The School House
The predominant feature of the site is the original school house, which has undergone renovations since its development but remains true almost to its original design. This impressive edifice was built in 1878 by architect George Mansfield and is listed by the State Heritage Register. The one storey building is built from brick with stone cellar and a Gothic pitch roof made of corrugated iron.
Its refined level of design and attention to detail indicate the degree of attention paid to the design of schools by the Council of Education. The theme of the building is set by lancet windows; slim and pointed at the top as in the Gothic style, they are complemented by arched borders that protrude from the brickwork. Decorative gables and bargeboards fringe the pitched slate roof on all sides of the building. A tall spire, two chimneys and numerous decorative finials once lined the top of the roof but have been damaged or lost over the years and were not included in the restorations. The rooms are large with high pitched ceilings that show solid timber rafters.
Read more about this topic: Newcastle East Public School
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