The School with the Birthday Box
Many happy years at17 total reviews
Comment from Pantygynt
I can see now I was a deprived child. No kangaroos, wallabies or kookaburras, though we did have magpies. Those maggies weren't good role models though, because they were inclined to steal thinks. One of them was found with fourteen pencil erasers in its nest. I supposed it believed in a cushy existence.
We were taught all the wrong things too. Our French master taught us all about vinyards and the wines of La belle France, and the sixth form studied champagne and cognac. No wonder I grew up into an alcoholic!
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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I can see now I was a deprived child. No kangaroos, wallabies or kookaburras, though we did have magpies. Those maggies weren't good role models though, because they were inclined to steal thinks. One of them was found with fourteen pencil erasers in its nest. I supposed it believed in a cushy existence.
We were taught all the wrong things too. Our French master taught us all about vinyards and the wines of La belle France, and the sixth form studied champagne and cognac. No wonder I grew up into an alcoholic!
Comment Written 23-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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Lol. Great review. Interestingly those magpies were very tame and never attacked anyone, although they did steal food scraps from the rubbish bins (unlike others I met while bike riding long distances in the country who would attack very nastily.) So you learnt your Cultural Studies very well!!
Thanks again.
Wendy
Comment from royowen
It was a bit more difficult at a large school, Elaine was at a high school that boasted 1900 students, and it was a bit "challenging" Elaine is an incredibly caring person, but there were a few difficult students, but I agree with you, but yes, quite a few of Elaine's colleagues were also our friends. Beautifully written Wendy, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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It was a bit more difficult at a large school, Elaine was at a high school that boasted 1900 students, and it was a bit "challenging" Elaine is an incredibly caring person, but there were a few difficult students, but I agree with you, but yes, quite a few of Elaine's colleagues were also our friends. Beautifully written Wendy, blessings Roy
Comment Written 23-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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Thanks for your thoughts and comments Roy. Appreciated.
Wendy
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Welcome
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
Your piece describes an exemplary school. With 1400 pupils, I wonder what your headmaster did to make sure he knew them all well. In my 7-year senior school, we were 700 pupils. Our headmistress taught a weekly Religious Education lesson to each of the three first year classes (she had done a Theology degree). She classed me for life as lazy and unambitious based on my catastrophic result of 13% in the end-of-year exam.
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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Your piece describes an exemplary school. With 1400 pupils, I wonder what your headmaster did to make sure he knew them all well. In my 7-year senior school, we were 700 pupils. Our headmistress taught a weekly Religious Education lesson to each of the three first year classes (she had done a Theology degree). She classed me for life as lazy and unambitious based on my catastrophic result of 13% in the end-of-year exam.
Comment Written 23-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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Most of them joined the school as five year-olds, although there was a new intake at Year 7. We had a year 7 camp so the kids could make friends with the new kids, and the headmaster always came to the camp, and got to know them there too. And many came through as siblings. His secretary kept the birthday list and made sure he was up-to-date. Oh dear - she certainly misjudged you, now a successful writer, and fluent in other languages! Thanks so much for reviewing. Always appreciated.
Wendy
Comment from LisaMay
Your school; sounds like a microcosm of an ideal society - where respect, cooperation and connection are key... thus proving it is possible! You write in an appealingly engaging manner and this was a joy to read.
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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Your school; sounds like a microcosm of an ideal society - where respect, cooperation and connection are key... thus proving it is possible! You write in an appealingly engaging manner and this was a joy to read.
Comment Written 23-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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Thanks so much Jenny! Yes, it was a great place to work, although we all worked very hard to make it a fine school and keep it that way. We had very few major incidents during all those years. I can't think of any actually, but I'm sure there must have been. And the students were not always well-behaved for other teachers. But respect, cooperation and connection did seem to characterise my classes. I think once they respect you, they will do anything for you.
Wendy
Comment from Tom Horonzy
I kept reading on waiting to hear of the birthday box and not until the end did you say what it was. Tease! Truth be told I would not think such a story would be interesting but then I remembered who was doing the writing.
