It was brutal, and I could speak better English and French otherwise. I missed the chance to learn Greek. My favourite history teacher taught ancient Greek (8 pupils) and ancient Hebrew (2 pupils). It was a very cosy atmosphere. 😁 After my time, they had Dutch and Mandarin. I'd have liked that.
Oh wow! Ours was a very old and traditional school, so it was just French, German, and Latin. I think they added Spanish and ancient Greek as I left, but I'd hope they offer more choice now. Mandarin is a useful one.
Mine was too. I was in the last boys-only form. 🙄 Half of the teachers were *very* old and conservative. The other half were young and pretty left-wing, coming from the student revolution in the 60s, so I was good. My parents didn't read a local paper, so no warning about these communists. 😁 /2
It started as a seminar for priests in the 16th century. Luckily that spirit was gone when it became a regular state school in the 19th century. They modernised a lot after my time and even have a Montessori strand now. I can thank the school for my left-wing stance.
I was actually the first girl to be accepted - it was boys only before that. Did you have to stand when a teacher came in, and get called by your surname? 😅
You were probably in high demand. 😁 Yes and yes, but only with the old teachers. There was the "Lyceum" (girls only) relatively nearby, where some of the older boys were standing in the recess. Both schools dropped that after my class, so I thankfully didn't get that 19th-century experience.
My husband went to a Grammar school that was still separated. He said it worked to a degree, but they had a sister school of just girls too. Nah, I was lucky. My brother went, and I passed the entrance exam. That was all they cared about if you could afford the fees 🙄
So he'll probably know the attraction of hanging around at the recess. 😁 I'm happy that I didn't have to, and that those times are altogether gone (besides some Christian Taliban schools in the US).
Just found this; it relates to your classical education. I know there's a lot more even before Zeus, but it makes a good point. 🤣
That's the most accurate thing I've ever seen 😂😂😂 Made me chuckle this morning - thank you!!