Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

Another issue i have been pondering whilst reading people's comments on here!

I was a New Dep and did As levels in Econmics, English, History and German!

I found when I started that those New Deps that were either gaurenteed A grade students-which most certainly was not, play many instruements or are amazingly sporty got on tremendously and looked at by all inluding staff as great people. I also felt that those New Deps who were doing Further Maths and Science subjects were also seen as more intelligent and better new deps!

I would have played in the band if I could carry the harp and sung in the choir if i could sing better. I played in all house sport competitions commmitedly and enjoyed each and every one! I work incredibly hard at my subjects despite getting not very good a level grades(i cant do exams) and only felt that the staff who saw me of value were house parents and subject teachers.

Did anyone else find this even if they werent a new dep but due to choices were viewed on as different?

wow! do you play the harp?

I use play in a loose term i can play grade 8 level stuff just hadnt done an exam since grade 4! I have not actually played a harp for a couple of years as they are rather exspensive to buy so do not own one! one day i will get one!

But yes i can play the harp and I miss playing it alot-its the nicest instruement and sound

blondie95 wrote:I use play in a loose term i can play grade 8 level stuff just hadnt done an exam since grade 4! I have not actually played a harp for a couple of years as they are rather exspensive to buy so do not own one! one day i will get one!

But yes i can play the harp and I miss playing it alot-its the nicest instruement and sound

Grade 8 is big stuff! Chat up a sponsor and get him to buy you one, or find a local orchestra which is desperate for a harpist - they will get you one on loan

well i could play it when i was playing more frequently-I was a little shaky but the principles of it were there!

It's just a big egg-slicer!

Yeah I know what you mean Amy. Sure I was in the band and choir and what have you but my grades werent great either. I felt as though some members of staff and students looked down on me cos I wasn't as good as them - probably cos I hadn't had the same opportunities as them!

But Hannah, you contributed musically, I felt that by not being involved in these area i was less of a student, despite doing many other things.

blondie95 wrote:Another issue i have been pondering whilst reading people's comments on here!

I was a New Dep and did As levels in Econmics, English, History and German!

I found when I started that those New Deps that were either gaurenteed A grade students-which most certainly was not, play many instruements or are amazingly sporty got on tremendously and looked at by all inluding staff as great people. I also felt that those New Deps who were doing Further Maths and Science subjects were also seen as more intelligent and better new deps!

I would have played in the band if I could carry the harp and sung in the choir if i could sing better. I played in all house sport competitions commmitedly and enjoyed each and every one! I work incredibly hard at my subjects despite getting not very good a level grades(i cant do exams) and only felt that the staff who saw me of value were house parents and subject teachers.

Did anyone else find this even if they werent a new dep but due to choices were viewed on as different?

I think that this can apply to those who started from second form upwards too. I was not a new dep, although I agree with what you are saying. The new deps who were guaranteed 'A' grade students, played 50 instruments to grade 8 and were captain of every sports team got on well and were respected by staff and pupils alike. In my opinion there wasn't a great deal of encouragement as it was always the "high-fliers" that got the credit. I personally didn't want to join the orchestra or choir, but was constantly pressurized to rejoin (I had experienced both at the junior end of the school). My singing lessons were ended when I refused to join the choir (I still can't see the logic in that) and the head of music very nearly prevented me from studying music technology A-level when I stopped having music lessons at the school - well, he took the singing lessons away from me (I couldn't stand clarinet or violin lessons any longer either). As for careers advice at C.H. :-

Jeeves: "Sir, what do I have to do to obtain work in the music industry?"

Careers: "Er... ask a music teacher..." (expression as if to say, why don't you take a proper career path and stop wasting my time)

I also didn't receive responses to my career related emails.

I am very grateful to Nick Parrans-Smith who recommended the college which I am currently attending, which according to many is one of the best places to study Music Production in the South.

In response. Yes I was viewed as different due to choices. I can't complain, since then I've achieved a National Diploma in Music Tech with top grades (equivalent to 3 A's at A-level) and I am currently averaging 1st class grades for my Music Production degree. Leaving C.H a year early was a good move.

thanks for that Jeeves, you hit it on the head, pressure to do everything, why you cannot be who you are and contribute how you want.
I did get a lot of career advice and support especially from my tutor and house parents in GrecW.

I didn't like the pressure of if you don't do one thing then you cant do another! CH takes children from all backgrounds at a certain level of academia they should continue to support that right through rather than those that excel.

Although saying all this I did love my time there-its just now ooking back i realized that

T'was ever thus I think regardless of starting date.

Some people shine at school and naturally attract more attention from other pupils and staff alike.

It can make ordinary mortals (like I was) feel inadequate but the other side of the coin is that the "glory boys (or girls)" at school can think they've already arrived because of all the praise and adulation and therefore not fully fulfil their potential after school.

The ordinary guys though get there in the end if they keep plugging away.

you are right, thing is I wasn't ignored or anything by staff, I was I believe very much respected my staff especially my teachers who saw that I tried so hard and worked so hard but due to an inability to perform in exams my grades didn't reflect that. Mr Reid told me if it was A level grades for effort then i would get A's!

Everyone at that school was there for a reason and had something to give, I played in house leagues which were vital yet when league winners were announced it was those in the school teams that went up not us who played in it!

blondie95 wrote:you are right, thing is I wasn't ignored or anything by staff, I was I believe very much respected my staff especially my teachers who saw that I tried so hard and worked so hard but due to an inability to perform in exams my grades didn't reflect that. Mr Reid told me if it was A level grades for effort then i would get A's!

Everyone at that school was there for a reason and had something to give, I played in house leagues which were vital yet when league winners were announced it was those in the school teams that went up not us who played in it!

That sounds totally wrong to me!

Those that participated are the ones that should have got the kudos.

sorry the font size is playing silly bs again....unprompted!!

i know well someone from team went up if they made themselves but with someone from the school team in that house.