I went to a mixed Catholic primary school in Australia in the early 60s, between the ages of five and 11, and the memories I’m sharing today date back from when I was nine years old.
The discipline both in and out of the classroom was very strict, and corporal punishment was in frequent use. For minor offences, the boy or girl in question would be summoned to the front of the class, the sister teaching the class would produce a thick wooden ruler, and you would be expected to hold out your hand to take your punishment – usually one or two smacks on each hand.