Cheating the noose

“If men can run the world, why can’t they stop wearing neckties. How intelligent is it to start the day by tying a little noose around your neck.”

Linda Ellerbee

I have on more than one occasion taken advantage of these postings to bemoan the fact that – at the commencement of the academic year in September – I must henceforth accoutre myself with that most offensive and pointless item of apparel – the necktie! I have – to be entirely fair – also used this forum to celebrate the most wonderful of work-days – usually at the point in May when the sun first puts in a proper appearance – on which the Surmaster of the School declares that Summer Dress may at last be worn, and the absurd adornment may thus be banished for an extended period until the summer is over and done with.

That this year will be – for the Kickass Canada Girl and I – like no other need hardly be mentioned. Apparently trivial circumstances would seem to be conspiring to make it even less so.

Yesterday – at morning break – the Surmaster announced to the Common Room that the School’s dress code – to which all pupils must adhere – was – by general consent – to be tightened up. We are not like our sister school, the which has no school uniform at all and whose dress code is apparently limited to the stricture – ‘no beachwear’! Our juniors do have a uniform and our senior boys must wear ‘smart business dress’.

This was not – however – the key part of the announcement. The Surmaster added that he would in future forego his right to declare that some random spring-like day in May should herald the advent of ‘Summer Dress’. In future such would be permitted for the whole of the summer term!

For me in particular this edict carries a special significance. When the Easter term has finally shuddered to a close – in just over a week’s time – I need no longer wear a tie – ever again!!

My whoop of delight from the back of the room at this particular pronouncement did not go unnoticed…