I didn't start school till I was six because, although there was a Council school nearby, I was to go to a Catholic school, which was in the process of being built. I'm sure I would have been better taught at the Council school, but that is by-the-by.
I think I must have been happy at school. One story Nanny used to tell about me was, when on one occasion she was at the school, she heard a child laughing. “That sounds like Joan” said she. “Oh yes” said the Headmaster, “when Joan laughs we all laugh”.
I remember very well the gulf between the poor and the rich at that school. The poor Catholic families had a great number of children, some of whom came to school without shoes and the thinnest of clothes, summer and winter; the richer children, who came from families with two or three children, were always well-dressed and terribly full of themselves.
I was somewhere in the middle with one or two others, who were my friends. I was a gregarious sort, without any hang-ups, although I must admit I preferred the company of the poor better than the rich. This attitude proved valuable when I was chosen by my classmates for an important part in a Church Festival.
It was the custom every May to celebrate the month dedicated to Jesus' mother. We would process round the church singing a particular hymn, the girls dressed in white and scattering petals from the baskets they were carrying, in front of a small statue of Mary being carried by the senior Altar Boys.
Another boy would be carrying a crown of flowers on a cushion.
One girl was chosen each year to place this crown on the head of a larger statue in the church. As my class contained predominantly poor boys and girls, I was voted overwhelmingly to have that honour. I admit I was very proud and grateful and feel, to this day, a great affection for those classmates.
I think I must have been happy at school. One story Nanny used to tell about me was, when on one occasion she was at the school, she heard a child laughing. “That sounds like Joan” said she. “Oh yes” said the Headmaster, “when Joan laughs we all laugh”.
I remember very well the gulf between the poor and the rich at that school. The poor Catholic families had a great number of children, some of whom came to school without shoes and the thinnest of clothes, summer and winter; the richer children, who came from families with two or three children, were always well-dressed and terribly full of themselves.
I was somewhere in the middle with one or two others, who were my friends. I was a gregarious sort, without any hang-ups, although I must admit I preferred the company of the poor better than the rich. This attitude proved valuable when I was chosen by my classmates for an important part in a Church Festival.
It was the custom every May to celebrate the month dedicated to Jesus' mother. We would process round the church singing a particular hymn, the girls dressed in white and scattering petals from the baskets they were carrying, in front of a small statue of Mary being carried by the senior Altar Boys.
Another boy would be carrying a crown of flowers on a cushion.
One girl was chosen each year to place this crown on the head of a larger statue in the church. As my class contained predominantly poor boys and girls, I was voted overwhelmingly to have that honour. I admit I was very proud and grateful and feel, to this day, a great affection for those classmates.
No comments:
Post a Comment