For any score of minus nine or more, it would be six on our bottoms with Housemother’s hand and another six with her slipper.
This did happen though it was exceptional. Just as in life, we all had good weeks and bad weeks, but to exceed minus nine demerits was more difficult than it might seem.
No-one objected at any time to this regime, as we simply accepted the rule and authority adults had over children.
Our parents must have known but only one of the pupils in my dormitory was aware of the role of Housemother and her disciplinary role, because of the aforementioned older brother.
There was no favorable treatment towards the girls either – they got exactly the same punishments as the boys.