Drayton State School

General

Classification

State Heritage

Register status

Entered

Date entered

28 February 2020

Type

Education, Research, Scientific Facility: School - state (primary)

Themes

9.1 Educating Queenslanders: Providing primary schooling

2.10 Exploiting, utilising and transforming the land: Responding to climate and climatic events

Architect

Department of Public Works

Construction period

1912, Timber School with Two Clerestory Lights

Historical period

1900–1914 Early 20th century

Location

Address

55 Brisbane Street, Drayton

LGA

Toowoomba Regional Council

Coordinates

-27.60205093, 151.91161373

Request a boundary map

A printable boundary map report can be emailed to you.

1. Email *

Significance

Criterion AThe place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland’s history.

Drayton State School (established as Drayton National School in 1851) is important in demonstrating the evolution of state education and its associated architecture in Queensland. The place retains a good representative example of a standard government designed school building that was an architectural response to prevailing government educational philosophies, set in landscaped grounds with provision of play areas and mature trees.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) Timber School with Two Clerestory Lights (Block A: 1912), demonstrates the evolution of timber school buildings designed by the Department of Public Works to provide abundant lighting and ventilation.

The landscaped school grounds, with provision of play areas and mature trees, demonstrate educational philosophies that promoted the importance of play and aesthetics in the education of children.

Criterion DThe place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places.

Drayton State School is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a Queensland state school. These include buildings constructed to standard government designs that incorporate understorey play areas, verandahs, and classrooms with high levels of natural light and ventilation; and a generous, landscaped site with mature trees and play areas. It is a good example of a small country school.

Block A (1912) is a rare and intact example of a Department of Public Works (DPW) Timber School with Two Clerestory Lights, with later alterations by the DPW. It is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of this type, which include: its highset, gable-roofed form; timber-framed and -clad construction with single-skin verandah walls; open understorey play space; verandahs on two sides, with hat rooms; large windows with hoods to gable end walls; high-level windows to verandah walls; hinged timber ventilation boards at floor level; doors; interior linings; and c1935 classroom partition.

Criterion GThe place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.

Drayton State School has a strong and ongoing association with past and present pupils, parents, staff members, and the surrounding community through sustained use since its establishment in 1851 in the small rural township. The place is important for its contribution to the educational development of the Drayton community for more than 160 years, with generations of children taught at the school. Since its inception, Drayton State School has served as a venue for social interaction and community focus. The strength of the association is demonstrated through repeated local volunteer actions, donations, and more recently, an active Parents and Citizens Association.

History

Drayton State School (established 1851 as Drayton National School) is located in Drayton, a locality on the south-western fringe of Toowoomba, on the Darling Downs in southeast Queensland. It is important in demonstrating the evolution of state education and its associated architecture in Queensland. The school retains its Department of Public Works (DPW) Timber School with Two Clerestory Lights (Block A: 1912), set in landscaped grounds with a school bell (1852, installed c1880), date palms (1932) and a Cape Chestnut tree (1956).

Drayton State School is sited within the traditional lands of the Western Wakka Wakka People. Pastoral settlement of the Darling Downs commenced in 1840, and c1842 Drayton (initially called The Springs) began as a camping site near the intersection of Eton Vale, Westbrook and Gowrie pastoral stations, for those travelling from the northern Darling Downs to Brisbane. The settlement became the district's social and commercial centre. Town allotments were surveyed in May 1849 and land on Darling Street (allotments 9 and 10 of section 4) was set aside for a national school.[1]

In pre-separation Queensland, education was provided initially by fee-charging religious schools and private academies. The standard of education varied and most of these early schools were short-lived. They catered principally for children in the main population centres of Brisbane and Ipswich.[2] A more organised approach to education commenced with Governor Fitzroy’s appointment of a National Board of Education in 1848. Modelled on the Irish system, the purpose of the Board was to provide state-assisted secular, elementary education for as many children as possible, particularly in isolated areas. The Board established and administered schools where parents contributed one-third of the building costs and guaranteed an average attendance of at least 30 pupils.[3]

Drayton townsfolk met at the Bull’s Head Inn in 1848 to initiate the establishment of such a school. A school committee was elected and fund-raising for a building commenced. Application was made for a suitable site and a ‘mixed school’, to cost £150. Drayton National School opened, on a one acre (0.41ha) site within its current grounds, on 16 August 1851, with 15 girls and 9 boys enrolled. It was the second of two National Schools opened in pre-Separation Queensland. The school operated throughout the 1850s with enrolments ranging between 24 and 65 pupils; except in 1855 when it lacked a teacher and temporarily closed.[4]

Following separation of the Colony of Queensland from New South Wales (NSW) on 10 December 1859, the Queensland Government introduced the Education Act 1860, which created a Board of General Education to oversee the development and administration of all schools in the colony. Assuming control of existing national schools, the Board aimed to establish a system of national schools similar to the NSW model.[5] Despite minimal resources and a shortage of teachers, the number of public or national schools increased from four schools in 1860 to 230 by 1875.[6]

