The first reference that was located regarding the library of the North Pine State School is a ‘Brisbane Courier’ article reporting on a fundraising concert held in August 1893:
31 August 1893 (Thursday)
A concert in aid of the library funds of the State school, North Pine, was held on Monday evening, which was largely attended. The proceedings opened with a piano overture, “Qui Vive”, played in capital style by Miss Cooper. The school children sang several songs, “Lightly Go”, “Away to Rio”, “Indian Warrior’s Grave”, “The Cobbler”, “Away we go”, and “We part to meet again”, which were appreciated by the audience, and showed evidence of careful training by the head teacher (Mr F W Smith) and his assistants. Miss A Petrie contributed two songs, “The Garden of Sleep” and “Love’s Old Sweet Song,” in a very pleasing manner, her efforts being greeted with hearty applause. Other acceptable items on the programme consisted of comic song by Mr F Smith, “I Did It,” and stump speech by Mr J Orr on “Woman’s Rights”. The concert concluded with a negro farce, “Fast and Slow”, well played by Messrs’ J Orr, J A Hayes, and O Hale. The children of the North Pine School gave an exhibition of physical drill. Mr J Duffield acted as chairman, ‘and called on those present to record a vote of thanks to those who had assisted to make the concert a success.
Source: 1893 ‘DISEASES IN CATTLE.’, The Brisbane Courier (Qld.: 1864 – 1933), 31 August, p. 6, viewed 13 December, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3565340
However, it is not clear how this Library was operated or managed throughout the earlier years of the school as being a one teacher school, it could be suspected that the library was merely a collection of books used to aid in the teaching of reading, writing and arithmetic.
It is also not clear where these books were kept during these times however by the early 1970s the Library was finally homed in the oldest building in the school.
OLD IS NEW AGAIN – ‘NEW’ LIBRARY IS ‘OLDEST BUILDING’
In 1970 a new primary and secondary syllabus was introduced over the following five years and at this time too, the first teacher-librarians were beginning to be appointed in some Queensland schools. (Source: http://education.qld.gov.au/library/edhistory/state/chronology/1876.html)
The children are (l to r) Greg Ferguson, Julie Lenton, Debra Thompson, Leanne Griffiths, Tracey Chester, Chris Payne, Gail Townsend, Bethnie Scheer, Anne Norris, seated in front, Maureen Crouch and Michelle Randall.
Source: Moreton Bay Regional Council Local History Library, Strathpine.
Although there is evidence that a library of books existed as early as 1873, it seems that a dedicated space for books was still wanting up until the early 1970s. In 1973 the Department of Works undertook renovation on the one of the oldest buildings in the school. At this time is was being used as the Grade 2 classroom but it was transformed into the ‘new’ library with the Grade 2’s moving to another room. In 1973 this building was 96 years old.
The Library was finally complete and ready for display at the Centenary celebrations of 1974:
15 September 1974
Centenary week celebrations begin officially at 2 pm on a Sunday by the Regional Director of Education (Mr Hooper) with speakers Member for Pine Rivers (Ken Leese) and the Pine Shire Chairman (Les Hughes).
A plaque showing that the land on which the School stands was gifted by Tom Petrie in 1874 was presented to the Headmaster (Mr Fitzgerald).
Events included a combined outdoors church service, a procession involving vintage cars, the Naval Reserve Band. Displays included children’s projects, the library, early photographs and pages of the first school register, present day teaching equipment.
The day was reported as “obviously well organised” under the direction of Ross Vickery.
The weather was reported to be of light rain with a cool breeze.
Source: Moreton Bay Regional Council Local History Library, Strathpine.
1977: FIRST TEACHER-LIBRARIAN APPOINTED AT PETRIE S.S.
When the Library first opened in around 1973-74 it was managed by then teacher aide, Mrs Elaine Bowles. In an article printed in a local newspaper on her resignation from the school in 1983, it’s claimed that she worked for the school for 9 years and worked as a library-aide. The first teacher librarian, Mr Terry Gall, was appointed in 1977. It is assumed Mrs Bowles managed the library alone from its opening until this time.
