Sir’s death-defying challenge

Mention of the late Bill Rollo on this page last week has prompted Michael Mulford to get in touch with his own memories of classroom lessons led by the teacher.

The Fife-based journalist muses: “Just imagine – the scene is Harris Academy, Dundee, today; a much-loved maths teacher startles his class by offering £144.31 to any pupil who successfully completes the Bill Rollo Memorial Challenge.

“It is very simple – bring out an oldfashioned revolving chalkboard, climb up one side, go over the top, survive the wish of the chalkboard to catapult you away, get down the far side, and land safely.

“Would the teacher be struck off or promoted? Would there be a full public inquiry which would last years, cost millions and decide on a not proven verdict? Or would the head teacher or Health and Safety Executive intervene and spoil the fun?”

A pupil at Harris from 1958-64, Mr Mulford remembers how he was chosen from a class of 30 or so by Mr Rollo to undertake just such a challenge.

He recalls: “He offered £5. It may seem scant reward for a death-defying feat nowadays, but in 1960 was roughly half a newly-qualified teacher’s weekly pay.

“I declined on the basis that my mum would not believe how my nice new Harris blazer got ripped, but have often wondered if any pupil ever attempted it – and with what outcome?”

However, the Cupar resident stresses: “Please do not attempt this if you find a revolving chalkboard in an education museum or anywhere else, not even for today’s £5 equivalent prize money.

“Make no mistake, Bill Rollo was a wonderful teacher with a brilliant ability to communicate with pupils, albeit his sense of humour did seem a tad near the edge!”