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ST. AUGUSTINE'S GRAMMAR SCHOOL
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stripes7
31st January 2003
My dear boys,
It is once again the customary occasion in the glorious history of this great school, on which the Headmaster addresses the former boys and staff.
The dark days of the winter months are now passing and we look forwards with anticipation to the coming lengthening days that lead us on through paschaltide to the heady days of Summer, when association and rugby football kits are put to one side and the cricket whites are donned.
It is a time of waiting, expectation and preparation: the forty frugal days of fasting and abstinence of Lent taking us through Holly Week to culminate in Easter - the ecclesiastical high point of the Christian calendar.
Those about to take public examinations have many nights of revision preparing themselves appropriately to acquit themselves honourably so bringing further credit to this school. Indeed many of the former pupils are now teachers themselves, having followed in the profession of their tutors and mentors, and are, at this moment, imparting knowledge to the next generations in preparation for the GCSE and 'A' level examinations. Those that have not entered the teaching profession, and indeed there are many other honourable professions, may have sons who are approaching the same examinations as their fathers took within the walls of this assembly hall. I wish them all well; I wish particular success to any who have recently undertaken the entrance examinations for those jewels in the crown of British education, the colleges of the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. I need hardly remind you that the Headmaster himself spent his undergraduate years at Downing College, Cambridge and would heartily give his endorsement to any who aspire to follow their Headmaster by continuing their education at this esteemed establishment.
Spring is also a time when some of the Old Boys former pupils of this school give thought to next winter and commence planning for the social highlight of the coming academic year - I speak of course of the Second Grand Reunion of St Augustine's Grammar School to be held once again at the Greater Manchester Police Sports and Social Club this November. On beholding the names, now august prolific men of the establishment, I must confess to a pride, not without some magnitude, that these boys were all pupils of this great school.
With the current unease in the Middle East, regretfully it is also a time of waiting and preparation of a different nature. It is a time of fortitude and vigilence whilst we trust our leaders in the current diplomacy. We pray that all may yet be resolved peacefully without unecessary conflict.
Can I now take a few moments to relay to you the contents of a communication from Manchester Education Committee regarding harmonisation of school disciplinary action throughout Europe following our entry into the European Economic Community -in the vernacular - the Common Market. This correspondence suggests that we should now adopt a leather strap of 100g weight (rather than the traditional 8 or 12oz ones of British origin) and that punishment be meeted out in units of 1 up to a maximum penalty of 5 strokes for any given single offence. Whilst my crusade to promote uniformity is reputedly legendary, no one within this establishment should need reminding that the customary admonishment for the more serious offences is "Six of the Best", and that commuting this to five or less with a lighter strap would inevitably diminish its deterrent value. Over the course of a short time, many of the recurrent offenders would avoid many strokes.
Current practice is drawn from traditions stretching back through time: In Sparta, each year, during a festival called "Day of Flagellations", young men were brought before an altar dedicated to the goddess Diana where they were whipped with the scourge from dawn until dusk. - the boys being encouraged to "bear the pain with fortitude"; In the Roman era, the flagrum and flagella used by "lorarii" are well depicted in the works of Plautus, Horace and Cicero; The Bible recounts the use of the beating and the scourge in both Old and New Testaments; After the eleventh century, flagellation was promoted by the Church as a form of penitence; More recently, the British Navy, itself an honourable institution, made much use of flogging as discipline for boys, as exemplified in "Kissing the Gunner's Daughter".
All the best British schools have since learnt the value of the rod: "Six of the Best", albeit mild by classical standards, has become the 'de facto' British Standard of discipline.
If any school were to adopt the suggested softening and decimalisation of discipline, then such "sparing of the rod" would result in missing the impact which might otherwise have moulded these boys for the rest of their subsequent lives.
Mr Matthews, the Deputy Headmaster has agreed to collate the necessary figures regarding the numerical diminution in strokes administered through the length of an average student's academic career and produce a dissertation to support the Headmaster's decision. Mr Rigby would assist by calculating the reduction in energy dissipated through the use of the lighter continental strap. The school suppliers have been contacted and have given their assurance that they will continue to supply the traditional British Standard Tawse, in both 8 and 12oz weights(GT model). Mr McSweeney has inspected the current stock, most of which remains in a satisfactory condition, the leather not yet showing signs of excessive wear.
Your parents chose this school, at least in part, because it was a leather bearing school and the Headmaster can expect their full support and that of the Governors in rejecting any implementation of this proposal. Whilst the Headmaster suspects that some of those boys most likely to benefit may not endorse His decision, the majority of this school will agree that the incomplete delivery of proven disciplinary measures, already seen within some non selective schools, would strike at the very root of discipline within this great school, which stands alongside those of Rugby and Eton on this matter.
May I also remind the parents of all boys who have not yet contributed the £1/-d due this term for the Chapel Fund. The chapel, which is at the heart of our spiritual life here, in contrast to the rest of the school buildings, is not supported financially in any way by the Education Committee and depends upon voluntary contributions and the Diocese of Shrewsbury for its upkeep.
May I finally remind all concerned that winter is not yet over, consequently, some inclement weather may yet be predicted and raincoats must be carried at all times in order that you are not caught unaware by a sudden deluge of rain or even a wintry shower.
(F.J. McGUINESS)
Headmaster