School in the past

Liz Lochhead ‘The Choosing’ 1972

We were first equal Mary and I

with same coloured ribbons in mouse-coloured hair

and with equal shyness,

we curtseyed to the lady councillor

for copies of Collins’ Children’s Classics.

First equal, equally proud.

Best friends too Mary and I

a common bond in being cleverest (equal)

in our small school’s small class.

I remember

the competition for top desk

or to read aloud the lesson

at school service.

And my terrible fear

of her superiority at sums.

I remember the housing scheme

where we both stayed.

The same houses, different homes,

where the choices were made.

I don’t know exactly why they moved,

but anyway they went.

Something about a three-apartment

and a cheaper rent.

But from the top deck of the high-school bus

I’d glimpse among the others on the corner

Mary’s father, mufflered, contrasting strangely

with the elegant greyhounds by his side.

He didn’t believe in high school education,

especially for girls,

or in forking out for uniforms.

Ten years later on a Saturday –

I am coming home from the library –

sitting near me on the bus,

Mary

with a husband who is tall,

curly haired, has eyes

for no one else but Mary.

Her arms are round the full-shaped vase

that is her body.

Oh, you can see where the attraction lies

in Mary’s life –

not that I envy her, really.

And I am coming from the library

with my arms full of books.

I think of those prizes that were ours for the taking

and wonder when the choices got made

we don’t remember making.

From Liz Lochhead ‘Memo for Spring’ Reprographia (1972) p.40

TASK - respond to this poem

NAME

Find an example of rhyme in the poem.
Find an example of repetition in the poem.

DESCRIBE

In your own words tell the story of this poem.
Re-read the first two stanzas – how does Lochhead characterise the relationship between the two girls?
What impression do you get of Mary’s father?

EXPLAIN SIGNIFICANCE and INTERPRET MEANING

What is the effect of the poet’s use of rhyme and repetition?
Quote a line from the poem that marks a change in the two girls. How do their lives begin to change and why?
What do the last three lines mean?

EVALUATE

Is this an effective poem? Give reasons for your answer?
How successful is the poem in conveying the effect education can have an a person.

CONCLUDE

Is the persona happy with her choices? Explain in detail, providing evidence for your answer.

CONCEPTUALISE TOPIC

To what extent is the persona in the poem the product of her choices?

APPRECIATE CONCEPT

How do you think the choices your parents made when you were a child (and are still making now) will affect your adult life?

Another Brick in the Wall - 1979

Pink Floyd

We don't need no education

We don't need no thought control

No dark sarcasm in the classroom

Teacher, leave them kids alone

Hey, teacher, leave them kids alone

All in all, it's just another brick in the wall

All in all, you're just another brick in the wall

We don't need no education

We don't need no thought control

No dark sarcasm in the classroom

Teachers, leave them kids alone

Hey, teacher, leave us kids alone

All in all, you're just another brick in the wall

If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding

How can you have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat?

You! Yes, you behind the bike stands

Stand still, laddy!

Songwriters: Roger Waters

Another Brick in the Wall lyrics © Artemis Muziekuitgeverij B.v., Roger Waters Music Overseas Ltd

TASK

The song uses the word ‘education’ in a negative sense. What does it mean to the children singing? What does Another Brick in the Wall suggest about education?

What is an education? What does it mean to be educated?

How can this be considered a protest song?

School in the 1970s

Dear Diary,

I can’t believe my teacher thinks it’s a good idea for me to keep a journal this year. When I told her I didn’t know what to write she said just write about school and stuff that you like.

She said because it is 1974 it’s a good time to start a project. So here goes.

School is okay. The school is fairly new – only 10 years old and the subjects that I get to study include English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Commerce, Metalwork, Woodwork, Technical drawing, French and Music.

Most of the kids at school are Australian born, but their parents are Italian. They’re all getting excited about Pope Paul VI arriving in Sydney this year.

One of the best days at school was last year when we got to watch the landing on the Moon. I remember sitting in the Assembly Hall and watching the black and white image with the rest of the school. I knew it was something that I would remember for a long time.

Got to go, Mum is yelling for me to turn the radio down Whole Lotta Love by Led Zepeling has just come on and I’ve cranked it as loud as it goes.

Dear Diary,

I had a bad day at school today. It was just so hard to concentrate, I’m sick of everyone having to stop talking when the planes fly over the school.

Then in Math the teacher threw a piece of chalk at the kid behind me but missed and it hit me in the head instead.

And we were meant to watch a news programme for English but the TV broke when the teacher was wheeling it into the classroom.

My dad said that there had just been a chess tournament between two computers. He reckons these computers are going to take over the world but I just can’t see it happening. We are still using chalk and blackboards at school and most kids haven’t even got a pen licence yet.

A new teacher started at school today. She’s young and a total hippy – flowing hair, flowing skirt, peace and love and anti Vietnam War.

But she’s pretty cool – apparently her class locked her out of her room and piled all the tables and chairs in the middle of the room into a big tower. When she finally walked in she looked at what they’d done and just said what great cooperation and teamwork, well done boys.

But she’s an odd bod. Most of our teachers are psycho.

Antonio got the cane the other day for throwing a waterbomb. He reckons he’s got so many scars on his knuckles from the cane they’re going to stay there until he’s an old man. And it’s not just a cane across the hand –they also wack us with the metre ruler.

Other teachers are strict as well. A group of boys were causing trouble in class so at lunch their teacher made them take their shoes and socks off and tread on all the rubbish in the rubbish bins to stamp it down.

A mate at another school said they have a teacher who makes kids who talk in class stand up against the back wall holding a 20 cent piece against the wall with their nose.

The thing I like most about school is cadets. Yesterday we had our annual ceremonial parade on the local oval.

Cadets is where we get to dress in army uniforms and practice military training like leadership and outdoor recreation.

Our cadet band is the best. In 1967 they won the Anzac day March in the city competition and have often provided the buglers for the NSW RSL Anzac service at Hyde Park. As well as the local RSL Anzac service.

TASK: complete this diary entry comparing school in the 1970's with school in the 2020's

School in the 2020's

Dear Diary,

I can’t believe my teacher thinks it’s a good idea for me to keep a journal this year. When I told her I didn’t know what to write she said just write about school and stuff that you like.

She said because it is 2024 it’s a good time to start a project. So here goes.

School is okay. We are celebrating our 50th birthday this year. Happy birthday school! Because I am in year in 10 I have to think about the subject I will choose for next year. I am overwhelmed by the choice. I have the chance to study . . ..

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse