THE WHACK, DETENTION & OTHER PUNISHMENTS

(see also Mike Merry’s description on main RLS site!)

Many is the time I recall waiting outside the study door of GHRN. Sometimes alone, sometimes in a queue.  If on my own it was bad enough because of the passing "traffic" and the feeling of self consciousness and guilt.  If in a queue it almost came to fighting to get to the front of the queue, so as to be first in and not to have to listen to the sound effects from outside.  Waiting outside in the queue and listening to the swish - thump of every stroke, was something I have never forgotten. Another associated misery was trying to conceal the weals on the top of the right thigh from my parents at home. Not easy during the first three years in short pants. If my father had seen them, he would probably have added a few himself, firstly for doing wrong and secondly for getting caught.

I seem to recall that a few years ago, (within the past ten), some Essex boy's parents took the school to the European court, because he was given the slipper; Poor little soul. Was it the RLS? (Robert Stevens)

I suppose in truth we were moderately well behaved. I was subjected to six of the best on my rear only twice, administered by Joblin. The first occasion caused by throwing a soccer ball around the classroom (basketball style) during the lunch hour - apprehended by Witt (who had no business coming back that early).The second occasion (again at lunch time) was for standing hinged desk lids upright, running between them with arms outstretched airplane style, and slamming the lids down. The noise was pretty loud and attracted the attention of Spedding. "Go to the Headmaster's study!" - "Yes, sir". And that was that. (Geoffrey Styles)

Bert May was a man with a strong right arm and administered the only "on stage" punishment I witnessed. A chap named Bailey had borrowed a pair of plimsolls (as we used to call them) from someone’s locker and whether he was going to return them or not was not the point. He was caught, marched to the Head's office, the school was assembled later (not sure of the timing on this episode) but he wound up on the stage in the hall in front of the entire school, and was whacked six times by May. A good length of time was allowed to elapse between each stroke. We all felt those. I am sure everyone vowed not to "enjoy" a personal repeat. (Geoffrey Styles)

Crime & Punishment: A prefect did attempt an alternative to detention and lines, which may have been the forerunner of community service. The punishment was to report at 4pm to cut the school field grass. He provided the nail scissors! About six boys would work away for about an hour. I hasten to add that I never endured the punishment. I was merely an interested by-stander! Does anyone recall who this sadist was? (John Hawkins)

Four whacks. But Scruff didn't have his heart in it. They were about the lightest whacks I had ever experienced. The cane didn't whip around my hip and the pain was minimal. Scruff was being humane. He honestly didn't believe I'd done it.

Perhaps George's leniency arose from a recognition that, whether or not you were actually guilty, you had 'done the decent thing' by 'owning up like a man' to 'save your comrades from unjust punishment'. He was from a generation and class that (superficially at least) held great store by such qualities. By contrast, while in Primary School, I once - only once - lied to get myself out of trouble and left the other guilty parties to carry the can. I have felt deep shame and guilt ever since and confess now for the first time in 45 years. Confession is good for the soul. (Andy)

When I was whacked the administrator was Mr Saich. That was private in Gussy’s study. They both examined me for protective clothing. I did not know whether I was being physically molested or measured for a pair of knickers. (Eddie Pond) )

Detentions??.......Loads (You forgot, Writing out the school rules, over and over again Chris)  

On Report??........Oh, God.....being put on report. I was on it for 6 weeks once.!!!!

Canings??..........I remember at the end of the fifth year,  we worked out who in our year had been caned most. I came second!! (22 times.  Tom Saunders came first, with 24, I think) However, I had the dubious distinction of being the first to be caned in our year. SIX strokes on the first day of the second term, and just because I was talking to another Hon. member (Greg Cooper)

I suppose now is the time to declare visits to Jake. I lost count of detentions (doing the 20 long number added to itself and 'on report'. My cane record was probably 3 x 2 and 1 x 3 as I remember. (Chris Fribbins) Detentions??...Loads (You forgot, Writing out the school rules, over and over again Chris On Report??...Oh, God...being put on report. I was on it for 6 weeks once! Canings??...I remember at the end of the fifth year, we worked out who in our year had been caned most. I came second!! (22 times. Tom Saunders came first, with 24, I think) However, I had the dubious distinction of being the first to be caned in our year. SIX strokes on the first day of the second term, and just because I was talking to another Hon. member (Greg Cooper)

