Memories: Head Boy resigns rather than use the cane

 

Most schoolboys – especially those of a certain social class who attended elite “public” schools – would probably think it a great honour to be selected as Head Boy (sometimes called Head Prefect or School Captain).

It was such an honour for star athlete Andrew Cowan when he was given the position at Durban High School in South Africa. But in 1965 he resigned rather than meet his obligation to cane boys for minor offences against school rules – especially those involving dress codes.

Back in the day boys at DHS would be caned for having a jacket unbuttoned, having a loose tie, having a straw basher at any angle other than parallel to the ground, having a handkerchief, pen, or other object showing in a pocket, having a hand resting in a pocket, wearing trousers with a cuff of less than 22 inches circumference, and appearing in public at any time, including weekends and school holidays, in anything other than full school uniform.

In 2014, nearly 50 years after the event Andrew Cowan shared his memories on a website for the Durban High School Class of 1961. He recalled that he was called to the Headmaster’s study to be told he had been appointed Head Boy.

He wrote:

The shock of the appointment was such that I did not give much thought to the issues that were to cause me such angst in the weeks to come. I therefore accepted the position with much pride and in full knowledge that this would include the authority to cane.

I do not recall having had particularly strong views against caning itself. Caning had been a long established tradition and I had been at the receiving end on more than one occasion. What did bother me however were the strict rules relating to wearing of the school uniform and the liberal use of the cane in circumstances that I believed were trivial and inappropriate.

Whilst I sympathised with those who felt it an imposition to have to wear the uniform on non-school occasions I personally was always very proud to wear it. I considered the navy and gold to be a cut above the rest and the gold braid of the honours blazer particularly classy!

I have great difficulty recalling the actual rules that were in force or the exact procedures that would lead to a caning. As I recall, anyone caught (I think the term used was ‘claimed’) infringing a rule was brought to the prefects’ room during break and depending on the nature of the ‘crime’, would receive punishment ranging from detention and lines to caning.

It became increasingly uncomfortable for me having to administer punishment under such circumstances. Indeed, there were occasions when I was expected to use the cane but because I did not think it appropriate and so as not to undermine the authority of my co-prefects, I would take the ‘victim’ into the prefects’ study, issue a verbal caution, whack a cricket bag a couple of times and suggest they leave the study rubbing their backsides!!

Cleary that situation could not continue and there followed several meetings with McIver [the Headmaster] during which I attempted to persuade him to relax some of the uniform rules. I have to say that he was always respectful of my views but the Victorian values of that generation simply did not allow him to countenance any such change and once we had reached an impasse, I was asked to consider my position.

As you might well imagine my appointment as Head Boy had been a great source of pride to my parents and they tried desperately to dissuade me from resigning. However my position had become untenable and after a great deal of anguish I finally handed in my resignation.

I do remember it being a very painful period and for quite some time questioned whether giving up such a huge and rare honour had been worth it.

Following my resignation I have to say that I was never criticised or ostracised. Indeed, I was overwhelmed with messages of support and good wishes and the incident was even reported in the local press.

 Picture credit: CP Services, London

 

For more True Memories, click here

For more items including Prefects, click here

 

 

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