School Secretary’s

I too was at school in England in the very late 1960s and through the 70s. At my boys' primary school (I think in the US that's Grades 4-7) corporal punishment was infrequent but did happen -- generally the slipper on the bottom. If you were in serious trouble you could get the cane from our rather stern but very decent headmaster. This was on the hand, and, speaking from experience, seemed to be more of a ritual designed to scare instead of hurt. The worst bit though -- and to the point of the topic -- was having to go to the secretary to fetch the cane and the punishment book. I don't think she liked boys being caned because she looked uncomfortable and gave me a very sad and sympathetic look when I had to go through that ordeal. I got a bit of a lecture and two light raps on the palm. I was generally well behaved and was mortified to find myself on the wrong end of the stick. I think the headmaster was a bit surprised too and maybe that's why he went easy on me. At secondary school it was quite a bit harder and on the bottom. I never heard of anyone getting more than three strokes but boys always emerged crying. I wonder if the 'six of the best' is a bit of a myth and would be interested to hear if anyone had to endure that many.

I grew up in Texas, near Dallas. At least in my time and I started first grade in 1965, corporal punishment was very much in use then, it was almost as if it was mandated. My elementary school secretary was like the school mom, she also witnessed lots of paddling's, nearly on a daily basis. I doubt she enjoyed that part of her job, but it was part of the job. In Jr, High, High School and Sr. High, the secretaries, heard paddlings from the office daily, it was just part of the background noise for them.

A girls gets paddled in the first episode of a season of Fargo, and the secretary is the one who escorts her back to class after the deed is done.

In answer to Blinken7’s question, at my school a caning from the Headmaster was always six strokes never less never more. Same with the English master. However the Music master could vary between three and six strokes but could also be with trousers lowered and at the very worse with trousers and pants completely off. Looking back the Music master clearly enjoyed giving the cane and had dubious motives.

In my story, Beneficial Effects of Corporal Punishment - part 1" (plug) there is an account of a caning witnessed by the school secretary and her assistant with their reactions described in some detail.

Wow, Hotspur, what a thrashing with two secretaries watching. Did either get tempted to try, perhaps even one stroke across their skirt protected bottom. There are so many aspects to the school secretary idea, managing the punishment books, ensuring pupils received the correct level of punishment based on the Headmaster's system and the pupils record. Being with nervous pupils as they waited in line for their turn to be caned, listening to the distinct sound of a caning taking place, witnessing pupil's emerge from the Headmaster's study in distress and rubbing their bottoms. Was there any level of sympathy or did they think that all naughty pupils deserved their canings? And on the rare occasions when they were in the room when a pupil was caned, did they find the event exciting and stimulating - or did they feel sorry for the pupil bending over being caned? Was there any part of their mind that wondered what it might be like to be the one bending over with the Headmaster being completely focussed on their bottom? Would they be able to stand the pain or would they be turned on?