|
|
|
| How did you know
how you had 'Made the Grade' at the Boys'
Grammar School in the Sixties? The
addition of a simple coloured ribbon
presented by your house master signified
that you had served your house with
distinction, whether on the sporting
field or your contribution to school life
or your involvement in a more sedentary
society such as the Inter-House Debating
competition. The ribbon was sewn above
your blazer's breast pocket badge as
above in your own house colours. I
remember first getting mine in1969 [Lower
Sixth] for playing for the school and
house basketball and cricket teams. To
have the ribbon was a real 'badge of
honour'. I believe that they were awarded
after discussions between senior pupils
and house masters... almost like the New
Years' Honours List. |
| |
|
|
|
Alpha |
Kappa |
Lambda |
Omega |
| |
|
|
|
 |
More
significantly, School Colours were
awarded in the form of a modified school
tie. Firstly, being elected to a role of
Prefect entitled you to wear the school
tie modified with fine yellow stripes.
However, the ultimate school heroes could
sport a similar ite with a white inserted
stripe. The School Colours were clearly
in the gift of the Headmaster and were
presented at the last assembly of the
School Year before the annual rendition
of Jerusalem. As a newt, we revered those
who wore the white insert tie, heroes
like Geoff Nulty of the often victorious
football teams. |
 |
| Rod Crook writes,
'Obviously things changed markedly in the
60s (in many ways), but in the 1940's and
the early 50's only School Colours were
awarded. In other words House Colours
were not awarded or heard of. In any
senior sport School Colours were awarded
to perhaps three or four people in any
year as I recall it. They took the form
of a letter in yellow sitting on a patch
of black material about an inch (say 2cm)
square, which was then sewn on the top of
the breast pocket of a School blazer.
Thus eg. I received colours for
Athletics, (Victor Ludorum 1951) in the
form of the letter 'A' and Hockey in the
form of the letter 'H.' there would also
be Colours for swimming, cricket and
football (soccer). There were no special
ties, no special badges, and no big deal
of presentation, but they were not easy
to get either. ' Duncan
Thomas also observed, 'An interesting
read about the house colours. I played
football for the school at times, ran for
the school at cross country, played chess
for the school and was in the music/choir
so sang for the school. What happens? To
my amazement and that of the school at
assembly I was awarded my Omega
colours in 1964 for-----my performances
in the school play (as well as general
contribution to the school). It was
unheard of. Colours for something other
than soccer? Never heard the like.
Whatever next.it took some living down I
can tell you.
|
| Any more
information on school colours and house
colours would be most appreciated.... eg
When did the practice begin? When did it
all end? What did you get yours for? Have
I got the tie designs right? |
|
|
