My secondary school was a vocational school. Initially intended only to provide two years secondary education leading to apprentices it expanded to offer the usual five years . The headmaster/principal had an office but, initially no secretary. Most cp was carried out by the teachers in the classroom, only serious matters going to the principal. After a few years the school hired a secretary who was an ex pupil , only about 16-17 herself. This secretary, name Rxxx, happened to have been in the same class as my sister and I knew her enough to say hello to. One day I was sent to the principal and I knew I would get the cane. He happened to be out for a few minutes and I had to wait in the outer office. While waiting , Rxxx engagedme in conversation , asking me about my sister, who had left school at this stage. Then the principal arrived and I was 'marched' into his office. Rxxx would have been able to hear the cane been used as only a single flimsy door separated us. I found the idea of her being able to hear my punishment as humiliating as the actual punishment. When dismissed by the principal, I went straight through her outer office without engaging in any conversation with Rxxx . I might also have been close to tears at the time.
I did meet her a number of times after but no mention was ever made of that caning. But she would have listened to all the caning by the principal. As I said, these tended to be only for the more serious matters as almost all teachers carried out cp, either using a strap or cane and on the hand, in the actual classroom. |