In 1873 a letter was sent to the Minister of Instruction requesting a second school in Hawthorn. A deputation was sent to the Education Department and land for Glenferrie Primary School was purchased by the end of 1873 for $1188.00 and planning began for the new Hawthorn State School .

On 22nd February 1875 the new Hawthorn State School no. 1508 began operations in the Wesleyan Methodist Sunday School room on Burwood Road near John Street . Daniel Wright was the first Head Teacher of the 300 pupils initially enrolled. The building on the Manningtree road land, which included the bell tower, was completed in 1877 and was further extended twice in the first 10 years to accommodate the ever increasing number which by 1887 had grown to 1000.

The first shelter sheds were built in 1886 paid for with monies raised by the school, but collapsed four years later in a strong gale. In 1904 the Wattle Road block of land was bought and the infant building completed in 1907 giving the school a whole new focus.

Various renovations and improvements have been completed over the years, including sewerage in 1906 and the use of the Wattle Road building for R.A.A.F classes during World War 2. Over the years the school has been known as the Hawthorn School , Manningtree Road School , Central School and Glenferrie Primary School . Post primary classes ceased in the 1960s.

Did You Know?

The bell that is housed (and working) in the bell tower originally required two boys to really ring it properly and when it turned over due to their exertions, they had to fetch the ladder and turn it back. During the last major renovations in 1997, the bell was restored to working order and is now rung on special occasions.