One such document is the policy on corporal punishment for public schools in the early 1900s.

This policy stated that "every case of corporal punishment, even if it be one stroke only, is to be recorded, at the time the punishment is inflicted".

This record remains, along with the policy, and shows us how times have changed.

In 1909 it was felt that corporal punishment "was not to be recognised as a proper aid to teaching.

"The boxing of pupils' ears and the tapping of children on the head are strictly forbidden, as is also the corporal punishment of female pupils twelve years of age and over - and no corporal punishment may be inflicted for neglect to prepare home lessons."

Although neglecting the homework was not cause for corporal punishment in schools it appears the range of offences that did attract corporal punishment were extremely varied.

At Cedar Party Creek public school in 1909 a ten-year-old boy received one stroke of the cane for "carelessness in marching" while a 13-year-old was given 2 strokes for the more unusual offence of "sticking a pin in a boy."

Falsehoods and taking another student's dinner seemed to be two of the more serious offences attracting four strokes of the cane.

In all the corporal punishment cases listed from 1909 to 1939 at Cedar Party Creek school the cane was the preferred implement.

Why not drop into the Wingham Museum to learn more about how times have changed!