Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

I was down at CH yesterday, and Tamas (the current Senior Grecian) was kind enough to give me a guided tour of some of the areas of the school that have changed - my first chance to visit the new Grecians Houses.

Having heard the negatives on here about build quality etc. (I'm an obviously not a structural engineer, but they did seem to be standing up quite well to the pupils!) I was most impressed with them.

The airy "day room" equivalent, with lots of light, and the structure of the building with the pods off a central area seemed great - kept the house-groupings, as each houses' Grecians are in one pod, whilst intergrating with the rest of the yeargroup.

The sections are all swipe-carded, so theft is reduced to a minimum (a real problem in my time at CH), and there was certainly more of a communal feel to the buildings. And obviously no 11 year olds running around the place shouting and doing what 11 year olds do!!

What do current Grecians think? On-balance good??

I know "it wasn't the same in my day" can be a prevailing attitude of Old Blues, but I know which I'd have prefered to live in!

I'm hoping to post a couple of pictures of the inside day-room area if I get a chance, as I haven't seen any published anywhere?

J

You obviously didn't see the many cracks in the buildings then Julian! LOL

I know I would have disliked them - but not for the comforts but having to live with my year. Generally, my year didn't get on!

they have the same bathroom door handles as my hall at uni!

I was in the second year to have them (the first full year) and I loved living in them! Sure I had friends in other years but we had plenty time to hang out, and I also found it was a great chance to get to know people in my year. It was way more relaxed, something I really valued and needed.

Not structurally great, but pretty much alright!

I was down at CH yesterday

So they let you in then, did they? Did you get any bullets whistling past your ears, you loose cannon, you?

I slipped-in under the wire, with an appointment.........
Security is certainly much tighter now, which I guess they have to be.
Electronic swipe-cards on a lot of doors, and I was under strict instructions not to enter any building without my host!

Was good to see the place again then - it's been a long time since I had a chance to see the place.

I guess it's trespass these days if you visit without permission.
Something we'll be looking at with the CHA is the process for visiting, as Old Blues should be able to visit the school they're helping to fund/support!

J

Grecians was my best year since the LE. I think the Gr houses are great except the insane amount of windows. If you're sitting on a sofa in the dayroom, you can be seen from at least 10 different windows inside.

Other than that, no complaints at all. Oh, and going into girls pods at night is blooody easy.

Chammy wrote: Other than that, no complaints at all. Oh, and going into girls pods at night is blooody easy.

As promised, some photos (click on each for a bigger version).






I particularly like the decking area outside with BBQs etc, giving a decent area for house-based entertainment etc.

Whilst they may have been expensive, I'd certainly say that they are a dramatic improvement in the living conditions for the Grecians.....wish I could go back!

J

jtaylor wrote:
I'd certainly say that they are a dramatic improvement in the living conditions for the Grecians.....wish I could go back!

I'd agree with that - doesn't compare to what we had and I know the boys were worse off than us as our houses had just been done up for 1985.