MySchool Leeton High School
What to make of it…?
I go into Julia’s MySchool site – and the news is substantially not good: Leeton High School is substantially in the red or pink, substantially below – or just below - substantially similar schools for book learnin’.
*In a journalistic capacity, I’ll be ringing one of the substantially similar but better performing institutions, Bethel Christian School in Albany, WA, later today. I’m anxious to put this one to the principal: is sea air conducive to better brain functioning?
(cr: lumaxaet: flickr)
Nonetheless, I’m sad about the fortunes of my old alumni.
Things were better when I was there in ‘73, ‘74……….
Messy and better for a very simple reason.
Because EVERYONE was there……
I lobbed at Leeton High in 1973. St Francis College only went up to Year 10 so in a (then) still relatively recent trend Catholic teenagers having a go at the HSC, struck a blow for non-sectarianism.
Traditional ‘Leeton Highers’ were surprised to discover Catholics didn’t carry emergency stocks of Communion. Quite the opposite. Some of the best tongue kissers in the Riverina were suddenly on site. Praise The Lord!
In 1973, Leeton High Year 11 was an exciting place to be because (it’s true!) everyone was there……
….Nerds with acne consuming their faces and confidence like wildfire, up ‘emselves types whose fathers held important possies at the Rice Growers’ or banks, smart but shy girls from strict families, fast-talkin’ razor sharp ne’er-do-wells, loners from troubled families, Mensa candidates, definite Mensa non-starters, goers from troubled families, goers from posh families… seething teenage Riverina humanity writ large.
And in 1973, the teachers at Leeton High were also an interesting bunch.
Of special interest, those who’d got scholarships to go to Teachers’ College and, three years later, frantically pulled apart envelopes and prompty collapsed. On coming to, re-confirmation of a harsh reality. Yes, it WAS ‘that Letona tinned fruit place’.
They turned up – looking sad, if not clinically depressed – with small sedans fitted with snow ski or surfboard racks.
In rural Australia in the seventies, another ‘introduced’ species consisted of adventurous young Americans, part of the solution to solve the deperate teachers’ shortage. They were enjoying living on prairies at Wamoon and stunning pupils of Australian history with great backgrounders on the Cuban Missile Crisis.
And generally confounding female students with Nebraskan or Idaho drawls pushed into real Levis.
So, at Leeton High, there were good teachers and yes, a smattering of time servers amassing retirement fortunes… spending decades whingeing about heat and hicks, obsessing about an exciting future playing bowls in a place ON THE COAST (with easy access to Australia’s best hernia surgeons).
But the good teachers were very good. Many grew to like Leeton. They were playing to its strengths - gradually replacing ski and surfboard racks with kangaroo shooters’ spotlights and discovering the thrills of exteme water skiing at Turkey Flat. They were working hard in the classroom and (as the word was always around town) throwing wild parties that were challenging the formidable reputations of those hosted by nurses.
So, can Julia’s spreadsheets tell me anything about what’s happening at Leeton High now.
Lots……
Enrolment at Leeton High is right down – to a measly 495. However, over at Catholic Secondary Headquarters, St Francis De Sales College (which now does Year 11 and 12, boarding included) business is booming with a whooping 709 students.
Either Leeton has the highest ‘convert to Catholism’ rate in the Western world or (just like everywhere else) the new breed of cross-class-hyper-vigilant- manic- education-obsessive parents has decided they don’t like it ‘messy’ – they like it neat.
And even if that means their kids going to a school where they’re not eligible to partake of the sacred tenet of the faith that is the stated basis of the educative project, Holy Communion, that’s fine and groovy.
Meanwhile, at Leeton High a declining some students will continue to do well.
It’s messier than ever…….
* Check out Julia’s old High School. Click ‘ere http://www.myschool.edu.au/ and then type in Unley High School. Will its Principal be getting a ‘can do better’ call from the Minister?
* So, it’d be lovely to hear from you. Where is that messy Leeton High class of ’73 or for that matter, ’74, ‘75, ‘76, ‘77….?
Another thing: Nit-picking expected! One thing I know – every time I do a story on education there’s a certain type who just loves going over it – ah, error watch. Go to it!
Everybody else, just report in (with typos) on what’s happening on your patch.
All posters take a deep breath…..and just click on the ‘comment’ thingo and follow the simple instructions. The place to write your gems is at the bottom of the last published comment. *A little bit of counsel for people new to this caper. Your email (just called ‘mail’ in this case) address does NOT come up on site. And just ignore the URL thingo – just ignore it.
Comment of the Week
February 1st, 2010 at 10:51 am
Will publishing ratings on My School link lift teacher morale and improve standards?
February 1st, 2010 at 11:11 am
Howdo pardners!
