Today was a particularly exciting day. First, Miss Wilberforce inspected our hands and
heads – and, dear me, some of the boys were filthy with soot! Though ma’am did not use the
methods of punishment, I dare say some of the pupils deserved them. Instruments such as the
finger stock (a procedure where one’s fingers are trapped in a tight lock to prevent fidgeting) or
the backboard (a method to keep your back straight) were used. However, the dummy’s hat was
shown – and- of course the cane.
Adhering to the “Three Rs” we proceeded to attempt copy writing. We traced and copied a
series of loops and formed something similar to a letter. Next, we did arithmetic which
consisted of saying our two and five times tables in unison, and using the abacus for basic
addition and subtraction. Afterwards we had our observational lessons and had to observe the
potato. A very curious thing happened - A boy said that from a certain way of cooking a
potato, one can produce something called crisps! Most curious.
Yet, I am very pleased to say that when the Inspector came to Colfe’s Board School he gave us
a Certificate of Merit. We must have done something right!
Caroline 6B