Dobbie sentencing hearing

[J.R.]

I'm with you guys.

As far as existing/ex staff on this site are concerned, one can only wonder if a form of 'gagging-order' was/has been imposed by the school.

We have all seen the 'apologistic staff' comments on here in the past. That speaks volumes.

[Elvie]

I bet there’s a fair few teachers who would really love (and probably benefit from) unloading some home truths about what went on and the behaviour of the SMT at the time.

As awful as this whole episode is, I think about how many great people there were at CH, who went above and beyond their positions for us consistently. Not just the teachers but the other staff, their families and our peers. The SMT weren’t ‘the school’, and the awful few weren’t the majority.

For some, particularly the victims, that’s irrelevant as they deserved far more. But for me it’s what helps to balance my views on the place and maintain some loyalty towards it.

[scrub]

I think it is interesting but sad that the number of posters on this site has diminished, apparently because of the revelations.

Activity on any small, specialised forum tends to ebb and flow in normal circumstances. I can understand why some would stay away while others (myself included) have signed up and I imagine there's still a number of people lurking, not sure whether to join in or not. Processing all of what has been made public (so far) takes time.

I don't think I can ever attend an old blues day or even a local old blues gathering which is sad.

I don't think I ever wanted to go to an old blues day, even before any of the trials, but the only thing that stops me making meet ups with other people is my complete lack of organisation

The court cases would obviously be the elephant in the room at any event, but for most people the good memories from school involve the people who you were there with, not the institution itself, and that's what people focus on. Last time I caught up with someone I went to CH with we obviously spent some time talking about the place, then switched to other matters like travelling, beer, and football.
That said, I don't know for sure if anyone I was close to or kept in contact with had any involvement in the cases. No idea how/if that would change things if they told me.

[richardb]

You are right to say that the good memories are about the people that we were there with.

I think that is the factor that has struck people most. Those who were our friends at the time were victims and we did not know. It has left many of us with feeling of helplessness and betrayal.

[scrub]

It has left many of us with feeling of helplessness and betrayal.

And anger. That's there too.

[harryh]

I bet there’s a fair few teachers who would really love (and probably benefit from) unloading some home truths about what went on and the behaviour of the SMT at the time.

As awful as this whole episode is, I think about how many great people there were at CH, who went above and beyond their positions for us consistently. Not just the teachers but the other staff, their families and our peers. The SMT weren’t ‘the school’, and the awful few weren’t the majority.

For some, particularly the victims, that’s irrelevant as they deserved far more. But for me it’s what helps to balance my views on the place and maintain some loyalty forwards it.

Thank you for your perspective. Not everyone hides behind a mask or wears a long black coat.

[Pe.A]

I bet there’s a fair few teachers who would really love (and probably benefit from) unloading some home truths about what went on and the behaviour of the SMT at the time.

As awful as this whole episode is, I think about how many great people there were at CH, who went above and beyond their positions for us consistently. Not just the teachers but the other staff, their families and our peers. The SMT weren’t ‘the school’, and the awful few weren’t the majority.

For some, particularly the victims, that’s irrelevant as they deserved far more. But for me it’s what helps to balance my views on the place and maintain some loyalty forwards it.

Very well put...

[J.R.]

I bet there’s a fair few teachers who would really love (and probably benefit from) unloading some home truths about what went on and the behaviour of the SMT at the time.

As awful as this whole episode is, I think about how many great people there were at CH, who went above and beyond their positions for us consistently. Not just the teachers but the other staff, their families and our peers. The SMT weren’t ‘the school’, and the awful few weren’t the majority.

For some, particularly the victims, that’s irrelevant as they deserved far more. But for me it’s what helps to balance my views on the place and maintain some loyalty forwards it.

Thank you for your perspective. Not everyone hides behind a mask or wears a long black coat.

Would you care to elaborate Mr H ?

[harryh]

I bet there’s a fair few teachers who would really love (and probably benefit from) unloading some home truths about what went on and the behaviour of the SMT at the time.

As awful as this whole episode is, I think about how many great people there were at CH, who went above and beyond their positions for us consistently. Not just the teachers but the other staff, their families and our peers. The SMT weren’t ‘the school’, and the awful few weren’t the majority.

For some, particularly the victims, that’s irrelevant as they deserved far more. But for me it’s what helps to balance my views on the place and maintain some loyalty forwards it.