24 May 1983
[UNREFERENCED ARTICLE: MAYBE SUBURBAN EXPRESS] – A FOND FAREWELL
“After nine years of exceptional work as teacher’s aide at Petrie State School, Mrs Elaine Bowles has resigned. She takes on an interesting job and one she is well qualified for – as a member of the Pine Rivers Shire mobile library staff. Mrs Bowles joined Petrie Sate School when the school’s library was first established. As librarian aide, she first had 200 books to cope with the needs of the then seven teachers and 230 boys and girls. The first teacher librarian was appointed in 1977, and Mrs Bowles has been the aide to four other teachers since then. The present teacher librarian, Mr Terry Gall, has 17 classes to cater for, and principal Mr Peter Boge reports and enrolment now of 480 students. That’s a far cry from the 230 Mrs Bowles remembers. The staff and students of Petrie school have paid Mrs Bowles a fond farewell – she’ll be missed. But nevertheless, everyone wished her well in her new job.”
Source: Moreton Bay Regional Council Local History Library, Strathpine.
1980s: FIGHT TO ‘SAVE SCHOOL’ BUT LIBRARY ISN’T A PRIORITY
By the 1980s rapid growth in all areas of Queensland meant that lots of new schools were being built and some older schools were receiving government assistance to improve and create new additional blocks and classrooms for their existing enrolments.
Petrie State School however was seemingly overlooked during this period and it became a great concern to parents and teachers at the school that the local children were not treated with such modern comforts as shade and pre-schools. For the population of the school the facilities were grossly inadequate and were echoing the ghosts of what was becoming the bi-gone era of the school’s past.
An increasingly anxious, and quite possibly angry, community was looking to State politicians to wield leadership on the issue in the government of the now infamous Joh Bjelke-Petersen (former Premier of Queensland between 1968 and 1987).
Read More About the Fight to Save the School
There was consternation enough for a Petrie teacher of the time, John Topping, to write a rather lengthy and scathing letter to editor of the local newspaper, the Suburban Express. He criticises and scrutinises local government representatives on both sides of politics and describes the facilities as:
“a disgrace and an indictment on the State Government and its relevant department”.
It was a critical time for the existing buildings of the school with one politician stating that he thought the plan should be to “save the historical bits, bulldoze the rest and start again.” It was a different mentality to within the community today regarding the old parts of the school, as they were generally considered to be a hindrance to the progression of a better teaching environment. Thank goodness, they decided to keep them!
His letter states one of his grievances:
“A small, inadequate library is housed in the original school building that dates back over a century.”
[reveal heading=”%image% Click here to Read Transcript of Article“]
1983 Suburban Express
Letter to Editor
Subject – Petrie Primary School
The state of facilities at Petrie State Primary School has been the subject of much comment in this paper over recent weeks.
Candidates of the major parties for the State seat of Murrumba attended a meeting held at the school on 16 August.
The concerned feelings of those parents who attended seemingly has had the effect of galvanizing the candidates to speak out.
All believe the facilities to be a disgrace and an indictment on the State Government and its relevant department.
It is time to place the comments made by the candidates under closer inspection.
Mr Male (National Party) has supported the need for a pre-school at Petrie.
He is to be congratulated on his endeavours.
It needs to be pointed out to Mr Male that a pre-school was promised in 1978 but has been shelved since.
At the meeting, Mr Male said that had he been the member more would have been done.
He suggested that the parents should have contacted the media and withdrawn their children in protest at the lack of government attention.
Mr Male does not seem to realize the efforts parents have made.
Rather than sensationalize issues, they have used the proper channels.
These efforts could have been wasted if Mr Male’s ideas were used.
Another candidate who has condemned the State Government over its inaction has been Mr Maquire (Liberal Party).
