Wilton Rural School (GA1391)

Wilton Hall, a district hall, was used as the site for the school from 1926 and is located on Flaxmans Valley Road about 7 kilometres south of Angaston in the Barossa Valley. The site is a portion of Block number 10, Section 403 in the Hundred of Moorooroo. (1)

The Trustees of the Wilton Hall signed a contract with the Education Department agreeing to allow the use of the building for a school on 26 January 1926. The agreement included school furniture being placed in the hall and rent was paid to the Trustees. (2) The Hall continued to be used by the community for events, dances, card evenings and sports. (3)

A District Inspector of Schools reported in May 1926 to the Director, Education Office that the school was a District Hall, 40 feet long and with good proportions, well built of stone and with three windows giving plenty of light and ventilation. He also stated there was a tank, a shed, toilets and a playground at the hall, however he reported that some matters needed attending to such as a cement floor for the shelter shed and improvements to the toilets. (4)

Erica B Dart, the first teacher at the school, enrolled 32 students on 26 January 1926. In 1933 40 students were enrolled. Mr Percival E Jaensch was the last teacher at the school and he taught from 25 July 1949 to 17 December 1971. (5)

On 25 November 1926 an annual seaside picnic at Semaphore was held by the Angaston School Committee. Schools in the district including Wilton School were invited to attend and an attendance of 800 adults and children was recorded. (6)

The admission register records 8 students enrolled at the Wilton Rural School in 1971, and it was closed on 31 December 1971 with the remaining students being transferred to Angaston Primary School. (7)



References

(1) GRS 809/1 Unit 370 File 484/1/1
(2) GRS 809/1 Unit 370 File 484/1/1
(3) National Library of Australia, Trove, Leader, Angaston South Australia, 28 January 1926
(4) GRS 809/1 Unit 370 File 484/1/1
(5) GRS 9587 Admission Registers 1926-1970
(6) National Library of Australia, Trove, The Register, Adelaide South Australia, 26 November 1927
(7) DECD RM database