History

The original school building, to facilitate the teaching mandate of the school designated number 2820 by the Department, was fabricated in England, and brought to the present school site, erected, and made ready for use in 1887. It was officially opened in May of that year, and comprised a classroom 20 feet by 14 feet with two rooms attached, a heavy black iron chimney in the classroom, and also in the larger of the two rooms, both with open fire grates. The wisdom of incorporating such practical appurtenances was brought home graphically to all in attendance at the Official Opening - for it was snowing that day quite steadily.

Henry Torode Sebire 

Henry T. Sebire was born 11 May, 1860, and following the normal primary school course of instruction,was appointed Pupil/teacher at S.S.876 Lilydale from 1 May, 1875. His initial attempts to improve his qualifications were only moderately successful, and it was not until July 1881 that he was appointed Paid Student-in- training at S.S.1567 Richmond. From there he applied for the 2-year course at the Training Institution, but was allowed only a one year course, which he commenced 29.Januarv, 1883. On exit from college he was appointed to S.S.1362 Christmas Hills as Temporary Head Teacher, a position which he held from 25 January, 1884 until 13 February that year, when he was transferred to a similar post at S.S.804 Mt. Cotterell, where District Inspector Curlewis recorded that "the percentage is 82.336 as against 71 in December '83: this shows that good work is being done since Mr. Sebire took charge, and is proof of his skill and diligence". 

On 22 September, 1884, he was appointed to the Head Teachership of another school (number obscured by repairs to the record book. From other evidence though, it is established as 2417 Baulkarnaugh). Here D. I. Ware recorded very favourable reports for the next 3 years. He was then transferred to S.S.2820 Seville on 17 May 1887, where he qualified as a licensed teacher of singing (his licence to teach drawing, gained 20 June, 1883, was also recorded at this late stage), and his classification was raised from the Vth to the first sub-division of the IVth. D. I. Gamble noted that he "appears to be doing very satisfactory work, and is very popular in the district". In June 1893 the same inspector endorsed his Certificate (Trained Teacher's): "During the past five years the Seville School No. 2820 has been conducted with marked efficiency and intelligence by Mr. Sebire", and shortly after his transfer to S.S.1033 Wandin Yallock in April 1894 labelled him "one of the best teachers in the Colony". His stay at that school was short, as he was promoted to a Class III school, No. 2711 Fairfield, on 19 .November, 1895. Here he stayed until 31 August, 1913. All of the inspectors supervising the district during this time - Messrs. Gamble, Summons, Jackson and Park - and the Director, Frank 'Iate, who made a special visit to the school, agreed that in planning and execution, every aspect of the school could be classed as excellent. During his term here, Mr. Sebire's promotions kept pace with the growth of the school, his classification on leaving being No. 27 in the 1st sub-division of Class 1. At last, however, he had to take a larger school to gain the promotion for which he was qualified, the one to which he moved on 31 August, 1913, being No. 2955 Princes' Hill, where, to comments on his skill in normal staff management, Inspectors Park and Rowe added approval of the standards which he set and maintained for the visiting Student Teachers from the Training College. 

During his term at.this school, which terminated on his retirement on attaining the age of 65 (on 11 May, 1925) he continued to receive the highest possible assessment at each semi-annual inspection. At the date of his retirement, Henry Sebire was (at least) the 5th most senior teacher in the state.