Good to be back at the OK Corall Gundagai and hang up the six shooters fer a spell…
A man gets kinda tired of runnin’ with the Duarango Kid and the like.
Eventually it turns out ten cents a Sundance.
I just had to turn in my badge and mosey back to the old spread…..
Ah knows how Lorne Greene felt at the Ponderosa. A man gets plumb wored out following the tumble weed through the mesquite and mesas. Even the best pantry juice in the One Eyed Jack’s saloon can’t slake the thirst of a cowboy for home sweet home.
And what better a home on the plain than Leeton-Gundagai-Griffith?
I am concerned that the adventures of my pal, Barlowe PI, might give the impression that the district is full of men with heaters and mistresses.
Well, suh, if there are any gunslingers round here they is fast on the draw and faster with the women folks…..
Yesireebobtruedat as the Chief Monk would say.
I have bought cowboy suits for the Five Super Puppies and the rest of the gang……
February 1st, 2010 at 6:10 pm
We all went to school
With a Federer,
Better than us…..
Gentle-er.
Yet some of us
Who were inferior,
Hated him, as he was
Superior, external….
Interior.
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:18 am
The Secret Diary of Kevin Michael Rudd, aged 52-and-a-half……
God, it’s a good to relax. I’m lying back on my bed absolutely naked. A gentle summer’s breeze wafts across my body.
Mistress A* is in the bathroom. A pair of boardshorts lay strewn on the floor, a pair of budgie smugglers hanging from the lampshade – Mistress A has just told me: You don’t need no props Big Boy. You’re the Special One. The Chosen One.
Not bad, eh – for a boy from Nambour State High.
Why people go on about schools, I dunno.
And God knows what Julia’s unleashed with this MySchool website. Already I’ve had a weighty package land on my desk from an individual calling himself OLD KNOXIE.
(Knox Grammar is apparently numero uno school in NSW for having the most kids from privileged backgrounds – fees a mere $22,000 a term plus another $20,000 a year for boarders).
And Knox is building a new boarding centre, indoor 50m pool, Olympic sized basketball courts – thanks partly to generous contributions from My Gvt.
The Knox package contains weird stuff like the School Motto:
HANDS OFF COX
ON SOX.
And the Old Knoxie song – to the tune of Dixie:
I’m glad I am a Knoxie,
Just like my dear papa…..
The package talks about the special ingredients of the old Knoxie:
- where would the world of business, the ABC and trade unions be without them?
THEN it starts hinting that Knox will soon be needing more money – there really is no end to it.
I think I’ll flick this one back to Jules.
Good Night Diary,
Kevvie.
A* – is short for the love of my life – Australia.
Dear The Rev Kev,
Thank goodness things are so much simpler in real life than your dreams. For example: There’s a Knoxie old boy slogging it out at The Bar or in The Boardroom right now who’s totally unaware that he’s MY superannuation. And let me tell you this, when a State School old gal makes up her mind there’s NO stopping her…..
*All this on the day of shock polls AND frantic calls from your Protocol Branch officers. They need you to be clear thinking, decisive. Fancy! You casually suggest ‘you all come see us’ and next thing Airforce 1 is parked at Mascot.
* It’s true! Nambour State High School WAS better when you were there (the news on Julia’s spreadsheet is NOT good).
Have a good Question Time.
KJ.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:47 am
Came downstairs as An Act Of Courage…
Dared venture outside AND SAW MY SHADOW.
Punxsutawney Phil has it right.
It is GROUNDHOG DAY.
Straight back to the man-eatin’ doona.
Dear The Knuckle,
Do not be afraid….I decare Groundhog the CUTEST day of ‘em all……KJ.
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:46 am
As my old friend Harry Stackers of Leeton says: I’ve been a-thinkin.
…….I’ve been a-thinkin about men and sport.
While women want to talk about bum-drops, hair colour and fashion, men want to get on the lathe and discuss the sports results.
Politicians are quickly dismissed as ‘mad bastards’ or ‘no bloody good’, but who is going to take the vacant front row position gets top priority in male discussions.
Which brings me to Saint Roger of Federer.
‘Bloody unbeatable,’ says Harry.
So I have been a-thinkin – it is about time that the Leeton Grand Slam is launched.
I have refurbished the Trailer and I am heading straight to the Tennis Capital of the Riverina……
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:30 pm
How could the Leeton Grand Slam be a success without the Knoxies?
I am taking Knoxie, Knoxie Knoxie and Knoxie Knoxie Knoxie with me to Leeton….
All have had personal trainers from the Davis Cup and Wimbledon.
They are used to playing on grass mowed by the lower orders….
Each has their own tutor from the Adam Smith Laissez Faire Foundation.
