Mid-Western one-teacher schoolhouse entered on heritage register

28/8/95

One of the few remaining one teacher schoolhouses in the State's Mid-West has been permanently listed on the State Register of Heritage Places.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said Alma School in Northampton had played an important role in the history of the area, as a school, and more recently as a community centre.

"It is representative of the style of single room schools built during the early part of the century in rural Western Australia," Mr Lewis said.

Alma School was built during 1914 and 1915 on the corner of Rob and Chilimony Roads and opened for classes in 1916.

It replaced a timber classroom and teachers' quarters constructed in 1905 on the Geraldine-Northampton Road at Udandarra Brook which had been relocated to a site near the existing building in 1910.

Mr Lewis said the establishment of a school at Alma was first requested by four local farming families in 1904 because of the distance their 16 children had to travel to get to school in Northampton.

"The seven to 12 kilometre journey prompted concern that children in the area could grow up without an education," the Minister said.

In 1956 Alma School was officially closed and local residents purchased the building from the Education Department for £120.

The residents wanted to establish the schoolhouse as a focal point for community activities, including the traditional children's Christmas tree.

Alma School is a compact, rectangular shaped, single room building with a steeply pitched roof.

"Positioned on a rise under the branches of a large ghost gum tree, the school is an impressive landmark," Mr Lewis said.

"It is also highly valued by the local community as a place where educational and social activities have taken place for nearly 80 years."

The building is in excellent condition and all repairs have been done in a manner sympathetic to conserving its cultural heritage values.

The Minister said Alma School was a reminder of educational services in the Mid-West region of the State during the first half of the 20th century.

"In 1992 only five one-teacher schools were operating in the whole of WA, but unlike the situation in the past, today the schools are staffed by a full-time and a part-time teacher," Mr Lewis said.

Media contact:  Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595 or 221 1377