A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

Mrs_Chip

Morning Campers!

I went to a comprehensive school (as previously mentioned, parents suffered from a total lack of ambition for me, or feared the cost, I don't know which) and so sadly no Latin for me . I would have much preferred that to French or German, but perhaps I would not have thought that at the time?

We had some great teachers, but some were just awful - and our headmaster walked around the school with his cane hidden up his sleeve. We watched the programme about teachers in an Essex school recently and I could not believe the difference in the way the teachers and pupils treated each other - another world!

We finally got rid of some things via Freecycle - one lady also took several bags of stuff that we were going to take to the CS for her Scout group jumble, and she is happy to take more so is a great help. The jam jar lady finally got in touch, I will collect them this morning. I have some tayberries and blackberries from the garden in the freezer, I was wondering how to get them back to Wales - now I can jam them!

We have emptied one room (:eek: took two days!!!) and will be starting on one of the worst rooms today - small single bedroom (was OHs when he was a boy) stuff floor to ceiling, back to front with 'stuff' - boxes, bags of I don't know what - plenty more books (we have got rid of the equivalent of a small library already), I will be very glad when this one is done!

I hope everyone is feeling better, ihugs for those who need them. It's warmer, lighter and there are buds on everything - spring is on the way!

Gingermillie

Hi, delurking again to say I'm loving this discussion about home ec. I remember making puddings and cakes at secondary school and can't remember doing any cooking at junior school but I vividly remember making bread, butter and stew at first school. We even had a little veg patch we would check on over the year. It was one of the little village schools with about 15 kids per class and onsite kitchens where our stew would be cooked.
I'm really glad they did from scratch cooking with us at that age (5-8 years old). Although I always got cooked from scratch meals at home a lot of others didn't.
Hope all of you with injuries and black dogs are keeping well.

rachbc

Mrs Chip - I went to a Comp too - though my parents decision was political in that they don't 'approve' of Grammer schools or private education - we moved to the area specifically so we could go to a Comp rather than the previously local single sex Grammars. Latin was put on as a seperate class for 5/6 swotty girls because we had a form tutor who had a classics degree and we were all a bit pretentious!

Hobsons_Choice

I passed my 11+ in 1951 but dad (lone parent) couldn't afford the uniform - and for me to stay on til 16 - so I went to the local Secondary Modern. We did Home Economics (Cookery lessons) and also had to do one day a week cleaning/cooking at a teachers lodgings.
Blow that - I had enough of that at home thank you very much, so often played the wag on Fridays. I was found out of course, but the teacher was quite sympathetic. Didn't mean I didn't have to go though!
I remember walking home with a friend from cookery lessons, she dropped her basket and her rice pudding went all over the pavement. Mangy dog ran over the road, sniffed it and walked away. She was upset to think even the hungry dog wouldn't eat it.
Went to Posh City yesterday. Very quiet until I got into the CSs and Primarni. Heaving! I came away empty handed again #sigh#

Mrs_Chip

Rach - I'd like to think that any consideration had been given to the matter (Father is a died-in-the wool Old School Labour supporter) but I really don't think there was! I don't feel any worse off for not going to grammar school, OH went to single sex on and he came out very unaquipped for a life that included girls! I could have gone to uni, but I am naturally indolent, only work hard at things that interest me, so it would have been a slog and I would never have met OH either!

Byatt

Another lost post. Don't know what's happening.

Will write in "word" and then copy and paste.

Mrs C, I sympathise. I hope all goes smoothly and people come to pick up their items when they say. xxx

I'm still struggling mood wise, so will be quiet off and on as don't want to depress everyone!! I love dogs but wish this Black One, would take a hike!

greent

SDG31000 wrote: »

Morning All

I was at Secondary School in the '80s so belong to the generation that was surprised when school was actually open with teachers there willing to teach us. I don't remember getting taught any English Grammer at all and certainly no Latin. Cookery classes were ok, but we only ever seemed to make cakes and puddings. I don't remember cooking an actual meal. I do remember teaching techniques to other pupils and the teacher being shocked by it. I've been baking since I was old enough to hold a spoon thanks to my Godmother and Great Auntie.
Sewing/Needlework was a disaster. I'm another one that used to jam machines and break needles. My friend Marie has offered to teach me to use a sewing machine and time will tell if I've improved at all. D&T was the same. I'm not good at practical skills/DIY.
I did love Art classes and got good GCSE grades as I was a total swot. I was bullied/ignored by the in crowd until their homework was due and they needed answers.

