Loreto College in the noughties

Things you’ll remember if you attended Loreto in the noughties, penned by Jenny McGovern.

Lunch race

The superiority complex between the junior and senior ‘mall’ and the race at lunch to find the perfect spot. The excitement of hot food being introduced to the school, options included baked potato, vol au vents, soup, pot noodles and the smallest breakfast roll known to man - a petit pan with one sausage.

Room change

Each class having their own room that the teachers would go to… and then the annoyance of the system changing in third year when teachers claimed the rooms and the students had to go to them. *Ugh we have to carry our bags around now*

Never-ending staircase

The never ending staircase to the top floor corridor. Never.ending.

Creepy basement

The art room moving from its beautiful airy spot in the newer wing of the school to the creepy basement... The terror of retrieving art supplies from the dungeon rooms, the kiln room, which never seemed to work.

Radiator race

Rushing to secure a radiator in the concert hall on the frosty mornings, huddling around the ancient metal pipes.

Mitching!

Having one friend who could drive and subsequently mitching evening classes.

Strikes

The teachers strikes - subs drafted in to replace them and all order breaking down. Students choosing to mount their own strike at the lack of education…(but really, just so we could get more classes off). 

Avenue

The long walk from the school down the avenue before the bus lane was built, and waiting for your bus with only the trees to shelter you from the elements.

Knowing exactly which bus went to Pat’s before picking up Loreto girls, and finding a prime position for ogling them.

Short skirts

Skirts hiked up, ties loose and the highest (wine coloured) heel you could get away with. If you forgot your wine shoes, there was a pair of ratty old slippers for you as punishment.

Male teachers

Having a total of four male teachers, who were adored by the student population.

Trousers 

The introduction of trousers to the school uniform... complaining constantly about the sharp crease in said trousers.

Science

Seeing the science teachers make different coloured flames using chemicals, but not being allowed to do it yourself. (Potassium purple anyone)

Journal notes

Never remembering your PE Gear/Home Ec Materials/ Experiment copy, getting notes in your journal for these infractions.

Christmas 

The annual Christmas concert and Christmas quiz over the intercom.

Intercom

Being equally terrified/thrilled at the prospect of speaking over the intercom.

Religion

Having your religion class taught by five different teachers each covering an aspect of it, watching a documentary about Scientology and rethinking your feelings about Tom Cruise and Will Smith.

Smells

Bathrooms which stank of So! Impulse and Dewberry Body spray

Panda eyes

Coming in on Monday morning with what you thought was a ‘sexy smudged eye’ when in reality it was a bad case of panda eyes, being told by the first teacher you met to ‘go in to the bathroom and take that muck off your face’…emerging 5 minutes later eyes red raw…there was no micellar water back in those days.

Holes in sleeves

Ripping the perfect thumb sized hole in your jumper sleeve, said hole widening week by week until you were left with nothing but tatters…and an irate mother.

First mobiles

Not being too bothered with phones because there was no such thing as social media, camera-phones or Internet on the old 3210s. Nevertheless you still kept it in your pocket for coolness’ sake.

Sick bay

Readily accompanying anyone to the sick bay, for the chance of ten or fifteen minutes away from lessons.

Prefects

Becoming a sixth year and a prefect, everyone wanting to be a first year class prefect, alas being stuck with a boring one like…religion room prefect. As a sixth year you earned the right to go down to the bus alley during lunch breaks, ‘to get away from the younger students’ but in reality it was the smokers’ go to spot.

Finals days

Your last couple of days there, getting your friends and the teachers to sign your shirt, singing songs, dancing and celebrating with your year in the courtyard. Promising to keep in touch and to remember those days for the rest of your life.