9-11 Alfred Crescent, Fitzroy North (Alfred Crescent / Fitzroy North Primary School)

The Alfred Crescent Primary School was constructed in 1875 and opened in the same year. It is one of the oldest schools in Melbourne.

“This building was constructed in 1875 by Geoffrey O’Connell contractor for 3,331 pounds and dramatically altered in 1925-26” by Phillip Bros. “At this date large rectangular windows replaced the former paired arched windows and drastically and detrimentally altered the elevations. The tower is the only component that is more or less intact. The building is constructed in red brick with some diaper patterning and bands of cream brick. The roof, formerly slate, has been replaced by Marseilles tiles. This building provides an attractive streetscape element to Alfred Crescent and is important in a local context.” (North Fitzroy Conservation Study 1978). (Glossary) There is more information in the Study about the School. Notably, it suggests that the Architect may have been Evan Smith.

In 1882 and 1883 the school was used for voting in the elections.

In September 1888, the Weekly Courier reported “A case of peculiar assault came under the notice of the Fitzroy Bench on Thursday, when William Arnold, an assistant teacher in the Alfred Crescent School, charged Cecelia Gresham with the offence mentioned. Mrs Gresham is the mother of a boy named Percy, and he attended Mr Arnold’s class. He was frequently late and the teacher chastised him for his offence. Every time he received a castigation he reported the matter to his mother and elicited her sympathy. At last Mrs Gresham determined to catch Mr Arnold flogging her son, so she sent him late to school. She then followed her boy and hid behind the door. At the first stroke of Mr Arnold’s cane, Percy Gresham gave the signal of distress to his mother. She then sprang out of her hiding place and belabored the unfortunate usher with her umbrella. Finding that the schoolmaster held the cane she snatched that weapon for juvenile punishment from his hand and gave Mr Arnold a sound thrashing with it. Then assistance was obtained and the irate Mrs Gresham was removed to the head teacher’s room. She was ultimately pacified and left the school with her son Percy. A cross summons was issued by Mrs Gresham against Mr Arnold for assault on her son, but this was dismissed, the Bench holding that the master was exercising a discretion with which he was vested. Mrs Gresham, however, was fined 40s, with 3 pounds and 3s costs”.

In March 1894, The Fitzroy City Press reported that a boy, Sydney Turnbull, aged 14 years was charged with stealing two school-bags from the School. He was found out when he tried to sell them to Mrs Robinson, the wife of a second hand dealer at the corner of Argyle and Brunswick Streets.

In August of the same year, the school performed in the Fitzroy Schools Relief Concert along with other schools in the area at the Fitzroy Town Hall. “The Grand March by the boys and girls of the Alfred-crescent school was an innovation at these concerts, and a very pleasing one.” Reported the Fitzroy Press.

And at the end of 1894, the head master Mr Tobin retired (Mercury & Weekly Courier, 8 Nov 1894).

In March 1898, the Fitzroy Schools Board of Advice conducted their annual inspection and found that the playgrounds were unsatisfactory (The Herald, 4 Mar 1898) and in December 1900 the school appears to have been granted funds for a flag and flag pole to be erected (The Age, 5 Dec 1900).