Armadale Primary School (School No. 2634; previously known as Armadale State School 1884 – c.1970)

Full description

Armadale Primary School (School No. 2634) is a co-educational primary school in Melbourne’s inner south-east. 

Land for a school at Armadale was first purchased by the Education Department (VA 714) in March 1884 and it opened in September of that year, as Armadale State School, out of a wooden building. In 1886, this wooden building was replaced by a single-story brick building in 1886, with additional side wings added in 1891 and 1899. In October 1896, a fire at the school caused a significant amount of damage. In 1901, a new Infant School was constructed at Armadale State School, significant for being the first purpose-built Infant School in Victoria. It was meant for students aged approximately 5 to 8 years old.

From 1894 to 1910, Armadale State School was without its own head teacher, instead coming under the head teachership of the nearby Toorak Central School (School No. 3016) (VA 3761). 

During the 1919 influenza epidemic, the school was used as an emergency hospital while the students were taught in leased nearby church halls. The infant school was used as accommodation for staff, and the shelter shed was the morgue. 

In 1970, there was a statewide decision to change the use of the term ‘State School’ to refer to all primary, secondary and technical schools instead of just primary schools, and for all primary schools to use ‘Primary School’ in the name. Accordingly, the school name was changed to Armadale Primary School. 

As of 2025, Armadale Primary School is still in operation. In 2023, the school received a new outdoor inclusive learning space supported by the Inclusive Schools Fund. The 1886 main school building with side wings and the 1901 Infant School have been listed on the Victorian Heritage Register since 1982.