319 George Street, Fitzroy (Fitzroy Primary School)

Also known as the George Street School and prior to this it was the Hugh Templeton’s school (in approximately 1863-1870) but had been renamed by 1889 (Our Local Men of the Times, Biographical Sketches of the Prominent Citizens of Collingwood and Fitzroy, J. M. Tait, 1889, p.1).

Fitzroy Primary School was first built in 1855 and was known as George Street School No. 450. According to the Fitzroy Primary School website, ‘first school was opened in 1841. Hugh Templeton opened a private school in the Presbyterian Chapel in Napier Street. He then moved to Johnston Street where the school was known as the Collingwood Commercial Academy. He built a school on the corner of Greeves Street and George Street which opened on 1 October 1855 and was called the North Collingwood National School. Under the Board of Education from 1862, it became Collingwood Common School No. 450.

In 1865, it appears that Thomas resigned as the assistant teacher at the George Street School to take on a position as a Head Teacher at ‘St George’s School’ in Collingwood. He was due to replace the head teacher Mr McLean. But when he went to commence, Mr McLean refused to leave and at the same time, there was an attack on Mr Thomas Templeton’s character / standing in the Herald, Thomas responds to the article on 24 July 1865 (The Herald), and signs the letter under the title he had been promised, Head Master, St George’s School. Only he was never given the role as Mr McLean was successful in his legal challenge and maintained the role, leaving Templeton out of work and suing Rev. Caldwell for damages (The Argus, 2 Feb 1877).

By 1870, it appears that Thomas has returned to the George Street School and taken over from his father as the Sands & McDougall quotes Mrs Templeton as running the Girl’s Common School (on the corner of Greeves and George St), Miss Templeton, teaching at the Infants school next to the Girls School, and four houses being between the infants school and the Boy’s Common School on the corner of Chapel Street with Mr Thomas H Templeton as Head Master. Of the four houses, 311-315 George Street remain. The house at 317 George Street being purchased by the School in either 1914 or 1961.

“The Education Department took over Common School No. 450, renting the building which was on land owned by Hugh Templeton’s son, Thomas. In 1874 a new building was constructed on land bought by the Department for £1800. The architect was Henry Bastow, Chief Architect for the Education Department. Caretaker’s quarters were constructed in 1888, and extra land acquired for playground space in 1914 and 1961.” (Fitzroy Primary School website).

In 1879, the Head Teacher was Lewis N Shepherd. At this stage, Thomas Templeton looks to have moved to the Prahan School.

“A new infants’ school on Napier St was completed in 1970. This building was then refurbished in 2010 as part of the Federal Government’s Building the Education Revolution Program and now houses modern and contemporary learning spaces. The school facilities now include a mixture of historical buildings and state of the art facilities, it also boasts expansive play areas.” (Fitzroy Primary School website)

The current upgrades in 2022 (still going in 2024) are to upgrade the learning spaces in the heritage building and to improve accessibility and compliance.