I strongly disagree with the idea of being punished for a poor grade.
If white rabbit is as dedicated to the task as he sounds as if he is, then a poor grade will be devastating enough. I know how I would feel in such a situation, and if the one person to whom I would be looking to to support me at such a time then punished me I would feel broken and betrayed in the trust that I have given to him to protect me. I cannot imagine him ever being so uncaring, but if he was, then it would take a lot of work on both our parts to re-establish that trust.
Now that does not mean that after he had let me vent and cry or whatever I needed to do, he would not lovingly take me over his knee to help me draw a line under the matter. But that would be a therapeutic spanking, not a punishment.
cariad