Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

Of course, some people were at CH to escape from home...

There is absolutely nothing character-building about bullying which is why I'm pleased that there was so little of it when I was there. Undoubtedly some boys were bullied, probably most at some time or another, and some were bullies but it was definitely the exception rather than the rule. CH during the 70s was a generally and genuinely caring and friendly environment most of the time for most of the people. Of course, the rugger-bu**ers tended to dominate the ranks of buttoned grecians but they were by no means all that august company (of which I was sadly not a member). Academically, CH certainly held its own during this decade although I understand that the number of Oxbridge awards may have been less than during previous decades. Artistically, the theatre was opened in 1973 and, under Duncan Noel-Paton, flourished even though its activities were certainly not to my taste. Music has long been one of the school's great strength and the band compares favourably with this country's professional military bands (which, in my experience, are the best in the world). All sorts of sports were and are available for those of us who are not 'good at games' including more individual pursuits such as swimming, fencing and shooting. Scouts, Venture Scouts, Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the CCF all offered opportunities for Adventurous Training with different emphases to suit different personalities. 1970s' CH at Horsham wasn't perfect by any means but we had more opportunities and gained a far better and more rounded education than most of my contemporaries. Like any activity, you only get out what you are prepared to put in and those contributors who seem to have had a less than brilliant time at CH might like to consider whether perhaps they were in any way responsible for their experiences.

Just a thought!

I unequivicably got something out of CH... Namely an interest in art and music...

I also took with me an irrational fear of going to sleep in case some idiot smacked me about with soap in a sock. or decided to put me in a cupboard and throw it down the fire escape. (This never happened to me, but it did happen to others).

All in all, one has to weigh these things up really. It didn't bother me that much afterwards as I went to 6th form and relished the newfound freedom.

No, being bullied, or indeed being a bully is in no way character building.. .. As we know bullies are weak fools. The bullied tend to grow up with strong personalities the bullies just go on being bullies. Until someone stands up to them.

Its rather a vicious and unpleasant circle. I hate to say it, but there are still one or 2 people from my time at CH that I would like to see again on a quiet street on a dark night now that I am older if you know what I mean...

Back on topic again.. I visited CH last year... Had a quick look around, but then preferred to go down to the lake/lag and revisit the scenes of many, many crimes!

Ash wrote:Its rather a vicious and unpleasant circle. I hate to say it, but there are still one or 2 people from my time at CH that I would like to see again on a quiet street on a dark night now that I am older if you know what I mean...

with you there mate
Sounds like your story is similar to mine - I had a great time at my (state) 6th form.

I continue to be astonished by most of the responses to this thread. And as for my allegedly being 'bitter' or having a chip on my shoulder or needing to 'get over it'....Just what planet are you nutters on?

Just because I observe (objectively) that this was how CH was in my day, it doesn't mean to say that I was either unhappy or a non-participator and it certainly doesn't mean that I'm embittered, chippy or otherwise resentful to this very day. My schooldays were in fact quite reasonable and my life since has been entirely tolerable. So what is there for me to 'get over', EnglishAngel?

(I really wish there weren't quite so many people on the loose in cyberspace who try to stir up unpleasantness on web forums for no constructive reasons. I also wish there weren't quite so many sanctimonious sermonising imbeciles who hijack threads to serve their own agendas. This is a thread about persons who've NEVER been back to CH - so what's with all the dozy prats grinding on about how great CH was in their day and how they've been back there? Get your own thread, you chowderheads.)

Oh, and EnglishAngel - I was talking about spelling, not grammar. Besides, since when has colloquial grammar had no place on the web, in drama, in literature etc.? Get over it, you embittered, chip-on-the-shoulder harpy.

I love you all. Now let's have some common sense, eh?

hehehe

Arf arf.

Spoonbill, I am intrigued, is your intention purely to be controversial in order to stimulate an animated debate within this thread or do you really believe everything you say ?

