Misses Jessie and Isabel Westgarth opened Westleigh College for the education of young ladies in 1900. Initially based in Clifton Hill, the Westgarth sisters bought the large house in Clarke Street, Northcote as an extension to their Clifton Hill School and moved their junior school there in 1902 and soon afterwards, a kindergarten.
The school continued to operate right up until 1962 when shrinking class sizes forced its closure
In 1962 an infant school was opened on the site but closed shortly afterwards. A fire in 1962 destroyed many of the school records and memorabelia.
Preston Primary School (North) was opened in 1875 after local farmer Samuel Jeffrey donated land on Tyler Street for the construction of a school. He had previously donated land for a church on High Street. We have a number of primary records available for searching your ancestors at the school.