I was at grammar school 1981-88. I did Latin along with French and German, 3 sciences, economics and politics, history... quite a mixed bag, really. Thankfully school didn't try and push you down either the science or arts route, just pushed you overall - I came away with 15 O levels (some taken early, some at 5th form and 5 in lower 6th whilst studying for 4 A levels...) We had a classics teacher - really swotty people could even do Greek (beyond me! although I enjoyed doing a couple of voluntary terms of Russian in Lower VI). One of my O levels is 'Classics in Translation'.... anyone fancy discussing themes in The Iliad? :rotfl: not exactly my most useful subject for life....

I'm a big fan of grammar schools. Here in Gloucestershire we still have 7 - 6 single sex and 1 mixed. Both hubby and I went to grammars (as did our mothers - our fathers both went to the same technical school) DD and DS1 go to the same single sex grammars we went to (although how they've changed in the last 30 years!!!) The single sex schools all have close relationships with at least one other (differing) single sex school, so mixing with others isn't an issue.

I never was a practical person (hence the Latin) and was banned from Needlework even if I'd wanted to take it for breaking a machine and my mother refusing to pay for it (the case had faulty catches (admitted by school) and it fell out when lifted) I did 5 months of needlework - we made a case for our scissors, an apron and a pencil case. 5 months of Cookery - we made scones, toad in the hole, rock cakes, pizza (properly, not scone based yuckness) and I have no idea what else! 6th formers used to make and ice beautiful Xmas cakes - fabulous works of art in royal icing - they were always put on display in the cookery room display cabinets.

I've always messed about with cooking (nothing to do with my mother - fairly useless and heavy handed) from when I was about 8. At 10 I was making puff pastry, jam, creme caramel and Xmas cakes and progressed to soups, bolognese etc a couple of years later. I like cooking. I'd like to like and be good at needlework but it bores me, truth be told I'm not good at sitting and doing and concentrating..:D

Memory_Girl

westcoastscot wrote: »

Hi,

I was "asked to leave" home ec at school in the first week for arguing with the teacher. We were bread making and she was putting it in a plastic bag to rise - I was suggesting it was easier to use a damp teatowel as I did everyday at home - Mrs Bacon wasn't impressed and I wasn't allowed back!

WCS

Me too - after we took a whole double period to make one portion of macaroni cheese garnished with a sliced tomato.

When she patronisingly asked if "your Mother will be so proud of you" and I responded with "I doubt it - it's not going to go far amongst eight is it?"

"out guuurrrrrlll!!!!"

Thing is, Mum was out at work and I had been cooking tea for the whole family since I was 11 - and they were boys with BIG appetites :rotfl:

MG

meme30

BYATT:- Was thinking of you when I was typing this morning! Was hoping I would not lose my post. You obviously have technical gremlins in your computer...probably male and b*oody minded to boot. Only cure is a cup of tea and a big cream cake/or two! Chuck the black dog a bone outside and lock the door on him quickly. Big hugs :grouphug:

ifonlyitwaseasier

i was a 90's secondary child, we had home ec and the teacher was pants, rude if you were an incomer (which i was) and for our exams we had to design make and decorate a cake, and if it wasn't for the tech helper i'd have been marked down as the teacher wasn't going to even taste it!!!! (she disliked that my sponge's came out lighter than hers!!)
i much prefered cdt (craft design and technology) as the deputy head taught us and whilst he was strict if you were giving it your all he helped and was actually really encouraging.



Katieowl - thank you i'm now going to have to get a copy of that book!!