I am particularly puzzled that you say - and I quote:
"I really wish there weren't quite so many people on the loose in cyberspace who try to stir up unpleasantness on web forums for no constructive reasons"

Having looked back through your own postings within the thread I have extracted the following quotes:

"I always thought that blokes who went back within a year or two of leaving were pretty sad b*ggers"

"The place was just so **cking useless"

"WHAT a mountain of useless crap that school was"

"we had Chapel on offer. Pardon me while I poop my pants with excitement"

"I also wish there weren't quite so many sanctimonious sermonising imbeciles who hijack threads to serve their own agendas."

"what's with all the dozy prats grinding on about how great CH was in their day and how they've been back there? Get your own thread, you chowderheads"

"Get over it, you embittered, chip-on-the-shoulder harpy."


At best, these comments of YOURS are intended to "stir up unpleasantness" and at worst some are downright ofensive. If you are an Old Blue then I am sure you must have some manners and wouldn't intentionally be hypocritical (unless that's something else you failed to learn at CH) so perhaps you would enlighten us - what exactly is your game ?

I'll let this go a little longer - but only if things get a little more civil!

J

.

This is a thread about persons who've NEVER been back to CH - so what's with all the dozy prats grinding on about how great CH was in their day and how they've been back there? Get your own thread, you chowderheads.)

Don't usually bother with squabbling, but this requires a comment: if your intial intention was to create a thread for people who had NEVER been back to CH, this leads to the logical sequitur that it is also for people who hated the place and only wished to leave it far behind them.... so ( and forgive me if I am being dense or too simplistic for you - blame it on old age) - what would they be doing on the CH Forum anyway ? Surely they would not come near this site with a barge-pole? Which means that your intended thread is dead in the water...
Cheers

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't get a good experience from CH, or, a good education (I think you feel that). I guess it's what people want out of things and their expectations.

I was actually attracted to CH because of the Drama and got an Alevel in Theatre Studies. I was miffed I couldnt learn Spanish but then you win some lose some - I got to go to a good boarding school and had great opps (like St Pauls, band tour etc) so I couldnt have everything. Even though I think CH should offer spanish.

I went back loads in my first year for various events including the choir CD recording etc....I also had loads of friends in the year below me so seeing them was a motivation....since they left I've been back once and no real plans to either.

It'll always be a special place to me because of the experiences I had and the way it shaped me, but I'm not going out of my way to go back.

Actually Hannah, if I was being a pedant (perish the thought! ) you have gone back to CH at least 2 more times, when you came to my parties!

What's a "chowderhead", anyway? Made me laugh.....

As did this :

"The place was just so **cking useless"

"WHAT a mountain of useless crap that school was"

then

"Just because I observe (objectively) that this was how CH was in my day..."

If the post was intended as "fishing", Spoony, then congratulations, the bait obviously worked.

If not, then you shouldn't really be surprised that people respond to opinions posted on a public forum, sometimes with points of view which are contrary to your own (whether or not you think they are being 'sanctimonious').

Still, at least one of your gripes seems to have been sorted, as it seems that Spanish is now available -

SUBJECTS TAUGHT (2003)
Ancient History/Classical Civ, Art, Art and Design, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing/IT, Coordinated Science, Dance, Design & Technology (CDT), Drama/Theatre Studies, Economics, Electronics, English Language, English Literature, French, Further Mathematics, General Studies, Geography, German, History, History of Art, Home Econ/Food & Nut, Instrumental Music, Italian, Latin, Life Skills, Mathematics, Music, Office/Secretarial skills, Other Subjects, PSE, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Studies, Singing, Spanish, Sports Science, Textiles and Fashion

Just as an aside, what are 'Life Skills'?

Great Plum wrote:Actually Hannah, if I was being a pedant (perish the thought! ) you have gone back to CH at least 2 more times, when you came to my parties!

no...ive been back to CH more than two times but most of them were in the first year of leaving. and i dont think i have been to one of your parties since i left....!

oh wait new years. i remember.

They dont teach spanish as a full subject to my knowledge.

Life skills, god knows but what a stupid thing to teach!