Archives
Those who have visited the Archive Centre will have seen the changing series of wall displays about the school’s
history. Here we share last year’s popular commentary on school life from the 1930s to today compiled by Chris
Warren, OA and Archive volunteer.
Chris’s latest display on King’s in the post war years and swinging ‘60s can be seen in the Archive Centre now.
CHANGING SCHOOL LIFE
CRIME & PUNISHMENT
School Rules were prescriptive and had to be memorised.
Breaches were punished. The application of common sense
was not considered a suitable alternative to obeying the Rules.
Less serious offences were dealt with by Lines, Drills and
Detentions. An accumulation of these punishments (AOPs)
led to a caning by your Housemaster.
Corporal punishment was administered for ‘serious’ crimes
– bullying, smoking, cheating, skipping chapel. Canings were
carried out by the Headmaster, Housemasters and House
Captains. Use of the cane ceased in 1969.
The last boy caned at King’s was on 17th June 1969. Rather
appropriately, his crime was ‘persistent flouting of authority’.
In 1962 five Carpenter boys were beaten (four strokes each)
for listening to a radio after lights-out. Thirteen years later this
ceased even to be a punishable offence.
JUST OFF TO MY CLUB
Up to 1939 boys could join any of nine clubs and societies
including Debating, Philatelic, Scientific, Photography, Amateur
Players, SYA (Christian anti Communist) and Trevithick
(railways).
The Rabbit Club was formed in 1940 solely to breed rabbits for
school wartime consumption. The Agriculture Club cultivated
10 acres, growing large quantities of vegetables to supplement
wartime school rations
Between 1940 and 1980 the number of clubs proliferated to
42 – amongst these were the Sheldon Society (current affairs),
Fallodon (birdwatching) , Socratic (philosophy), Light Music,
Aeromodelling, Wireless, Motor, Film and Chess clubs. Some
like the Marionette Club fell quickly by the wayside.
The CCF has always played in large role in the life of King’s.
Today’s CCF consists of army, navy and marine sections
Today’s clubs include numerous music, drama and dance
organisations, cookery and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
THE INNER MAN
Originally, meals were ‘family service’ and were preceded by
assembly and silent single file parade into the dining hall. Staff
sat at the top table. Grace, usually in Latin, was said before
every meal. Cafeteria dining was introduced in 1971.
During World War II whale meat was tried as an alternative to
rationed meat and fish. It was not terribly popular.
Wartime food such as powdered egg was used until the mid
1960s. Porridge was the staple diet at breakfast, baked beans
and tinned tomatoes at other meals. Any unused bread was
soaked in water and re-baked.
Hunger was a permanent issue in the 50s and 60s, and the Tuck
Shop run by Mrs Smith helped augment school food. Here you
could buy iced and cream buns at break, and assorted sweets
and crisps. By contrast, today’s menus contain numerous
choices and many healthy options.
‘DO YOUR BLAZER BUTTON UP!’
The uniform remained largely unchanged until the late 1960s.
Grey trousers, blue blazer with pelican and a blue and silver tie
which boys earned by gaining ‘school privilege’, usually after
four terms. The blue and silver school cap was compulsory wear
outside school. Sixth Formers could wear boaters.
In 1963 a grey tweed sports jacket was introduced for those
with school privilege. Boys wearing this did not need to wear a
cap when going into town.
Until the 1960s pupils were not allowed their own casual
clothes at any time. By the 1970s, pupils were allowed to wear
casual clothes outside school time and at weekends.
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