Redan Primary School

Redan Primary School is a government school, located on the north east corner of Alfred and Hertford Streets. It is no longer in the area currently defined as Redan.

History
Details of the end of year prizes in December 1879: "REDAN STATE SCHOOL. A very pleasing ceremony took place at the above named school yesterday (Friday), at 1 o’clock; the occasion being the distribution of prizes to those of the scholars who had proved themselves to be the most proficient in the various subjects, the best in attendance, and for the best conduct. Mr Whyte, the head teacher, in opening the proceedings, dilated on the advantages of regular attendance, that after all being the grand secret of success. He explained the principles on which the distribution was made, and stated that any person was at liberty to look at the roll-book to show that all was equitable. Mr Hedges, correspondent of the Board of Advice presided, and distributed the prizes, Messrs Ellsworth and Smith, members of the board being also present. The following is the prize-list;—Upper 6th, 6th, and 5th Classes —General efficiency—Rachel Davies, Abigail Swan, Amy Ellsworthy. Regular attendance - James Bell; Emily Harvey. Favorite boy—Thomas Davey. Favorite girl—Lucy Atkins. Drawing, special—Robt. Taylor, William M'Dougall. Mapping—Catherine M'Dougall. 5th—General efficiency—James Collins, Ernest Jermyn, Mary Dunstan, Madeline Rollan. Regular attendance - James Collins, Elizabeth Kent. Singing—Alfred Williams, John Davies. 5th class —Drawing—Mary Dunstan, Margaret Rollan, Mr Martells prizes; Margaret M’Dougall, mapping. 4th class—General efficiency—Edward Lock, Elijah Atkins, Jane Northey, William Clemence, William Symons. Regular attendance—William Symons, Flora Beech. Favorite girl—-Kate Pearce. Favorite boy- Alfred Davey. Drawing --Sarah Dunstan. Special prizes for amiability (given by Mrs Cutler) — Elizabeth Barnett and Elizabeth Davies- 3rd class -General efficiency - John Davies, William M'Bride, Alice S. Tanbury, Eliza Griffiths, Alice Michelle. Regular attendance—Elizabeth Griffiths, William Roberts, Mary A. Rolands. The above ended the list of the prizes; many of them were exceedingly valuable, the books being well chosen; other prizes (being very appropriate) were given to the junior classes, pleasing the little ones immensely. About 100 of the youngest, who were too young or unsuccessful, were each recipients of a good packet of lollies. A few appropriate remarks were made by the chairman, and by Messrs Ellsworth and Smith, and a merry Christmas bid to all, Mr Ellsworth calling for three cheers for the head teacher, Mr Whyte, and three more for the assistants, which was most lustily responded to by the boys. This closed the proceedings."

In July 1892 the Education Department proposed turning the school into an infant school. This was fiercely opposed by the residents of Redan at a public meeting: MEETING OF PARENTS AT REDAN. A meeting of parents and others interested was held last evening at the Temperance Hall, Rubicon Street, to protest against the reducing of the status of the Redan State school. Mr E. Jermyn, the convener of the meeting, was voted to the chair. The Chairman explained the reasons for which the meeting had been called. They intended to put their foot against the proposal to make the Redan school an infant school. Last year there were 512 on the roll and the average attendance was 385. At present there were 455 on the roll, but this number would doubtless increase when the weather became fine. He announced having received apologies from Messrs M. Butterly and J. W. Kirton, M’s.L.A., who had both expressed themselves as opposed to any alteration of the present status of the schools at Redan and Sebastopol.

Mr. R. T. Yale, M.L.A, stated that when he had heard of proposed changes in the status of schools of Ballarat West he had at once written to Mr Peacock, the Minister of Education. He had pointed out that the school population was increasing, that the schools were filled to their utmost capacity, and he hoped there would be no alteration. Subsequent to writing he had waited on the Minister and on Mr Brodribb, the Secretary, and pointed out the position. He (Mr Vale) had urged that there would be no retrenchment by the proposed alterations. There would be no economy in the amalgamation of the Redan and Sebastopol schools. (Hear, hear.) He believed in economy, but he said they did not want their educational system spoilt. (Applause.) He had children and his own, and he wished to see them have every advantage. Under the plea of retrenchment he was afraid that changes would be made that would not be in accord with the wishes of the masses of the people. (Hear, hear.) He had kept his eyes open, and he could give them a promise that he would endeavor to see that nothing was done that was contrary to their wishes. (Applause)

