Petrie is old!
In 2014, Petrie State School celebrated 140 years.
On 20 April 1874, the children of North Pine began enrolling in the first 'half-time' school, an experiment in the region now known as Petrie.
With a snaking river that separated the community, and no bridge, a novel approach was developed to avoid the hazards of children crossing the ever changing tidal river to attend school. It was decided to split the school in two, and the teacher would teach on the south side of the river for the morning, then cross the river by boat to teach children on the north side in the afternoon.
Then, the school was known as 'North Pine River Crossing Provisional School #183 and 183 and a half'. The opening of the bridge at Sweeney's Reserve in 1877 allowed the two provisional schools to amalgamate into one state school which opened in 1879. The name changed to Pine River North State School and then again, in 1956, to Petrie State School. The school has been in continuous operation since establishment and has been a focus for the local community as a place for important social and cultural activity.
The original school building, now known as I Block, was renovated in 2010 and is still central to Petrie State School. In 2014 this building was heritage listed.
