The strap was the ultimate weapon of control at BFC. When all else failed out came the strap. That usually put an end to any disobedience or punished an egregious offence. Now there were several kinds of strap used at Feild.
I remember Mr. French carried his concealed under his gown on either his left or right shoulder. It was about 18 inches long, black and very rough along the edges. Thanks to a former student I have that very instrument of compliance in the archive. The former student told me it had its birth as part of a belt which drove the woodworking machines in The Industrial Arts Room.
Dr. Cook had a variation on that theme. His was much wider and thicker. Whereas Mr. French could curl his up and then with a flick of the wrist lay it over the surface of the palm, Dr. Cook's was heavier and less pliant. The pain inflicted by both was memorable.
I mentioned the strap was used as a last resort to influence students' behaviour but there were other methods masters used to get boys to be obedient. Mr. Caines believed that punishment should also carry with it a chance to learn "something". So when a boy crossed over the line he was set a number of pages of literature to write out. I have committed to memory several well known English poems using this method.
Mr. Caines not only set pages of literature to be copied but he would change the page just in case the boy got a head start before going home.
In some schools the cane was the instrument of torture. However, at Feild, I have been told the cane went into disrepute just after the tyranny of Tanner who used it liberally. He was headmaster from 1936-1944.
In my ten years at BFC I was strapped on a number of occasions for my dastardly deeds such as spraying the boys bathroom with Coca Cola. What was I thinking!! Ouch!!
2 comments:
I recall the strap being used for trivial offenses, such as forgetting to bring gym sneakers to school on gym day. Students were strapped so viciously at times, their hands would bleed. Elementary grade students witnessed older boys being strapped. Fear mongering .. if I had my time back I would have flatly refused to be a victim of this type of corporal punishment.
I recall the strap being used for trivial offenses, such as forgetting to bring gym sneakers to school on gym day. Students were strapped so viciously at times, their hands would bleed. Elementary grade students witnessed older boys being strapped. Fear mongering .. if I had my time back I would have flatly refused to be a victim of this type of corporal punishment.
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