14 things only a (Kingston) ‘College Man’ would know

Kingston College, more popularly referred to as KC, is a traditional all-boys school that has been around for more than a century. The institution, which is well known for the strong loyalty among its students and alumni, occupies two campuses: the North Street Campus and Melbourne Campus. But, more importantly, KC is renowned for its academic and sporting excellence.

Observer Online spoke to members of the school community to uncover a number of things you would know only if you attended the institution. The motto Over the first three weeks of attending the institution, new students had to be able to recite the school motto and say it properly in Latin. The institution is guided by the motto: “Fortis Cadere, Cedere Non Potest”, which means “The brave may fall but never yield”.

The motto has become deeply embedded in the KC identity, reflected in the determination and perseverance of its students and alumni. The perfect ‘V’ tie Students attending the institution also had to learn how to tie their school tie in a particular way that distinguished them from students of other schools. This method is the classic triangular ‘V’ knot.

The tie must also be worn above the belt. The dreaded third bell Every KC old boy knew what time it was when the school bell went off to signal the end of the lunch break. If the bell rang three times and students were still in the lunchroom, it could lead to caning, which was a form of corporal punishment at the time.

Disciplinarians Mr Ramsay and Mr Bryan When a student misbehaved and was instructed by a teacher to go to the principal’s office, he might simply receive a scolding. But it was a different matter when he was sent to Mr Keith Bryan or JAH Ramsay’s office. Students who were sent to either vice-principal’s office knew they were likely to receive caning.

Lignum vitae tree or ‘reasoning tree’ The Lignum vitae tree, also known as the ‘reasoning tree’, is a popular spot at the North Street Campus where boys gather to lime. It is also a location where a lot of ‘carding’, or teasing, takes place. For some KC old boys, sitting under the tree brings back memories of the caterpillars that would often fall on their heads or, sometimes, even into their sky juice.