APPA President's Spelling 'Tools' Quest (Courtesy of Messenger Press, S.A.)

The principal is your pal while "U" and "I" make fruit juice - these are just two of the many fun phrases teachers have used to aid students' memory.

Australian Primary Principals Association President Leonie Trimper is putting together a call out to teachers - and anyone else - to help compile a book of mnemonics (memory aids).

With her retirement approaching, Ms Trimper says it's a perfect time to get the ball rolling. The idea came to her about four years ago when she stumbled on the word 'accommodation'.

"I just had a mental blank and a colleague sang out, 'two caravans, two motels and one tent'," the Linden Park resident says. "After telling people about this, everyone responded with similar phrases they had heard. I thought, how many are out there that have helped us in schools ... do young teachers know about these? We're just going to lose them, so I thought it would be a good idea to start a collection."

Ms Trimper says she wishes she had known more of these catchphrases when she was a teacher and principal. "They're clever, useful tools for teachers, and I think it's interesting that people remember them so easily. I just think if people in their sixties and seventies still recite them, then it has worked.

If you would like to add to the list, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or write to her at EDC, 2-4 Milner Street, Hindmarsh SA 5007.