In October of 1879, possibly encouraged by 1875 legislation absolving local communities from contributing to the establishment of public schools, parents petitioned for a new school in Goulburn. None of the existing schools were close to the South Goulburn areas, and it was claimed that because of the bad state of the roads, many parents kept their children at home on wet days.

South Goulburn School compiled an historical record of its development for the Centennary of its establishment, which is available from the School.