Although the settlement of Toowoomba, which had been surveyed as the Drayton Agricultural Reserve in 1849, overtook Drayton as the principal urban centre of the northern Darling Downs by Separation, Drayton continued to grow. It formed a municipal council in 1862 and became the administrative centre of Drayton Shire in 1887. The town’s population rose from 321 in1861 to 983 in 1891.[7]

Consequently, Drayton State School’s enrolments also increased, to about 200 pupils in 1878, requiring more accommodation and facilities, and enlargement of the school grounds for a head teachers residence.[8] By 1880, the school bell, reportedly donated by St Matthew’s Church of England, Drayton (1859) and dating from 1852 when it was installed at the parsonage, had been hung at the school.[9]

In 1908, one acre (0.41ha) of adjacent land was purchased for the school and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) decided to construct a modern school building on this more level site.[10] The head teachers residence and the land on which it stood was sold in 1908.[11]

The new school building (Block A in 2019), was constructed by contractor, A Barr, for £866 and completed in 1912.[12] The design was a standard plan by the Department of Public Works.[13] The building was highset on timber stumps and comprised two open verandahs (10ft / 3.1m wide) on either side of a single classroom (24 x 50ft / 7.32 x 15.24m). Its gable roof, sheeted with corrugated iron, had two ridge ventilators and two centrally located clerestory (skillion dormer) windows, facing opposing directions. The external gable end walls were clad in weatherboards and contained large areas of windows arranged in three rows of eight narrow sashes, shaded by timber hoods. The verandahs had hat room enclosures at the southwest end and the verandah walls were left unclad, with framing and bracing exposed. The verandah walls featured centrally located double doors with fanlights, high-level windows, and hinged ventilation boards along the base of the walls.[14]

Access was via sets of timber stairs to the centre of each verandah, with the front (southeast) steps running parallel to the verandah and the rear (northwest) steps arranged perpendicularly, comprising a walkway and short flight of steps to the higher ground at the rear. A spoon drain ran around the rear and sides of the building and the ground beneath the building was concreted.[15]

The classroom had high coved ceilings lined with pressed metal, and timber tie rods were exposed. Walls were lined with vertical jointed (VJ), tongue and groove (T&G) boards which were originally left unpainted. Dual desks sufficient for 120 scholars were provided, and an early photograph shows a stove standing against one wall.[16]

Block A reflected changes in school building design introduced early in the 20th century. In c1909 high-set timber buildings were introduced, providing better ventilation as well as additional teaching space and a covered play area underneath. This was a notable new direction and this form became a characteristic of Queensland schools. A technical innovation developed at this time was a continuous ventilation flap on the wall at floor level. This hinged board could be opened to increase air flow into the space and, combined with a ceiling vent and large roof fleche, improved internal air quality and decreased internal temperatures effectively. This type was introduced around 1909 and was constructed until approximately 1920.[17]

From around 1909, windows were rearranged and enlarged to provide a greater amount of gentle, southern light into the room and desks were rearranged so that the light would fall onto students’ left hand sides to avoid throwing shadows onto the pages, which presupposed that all students were right-handed. Windows were larger and sills were lowered to let in more light generally. Smaller classrooms were preferred as they were easier to light correctly. Interiors became lighter and airier and met with immediate approval from educationalists.[18] At Drayton State School, Block A’s clerestory windows were a recently introduced feature, designed to improve light and ventilation in the centre of the building, and were characteristic of the building type chosen for the school. The building was also constructed with a remodelled window scheme approved after the building’s design had been finalised. This was a new arrangement of casement, swing and hopper windows, with transom, to improve lighting.[19]

On 6 July 1912, the Minister for Agriculture (Hon. J Tolmie) officially opened the building at Drayton State School on behalf of the Minister for Public Instruction (Hon. K M Grant).[20]

After World War I (WWI) there was a decline in Drayton’s population despite the opening of the Drayton rail line in May 1915, but community involvement in the school remained strong, with improvements to the school grounds being a focus.[21] An additional 2 roods (0.2ha) of land was added to the Drayton school grounds in 1922 (allotment 5 of section 4).[22] During the Depression, relief workers levelled the tennis court site,[23] and funds were raised for a windmill and bore to supply reticulated water for the school gardens.[24]

An important component of Queensland state schools was their grounds. The early and continuing commitment to play-based education, particularly in primary school, resulted in the provision of outdoor play space and sporting facilities, such as playing fields and tennis courts. Arbor Day celebrations began in Queensland in 1890, and trees and gardens were planted to shade and beautify schools. Aesthetically-designed gardens were encouraged by regional inspectors, and educators believed gardening and Arbor Days instilled in young minds the value of hard work and activity, improved classroom discipline, developed aesthetic tastes, and inspired people to stay on the land.[25]

