Reflections on My School Years: Oddities and Anecdotes That Would Never Happen Today

As I reflect upon my high school days, I can't help but chuckle at some of the peculiar events and experiences that happened. Back in the early 1960s, our boarding school was quite an adventure, filled with both memorable mishaps and insightful moments. These stories, while amusing, are also a stark reminder of how far we've come in terms of education, safety, and cultural norms. Here are a few anecdotes from my youth that would never happen today.

Pantsing and Band Humor

Back in my senior year, a trend called pantsing was all the rage. If you aren't familiar with it, it's the act of sneaking up behind someone and pulling their pants or shorts down. I remember an instance where I was working on an assignment and approached the teacher's desk. Unfortunately, a quick-footed student decided to participate in the pantsing game and ended up yanking my underwear off as well. Standing there, exposed from the waist down, it’s amazing how nothing seemed to happen. Nowadays, such an incident would be much more likely to attract attention and possibly lead to disciplinary action.

A similar prank occurred in my 7th-grade band class. I remember blasting my trombone directly into the ear of another student who was being a bit of a jerk. While I sympathized with my classmate, the band director was not amused and proceeded to whack me several times with a drumstick. The pain stung, but I managed to shrug it off. The idea of such a scenario happening today is almost unimaginable, and I would be more inclined to complain if such an incident were to occur. In those days, we were more likely to keep quiet to avoid getting our parents involved and facing even more trouble.

Music and Arts in School

During my time at a 1960s boarding school, my mates and I decided to form a band despite lacking any musical instruments. We constructed our own electric guitar and bass in the woodwork shed, assembled a valve amp kit, and even held a dance with the local girls' school to raise funds for a used drum kit. We wrote our own music and even went so far as to ask the music teacher for permission to rehearse in the music room. His response was a resounding no, and he expressed his disgust at the idea of our "music" corrupting the classical purity of the air. This would never happen today, as teachers would readily support and encourage such student endeavors.

Physical and Emotional Traumas

Back in my school days, there was a notable absence of support for students dealing with various struggles. Issues like random violence and classroom conflict were barely addressed. In one instance, I vividly remember being present when a student was force-fed chewing tobacco by a van driver on the way to school. This, along with a grossly obese physical education (PE) teacher who barely moved, paints a picture of a less-than-ideal school environment. Teachers were not always safe hands, as some would embarrassingly discuss sensitive topics in front of the class and parents.

The education system was also a breeding ground for harmful stereotypes and obsessions. Gender and sexuality norms were strictly enforced, with relentless laughter from teachers about “faggots” and other derogatory terms. Physical and emotional assaults were normalized, and even school officials laughed when students blocked punches with their faces. These experiences have since been unlearned, but the trauma they caused lingers.

Conclusion

While there were certainly positive aspects to my school experiences, such as having dedicated instructors, participating in activities, and enjoying schools prom, the stories above highlight just how far we've come in terms of creating a safer and more supportive learning environment. It's a reminder to cherish the progress made and to continue striving for excellence in all aspects of education.