Recent knife incidents in schools, remind me of something that happened more than 50 years ago in our woodwork class.

One lad stabbed another in the hand with a chisel.

Our woodwork master treated the wound and, in front of the whole class, gave the attacker three strokes on each hand with the strap, reducing him to tears.

We were then given a severe lecture. There was no involvement by the police, a hospital, the media nor counsellors - just swift, decisive action.

None of us ever misbehaved again with sharp tools. Makes you think, doesn't it?

-Ron Jameson, Hove