Botany Public School: a proud history

Botany Public School holds the honour of being not only the first public school established in Sydney but also one of the oldest public schools in New South Wales.
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Established in 1848 and opening to students in 1849, the school was originally located on the eastern side of Botany Road and known as the Botany Bay School. The original building on the current school grounds was completed in 1869 and is now heritage-listed. Five magnificent Moreton Bay fig trees, each over 140 years old, stand proudly at the school’s entrance.

The original building, opened in January 1869, with attached teacher's residence at right. The
The original school building, which opened in January 1869, still stands today with its attached teacher's residence visible on the right. The roof retains its original timber shingles and distinctive gabled vents—four of which can be seen projecting from the roof’s slope. The three lancet windows on the main façade are characteristic of Gothic architecture and remain a striking feature of the building. In the early 1870s, 17 Moreton Bay Fig trees and 11 Norfolk Island Pines were planted throughout the school grounds. One of each—both protected by paling guards—can be seen in early photographs. Nestled between the two trees is the school bell, a central symbol of daily school life. This bell is now on display in the school office.
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In 1903, a new primary building was constructed to accommodate the 545 students enrolled at the time. With only ten teachers and six classrooms, teaching was certainly a challenge! Many of the surrounding streets, including Swinbourne and Chegwyn Streets, were later named after families whose children once attended the school. Back then, the Botany community looked quite different—many families worked as fishermen, tanners, market gardeners, or in the local wool scouring industry.

The school’s close proximity to a tannery brought with it some dangers. On 18 October 1926, a fire broke out at the tannery and spread to the school. Tragically, the fire chief lost his life while battling the blaze, and several school buildings were destroyed.

In the early years, cattle would often wander into the playground, which was low-lying, mosquito-infested, and too smelly for play. To improve conditions, 40 men spent six months raising the ground level by over a metre. What is now our library once stood as a weather shed.

Some changes, however, have not honoured the past. The original three lancet windows were unfortunately removed and replaced with two larger square windows. Nonetheless, the adjoining teacher's residence remains, as does the two-storey boarding house next to the school (visible at the far right in historic photographs). The two-storey school building on the left opened in 1903 with just two classrooms—one on each level. Additional classrooms and staff facilities were added at the rear in 1911. In those early photos, the Botany Road tramlines and pruned Moreton Bay figs are also visible.
photograph of BPS taken in 1938
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The Johnny Warren Connection

Botany Public School is proud to share a special connection with one of Australia’s most celebrated soccer players, Johnny Warren, and his brothers, who all attended our school. Johnny Warren was not only a sporting legend but also a passionate advocate for the growth of soccer in Australia, inspiring generations to “make soccer a truly national game.”

Our connection with the Warren family continues to this day, reflecting the strong community spirit and pride that Johnny embodied throughout his life.

In 2013, the school officially opened our newly constructed hall — the Johnny Warren Hall — named in his honour. This space stands as a lasting tribute to his achievements, his contribution to Australian sport, and his enduring ties to the Botany community.

Over the decades, the school has continued to evolve. More recently, this has included the integration of the latest technology into teaching and learning programs and classrooms upgrades.

In 2023, Botany Public School proudly celebrated its 175th anniversary. Through all the changes across nearly two centuries, we continue to recognise and honour the students, families, staff, and community members who have shaped our school’s rich past—and its exciting future.
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Why choose us?

Learn about why families choose our school. Find out what makes the Botany Public School community so special.

Stories and highlights

There's always something to celebrate at our school!