door is a timber framed window (detail obstructed by awning) and fanlight. Projecting over the front entrance is a corrugated metal clad awning. To the west of front entrance are two windows, each of which are timber framed two-over-two pane sash windows with timber framed fanlights and a rendered sill. To the immediate east side of front entrance is a group of three windows, evenly spaced, which are all timber
framed two-over-two paned sash windows with a timber framed fanlight and rendered sill. The remaining eight windows, spaced at varying intervals along the façade, are all timber framed six-over-six sash windows with a timber framed six pane window above and a rendered sill beneath. Running between windows fourseven on the east side of front entrance is a rendered band at sill height. The gable roof of the building runs east – west and is clad in corrugated metal. Four chimneys are set at regular intervals along the roof line and are constructed from red brick with decorative brick corbelling and a metal chimney pot.
There is a modern lean-to addition on the west elevation which extends the façade of the original structure. On the façade of addition are two pairs of windows, evenly spaced, which are timber framed six-over-six sash windows with a rendered sill.

History

The Bassendean Primary School was built in 1906 in response to ongoing requests to the Education Department from the community and the newly established West Guildford Progress Association. In 1904, two lots were donated for a school by the two biggest landholders in the district, Dr Kenny and Stephen Parker. The site was considered too small by the Department of Education and a further six blocks were purchased by the Road Board in 1904 to enable planning for the school. Design of the school was undertaken by the Public Works Department and tenders were called in June 1906. Construction of the original school was undertaken by contractors Ward Brothers in 1906 for £680. The school was opened on 20th October 1906 with a ceremony attended by local and state MLA's Mr M.F. Troy and Mr P. Collier. The first head teacher was Mr Arthur Loveridge. The growth of the district saw
additions to the school in 1913, 1917 and 1922. The school was renamed the Bassendean Primary School in 1922 to conform to the naming of the district. In 1971, additional land was acquired to the south of the existing site for a school oval after parents lobbied the state government to acquire the land. The school buildings and facilities has been adapted and
added to as requirements and standards have changed. Aerial photographs indicate that major programs of work were undertaken in the 1990s and 2010s.

Integrity/Authenticity

High
Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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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.