School Daze: Reunion? Not sure I’d go
I grew up directly across the road from my primary school and have very fond memories of my beloved grandad waiting at the side gate to walk me home for my lunch every day.
Although I’m from the country, and back then it was dinner not lunch in the middle of the day.
Bacon and cabbage at 12.30, or maybe a pork chop. My memories of my early school years are hazy.
I had a selection of really terrifying teachers in the later years and sadly that coloured most of my primary school experience. In third class, I got the whack of a stick across the back of my legs for rummaging in my schoolbag.
That kind of punishment seems so excessive and crazy now. Secondary school was better and I recall particularly enjoying the craic of Transition Year.
We went to Germany on a school tour; that was my first time on a plane. I remember feeling so grown up in my stiff new jumper and pencil skirt for secondary school. I was 12 and desperate to finally be a teenager so I could become moody and slam doors and listen to music at eardrumbursting levels.
I went to a mixed school, which I really enjoyed. They seem to be in the minority. I’m an only child and rumour has it I was quite precocious. All my school reports refer to me being chatty, which hasn’t changed much. I think I was probably quite meek, having been scared out of my wits in primary school. I’m still a bit of a sap around authority figures.
What would I say to the me-child if I met her today? “It’s great that you have such a rich imagination but stop lying about your dog having puppies.”
That was how I lured people to my house to play. Being an only child was boring. I’ve always enjoyed English and creative writing. Once we were asked to write an essay about our favourite things and my English teacher made me read it aloud in front of the class.
It was about how I liked to have baths so hot my skin turned lobster-red, and why the floor was the best place to watch TV. Riveting stuff. Maths, I will never fully grasp.
Thankfully, I don’t need to because I have a calculator on my phone and a good accountant.
My school was never glamorous enough to have its own disco, but there were random teenage discos in the local town hall. It was the type of place that smelt like mould and had sweaty walls. If those walls could talk they’d say I was very shy around boys.
My go-to outfit used to be a navy Levi’s T-shirt and jeans or purple flared cords. Yes, I was irresistible.
My best friends are all from ‘Down Home’, as Aisling herself would say.
We usually socialise in Dublin but occasionally the stars will align and we’ll all end up back in our local pub together, which is a real treat.
Thanks to social media I’m vaguely in touch with others but I suffer from this disease that means if I don’t see time, I become convinced they hate me.
If we had a school reunion, I’m not sure I’d go. Did I learn any crucial lessons during my school years?
Always read the question twice. And if you don’t know the correct answer, just write something.
I have three kids and spend a good portion of my time worrying about them. My eldest is in senior infants and the one thing I always tell her is if she ever sees someone eating alone, or standing alone, to ask them if they want to join in.
She’s quite shy herself, and I really hate the thought of her ever being left out. Isolation is no fun.
■ Sarah Breen is co-author of the bestselling Once, Twice, Three Times and Aisling with Emer McLysaght (Gill Books, €14.99) Emer & Sarah are ambassadors for Irish Book Week, October 26 to November 2.
