by Lisa Berry
Emily joined Meadowfields School as a young Maths teacher in 1947. During the next five years she struggled against prejudice and outdated ideas. She clashed, first with the Headmistress, and then The Headmaster, before herself being appointed as the new Headmistress. Before taking up the position, Emily married a former school governor, David Palmer. On her appointment most of the staff resigned which gave Emily the chance to appoint her own staff, who shared her vision for the future.
Emily is now determined to drag the school into the second half of the twentieth century, but it will be a lengthy process. Her friend from previous years, Diana Templeton, is now her deputy, and Miss Armitt, the only other previous staff member is senior housemistress in charge of School House. Below is a list of staff and other relevant people at the beginning of the Autumn Term in 1952.
English Lit & Drama: Miss June Robinson, 45
English: Miss Rose Armitt, 56, Housemistress School House
French: Miss Valerie Roberts, 31
Maths: Mrs Deidre Frome, 40
Geography: Mrs Ruby Golding, 53, Housemistress Plantaganet House
History: Miss Maud Ritchie, 38, Housemistress Windsor House
Science: Miss Vera Robson, 44, Housemistress Tudor House
Biology: Miss Clare Humphries, 37
Classics: Mrs Frances Brownlow, 48
Games, PE, and RE: Miss Katie Chadwick, 25
Cookery: Mrs Enid Waugh, 58
Sewing: Mrs Andrea Wilmot, 55
School Secretary: Mrs Janet Coombs, 47
Matron: Miss Christine(Tina) Varney, 50
Assistant Matron: Miss Margaret Thomas, 26
Head Girl: Samantha Rhodes
Housekeeper: Mrs Pankhurst
Caretaker: Mr T Adams, 58
Groundsman: Mr J Hutton, 53
Governors: Sir Reginald Potts, James Wright, Cllr Derek Robins, Retired Admiral Marcus Dorritt, Brian Davidson JP, Albert Forder MBE, George Walford DSO
Meadowfields School is situated on high ground overlooking the sea in the west of England. It is on the edge of the village of Little Potterford, and the nearest town is Grandford, five miles away, where the nearest railway station is situated.
The School Motto is: Ad Summa Nitamur - Let us strive after perfection.
Emily is now Headmistress, and has returned from honeymoon with her new husband, David. During the remainder of the holidays she has been making David's house a home for two, but also spending time planning how she is going to run the school.
The day before term started, she called a meeting of her staff. All of them were new, except Diana, now Deputy Head, and Miss Armitt.
After they had all gathered in Emily's study, her secretary, Janet, brought in coffee. Emily sat behind her desk, with Diana to her left. The staff sat in front of her in a semi circle. Despite school not being open, all were dressed in their gowns.
"Thank you all for coming and being punctual. May I formally welcome all of you to what I hope is a new and exciting era for Meadowfields. You are all here because I know from your interviews that you share my vision for the future, and you have all pledged yourselves to work hard to achieve our aims. There are various areas that I wish to cover, so that everyone knows exactly where they stand." Pausing a moment to take a sip of her coffee, Emily smiled. "First of all, forms of address. Please address me as Mrs Palmer. Formal address will be used at all times in front of pupils. What you call each other, and me, behind my back in private, is up to you." Her smile widened as the staff laughed at her remark. "The girls will be addressed as we have always done, by their surname, except prefects, who may be called by their first names. Does anyone have any questions?"
There was a shaking of heads, but no questions were asked. Emily continued.
"Now we come to the thorny topic of discipline. My predecessor withdrew the use of the cane, except for the deputy head. I am restoring the use of the cane to all staff... with one proviso: the cane in the classroom will not be used in front of other pupils; it will be given in private at the end of the lesson or at some other convenient time."
Miss Robinson raised her hand.
"Yes Miss Robinson?"
"Do you think it's fair to make a girl wait for what could possibly be a long time before caning her?"
"Possibly, but I think most girls would prefer to receive their punishment in private. I would expect in most cases that the punishment be carried out at the end of the lesson. Does anybody else have a view?" As there were no replies, Emily pressed on. "I have ordered a supply of canes. Miss Templeton will issue one to each of you at the end of the meeting. I intend to closely monitor all canings by the use of a punishment book, issued to each of you. This will be handed in to my secretary after school on a Friday. The other punishment that you may use is lines. I have ordered a supply of special blue paper which will be kept by each house prefect. Any girl receiving lines will go to collect the necessary amount of paper, and this in turn will be recorded. I shall also be keeping a close eye on the number of lines issued. Are there any questions?"
"Yes. It wasn't mentioned at our interview about using a cane. I would rather not use one," said Miss Roberts, the French teacher.