Arbor Day was celebrated at Drayton State School from 1890. During the interwar period, Arbor Day plantings augmented a new garden scheme. The school’s grounds were re-organised through fortnightly working bees in 1931, which repaired the front fence, realigned the front gate to Brisbane Street, laid a new gravel path and created an elaborate garden of flower beds and lawn occupying the land in front of Block A. Massed rose beds surrounded a central flag pole while two massive rose pergolas stood at each end of the path leading from the front gate to the school steps. Arbor Day planting in 1932 added a row of palms (Phoenix sp.) bordering the front fence.[26]

In the late 1930s the school acquired further land for its grounds. In 1936 the School Committee leased allotments 1-4 of section 4 from the Drayton Shire Council and used this land in conjunction with allotment 5 of section 4, as a football ground.[27] In 1938-9, Lots 1-4 and 6 of section 4 (one acre / 0.4ha each) were added to the school grounds.[28]

In July 1935, Block A’s single classroom was partitioned to create two smaller classrooms, (27.5ft x 24ft / 8.38 x 7.32m and 22.3 ft x 24 ft / 6.8 x 7.32m), with desks rearranged so that daylight entered on the left hand side of students. A doorway was inserted in the northwest verandah wall to provide access to the smaller (southwest) classroom.[29] A glazed door in the centre of the partition allowed the Head Teacher to monitor both rooms.[30]

With the threat to Australia from the commencement of the Pacific theatre of war during World War II, the Queensland Government closed all coastal state schools in January 1942, and although most schools reopened on 2 March 1942, student attendance remained optional until the war ended.[31] Typically, schools were a focus for civilian duty during this war. At many schools, students and staff members grew produce and flowers for donation to local hospitals and organised fundraising and the donation of useful items to Australian soldiers on active service.[32] At Drayton State School, the garden maintained by the Poultry Raising and Vegetable Growing Project Club established c1934, was enlarged to become the ‘War Effort Vegetable Garden’.[33]

The post-WWII era brought change to Drayton and its state school. In May 1949, Drayton was incorporated into the Greater Toowoomba Area and the Drayton Shire Council ceased to exist. In 1947, Drayton’s population was 443 – about the same as in 1921.[34]

Enhancements to the school grounds also took place. A pine lot was planted on 30 May 1951 on the Rudd Street side of the school grounds, but was later removed to form a playing field on the site. A Cape Chestnut tree (Calodendrum capense), planted near the Darling Street entrance by teacher Grace Earle in 1956 as part of Arbor Day celebrations, is still thriving in 2019.[35] In 1963, three acres (1.2ha) were added to the school grounds on the eastern side of Darling Street.[36] The school grounds comprised 2.93ha, spanning both sides of Darling Street.[37] The parade area and pathways from the roadway to the school entrance were bitumenised in August 1958.[38]

Further changes to Block A were made in the post-WWII period. Between 1950 and 1960 the roof fleches were removed.[39] New hat and bag racks approved in October 1958 were added. Before 1960 a doorway to the southwest classroom was inserted in the southeast verandah wall.[40] In 1961, the southeast (front) verandah was enclosed, with weatherboards to sill height and awning windows above, to form a library, staffroom, and storeroom; and a glazed screen was also added to the northeast end of the northwest (rear) verandah.[41] Between 1960 and 1975 the timber stumps were replaced with masonry piers, and louvred walls were added to the understorey. Classroom ceilings were lowered and lined with flat sheeting (potentially leaving the original pressed metal ceiling above), the understorey was reconcreted, and concrete pathways added. The clerestory windows were removed after 1975, possibly when the roof was re-sheeted, which was a common alteration.[42] In 1984 the hat room on the northwest verandah was enclosed to form a store room, and a set of stairs to the understorey was inserted through the northwest verandah floor, leading to a new covered way to Block B. An access ramp was connected to the northwest verandah in c1997.[43]

In the late 1960s and 1970s the school’s enrolments rose, requiring additional teachers and classroom accommodation, namely, Blocks B (c1969, extended c1976, c1978) and C (1992), and pre-school buildings.[44] Town water, sewerage and a new perimeter fence were also added in the 1960s.[45] More recently, other buildings have been added to the site.

