The Old Bridgewater State School, South Australia
Old Bridgewater State School
The original school, which was restored and renovated by the Stirling District Council in 1981, was erected in 1882. It was then planned to accommodate 60 children.
The contract price for the original wooden building was £149 plus £4 for extras. The date set for completion was 19 May 1882 and the school opened its doors at the beginning of the third quarter of that year.
John Flynn was the first teacher.
A total of 55 children attended the school in its first year. Fees paid by parents amounted to £11.4.4d, and there were seven “free” pupils.
Children from Aldgate attended the Bridgewater School, travelling by train because it was nearer than the Aldgate Valley School.
By the early 1900s the number of pupils had increased so that the younger children had to have their lessons out in the shed. This was an iron and timber construction at the side of the school with benches around the side where the children sat to have lunch. Overcrowding increased to the point where Grades 1 and 2 had to kneel on the floor and use the benches as a desk to do their lessons.
A new school, which is the present Bridgewater School, was completed in 1907 and the transfer from the old to the new school took place in the same year.
*A sign declaring the building to be “The First Bridgewater State School” is on the front of the building, but partly obscured.
*The building is now the Bridgewater Country Fire Service Opportunity Shop.
The Old Bridgewater State School, South Australia
Old Bridgewater State School
The original school, which was restored and renovated by the Stirling District Council in 1981, was erected in 1882. It was then planned to accommodate 60 children.
The contract price for the original wooden building was £149 plus £4 for extras. The date set for completion was 19 May 1882 and the school opened its doors at the beginning of the third quarter of that year.
John Flynn was the first teacher.
A total of 55 children attended the school in its first year. Fees paid by parents amounted to £11.4.4d, and there were seven “free” pupils.
Children from Aldgate attended the Bridgewater School, travelling by train because it was nearer than the Aldgate Valley School.
By the early 1900s the number of pupils had increased so that the younger children had to have their lessons out in the shed. This was an iron and timber construction at the side of the school with benches around the side where the children sat to have lunch. Overcrowding increased to the point where Grades 1 and 2 had to kneel on the floor and use the benches as a desk to do their lessons.
A new school, which is the present Bridgewater School, was completed in 1907 and the transfer from the old to the new school took place in the same year.
*A sign declaring the building to be “The First Bridgewater State School” is on the front of the building, but partly obscured.
*The building is now the Bridgewater Country Fire Service Opportunity Shop.