Tuesday 12 May 1952
.… which was simply not good enough. I told him that, as he had obviously not learnt his lesson, I would have to take more drastic measures. At the word ëdrasticí, I could see the first signs of fear in his eyes. He was a†big boy,†tall for a 14-year-old, and probably thought he could take a thrashing from a female teacher in his stride. He wasnít prepared for the sight of my senior cane ñ as big and whippy and generally nasty as it sounds ñ and he certainly wasnít prepared for my barked instruction, ëTrousers and pants down, Hooper, and quick about it!í ëBut M‑m-miss…,í he stammered. ëYes, Hooper?í ëMr Grange never made us take our pants down.í ëAnd Iím not Mr Grange,í I retorted, quick as a flash. ëAnd thatís two extra strokes for arguing!í
Who would have thought that, only a few months into my new job, I would be giving a boy eight strokes of the cane on his bare bottom? I was just following my gut instincts. I reasoned that Hooper needed to be humiliated and embarrassed, not just subjected to physical pain. I quite enjoyed the experience, if I am honest, laying on eight angry red stripes with firmness and deliberation. Hooper, I am pleased to say, didnít enjoy the experience one little bit.