Historical information

Local farmers and business-owners who settled in Emerald after the initial gold rush period first petitioned for a school in the local area in 1876, with at least two petitions to the Education department lodged by 1877. Emerald School no. 2110 opened as a temporary 'half time' school (meaning that the single teacher split their time between two schools) in temporary facilities in January 1879 while a permanent location was selected. Lobbying by townspeople in 1899 identified the present location of Emerald School no. 3381, within the original township boundary near the football field. The original building constructed to house the school was described variously as 'the tin shed' and 'a hut with a chimney.' It opened in February 1901.

The school had several configurations of buildings during the century from 1879-1979, reflecting the fluctuating but generally growing enrolment of students, developments and trends in children's education (such as the move to age-specific classrooms and separate facilities for activities such as arts and crafts) and developments in technology (such as the introduction of electricity and sewage systems). The Centenary in 1979 took place one year after original 1915 classrooms were changed into administration facilities, portable classrooms were halved in size and moved and a new brick wing was constructed by building firm A.V. Jennings.

At the time of writing (2023) Emerald Primary School is the largest primary school in the area, with nearly 500 students.

Significance

The image is significant as it depicts a key commemorative event in Emerald's history, the centenary of Emerald Primary School (Township School no. 3381.) It also depicts aspects of the built environment in Emerald at the time the photograph was taken (1979) such as road and telephone infrastructure and commercial buildings adjacent to the school.

Physical description

Black and white rectangular photograph printed on print media paper. The image depicts approximately twenty-six people (primarily women and young children) attending or arriving at an event held to commemorate the Centenary of Emerald Primary School in 1979. The photograph is taken within the school grounds looking outwards, with trees, cars and businesses visible in the background. Telephone poles hung with lights and bunting can be seen in the middle section of the photograph along with a sign stating '1879-1979 Emerald School Centenary Nov. 16-17-18'.

Inscriptions & markings

Obverse:
1879-1979 /
EMERALD SCHOOL /
CENTENARY /
NOV.16-17-18 /