Oh those bad old days - it was Miss Peterson's 3 foot ruler round the legs in the primers; Mr Couch's strap called Oscar in Std 2; variations and permutations at Wellington College (no canes there).
There is an often quoted story the suggests that Labour may be to blame:
They walked to the polling booths in 1935 to vote Labour in. They drove to the polling booths in 1949 to vote Labour out.
Then we could point the finger at us baby-boomers who craved freedom and mobility - you have written about that in the past. We need solutions that feel like going forwards - sustainably of course.
Perfectly captured my form 1 class. I had a Healing Loline (burgundy colour!) with 3 gears which meant getting off for the last push up the steep street and through the gates into Normal Intermediate. I think there was a no strap policy for girls? But I was struck on the hand with a ruler for a uniform infringement (stud earrings in newly pierced ears) in form 4
I do do enjoy the updates from Kia Kaha school. I also remember the strap and how the headmaster at school beat a Samoan boy to a pulp with his strap. I hated Mr Graham intensely from that day. I didn't know what racism and brutality to children were then. But I knew it was terribly wrong. We weren't told what the boy had done but he,was given 6 of the best in each of the 5 classrooms. Our was the last. My mother liked Mr Graham. Perhaps she and the other parents didn't know what he was capable of.
My neighbour tells the story of when they moved here in the 70s. She went to see the principal of what is now a progressive decile 10 schools to say that she didn't want her sons given the strap if they misbehaved - perhaps they could pick up litter during lunchtime or something. He laughed and said that would be unfair to other students.
Her children reported that another child who lived nearby was strapped nearly every day. I remember kids like that as well. These days they'd have a diagnosis..... in those days being sent to the cloakroom for most of the school day was the best they could hope for.
Ellerslie Primary School. 7 years old. Pretty Susan B.....t and 3 or 4 boys consensually kissing way over the edge of the field. Culprits and me taken out of Mr Groves' class. I had nothing to do with it. Refused to put my hand out. Stood aside. Parents had always said "If you did whatever.....own up. If not, stick to your guns". Other boys strapped, sent back to class. Mr Groves kept me outside for a bit then sent me back, not strapped. "Don't say anything !" or equivalent. Liked Mr Groves after that. Honoured our arrangement. Was lucky to have had good and principled parents.
Oh those bad old days - it was Miss Peterson's 3 foot ruler round the legs in the primers; Mr Couch's strap called Oscar in Std 2; variations and permutations at Wellington College (no canes there).
There is an often quoted story the suggests that Labour may be to blame:
They walked to the polling booths in 1935 to vote Labour in. They drove to the polling booths in 1949 to vote Labour out.
Then we could point the finger at us baby-boomers who craved freedom and mobility - you have written about that in the past. We need solutions that feel like going forwards - sustainably of course.
Room 13. Beautiful ! Salve for the PTSD flowing from the noise of Marjorie Taylor Goudie on RNZ this morning.
Perfectly captured my form 1 class. I had a Healing Loline (burgundy colour!) with 3 gears which meant getting off for the last push up the steep street and through the gates into Normal Intermediate. I think there was a no strap policy for girls? But I was struck on the hand with a ruler for a uniform infringement (stud earrings in newly pierced ears) in form 4
I think you may be right. Rulers only for girls. Leather strap for boys.
Think I went to 1973 Kia Kaha School, had a different name but the same vibe (and fashion)
I do do enjoy the updates from Kia Kaha school. I also remember the strap and how the headmaster at school beat a Samoan boy to a pulp with his strap. I hated Mr Graham intensely from that day. I didn't know what racism and brutality to children were then. But I knew it was terribly wrong. We weren't told what the boy had done but he,was given 6 of the best in each of the 5 classrooms. Our was the last. My mother liked Mr Graham. Perhaps she and the other parents didn't know what he was capable of.
My neighbour tells the story of when they moved here in the 70s. She went to see the principal of what is now a progressive decile 10 schools to say that she didn't want her sons given the strap if they misbehaved - perhaps they could pick up litter during lunchtime or something. He laughed and said that would be unfair to other students.
Her children reported that another child who lived nearby was strapped nearly every day. I remember kids like that as well. These days they'd have a diagnosis..... in those days being sent to the cloakroom for most of the school day was the best they could hope for.
That was way out of line, even then. Shocking.
1960. I hope it was not common.
Ellerslie Primary School. 7 years old. Pretty Susan B.....t and 3 or 4 boys consensually kissing way over the edge of the field. Culprits and me taken out of Mr Groves' class. I had nothing to do with it. Refused to put my hand out. Stood aside. Parents had always said "If you did whatever.....own up. If not, stick to your guns". Other boys strapped, sent back to class. Mr Groves kept me outside for a bit then sent me back, not strapped. "Don't say anything !" or equivalent. Liked Mr Groves after that. Honoured our arrangement. Was lucky to have had good and principled parents.
Mr Kirk Lyttelton MP . Presided at the Heathcote Valley 50th school reunion 1960.
Sigh.
A work of scholarship. Chloe et al will smile at the characterisations
So well put.