I Received Corporal Punishment At School
The catholic education system in this country separated boys and girls at intermediate level. At age 8 I was sent to a Marist Brothers school which was run by a Brother who was very strict but fair. In our first year (Standard 3 as it was called in those days) we had had a non religious teacher (Mrs Dobson) who would rate as one of the best teachers I have ever had.
Discipline took two forms. The cane administered by any teacher including the Mrs Dobson or Friday afternoon marching squad. The latter consisted of marching as a group around the playground. Several of the Brothers had been to the war and ran these sessions like in the army. If you did not get the steps and turns right you got the cane!
The school planned your whole day. At morning break time and lunch time you were rostered to play a team game. I was not particularly keen on this and use to take a book to read. I would quietly find a place and sit and read.
One day I was sitting by the four square game when my reading was disturbed by a fight between three classmates over a line call. The physical fight did not last long because the Headmaster was the duty teacher and he broke it up quickly. As he sent the three boys to his classroom he to me ' and you can join them for not playing your rostered game'.
I felt suddenly sick to the stomach as his ability and effectiveness with the cane was well known.
We followed his directions and went to his class via our own so I could return my book. I had considered putting it down my pants but as you will see that would have been a mistake.
It seemed a long time before the bell for ranks after morning break rung and the classroom and block were very quiet.. ghostly quiet. The four of us said little to each other hoping we would be put on the Friday marching squad.
Suddenly the class door opened and the Heads class filed in. One of the boys (Form 2) whispered to us as he walk by ' Prepare yourself you are going to get caned and it will really hurt'. Unfortunately for him (Terry) the Head was right behind him and replied ' and you can join them. You know the rules about silence after the bell has rung'.
A pray was said and the Head set his class some work to do while he dealt with these boys. I am sure none of his class did the work they were more interested in the entertainment about to happen at the front on his class.
The Head then unlocked a double cupboard in the front of his room and got out a cane. It was the only one in the cupboard and was about 950mm long and a little thicker than an old fashioned fountain pen. I had never seen seen a cane before and I swallowed hard. I could feel tears swelling up in my eyes. The cane was bowed clearly in the shape of someones backside and he made a some simple attempts to straighten it.
The head then said " I am not discuss your rule breaking because all five of you know what you have done" Then he said to Terry "assume the position so you can show these junior boys what they have to do." Terry stepped forward and bent over, keeping his knees straight touched the toes of his polished shoes. I was standing behind him and the head was between us. Terry had very tight shorts on, so tight that I could see the bumps of elastic on his underpants. The head balanced himself with his feet apart and took aim. Then he held Terry by the neck and drove the first stroke home. Terry let out and a loud 'ouch' but no sooner than he had done that than the second stroke was delivered with greater force. I could see the swelling starting to appear through his tight shorts. He got six and the force of the first would have been the lightest. When he stood up he was crying and rubbed his bum as he went back to his seat.
Larry was next followed by Brian (two of the fighters) they got six each. Both cried uncontrolably and rubbed their bums as they stood up and left the room.
By this time I was really scared trying to think of an excuse to get out of it.
I was called next. The Head said something about the rostered games giving us excerise and teaching us to work as a team but I was not talking much notice of him. I stepped forward and bent over. I was unable to touch my toes and suddenly felt the head's thumb and fore finger hold me neck. I remember feeling pleased I had not tried put something down my pants as he took aim. Then I heard the swiss coming and the CRACK but for a few second thought this is OK what are they all performing about and then the red hot pain started to spread. I tried to stand up but the head held me in position. I tried bending my knees but he just pushed my neck further to the floor and administered the next stroke. It hit lower but still on my bum. By now I was crying loudly. Three more CRACKS followed the pain from each one worse the the previous one. The last two cris crossed the first three.
Suddenly was over. The Head let my neck go, stood up and grabbed my arse as if it was going to fall off. I quickly left and out in the corridor met Larry and Brian. We waited for Joseph and could hear he got six also for fighting. As Joseph left the Heads class he followed him to the door with the cane in his hand saying "go back to class immediately or he would use this again on you'. As we entered our class which was next to the Heads class Mrs Dobson looked sternly at us but said nothing. I found it difficult to sit until lunchtime but Mrs Dobson made us all.
During lunch I examined the damage and wondered how I was going to explain the situation to my parents. i never did. Terry ( the form 2 boy) show us his marks and they were about the same as mine. His only advise was get over it because you will get it again before the end of your intermediate school time. He was right and I will relay some of those experiences at later date.
Two interesting side lines:
Firstly my neighbour's son was a college boy in the 5th form (16 year old) and we got on real well (and still do). I was walking home that day because I could not sit on the wooden tram seat. He was also walking home. When we got home he took me into his room and and showed me why he had had to walk home. His marks from the priest Master of Discipline were three time as bad a mine and he found it difficult to walk. He had got six for something but I can not remember what. He and his sister showed me the value of ladies hand cream.
