PENDERS GROVE PRIMARY SCHOOL No. 3806
370 VICTORIA ROAD, THORNBURY, DAREBIN CITY
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
Penders Grove Primary School No. 3806 at 370 Victoria Road, Thornbury is a single storey 1920s school of typical design. Opened in 1925 it was the third primary school to be built in Thornbury and catered for the massive growth in enrolments in the wake of the population boom in Darebin during the 1920s. The following elements contribute to the significance of the place:
- The 1924-5 school building to the extent of the original external materials, form and detailing.
- The mature trees within the school grounds, including Oaks (Quercus sp.) along the south boundary near the frontage, Cypresses (Cupressus sp.) along the frontage boundary, and Pepper trees (Schinus molle) near the northern side boundary.
Later additions to the original school, other buildings, boundary fences and other non-original/early fabric are not significant.
How is it significant?
Penders Grove Primary School No. 3806 is of local historic, architectural, aesthetic and social significance to Darebin City.
Historically, Penders Grove Primary School No. 3806 is significant as a school associated with the significant growth in Darebin during the inter-war period. It is historically significant for its use during the late 1940s as a Boys Post Primary School connected to the Preston Technical School, which was the first of its kind in Victoria. It is one of a number of 1920s schools in Darebin that illustrate the evolution in school design under the direction of E. Evan Smith, Chief architect of the PWD from 1922 to 1929. The mature plantings in the school yard provide evidence of Arbor Day, an important event in the lives of school children in the early twentieth century. (AHC criteria A.4, D.2, H.1)
Penders Grove Primary School No. 3806 is architecturally significant as a representative example of a single storey 1920s school, which illustrates the transition in school design toward the Classical style under E. Evan Smith. The aesthetic qualities of the school are enhanced by the now mature trees. (AHC criteria D.2 & E.1)
Socially, Penders Grove Primary School No. 3806 is significant as an educational facility that has been known, used and valued by the Thornbury community for over 80 years. (AHC criterion G.1)
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PENDERS GROVE PRIMARY SCHOOL No. 3806 - Physical Description 1
The Penders Grove school, constructed in 1925, is a single storey inter-war State primary school of typical design with a low hip roof and face brick. Windows are tall triple hung multi-paned sash and there are several plain brick chimneys. In plan, the building comprises an L-shaped building under the main hip roof with secondary gables extending to the north and south at the west end forming the asymmetrical facade. The school is quite plain, apart from some Classical-inspired decoration around the entrance doorway including a rendered cornice and brackets. To the right of the doorway is a rendered sign with 'Penders Grove School 3806' in raised letters.
The building is in good/excellent condition and appears to have a high degree of external integrity as viewed from Victoria Road. A smaller gable adjacent to the rear projecting gable appears to be a later addition as does the flat roofed verandah along the north elevation. New buildings have been constructed to the north and south of the 1925 school and although connected to it are separated and have not affected the original form or setting of the building.
The grounds contain mature trees that are evidence of the Arbor Day activities of former students. They include:
- Cypresses (Cupressus sp., possibly macrocarpa?) along the Victoria Road boundary. The spacing of these trees suggests that they were originally planted as a hedge, but have now outgrown that.
- Oaks (Quercus sp.) adjacent to the south boundary, close to Victoria Road
- Pepper trees (Schinus molle) adjacent to the north boundary.Heritage Study and Grading
Darebin - Darebin Heritage Study
Author: Context P/L
Year: 2011
Grading: Local
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