Burn Brae State School (School No. 4396)

Full description

Burn Brae State School (School No. 4396) was a co-educational school adjacent to the eponymous Burn Brae (also called Burnbrae) Homestead on the Hamilton Highway (then called Caramut Road), 7 kilometres east of Penshurst. 

The school officially opened 26th of May, 1928 in a leased 27ft x 11ft building on the land of Mr J. G. Kruger, with an enrolment of 13 students. Parents arranged for outhouses, a tank, and furniture from the closed Purdeet State School (School No. 1223) to be moved there in November. In July 1929, the shelter shed from the school was also removed. In lieu of purchasing the building, the rent was increased to £10 per annum in February 1930.

The school became unstaffed in late 1941. After the Head Teacher and District Inspector assessed a potential enrolment of 9 students, the Education Department (VA 714) reopened it in March 1943, although actual attendance was only six students.

On 6th September 1948, a storm damaged the school, which temporarily operated in a 16ft x 12ft wooden building on Mr. P. J. Fry's land until repairs were completed. Classes resumed in the original building on 12th October.

Due to low enrolment, Burn Brae became unstaffed on 1st June 1955. The Education Department suggested staffing it again in July, but it is unclear if it reopened. The school was permanently closed on 18th December 1959.