The Rev. James Lowe moved, “ That the Redan State school No. 1289 as it exists at present is necessary to meet the requirements of the growing population in the neighborhood, and that the intention to reduce it to the status of an infant school is detrimental to the educational welfare of the children and the best interests of Redan.” The mover said it was a most unjust and unfair thing to ask the children of the district to tramp such a distance along dirty Albert street. (Applause.) The people of Victoria did not object to the expense of the Education Act. The mistake had been in erecting buildings in places where there was not sufficient population to fill them. He thought they had a clear and just resolution to place before the Minister. If there was to be a change he thought the Sebastopol school should be the infant school, because there was a much larger at attendance of children at the Redan school. (Hear, hear.) Mr Hooker seconded the resolution, and thought the proposal to alter the status of the school was a great injustice. The motion was carried unanimously, Mr Lukeis moved— "That a copy of the above resolution be forwarded to the members of the district, requesting them to urge upon the Minister of Education the necessity of making no alterations." They were acting in the right direction, and he hoped the resolution would have the desired effect. Mr Alfred Shugg seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Several votes of thanks were passed, and the meeting closed.

In December 1914, a former head teacher gave a talk about his recent trip to England and Europe: "LECTURE AT RUBICON STREET HALL. On Saturday evening next, at Rubicon Street Hall, in compliance with a request made by the Redan School Committee, Mr J. Ingamells, who has recently returned from a tour through Great Britain and Europe, will tell his former pupils, parents, and friends a little of what he saw in those countries. From the time of the reopening of the Redan State school-which far some years had been an adjunct of the Sebastopol school--until the end of 1913, Mr Ingamells was its head teacher. Musical and elocutionary items will be rendered by teachers and pupils."

On 21 September 1916, the school held a fundraising "Patriotic Fair": "REDAN SCHOOL. The patriotic fair at the Redan State school, held on Thursday, was successful beyond the hopes of the promoters. It was held in the Rubicon street hall, and was opened in the afternoon by the Mayor of the City, Cr. W. D. Hill, who spoke of his interest in the school on account of his residence in the locality for 50 years, and also because his children had attained success there. A congratulatory address was given by Mr Chatham, M.L.A., whose son was an old pupil of the school. About £80 was realised by the efforts that have been made by the pupils, teachers and friends. A note of encouragement was struck by the Director of Education Mr F. Tate who visited the fair in the afternoon, accompanied by Inspector Hurley and Mrs Hurley. Much interest was evoked by the ceremony of coronation in the evening when Miss Olive Scopie, of the V Grade - teacher Miss R. Oaff - was crowned Queen by Miss C. Alroe, in the absence of Cr Hopkins who was ill. The crown which was the work of Mr H. B. Williamson, head teacher, was carried by Miss Elva Bayly, and the supporters of the Queen were Jean Kittlety, Ethel Sandall, and Linda Bridson. Patriotic songs were sung by the senior girls, the accompaniments being played by Miss D. Williamson. The stall holders were :— Cake and Lolly Stall— Miss C. Alroe, Mesdames Smith and Rowsell. Produce Stall- Miss Straight, Mesdames H. and J. Williams. Fancy and Work Stall — Miss O. Sullivan, Mesdames Rickard and Bayly. Flower Stall- Misses E. Hill and Groves. Refreshment Stall - Miss Oaff, Mesdames Scopie and Kitchin. Shooting Gallery - Mr P. Cross and Jack Braidie."

Redan Old Scholars' Association
The Redan Old Scholars' Association held an annual reunion. In April 1934 the planned for the school's jubilee celebrations: "Redan School Reunion. In continuation of their jubilee reunion the Redan State school old scholars held the annual meeting and dinner at the Wattle Cafe on Monday. Receipts for the year were £65/12/7, with a credit balance of £24/13/3. A suggestion that the association should join with the Sebastopol association was rejected Mrs. A. Allchin was elected president, Mr. S. Lukeis, Mrs J. Robertson, Mr. C. Copperwaite, and Mr. J. Northy vice-presidents, Mrs W. Ratcliffe secretary, and Mrs. S. Lukeis treasurer."

Redan Primary School scholars

 * John Gillies Waite Ellis
 * Wallis Hicks
 * Olivia Scopie (1916)

Redan Primary School teachers
"It will be learned with deep regret by many of the older residents of Ballarat that Mrs L. Whyte died this week at her residence, Camberwell. Mr Whyte will be remembered as having been at one time in charge of the Redan State school, where he achieved a reputation for securing percentages unsurpassed by any other school in the State. Mr Whyte predeceased, his wife by about four years."
 * Mr. J. Ingamells, (1913), head teacher.
 * Miss M. A. O'Sullivan, 1911-1938, kindergarten teacher.
 * Miss R. Oaff (1916) - teacher.
 * Arthur Samuels (1884) - former assistant teacher, died of typhoid in Horsham, June 1884.
 * Mr. L. Whyte :
 * H. B. Williams (1916) - head teacher.