During the 1970s extensive changes were made to the school grounds. In 1977, the front of the school was graded and all existing shrubbery removed, except the palm trees on the Brisbane Street boundary. Native trees and shrubs were planted in their place to create an ‘environmental garden’.[46] The tennis court was levelled and sealed in 1978.[47] In 1987, extensive levelling of the netball courts occurred, retaining walls were constructed, and landscaping performed.[48] The grounds were also increased by 0.84ha through addition of Lots 23-26 of Section 4, along Rudd Street in March 1978.[49]

Beginning with fundraising for its establishment, the school has been the focus and site of community interest and events throughout its history. It provided the venue for fetes and celebrations such as school anniversaries and Drayton’s welcome home to its soldiers returning from WWI. The community has supported the school through donations, organising and attending events, working bees, and School Committee and Parent & Citizens Committee membership.[50]

Milestones in the school’s history, including its 90th, 100th, and 125th anniversaries, which were celebrated with commemorative events, souvenirs and published school histories. In 1950, several hundred former pupils attended the celebration of the school’s 90th anniversary as a Queensland state school; a memorial plaque marking the entrance of the original school building was unveiled by Drayton School Committee president, W Peak;[51] and later that year, a Memorial to Steele Rudd was erected in the school grounds.[52] Centenary celebrations were held at the school in March 1960, attracting over 1000 people.[53] In 1975 the school commemorated its 125th anniversary celebrations with a ball, and an anniversary publication.[54] In 2001, an updated history of the school was published.[55]

Block A is one of only two known buildings of its type that remain in the ownership of the Department of Education in 2019. The other building, at Bald Hills State School, has been heavily modified.[56]

In 2019, Drayton State School continues to operate from its original, but expanded, site and has an enrolment of 282 pupils.[57] It retains its 1912 Timber School building and its 19th century school bell; set in landscaped grounds with mature trees and play areas. The school remains important to Drayton and its district, as a key social focus of the community.

Description

Drayton State School is a small school in the locality of Drayton, on the south-western fringe of Toowoomba. It occupies a large, gently sloping site, fronting Brisbane Street, the former main thoroughfare of the area. A complex of buildings stands on the eastern half of the site and a large playing field occupies the west.

The features of Drayton State School of state-level cultural heritage significance are:

• Department of Public Works Timber School with Two Clerestory Lights, 1912 (known as Block A)
• School bell, 1852 (installed c1880)
• Mature trees

Block A, Department of Public Works Timber School with Two Clerestory Lights, 1912

Block A (1912) stands at the eastern edge of the building complex and is surrounded by open space. It is a single-storey, highset, timber-framed and -clad teaching building with a gable roof. It faces southeast to the main road across a treed front garden. Offset from the rear of the building are retaining walls cut into the slope of the hill. The building has verandahs along the southeast (now enclosed) and northwest sides and accommodates two classrooms. It has large windows on its gable end walls (southwest and northeast), providing high levels of natural light and ventilation to the interior. Access to the first floor is via a single set of stairs to the southeast verandah, and by a walkway and second set of stairs to the northwest verandah.

Features of Block A of state-level cultural heritage significance are:

• Open space around the building permitting high levels of natural light and ventilation of the interior
• Highset, gable-roofed form with roof continuous over front and rear verandahs
• Gable roof, including timber V-jointed (VJ) board lined eaves and timber battened fretwork
• Packed weather boards at the peak of gable-end walls, providing ventilation to the roof space
• Timber weatherboard wall cladding
• Verandahs, including:
  • Raked ceilings lined with timber VJ boards
  • Timber verandah posts and beams
  • Surviving section of two-rail verandah balustrade with square balusters (northwest verandah)
  • Single-skin verandah walls, with framing and bracing exposed externally
  • Hinged timber ventilation boards at floor level
  • Original timber French doors with stop chamfer detailing in the centre of verandah walls
  • High-level timber-framed, horizontally centre-pivoting windows
  • Timber board floors
  • Timber-framed and weatherboard-clad hat rooms (originally only semi-enclosed spaces) at the southwest end of both verandahs
  • c1935 doorway in southeast verandah wall,  including timber, low-waisted panelled door leaf
• Location and direction of the staircase to the southeast verandah (stairs themselves are a modern replacement)
• Windows in the gable end walls, including: their timber jambs and sills; surviving original mullions; slanted fanlights; and skillion timber-framed window hoods supported by brackets with battened cheeks and lined with VJ boards
• Understorey open play space, with its relationship to surrounding open play areas, concrete floor, exposed subfloor structure of the upper level, and the use of vertical timber batten screens to enclose the perimeter (sections of screens surviving at northeast corner may contain early fabric)
• Internal wall linings of timber VJ-boards
• c1935 single-skin partition dividing original single classroom into two, including:
  • VJ-board lining
  • Exposed framework
  • Centrally-located, timber, part-glazed French doors with moulded architraves
• Early and original door, window, and fanlight hardware, including: door bolts and rim locks, fanlight catches, and ball knob handles with lock in the central door of the c1935 partition
• Doorway accessing the southwest classroom from the northwest verandah (likely created in c1935), including its high-waisted, part-glazed timber leaf with brass door knob
• Early low-waisted, four-panelled timber door in southeast verandah wall

Features not of state-level cultural heritage significance include:

• Other understorey enclosing walls not previously mentioned, including store rooms, glass louvres, metal wall cladding and security screens
• Understorey piers
• Non-original verandah enclosures and associated partitions, windows and doors
• Non-original flat sheet wall and ceiling linings of hat rooms and southeast verandah
• Northwest verandah stair from understoreyReplacement ‘bridge’ connection to northwest verandah (not to original detail)
• Metal sheet roof and window hood cladding and associated later rainwater goods (gutters, downpipes, flashings, etc.)
• Non-original timber-framed awning-hung windows, and aluminium-framed sliding windows and fixed panes
• Security screens
• Flat-sheeted classroom ceilings (original pressed metal ceiling and timber tie beams may survive above)
• Built-in blackboard and timber cupboard units in classrooms
• Lights, fans, heaters and other services

Grounds and views

In 2019 Block A remains in its original location, fronted by open garden and play space that was historically occupied by formal gardens.

