Mark reading - A dreaded day

Do you remember ……………………………

These days were planned well in advance

Noted in the school calendar- and dreaded by most.

When they arrived a general gloom pervaded the atmosphere

The time would vary but the somber mood would remain

Dragging footsteps- some had to almost be pushed and goaded into the Harding hall

Lines of boys who hoped that the earth would open and swallow them up

The lectern and the microphone   looked more ominous than ever

And then a figure – larger than life – draped in a big black gown would stride in – B W ROBERTS

The Principal and who else -----------OH GOD  save me was the general thought in the hall

“I wish lightening would strike me dead” thought most to themselves.

It was the dreaded MARK READING for the senior school

9A- 1^st in class / 2^nd in Class/ 3^rd in class- they would go up on stage and shake hands- beaming

How the hell were they so clever moaned the rest under their breath

The other First divisions are …………………….. 10 or 12 names were read out- clap clap clap

( keep it short and crisp bellowed out Mr Roberts)

In second division we have-------------------about 20 names read out followed by a few claps

In third division we have – another 10 names – muted claps

“ You third division guys – WAKEY WAKEY- or else you will soon find yourselves flunking “

Now we come to the geniuses – the dodgers, the wasters.

You’re wasting your fathers’ money and you will come to no good

Take a step forward when I call your name

10 or 12 poor souls would be named and they would take a step forward

They would almost look as if they were being led to the guillotine

Mr Roberts would then grind them into the dust with all sorts of comments

In his heart he just wanted them to study and pass

The ordeal over they would step back in line and breath again

No one from that line looked up and were often told

LOOK ME IN THE EYE………………

This happened class after class.

When it came to class ten it was worse

There were Prefects and Captains and they hated   being named and shamed

But Mr Roberts did not care

He named, he shamed, he pulled his punches and he shamed again

Pin drop silence

No one dared to cough or sneeze .

If he could remember finer details they were mentioned

If they had been caned, punished, caught bunking – it was remembered.

He had the memory of an elephant- nothing went unnoticed.

He laughed, he sniggered, he commented and he stared

If stares could kill many would have been dead.

When it was all over everyone breathed again.

All of you get back to class and get your brains in order if not you will get my size 10 boot where it hurts the most.

The mark reading was over.

Staff and boys left the hall in silence – the boarders study was extra quiet that evening

Even the masters looked like frightened school boys

Normalcy reigned again.