School History

Kew East Primary School officially opened on 25th April, 1892.  The school moved to the current site in Kitchener Street in 1923, and the three-storey brick building was added in 1929.  In its early years Kew East faced the danger of being closed because of low attendance, but a petition by local residents succeeded in keeping the school open. 

During the early 1920s, Kew East Primary became a Central School with secondary classes continuing until district high schools were established.  Other buildings were added to the site: a canteen, library, a Rural Training School (now demolished), classrooms and, in 1973, a new library.  The present administration block was opened in 1983.

The Kew Music Centre was built in 1978 as a joint community project involving the Kew East Primary School Council, Kew City Council, Kew Citizen’s Band, St. Anne’s School and the Kew East Band Parents’ Association.  The Kew East Primary School Brass Band was set up in 1930 and continues today to achieve notable success. 

We are very proud of our school motif which depicts fledgling spreading wings that will carry it from the warmth and protection of its home into the wide world.  It symbolises the help and guidance given to our youngsters as they begin their flight ONWARDS and UPWARDS to the future, and also symbolises what we want our students to be: vigorous, skilled, resolute, springing from a source that is supportive and impelling.