Features of state-level cultural heritage significance also include:

• A school bell (c1852, installed at the school c1880) housed within a timber belfry located north of Block A (the belfry itself and its location are not of state-level cultural heritage significance)
• Two mature Date Palm trees (Phoenix sp., planted 1932) located along the Brisbane Street boundary near the corner of Darling Street
• A Cape Chestnut tree (Calodendrum capense, planted 1956) located along the Darling Street boundary, northeast of Block A
• Views of Block A from within the open garden and play space between it and Brisbane Street
• Views of Block A from Brisbane Street and Darling Street

Grounds elements not of state-level cultural heritage significance include: other buildings, structures and sheds; retaining walls; playground equipment; benches; pathways; covered walkways; fences and gates; signage; flagpoles; garden beds; and all other trees and vegetation not previously mentioned.

References

[1] Queensland Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships. ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Map’, <https://culturalheritage.datsip.qld.gov.au/achris/public/public-registry/home>, accessed 8 Aug 2019; QSA, Item ID714266, ‘Design for the Town of Drayton, County of Aubigny, District of Darling Downs, Surveyor McLean, May 1849; ‘Government Land Sale’, Moreton Bay Courier (MBC), 8 Jul 1850, p. 1; Queensland Places: Drayton and Drayton Shire. <http://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/drayton-and-drayton-shire>, accessed 21 November 2018; Queensland Government Gazette (QGG), 1871, pp. 1358 & 1661; Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME), Survey Plan D13363. The town was already known as Drayton by 1849, the name of early settler Thomas Alford’s house, store and post office, in commemoration of his birthplace in Somerset.
[2] Thom Blake, ‘Educating Queenslanders’ in Queensland Historical Thematic Framework, 2007 (rev. 2013 by EHP), pp. 1-2; The other National School was Warwick National School (1850). See: Paul Burmester, Margaret Pullar and Michael Kennedy, ‘Queensland Schools A Heritage Conservation Study, a report for the Department of Education’, 1996, p. 1.
[3] Hector Holthouse, ‘Looking Back. The first 150 years of Queensland schools, a report for the Department of Education, Queensland’, 1975, pp. 10-3.
[4] Holthouse, ‘Looking Back. The first 150 years of Queensland schools’, pp. 14-5; H A Frawley and R Lees (comp.), Drayton State School: centenary celebrations 1860-1960, Drayton State School, Drayton, 1960, pp. 7, 10; ‘Opening and closing dates of Queensland schools’, <http://education.qld.gov.au/library/edhistory/celebrations/dates/d-f.html>, accessed 7 Nov 2018. In 1871, the one-acre Reserve for National School in Drayton was proclaimed in the QGG. See: QGG, 1871 p. 1358; Darling Downs Gazette & General Advertiser (DDG&GA), 30 Sep 1871, p. 4.
[5] Greg Logan and Eddie Clarke, ‘State Education in Queensland: a brief history, a report for the Department of Education, Queensland’, 1984, p. 1.
[6] Thom Blake, ‘Educating Queenslanders’ in Queensland Historical Thematic Framework, 2007 (rev. 2013 by EHP), p. 2.
[7] Theophilus Pugh, Pugh’s Moreton Bay Almanac for the Year 1859, Theophilus P Pugh, Brisbane, 1859, p. 89; ‘Census and Stock Returns’, The Courier, 3 Jun 1861, p. 2; Queensland Places: Drayton and Drayton Shire. <http://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/drayton-and-drayton-shire>, accessed 21 November 2018; Queensland Census 1861 cited by Queensland Places: Drayton and Drayton Shire. <http://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/drayton-and-drayton-shire>, accessed 21 Nov 2018; Pugh’s Queensland Almanac, Law Calendar, Directory, Coast Guide and Gazetteer for 1877, Thorne and Greenwell, Brisbane, 1877, p. 409; Pugh’s Queensland Almanac, Law Calendar, Directory, Coast Guide and Gazetteer for 1884, p. 414; Drayton State School, Drayton State School 150 Years, 1851-2001, Drayton State School, Toowoomba, 2001, p. 3.. Drayton was a centre for the sittings of the Circuit Court, and the Church of England had established a church in the town before Separation.
