Windsor Primary has a rich and colourful history, and it’s been a much-loved part of the community since the very beginning. It first opened its doors as Prahran South on 1st September 1877, before being renamed Windsor in 1891. Over the years, the school has gone through a few name changes—becoming Prahran Windsor Primary in the late '90s after merging with Hawksburn and Prahran Primary, then Stonnington Primary in 2001—before proudly returning to its original name, Windsor Primary School, in 2017.

The school’s journey began on Hornby Street, where the site was purchased for just £1,300. The first building—a single-storey structure—cost just over £4,220 to build. An old house on the property even served as the home for head teachers from both Windsor and East St Kilda for a number of years.

When the school opened, it was already in high demand. In the first year alone, 716 students were enrolled, with just nine teachers to guide them—a staggering student-to-teacher ratio by today’s standards!

As the community grew, so did the school. A second storey was added in 1890 to make more space, but by 1912, things were still cramped. In 1915, a new two-storey wing was built to help ease overcrowding. By the 1960s, more classrooms were added to accommodate the growing number of families moving into the area, especially with new flats and a wave of post-war migration. By 1973, enrolments peaked at 787 students.

Windsor Primary was a bit of a trailblazer, often ahead of its time. Back in the early 1900s, students helped run a meal program to raise funds for the school—well before the idea of a school canteen became common. In fact, it was one of the first schools in Victoria to open a canteen. In 1967, thanks to a proactive school council, Windsor opened a modern multi-purpose room complete with a TV, projector, seating, and a kitchen—pretty cutting-edge for the time!

One of the school’s most influential leaders was Thomas Gray, who served as head teacher from 1905 to 1919. Born on the Ballarat goldfields, he turned down promotions to stay at Windsor, driven by a deep commitment to the school. Under his leadership, the school saw smaller class sizes, improved air flow, beautiful gardens, woodwork classes, and even therapy programs for returned soldiers. He also had a world map painted in the schoolyard and taught geography in a way that made the world feel a little closer to home.

Windsor Primary’s history is full of forward-thinking, community spirit, and a passion for learning that still shines through today.

Our Early Learning Centre is proudly named after Private Bruce Steel Kingsbury, a former student and recipient of the Victoria Cross for his extraordinary bravery during World War II. On 29 August 1942, in Papua New Guinea, Kingsbury heroically advanced through enemy lines, significantly aiding his battalion before being tragically killed by a sniper. His courage and sacrifice remain a lasting symbol of resilience and heroism, inspiring generations to come.