Description
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School is located on the corner of Kellick Street and Elizabeth Street, Waterloo and adjoins the northern portion of Waterloo Park (refer to Listing in this Register).
The Port Jackson Fig (F. rubiginosa f. glabrescens) located in the upper eastern terrace of the school playground is a prominent specimen dating from the late nineteenth century, possibly from the same period as other fig planting in Waterloo Park. The canopy and root zone are located within the playground area. The tree measures approximately, height 18 metres, canopy spread 20 metres and trunk diameter 1.60 metres at one metre above the ground. The Fig appears to be in generally good health and condition with a relatively dense canopy.
Significance
The school is scheduled in City of Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012. The Port Jackson Fig (F. rubiginosa f. glabrescens) located in the eastern portion of the school grounds is a prominent specimen dating from the late nineteenth century, possibly from the same period as other fig planting in Waterloo Park. This particular specimen has local significance in terms of visual and social values in this school setting. The tree is also significant in terms of providing visual continuity with the broader fig planting of Waterloo Park.
Historical notes
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School began on 1 November 1858 when Waterloo was under the care of the Benectictine Order. Known as the Waterloo Estate School, it was staffed by lay teachers, the first headmaster being Mr JJ Murtagh. From 1866 there were supported in giving religious instruction by Sisters of the Good Samaritan. The nature of the original school building is unknown, but a new school was built in 1876 by the Parish Priest,. Father J Cunningham. (State Heritage Register)
The school is located on steeply rising ground. The hill-top’s natural vegetation of Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub was progressively removed during the early to mid-nineteenth century exposing the skeletal sandy soils. The barren, exposed landscape provided the early name of Hungry Hill which was later changed to Mount Lachlan after Governor Lachlan Macquarie.
The Port Jackson Fig (F. rubiginosa f. glabrescens) located in the eastern portion of the school grounds is a prominent specimen dating from the late nineteenth century, possibly from the same period as other fig planting in Waterloo Park.
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