"In that case, send the girl to another teacher or send her up to me or Miss Templeton. Does anyone else feel the same way?" asked Emily. Since there were no responses she continued. "As regards morning assembly, from the start of this term, assembly will be held in the chapel. I will not make it compulsory for staff to attend, but I expect attendance to be high. If attendance doesn't come up to expectation, then it will be made compulsory."
"Mrs Palmer, I do not wish to take part in any religious worship," said Miss Roberts.
"That is your prerogative Miss Roberts, and I have no wish to make you. However, when you attend you have no need to take part. Is that satisfactory?"
"Perfectly," replied Miss Roberts. "I shall be very happy to attend."
"Thank you Miss Roberts," said Emily with a smile. "When attending assembly, I should like you all to wear your hoods as well as your gowns, and while we're on the subject of dress, I expect all my staff to be smartly turned out. We expect the girls to dress appropriately, and so should we. I also have some good news, the number of pupils starting this term has risen to 172. It's only a small rise, but a step in the right direction. Finally, may I say that although Miss Templeton and I are in charge of the school, we are here to support you in every way we can, and our doors are always open. You are all experienced staff, so I don't anticipate any problems. There will be changes ahead, ones that you may or may not like, but feel free to come and discuss your concerns. I may not act on them, but I will always hear them. So, if there are no further questions, the meeting is closed. Miss Templeton will give you your canes."
Everyone got up and Diana gave out the canes.
"Miss Armitt, just a quick word," said Emily after Miss Armitt had collected her cane.
"Yes, Mrs Palmer?"
"I know these are experienced teachers but they will need some help until they find their feet. May I rely on you as senior member of staff to offer any assistance to them?"
"But of course, Mrs Palmer. I shall be only too happy to do what I can. May I say that you expressed your wishes very succinctly and I'm sure that everyone will be happy to comply."
"Thank you, Miss Armitt, that will make my job a lot easier."
After the others had gone Miss Roberts came up to Emily. "May I have a word Mrs Palmer?"
"Of course. Is something troubling you?"
"Well yes. It's this business of the cane."
"Ah."
"I suppose I shouldn't say this, but I don't think I would have taken the job if I had known I was expected to use a cane," said Miss Roberts, looking worried.
Emily smiled and put her hand on Miss Roberts's shoulder. "You have nothing to worry about. I won't make you use a cane. We all have our own views, and you're entitled to yours, just as much as I am to mine. No one will hold it against you."
"I'm so relieved, thank you for being so understanding."
"I recruited you because of your record and you seemed to be the sort of person that I wanted. Don't let me down," said Emily with a smile.
"No Mrs Palmer, I won't. Thank you."
One by one the staff left and made their way to various parts of the school.
"She's a bit of a tartar, isn't she?" said Miss Chadwick, the new young games mistress.
"She knows what she wants, and she'll get it. Yes, you're right. Although she's very nice, I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of her," said Miss Humphries, the Biology teacher.
"Well, I'm going to keep my nose clean and just get on with my job," said Miss Chadwick.
"Just like the rest of us," added Miss Humphries.
"I've never used a cane before." Miss Chadwick gave her cane a swish.
"Nothing to it, I've been using one for years."
Next morning it was the lull before the storm. Emily of course now lived at home, but came in early to join the staff for a leisurely breakfast. Then the housemistresses went off to prepare for the new starters. Though the school roll was slightly up on last year, it was a long way from Emily's target of 400. During the morning, Emily had a meeting with Matron, to make sure that all the dormitories were ready.
The earliest arrivals were some of the prefects, who would be supervising the girls as they arrived. After lunch the main body of arrivals soon started to fill the school. Arrival time was between two and four. As usual girls were rushing hither and thither, looking for their friends. Little groups of nervous new girls stood in the main hallway, waiting to be shown around. Just before four, Emily came onto the landing overlooking the main hall. She watched as girls came and went. She particularly watched the new girls as one was crying. She was being ignored by the other girls, so Emily went down to see her.
"Come with me," said Emily, leading the girl to the other side of the hall. She then went down on her haunches in front of the girl and took her by the shoulders. "I'm the Headmistress. Now, what are all these tears for?"
"I want to go home," wailed the girl.
"But this is your new home until the end of term. All these other girls are your friends, they're the same as you. I'm sure they all want to go home. Is this your first time away from home?"
"Yes."
"Now you've got to be brave. I'm sure your mother and father wouldn't want to see you like this would they?" The girl shook her head. "What's your name?" asked Emily.
"Marina Pemberton."
Emily took a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped Marina's eyes. "Marina, I want you to go back with the others. Matron will be here to take you to your dormitory. Remember, your housemistress is your new mother, and if you are unhappy about anything, you see her. Will you do that for me?"
"Yes," replied Marina.
"Just one more thing. When you answer me or any teacher you call us Miss."
"Yes Miss."
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