History of Macarthur Street Primary School
Macarthur Street Primary School has a proud history. We are school number 2022 and have remained operating in the original building since 1878.
Our school recognises the significant contribution the school has made to the education of children in Ballarat.
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1877
Macarthur Street Primary was constructed in 1877 and officially opened on 31 May 1878, replacing the Soldiers Hill School, with an initial enrolment of 650 students.
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1878
Macarthur Street State School officially opened. It had an initial enrolment of 650 students and the Head Teacher was Mr William Cox.
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1899
Macarthur Street State School closed for 4 weeks for renovations.
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1911
The first Macarthur Street School Committee was elected. This committee agreed to purchase guernseys for the school football club.
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1914
War was declared. Students began work for the Ballarat Red Cross knitting mufflers and socks.
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1916
Macarthur Street State School was reopened after being remodelled and enlarged to cater for more students.
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1917
The Honour Roll was unveiled containing 208 names of ‘Old Boys’ who served in the Great War.
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1919
The first Mother’s Club was set up to assist “in whatever way necessary for further advancements of the school.”
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1929
Macarthur Street State School celebrated its Golden Jubilee, 50 years since opening.
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1931
‘Bubbler’ drinking taps were installed and the yard was asphalted.
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1937
Teachers gave weekly tests every Friday morning, covering mathematics, spelling and grammar.
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1941
The Second World War was declared. Macarthur Street Primary School students began collecting food to send to Britain.
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1945
Macarthur Street Primary School was very proud of its newly formed drum and fife band.
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1946
The Rural Training School was established upstairs to provide teachers experience in a small rural school condition.
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1959
Students were provided with free milk to drink each day at school.
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1969
Macarthur Street Primary School had 15 classes many having between 37 to 45 pupils.
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1971
Macarthur Street Primary School students enjoyed playing in a heavy downfall of snow.
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1978
The school celebrated its 100 years since establishment.
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2001
Mr Backwell began as the Principal of Macarthur Street Primary School.
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2003
Macarthur Street Primary School celebrates its 125th Anniversary Reunion.
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2015
Macarthur Street Primary School had an enrolment of 95 students.
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2020
The tiled roof was replaced in a major building project that spanned all of Term 2 and Term 3.
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2020
The world suffered under the weight of a pandemic. Teaching moved to a remote model in Terms 2 and 3.
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2023
Mr Backwell retired as Principal and Anthony Cross was appointed as our new substantive Principal.