A FLASH BACK TO FIRST DAY FIRST STEPS.

It is now nearly seventy years since my first day at school. Now this was play school and I’d been primed up for this being significant and how I should like it all. The first day arrived and my mum strapped me in my push chair and with our dog “Crisp” as an escort we schlepped our way to play school: over the flood arches, over the bridge along ding dong street (that was Bell street in my onomatopoeic speak) up past the town hall past the Rowbarge pub (this I clearly recall as the pub sign depicted the Royal Barge “Gloriana” with these clown like figures rowing the boat and having fun at the same time. I was equipped with a pack of ginger biscuits that Willie made for me. (This was an instance of potentially winning influence over my colleagues. Sweets were still rationed at this time).
We welcomed at the door by Mrs Bossanova a foreboding figure with booming voice introducing me to all the others as “Pippo”. I don’t recall the all the others’ names at the time except big boy O’Malley.
Firstly, we were introduced to building bricks and I felt totally at home with building towers. I wasn’t at that knowledgeable about Baroque, Classical or any other specialty. I was enjoying this activity then at the end the session when Mrs Bossanova came to inspect our products. Just before she arrived at my pitch to examine my “chef d’oeuvre”, Big boy O’Malley took one look then smashed my tower to the ground. Was I annoyed, definitely! Mrs Bossanova inquired what the hiatus was all about. She produced a box of tissues and I told her what had happened, but I got little sympathy. “Buildings do fall down. Next time darling, you can build a better tower. Now move on!”.
Lunch came along and provided some respite. Soup and beans on cheese on toast. After a refill I was back ready for the next challenge: painting. I had a little bit of a head start on this and we were asked to produce a painting of our nearest and dearest . I set to work and our dog “Crisp” featured as the subject. On reviewing the products Mrs Bossanova came along to my product and beamed “Mmm interesting”. I’m glad to see that you did let O’Malley’s actions demotivate you in any way! The dog is a curious choice though!”.
The last subject was clay modelling and pottery. I can only recall that my vase shape was very wobbly and I was asked to slow down and work more accurately. After what seemed like a lifetime trying to “straighten out” the vase I got something that would be put into the kiln for “cooking”. To which I quipped to my mum as she met me
“Pottery, it’s just like pastry, though we are not allowed to eat it!”
So my first day at play school did end on a high. In fact, I did enjoy play school. It is great pity that the formal education following it did not have the play school atmosphere. I could say on reflection that playschool was the zenith of my education! 
© Phil Sully