A long ruler whacked down hard on a desk, and a manner that brooked no weakness, set the tone from the start. With a solid frame established, some mellowing would be possible, and learning could proceed. The military model of learning is said to be that ‘when you fear the instructor more than the task, learning will take place’. By century’s end, however, Rob McLaren (1973, staff 1987-) writes that ‘it is only when a student feels comfortable and safe in his immediate environment that any real learning can take place’.