[8] The original school building was reused as the head teacher’s residence until 1867 when it was demolished and replaced with a new residence. In 1873 the schoolhouse was extended with the addition of an infants’ wing. The teachers residence was replaced three times: in 1867, 1877 and 1907. In 1877 the teachers residence was replaced on the newly purchased Lots 21-24 of section 1, opposite the school on Darling Street. A play shed was erected within the school grounds in November 1878. A room was added on the western side of the schoolhouse in 1900. The teachers residence was replaced in 1907. See: ‘Drayton National School’, Toowoomba Chronicle and Queensland Advertiser (TC&QA), 3 Mar 1864, p. 3; DDG&GA, 9 May 1877, p. 3; ‘Public Works in Progress’, Brisbane Courier, 9 Jul 1877, p. 3; Drayton State School, Drayton State School 150 Years: 1851-2001, pp. 24-5; Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs Advertiser, 7 May 1878, p. 3.
[9] The bell was donated to the Church of England at Drayton by Mr Watson on 27 January 1852 and was temporarily hung on the verandah of the parsonage, which from November 1851 was used for services until a church was built. See: State Library of Queensland, ‘Reverend Benjamin Glennie’s diary, 1848-60’: 14 Nov 1851, 27, 29 Jan, and 1 Feb 1852; Drayton State School, Drayton State School 150 Years, 1851-2001, p. 158.
[10] Lots 7 and 8 of section 4. QSA Item ID14228, Drayton State School correspondence 1873-1922: ‘Letter from Mr John McPhail to DPI’, 26 Oct 1908, Memo from DPI, stamped Chief Clerk, 29 Sep 1908, ‘Letter from Under Sec, Department Public Lands to Under Sec, Department Public Instruction’, 31 Aug 1909; QGG: 29 Aug 1908, p. 421, 18 Dec 1909, p. 1456; Drayton State School, Drayton State School 150 Years, 1851-2001, p. 25.
[11]: DRNME, Certificate of Title (CoT) 11106034, 1908; Project Services, ‘Report on Drayton State School’, p. 4.
[12] ‘Public Notices’, The Week, 27 Oct 1911, p. 36
[13] Building Type C/T3 – DPW Timber School with Two Clerestory Lights. See: Paul Burmester, Margaret Pullar and Michael Kennedy, ‘Queensland Schools A Heritage Conservation Study, Conservation Management: a report for the Department of Education’, Nov 1996, p 20.
[14] Department of Public Works (DPW) Annual Report of the DPW for the year ending 30 June 1912, Qld Government Printer, Brisbane, 1912, p. 7, 16, and photographs; Project Services, Report on Drayton State School, p. 4; Original plans show the verandah hat rooms located at the northeast ends of the verandahs, however early photographs and physical evidence show that they were never constructed there and have always been located at the southwest ends; QSA item ID 588811, DPW plan, ‘Drayton State School Toowoomba’, 1911.
[15] Project Services, Report on Drayton State School, p. 4; Department of Public Works (DPW). Annual Report of the DPW for the year ending 30 June 1912, Qld Government Printer, Brisbane, 1912, photographs; QSA item ID 588811, DPW plan, ‘Drayton State School Toowoomba’, 1911.
[16] Project Services, Report on Drayton State School, p. 4; DPW, Annual Report of the DPW for the Year ending 30 June 1912, Qld Government Printer, Brisbane, 1912, pp. 7, 16.
[17] Burmester, et al, ‘Queensland Schools A Heritage Conservation Study’, pp. 19-20.
[18] Burmester, et al, ‘Queensland Schools A Heritage Conservation Study’, pp. 19-20.
[19] Burmester, et al, ‘Queensland Schools A Heritage Conservation Study’, p.23; QSA, Item ID14428, Drayton State School correspondence 1873-1922: Memo: DPW Inspector of Works, Toowoomba to Deputy Government Architect, 14 Nov 1911 and Memo to DPW Inspector of Works, Toowoomba from Deputy Government Architect, 27 Nov 1911; Memo from DPW Inspector of Works, Toowoomba and Deputy Government Architect, 3 Jan 1912.
[20] ‘New School at Drayton’, Brisbane Courier, 6 Jul 1912, p. 14.
[21] Drayton State School, Drayton State School 150 Years, 1851-2001, pp. 32, 43.
