It’s interesting. The notion of going home for lunch during school didn’t really exist in Australia, at least in government schools, private schools usually have different rules for some things, so it may have been allowed with them. Leaving the school grounds at any time (between roughly 9 and 3) was strictly forbidden, at least at the (state) schools I went to, plus the fact that many kids lived a fair distance from home, and often you’d travel by bus. You couldn’t just nip home when it was a 90-minute return walk. Some were fortunate to live only a few minutes away, although the riotous bus trips to and from school are some of my best memories of school. I don’t know how the bus drivers put up with us.
Children’s watching periods were usually between 6am and 9am in the morning and then 3.30pm to 5pm in the afternoon, often with repeats of old classics, like Sgt Bilko, not that it’s a kids show, but it was G-rated. There was never anything on around lunchtime for kids, except educational programmes on the ABC that you would watch at school. Even during school holidays there wasn’t a great deal on for kids during the day*, but it was nice to watch the grown-up stuff (serials, dramas, talk shows and midday movies) during the day that you couldn’t watch whilst at school.
(* There may have been the odd child-friendly movie matinee during school holidays, it’s hard to recall, I’d have to consult old TV listings. Plus, a lot of the time you were out playing with friends during the day, if they were available.)
At primary school, the general understanding was that you went straight home for lunch. I don’t think they wanted kids heading off to the park or woods to mess about for an hour. When it came to secondary school, I think you were allowed home for your lunch from the get go - but we only had half an hour for and most people lived too far away. However, when we got to Year 10 (or 4th year in old money), we were allowed out at lunchtime to do what we want. Most people headed down to the fish and chip shop.
I used to love running home from school at lunch time (because I didn’t like school and the 55 minutes at home was a much-needed break from it) and watching Rainbow. But what sticks in my mind is this: I recall what I think was a review show (for grown-ups), and my lasting memory was seeing a clip from American Werewolf (the tube chase). I’m certain it was shown at lunchtime/12.30, because even as a nipper I knew I shouldn’t have been seeing anything scary at that time of day!
I can see the presenter in my mind's eye - a trendier Fred Harris. Looked a bit like a young Kevin Godley. Whoever he was, he's got some explaining to do!
I have exactly the same memory of American Werewolf! Part of the first transformation scene playing on the TV just before I set off back to school. I would have been 9 at the time and really not the type of kid who should be watching that kind of thing
It’s interesting. The notion of going home for lunch during school didn’t really exist in Australia, at least in government schools, private schools usually have different rules for some things, so it may have been allowed with them. Leaving the school grounds at any time (between roughly 9 and 3) was strictly forbidden, at least at the (state) schools I went to, plus the fact that many kids lived a fair distance from home, and often you’d travel by bus. You couldn’t just nip home when it was a 90-minute return walk. Some were fortunate to live only a few minutes away, although the riotous bus trips to and from school are some of my best memories of school. I don’t know how the bus drivers put up with us.
Children’s watching periods were usually between 6am and 9am in the morning and then 3.30pm to 5pm in the afternoon, often with repeats of old classics, like Sgt Bilko, not that it’s a kids show, but it was G-rated. There was never anything on around lunchtime for kids, except educational programmes on the ABC that you would watch at school. Even during school holidays there wasn’t a great deal on for kids during the day*, but it was nice to watch the grown-up stuff (serials, dramas, talk shows and midday movies) during the day that you couldn’t watch whilst at school.
(* There may have been the odd child-friendly movie matinee during school holidays, it’s hard to recall, I’d have to consult old TV listings. Plus, a lot of the time you were out playing with friends during the day, if they were available.)
At primary school, the general understanding was that you went straight home for lunch. I don’t think they wanted kids heading off to the park or woods to mess about for an hour. When it came to secondary school, I think you were allowed home for your lunch from the get go - but we only had half an hour for and most people lived too far away. However, when we got to Year 10 (or 4th year in old money), we were allowed out at lunchtime to do what we want. Most people headed down to the fish and chip shop.
I used to love running home from school at lunch time (because I didn’t like school and the 55 minutes at home was a much-needed break from it) and watching Rainbow. But what sticks in my mind is this: I recall what I think was a review show (for grown-ups), and my lasting memory was seeing a clip from American Werewolf (the tube chase). I’m certain it was shown at lunchtime/12.30, because even as a nipper I knew I shouldn’t have been seeing anything scary at that time of day!
It wouldn't surprise me. I suppose they thought "Well, kids shouldn't be watching right now, so tough luck if they are!" - simpler times.
I can see the presenter in my mind's eye - a trendier Fred Harris. Looked a bit like a young Kevin Godley. Whoever he was, he's got some explaining to do!
I have exactly the same memory of American Werewolf! Part of the first transformation scene playing on the TV just before I set off back to school. I would have been 9 at the time and really not the type of kid who should be watching that kind of thing
No wonder we all grew up having nightmares!