"poor schoolkids. Remember the good old days when schools were for education, not indoctrination?"

Sorry, I don't. I can believe that it once was that way, but I doubt that my parents or even my grandparents would remember such a time.

Mind you, I was not born in Australia, so perhaps someone who was born here can tell whether by chance it was any different in Australia?

Yeah, when they raised the flag and sang the national anthem and had religious instruction every week...

Dear Austin,

That depends on the school doesn't it.

I attended an all-girls-religious one.

Ammonite,

Well, it better get a move on then. My @rse is freezing.

I remember from primary school "I honour my God. I serve my Queen. I salute my Flag".

But that wasn't indoctrination, of course.

Joe

Going to be a cold year, the big 'little girl' came and went.

Hot water-bottles are good for cold tooshies, so I am told :)