Ironbed
I was strapped on my first day at Barney
Guess what for
?
For pronouncing words with a West Belfast accent. I kid you not !
I received the strap fro Willy John Steele (Principal) while he was giving me an induction lecture
Mageeka, that's exactly what I mean. The teachers thought they were above us socially, intelectually and economically. I remember one particulair teacher who taught Surveying ( well, it involved throwing a long segemted chain and ordered someone to go stand at the end of it and hold up a pole ). Back in class he started picking on a pupil who had probably [censored] him off and said, "Well I suppose when you get out of the bath you leave a big ring of back street sum". Young as I was, I felt that this disgusting retort insulted everyone in the room. [censored].
My two best subjects while at Barney were English and Art but never once was I encouraged to pursue these strong areas.
Willy John Steele was such an elitist that he banned all GAA sports from Barney.
Maybe it was too low brow for him?
Sorry to sound like Frank McCourt. .but yes, I am still [censored] off at my experiences at Barney School. And always will be.