The Olde Schoolyard

Remember the days of the Olde Schoolyard?? We used to laugh a lot! At school this term Dash has been learning about "The Past" (i.e. the 1890's). I'm sure he thinks I was around back then... he keeps asking me questions about "back in the olden days"... as if I knew!

And today at our (awesome creative wonderful) school, the Middle School were instructed to come dressed "formally" or "in olden day clothes"... for a whole day they are going to experience what school was like in Victorian times.

An anxious Dash rolled up to school dressed in his best white shirt, long pants with braces and boots, his hair slicked back. He really looked the part (and so handsome)... but the big question was: would anyone else come dressed up???

When I spotted two girls skipping along wearing aprons and bonnets I knew he had nothing to fear. Sure enough, the playground was like a scene from yesteryear; little lads in waistcoats and caps, girls in pinafores and lace bonnets. (Those who hadn't dressed up were definitely the minority.) Out came the camera. Snap. Snap Snap went mummy.

Then we caught sight of the Teachers. Oh my word. They were all dressed up to the Nines; marching along snapping rulers on their palms and barking orders: "Hey you there! Pull up your socks!"

Dash's mustachioed teacher got the girls playing pat-a-cake and dancing in circles; real Olde Timey stuff. Then the bell went - one of those old hand-clanger type of bells, rung by a very stern looking schoolmarm in a shawl.

The children scurried to line up, shortest to tallest, backs straight, no chattering. Teachers inspected fingernails as the parents watched amused and entranced. Oh to be a fly on the wall today!
Regretfully I headed for my car (and my appointment with the gym) as strains of "God Save the Queen" echoed up the street...

What a wonderful creative way to learn about the past. Good on those teachers for thinking outside the box and really getting into the spirit of things. I am sure the children will never forget it.