...during a recital of Handel’s Messiah. OK, I was in the choir, but still! It could have warped my poor fragile mind. Oh, lets not forget the punishment essays handed out by the bloody pr*f**ts!!...5000 words on the inside of a ping-pong ball??...5000 words on `Grey`?? What sort of sadistic, twisted mind would come up with those?? Any of you who admitted to being Guilty want to own up?? (Tony Guest)

That's the second time this week someone has referred to "being put on report".  What did that mean?  I was in the 6th form during JPC's first couple of years but that particular phrase passed me by.  I'm sure the "punishment" didn't exist under GHRN unless I've completely forgotten the last 40 years or so. (Michael P. Large) )

The concept of being on Report was something that JPC took a personal interest in.  Basically you were put on report if you were in the relegation zone when the class positions were calculated at the end of a term (it may also have been at the end of a half term, I can't quite remember).  Class positions were worked out by taking some mathematical average of all your positions in each subject (quite how this worked when not all boys in a form took the same subjects, I don't know, but then JPC was a pretty good Mathematician and he could always have used the Computer!!!).

Anyway if you were in the bottom six or had slid down the table at an alarming rate, you would be summoned to the study having been hauled out of a lesson to the amusement of your peers.  Thence you would be given a blank timetable for a week.  At the start of every lesson for the following week, you would have to hand said document into the class teacher, behave yourself in the lesson and collect the same document at the end after the Teacher had signed and, if he felt so disposed, made a comment on your performance.  Additionally, to

complete the humiliation, you had to record how long you spent on homework every and get your parents to sign!

With a bit of luck, provided that you did not get too many adverse comments on the Form, that was it.  Occasionally some boys would be called back for a second week.  You could also be put on report as a punishment for some misdemeanor, I can recall at least one boy (who

was transferred out in year 3) who seemed to be permanently on report.

As for me, the second year was not a happy time, from mid table obscurity, I dropped into the relegation zone,, finishing bottom of the Table, resulting in two appointments with JPC!

Without wishing to inflame the DRF debate.  Pity the 1R intake in 1970, we had DFR as our Form teacher for two consecutive years! (Michael Jamieson)

I think being "on Report" was handed out for poor work over a period of time - JPC had a reporting system the details of which escape me. I think it came about when a number of the younger and more rebellious staff told JPC exactly what they thought about beating kids for work related rather than behaviour related "offences". The "Culprit" had to carry a weekly diary round and have it signed off at the end of each lesson for quality of work, home work and behaviour as far as I can remember. (Bill Broderick)

Canings??.............I remember at the end of the fifth year,  we worked out who in our year had been caned most. I came second!! (22 times.  Tom Saunders came first, with 24, I think) However, I had the dubious distinction of being the first to be caned in our year. SIX strokes on the first day of the second term, and just because I was talking to another Hon. member (Greg Cooper) during a recital of Handels Messiah. OK, I was in the choir, but still! It could have warped my poor fragile mind. (Tony Harrison)

Hey Tony thanks for reminding me about the Messiah and your subsequent introduction to a bit of discipline - When I joined this group I was instantly accused (unfairly) by the Hon Vince Leatt of breaking various antiques and now I find that I am responsible for setting you off in pursuit of the caning record. I remember you becoming famous for the 'Concert Caning' but had no recollection that I was so close to the action. Mind you that's probably what I said at the time. No doubt hearing the Messiah still brings tears to your eyes (as it did most people who watched us at the time).I am amazed that you got so close to Tom Saunders he seemed to get caned every week, lets hope he joins so that he can hold me responsible. (Greg Cooper)

Four whacks and you joined the elite few who reached this plateau. Scotty McGregor George Delmonte and myself became members of the group after completing about half a mile of the annual cross country, sitting in a ditch until the leaders made the turn and came back again, and tagging along behind them to come in fourth, fifth and sixth. Harry Askew took this as a personal offense, he being an Olympic athlete (third in the 100 years high hurdles at the Wembley games in 1948). The next day in George's study we watched his hair lip positively tremble as he told us how we had insulted Mr. Askew by making a laughing stock of the annual cross country run. We were then sent outside and one by one bought in to get our four and, to add insult to injury, apologize to Harry while trying not to rub the hurt bit. Was it that in latter years this stunt was not considered "whackable", or what? (Mike Merry)

