Incredible photographs show what school was like for Australian children more than a century ago.
Old Guildford Public School, in Sydney’s western suburbs, is celebrating their 150 years this month and has released dated pictures to unveil their extensive history.
The classrooms of 100 years ago are a world away from the learning experiences of a modern Old Guildford student.
The stringent ‘no hat, no play’ rule was nowhere to be seen as classes were often held outside, in direct contact with the beaming sun.
When overcrowding became too much of a burden, students were taken to a local church hall for their lessons.
BEFORE: Students of Old Guildford Public School, in Sydney’s western suburbs, enjoy a lesson outside in the sunshine
AFTER: The outside learning space has been updated to protect children from the sun, reinforcing ‘not hat, not play’ rules
BEFORE: The wide and empty road lining the school grounds was a ghost town compared to today’s bustling streets
AFTER: Cars are seen driving along the road in front of the school grounds, where a 40km/h school zone is in place
BEFORE: Teacher and students of stand on Woodville Road in front of new building constructed in 1904
AFTER: Woodville Road now has traffic lights, painted lines on the road and there are tall green fences protecting the school
The wide and empty Woodville Road, which lines the school grounds, was a ghost town when compared to today’s bustling western Sydney traffic and 40km/h school zones.
Among the changes to the playground, Old Guildford Public School is now fitted with shade sails, and shelter to protect students from the sun while playing.
The school uniform has also been given an upgrade, allowing female students to dress in shorts and pants for a game of handball.
One historic picture shows students salute the Union Jack, which was flown until 1901 when Australians began to use the Southern Cross as a sign of their budding nationalism.
Today’s national flag was recognised as the Australian National Flag in the Flags Act 1953.
The application for Guildford Provisional School was accepted on July 1, 1869, after a local resident sought to expand his private school.
There were 38 families in the area in 1867 when resident Richard Lawrence ran lessons in a small room at his cottage.
In May 1869, Mr Lawrence sought the support of the Guildford community to recommend him as a suitable teacher to run a school of 18 students – despite being untrained.
BEFORE: Students form a circle and play a game in the bare school playground shade sails, and shelter to protect students from the sun while playing
AFTER: The playground has transformed with shade sails, and shelter to protect students from the sun while playing
BEFORE: Students of Guildford salute the flag, a Union Jack. Today’s Australian flag was adopted in 1953
AFTER: This image shows the bell from the preceding dated photograph is still intact
BEFORE: A news paper snipping compares the school 60 years earlier. In this image, the school had 340 students, hundreds more than the 30 pupils when the school was built
AFTER: The colourful classroom is fitted with plastic desks and chairs. There are decorative educational posters stuck across the walls
The provisional school was accepted but by 1875 the community were not satisfied with Mr Lawrence and applied for the school to be converted into a public school, where a trained and qualified teacher would be hired.
They promised 62 children and a new piece of land.
Henry Whitaker, a successful winemaker who built a homestead called ‘Orchardleigh’ and developed his property as vineyards, offered an acre of land to the new school.
Guildford Public School was opened on January 24, 1877, and enrolments continued to grow in the years proceeding.
Old Guildford Public School, in Sydney’s western suburbs, is celebrating their 150 years this month and has released dated pictures to unveil their extensive history
Two young girls and boys are formally dressed for school. The boys don suspenders and bow ties while the girls are in skirts
Students run around the school playground during their lunch break in 2019. The school colours are green and maroon
By 1904 the school needed to accommodate 120 students and was forced to demolish the old building to build a bigger school – which was modern for its time.
The school’s multicultural history stretches back to the 1950s when the government funded the current infants buildings to take children from the Westbridge migrant hostel at Villawood.
In 2018, the school had 499 students from preschool to year six enroled. Of the students, 98 per cent came from a non-English speaking background.
Guildford was home to the first KFC store when the American fast food giant opened its doors in Australia.
Students at Old Guildford Public School pose for school photos in 1959. The uniforms are a world away from the 2019 dress code
A picture from the modern school playground shows coloured benches and a race car painted on the wall
Students of Guildford Public School on the western side of the school building at around 1905
An outdoor kitchen at Old Guildford Public School is now enjoyed by students and teachers
Students smile in 1939, more than 50 years after the school first opened its doors in 1869