It seems as though Theodora Grantley is going to be one of the Chalet School's more troublesome new pupils. Her own mother writes to Rosalie Dene to warn her that Theodora has been expelled from three schools already "for bad behaviour and insubordination".

Then Miss Carthew, the much-beloved 'Carty' from Tirol days, writes to Joey Maynard to admit that it was she who recommended the Chalet School to Myra Grantley for her wayward daughter.