Published on Tuesday, 22 April 2025 at 10:33:57 AM
Welcome to #TimeWarpTuesday! This week we bring to you the next part of our mini-series on heritage places from the Town’s Municipal Heritage Inventory published in June 2000.
Heritage Places - Part 12
Carson Street School
Address: 19 Carson Street, East Victoria Park
PH00252-01 The Carson Street School, East Victoria Park, circa 1998.
Photographed by HeritageToday for the Town of Victoria Park Municipal Heritage Inventory, that was published in 2000.
“Historical Notes
“The Carson Street School was formerly known as the Millen School. According to old journals kept by the principal, the School opened on 7 September 1936 with an enrolment of 63 children. The school was converted to a special needs school in 1996 under the name Millen Occupation Centre and then Millen Special School.
“Information from Mrs Eiler Pitt, who taught at the school from 1967-197?, states that the pupils of Carson Street School came from Minbillup Special School (also in Victoria Park). Minbillup was one of the first special schools in the district and catered for all aged children. Minbillup was closed due to unsuitable facilities, when Millen Primary School became available. The older children, twelve and over went to South Kensington and the primary school children were relocated to Carson Street.
“The population of Millen Occupation Centre when it opened in 1967 was approximately 80-90 pupils with 12 students per class. The principal at the time was Miss L Povey. Unlike today (2000) there was very little equipment made for children with special needs. This pressed the teachers into creating their own purpose built aids. In 1985, in an attempt to overcome the negative effects of labelling, it received its present name Carson Street School. Extensive renovations have been done during the 1990s so that severely and multiply disabled students can be appropriately cared for.
“Description
“The Carson Street School is constructed in a style typical of schools during the 1930s. The school is set amongst some tall mature trees. It features red brick to a dado line and then rendered painted brick up to the tiled roof. Large sash windows, some with small panes supply natural light to the classrooms. As the school population expanded so did the buildings. Some timber buildings were erected as well as additional brick classrooms”(1).
Do you have memories of attending or teaching at Carson Street School? Or did you send your children there? We’d love to hear about it and see photographs if you have any. Please get in touch via telephone: 08 9373 5500, email: vicparklibrary@vicpark.wa.gov.au or in person at 27 Sussex Street, East Victoria Park.
#LoveVicPark
Reference:
- Heritage Today 2000, ‘Town of Victoria Park Local Heritage Inventory, Heritage Today, Mount Lawley, pp. 136-139.
PH00252-02 Another view of the Carson Street School, circa 1998.
Photographed by HeritageToday for the Town of Victoria Park Municipal Heritage Inventory, that was published in 2000.
PH00252-03 A view of Carson Street School from the carpark, circa 1998.
Photographed by HeritageToday for the Town of Victoria Park Municipal Heritage Inventory, that was published in 2000.
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