[ Post a Response | SNOBs Message Board ]
Posted by John Hawley I am sorry you have such memories and it probably matters not where the items are placed (but it will be the RFC). It is sometimes difficult looking back on life's experiences and making sense of them with the mores of today, or in the light of new legislation. The Romans no longer feed the Christians to the lions, for example,and we no longer hang people, let alone in public. I was recently at a memorial service for a master who was man and boy in his school, which was my first teaching appointment, for some 55 years. He was awarded the MBE and many of the eulogies stated how he preferred the quick punishment for errant students to the long drawn out detention; so it seemed did the recipients of the punishment - or so we were led to believe! The recollections brought much mirth from the packed hall and gallery at the school. I, myself, recall being caned on both hands in primary school because others borrowed elastic bands from my pencil case and flicked pellets. As the 'supplier' I was deemed in error and I just had to accept it. The worst of it was being stripped of my prefectorial duties. I was also caned on the rear in my grammar school for daring to throw some builders sand in the playground in retaliation for some Second Years who threw some at me. They escaped and I, a First Year, got caught. Life is full of change and injustice, perceived or real. Although I recall such incidences, I hope I have put them in perpective and moved on. St Nicholas G.S. existed for a blip in time - a mere 22 years and, no doubt, there are as many memories as there were students and staff in the establishment. I suspect your 'experiences' would have been replicated in most secondary schools of that era. Whatever buildings or parts of buildings remain, our memories cannot be erased by their removal. Roman amphitheatres are as much a witness to innovative human design and invention as a reminder of the events which occurred within them. Incidentally; many years after the 'elastic' event, I had dinner with the Head and my form tutor, who had caned me, and was able to say how it was all a big mistake in being blamed for something I had not done! "The whirligig of time......" (Lear)
on 30/9/2005, 12:36 am, in reply to "Re: Presentation of Brass Plaque and Stained Glass Shield"
82.44.179.122
Mick,