yes, the toll of (very bad) reality tv on the commercial networks is all too much to bear, and i’ve taken refuge in old fashioned documentaries. “wild australasia” on the weekend, for example, had some amazing footage of a billion sardines being herded towards mealtime against the west australian shore, by several hungry sharks and a speedy tuna. oh the drama! plus, it made me want sardines, grilled, now.

but has anyone else been watching the documentary series, “our boys” on the abc? it’s about students from a public school in mid-western sydney, which seems to be the antithesis of the kings school as portrayed in that documentary series of a few years ago. where the kings school boys la-di-dahed their way through gilbert and sullivan, the boys at canterbury high struggle to wrap their heads around basic english.

it’s sad to watch. the teachers are almost too dedicated and caring, and the boys are up against… well, a lot of the time, themselves i guess. (i used to watch “heartbreak high” and i thought the wise-cracking, disruptive student was a dramatisation, but it actually is infuriatingly true.) but also, poverty and a lack of resources and not very much to look forward to. and private schools get more government funding, why?

so i think this series is halfway through. one episode tonight, and another next tuesday. i want there to be happy endings dammit.