Page 104 - Through a glass brightly

In the informal photo of our class with Miss Rhodes, she is standing on the left and at the back on the back row. Is that at the opposite end to you?
I hope that your (Janet’s) seedlings are going well.
From Jenny at 11.03
Been a bit quiet lately but I was idly reminiscing the other day and wondered if any of you also remember:-
• playing 'Silence' in IIIF at the end of term - trying to do everything including standing on one's chair, without making any noise
• emptying ink wells in the 'courtyard' at the end of term - and banging the board rubbers on the wall there
• in UIVR doing the register by number - can you remember what your number was? I tried to compile a whole class list and came up with 29 names but I think we were 30 or 31 so can't think who I have forgotten. I think I was number 20!! Photos don't really help as someone was invariably away!
• being told off in Lower Fifth if your stockings had too many ladders - with wooden chairs it was hard not to get snagged although nail varnish helped - and M&S 'run resist' stockings which went into holes instead!
I have also been thinking about Glenda's email from a few weeks ago pointing out the things that she felt were lacking in her time at QEGGS. I was quite sad when I read that as I have always felt that I had a very good education and the school got the best out of me. When I chose my options in UIV my parents were called in to see Miss Balaam to discuss the merits or otherwise of dropping Latin and the impact that might have on later Higher Education choices as a result of which I changed my choices! I recall spending time with Miss Bryan after my O-levels discussing what A-levels I should take and also later discussing college options and she gave me some sound advice. There was also a talk for all parents and students in Upper V on 'Careers for Women' and a booklet was given out which listed careers from A for Hospital Almoner to Z for Zoologist.
When Miss Payne came (1960/61) there were also attempts to broaden the choice of subjects on offer in the Sixth Form and for example some students took Economics as an extra A-level. And of course, the Changing World lectures which occasionally we may have resented did in fact offer us an opportunity to explore subject areas which were not our 'specialism' and introduced us to aspects of politics, the arts and science which were enlightening. The talk by Barbara Castle was a standout event. And who can forget the arrival of the gorgeous Mr Keeble to take our A-level Geography classes following the sudden departure of Mrs Oliver in pregnancy! That alone was enough to lift the spirits.
Janet and I also undertook some 'social service' on a Wednesday afternoon - and visited an elderly couple who lived in a small cottage Arkley - do you remember Mr and Mrs Philips Jan? In the Upper Sixth (after our exams were over but before we allowed to leave!) Sally Moon and I did some sort of study of the Police Training College in Hendon where her father was a lecturer.
On reflection, bearing in mind what were the norms at that time, I feel we got a pretty good deal and we certainly had a lot of very able women teachers. Listening to Peter talk about what was on offer at QE Boys School, he and I both agree we had a much better educational experience than most of the boys.
All comments welcome!
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