Life at Spicer High

Life at Spicer High.

Weekdays Activities

On the days that I got a good nights sleep, I  wake up early before the rising bell and quietly climb up to the attic. There in the "Quiet Room" lit by a zero watt bulb, I read the morning watch commentary. With a quiet prayer, I  walked to the door where the water tanks are and welcome the day with the noise of the water filling the tank and a few twin fuselage Indian Air Force planes flying above leaving their jet vapour trails in the sky like chalk board drawings. 

The the hostel buzzes with activities as the rising bell rings and students rush to the toilets and bathrooms. If one takes a long time in the toilets, he is awaken by a knock on the door. I use to watch David Green grimices his face to get a good shave. At 14 years old I had no such hirsuite problem.  

Mens Hostel

We then rushed to the worship hall of the Mens Hostel. On the keyboard of the old piano was Sunderan Moses. He plays ad lib with no notebook in front. For my first time, I heard our hostel dean Pr L R Burns from Australia I did not understand a word of what he says.

Pr L R Burns (Hostel Dean)

After worship we rush to the cafeteria and quickly eat our breakfast. This is because we have to go to the work programme. Every day the hours and minutes worked is entered by our work supervisor.

At first my work assignment was to clean the Mens Hostel ground floor toilets and the surrounding areas of the hostel.

After some time Pr Burns calls me to work in his house. One of the Wallang sisters cleans and tidies the house. My job was to iron the clothes of the Pr Burns eldest daughter.

!st daugnter of the Burns

 (The second one was born in Spicer later. I carry her when there was Spicer Church choir practice. That time it was in the now library hall which was empty at that time)

2nd daughter of the Burns

Pr Burns was the choir director and Mrs Burns plays the piano

Mrs Burns (Spicer Choir Pianist)

After morning work change our clothes into the High School uniform and run to the school. 

We assemble for the role call on the back side of the school near the playground (Now basket ball court) 

Mr D P David takes the roll call and marks our attendance.

The frist period of our class was a study on the book "Principles of Life" which Mrs Fernando teaches. Most of the time she reads but I pay full attention and does not even take notes.

Recess bell rings and the students line up near the water fountain to take a drink. Others, mainly in relationship chatch up on one another.

(To be continued)