A Call For Help.PART I.
 

A Call For Help.PART I.The Principal of St.Bridget's Secondary School was at her wits end. There was 570 boys and girls attending the school. Yes she knew the troublemakers more that the studious students,there was very few trouble makers ,but when they caused trouble they went all out ! Miss Fenner had been the Principal of the school for only one year,the previous principal taking early retirement and leaving her to sort out '...the mess this school is in....' Miss Fenner was feeling the stress,everyday there was something,she began to hate her job and wanted to leave,but was afraid of being seen as someone who couldn't teach or be a principal. One Monday morning she sat at her desk and seriously thought about what she was going to do,she felt hopeless, she couldn't think of anything. Suddenly the fire alarm sounded. The school was evacuated . Once all the pupils were safe and outside the fire service declared the call out to be a hoax. Not another one,Miss Fenner thought,feeling really embarrassed in front of the fire chief and the school governor.Once the fire chief had left and all the students had returned to their classes,Miss Fenner and the school governor sat in her office."This has got to stop,it's out of control,15 false fire alarms this month,students falling grades ,a vandalism epidemic on the school grounds;when are you going to do something", Mr. Peters the school governor said,exasperation in his voice. "You have to stop this,take control or...or..I'm afraid you will have to resign,Miss Fenner." Miss Fenner did not want to give up,she wanted to make this right and weed out those who were causing trouble,but how...how could she manage this ? "Please,Mr. Peters,give me one month,I will think of something,if I fail I will leave," Miss Fenner said."Very well,one month and then we will have to look for a new Principal," Mr.Peters said standing up and walking towards the door. " Perhaps you were too young for such a responsibility ", Peters said ,he closed the door with a bang.Miss Fenner was resolved to do something,but what. There was a knock at the door. "Come in",Miss Fenner said .The door opened and a small nun came into the room. It was Sr. Mary who taught music. When Miss Fenner saw the kindly old nun she just started to cry,all the stress was taking a toll. "There,there,what's the matter,Miss Fenner?", Sr.Mary said in her Northern Irish accent.Miss Fenner told Sr.Mary everything,about the unruly students,and everything that was happening in the school. She told Sr.Mary about what Peters had said. She cried uncontrollably . Sr. Mary put a comforting arm around her and told her that from now on everything would be alright,Miss Fenner just nodded."But it will be alright,you'll see, I know some people who can help,just leave everything to me," Sr. Mary said with a smile."How...how will everything be alright,I will be out of a job in a month's time...what will I do", Miss Fenner said,fighting back the tears."You just leave everything to me, the people I know have dealt with far worse,they will come here and help you;more to the point they will ferret out the students who are causing the trouble and deal with them,you'll see,everything will work out,now don't fret yourself," Sr.Mary assured her."How will they deal with the trouble some pupils,I can't handle them and I'm the Principal?" Miss Fenner asked,wiping tears from her eyes."You just leave everything to me,it will all work out for the best",Sr. Mary said.Sr.Mary had been a Benedictine Nun for almost 30 years,but went to St.Bridget's only twice weekly.When she finished teaching her class that day she spent sometime talking to the good pupils,from them she was able to gather the names of those who were constantly in trouble,this was information she needed.She walked around the school taking note of the vandalism and more importantly taking note of the groups of boys and girls she saw hanging around the school grounds after closing. Sr.Mary was called a penguin by one of the girls,but Sr.Mary thought it best to leave things to the 'professionals' to sort out. That evening Sr.Mary went to the CONVENT OF REPENTANCE to visit her good friend the Abbot Benedictus. She told him what was happening at the school and showed him the list of names she had gathered,and asked for his help.He was very interested in what she had to say and assured her that he would send help the following day and to tell Miss Fenner not to worry.Sr.Mary was very relieved and before she went to bed that night she telephoned Miss Fenner and told her what the Abbot said. Miss Fenner had heard what the Nuns and Monks at the Monastery done,she was a little uneasy,but Sr.Mary assured her that discipline was what was needed and that she should carry on with her everyday duties but leave the discipline to the' help' the Abbot was sending. Miss Fenner agreed,she was very happy that someone was going to help,she decided not to think about what kind of HELP the school and it's pupils was going to get.The following day a small silver coloured car parked in the school car park. It was just after 9am so all the students were in class. Two Nuns got out of the car,both were carrying small briefcases. Miss Fenner watched the Nuns walk across the car park and into the school. A few moments later there was a knock on the door. Miss Fenner opened the door and was a little afraid to see two very stern looking Nuns standing there. The Nuns were dressed in long black habits,veils and white coifs. They both had long ,thick black straps around their waists,hanging from these straps were numerous rosary beads. One of the Nuns managed a slight smile,which was sinister."Please,come in," Miss Fenner said.The Nuns entered the Principal's Office.Miss Fenner offered tea,which was accepted."I am Sr. Brid and this is Sr. Angela,we are here to help you,Miss Fenner," Sr.Brid said in between sips of her tea."We will need one classroom,the most secluded one you have and a small office," Sr.Angela added."Yes,yes of course,I will arrange that...Room 12 is at the other side of the building and there is an office right next door," Miss Fenner said,slightly intrigued but relieved that she would no longer have to put up with the trouble makers."We will need a list of names of the very naughty pupils here,Miss Fenner,as soon as you can give us the list of names we will get right to work",Sr.Brid said,with a slight smile.Off the top of her head Miss Fenner wrote down the names of those students who were always in trouble and handed the list to Sr.Brid who took the list of names given to the Abbot by Sr.Mary and compared them both."A fine mixture here, boys and girls...yes," Sr.Brid said turning her attention to Sr.Angela.Sr.Angela read the list of name and smiled...,"Yes,a beautiful mixture,thank you Miss Fenner.The Nuns left and Miss Fenner took a few moments to think about what had just happened. She didn't want to dwell on the thoughts which flashed through her mind of what the Nuns were going to do ,but she guessed some of her trouble maker students would find it uncomfortable to sit for awhile.PART II COMING SOON.