But let’s start with the boys. The formal punishment for boys was the cane. This was for serious offenses and used quite rarely, probably only a few times a year. For instance, one boy was caned for setting off the fire alarm, or so rumour had it (such punishments were administered in private so I can’t say for sure). But I do remember on another occasion seeing a different boy walking out of the headmistress’ study, crying and saying “I’ll tell my mum of you” in between the sobs, followed by the senior master holding a cane. I also saw that same master cane a boy on his hand — that was in an empty classroom close to the steps leading up to the assembly hall, and as I was walking down the steps I looked through the glass panel in the door and saw two strokes being administered.