Over some time, we have had discussions with our students both past and present as well as members of the wider community to seek ideas for names for our factions. We then conducted a survey to refine the options. The names that have been selected all feature in the history of Darlington and our school.
Books cultivate knowledge
Darlington Primary School Factions
Waylen- Green
Alfred Waylen was born in 1833 at Point Walter. He was the first Swan River Colony born person to obtain a medical degree. His first appointment was as surgeon at the Guildford Convict Depot and Medical officer in the Swan District. In 1883 Dr Waylen was granted the first three certificates of title issued in the Darlington area. Around this time, he established a vineyard on this land. He was one of the pioneers of the wine industry in WA.
The leaves of a grape vine are the emblem for Waylen Faction. The motto is ‘Climb High’
AMHERST – RED
Josceline Amherst was born in 1846 in England. In 1885 he arrived in WA to take up an appointment as Governor Frederick Broome’s private secretary. In 1888 he came to Darlington after entering into a business partnership with Dr Waylen to develop the 24 Acres of vineyard Waylen had planted.
The Cellar – the stone portion of what is now the Darlington Hall was built as part of this project. And is now the emblem for Amherst faction. The motto is ‘Stand Tall’
LEITHDALE – GOLD
Leithdale is a house on Lukin Ave in Darlington. It was built in 1894 by John Allpike, out of stone quarried at Smith’s Mill – now known as Glen Forrest. Leithdale is the place where Darlington Primary School began. In May 1912 the ballroom at Leithdale became the first classroom of Darlington Primary School with 10 students attending classes there. In October 1913 the school was moved to its current site. In the 1920’s Leithdale was a guest house, hosting the famous author D H Lawrence at one point.
The House, with its sweeping staircase, is the emblem for Leithdale faction and the motto is ‘Step up’
MASLIN – BLUE
Around 1908 Fred Maslin purchased two blocks of eight acres each in Darlington from the crown and proceeded to build a house for his family. In January 1912 Fred, his wife Lucy and their children, Faith, Lorna and Leith left their home in Claremont and travelled by train to their new home in Darlington. The train track from Perth to the hills was very important to the development of the villages in the Hills, including Darlington. The Maslins were a pioneering family with a strong interest in local community affairs. Faith, Lorna and Leith were students in the inaugural class of Darlington Primary School, held in the ballroom at Leithdale House.
The train is the emblem for Maslin faction and the motto is ‘Full steam’.