Liverpool Public School - est. 1863

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School history

Liverpool Public School – over 150 years of service to our community

Liverpool Public School is proud of its history. We aim to develop this page into a living history of our school. 

Contributions are welcome from anyone who has been a part of our school – students, staff, or community members. We accept photographs, documents and personal narratives.

Please email contributions to liverpool-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

A brief history of Liverpool Public School

Liverpool Public School opened in October 1863, with Mr Frederick Ransom Seaborn as teacher. The school building was a simple weatherboard structure with shingled roof. Whist there is no record of initial enrolment, by the end of 1863 there were 50 students registered as enrolled.

Read a detailed history of Liverpool Public School (PDF 1473KB) for the period 1863-1940 compiled by the Department of Education’s Division of Research and Planning for Liverpool Public School’s centenary celebration in 1963.

By 1951, Liverpool Central School as it was called, had an enrolment of nearly 2200 students with a teaching staff of 60. During this period, the school grounds were almost entirely covered with portable rooms and the playground was designated as a ‘walk only’ area.

With the opening of Liverpool Girls’ High School in 1954 and Liverpool Boys’ High School in 1955, the secondary sections of the school moved leaving the infants and primary departments to become known as Liverpool Primary School. Read a letter from the Parents and Citizens Association (JPG 312KB) announcing the new name at the beginning of the school year in 1955.

Images from the past

Below are a series of selected images of Liverpool Public School over the years.

Click on each heading to expand the section and view the images.

Where possible, every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the dates provided.

Plans for a new school building – 1870s. The building is now included as part of E Block. Photograph from the NSW State Archives.
Image: Plans for a new school building – 1870s. The building is now included as part of E Block. Photograph from the NSW State Archives.
School building - late 1800s. The building is now included as part of E Block. Photograph from the NSW State Archives.
Image: School building - late 1800s. The building is now included as part of E Block. Photograph from the NSW State Archives.
Celebrating Empire Day – early 1900s. The current library is to the left of the picture and classrooms to the right. Photograph from the Liverpool City Library Heritage Collection.
Image: Celebrating Empire Day – early 1900s. The current library is to the left of the picture and classrooms to the right. Photograph from the Liverpool City Library Heritage Collection.
Compilation of images taken of students and staff in 1917.
Image: Compilation of images taken of students and staff – 1917.
Certificate from the Parramatta Soldier's Memorial in appreciation of the excellent Maypole Display given by students from Liverpool Public School - 1919.
Image: Certificate from the Parramatta Soldier's Memorial in appreciation of the excellent Maypole Display given by students from Liverpool Public School - 1919.
Plaque acknowledging the donation of a new piano to the school by the school’s Mother's Club - 1922.
Image: Plaque acknowledging the donation of a new piano to the school by the school’s Mother's Club - 1922.
Students outside a school building - 1924. The building is now part of the library. Photograph from the heritage collections of Liverpool City Library.
Image: Students outside a school building - 1924. The building is now part of the library. Photograph from the heritage collections of Liverpool City Library.
Looking west from the corner of Bigge and Railway Streets – 1928. The buildings pictured are now known as B Block (left) and library (right). Photograph from the Mitchel Library, State Library of New South Wales.
Image: Looking west from the corner of Bigge and Railway Streets – 1928. The buildings pictured are now known as B Block (left) and library (right). Photograph from the Mitchel Library, State Library of New South Wales.
Looking west from Railway Street - late 1930s or early 1940s. The buildings pictured are now known as B Block (left) and library (right).
Image: Looking west from Railway Street - late 1930s or early 1940s. The buildings pictured are now known as B Block (left) and library (right).
E Block (main) with C Block to the left of the picture - 1960s.
Image: E Block (main) with C Block to the left of the picture - 1960s.
B Block - mid 20th century.
Image: B Block - mid 20th century.
A certificate from the Department of Education recognising 100 years of service to the Liverpool community - 1963.
Image: A certificate from the Department of Education recognising 100 years of service to the Liverpool community - 1963.
Looking west from the current site of Liverpool TAFE - early 1980s. Buildings pictured are now known as C Block (left) and E Block (right).
Image: Looking west from the current site of Liverpool TAFE - early 1980s. Buildings pictured are now known as C Block (left) and E Block (right).
View of A Block from Railway Street - early 1990s.
Image: View of A Block from Railway Street - early 1990s.
Picture of a painting donated to Liverpool Public School by local artist Eric Wilson – mid 1930s.
Image: Painting donated to Liverpool Public School by local artist Eric Wilson – mid 1930s.

About the Painting

The painting is by Eric Wilson, a local artist who grew up in Liverpool. He was born in 1911 and died in 1946.

Eric Wilson won a scholarship in 1937 to study art at the Royal Academy School in London. On his retrun to Australia, he played an important role in the early sharing of cubist ideas and methods during the 1940s.

His artworks are held in collections by the Art Gallery of New South Wales and National Gallery of Victoria. They also feature in private art collections.

The above painting was donated by Eric Wilson to Liverpool Public School circa 1934/35. The painting is of his mother who is standing outside her home, thought to be at the back of the terraces along Macquarie Street in Liverpool.

