“While on the subject of ties (C8), or not. While teaching at a school in northern NSW in the ’70s (probably should remain nameless), decked out in short-sleeve shirt, shorts, long socks, desert boots (or sometimes sandals – well, it was the ’70s!) and NO tie, the deputy principal’s house was next door to the school and there was a good view of the backyard clothesline from one of the science labs,” writes Stuart Pavel of Armidale. “I remember the students in one of the classes conducting some very scientific research by studying the washing over a number of weeks. After a while, they could predict, with apparent accuracy, the colour of the underpants the deputy principal would be wearing on any given day. Presumably, there was a good variety to choose from.”
“‘All boys must wear a tie and a badge,’ commanded ‘Johno’, the deputy at assembly in the ’50s at Parramatta High School. The next day, all the senior boys turned up wearing a tie with a badge attached and just a pair of gym shorts,” recalls Josephine Piper of Miranda.
Like many, Warren Menteith of Bali was saddened to read of former Australian cricket captain Brian Booth’s death: “My first year out teaching was at Narwee. Brian was sports master but was away with the West Indies tour. He had popped in briefly and said if I had problems there were some books in his desk. As usual, there were term one program foul-ups. Five classes arrived at once. OK. Touch football, basketball, cricket, circuit training, but still one left. Opened his drawer and the only book was the Bible!”
“Recipe ideas in Good Food offer egg and bacon pie,” notes Phil Lennox of Leichhardt. “I’ve always known this to be bacon and egg pie. Is this a state-based differentiation or perhaps even an international one?”
Following the desert boot discussion (C8), Colin Taylor-Evans of Lane Cove thought he’d see just how much a pair goes for these days: “They are more expensive than formal shoes!”
“Also an ex-Sydney Teachers College student, I recall that not only were we advised not to wear red dresses (C8),” says Beth Haggerty of Croydon, “we were also advised not to wear patent leather shoes as the boys might see our reflected panties.” Marjie Williamson of Blaxland and Judy Klein of Double Bay confirm this. Time for a reunion, ladies?
Column8@smh.com.au
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