title: Hartley Street School
text: # Hartley Street School
  
  Hartley Street School in Alice Springs (formerly Stuart), Northern Territory, Australia, was the first purpose-built school in the town. Its oldest buildings were constructed in 1929, and it opened in 1930 to cater for the growing population in the town following the completion of the railway line from Adelaide to Alice Springs.
  
  ## Background
  
  The official opening of the Hartley Street School was on 26 February 1930 by the government resident of the day, Victor Carrington, and Pearl Burton was the first teacher appointed.
  
  In 1945 a new kindergarten, in a unique octagonal shape, was built, designed by B.C.G. Burnett.
  
  The School of the Air started teaching its first students from here on 20 September 1950, when the first broadcast was made.
  
  The school closed in 1965, and in 1988 it became a museum, which is operated by the National Trust (Northern Territory).
  
  