The Deep Lead gold rush took place in 1857 and 1858. When the news of the discovery of gold got abroad, diggers poured in until it was estimated that there were between twenty to thirty thousand camped at the Deep Lead diggings. It is believed that Deep Lead had one of the richest leads of alluvial gold ever found in Victoria.

Two churchmen, Father Thomas Barrett and Rev. Philip Homan, first brought schooling to the Pleasant Creek diggings in 1858. It is believed that Father Thomas Barrett, of the Catholic Church, established a school in Commercial Street in April 1858. The school was conducted in a calico tent 35 feet. x 20 feet. The two teachers, Patrick Liddy and Catherine Byrne, mustered nineteen pupils at their first roll call. Their parents paid from six pence to two shillings a week, according to their means.

Philip Homan's prefabricated building was erected during June 1858 on One Tree Hill near the site of the Shire Hall. It was registered under the denominational schools act, the teacher being Zerubabel Davies, an authorized Baptist Minister.

These schools saw several changes as the gold was found in different places. Children of all denominations attended and all sections of the community contributed to their support. Both schools were shifted to Deep Lead at the height of the gold rush 1858.

The first Common School was erected on the east side of High Street Deep Lead, Parish of Illawarra, County of Borung. This school was constructed in August 1862, made of wood and iron and was lined with calico. It was 16 x 20 feet, with 8 feet walls.

On the November 20th. 1863, the school committee applied for a grant of £150 from the Education Department; the committee had raised £80. This would be about the time the school was regestered Number 721 with the Education Department.

The plans of the present brick building were sent to the Education Department on January 25th. 1875. On the February 2nd. 1876, a petition was sent to the Education Department with fifty-five signatures urging the department to act on building a brick building and not to lengthen the present timber building. In their petition the committee stated that there would be one hundred and one children ready to start school, and sixty-nine under six years within a two mile radius.

On the March 30th. 1877, the present school was opened. December, 1937, the school was closed owing to the lack of numbers. On June l9th. 1939, the school was reopened, after being closed for eighteen months.

On the July 12th 1963, the School was finally closed.

YEAR 1892 This photo was taken 1892 the Head Teacher was Mr William Dunstan. BACK ROW: Fred Mow Fung, Norm Andrewartha, Ned Mow Fung, Ern Smart, Bert Pope, Jack Peters, and Dick Ross. SECOND ROW: Charles Mutzig, Joe Smart, Alice Mow Fung, Polly Heisler, Ethel Liddell, Till Perry, Agg Pope, Carry Perry, and Lizzie Pope. THIRD ROW: Annie Peters, Esie Mow Fung, Elsie Hawes, Maud Perry, Mabel Hardingham, Lousie Ah Look and Ester Thompson. FRONT ROW: Bob Perry, Mat Smart, Jim Hardingham, Jobe Perry, Will Perry, Dick Andrewartha, Albert Ah Look, and Ginnie Pope.

YEAR 1902. This photo was taken 1902, has Alice Maud Perry is the Student Teacher. SECOND ROW: From the front and 11th from left is Rose Hannah Peters. SECOND ROW: Forth from right is Elsie May Mc Dougall.

YEAR 1908. This photo was taken 19.02.1908. The Head Teacher was Mr William Timothy Cuthill and Miss Ethel Mary Davidson Sewing Mistress.