That Boarding School Girl

Recently I had actually gifted to me a book from their collection of "Girls Own" fiction, a genre I do so love by an author I had nothing  by but was part of that 1920's through 1940's boom of school based girls fiction rather like Angela Brazil.

It's a September 30th 2003 reprint by Girls Gone  By of a 1925 classic, the second in the  "St Brides" series of stories she wrote replicating the original text apart from two alterations at the bequest of the Estate of the author where the original text can be found.

Thank you so much for this.

A few notes on this: In some ways this and Nancy at St Brides (see separate review) are rather odd bed fellows with Nancy at St Brides being more a full account of her first term there and this being  the earlier novel that deals with the consequences of her having to leave and her being sent in some disgrace to Maudsley Grammar as a day student under that cloud, very much feeling the need work hard in lessons and keep the impulsive and easily lead of her personality very much under a lid.

Indeed so much did she try her darnmost that the gulf between her effort and the remainder of Form V.B. invited suspicions that when a conversation by arch rival  Larkiston school  students on the bus that included one who knew Nancy's past became common knowledge as it was overheard by Maudsley students, form V.B. become convinced she'd done something wicked.

In truth while what she had been responsible for did had very serious consequences, in reality it was more she wasn't sufficiently mature so failed to realize the recklessness of the situation she'd lead the others into.

It was the Head Mistresses perception she was not mature enough for boarding school that was the real reason she left. [She wasn't expelled according to "at St Brides", contrary to the claim in this novel more recommended not to return next term because of the Heads understanding of the real issue around her conduct].

When eventually the truth did come out  - and not being very happy over it - she is better understood for the grasping of the second chance given to her and becomes more an asset never more so when she steps in at the last moment in a inter school cricket match with Larkiston as Charity Sheringham had injured her hand leading her team to a draw with a memorable performance.

What I learned from being away

I was away for a few days with friends recently and here's some reflections upon that time.

There are some reflections I do feel the need to talk about about on here one is learning to be grateful for what people freely do for you such as seeing I was struggling at one railway station a couple kindly offered to help carry my luggage and even checked when I got to the end of the stairwell I was all right who I no idea of. I thanked them profusely for caring so much and acting on it.

There's the people who kept an eye on me as I was feeling a little homesick where I stayed, spending time with and the friend who knowing the sort of fiction I like, gave me a cherished book from their collection which they sure didn't have to and to which I didn't expect at all after giving them a dolly I thought they'd love.

Then there is a friend of mine who kindly put me up, offering a cooked meal and a lift to the train coming back completely out of the blue, seeing I was on the right platform for my train to come in. Even when I found I simply could not eat the whole of their home made and cooked meal rather than just saying it was very nice-and it was was absolutely lovely- from nowhere I found myself apologizing to them for not finishing my meal clearly feeling contrite.

These acts of kindness really moved me but whereas in the past I'd of blocked out my emotions I thanked them properly for all those things they did not have to do,that I have no right to expect nor demand expressing my gratitude, revealing my sense of being humbled openly.

Another thing was around making sure I stayed within contact while meeting one person after a rail journey, letting them know it was doing  and when I would be seeing them which as you may recall resulted in a lecture and spanking last time which I did.

As well I was asked to keep it on while they were going out of the house for a short period later on because they may be delayed and I just complied with the request with no back chat which showed I had learned from last times experiences.

While a few people needed a reminder to tidy up and put their plates in the dishwasher while we were away, I did not and indeed that I had was held up as an example for others to follow.

I think the one thing I can take away from this period is while I may have some distance to go and the potential to relapse, the six days did show I was moving on, being responsible and how I'm being helped to change is really helping me.  

Modern uniform options

Uniform can sometimes result in quite impassioned debate from those who believe people not least children have a right to individual expression in all settings  to those who feel it can result in less favourable outcomes because it restricts opportunities.

Traditionalists  often feel a uniform policy that goes back to at least the early decades of the twentieth century is about holding true to something they feel hasn't been in the main found wanting and attempts to simplify only hold back from the skills required for adult presentation such as fastening ties, shoes and how to wear a suit properly. 

There is one area I would hold with not least at infant and primary levels with some which is skirts do not lend themselves to free play which happens at playtimes and at home when with friends because a wearer, traditionally a girl is forever worried about flashing their underwear accidentally to the point it reduces their physical activity in the playground.

The same applies with sissiesbut brought up as boys who may be more feminine that would prefer not to wear trousers or short trousers as again a good number love play and that would result in teasing.

In recent years the retailer Marks and Spencers ("M&S") have introduced a school skort into their range of off the shelve uniform which does look more like a skirt to the point of having a traditional back unlike the more shorts like basic of earlier examples.

That looks more like a skirt at first glance and does work well with polo tops which in the last two decades more primary schools have moved towards.

As can be seen here, there is a built in mesh undershort which ensures no underwear will be shown however you play, climbing on climbing frames, crawling on the ground or just going to pick up a pencil.

To me that really would make far more sense as a uniform option which is feminine that girls and sissy gurls would feel more comfortable in at an age play is spontaneous and their is a need to encourage them to be active. 

Little problems

One of the more frustrating things out there is the preoccupation within the littles community with little girls to the exclusion of us, sissies, the traditional rough and tough as much as the more delicate who like it as it was when you didn't feel you had to bend your gender to fit in even if like me you enjoyed wearing skirts and dresses too.

Because I colour in Disney Princesses and have girls colouring books doesn't make me a girl because I am a Feminine little sissy.

I accept my sissy gurl side.

For us there isn't because we are very happy to be our gender as it is to the point it needs no qualification nor that we have any real privilege just on account of it we are are sex because that's our anatomy which doesn't mean we can't be loved and adored for what we are