[22] QGG, No. 216, Vol. CXIX, 16 Dec 1922, p. 2102; QSA Item ID392205, Drayton State School Works/Facilities, 1920-1969, ‘Memo from J L Fowler, District Inspector of Schools to The Under Sec, Department Public Instruction, 20 Mar 1922; Letter from Acting Under Secretary Department Public Instruction to Solicitor General, Department of Justice, 15 Jun 1922; Letter from Under Secretary, Department of Public Lands to Under Secretary, Department Public Instruction, 16 Jan 1923; QGG, No. 216, Vol. CXIX, 16 Dec 1922, p. 2102; Drayton State School, Drayton State School 150 Years, 1851-2001, p. 27.
[23] Drayton State School, Drayton SS 150 Years, 1851-2001, p. 43.
[24] ‘Drayton State School’, TC&DDG, 8 May 1933, p. 10.
[25] Burmester, et al, ‘Queensland Schools A Heritage Conservation Study’, pp. 4, 48-9.
[26] ‘Arbor Day Arrangements’, TC&DDGA, 31 Jul 1890, p. 3; ‘Arbor Day at Drayton’, TC&DDGA, 22 Aug 1895, p.3; ‘District News’, TC&DDG, 22 Apr 1931, p.11; Drayton SS, Drayton SS 150 Years, 1851-2001, p. 43; ‘District News’, TC&DDG, 30 Sep 1931, p.3; ‘Drayton State School’, TC&DDG, 8 May 1933, p. 10; ‘Toowomba’, Brisbane Courier, 9 May 1933, p. 2.
[27] See plan in QSA Item ID392205, Drayton State School works 1920-1969, memo from Percy R Barron, Head Teacher, Drayton State School to Director of Education, 22 Mar 1936.
[28] QSA Item ID392205 Drayton SS Works, 1920-1969: Letter from Drayton Shire Council to Secretary, Drayton School Committee, 3 May 1938, DPI document dated 9 May 1938, letter from Drayton Shire Clerk to Director of Education, DPI, 20 Jul 1938; Drayton State School, Drayton SS 150 Years, 1851-2001, pp. 24, 27; QSA Item ID392205, Letter from Solicitor General to Director of Education, DPI, 13 Sep 1939.
[29] Drayton State School, Drayton SS 150 Years, 1851-2001, p. 27, 44; ePlan, DPW, drawing 16099754, ‘Drayton S. School Correct Plan Showing Improvements’, 8 May 1939.
[30] Les Rub (1935-43) in Drayton State School, Drayton State School: 1851-2001, p. 47.
[31] Ronald Wood, Civil Defence In Queensland During World War II, 1993, p. 79; ‘All coastal schools shut until change seen in war’, Courier Mail, 28 Jan 1942, p. 3; ‘Schools reopen; some await shelter survey’, The Courier Mail, 2 Mar 1942, p.3.
[32] Burmester et al, ‘Queensland Schools A Heritage Conservation Study’, pp.64-5.
[33] Drayton State School, Drayton State School 150 Years, 1851-2001, pp. 43, 49.
[34] Drayton State School, Drayton State School 150 Years,: 1851-2001, p. 50; Queensland Census 1947 cited by ‘Queensland Places: Drayton and Drayton Shire’, <http://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/drayton-and-drayton-shire>, accessed 21 November 2018.
[35] Plaque at Drayton State School, 7 Mar 2019; Drayton State School, Drayton State School: 150 Years, 1851-2001, p. 55. A site plan of school from 1956 shows the school building, a basket ball court, a water tank, a wind mill, and trees in front of the school. See: ePlan, drawing 16099732, DPW Drayton State School New Septic System to school & residence, 4 Apr 1956.
[36] QGG, No. 53, 7 Dec 1963, p.1173. Allotments 9-11 of section 4 (1.5 acres / 0.61ha) and allotments 3-5 of section 1 (1.5 acres / 0.61ha).
[37] DNRME, Survey Plan D10348, Sep 1964.
[38] QSA Item ID392205 Drayton State School works 1920-69: DPW works order, 5 Aug 1958; DPW work order 1 Aug 1958; memo from Director General, Department of Education to W Fralm, Secretary, Drayton State School Committee, 28 Oct 1958.
[39] Images from 1950 and 1960 in Drayton State School, Drayton SS 150 Years, 1851-2001, pp. 55, 66, 154; Drayton State School, Drayton State School Souvenir, 1851-1975, p .53.
[40] ePlan, DPW, drawing 11837034, ‘Drayton SS New Library, staff room & store’, 9 Aug 1960.
[41] QSA Item ID392205 Drayton State School works 1920-69, DPW works order, 24 Aug 1960; Drayton State School, Drayton SS 150 Years, 1851-2001, p. 27; ePlan, DPW, drawing 11837034, ‘Drayton State School New Library, staff room & store’, 9 Aug 1960.
[42] Drayton State School, Drayton State School 150 Years, 1851-2001, p. 74; Historical aerial photos show the roof sheeting changing from red to a pale (cream) colour between 1974 and 1984, Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME) aerial photos, QAP27793555, 1974; QAP4354114, 1984; and QAP5092007, 1993.
