National School (Warwick East State School)

The Warwick National School was established at the instigation of George Leslie of Canning Downs and he chose the first Headmaster and Headmistress. They were Mr. and Mrs. George Abbott, who were sent to train at the Model Training School at Fort Street, Sydney. The Abbott's were educated people who came from England in 1849, but they had not previously been teachers. Persons of intelligence were considered to be an asset to the developing colony and were encouraged to seek any opportunity.

A small school was in existence near Warwick before this time and this was also an initiative of George Leslie. This school was in a converted shepherd's (photo) hut in a position midway between Canning Downs and Rosenthal and served the children of these stations. The teacher was George Lewis, at a time possibly between 1847-48 and 1850.

Following this came the establishment of the first school, by the Board of National Education, on Allotment 1 of Section 17, sold on October 25th 1850, at a rental of 1/- (10c) per annum. This is the ground on which the East Warwick School now stands. The first master here was Jonathan Harris along with his wife (how also taught at the school) and two children who came to Warwick by bullock dray in 1855 to become the first head teachers at the National School, who also had the privilege of taking scholars as private boarders, his charge being 65 pounds per annum each. This school practically absorbed all of Mr. Lewis' scholars. Among the first boarders were Ralph and Alexander Reid, William Collins, by brother George and myself (Patrick).

The first National School was built to a specific six-room design, which combined teaching areas and living quarters for the teacher and his family. The new school was completed and opened November 4th 1850, and was the first National School in what was later to become Queensland. The slab building was the work of William Craig.

The National School received their initial supplies of books from George Rusden, a traveling salesman who was employed by the

National Board of Education to encourage the development of schools. He traveled 10,000 miles on horseback in just over 2 years and was pleased to find at Warwick an almost completed school.

A new brick building was constructed at the National School in 1864. After falling into a state of disrepair the original old timber structure was auctioned off for removal in 1877. Successive floods between 1860's - 80's has necessitated the moving of the CBD from Albion Street to Palmerin Street, however active lobbying for the relocation of the school did not commence till 1911. Applications were unfortunately refused.

An elevated timber addition was constructed in 1913 but completely guttered by fire in 1914, destroying many valuable records. The building was replaced May 1915 and a new wing added in 1934 for use as an infant's school. In the late 1940's an ex army building was purchased for a library and assembly but was later removed and progressively replaced by the existing northern wing.

The library is now in a separate building between the 1864 building and this new wing. A pre-school block was added in the 1970's. At the height of the 1976 flood only the roof of the old brick building was visible.