He said in this paper (18 August 1983) “Save the historical bits, bulldoze the rest and start again.”
Unfortunately, Mr Maguire, the historical bits are the core problem at Petrie.
They contain old, cramped classrooms that are situated too close to busy Dayboro Road.
A small, inadequate library is housed in the original school building that dates back over a century.
The other candidate to condemn the situation was the sitting member, Mr Kruger.
He cannot feel any pleasure with the poor state of facilities at the school which make it the worst endowed in this electorate.
Mr Kruger must have felt the mood of parents and teachers by the attendance of over 150 people at each of two meetings held at the school in 1981.
At those meetings, attended by Mr Kruger, the parents voiced their concerns.
Certainly Mr Kruger has been most active of late, but his efforts from 1979 to 1982 were not as forceful as they could have been.
My concern is for the children of the school who have been forced to endure poorer facilities than those offered at other schools.
John Topping
Albany Creek
Source: Commemorating 125 Years of Service: Petrie State School 1874-1999, p55
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Eventually the pressure from the community gained them a first-hand visit from the Local Member of the National Party for the electorate of Murrumba at the time, Mr Allan Male and also Russ Hinze, a member of the Queensland Government’s ‘front-bench’.
The relatively new Principal of the time, Peter Boge, spearheaded the campaign to improve the school beyond any development that had thus happened at Petrie since the inception of the first Provisional system.
He spoke of the battle to improve the school in his memoir of 1999:
“The first P & C meeting in February 1983 resulted in the formation of various committees – Fundraising, Ways and Means, Priorities, to identify the improvements necessary and whether they were the responsibility of Education or Works Departments, or a possible P & C subsidy project. Teachers agreed that the encouragement and gaining of full Parent/Teacher cooperation would be a major goal for 1983. Politicians were exposed for their inaction and broken promises. It took lots of meetings, letters, deputations, visits by VIPs and persistence, before the wheels finally turned in our favour. We finally convinced them that the Petrie community would not accept third-rate facilities. The late Russ Hinze said during a visit in 1983 that his horses were stabled better than Petrie students. Another candidate suggested “retain the historical bits and bulldoze the rest”. Even the Ombudsman was enlisted to help the P & C.
Looking back, I know our persistence and belief in the justice of our claims meant that we never lost sight of our vision and resolve to ensure the redevelopment of the School. Gradually, the concerted efforts forced the government to allocate money for the redevelopment of the school.”
– Peter J Boge, 1999 – Principal, 1 Jan 1983 – 31 Dec 1990.
Source: Commemorating 125 Years of Service: Petrie State School 1874-1999, pp46-49.
Once the community had finally convinced the Government that the money was necessary the funds began to flow to the school and the biggest serious round of development since the opening of the school progressively took place over the decade and into the 1990s.
Despite much publicity and a commitment to development and improvement, a new Library was not yet considered although it had been promised.
From his memories written in 1999, Peter Boge outlined a timeline of the works that took place. In conjunction with all of the new construction and renovations happening at the time the library was described as being in the “oldest part of the school, and … inadequate”. However, some funding seems to have been allocated at this stage for a new “electronic learning centre”:
1983
The library, staff room and office were in the oldest part of the school, and were inadequate.
1989
Electronic learning centre funded ($11 555).
– Peter J Boge, 1999 – Principal, 1 Jan 1983 – 31 Dec 1990.
Source: Commemorating 125 Years of Service: Petrie State School 1874-1999, pp46-49.
A new library had been promised in the late 1980s but was not built at this time. It would nearly be another ten years before the ‘Resource Centre’ would come to realisation.
1985 – 1989: PROSPECTUS PRESENTS IMPORTANCE OF LITERATURE AND LIBRARY
New trends in teaching methods spurned a building and renovating revolution in schools throughout Queensland in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Despite some schools gaining greater rewards from the Government more easily than others relative to their age and community, resources were given to staff libraries as it was increasingly viewed beneficial to the teaching process.
