For the first day at a new school one is usually a bit apprehensive, and especially the first day at High School.
As a young teenager my mates and I had heard the rumours of initiation carried out by the bigger kids in the High School, such as the removal of the knobs from our caps. We were smart though, and removed ours before we started High School. This was effective and prevented any challenge by the bigger boys at our all-boys school.
The rest of the settling in went well so far as senior boys were concerned. But being a new boy it was to still take some time to settle in.
On looking back I must have been one of the rascals that year as my belt acquired many nicks during the three term year. Perhaps I should explain this. Boys were punished at High School in those days for silly misdemeanours such as not being attentive or causing distractions in Assembly, and also for other reasons which I have now forgotten. So we used to put a nick in our trouser belts for every cane whack we received. That first year I received fifteen. And they hurt! Specially after getting three whacks each time, called “three of the best.” My second year was an improvement as I only placed about six.
I remember one time being lined up with others to be caned and stuffing my cap down my shorts. The teacher gave me a couple of whacks before he discovered the cap, and actually missed it and hit me painfully, then made me remove the cap and gave me another three. I was a bit sore after that lot.
Our Engineering teacher, instead of a cane used a broken engine belt. Boy, that stung more than the cane! Most kids were better behaved in his class.
But over all I enjoyed High School and had a lot of fun and enjoyable experiences.
5 comments:
Oh gosh - I'm so glad that caning is now illegal in many schools and countries!
Fi, its illegal here now too and has been for some years. But it didn't do me any harm and usually had the desired effect from the teacher. Kids today lack discipline. Its a pity caning or strapping isn't allowed as it would be probably the only discipline most kids get these days. And it teaches respect - Dave
In Scotland, when my sibs and I were at school, "The Belt" was used often on both girls and boys, alike. One of our teachers had a reputation as a sadist, and regularly "marked" his pupils. I am glad this practise is now long since abolished, but I do also believe we have taken virtually ALL power away from our teachers to discipline our children. Frankly, the threat of expultion, or even a sagely administered clip around the ear, might do well to encourage a rowdy pupil to focuse better!
Not sure it teaches anything personally. It does teach fear and to stop doing things for the wrong reasons.
I know you turned out well but I'm glad its illegal in our schools.
When my son was in 3rd grade (quite a few years ago) he had a very overweight teacher. If she didn't like what a child did she would actually sit on them and then she had a small piece of rope which she would hit the kid with.
She was furious when we parents went to the principal and complained. It made things worse for the kids in class. Finally she was fired and no one felt the least bit sorry for her.
Whew, I hadn't thought of that in a very long time.
Shrinky, I agree with you. There is too little dicipline and respect amongst our kids these days.
Sue, a fat lady sitting on little kids doen't sound good to me either - Dave
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