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Junior Technical School
References pending
The former Junior Technical School on Newcastle Street in West Perth was constructed in 1890 and remains one of the area's oldest surviving educational buildings. Despite its historical significance, much of the building is now covered in graffiti, detracting from its architectural character and obscuring century old features.
Graffiti management
The building is located within the City of Vincent. The contrast between Vincent and the neighbouring City of Perth is certainly noticeable when it comes to graffiti management. The City of Perth takes a more proactive approach, undertaking graffiti removal from both Council-owned assets and eligible private properties. As a result, graffiti is generally removed more quickly and does not remain visible for extended periods.
By comparison, Vincent's approach places greater responsibility on property owners, with the City primarily providing assistance through reporting programs and graffiti removal kits. The difference becomes particularly visible along William Street in Northbridge, where the transition from the City of Perth into Vincent is marked by a noticeable increase in graffiti on buildings, walls and other surfaces. In some cases, graffiti has remained in place for up to a decade without being removed.
The condition of the former Junior Technical School raises important questions about how historic buildings are managed and protected. While a heritage listing can recognise a building's significance, ongoing maintenance and the prompt removal of vandalism are equally important in preserving its appearance and historical integrity.
January 2021
Ownership responsibility
The former Junior Technical School is not privately owned. It remains in State Government ownership through the VET (WA) Ministerial Corporation, which is responsible for holding and managing vocational education and training properties on behalf of the State.
While this does not necessarily mean there is a dedicated budget available for graffiti removal, responsibility for the building's maintenance, security, repairs and overall condition ultimately rests with the corporation. This includes addressing vandalism and preventing unnecessary deterioration.
If a building is recognised for its heritage significance, should ownership alone be enough, or should there also be an ongoing commitment to protecting and maintaining it?
Addressing the graffiti does not necessarily require a major restoration project. Relatively simple measures such as regular inspections, prompt graffiti removal, improved lighting, protective coatings, security measures and basic maintenance could significantly improve the building's appearance and help discourage further vandalism.
In the long term, one of the most effective ways to protect heritage buildings is to keep them occupied and in active use. Whether through educational, community or commercial purposes, buildings that are regularly used and maintained are generally far less vulnerable to vandalism, neglect and ongoing deterioration.
June 2024
History
The old Newcastle Street Junior Technical School is one of Perth’s most significant buildings, representing more than a century of change to the education system. The site evolved through several distinct phases, starting as a church-operated school in the late nineteenth century before becoming a government primary school and later a technical training institution.
The school's origins can be traced to the establishment of St John’s Church of England Day School, which is believed to have opened on 21 January 1889. It was established to serve the growing population of West Perth and was one of the colony’s few non-Catholic assisted schools. Early inspection reports described the accommodation as temporary and unsuitable, a result of the limited resources available during the early years.
January 2025
Compulsory education
The school was taken over by the Education Department in 1895 and became the West Perth Public School., as a result of widespread reforms to Western Australia's education system. The change coincided with increasing enrolments driven by compulsory education and the population growth associated with the Gold Boom.
In November 1895, plans were prepared by Public Works Department architect Charles Rosenthal, for a new government school building to replace the site’s earlier facilities. Construction commenced in 1896 and the building was completed on 31 July 1897. The heritage buildings standing today date from this period.
Records from the Public Works Department identify R. Bunning as the contractor, while a Government Gazette notice awarded the contract to Cohen & Wright for £2,400.
The new public school building featured a limestone basement, brick and stucco walls, prominent gables and chimneys. The sloping site allowed for an elevated main floor above an arcade and basement level, creating one of the more distinctive school designs of the period.
Shortly after the building was completed, increasing enrolments created further pressure for expansion. In 1897, architect Hillson Beasley prepared plans for a separate infants' school. Constructed by Lake & Gurr, the new building opened on 5 September 1898 at a cost of £1,292.
Further additions followed over the next decade. A brick classroom designed by Beasley was added in 1900 for approximately £469. In 1902, a major first-floor addition costing £1,913 4s was constructed above the main school building. At the time, the addition of an entire upper storey to a school building was extremely unusual in Western Australia and later, became one of the key reasons for the site's heritage significance. Further additions to the infants' school were completed in 1906 at a cost of £559 19s 5d.
December 2025
Renaming the school
The school underwent several name changes as a result of reforms in education administration.
Originally established as the St John's Church of England Day School, it became West Perth Public School following a government takeover in 1895, before being renamed again in March 1897 to the Newcastle Street School. During the early twentieth century it was also known as Newcastle Street State School and later became commonly referred to as Newcastle Street Government School.
By the 1920s, falling enrolments left parts of the school underutilised, while Perth's growing technical education system was struggling to find sufficient accommodation. In September 1926, the government announced plans to close the Newcastle Street school and convert the site into a junior technical school.
The decision proved controversial. Parents objected to the closure and petitioned the government to keep the school open. Despite these efforts, it closed on 26 August 1927.
Plans for the conversion were prepared under John Melvin James Tait (also known as John Melbourne Tait), Principal Architect of the Public Works Department. Tenders were called in November 1927 and the contract was awarded to A. Woolhouse for £1,469.
Former classrooms were adapted for science teaching, metalworking, woodwork, manual training and technical drawing, with a blacksmith's shop also added.
At the same time, a replacement infants' school was constructed on the site on land previously acquired from the Wesleyan trustees. Built by J. Lake, the new building cost £3,771 11s 6d. It has since been demolished.
December 2025
Opening the technical school
The new Perth Junior Technical School officially opened on 21 May 1929 and soon became an annexe of the Technical Education Department. Although officially known as Perth Junior Technical School, it later became widely known as the Newcastle Street Junior Technical School.
For more than 50 years, the school provided practical and vocational education, focusing on subjects such as metalwork, woodwork, drawing and science, helping prepare students for apprenticeships and employment in industry and the trades.
The site continued to remain active throughout the twentieth century. Student exhibitions, concerts, scholarship programs and technical classes regularly featured in newspaper reports.
Land owners
Ownership of the land also changed hands over time. The original school occupied part of Perth Town Lot Y261, which had been transferred to George Dent in 1874. Adjacent Perth Town Lot Y262 was transferred in 1878 to William Love and the Wesleyan and Methodist trustees.
As the school expanded, the government progressively acquired adjoining land through resumptions and purchases between the 1890s and early twentieth century. Additional land was purchased from the Wesleyan trustees in 1909 to address ongoing space shortages. Further acquisitions occurred during the 1970s and 1990s as the technical school expanded.
By 1997, the property had been vested in the Minister for Training. Under the current Vocational Education and Training Act 1996, responsibility for vocational education and training property rests with the VET (WA) Ministerial Corporation, meaning the site remains effectively under State vocational training ownership rather than private ownership.
January 2026
Closing the school
The exact closure date of the technical school remains unclear. Official sources differ slightly, with some stating the school operated until the 1990s and others suggesting it remained open until around 2000. By 2001 it had been leased to Edith Cowan University for use by the Academy of Performing Arts. Later occupants included CIA Studios, while heritage records also indicate use by Central TAFE.
Heritage listing
Recognition of the site's heritage significance came on 14 December 2001 when it was permanently entered on the State Register of Heritage Places.
The Heritage Council recognised the site for its aesthetic, historic, social and architectural significance. It was considered important for demonstrating the evolution of education in Western Australia, from church-assisted schooling to government education and later technical training. The buildings were also recognised as a local landmark and for containing rare architectural features, particularly the unusual 1902 first-floor addition to the former senior school.
May 2026
