Archives and Documents

SET March 1967 Completing Series on Staff Occupations Four staff J.Swift – engineer Frances – woman – human Brian – poet Louis – artist None of us - just teachers. Subject more than subject J.S. does plans and enjoys them. Brian enjoys literature and creates it Louis – loves losing himself in the work he does. What about myself? Could talk to you about things I enjoy. Craftsman Artist Author Broadcaster Scientist Father and husband All these I know something about. Different roles. You think of me as the Boss. What’s it like to be the Boss. Element in it that is not enjoyable. All of you who try to use authority will have discovered this. Loneliness of the person in authority. Everyone else can in some measure shrug off responsibility – the boss can’t. Not only responsible for the present, but also the future. Fun running your own show? You can’t - it depends on co-operation. There is an invariable pattern of rebellion in teens. Always so. Two possibilities Accept that your are two hostile camps. Use force and punishment Drive and shape. Old type of school. Try to work through. Tell yourself that behind the rebellion there are interesting and loveable people, and in the end your belief in them will be repaid. B works. A is horrible. Often the pattern in industry – where hostility between boss and the workers often inevitable. Adults – set in their way. When they take offence it may last a long time. Children – young people. Feelings can quickly change. I can be furious with a group. But a few hours later they can be as nice and smiling as ever. So I can be more myself with the young. If I were the manager of a business – I would have to guard my tongue. Here isolation again. People grow through knowing each other. Teachers, if educators, must share not only their knowledge - but themselves as persons. They must be known You must be known too Difficult for those in auth.[ority] to be known. Headmaster not a person but a thing who removes the kettle, or makes you have your hair cut, who is everlastingly saying don’t. Don’t tear up paper, don’t talk in library. Would much sooner join you in making coffee. (but not in growing my hair) Painful aspect of authority. Authority and success. The things I want can’t be measured. Ampleforth Archive reference PP/KCB 3/7/3 document 22