Crowds of Knoxies are heading south.
There may be so many that perhaps Leeton is threatened with a name change: Knoxville.
Knoxie I: We owe it to the people.
Knoxie II: We are trained to lead in all fields, including tennis.
Knoxie III: We owe it to our alma mater.
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Dear Miss KJ,
On the tricky subject of school, breeding and leadership, I pass on to your inspirational blog this conversation among a group of Old Knoxies I overheard at my club last night:
Knoxie 1: How many Knoxies does it take to change a light bulb?
Knoxie 2 (puzzled): I’m not sure I understand the question.
Knoxie 1 (laughing): So you give up?
Knoxie 2: Yeah…the question doesn’t really make sense.
Knoxie 1: Right. the answer is none – I mean – what’s the point of having servants.
Knoxie 1, 2, 3 & 4 dissolve into laughter – tears streaming down their faces.
Knoxie 2: Waiter – another round of brandies – there’s a good chap……..
Dear The Old Carnt,
Laugh? Did I ever!
Haven’t had so much fun since Leeton High 1 (me), Leeton High 2 and Leeton High 3 made pot plant hangers out of our old bras.
Laugh? Did we ever!
KJ.
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:38 pm
The Rev Kev,
Do not miss this opportunity to win the hearts and minds of Leeton by being the first to hit the balls in the Leeton Grand Slam.
Otherwise, a Certain Monk will be there.
We know he is ball ready.
You’ll have to beat him to the punch.
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:45 pm
I have had a few breakthroughs in the organization of the Leeton Grand Slam….
First, the pupils of the Nuffink Rong School, which did notte make ut onna My Schoole, like ya know’, have agreed to sing at the opening.
Next, a player who has Rogered all players in the world, has agreed to play local hero, Billy MacKnackers in an exhibition match.
Further, the New International Rules – designed by renowned expert on the game, Mr G.I.N. German – which allow tackling, use of hands, feet and teeth by both players and spectators will apply.
Funding has been obtained from the Al Grassby Memorial Foundation.
Former Netball legend, Miss Kerrie Jean, has agreed to join Tracey Holmes and Channel Ten personality Ralph Blur in the Commentary Box.
In the words of a Nuffink Rong student: Youse gonna enjoye this biff.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Good evening and welcome to the LEETON GRAND SLAM CLASSIC…
I’m Ralph Blur, and with me in the Commentary Box are Leeton’s one and only Kerrie Jean, along with Tracey Holmes.
Earlier Kerrie Jean sang for all the fans she left behind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1wLGlMIiyM
It must have been an emotional moment for you KJ?
Yes, Ralph, and when the Nuffink Rong School joined in I was deeply touched.
(Ralph) Well, KJ a lot of people have been deeply touched in Leeton down through the years. Tracey?
Yes, Ralph, memories of Humper Hill and the Levee are still with us. As for tonight’s contest the local boy, MacKnackers, has a big chance for an upset…..to roger Roger.
(Ralph) Yes, Tracey, and he’s looking pretty good. There goes the first serve from the local lad.
He’s jumped the net and tackled Roger. Right around the bootlaces.
Roger looks startled……
He’s never come up with anything like this before.
MacKnackers has him around the throat.
The crowd from both sides of the arena have jumped in as well and they’re at each others’ throats.
There’s a shopping trolley being thrown……
There go some golf clubs.
There’s a bowling ball……
MacKnackers is cheering the mob on.
The Five Super Puppies in their ballboy cowboy hats are running for cover along with Fingo, the dingo-fox.
There’s a large Belgian tiger chasing people into the stands. What’s his name, KJ?
Tigger – he’s in charge of Security.
(Ralph) There’s the Ringmaster with the loud hailer…Mr?
G.I.N. German.
(Ralph) The mob are pursuing Roger down Pine Avenue….
What’s Mr German saying, Tracey?
Game, set and match.
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:04 am
Hi Tweetie,
Don’t ya love the smell of burning lycra in the early morning?
I’m usually in the saddle and at it by 5am – head down, bum up – cycling up and down the nearest big hill for a couple of hours.
And then on to a working brekky with my new best friend – the Great Ombudsman for the Australian People, aka Gloria, aka The Parrot.
I’m beginning to feel sorry for The Rev Kev…
I mean what’s he ever do actually done? Okay, top score 11 in cricket! Otherwise it’s talk, talk, TALK……
Gotta go. I can feel a big run coming on.
Tony (Action Man) Six Pack.
Dear Tony,
Do I love the smell of burning lycra in the morning? Don’t know – I have no experience of it.
The closest I’ve ever come to lycra is support hose. KJ.
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:55 pm
My School Days…
Nuffink Rong,
Wiv our skule
Cos we obeys
Da golden rool….