A philosophy emerged that “children should learn from a variety of resources (as opposed to the one text approach)”; that it was necessary to instil in pupils “an appreciation of literature”; that students should be taught “research skills which the children will need throughout the School”; and “children of all ages enjoy having stories read to them”.
LIBRARY
A Teacher/Librarian is attached to the staff of this School.
Libraries are being built in view of the philosophy that children should learn from a variety of resources (as opposed to the one text approach). The Teacher/Librarian is responsible for collecting and organizing these resources so they can be used by all persons in the School. Often he acts as liaison between the Teacher or pupils and the resources. In these duties he has a library Aide to assist him.
A third and most important role of the Teacher/Librarian is that of instilling an appreciation of literature and that of teaching research skills which the children will need throughout the School.
Children of all ages enjoy having stories read to them. It is desirable that a book bag be used for borrowing library books. Suggested types are plastic carry bags as used by dress shops, or a cloth material bag with a draw string top at least 35 x 45 cm.
Source: 1985 Petrie State School Prospectus, From the Collection of Jean Charters.
The teacher-librarian is responsible for “collecting and organizing these resources so they can be used by all persons in the School” and being the “liaison between the Teacher or pupils and the resources”. It is also their duty to ensure that an emphasis on literature and resource research is maintained throughout the curriculum.
[reveal heading=”%image% Click here to see Library entry from the 1989 Prospectus:“]
1989
LIBRARY
A Teacher/Librarian is attached to the staff of this School.
Libraries are being built in view of the philosophy that children should learn from a variety of resources (as opposed to the one text approach). The Teacher/Librarian is responsible for collecting and organising these resources so they can be used by all persons in the School. Often he acts as liaison between the Teacher or pupils and the resources. In these duties he has an Aide to assist him.
A third and most important role of the Teacher/Librarian in cooperation with class Teachers is that of instilling an appreciation of literature and that of teaching research skills which the children will need throughout the School.
Children of all ages enjoy having stories read to them. It is desirable that a book bag be used for borrowing library books. Suggested types are plastic carry bags as used by dress shops, or a cloth material bag with a draw string top at least 35 cm x 45 cm.
Source: 1989 Petrie State School Prospectus, From the Collection of Jean Charters.
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1989: TEACHER-LIBRARIAN IS NEXT IN CHARGE
During times of vacation or sick leave for the Principal, the Teacher-Librarian would take over in the functioning and authority of the school:
1989 – 17 AUGUST – PETRIE LOG 89/14
PRINCIPALS: Peter Boge took a month of sick leave and had a stay in hospital. He was “particularly impressed by the thoughtful children who sent him letters”. Terry Gall was Acting Principal in Mr Boge’s absence.
Source: ‘Petrie Log’ Newsletter, 89/14, 17 August 18989, From the Collection of Jean Charters.
1990: CENTURY ENDS, MILLENNIUM BEGINS – A CHANGING OF THE GUARD
Mr Peter Boge was transferred away from Petrie in 1990 and the incoming Principal, David Stephenson, was tasked with continuing with the staged development set in progress almost a decade before he arrived. This included finally transforming the Library into the ‘Resource Centre’.
The funding that was allocated for a new ‘Electronic Learning Centre’ was established as the Library was computerised:
“In 1990, an Electronic Learning Centre commenced operations in conjunction with the computerisation of the Library. Technology resources have also been set up in the Yr 5, 6 and 7 classrooms, thanks to the P & C Association.”
Source: 1994 Petrie State School Prospectus, From the Collection of Jean Charters.
Meanwhile however, the library was functioning in its existing small space, continuing to add to the collections:
1991 – 31 OCTOBER – PETRIE LOG 91/19
LIBRARY: The school library began subscribing to ‘Choice’ magazine and offers it available for loan.
Source: ‘Petrie Log’ Newsletter, 91/19, 31 October 1991, From the Collection of Jean Charters.
