To round off the Globite case (C8 these many moons), Daniel Low of Pymble would like it known that, “My wife, as a child in kindergarten in 1951 rescued her older brother from the bullies on the way home at Kirribilli, by beating them off with her trusty Globite. Bob is still grateful.”
Okay, just one more. Sue Casiglia of North Ryde suggests that “Those who are yearning for the adorable companionship of a true and trusted Globite suitcase should start going to their local garage sales. I purchased one years ago in almost perfect condition for a few dollars, and it sits nostalgically among all my memorabilia. Priceless.”
Then back to the angst of school punishments (C8), many quite inventive. Janita Rankin of North Dandalup (WA) remembers the embarrassment: “Back in the late 1960s era of the mini skirt, our school uniforms could be no more than three inches above the knee. This was strictly enforced by the deputy head, who carried a ruler with her. Guilty once too often, I was sent to the sewing room to let the hem down, then was directed to leave the cotton threads hanging and wear the now almost ankle length uniform home on public transport.”
Nola Tucker of Kiama adds, “My small primary school, post-war, was run by an elderly couple. Mr MacDonald taught 4th, 5th and 6th classes in one room. Should a boy misbehave he was lifted bodily from his seat and dragged, bellowing with outrage, to the girls’ side and made to sit between two girls, who then regarded the sobbing miscreant with disdain.”
Of course, it wasn’t always bad. Alex Springall of Westleigh recalls: “In Miss McAuley’s kindergarten in the First Fairlight scout hall near Ivanhoe Park at Manly, the only punishment I remember was being made to ‘sit on the box’ in the corner. The last time I went past the area, a few years ago, there was still a pre-school operating there. Is this the longest that a kindergarten/pre-school/childcare centre has continuously operated on the same site?”
Finally, Barry Lamb of Eastwood would like to end the day with school rewards and encouragements. “There was the honour of cleaning the board as a reward for an excellent answer, or ‘first finished’ or such. Another teacher had a cache of Freddo Frogs in reserve as impromptu prizes or rewards.” Thank you, Barry, much nicer.
Column8@smh.com.au
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