Friday 8 March 1952
The end of my first week as headmistress and the first time I have been called on to use the strap ñ an evil-looking black one, bequeathed to me by my predecessor, Mr Grange. Three nervous-looking boys from the lower fifth knocked on my door and told me they had been sent to see me by the geography master, Mr Willis, for running in the corridor.
Never having strapped a pupil before, I was almost as apprehensive as they were. But I decided that, if my authority was to be respected, it was no time for half measures. I made each of the boys touch their toes in turn, while I gave them ten hard strokes of the strap over their tight grey shorts. One of the boys had tears in his eyes by the time I had finished, and the other two were red-faced and rubbed their bottoms furiously as they left the room. ëGood,í I thought to myself. ëThey wonít be coming back here in a hurry.í