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The Growth Years

At the conclusion of World War II only 49 children attended the school. However, the number had risen to 99 by 1950, and as the following table shows, the suburb and school experienced rapid growth through the 1950s and 1960s.

In 1953 two additional classrooms were added, which was followed by a further three the following year. Also in 1954 2.75 acres of land adjoining the western and southern boundaries of the original site were acquired. This brought the total area to approximately 4.75 acres. The north western portion of this addition, which now forms part of the school oval, once contained a dam on the Closter property and in the early days of the school was the students' 'swimming hole'.

 

The north western section of the current oval had previously served as the dam on the Closter property and in the early days of the school was the students' 'swimming hole'.

 

By 1957 there were thirteen teachers and eleven classrooms, four of which were erected that year. This had increased to 21 teachers and eighteen classrooms by 1962.

 

1963 saw the opening of a central library, half of the cost being raised by the local community. The school was honoured in 1966, when the then Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe, visited our school. When student enrolments reached a peak of 1141 in 1968, Mount Waverley was the largest primary school in Victoria.  In addition it had become a training school attached to the Toorak Teachers College.

 

By the time the 'sixties' drew to a close the school had grown to 33 classrooms, a library, an art and craft room and a sports oval.

History

The Early Years

Initial efforts in 1900 to gain a local school were thwarted by the refusal of the Government to provide school buildings until a site was made available by local residents.

In January 1902 , Mr. John Peggie, who farmed land to the west of the present school site, donated .5 acre on Waverley Road as a school site. The steep slope of the land, together with the close proximity to a creek made the site unsuitable and the offer was refused.

In April 1905 an area of two acres was donated by Messrs. Albert and Charles Closter and Mr. John Peggie who owned adjoining farms in Stephensons and Waverley Roads. Many years later a great grandson of Mr. Peggie attended the school.

On 24 April 1906 the school opened with 35 pupils. The first Headmaster was Mr. Jonas Samuel Key who was assisted by Mrs. Forden as a sewing mistress. The school building comprised a timber room and porch. It was sited on level ground at the intersection of the property boundaries with access being provided by a right-of-way from Waverley Road. The right-of-way became known as 'School Lane'.

Within twelve months enrolment had risen to 66 which entitled the school to a junior teacher, Miss Eileen Dillon.

By 1912 the school had grown sufficiently to warrant the erection of another room and an increase of staff to four. The staff consisted of the Head Teacher, William Bishop, one assistant and two junior teachers, Evelyn Brewer and Elizabeth Stewart.