Cleen ya eers,
Plenty tubbin,
Go to skule
Wiv lotsa lovin’.
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Just when you think life is pretty ’so so’, a buffalo comes along and makes you smile all over.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/03/2808800.htm
Dear Chadwick,
I nominate Mr Karl Stower as Australian Of The Year: Cool AND kind. * When I was reporting in Darwin many years ago I did a story about a brolga who walked into a roadhouse, introduced himself – and ended up working behind the counter. KJ.
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Did someone say learning?
Oh my God my sabbatical over…..
What’s that smell of aftershave and fear coming down the hall?
Dear The Lonely Scholar,
‘Brut’ AND fear…..one of the most potent combos known to humankind. Be careful. KJ.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:14 pm
The Lonely Scholar,
Et tu Brute.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:23 am
Dear KJ,
Can I just say?
You know what?
They say I’m all talk and no action.
Well, don’t be surprised if you see me at the cricket today. I got my own team too. And I got to pick it (sorta).
Gotta go. T says I look terrific in whites.
Sportingly Yours,
The Rev Kev.
Dear The Rev Kev,
The word around Leeton is that – as a pre-season warm up – you’ll be picking (and playing) in the Leeton Crows Aussie Rules eighteen. Possie? Rover. Is there nothing you can’t do? KJ.
February 4th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
A phone jingle-jangled in Art’s Bar And Grill, Leeton….
About time.
It was from The Ginger Man, calling for assistance from Barlowe, the Singing PI.
Sure, only ten cents a song.
With boater and cane, I went to work to calm the savage hordes amok at the superb local tennis centre.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKrC9Tu8gpo
They needed to AC-CENT-TCHU-ATE THE POSITIVE.
No sense in messing with Mr In-Between……
……You’ve got to accentuate the positive.
Eliminate the negative…..
Latch on to the affirmative………….
Don’t mess with Mister In-Between.
Am I right or am I right?
February 5th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Salaam, Earth People…
This is Mo the Mouse reporting from Kavoshgar-3 in space, along with Turt and Myrtle, the turtles, and Willie the Worm and his Harem…
I think Freddie the Frog might be among the crew as I have not checked because I am drugged and bound in a tiny space seat.
A tiny squeak for a mouse, but a giant leap for Iran?
The turtles are no company. I think they have agoraphobia or issues. Willie is too busy with his women.
I am not sure of the purpose of the mission.
Is it to demonstrate the effects of fear upon Allah’s most humble creatures?
A respectful question for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: Are we coming back?
Will we come back alive? Or is this a suicide mission? Is this rocket tipped with nuclear device? If so, WHERE ARE THE CONTROLS ?
Your friend in Space,
Mo the Mouse.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iran-fires-mouse-turtle-and-worms-into-space-1887948.html
February 5th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
This is a pic of a Bring Back Mo rally in Teheran:
http://www.irna.ir/En/View/FullStory/Photo/?NewsId=937636&IdLanguage=3
February 6th, 2010 at 1:11 am
We just passed over our burrow…
Hi Mom!
I am 500 kilometres up here with tubes sticking our of my throat like I had a stroke or something.
Those Yanks have everything – look at the way they treat Groundgogs on groundhog day. They don’t send them into space.
Boy what I’d give for a bit of gorgonzola or cheddar. Please note they have not sent a cat up here.
Salaam from your friend in Space,
Mo the Mouse aka Helmz-1.
PS: I am a Muslim Mouse. My full name is Mohammed Ali bin Mouzaghi. I am not a terrorist rodent, nor a jihadist.
I am open to any option that will get me back to my Mommy.
I do not – so far as I know – possess any weapons of mass destruction.
Mo the Mouse.
February 6th, 2010 at 1:29 am
Attention, Mouseketeers of Australia.
I note with a sense of urgency that an orphaned rodent has been treated well in your country.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/04/2810292.htm
Please now turn your sympathy 500 km upwards.
Salaam,
Your Friend in Space,
Mo the Mouse.
February 6th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Bring dat little Mo-man back to da Mothere Earth. Yesirreebobtruedat!
Land him in dat Super Bowl so dat when de Sainties call out:
Who dat?
Dey say:
Dat MO-MAN THE MOUSE!
February 7th, 2010 at 11:01 am
President Imadinnerjacket must bring Mo and his friends back.
What’s next ? A priest, a rabbi and a stripper launched into space?
Weapons of mass DIS-traction?
Dear The Dude,
I CANNOT support the campaign to have Mo The Mouse returned to earth. How many of his brothers and sisters get the chance to undertake such an assignment?
Mo is not a victim – Mo is a mouse in 100-billion.
Everybody settle down please……
KJ.