School Operations

Public Transport: A Parable

It is interesting to reflect on what one contemplates on a tedious, repetitive public transport commute. Oddly, I have recently been occupying my mind on my journey to school with thinking about … public transport. 

The thing about public transport in Perth is that it is not particularly interesting, or challenging, or a motivating start to the day. The train lines aren’t scenic or historically significant, and the stations are perfectly functional, with no aesthetic inspiration to capture our sleepy gazes out the window. You face line delays, or can’t get a seat, there’s that person who is talking way too loudly, or someone keeps hitting you with their bag, and you resign yourself to zoning out and getting it over with. And that is probably as it should be. I DO know that my commute on the Fremantle Line is just plain boring, but it gives me time to think!

I have decided that I would much rather be journeying to school each morning in the Batmobile. The engine reverberating down St Georges Terrace would certainly draw attention, though parking would be an issue. Oh, or the Millennium Falcon. That would be very cool. 

Floo Powder? That would be very convenient, though I’d need to install a fireplace – at home and in my office. I’m not sure the Principal would approve that. Maybe a pair of ruby slippers? But “There’s no place like school” doesn’t have the same ring to it! Though they would be St George’s red and match the uniform. 

I can visualise myself arriving at William Street on Marty McFly’s hoverboard, looking totally rad as I dodge the students and city workers, swooping in and out on the footpath. Actually, a broomstick would be just as fun; maybe on alternate days? People would need to athletically lunge to get out of my way, but it would be worth it for the carefree vibes after a stressful day. 

Tardis? An excellent chance to travel in comfort and style with minimal compromised space. I’m thinking a plush lounge chair, coffee machine, maybe a small library to keep myself occupied on the trip. Though I’m thinking that my Tardis would take up a lot of room on the street and probably get in the way of other people who are just trying to get through their day.

Actually … upon reflection, these all seem like quite self-centred solutions to the very simple fact that travelling to and from school is boring, and tiring, and annoyingly shared with other people doing the same thing and feeling the same way. 

I have realised that my train journey is shared with many other people, from all walks of life, who are just trying to get where they need to go. I’m thinking that my personal, selfish choices should not impact on them. Are my needs more important than theirs? No, they’re not.

Though I would love to have a set of Icarus’ wings to soar over the peak hour throng, perhaps the wax will melt for me as well, and I’ll end up crashing into the city, rather than conquering it. I don’t really want to be that annoying.

I guess I will settle into being thankful for my train commute, respectful of the people I share it with and mindful that, while my imagination can go wild with more comfortable and preferable options, in reality we are all in the same train, choo-chooing together to just get where we need to go.

Mrs Shannon Allen

Dean of School Operations