In response to an inquiry regarding the building of Homebush West Public School.
Homebush West Public School is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and therefore was built in 1912. The 1913 Sands Directory for Strathfield notes that this school is operating. The listing states: “Public School – D P Foley, headmaster” at Exeter Road with cross street Hornsey Road.
The school was built as a public school by the Department of Public Works. This did not require Council approval although records indicate that Strathfield Council extensively lobbied the State Government for the school to be built in the area. On 26 December 1911, the Sydney Morning Herald reported:
FLEMINGTON. A new school is being built on a new site. The building contains an assembly hall 49ft X 24ft, four classrooms, with a total accommodation for 200 children, headmistress’s room, room for teacher’s staff, two bathroom, etc. It is a brick structure, and very similar to, that recently erected at Haberfield. New, sanitary conveniences, two weathersheds, lavatorles, fencing and tarpaving to portions of the ground are also provided for. The work is in band by day labour, and is estimated to cost £2600.
I was not able to find a tender or contract awarded for the building work. The design is likely to be the Government Architect. The school was opened on 26 August 1912 by the Minister for Education, Mr Carmichael.
This building is heritage listed on Strathfield Council’s Local Environmental Plan.
References
SMH “BUILDINGS AND WORKS. PROGRESS OF THE TRADE.” The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954) 26 Dec 1911: 6. Web. 25 Nov 2012 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15298491>.
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This school was what was known as Homebush West Home Science School for senior girls in the 1960s. There was an infant school at the back which consisted of a large portable double classroom, a toilet block and amenities block.
I went to the infant school, and my older cousin to the home science school. After infant school, you had to go to Homebush primary school, for years 345&6.
Greg
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Yes – the infant school behind you talk about was initially homebush west primary – the main building pictured was the girls high school as you say… i attended kindy,1st,2nd in the infant section but had to go to homebush Primary for year 3 in 1973 (which was the last year the girls high existed) the next year in 1974 i returned to the former girls school and continued years 4,5 and 6 there as now the whole complex was known as homebush west public school.
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I went to School I think it was year 9..I loved it…we waited for the bell to ring and then run down the hill to catch the 3 minutes past 3 train to Lidcombe. Is there anyone else who went there
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ok i discovered more,
The school was renamed Homebush West Public School in 1947 and in 1953 to 1973 it became a home science school for girls and in 1974 returned to Homebush West Public School. However, the small section behind the main building supported kindy to year 2 whilst the science school for girls occupied the main building for 20 years.
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I went to this school for years seven to ten in the 1960s. It was not called Homebush West Home Science School before or when I was there, it was called Homebush West Girls Junior High and girls from Lidcombe Primary School (along with other nearby primary schools) were sent there for High School.
The home science class room was a separate building close to the infants school. Girls completed six months of home science and six months of needlework in year 7. The following years were elective subjects.
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Lynette I attended HWGJH school I left at the end of 1963 after my intermediate certificate. I lived in Doncaster Ave, Flemington.
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I went to Homebush west public school between 1986 to 1988 anyone remember any teachers names back then ?
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