Assembly and Canings
Assembly at my secondary school was interesting because the hall was tiny and so crowded with pupils and staff that two forms had to stand on the stage with the headmaster Mr Morris. Mr Morris demanded our total attention during assembly – any talking was dealt with harshly. Without stopping speaking, Mr Morris would slowly take a few paces back on the stage and take a flying leap into the crowd! The ranks of boys would part like the waters of the Red Sea leaving two boys isolated and still chatting until the awful realisation that “Mole” was about to descend upon them! The boys would be shouted at and shoved about a bit, but no real violence took place.

Canings at our school were fairly frequent and a semi public spectacle in that a special assmbly would be called and the miscreants would be escorted onto the stage by a teacher. Mr Morris would detail their “crimes” and would rant and rave about the school’s good name being besmirched by these individuals. The miscreants were then lead into the adjoining classroom for caning. The rest of us packed like sardines in the overcrowded hall would listen to the swish of the cane in a state of semi terror grateful that we were not on the receiving end!
( Vambo, Wed 4 Feb 2009, 12:07, 1 reply)

Sounds horrible!
Vaguely Guatanamo Bay-esque!

*Click for surviving!
(The Kwyjibo A big, dumb, balding North American ape., Wed 4 Feb 2009, 12:17, closed)