1995: THE FIRST TEACHER-LIBRARIAN RETIRES
Despite being the teacher-librarian to see the library begin and expand into the early technological era, Mr Terry Gall retired on the 30th of April 1995, only a few years before the building and establishment of the new ‘Resource Centre’ that was to be completed imminently. Although Mr Stephenson recalls he began in 1975, there is evidence to suggest he did not begin at the school until 1977.
“Mr Terry Gall (Librarian, Since 1975), retires April 30th after many years’ service to the school.”
– David Stephenson, 1999 – Principal, 1 Jan 1991 – 2007
Source: Commemorating 125 Years of Service: Petrie State School 1874-1999, pp50-53.
1996-97: H BLOCK TO HOUSE BOOKS
The Library was still housed in the old classroom and in 1996 the upper section of ‘H Block’ (near the lower oval) was completed and utilised as classrooms. In the following year of 1997, the lower section of this building was to be enclosed to anticipate the new Resource Centre which would finally take over from the outgrown and outdated Library.
“Packing of resources begins (May) in the Library ready to move down to new premises, Ground Floor H Block.”
– David Stephenson, 1999 – Principal, 1 Jan 1991 – 2007
Source: Commemorating 125 Years of Service: Petrie State School 1874-1999, pp50-53.
1999: MINISTER OPENS THE NEW RESOURCE CENTRE – FINALLY!
It was in 1999 that the Minister formally opened the new Resource Centre:
“Minister opens new Resource Centre.”
– David Stephenson, 1999 – Principal, 1 Jan 1991 – 2007
Source: Commemorating 125 Years of Service: Petrie State School 1874-1999, pp50-53.
Captions: Photographs of the Resource Centre
[COMING SOON: BETTER PHOTOS]
By 2001 the Prospectus was proudly expressing the school’s new literary and technological facilities in the Prospectus for parents starting their children at Petrie that year.
The library/resource centre had become automated with computer catalogue terminals as well as Internet Connections and CD-ROMs.
Read More About Teaching Aids School Equipment & Technology. [LINK]
The teacher-librarian, with the help of a library aide, had seen their role evolved and merge further with the curriculum that children were learning in class. They were responsible for working “with each class teacher to plan activities to enhance students’ literature appreciation skills and information retrieval skills using resources which may include the Internet, encyclopaedias and CD-ROMs as well as books and other print media”.
Students likewise were encouraged to see their new library as a space of fun and recreation, being open in the morning before school and during lunch breaks.
Parents were also encouraged to make use of the resources in the ‘parent library’ and vertical file.
LIBRARY/RESOURCE CENTRE
A Teacher/Librarian is based full-time at this school.
Our library/resource centre is automated and houses a number of computers which act as catalogue access terminals in addition to providing connections to the Internet and CD-ROMs. The library is staffed by a teacher-librarian and teacher-aide. The teacher-librarian works with each class teacher to plan activities to enhance students’ literature appreciation skills and information retrieval skills using resources which may include the Internet, encyclopaedias and CD-ROMs as well as books and other print media. Students are also encouraged to use the library/resource centre as a recreational resource and it is open before school each morning as well as for several lunch hours during the week. Parents are welcome to visit and make use of the resources in the parent library and vertical file.
Source: 2001 Petrie State School Prospectus, From the Collection of Jean Charters.
2011: BEST LIBRARY YET AND BIGGER BETTER HALL
The first decade of the millennium saw new education milestones being set by state and federal politics, in response also to the economic times, grants were offered to fund schools for any major new infrastructure that they could prove was required.
Petrie State School applied for one of these grants and received enough money for the construction of a modern new Resource Centre and a new Multi-Purpose Hall, in total over three million dollars was invested in modernising these facilities during 2010 with construction due to be completed in 2011.
The Resource Centre was built with technology in focus, the likes of which had not been seen at the school to date. It is large and spacious with offices and its own amenities. It has a media room and electronic whiteboards and classroom spaces. There are also conference rooms and of course, lots and lots of books.