The Hon. J McGirr MLA and Mrs Pirie next to a weatherboard classroom (left) which was later converted to the OSLO canteen. The Library can be seen to the back left and C Block to the back right. The weatherboard building on the right is unknown - 1950s.
Image: The Hon. J McGirr MLA and Mrs Pirie next to a weatherboard classroom (left) which was later converted to the OSLO canteen. The Library can be seen to the back left and C Block to the back right. The weatherboard building on the right is unknown - 1950s.
OSLO canteen building - assumed 1960s or 1970s.
Image: OSLO canteen building - assumed 1960s or 1970s.
Original OSLO canteen building which was converted into a storage room for sport equipment - assumed 1960s or 1970s.
Image: Original OSLO canteen building which was converted into a storage room for sport equipment - assumed 1960s or 1970s.
View from the playground of A Block under construction between 1988 and 1989.
Image: View from the playground of A Block under construction between 1988 and 1989.
View from the playground of A Block under construction between 1988 and 1989.
Image: View from the playground of A Block under construction between 1988 and 1989.
View from the playground of B Block during construction of A Block between 1988 and 1989.
Image: View from the playground of B Block during construction of A Block between 1988 and 1989.
Grand opening brochure for the newly constructed F Block - 1992.
Image: Grand opening brochure for the newly constructed F Block - 1992.
A Block - after completion of new buildings and refurbishment.
Image: A Block - after completion of new buildings and refurbishment.
B Block - after completion of new buildings and refurbishment.
Image: B Block - after completion of new buildings and refurbishment.
E Block - after completion of new buildings and refurbishment.
Image: E Block - after completion of new buildings and refurbishment.
F Block - after completion of new buildings and refurbishment.
Image: F Block - after completion of new buildings and refurbishment.
School Library - after completion of new buildings and refurbishment.
Image: School Library - after completion of new buildings and refurbishment.
Playground - after completion of new buildings and refurbishment.
Image: Playground - after completion of new buildings and refurbishment.
Playground - after completion of new buildings and refurbishment.
Image: Playground - after completion of new buildings and refurbishment.
Playground - after completion of new buildings and refurbishment.
Image: Playground - after completion of new buildings and refurbishment.
Playground - after completion of new buildings and refurbishment.
Image: Playground - after completion of new buildings and refurbishment.

To coincide with the official opening of Stages 1, 2 and 3 of Liverpool Public School’s refurbishment in 1995, a time capsule was compiled and stored in the school library. It was planned for the time capsule to be reopened at the school’s 150th anniversary celebration in 2013. 

Image of the 1995 time capsule just before opening at the school's 150th anniversary - 2013.
Image: Image of the 1995 time capsule just before opening at the school's 150th anniversary - 2013.

A number of contributions were collected by students and staff for inclusion in the time capsule (PDF 1.1MB).

Click on the individual links below to view some of the items from the time capsule.

Original brick from the Moore Street buildings (JPG 4MB)

Invitation from the school opening (PDF 190KB)

Official program from the school opening (PDF 6.17MB)

Liverpool Public School Prospectus (PDF 7.24MB)

NSW Department of School Education Priorities for 1995 (PDF 529KB)

Canteen price list (PDF 303KB)

School uniform (JPG 997KB)

Beginning Teachers Manual (PDF 41.5MB)

1995 School Management Plan (PDF 21.7MB)

Black and white photographs and negatives – some of these can be viewed in the New Buildings and Refurbishment 1988 to 1995 section above

Memories of 1994 Year Book (PDF 224MB)

Student contributions from each grade and class

School Captain’s speech (PDF 727KB)

Liverpool after school activities (PDF 578KB)

Hearing Support Unit “Trip to Cooma” article

Students and staff of Liverpool Public School posing in the shape of 150 for the school's 150th anniversary - 2013.
Image: Students and staff of Liverpool Public School posing in the shape of 150 for the school's 150th anniversary - 2013.
A certificate from the Department of Education and Communities recognising 150 years of service to the Liverpool community - 2013.
Image: A certificate from the Department of Education and Communities recognising 150 years of service to the Liverpool community - 2013.

Celebrating 150 years of learning in 2013

Liverpool Public School celebrated its 150th anniversay in 2013.

A heritage day was held on Tuesday 30 July 2013 as part of our year of celebration. The school was transformed back in time as students and staff spent a day discovering what school life was like in 1863. 

An open day was held on Saturday 19 October 2013 and well attended by many current and former students, staff and community members. Our local member of parliament presented our school with a certificate of appreciation for 150 years of learning.

Liverpool Public School's youngest student and oldest ex-student cut the celebration cake.
Image: Liverpool Public School's youngest student and oldest ex-student cut the celebration cake.
Unveiling of the 150th anniversary plaque by school leaders and special guests.
Image: Liverpool Public School 150th anniversary plaque with school leaders and (left to right) Susan Walkerden – principal, Pat Mahony – School Education Director, Paul Lynch MP – Member for Liverpool, Chief Superintendent Gillam – Liverpool Police, Lyn McShane – former principal, and John Thorpe – former principal.
Aerial view of Liverpool Public School - 2000.
Image: Aerial view of Liverpool Public School - 2000.
A Block - 2022.
Image: A Block - 2022.
B Block - 2022.
Image: B Block - 2022.
C Block - 2022.
Image: C Block - 2022.
E Block - 2022.
Image: E Block - 2022.
H Block (built as part of the Building the Education Revolution program in 2010) - 2022.
Image: H Block (built as part of the Building the Education Revolution program in 2010) - 2022.
Library - 2022.
Image: Library - 2022.
Looking south from the playground - 2022. The library is on the left, B Block is in the centre and A Block to the right with the shade sail in front.
Image: Looking south from the playground - 2022. The library is on the left, B Block is in the centre and A Block to the right with the shade sail in front.

Further information on the history of Liverpool and Liverpool Public School

The following websites offer further opportunities to find our more about the history of our school and local area: 

Liverpool City Library – local and family history

City of Liverpool and District Historical Society

Related content

Liverpool Public School - est. 1863

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We would like to pay our respects and acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and also pay respect to Elders both past and present.

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