Nineteenth-century education was strict. It emphasised discipline, manners, and good posture. Schoolchildren who fidgeted during class had their fingers placed in stocks, while slouching was corrected using a ‘back straightener.’ Luckily for the children of the North Pine settlement (today’s Petrie), the school day was short, thanks to a unique experiment in education.
In the 1800s, student numbers determined whether a school could be established. In districts with few school-age children, a provisional or temporary school might be authorised, provided local residents supplied an appropriate school building. In 1874, with the population of North Pine booming, families on both sides of the river wanted a school for their children, but selecting a site became problematic.
The river crossing was impassable after heavy rain or at high tide. Without a bridge, it was considered too dangerous for young children to cross the river to attend school. In a unique experiment, the government granted permission to split the provisional school at the North Pine settlement in two. North Pine River Crossing Provisional School #183 opened on the southern bank in April 1874. On the northern side, in today’s Sweeney’s Reserve, North Pine Provisional School #183 ½ accepted students for the start of the 1875 school year.
“The first and only school of its kind and was considered an experiment.” [petriesshistory.kccreativity]
The North Pine Provisional Schools
Under this system, the schoolteacher spent the mornings on the southern bank at Provisional School #183 and crossed the river, by horse or boat, to teach the children living on the northern side, at School #183 ½, during the afternoons.
Schoolhouse #183 was rented from a farmer (and later purchased by the Bray Family), but community donations for the northern schoolhouse covered a rudimentary slab hut with an ironbark shingle roof. Built by Bill Scott and Edgar Foreman, the walls were constructed of split timber from Foreman’s own property at Sideling Creek (now Old Petrie Town).
By 1877, the bridge across the river was under construction. Prominent North Pine settlers met on 2 July and petitioned the government to merge the two provisional schools. Tom Petrie donated two acres of land for this purpose. The schoolhouse became a venue for community meetings, church and social gatherings, and in 1881, the first sittings of the North Pine Court.
The two provisional schools were amalgamated as Pine River North State School in 1879 and re-named North Pine State School in 1896.
Read more stories from The North Lakes Guide print magazine here:
- In the North Lakes Loop: Updates from the Community
- What’s Hot Around Town
- Eco Eve: Living a More Environmentally Friendly Life!
- Podcast Review: The Big Pitch with Jimmy Carr
- What’s On This Spooky Season
- Barred Javelin fish (Grunter) – Pomadasys kaakan
- Organic Gardening in October
- Jacaranda Festival Branches Out with Two-Day Bloom
- Blink and Green Day Tribute Unleashed at Norths Leagues
- The Key to Independence
- Discover the Night Sky with a Milky Way Masterclass
- Baked with Heart at North Rise Bakery
- A Season of Triumph and Teamwork
- Spooky and Safe: Prepare Your Kids for Halloween
- Horror Author Visits Burpengary For Halloween
- Help Your Neurodiverse Child Transition to High School
- Deception Bay Students Join Global Movement Through Z Club
