School History

• 1899 – 2009

• First principal – Eliza O. Cornell

• 33 principals between 1899 and 2009

• First school was set up in the Presbyterian Church, and was originally called Bald Hill State School. Initial enrolment was 55 pupils.

• Change of name to Bay View in 1901 because of confusion of the name Bald Hill with other places in Victoria

• In 1904 a new wooden school was erected (36 feet x 20 feet) and it opened on 19th September 1904

• Name of the school changed to Clarinda in 1912, as the postal district was now called Clarinda.

• Additional two acres of land purchased in 1919. Due to overcrowding, the first and second grades were taught in a hall leased from the Clarinda Presbyterian Church

• Formation of the Mothers’ Club in 1925

• Additions made to the school buildings in 1921 and 1926

• In 1950 the first post-war migrant pupils attended the school – four Greek children and three Dutch children

• By 1957 the school population had risen to 358, and four additional classrooms were added

• Clayton West Primary School opened in 1962, which meant the transfer of 200 pupils

• The church hall adjoining the school was purchased in 1965. The front part of this building was destroyed by fire later in the same year

• After repairs were made, the main room of the hall became the school library

• In July 1975 the original school building was demolished and three new classrooms took their place, along with an art room and a staffroom

• From the late 1970’s there was a proposal for a new primary school in Clarinda South, but this never eventuated. This necessitated portable classrooms being used to accommodate the large numbers.

• Another upgrade of the school buildings occurred in 1987. This included a new administration area and library, renovations to the staffroom and the addition of a resource room. The hall was now able to be used as a multi-purpose room.

• In 1999 more renovations occurred. This included enlarging and carpeting of some rooms and painting of all rooms.

• In 2007 Clarinda Primary School and Clayton West Primary School merged on the Clarinda site.

• In 2007 a new gallery was built in between two existing portables and a third new portable, making way for two new classrooms and a computer lab boasting 17 brand new computers.

• In 2008 & 2009 interactive whiteboards were installed in all classrooms.

• In 2008 our hall was extended. It can now accommodate the whole school for assembly. It is spacious and bright, with lots of storage.

• In 2010 two classrooms on the Centre Road end of the main building will be demolished and a new building built, which will contain 4 new classrooms and a library.