Music classes were available to those who could afford them and there was a children's church choir. I participated in that for several years. A lengthy passage way led from an annex from one building to another and in the winter, the floor, which was sloped, was a sheet of ice. All the kids slid down it at some time or another and God have mercy on them if they should get caught by any of the nuns..
Most of the teachers were kind and patient. Sister Camilla comes to mind as well as Sister Genevieve. Then there was Sister Mary Mac...a cruel individual who should have never been allowed to train animals,much less teach innocent, vulnerable children. But teach us she did with a constant raised voice, sometimes to the point of screaming.. Her stamping feet and long leather strap which she fondled like a treasured keepsake had most of her students constantly close to tears.
She was an unholy terror.
Her eyes were cold as ice and there was a permanent sadistic curve to her lips. Unfortunately, I was a very timid child and she seemed to sense that just as many predators do. How embarrassed I was on the first day of her class when she screamed at the top of her lungs while stamping her feet and I wet my drawers. I somehow knew right then and there that it wouldn't be a good year.
This particular nun had taught my mother and she had given her a bad time mostly because my mother was a convert and Sister Mary Mac never allowed her to forget it.
Sister Mary Mac had her pets, of course. They consisted mostly of children of means, who were a notch or two higher on the well-to-do scale. Even back then it was a matter of you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.I would have liked to have scratched her cold eyes out. She succeeded in screwing up many children's lives including mine.
She, as well as others should never had become nuns but back then the parents had the say and to have a daughter or son in the clergy assured the parents of a bed in heaven. So although the man or woman didn't want any part of the church, they were coerced into wearing a habit by the parents. Hence, all spite and disappointment in life was put upon the children they taught.
Thank goodness children nowadays can talk to their parents and let them know just what goes on at school. Corporal punishment is no longer allowed and I think there is more of a rapport between teacher and student.
Sister Mary Mac passed away many years ago yet the memory of her and her sadistic ways remain in the hearts of many.