I am returning my Bible...

This section was setup in August 2018 in order to move the existing related discussions from other sections into this new section to group them together, and separate from the other CH-related topics.

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Avon
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I am returning my Bible...

Post by Avon »

...to the Headmaster and Treasurer.

I’m disgusted with and ashamed of the school. I’ve no need of the parting gift, or the pompous begging letter in it.
richardb
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Re: I am returning my Bible...

Post by richardb »

When did the begging letter go in there?
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Mid A 15
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Re: I am returning my Bible...

Post by Mid A 15 »

richardb wrote: Sun Jul 08, 2018 9:25 am When did the begging letter go in there?
My guess is that he is referring to 'The Charge.'

These cases are disturbing to all and even more so if the victims are known to you and one's response will be governed accordingly. I would not presume how to tell anyone else how to react.

However, in an admittedly different context, there is an old proverb 'Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.' Should the School as a whole and all its good works suffer because of the actions of a minority? Don't misconstrue my previous comment as implying that I favour a whitewash. I don't. I favour a full and rigorous inquiry into the actions (or lack thereof) of the management of the school regarding allegations raised at the time. I will judge the role of the School in this after that inquiry as to whether or not it conducted itself reasonably. However I will not prejudge that inquiry.

For myself I was a pupil in Maine A when Burr was a junior housemaster so knew one of the perpetrators quite well. Just hearing all this shook me and reminded me how naive and unworldly I was when at school - something that was actually referred to in my School Report on one occasion -as I was oblivious to anything of this nature either directly or indirectly. It may have been before he became 'active' or alternatively my naivety may have meant I was unaware.

In a general far less serious context at times I felt unbelievably lonely at CH. That is why I feel so desperately for the poor child who complained to the Chaplain following her rape and was ignored. She must have been devastated and felt completely alone. An inquiry is imperative to ensure that no child is placed in that position of unbearable loneliness and hopelessness.
Ma A, Mid A 65 -72
Janey Jam-Jar
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Re: I am returning my Bible...

Post by Janey Jam-Jar »

I use mine to prop up furniture.
richardb
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Re: I am returning my Bible...

Post by richardb »

Janey Jam-Jar wrote: Sun Jul 08, 2018 12:31 pm I use mine to prop up furniture.
Best post on the entire forum :|
sejintenej
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Re: I am returning my Bible...

Post by sejintenej »

Replying primarily to Mid A 15's last entry

I see conflicting elements in this whole affair. Total and absolute condemnation of those found guilty but also of every one of the staff who, having seen or heard complaints failed to act decisively and effectively. Such condemnation includes every such one who, hearing or seeing that there was or might be a problem failed to go to the police; it is NOT enough to refer the matter up the chain to someone who might turn a blind eye.

However, the cases before the bench date back many decades; we can judge the individuals but we should judge the school on what action would be taken in the evnt of some form of repetition. The school may produce publicity blurb promising the earth but we simply cannot judge if those promises will be adhered to. We must wait and see because I am convinced that at some time in the future there will be an attempt at repetition - human nature is like that.

Mid A 15 wrote
In a general far less serious context at times I felt unbelievably lonely at CH.

Join the club. Unless you are one of the one percent who have that extra attraction any difference from the perceived norm will place you beyond the pale both with pupils and also staff. That difference could be an accent, a way of speaking, a facial misconfiguration, shyness, smallness, outright brilliance (JR can guess whom I am referring to there!), anything. I reckon 30% -40% of those in Col A were like that and Kit did absolutely nothing.

Do you really think it is any different now? Yes, there is / are counsellor(s) but they cannot go to the rest of the house and demand and enforce changes in attitude. The answer I have heard is "Too bad, just live with it". In fact I would not go to one of them just because of the repercussions from other staff members.
How do I know? Paul and I lived through it. He and I were very different cases but the school enforced a wall of silence around us. Nobody was allowed to speak to him about his situation though I think he would have had support from everybody. In my case the silence was absolute including Kit. Only Pullen (the chaplain) quietly said I could go to his house if I was feeling down. I mention Paul because I was there through it - no doubt there were many other cases.
What happens if a politician drowns in a river? That is pollution.
What happens if all of them drown? That is solution!!!
richardb
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Re: I am returning my Bible...

