Dalkeith Primary School

"It is a fantastic place for learning"

"The Dalkeith Primary School has aesthetic, social, historic and representative cultural heritage value. For many years the school bas provided a sense of stability to the education of the local children. Architectural qualities of the building include a sense of 'Australianess' that is common to many school buildings constructed in this era with wide verandahs providing necessary shade. Other elements such as the small paned sash windows and symmetrical facade complement the setting of the school in the middle of a residential area of similarly solid designed homes. Dalkeith Primary School was built owing to increasing population pressure on Claremont and Nedlands Primary Schools. After a number of sites were considered for the school the present location was chosen in 1936. Reasons for the choice of this site was its central location away from traffic. In order for the school to be built 14 residential blocks were resumed. Enrolments at the Infants School, on its official opening day on 7 June 1938, were low. Thirty six students attended, though facilities allowed for 100 pupils. Two teachers were employed, Thelma Potter and Kathleen Heaney, who was appointed headmistress. Enrolments had risen by the end of the first year. A history of the school shows an active parent body, who through the Parents and Citizens Association (P&C), continually helped improve facilities at the school. World War II encouraged community involvement in fundraising as well as protection schemes such as trenches and drills in ease of air raids. Immediately following the war the P & C were again active. By 1953, enrolments at Dalkeith Primary School were approximately 300, putting pressure on the classrooms. In 1955, Dalkeith was promoted to full Primary School status. Soon after, facilities were expanded with new classrooms and a library. After a lower population of children came through the school in the 1960s, enrolments increased again in the 1970s (peaking in 1977at 474). Changes supported by the P & C included a swimming pool (1971) and Library Resource Centre (1977). By 1988 enrolments were around 270 students. A wen known family connected to Dalkeith Primary was the Court family. Sir Charles (premier of WA during the 1970s and early 80s) and Lady Court sent their 5 children to the school. Today (1998). one son, Richard Court, is also Premier of WA as well as patron of Dalkeith Primary School"

"Meh it was good"

"As a student who has graduated from this school I could easily say that looking back, the school was trying to be too much like a private school. I did not enjoy my time there, they do not reinforce basic skills like good handwriting and good reading habits."

"Great independent primary school. Resources and teachers are very high standard. My two kids are very happy here and refuses to go anywhere else (although, I could be heavily mistaken if the one star reviewer is a pseudonym for one of my kids)."