Trying to be nonchalant in front of your peers while your stomach was churning, palms sweating and legs trembling was not pleasant. I don’t think I was ever first in a group, only when I alone was to be caned. Having to draw the curtains and, if required, move a chair to bend over at least gave you something to do while the headmaster readied himself.
The longest I had to wait out in the foyer was about 90 minutes for my last caning. At the time I didn’t know I was going to get the cane as it was exam time and I had done nothing wrong.