The Head Girl of the Chalet School 18-19

·31 min·3 clips

Cornelia sews mattress covers in tears while her classmates feast on Herr Marini's cakes outdoors.

The episode opens with Cornelia intending to carry out a secret grade scheme, but she is closely watched by Matron and the Prefects, who view her as troublesome. The strict daily schedule at the Chalet School, including games, lessons, and supervised free time, makes it difficult for Cornelia to act. She becomes disruptive in lessons and clashes with Miss Menard, leading to her being sent to bed as punishment. In retaliation, Cornelia soaks the sponges of her dormitory mates and places them in their beds, ruining the bedding. Matron discovers the prank and imposes a harsh punishment: Cornelia must take all the bedding outside to dry, remake the beds, and subsist on dry bread and milk. While she works, Herr Marini visits with cakes, which the other girls enjoy, deepening Cornelia's resentment. After completing her task, she is taken for a walk by Mr. Ant and then sent to bed in the sick room. Joey returns the next day and shares news of her sister Madge's baby, David James Russell, exciting her friends. The girls learn that Wanda and Friedel are visiting, and they plan a picnic in the Pine Woods. During the picnic, Cornelia overhears discussions about hidden caves in the mountains, sparked by Herr von Gluck's mention of a geologist investigating them. Cornelia decides to find the caves first to outdo Joey. That night, with Matron ill, Cornelia is moved to La Petite Chalet, where she secretly uses an electric torch and climbs out the window. She heads toward the mountain cleft, undetected, as the episode ends with her entering the caves, leaving her fate uncertain for the next chapter.

As heard by us

A tightly supervised school day gives way to friendship, tennis, and Cornelia's risky night escape.

A tightly ordered summer term at the Chalet School sets up two kinds of disturbance. Cornelia is still watching for a chance to put her grade scheme into action, while Joey and Grisel are caught in the quieter misery of a possible parting.

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Why you'd press play

You want a school story where tight supervision still leaves one dangerous gap? Press play for Joey Returns.

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