Daily
Routine.
Each
day at school started with morning assembly which took place in the
school hall. Some of the teaching staff would be up on the stage and
all the pupils would file in, finally followed in by the headmaster.
He was always dressed in his graduation cape but (thankfully) not a
mortarboard. We would sing a hymn, a member of staff might read a
short lesson followed by prayers.
Then
the head would read out any notices, school team successes, perhaps
football or netball plus any academic achievements. Once a year this
would include the annual prize giving event.
Afterwards
the pupils would file out past the headmaster, if your name was
called out while passing him, you knew to go to his office and wait
there. You also knew you were about to get the cane for
misdemeanours he'd seen you commit during assembly.
Daily
assembly wasn't something we looked forward to.
It
wasn't all bad.
I
enjoyed some of my time at senior school and Science lessons were
always uplifting. The teacher was great and made it all seem so
exciting, so we paid attention and I don't remember anything
unpleasant.
Same
with the Art class, the art teacher was a lovely man, he seemed quite
elderly (probably wasn't) he treat us pupils as equals
and
always had encouraging things to say about our work, however poor it
might have been. Mine was awful.
Metalwork
was a favourite lesson for me, it was all practical working with my
hands and using tools. We did forge work, turning things on the
lathe and made practical items. I still have a screwdriver I made.
During
metalwork and joinery lessons the girls went off to Domestic Science
lessons where they learned how to cook, sew and do ironing! Not very
PC at all.
The
metalwork teacher was ok, very strict but fair, however, he was the
teacher that the lady teachers sent boys to for punishment and I
often saw him dishing out the cane. Fortunately I never got sent to
him for caning.
School
uniform.
In the 1950's & 60's all school pupils had to wear a
uniform, have polished shoes and look clean and smart. Woe betide
anyone arriving at school not conforming to this rule. On one
occasion, on my way to school, a car drove through a muddy puddle and
drenched my trousers and feet. I rushed home, managed to find a
clean pair of trousers but no clean grey school socks, so I put on
the whatever I could find. I was just in time for assembly but as I
was leaving my name was called out, in a more angry manner than
usual, by the headmaster. Off I went to wait by his study with a few
other lads. The head dealt with them first then boomed at me “how
dare you come to school wearing RED SOCKS”. He'd spotted them as I
was exiting the assembly and I got the cane with what seemed to be
more effort than usual!
That brings back memories, especially the daily assembly and the graduation capes - though not all of the teachers wore them at my school. Yes metalwork for the boys and domestic science for the girls. Our school motto was Manners Maketh Man. My gosh how times have changed.
ReplyDeleteOur school l didn't have a motto, as far as I remember, but you're so right about change.
ReplyDelete