The Ghosts of Stanley Grammar School – Part 1: History

 The Ghosts of Stanley Grammar School – 

Part 1: History

 

Old Stanley Grammar School, Watervale c. 1975 [SLSA: B 31688]

The construction of the Stanley Grammar School began in 1863. The school was built by its founder, Joseph Cole. Cole founded his school in 1858, teaching from the Watervale Bible Christian Chapel. A new public school opened in Watervale in 1859 where Cole also taught.|
Cole purchased land between the school and Commercial Street on which he built a four-room private school building. In 1867, the school officially adopted Stanley Grammar School as its name. The school operated as a boarding house for boys, who were schooled there, with girls allowed access to schooling during the day. The school had a 30-acre recreation area that featured a gymnasium.[1]
 In 1871, the school was extended, with a second story, new ground-floor rooms, and further dormitories. Lessons taught included practical mathematics, Logarithms, chemistry, assaying, surveying, linear and perspective drawing, brokerage, bookkeeping, typewriting, drawing theodolite and chain surveying, music, and field subjects.

Miss Susan Roach was an assistant teacher of Mr Cole. In every room was a list of rules and regulations of the school, which were sacrosanct, and woe to those who disobeyed. Coles taught his students to read parliamentary newspapers so that they could be informed about politics when it became their time to vote. He also encouraged his students to uphold moral standards when students went home to their own districts; that a man would be judged by their actions, conduct and manner.[2] Many of his students went on to be important people in South Australia, including; Sir David Gordon, Dr William Torr, Sir John Duncan, Sir Frederick Young, H C Mengeson, J Harmer, Dr W Jethro Brown and Emile Sobels.[3]

Mr A.H.  Wehrmann recalled in The Recorder newspaper in 1949, that two school mottos were hung in the classroom. The first, ‘Let the boy learn so he may be able to teach,’ and the second, ‘Learning is wealth to the poor and an ornament to the rich.’[4]

Stanley Grammar School 1880 [SLSA: B 12274]

The building lay empty for 30 years, Cole’s daughter, Jessie, lived in the family house built next door until her death in 1949. After her passing the family belongings and property were sold at auction.[5]
the building has been utilised by the Girl Guides, by artists, by numerous owners who wanted to restore it, but it fell into disrepair. One potential buyer wanted to demolish it and use the stone in other projects. In the 1980s, it was The Three Roses Restaurant. The building was sold to Adelaide heart surgeon, Dr John Knight, who restored it to its former beauty. The property was sold to Denise and Frank Kluss in 2007, who now offer the site as a deluxe boutique accommodation.

Next week: The Ghosts of Stanley Grammar School – Part 2: Family History

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2024.

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[1] 'Old Stanley Grammar School at Watervale', Northern Argus, (28 April 1949), p. 1.

[2] 'Early Teaching In Watervale', Chronicle, (29 April 1948), p. 32.

[3] Lantana, ‘History,’ Stanley Grammar Country House, (2023), https://www.oldstanleygrammar.com.au/history/.

[4] 'MR. OSBORNE'S MEMORIES', Recorder, (10 October 1949), p. 3. 

[5] 'Old Stanley Grammar School at Watervale', Northern Argus, (28 April 1949), p. 1.