Big classes, children behaved

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

I recently wrote a letter to the editor about teachers wanting more pay, smaller classes, etc, etc.

Well, I’ve just gone through my school photos from 1946-1956 and there is not one class with

less than 31 students photographed. Some had 45-50 students.

I do not recall any teacher stating they were overworked and classes needed to be dramatically reduced. Children behaved and gave little-to-nil excuse for the teacher to complain.

As students, we respected our teachers. They demanded attention and respect and received it, or else. The strap or the cane awaited those who broke the rules. In class there was no chatter among ourselves. We couldn’t even talk to ourselves.

That was the behaviour our teacher demanded. Teachers such as George Longhorn, “Scoury” Bilham, Jigger Gray, Len Schwabe, Tinny McIntosh, Miss Dunphoy, Miss Fisher, and so many others, ruled with an iron fist and made us better people.

My school years were a great journey. I would change nothing and neither would have my teachers.

Mike Mulrooney