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reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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I kept reading on waiting to hear of the birthday box and not until the end did you say what it was. Tease! Truth be told I would not think such a story would be interesting but then I remembered who was doing the writing.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 23-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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Well, I hope you did find it interesting, since you persevered to the end! Thank you for reading on ... and on ... waiting for the birthday box! Seriously, I appreciate your review.
Wendy
Comment from Paul McFarland
You nailed that one, Wendy. When I was teaching, one thing that I did was to put my arm around someone who needed it. After the year or two, I never had a discipline problem. I have a few students who keep in touch - even though it has been almost fifty years since I left the classroom.
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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You nailed that one, Wendy. When I was teaching, one thing that I did was to put my arm around someone who needed it. After the year or two, I never had a discipline problem. I have a few students who keep in touch - even though it has been almost fifty years since I left the classroom.
Comment Written 23-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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You?re not telling me you are 120 years old, are you?!!! Lol. You are right. Many students just need a bit of care and they thrive.
Thanks so much for your wonderful review. And six stars! What a lovely thing to offer - an exceptional rating. I ?m delighted.
Wendy
Comment from Fleedleflump
I'm glad you were inspired by those other articles, but you've far surpassed them (I enjoyed both but they were relatively predictable, straightforward faire). I like that you've gone into depth and detail - using your experience to show cause and effect. It' sounds like a really effective school. When I went to school in the 80s and 90s, it actually felt much like you describe. We had a broad array of abilities, nationalities and religions and nobody used them as a means for segregation. Kids formed groups based on whether they liked comics or football, rather than any demographic issue. Whether things are the same now is difficult to know - my wife works in a primary school with lots of behavioural issues, so it's a warped view of things!
I very much enjoyed this - I look forward to the next instalment.
Mike
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reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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I'm glad you were inspired by those other articles, but you've far surpassed them (I enjoyed both but they were relatively predictable, straightforward faire). I like that you've gone into depth and detail - using your experience to show cause and effect. It' sounds like a really effective school. When I went to school in the 80s and 90s, it actually felt much like you describe. We had a broad array of abilities, nationalities and religions and nobody used them as a means for segregation. Kids formed groups based on whether they liked comics or football, rather than any demographic issue. Whether things are the same now is difficult to know - my wife works in a primary school with lots of behavioural issues, so it's a warped view of things!
I very much enjoyed this - I look forward to the next instalment.
Mike
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Comment Written 23-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2022
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I?m very glad you enjoyed it, Mike. I appreciate your very encouraging review. I have so many memories and stories to share if people are interested. Tell me - do you think people will happily read this number of words, or should I make them shorter?
Wendy
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Hi Wendy. I'd say it comes down to what you're after. The cynic in me says if I want to rise up the rankings, I should post smaller chunks as they get more reviews (an I admit - I don't always read longer pieces unless they're by somebody I know can write a good tale). That said, longer pieces usually elicit more interesting reviews because they are from people who actually wanted to read it, rather than those dropping in for the payment.
Now I'm spending ages saying things you already know :-). The short answer is, at just over a thousand words, I think this is fine, and it needs to be long enough to engage.
Mike
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Thank you. I want people to review meaningfully but I don?t want to ?bribe? people for reviews. Pay enough to draw the right kind of critique but ? I also feel that if I put a high price on I will be thought to be conceited. Some people post rubbish but pay well to move up the ranks and I don?t want to do that. I know one person never reviews any of mine now because I said I didn?t want to always write under 500 words just to please him. Thanks again.
Wendy
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It's definitely a balance, isn't it? Most of my book chapters veer close to or over 2000 words because I don't feel as though there's a sensible place to stop them, so I always try to promote them high and hopefully make them worth people's time. Totally with you on not wanting to appear conceited - we've all read posts that are average at best but still rank high just, seemingly, from paying lots, and I never want to be that person. Trouble is, my poems end up with basic promotion because I spent all my pumps on the chapters!
In the end, I have faith that all things balance, and I find the people worth connecting with find their ways to one another.
Mike
