Jack Fringe: A Provocateur of Curiosity, Chaos, and Creative Disruption

Throughout my school years, I never received a single award or achievement certificate — only report cards that were viewed once. I repeated year nine, and don’t recall many proud school moments. Although there was one…when I was ten years old.

I was awarded three fourth-place ribbons and one second at the School’s annual sports day. I walked home that day, a proud champion, with my T-Shirt ablaze with colourful ribbons . It was an incredible moment. Triumph personified. I had made it.

The truth be told: in year six, our class changed to a new school taught by the Brothers. The sports day was held at the end of that year and most of the class had turned eleven years old. Except for four of us. So, in the under-11s — out of three races — I came last.

But ribbons were presented to the top four, and yes, I ended up with three fourths: all shouting
“achievement.” These ribbons were coloured purple. My second place was one of the proudest moments of my life. I wore that red ribbon with much pride and pinned it on my shirt more prominently than the others and rightly so.

In that ‘going for gold’ moment, there were only two of us who turned up for the high jump. A minor detail.

No manner of explanation by my family changed anything. I had won them fair and square. I was now a school champion. Although my mother said I couldn’t wear the ribbons to school the next day.