Foster 
  Primary School

At Foster, first known as Stockyard Creek because a yard had been constructed for travelling stock, gold was discovered in 1870.  A small rush developed, and a township grew.  William H Foster, Police Magistrate at Sale and Gold Commissioner for Gippsland, visited Stockyard Creek to administer justice.  He objected to the name so a public meeting in 1871 decided to rename the place "Foster".  The first application for a common school at Foster was made on 13th November 1871, supported by a District Inspector who estimated that 30-50 pupils would attend.  He added that the attendance would be smaller in the winter 'as no roads have yet been formed".  The first committee consisted of Thomas Bodger, hotel keeper; Joseph Davies, miner; Alexander Hall, chemist; James McCarthy, storekeeper; James Shepherd, miner and John William Wyatt, storekeeper (Correspondent).  The first head teacher, James Ingram, 1st of April 1872, was assisted by his wife Helen.  Ingram, a good teacher, was not qualified, but his wife was.  Hence, a strange change occurred in the teacher situation at Foster in 1879 when Mrs Helen Ingram became head teacher and James Ingram, her assistant.

The list of long-service head teachers at the school includes Mrs Helen Ingram (1879-88), J.W. Anderson (1888-98), William Rice (1899-1916), W.J. Tynan (1916-20), N.C. Heathcote (1921-22), James Caldwell (1922-26), T.B. Stapleton (1926-34), T.W. Somerville (1952-59), R.S. Southwell (1960-66).  Norm Heathcote (1921-22) and James Caldwell (1922-26) later became District Inspectors.  School was first conducted in a house purchased for temporary use, situated on the other side of Stockyard Creek, opposite the present South Gippsland Shire offices.  In February 1873, Ingram reported that the building, being undermined by mining operations, was unsafe.  Therefore the Department leased the Mechanics Institute, from April 1873 to December 1874.  On 15th of August 1873, an area of 2.5 acres on Cement Hill (now Church Hill) was gazetted as the site for a new school, but because of protests this was cancelled and a new site of little more that .5 of an acre, near the present South Gippsland Shire, was selected.  The wooden building, 50ft X 20ft erected there, was first occupied on 1st February 1875.  In 1882, an extra piece of land was added to the site, which was enlarged still further during 1889-90, when Pioneer Street was being formed, and a triangular portion on the NE side annexed to the school.  

In 1902, three adjoining allotments were added to the school as a playground.  Finally, in 1960, the site known as Munro's Paddock was acquired.  A new school was built, and occupied early in 1965.  The school became a HES in 1919.  When Foster high began in 1952, the school reverted to primary classes.  It became Foster Consolidated School, with buses bringing pupils from several small schools in the district, allowing the closure of these small schools.  The initial enrolment of 50 pupils in 1872 has grown gradually, until, with consolidation it reached 330, served by a staff of nine class teachers, a librarian, and an arts and craft teacher.

The present school was opened in 1965 at a cost of $200,000 and the first president of the Advisory Council was Mr A.E. Linton whom our pavilion is named after.

Principals

History of School "Houses"
From what we have researched, we know that the house system was in place at Foster Primary School in the 1950's at the old school (where South Gippsland Secondary College is currently situated).

The houses and their colours were   Charlton        Green   (originally Pink!!!)
                                                         Foster            Red
                                                         Linton            Blue
                                                         Standfield       Yellow

The houses were named after prominent people and families in the district at the time.

Charlton was named after Mrs Hilda Charlton who taught at Foster Primary School for 26 years.  She taught predominantly in the Infant Department and retired in 1959.  Mrs Charlton donated the shield for the inter-house competition.
Foster was named after a Miss Foster who was an infant teacher here for many years and not after the town.
Linton was named after the Linton family.  Mr Linton was the instigator of planting a school pine plantation.  The profits from this plantation helped towards the building of the school pavilion and is named in Mr Linton's honour.
Standfield was named after the Standfield family.  It was not named after Mrs Betty Standfield who taught at this school for some time during the 1970's and 1980's.

In 2005 a new house system was started with only three teams.

The houses and their colours are      Oberon        Navy
                                                         Darby          Jade
                                                         Waratah      White
                                                        
These names have been chosen by the students of the school and they are all local landmarks the students can relate to.

School Pine Plantation
The first plantation was established in 1928.  Mr A.E. Linton was the major force behind the plantation in the 60s and 70s.  Funds from the plantation helped towards the building of our school pavilion.

Buildings
Many changes have taken place to our buildings

1988    The pavilion was built
1989     The Mod 5 (library building) was moved in
1992    A portable classroom was installed and 
                consequently  moved
1994    The LTC double classroom was installed
1994/95   $200,00 has been spent on an
                 administration upgrade
1999    Recarpeting and painting
2000    New gas heating system with bulk tank and individual heaters to each room.  Air-conditioning to Principals and Vice-Principals office, general office and staff room. An electronic security system installed
2003    Air-conditioning to all  classrooms.       
2006    Bus Shelter constructed
2007    Shade sails for Junior & Senior Playgrounds installed
2007    Work begins on converting classrooms into Stephanie Alexander Kitchen & Dining Room
2009    Work begins on new buildings (4 classrooms, Resource Centre, toilets and Seminar Room) 

                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Neighbouring Schools
Neighbouring schools that have closed include

Ameys Track
Boolarong - (Woorarra Central)
Hoddle Range
Mt Best
Bennison
Port Franklin
Foster North
Turtons Creek
Dollar
Foster Road - (Milford)
Mt Fatigue
Woorarra West
Wonga

Some information collated from:
"Wednesday Closest to the Full Moon" - Barry Colett, Melbourne University Press, 1994
"Vision and Realisation"
'From Palings to Pavements - History of Foster" - Dr.H.C. Wilson, MrE.R. Cunningham, MrG.K. Esler, South Gippsland Publishing Company, 1995