| 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. |
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Alpha |
Kappa |
Lambda |
Omega |
| ,,,,, |
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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. |
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| 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.
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| 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? |
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