My metamorphosis
I was 15 and about to leave school and step out into the big wide world. It was usual for your mother or father to come to the school and meet with your ‘form’ teacher to discuss a job for you.
It was 1961 and very few people stayed on at school to take GCE’s, as they were called then – just a handful out of the ‘A’ stream class. I was in the A stream, but I hadn’t even thought about staying on, until one day a teacher bellowed out, “Leach! Why aren’t you staying on?” I, in my usual very shy way, just said “I don’t know sir” and cringed at the attention it bought me. No more was ever said on the subject.
Anyway, there I was with my mum and my favourite teacher, Miss Richardson. She was, in fact, the only decent teacher we had in the whole school! She made you feel important and she actually held a two way conversation with you, and listened to you! It was unheard of in our school. We were always bellowed at, and told to be quiet if we attempted to reply to a teacher. She was younger than any of the other teachers – a breath of fresh air. Needless to say she didn’t fit the mould, and didn’t stay very long. She left soon after I did. I count myself fortunate to have been in her class in her only year at our school.
With my mum at my side, Miss Richardson said “What sort of job did you have in mind?” “A hairdresser” I said. Well didn’t everybody want to be a hairdresser? She smiled. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather do something you have a talent for” she said. I looked at her and she smiled again. “What about your art? You have a real talent. Wouldn’t you like a job that used that talent?” “Ok” I said, not really seeing the importance of all this at that young age. She immediately fixed me up with an interview, and handed my mum the details.
You have to realize that a 15 year old, back then, was little more than a child, still wearing white ankle socks. I find it very strange that, as young as we were, the vast majority of us were soon to be holding down full time jobs, and accepted that responsibility easily and eagerly – one day wearing ankle socks and bushy eyebrows, the next, wrestling with suspender belts, high heels and make up. It really was that sudden a transformation. Yet we handled it.
Mum had taken me out and bought me my first set of ‘adult’ clothes. The image of my new coat makes me cringe now, but it was ‘hot’ when I chose it. It was a straight wrap over coat with a tie belt. Wait for it…. It was red plaid! Very fashionable in 1961, but EUUUGHHH!
The day came for my interview and, again, mum came with me. Parents always accompanied their child to their first interview. It was expected by the would be employer. I got the job, and was due to start one week after I left school. My salary would be five guineas, which was £5.5s. That was before we went decimal. That would be £5.25 pence now ($10.50 US). It was a very good salary in those days, and set a future trend for me. After all, this was the beginning of the sixties and everything was plentiful, including jobs.
I thank Miss Richardson, and often think about her. She made my last year at school a good year, and set my future up for me, because she cared. I hope she’s had a good life.
Stumble it!
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Jaffer | 28 July 2008 at 1:39
Ah the good old days. But being the MTV generation that I am, I’d be totally embarrassed if my dad/mom accompanied me at my first interview.
Babs (Beetle) | 28 July 2008 at 2:12
Jaffer:
Ha ha! I expect anyone would now days. That was the last point at which we were treated as children – overnight adulthood!
Drowsey Monkey | 28 July 2008 at 2:21
I know what you mean about being a child and then BAM you’re an adult and expected to behave like one. What a set-up!
That’s a great story
You WERE very lucky to have Miss Richardson on your side and influencing you as she did. It’s a testament to how much influence teachers can have. With their encouragement think of what students can do.
Blog Bloke | 28 July 2008 at 19:10
Thanks for the story. I really enjoyed it.
My first job I guess was when I was a paperboy at 5. I think I still hold the record for doing it until I was 18. My first adult job would have been driving and loading trucks. I worked with ‘gentlemen’ who’s every 2nd word was the “F” bomb.
It was a cultural and growing nightmare, to say the least.
Babs (Beetle) | 28 July 2008 at 21:25
Drowsey:
It was a bit sudden. I remember my mum saying (proudly) to me. You’re an adult now, and I felt all ‘fluffed up’ ha ha!
Blog Bloke:
At my first job the boss was a real ‘lady’ so, at least I was thrust into a wholesome environment.
Jay | 28 July 2008 at 23:16
Oooh – my sister in law was a teacher called Miss Richardson before she married my brother! Your Miss R wasn’t a rather petite Londoner with brown eyes, was she? LOL!
That brought back a lot of memories for me. I left school in the seventies, and my first wages? Six guineas! Ah, those magical guineas! Our kids don’t know what the heck they were, do they?
Babs (Beetle) | 28 July 2008 at 23:31
Jay:
Miss Richardson was petite and a Londoner, but her striking feature was her red hair. She would about seventy now.
My first guitar cost me nineteen guineas ;O)
Kathy | 29 July 2008 at 0:51
It’s amazing what the right words from a caring teacher can do for kids and teens. Everyone needs a Miss Richardson! One little seed planted and the world opens right up.
Babs (Beetle) | 29 July 2008 at 11:46
Kathy:
That’s so true. I’ve no doubt that she affected many lives throughout her career.
Gandalf and Grayson | 29 July 2008 at 12:20
A lovely story, Babs! But what was your first job? Did you use your artistic talents?
JD at I Do Things | 29 July 2008 at 14:59
Boy, our lives at 15 certainly were different. Suffice it to say, in many ways I was more grown up (thanks to the times), but in other ways I was more of a kid. I got my first job at 16, but it didn’t have anything to do with my talents (I worked at a pizza restaurant).
I wish you had a photo of that red plaid coat!
Babs (Beetle) | 29 July 2008 at 17:33
Gandalf and Grayson:
Sorry, I forgot to mention. I was an Embroidery Designer for Singer sewing machines, then moved on to theatrical costumes for all the big epic films.
JD:
Sadly, I can’t find any photos of me between the age of 14 and 20. I would have loved (and cringed) to find some ;O)
Jay | 29 July 2008 at 18:59
Babs, my SIL is now over sixty! Unlikely that it’s the same person, though she did have hair that could be described as red at one time. Wouldn’t it have been cool, though? LOL!
Babs (Beetle) | 29 July 2008 at 20:25
Jay:
That would be unbelievably cool! I could say thank you :O) She would have to have worked at St William of York school near, Pentonville Prison.
LadyBanana | 29 July 2008 at 21:29
At the age of 16 it wasn’t even discussed whether or not I might stay on for A levels.. My Dad just found me a job in the paper which I had little choice in. I got it and that was that..
As far as I recall I earned about £12 a week!
Babs (Beetle) | 29 July 2008 at 22:10
LadyBanana:
It wasn’t really expected that girls would stay on at school. We were meant to be housekeepers only in those days ;O)
weechuff | 29 July 2008 at 23:28
I started work four years before you. I left school at 3.30p.m. on Wednesday and started work 9.00a.m. Thursday morning! I had no choice. Mum needed the money with six of us still at school. I was earning £3.10s a week. (£3.50)
Janice | 30 July 2008 at 22:38
Wow, this brings back memories,one day I was called Janice the next day It was “Miss Wilson” that was a rude awakening.I remember granny shoes, oxford bags, hot pants,Thankfully I don’t have any photos. A ten on the cringe meter I think.I’m blushing thinking about it we thought we were so cool.