Kangaroo Point State School | Kangaroo Point and Districts History Group

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Can you imagine the cliffs of Kangaroo Point without St Mary’s and without Kangaroo Point Park?

The top of the cliffs was actually the site of the first school at Kangaroo Point, built in 1861, twelve years before St Mary’s.

**Looking up at the Kangaroo Point Cliffs ca. 1916. (State Library of Queensland)**

Part of the barge Pamba is visible in the front, then the Naval Stores at the bottom of the cliffs, and St Mary’s and Kangaroo Point School on top of the cliffs.

Kangaroo Point School ca. 1890. (Queensland State Archives)

Kangaroo Point School opened as a non-vested (Church of England) school in 1861. It came under the control of the Board of Education in 1867 and consisted of a boys department and a girls department. A separate Girls and Infants school opened on 2 March 1874. This was replaced by the Kangaroo Point Girls School and the Kangaroo Point Infants School which both opened on 20 January 1890. The Kangaroo Point Girls School closed on 28 April 1950 and amalgamated with the Boys and Infants schools to become the Kangaroo Point State School. This school closed on 30 June 1965. (SLQ)

Here’s an overview of its interesting history.

1861
Kangaroo Point School opened by the Church of England, for girls only.
1867
The Board of Education took over, at that time it consisted of a boys and girls department.
2 March 1874
A separate Kangaroo Point Girls and Infants School opened.
20 January 1890
Kangaroo Point Infants State School opened, replacing the previous schools of 1874.
28 April 1950
Kangaroo Point State Boys School, Kangaroo Point Girls School and Kangaroo Point Infants School closed and amalgamated.
1 May 1950
Kangaroo Point State School opened.
30 June 1965
Kangaroo Point State School closed – to make way for the Kangaroo Point TAFE. (Source: Qld State Archives)

Aerial view of Kangaroo Point ca. 1930. (State Library of Queensland)

This photograph was taken above the intersection of River Terrace and Main Street, Kangaroo Point, with Quinton Street on the right. Children can be seen in the grounds of Kangaroo Point State School. (Description supplied with photograph SLQ #10298)

Clock from Kangaroo Point State School. (supplied)

This article describes how students at Kangaroo Point State School celebrated Arbor Day in 1891.Arbor Day 1891 celebrations at Kangaroo Point State School. (Telegraph 2 May1891)

The school closed on 30 June 1965 to make way for the Kangaroo Point TAFE college

Children singing for the Duke and Duchess of York in Brisbane 1901.(State Library of Queensland)

Girls from the Kangaroo Point Girls State School feature in the special concert of 5000 children performing for the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York during his visit to Brisbane in May 1901 as part of Australia’s Federation Celebrations.

‘Five thousand children singing to the Duke and Duchess in the Domain.
Students from the Kangaroo Point Girls State School can be seen in the front row dancing on a platform around a maypole next to another group of maypole dancers. Many of the boys are wearing sailor suits and are waving Australian flags or Union Jacks. A band is playing in front of the platform. (description and image: SLQ 185964)

The tour of the Empire had originally been planned by his father Prince Albert, Prince of Wales and his wife Alexandra. However, due to the death of Queen Victoria on 22 January 1901, his tour was cancelled to prepare for his coronation as King Edward VII in 1902. His son, Prince George, Prince of Cornwall and York was appointed to tour instead. His major official role was to open the first Commonwealth Parliament in Melbourne.

The Duke and his wife Mary visited Brisbane from 20-25 May where the Federation celebrations continued. Official duties included laying the Foundation stone for St John’s Cathedral and opening the Brisbane Agricultural Show.

The Duke became King George V in 1910 after the death of his father, Edward VII on 6 May 1910. After his death on 20 January 1936 Brisbane’s Albert Square was re-named King George Square in his honour.

Wonder Boy at Kangaroo Point State School.

In 1949 the first refugee boy in Queensland learns English at Kangaroo Point State School.

Leone E. Ms Joyce Millingen was my brother’s and my first teacher in 1950 and 1951 respectively at Kangaroo Point State School. Mr. Croft was the Headmaster at the School and we remember him well for his strictness.
George G. Joyce Millingen was my first grade teacher in 1953.
Leone E. Hi George, We all probably knew one another. When the record player wasn’t functioning properly from the headmaster’s office, I used to play marching music on the piano to march the pupils from morning parade into school!!
Neville B. From “Brisbane’s problem child” to “wonder boy”, a revealing take by the journalist in 1949. Nevertheless, an important insight on the early start for teaching English as a second language, before ESL programs were formally thought about.

Some Sporting Achievements of students.
In the 1922 season the school football club played 17 matches, and won 17, scoring 90 goals against 7. (The Week (Brisbane) 3 November 1922 page 17)

Winners of the British Schools Premiership 1922. (The Week, Brisbane, 3 November 1922)

Back Row: V. Nicol. S. Thompson. B. Wiggins, E. Brown (vice-captain), F.Venamoro. Second Row: A. Skirving. jnr., J. Cox. L. Armstrong (secretary), M. Morgan, W. Armstrong. Sitting: L. Taylor, A. Skirving (president), J. Salmon (captain), H.L. Jackson (headmaster). G. Watson, K. Thompson (mascot).