Post by richardb »

The problem I have is that by repeatedly doing nothing and simply moving offenders on so that others had to deal with the problem, the school compounded the situation.

If Burr and/or Webb had been reported to the police, a strong message would have been sent out. Instead, staff knew that they would get away with it.
Peter Sykes
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Re: I am returning my Bible...

Post by Peter Sykes »

I'm a quiet old Blue, and I admit I don't get involved with school stuff as much as I should, but sitting here at home in Hong Kong, I read this dreadful story with mounting horror. Total admiration and sympathy for the devastating trauma the victims suffered and continue to suffer.
I only joined this forum today, simply to find out more about the awful story I read in the press. I'm glad I did, as I've read a lot more here that I have been very disturbed about.
I still remember my tears of sadness and pride when David Newsome told me in July 1976:
" I charge you never to forget the great benefits you have received in this place, and in time to come, according to your means, to do all that you can to allow others to enjoy the same advantage. And remember that wherever you go, you carry with you the good name of Christ's Hospital." (From memory, so forgive if slightly wrong!!)
I'm thinking of this dreadful irony: these abusers and the other staff who condoned them through their own inaction sitting in Chapel at the leaving service watching these poor victims hearing about their "great benefits".
And don't start me off on corporal punishment. Anyone remember the sadist in Barnes A who used to love giving so-called "tangents"?
Avon
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Re: I am returning my Bible...

Post by Avon »

Peter Sykes wrote: Sat Jul 14, 2018 5:28 am Anyone remember the sadist in Barnes A who used to love giving so-called "tangents"?
Sillett.
dsmg
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Re: I am returning my Bible...

Post by dsmg »

Speaking to another Old Blue the other day, he had an awful story to tell about him. It's incredible the mark someone like that can make on your life that you still remember incidents over 40 years later. He told me that in class, the man in question used to make boys bend over with their head under a table. He would then bang down a ruler on the table giving the boy a start which would result in a very sore head, only to hear laughter ring out. As others have pointed out on other threads, inflicting pain on little boys was not a crime in those days but spoke volumes about the type of person.
Play up Pompey!
Leeautemps
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Re: I am returning my Bible...

Post by Leeautemps »

Avon wrote: Sat Jul 14, 2018 8:04 am
Peter Sykes wrote: Sat Jul 14, 2018 5:28 am Anyone remember the sadist in Barnes A who used to love giving so-called "tangents"?
Sillett.
Please explain.
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J.R.
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Re: I am returning my Bible...

Post by J.R. »

Leeautemps wrote: Sat Jul 14, 2018 8:33 am
Avon wrote: Sat Jul 14, 2018 8:04 am
Peter Sykes wrote: Sat Jul 14, 2018 5:28 am Anyone remember the sadist in Barnes A who used to love giving so-called "tangents"?
Sillett.

Please explain.

Careful, please.
John Rutley. Prep B & Coleridge B. 1958-1963.
Peter Sykes
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Re: I am returning my Bible...

Post by Peter Sykes »

Glad someone else remembers him. And yes, I'm a pretty strong person, but I still remember an event over 40 years ago. What must it be like for those who collapse under this sort of abuse? Nice to connect here.
LHA
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Re: I am returning my Bible...

Post by LHA »

Hi - although corporal punishment was legal 40 years ago commission the criminal offence of 'child cruelty' was not. I am sure, particularly given recent events regarding CH the police would offer to investigate this appalling sounding behaviour. Obviously approaching the police about such matters is not easy, but you will be spoken to by experienced, non-uniform specialist officers.
richardb
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Re: I am returning my Bible...

Post by richardb »

A teacher was not allowed to use excessive force in administering corporal punishment, although many did.
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