Secondly I can vividly remember all the details of my canings and the lessons they taught me I regret that teachers today don't have this option.
More later.
Discipline took two forms. The cane administered by any teacher including the Mrs Dobson or Friday afternoon marching squad. The latter consisted of marching as a group around the playground. Several of the Brothers had been to the war and ran these sessions like in the army. If you did not get the steps and turns right you got the cane!
The school planned your whole day. At morning break time and lunch time you were rostered to play a team game. I was not particularly keen on this and use to take a book to read. I would quietly find a place and sit and read.
One day I was sitting by the four square game when my reading was disturbed by a fight between three classmates over a line call. The physical fight did not last long because the Headmaster was the duty teacher and he broke it up quickly. As he sent the three boys to his classroom he to me ' and you can join them for not playing your rostered game'.
I felt suddenly sick to the stomach as his ability and effectiveness with the cane was well known.
We followed his directions and went to his class via our own so I could return my book. I had considered putting it down my pants but as you will see that would have been a mistake.
It seemed a long time before the bell for ranks after morning break rung and the classroom and block were very quiet.. ghostly quiet. The four of us said little to each other hoping we would be put on the Friday marching squad.
Suddenly the class door opened and the Heads class filed in. One of the boys (Form 2) whispered to us as he walk by ' Prepare yourself you are going to get caned and it will really hurt'. Unfortunately for him (Terry) the Head was right behind him and replied ' and you can join them. You know the rules about silence after the bell has rung'.
A pray was said and the Head set his class some work to do while he dealt with these boys. I am sure none of his class did the work they were more interested in the entertainment about to happen at the front on his class.
The Head then unlocked a double cupboard in the front of his room and got out a cane. It was the only one in the cupboard and was about 950mm long and a little thicker than an old fashioned fountain pen. I had never seen seen a cane before and I swallowed hard. I could feel tears swelling up in my eyes. The cane was bowed clearly in the shape of someones backside and he made a some simple attempts to straighten it.
The head then said " I am not discuss your rule breaking because all five of you know what you have done" Then he said to Terry "assume the position so you can show these junior boys what they have to do." Terry stepped forward and bent over, keeping his knees straight touched the toes of his polished shoes. I was standing behind him and the head was between us. Terry had very tight shorts on, so tight that I could see the bumps of elastic on his underpants. The head balanced himself with his feet apart and took aim. Then he held Terry by the neck and drove the first stroke home. Terry let out and a loud 'ouch' but no sooner than he had done that than the second stroke was delivered with greater force. I could see the swelling starting to appear through his tight shorts. He got six and the force of the first would have been the lightest. When he stood up he was crying and rubbed his bum as he went back to his seat.
Larry was next followed by Brian (two of the fighters) they got six each. Both cried uncontrolably and rubbed their bums as they stood up and left the room.
By this time I was really scared trying to think of an excuse to get out of it.
I was called next. The Head said something about the rostered games giving us excerise and teaching us to work as a team but I was not talking much notice of him. I stepped forward and bent over. I was unable to touch my toes and suddenly felt the head's thumb and fore finger hold me neck. I remember feeling pleased I had not tried put something down my pants as he took aim. Then I heard the swiss coming and the CRACK but for a few second thought this is OK what are they all performing about and then the red hot pain started to spread. I tried to stand up but the head held me in position. I tried bending my knees but he just pushed my neck further to the floor and administered the next stroke. It hit lower but still on my bum. By now I was crying loudly. Three more CRACKS followed the pain from each one worse the the previous one. The last two cris crossed the first three.
Suddenly was over. The Head let my neck go, stood up and grabbed my arse as if it was going to fall off. I quickly left and out in the corridor met Larry and Brian. We waited for Joseph and could hear he got six also for fighting. As Joseph left the Heads class he followed him to the door with the cane in his hand saying "go back to class immediately or he would use this again on you'. As we entered our class which was next to the Heads class Mrs Dobson looked sternly at us but said nothing. I found it difficult to sit until lunchtime but Mrs Dobson made us all.
During lunch I examined the damage and wondered how I was going to explain the situation to my parents. i never did. Terry ( the form 2 boy) show us his marks and they were about the same as mine. His only advise was get over it because you will get it again before the end of your intermediate school time. He was right and I will relay some of those experiences at later date.
Two interesting side lines:
Firstly my neighbour's son was a college boy in the 5th form (16 year old) and we got on real well (and still do). I was walking home that day because I could not sit on the wooden tram seat. He was also walking home. When we got home he took me into his room and and showed me why he had had to walk home. His marks from the priest Master of Discipline were three time as bad a mine and he found it difficult to walk. He had got six for something but I can not remember what. He and his sister showed me the value of ladies hand cream.
Secondly I can vividly remember all the details of my canings and the lessons they taught me I regret that teachers today don't have this option.
More later.
By:
Scully
Age:
56-60
5
responses
