Good to see the uniforms haven't changed...

After moving with my parents and sister to Australia in 1993 (I think), my mom was faced with the daunting task of getting my sister and I enrolled in school and adjusted to life in another country. Who knew the school I would finally feel comfortable in would be an all girls school complete with hideous uniforms. (Although in retrospeect this makes perfect sense).

A back-to-school commercial this morning reminded me of the unusual student culture at Mackellar Girls High. All of the girls at the school were part of a "group". A very defined group. You could be friends with other girls in other groups but your primary loyalty was to your own "group". Each group had their own spot. Our spot was at the back of the large quadrangle under the shade of a fairly small and unimpressive gum tree (the year 11s and 12s got the good trees). I remember thinking how strange the concept of a "group" and a "spot" was at the time but dismissed it, just thankful that a group had adopted me. Thinking back now this whole "group" thing probably worked out in my favor instantly providing me with close knit friends who were like loyal family members away from home. Now looking back I am always so thankful for that time at Mackellar. Going to an all girls school in Sydney really allowed me to extend my childhood much more than I think most American high school kids do. I was able to act childish and silly and even have dress-up parties while friends back home were growing up at lightening fast speeds.

Maybe it was Australia, maybe it was the uniforms, or perhaps it was just the fun and quirky nature of the "group" I stumbled upon. Either way I have many fond memories from that time of my life that I like to revisit every now and then. I have lost touch with most of the girls in my group, but my MHS memories will never be forgotten.