Thank you for your perspective. Not everyone hides behind a mask or wears a long black coat.

Would you care to elaborate Mr H ?

Nothing sinister, JR, I was just thinking of some imagery from Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks" album. There is no intention to trivialise. I admire the statement that so many good folk devoted their lives at CH to the service of others.
I am hugely disappointed by the length of sentence. Surely this will be increased on appeal.

[sejintenej]

As far as existing/ex staff on this site are concerned, one can only wonder if a form of 'gagging-order' was/has been imposed by the school.

or perhaps staff realise that if they start commenting negatively about an employer then subsequent possible employers could be at least be put off from taking them on as employees. It is potentially so easy to look at what other people have written in the past

[J.R.]

Thank you for your perspective. Not everyone hides behind a mask or wears a long black coat.

Would you care to elaborate Mr H ?

Nothing sinister, JR, I was just thinking of some imagery from Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks" album. There is no intention to trivialise. I admire the statement that so many good folk devoted their lives at CH to the service of others.
I am hugely disappointed by the length of sentence. Surely this will be increased on appeal.

I think the wheels are in motion, H.

[max_ratcliffe]

I'm with you guys.

As far as existing/ex staff on this site are concerned, one can only wonder if a form of 'gagging-order' was/has been imposed by the school.

We have all seen the 'apologistic staff' comments on here in the past. That speaks volumes.

I expect that most staff feel guilty for not realising what was going on. The vast majority would be in the Speer "I should have known, but I didn't" category. Except that in their cases, it'd be true, and not simply a neck-saving strategy.

I didn't believe my fellow pupils that Webb was doing what he was (although I was 13 - what did i know of sexual abuse at that age?). I feel slightly guilty myself. What could I have done? Probably not much. Teachers there could have, had they known, but as anyone else they would have naturally assumed that people are decent.

[Pe.A]

I'm with you guys.

As far as existing/ex staff on this site are concerned, one can only wonder if a form of 'gagging-order' was/has been imposed by the school.

We have all seen the 'apologistic staff' comments on here in the past. That speaks volumes.

I expect that most staff feel guilty for not realising what was going on. The vast majority would be in the Speer "I should have known, but I didn't" category. Except that in their cases, it'd be true, and not simply a neck-saving strategy.

I didn't believe my fellow pupils that Webb was doing what he was (although I was 13 - what did i know of sexual abuse at that age?). I feel slightly guilty myself. What could I have done? Probably not much. Teachers there could have, had they known, but as anyone else they would have naturally assumed that people are decent.

Exactly. Doesnt help that the 80s (and i'll include the first part of the 90s) was part of what could be described as a more trusting age when it came to authority figures, and this includes teachers. Reporting lines werent particularly established or robust, and single allegations were potentially easier to deny than they would be in today's era.

[Lenny]

Ironically, I came back to this forum because it was the only place that was actually talking openly and honestly about MY experiences of Christ's Hospital in the 1980s.

I respect every one of you for covering the reality of this school and what went on there. I'm glad that there is no rose tinted, "it was all amazing" going on.

Because that wasn't my experience.

The moderators should be praised for having the balls to actually stand up against what I believe to be a tainted institution. I have been coming here on and off for the past 10 or so years. It was once a place to talk about the benign side of our reminiscences. The reason I kind of stopped coming here is that didn't really gel with my actual experiences.

So I want to thank the guys who have had the cajones to address this stuff. The ones who have researched and brought us the facts.

As a volunteer organisation, you are second to none, and I applaud you for actually making this place somewhere people like me can come, and feel free to tell the truth as they see it about Christ's Hospital.

I appreciate that this is probably not what you had in mind when you started this forum. I thank you for it. I know how tough it is to run a forum, to moderate it, day in, day out.

I thank you for your hard work.

[Great Plum]

Regarding Dobbie still being a priest or not, I take the following direct from Facebook from Joshua Bell (who will be priested shortly)

‘at the time of Dobbie's arrest in 2016, he was teaching at Shrewsbury School. Once charged, he would have been suspended pending the investigation - and at that time he resigned. He is now listed as retired, holding no license or permission to officiate.

The usual course of events, I believe, would be that once convicted he would face a Clergy Discipline Measure in the ecclesiastical courts - with the result usually being a temporary or permanent ban on ministering.

However, it may be that this is waived, as his place on the sexual offenders' register brings with it a permanent ban on ministry, thus making a separate judgement unnecessary.’