[43] QSA Item ID392205 Drayton State School works 1920-69, DPW works order, 4 May 1965; DPW works order, 17 Aug 1965, DPW works order, 7 Mar 1966, DPW works order, 26 Mar 1967; ePlan, DPW, drawing 13209669, ‘Covered Way and Stairs’, January 1984; ePlan, DPW, drawing 13210417, ‘Storage Improvements Block A’, January 1984; ePlan, DPW, drawing 13643146, ‘New Amenities Block’, 17 January 1997.
[44] Drayton State School, Drayton State School Souvenir 1851-1975, pp. 23; Drayton State School, Drayton State School 150 Years, 1851-2001, pp. 27, 75, 76; QSA Item ID392205 Drayton State School works 1920-69, Dept of Works production order, 21 May 1968; QSA Item ID390512 Drayton State School works 1969-1976: Dept of Works production order, 11 Jul 1969, Ltr from Minister for Works and Housing to W R J Bousen, MLA for Toowoomba West, 10 July 1969; ePlan Drawing no 14118335, ‘DPW Drayton State School site plan’, 14 Feb 1969 ePlan: Drawing no 13620651, ‘DPW Drayton State School Site Plan’, Jun 1978; Drawing 13629000, ‘DPW Drayton SS New Two Storey Teaching Block Open Under Electrical Site Plan’, 12 Dec 1991; QSA Item ID392205, Drayton State School works 1920-69, memo from John Byrne, head teacher to Dept Education, 12 Mar 1968.
[45] Drayton State School, Drayton State School Souvenir 1851-1975, Drayton State School, Toowoomba, 1975, p. 23; QSA Item ID392205 Drayton State School works 1920-69, DPW works order, 11 May 1962, DPW works order, 2 Jun 1962, DPW works order, 10 Sep 1962; QSA Item ID392205 Drayton State School works 1920-69, Dept of Works production order, 8 Jul 1969.
[46] Drayton State School, Drayton State School: 150 Years, 1851-2001, p. 76.
[47] Drayton State School, Drayton State School 150 Years, 1851-2001, p. 27.
[48] Drayton State School, Drayton State School: 150 Years, 1851-2001, p. 88.
[49] Drayton State School, Drayton State School: 150 Years, 1851-2001, p. 27.
[50] ‘Toowoomba’, Brisbane Courier, 12 Sep 1927, p. 19; ‘Advertising’, TC&DDG, 4 Aug 1928, p. 1; ‘Drayton’, TC&DDG, 20 Oct 1930, p. 3; ‘District News’, TC&DDG, 22 Apr 1931, p. 11; ‘District News’, TC&DDG, 30 Sep 1931, p. 3; ‘Drayton State School Distribution of Prizes’, TC&DDG, 11 Dec 1931, p. 3; ‘Garden Party’, TC&DDG, 14 May 1932, p. 5; ‘Drayton’, TC&DDG, 1 Aug 1932, p. 3; ‘Social’, TC&DDG, 23 Aug 1932, p. 5; ‘Drayton State School enjoyable concert’, TC&DDG, 19 Oct 1932, p. 3; ‘Drayton State School Annual Fete’, TC&DDG, 8 Dec 1932, p. 3; ‘Toowoomba’, The Brisbane Courier, 9 May 1933, p. 20; ‘Drayton State School’, TC&DDG, 5 Aug 1933, p. 3; ‘Drayton School Annual Picnic and Fete’, TC&DDG, 16 Dec 1933, p. 3. ‘Anzac Day’, DD Gazette, 3 May 1919, p. 3; ‘The Schools’, Toowoomba Chronicle, 26 Apr 1919, p. 6. From 1919, Anzac Day was celebrated at the school with returned soldiers attending to talk with the children. In September 1919, a welcome home for Drayton men who had served during World War I was held at Drayton State School, with cards, dancing and music. Supper was served under the school building. See: ‘Drayton’s Braves’, DDG, 13 Sep 1919, p. 6; ‘Drayton Welcome Home’, Toowoomba Chronicle, 6 Sep 1919, p. 4; ‘At Drayton School’, TC&DDG, 28 Apr 1923, p. 4; ‘Drayton’s Braves’, DDG, 13 Sep 1919, p. 6.
[51] ‘School Celebrates 90th Anniversary’, Queensland Times, 8 May 1950, p. 2.
[52] ‘Monument to Steele Rudd’, Cairns Post, 20 Nov 1950, p. 5.
[53] Drayton State School, Drayton State School: 1851-2001, pp. 66, 182.
[54] Drayton State School, Drayton State School: 1851-2001, p. 75.
[55] Drayton State School, Drayton State School: 150 years, 1851-2001, Drayton State School, Drayton, c2001.
[56] Bald Hills SS Image in DPW, Report of the Department of Public Works for the Year Ending 30 June 1913, after p. 46; Google Earth 2019; Project Services, ‘Qld Schools Heritage Survey Park Ii Summary Report for Department of Education’, Project Services, Brisbane, January 2008, p. 13.
[57] Queensland Department of Education website, ‘Drayton State School’, <https://schoolsdirectory.eq.edu.au/Details/0031#enrolment>, accessed 23 Oct 2019.

Image gallery