 I reckon that George saw this as his chance to lay a few stingy ones on the backsides of the School Teds. Whilst he could not, reasonably, have lined you up and said, "Your dress and demeanour are lowering the tone of the school.  Cop for four of the best!", he saw his chance to "equalize" in defence of the honour of the school cross-country course! (DGM) When did the cane cease to be used at RLS and what happened to Scruff's magnificent collection of bamboo? (Mike Merry)

I don't remember exactly what year, but there was a school uniform check whereby prefects were posted by all the school entrances to check that everyone was wearing the correct items of uniform as they arrived for school.  I was guilty of wearing an ever so pale green shirt, so I had to report to JPC, along with several others, and had to write out the school rules several times after school.  ...does anyone remember Mr Lovat (no relation - different spelling) who taught biology.  Failure to obtain a certain mark in a test resulted in having to copy out the first chapter of Genesis!  I was guilty there too! (Phil Lovett) (on GHRNs canes) I don't know, but the collection was reportedly still in position and in use when I left. (Peter Monk)

Corporal punishment became illegal in the UK in, I think 1973, as part of the 1972 Education Act. Roughly the same time as Comprehensive education was introduced into Havering. I recall nothing that makes me believe that the RLS would be one of the first schools to cease to use the cane! Others still in the profession will probably be better informed about the legislation than myself. (Bill Broderick)

During my tenure the cane referred to as 'THE SWISH' was still very much in evidence. All the usual misdemeaners carried this ultimate sanction such as being caught smoking by Dan Guy behind the mini bus shed or being discovered drink in hand in one of Dickie Groome's HOSTELERIES'. I also believe that 3 consecutive weeks on report would get you 6 of the best and i never exceeded 2 weeks for fear this was true. I also had a 'SPECIAL' friend who could get me out of any trouble. Any guesses humourous or not would be appreciated get it right and I will admit to it although it may lead to me having to become an honorary BP (Richard Marsh)

I recall that George spoke to me personally only twice in five years, both occasions swiftly followed by the cane striking my quivering buttocks. So he wasn't what one would call close to his pupils - apart from those particular times. (Derek Humphrey)

I think being "on Report" was handed out for poor work over a period of time - JPC had a reporting system the details of which escape me. I think it came about when a number of the younger and more rebellious staff told JPC exactly what they thought about beating kids for work related rather than behaviour related "offences".
The "Culprit" had to carry a weekly diary round and have it signed off at the end of each lesson for quality of work, home work and behaviour as far as I can remember. (Bill Broderick)

John Bailey wrote: "So, what did you do to get onto his regular appointment list? Attitude or academic failings? Reveal, reveal, reveal....."
Hard to know where to begin. Academic incompetence certainly. The only school report I have shows me as 27th out of 28 which was the norm. My particular favourite is a position of 14th out of 15 in maths set 4, must have been Jack Waxman who stopped me being last in the year.
Then there was my inability to arrive at school on time. Jake's remedy for this was to have me report to him 15 minutes early for a week. Unfortunately I was usually late for this which lead to 1 on 1 detentions, just me and Jake, such fun!!!
So being on report was a termly occurrence and getting through 40 lessons a week with no adverse comments was usually beyond me, thus leading to yet more visits to his study.
As time went on we got to detest each other more and more until our relationship hit its low point in 6B. I had taken to bunking off school and forging absence letters, then one day I was genuinely ill and took in a letter actually written by my mother (I was either too lazy or too stupid to write one myself). Jake, suspicious bastard that he was, spotted the difference and came bursting into Vic Slade's class waving the incriminating documents. Sad to say I wasn't there. I had skipped the lesson (must have been Chaucer) and was idling in the 6B flat playing pontoon. When he found me I thought he was going to have a heart attack. Truancy, forgery, skipping lessons and gambling, he didn't know what to punish me for. Expulsion was mentioned (God knows why he didn't) but in the end he settled for the cane and of course a bloody sermon. (Roger Harlow)