REVESBY PUBLIC SCHOOL was opened on 13th April 1896 and was originally called Bankstown South School. The school was located on what was then called Beaconsfield Estate, on a 2 acre property on the corners of Victoria St, Beaconsfield St and Govt Rd (later called The River Rd).
The original landowner of the site where our school now stands was Esther Abrahams. Esther arrived as a convict on the First Fleet and later became the wife of Lt George Johnston. When Governor Bligh was arrested in 1808 and George Johnson became governor for a short time, Esther Abrahams became the First Lady of Australia.
Photo of Esther Abrahams (1)
Our school was originally one room of dimensions - 33ft (10m) x 20ft (6m) x 13ft (4m).
It started with an enrolment of 45 children.
This photo from 1910 was opposite our school where St Luke's Catholic church now stands.
This photo is of the school residence on the corner of Beaconsfield St and Victoria St where the principal used to reside. Our school hall and canteen are now located on this spot.
The River Rd 1928 East Hills to Revesby school bus 1921
Our school was the focal point of the district in the 1930s.
In 1942 during World War 2, the National Emergency Services set up a first-aid Air Raid Post at our school and occupied two classrooms. Air raid trenches were dug on the school grounds for the safety of the children.
(Note: This photo is an example of the trenches dug and not of our school).
In September 1910, our school's name was changed from Bankstown South School to East Hills School.
In March 1930, it was changed to Revesby School (sometimes referred to as Revesby North School).
In 1944, a separate Infants Department was established.
This photo is a 1943 aerial view of the school. The principal's residence can be seen in the lower left. Air raid slit trenches from WWII can also be seen here.
(1) Jewish Women's Archive. "Australia-Abrahams - still image"(April 1, 2012).