This improvement was raised in Queensland Parliament by the local Member in 2010, there was also funding received for refurbishment of four teaching spaces:
24 NOVEMBER 2010
QUESTIONS ON NOTICE #2304
Ms O’Neill asked the Minister for Education and Training (Mr Wilson) –
QUESTION:
Will the Minister outline all capital works, including both new building and refurbishments planned for schools (State, Independent and Catholic) in the Kallangur Electorate?
ANSWER:
I thank the Member for her question.
The Department of Education and Training have advised that the following state schools in the Kallangur Electorate have received funding for projects that have not yet reached completion.
…
Petrie State School has received $3 000 000 in BER funding towards the construction of a resource centre and multi-purpose hall. The funding for the resource centre and multi-purpose hall is $1 392 454 and $1 607 546 respectively. The school has also received funding of $565 477 under the SSOT Program for major refurbishment of four general Learning Areas. The SSOT works are currently under construction and are expected to be complete in mid-December 2010. Work on the BER projects are underway with the new resource centre forecast for completion 31 March 2011 with work on the new multipurpose hall scheduled for completion 31 January 2011.
…
In addition to the funding allocated for capital works and infrastructure projects, schools are also allocated grant outlays for the day-to-day running of the school (base grant), maintenance allocations, as well as any program specific allocations in any particular year including ICT related grants.
Grant outlays can vary due to enrolment fluctuations and program variations, and a final figure for the 2010-11 year cannot be provided at this stage.
Source: Queensland Parliamentary Papers, Questions on Notice #2304, 24 November 2010, http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/tabled-papers/online-tabled-papers, accessed 28 December 2013.
2012: TRIVIA NIGHT PAYS FOR MORE LIBRARY RESOURCES
After consulting the students about their preferences, Mrs Hewitson-Bevis and I have purchased several books and book sets with the proceeds from the Trivia Night that were kindly allocated to the library. I wish to sincerely thank the P &C for their generosity and am very sure that our students will enjoy the books we have added to the collection. Almost all of the books have already been borrowed. What a great way to finish the Year of Reading!
– Coral Foster, Teacher-Librarian
Source: ‘Petrie Log’ Newsletter, 19/12, 8 November 2012, Petrie State School, http://www.petriess.eq.edu.au, Accessed 16 September 2014
2013: DONATIONS AND PARENTS WRAP BOOKS
Thankyou
It’s time to thank the people within our community who have helped us in recent times. Firstly, to Pine Rivers State High for their donation of 16 used, but still very useful, computers which has helped us boost our G block lab. Next up; Education Queensland’s Library services for a sizeable donation of Junior Fiction picture books and Woolworths for the reading books that we acquired under the 2012 Earn and Learn program. Last but not least, a huge thank you to a core of Prep and Year One parents and grandparents who have spent time over several weeks to cover the reading books, in particular, Andrea, Lesley, Margaret, Lynn, Rosie, Kylie, Jenny and Leven. All of our students will benefit in some way from these kind deeds. We greatly appreciate the generosity of our local community.
– Coral Foster, Teacher-Librarian
Source: ‘Petrie Log’ Newsletter, 09/13, 19 June 2013, Petrie State School, http://www.petriess.eq.edu.au, Accessed 16 September 2014
2013: PURCHASED BY P&C FUNDS
William and Odessa from class 1/2 holding ipads with the new covers purchased with the P&C funds. Cameron from 3B is in the middle holding a copy of Kumiko and the Dragon from the class set purchased with P&C funds. Cameron’s mother, Susan Drysdale, is featured as a representative of the P&C.
We are most grateful for the funds which will assist in enhancing student learning.
Source: ‘Petrie Log’ Newsletter, 11/13, 24 July 2013, Petrie State School, http://www.petriess.eq.edu.au, Accessed 16 September 2014