Copy of Memorandum to Members of Staff, dated December 1915.
As some time has elapsed since the work to be done in the various supervisory capacities has been fully stated, I think it may well to supply you herewith with a recapitulation of what was originally laid down.
Line Duty. the teacher who is taking this is expected to be in school by 9 a.m. and 1.45 p.m. and to maintain order in the school precincts till the first bell rings. He may adopt what plan he thinks best to secure order except that he must not remain in the Masters’ Room. At 9.10 a.m. and 1.55 p.m. he has the first bell rung, and proceeds to the place where Lines are to be formed. He marshals the Lines with the help of the Prefects and when the second bell rings at 9.15 a.m. and 2 p.m. sends in the forms in single file. At 10.50 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. he proceeds to the playground, which he patrols during the recess, taking care that the time is made proper use of by the boys. In this he will be assisted by the Master due to take Line duties the following week, and one should arrange to take the upper playground while the other takes the lower. The corridors will be cleared at play-time by the Prefects under the supervision of the Head Master or his deputy, so that the Master taking Lines need not delay in the building for this purpose. He and his colleague must prevent unnecessary noise, shouting and roughness in the play-ground. At 4.20 p.m. he must see that all pupils not in Detention clear quickly and quietly off the school premises, unless they have obtained permission to stop behind, within ten minutes of the close of school. This work will be carried out after morning school by the Head Master.
Dinner Duty. This is from 12.40 to 1.45 p.m. The Master taking it must ring the bell when dinner is ready, see that the pupils line up in orderly manner, and proceed to and from (especially the latter) the Dining Hall quietly. He carves, and presides over the Dinner Table. After dinner he must assemble all the pupils either in the Assembly Hall or in fine weather, if he prefers, in the play-ground, and supervise them there, letting them amuse themselves in whatever way they like and he thinks best conduces to carrying out his instructions. Pupils must not be granted leave during dinner-hour except for really serious reasons, and these must be entered in the dinner book. He must on no account leave the pupils to themselves, or some in the building and some out. He must not take them to the school FIELD. He must regard himself as on duty till the Lines Master arrives. No external pupil is allowed on the school play-ground or buildings till 1.45 p.m., when the gate is unlocked, and the names of any who present themselves before that time should be entered in the Late Book with the reason.
Sports Duty. The Master taking this is expected to see that the boys change quickly and quietly both before and after playing (the latter particularly important); that they conduct themselves properly on the roads and on the field. He must see them off the building after they have finished changing on their return from the field. This applies to Saturdays as well as school days. Visiting teams should be kept within bounds as far as possible, and neither they nor our boys should be allowed to play the school piano, sing or shout in the Hall, and generally deal with the school as though it were their private property. The Sports Master for the week will be held responsible if anything of this sort occurs in future.
Detention Duty. Pupils down to stay in for half an hour should not be dismissed before 4.50 p.m., those down for an hour may be dismissed at 5.15 p.m., but not before. The Master taking this duty must see that all those who have been in Detention have gone quietly from the school buildings before he goes himself. A master must not exchange duty with another without informing me, and never if it involves his absence from another duty of his own.
W. Charlton Cox,
11/1/16