Thursday, first day back at school, a friend and I lit balls of paper and stuffed them in a drain so the smoke would creep up into the Math's staffroom sink. We walked away, some year 12s saw us, and reported us to the Principal. During the next class, I get called to his office, and got a full on talking to. What follows is essentially a directly quoted transcript of the lecture.

Mr. Ecclestone: Adam, please, sit. Now I've been informed about a matter concerning a fire you started in the senior area. Is this true?

Adam: (In fake regretful tone) yes, sir.

Mr. Ecclestone: (incredulous but not yelling) I can't believe this! Why? Why in the name of fortune (he actually used that phrase) would you do such a thing??? And on such a boiling hot, windy day? I am absolutely amazed that a year 11 student could be so thoughtless and irresponsible! Have you ever been caught in a bushfire? (increasingly incredulous) Do you KNOW what can happen? Do you KNOW how easy these things start?? Why would you do such a thing?

Adam: (unbelievably put on "sorry voice") Myself and Austin were just being idiots sir. We didn't think of that.

Mr. Ecclestone: Obviously not. Now I'm told this fire was down the end of the school near the national park.

Adam: (in genuine confusion) No! It was nowhere near there, it was at the top of the school, and it was just a ball of paper smoking in a drain.

Mr. Ecclestone: (calmer) Oh...it was in a drain. Well, as I was made to understand, it was lit on open ground. That's not quite as bad I suppose, but it is still extremely stupid. I trust you know what the school's normal policy is for these matters? And the police would surely jump if they were told of this, given the current fire ban.

Adam: (slightly nervous) Yes sir. (I really didn't know what the schools policy is, I assumed it was suspension.)

Mr. Ecclestone: Well I can see that you show genuine regret (that's where I had to struggle not to laugh), so I won't take any serious action, but a letter is being sent to your parents. Please Adam, don't act so stupidly again. Goodbye.

Adam: I do apologise sir. Thank you for not taking further action. Bye. (walks out)

And there you have it. You are probably bored shitless right now. My mum got the letter, she was sort of "My god, I would never expect this from you, you're normally so responsible" yada yada yada....so yeah, it was really stupid. But hey, I smoked up the maths staffroom apparently. I think I would have been punished had he known my motive, lol....