My
Memories of Miss Pattie
By
Maureen Stanger.
Not such a formidable lady after all.
Miss Pattie, thought to be a formidable lady by most and who am I to dispute it, was quite a favourite of mine. She was a good friend to me so I saw the kinder side of her. I always did well in her class so perhaps that helped.
I remember two occasions when I expected to get into trouble but didn’t. The first was when my mum permed my hair one evening for the forthcoming Christmas Party and, with perms not being as sophisticated as they are now, I had to wear curlers during the night. The next morning my hair was still very wet so I took the day off school. When I went in the following day with an explanatory note from mum, she smiled, flicked my hair and said it looked lovely, but to remember to have it permed at the weekend next time.
The second occasion was when I was asked to serve tea to Miss Pattie and some guests. Taking a laden tray up the stairs, I managed to drop it from the top to the bottom breaking everything except one saucer. I definitely thought my end had come but not so, she helped me pick up the mess and take it back to the kitchen where she helped me set out a fresh tray. Somehow though I don’t ever remember being asked to do it again.
She was a great teacher, a wonderful person and I am so pleased someone has made contact with her after all these years.
Maureen Davison (nee Stanger).
June 2004