30 Aug 2016
Posted by Sharron Lynskey 
For some, primary school days are but a distant memory; but with back to school just around the corner, the AA Roadwatch guys took that trip down memory lane to recount some of their fondest memories from their early years at school.
The Chit-Chatter
“For various reasons I actually went to six different schools in my time. From the start, I was a compulsive talker & quite an obstinate little fella. I vaguely remember my very first days in school and I was painfully shy… the teacher struggled to get a single word out of me. Within a week though I could hardly be shut up. I’d argue about anything and the teacher couldn’t tell us the simplest thing without me piping up and questioning it. My later school career was more chequered – there are secondary school teachers who could quite cheerfully have shot me – but as an infant I think I was probably a happy little chap.” – Conor Faughnan
The Cherry (Tomato) on Top
“When I was little I used to love cherry tomatoes, so when I was in Junior Infants, my mother used to put some in my lunch box every other day. I was also a rather active child, and for lunch it was a race between me and my friends to see who could eat their lunch the fastest and then race out to the yard to play. One afternoon I came back to the classroom after lunch feeling woozy. It continued for the next hour or so until we were going home. As we queued up to leave for the day I suddenly vomited up cherry tomatoes onto the classroom floor. My teacher was horrified, while around me there was sounds of giggles and retching. Needless to say, the sight of the cherry tomatoes on the floor has meant I haven’t had another since.” – Adrian Harmon
Monkey Business
“My mum was told at a parent teacher meeting in Junior Infants that I spent more time sitting under rather than at my desk. Also, I remember trying to impress everyone by telling them I had a pet monkey which technically wasn’t a complete lie (he belonged to my uncle and his name was Pappy)” – Yvette Poufong
Two’s a Crowd
“I don’t think I’ll ever forget my first day at school … because I brought my dad along with me! I point blank refused to get on the school bus without him. We’re talking tantrums, screeching – the lot! My poor father had to sit through the entire bus journey with me and my 5 year old friends. To make matters worse, when we finally got to the school, I refused to go into the building! I was eventually coaxed into the place with a pack of fruit pastilles and a pink teddy bear” – Sharron Lynskey
In Full Swing
“I was called Calamity Jane by my Junior Infants teacher because not only did I love musicals, I was always swinging on my chair and falling off! I’m still pretty clumsy now, but I try not to swing on chairs!” – Nicole Gernon
Getting Cheeky
“When I was in playschool, my Mum was called in to have a meeting with my teacher. Apparently none of the kids in my class wanted to go to school because I was pinching their bums and making them cry. I was marched into the place the next day and I had to apologise to each child individually and give them a pack of buttons. I remember being very disappointed because I didn’t get any buttons myself. The teachers also thought I’d be better off in Junior Infants surrounded by older kids so I was sent up a class. My Mum was so embarrassed, she told all her friends I was moved up a class because I was too smart for playschool.” – Arwen Foley
Do you have a primary school memory that you would like to recount? Comment below to share it with us.
