Looking at the dates there was only one female chaplain at the time, who has since returned to Australia.
Sheila and Peter Higgins - character references for Gary Dobbie
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Re: Sheila and Peter Higgins - character references for Gary Dobbie
Last edited by DazedandConfused on Sun Jun 16, 2019 1:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Sheila and Peter Higgins - character references for Gary Dobbie
Mid A 15 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2019 9:46 amWhen exactly did you develop the power of Extra Sensory Perception and how did you acquire it?bakunin wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2019 6:02 amSee my previous post for examples of possible concrete evidence.
The fact that Dobbie et al got away with so much for so many years, without being noticed by you or so many other teachers suggests that the offenders are often very manipulative and difficult to detect, and that I shouldn't trust your judgment.
The modus operandi of paedophiles, from what I've read, is manipulation and deceit so by definition very hard for an outsider to detect.
Dobbie was way after my time but what I can say is that the Howard Holdsworth I was at CH with would have done the right thing and intervened to the best of his ability and power had he had a sniff of impropriety at the time.
Sillett, Poulton, Cairncross etc are a whole different ball game and I share the general disgust expressed for their actions, or rather inactions, even when apparently confronted with direct evidence from victims. The disgusting female Chaplain that ignored that poor girl is even worse.
Totally agree. And previous discussion threads attest to what you’ve said; just look at how McCall ended up moving on.
We’ve got to focus on those who caused the harm and those who fostered the environment. Most importantly, we must seek to ensure that no child can be subject to abuse by someone who was moved on from CH for convenience and not reported. To date I believe this gap has not been closed.
Re: Sheila and Peter Higgins - character references for Gary Dobbie
I'm not sure that kids have a noticeably better understanding of right and wrong these days, but I do agree that there is a greater likelihood that their complaints will be listened to. This mindset shift is, IMO, not just with the kids, but more with their parents, who are my generation.
As children we grew up constantly being told "respect your elders, do as you're told, mummy/daddy knows best, etc" and that conditioning combined with the other mantras like "boys will be boys" and "children have the most inventive imaginations" has played a large part in us (collectively) being where we are now. Places like CH amplified that, especially ones that so cherished their traditions, reputation, and appearance, to the extent that upholding and protecting them under the name of "showing the right school spirit", was the finest character trait they could possible see a student display.
Essentially, I think my generation has learnt, at a horrific cost, that unquestioning belief in, and obedience to, our elders can lead to an absolute horrorshow that we absolutely want our children to avoid.
Obviously, my generation isn't perfect and we'll still make mistakes that our kids will want to avoid passing on to theirs, but if we can avoid passing the worst of what happened to us on to our kids, then we've at least affected some kind of positive change.
ThB 89-91, PeA 93-96
Re: Sheila and Peter Higgins - character references for Gary Dobbie
People provide cover for abuse. Scazza provided a summary of examples here:
https://www.chforum.info/php/viewtopic. ... 15#p143288
If the "sudden departures" continue - the abuse continues.
If the abuse continues - the temptation to provide cover continues.
https://www.chforum.info/php/viewtopic. ... 15#p143288
If the "sudden departures" continue - the abuse continues.
If the abuse continues - the temptation to provide cover continues.
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Re: Sheila and Peter Higgins - character references for Gary Dobbie
In W H Smith yesterday I saw they had a new book about public schools. From the index CH was mentioned in two areas
a) the foremost in providing scholarships
b) a phrase written by Flecker, Headmaster of CH in a treatise written in 1955 which echoes what you write here but expands school spirit more towards nationalistic spirit (my translation of his words)..
That was the ethos which many of use lived under - some accepted, a few rebelled. Rather like the army it would be close to wicked not to go along with what you seniors (masters) wanted.
What happens if a politician drowns in a river? That is pollution.
What happens if all of them drown? That is solution!!!
What happens if all of them drown? That is solution!!!
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Re: Sheila and Peter Higgins - character references for Gary Dobbie
She was the only teacher/staff member I straight up hated, of all my 3 schools. You know how you remember having certain teachers you really disliked, you thought you "hated" them, but when you're a bit older you reflect and realise they were OK really, maybe strict or odd, but good teachers and cared about their pupils? All but her, a despicable person who should never be allowed anywhere near a school or church.
Once I had a dental appointment (remember those little green slips?) at 8:30, the same time as morning chapel. I was quite square and didn't want to miss the end of it and get done for "dossing". So I turned up at 8:50 in the gallery. She interrupted her sermon and blew a gasket on me, on the microphone in front of the whole LE to Grecians, about disrespect, how I hadn't been raised properly, how I should be disgusted (she used that word) with myself. I was in shock and could only tamely wave my green slip.
Then later my housemaster said the "chaplain" wanted to speak with me, so I went to see her and it was the same lecture all over again. This time I spoke up about my reason for being late to chapel, but she snapped at me not to interrupt, slamming the door at the end without letting me speak. She then phoned my mum at gone 11pm to tell her what an awful human being I was.
Another time my grandfather had died and I went to Chapel on my own in free time on a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon. I had even checked that there wasn't anything on in Chapel at that time. This chaplain is there and asks "What the hell are you doing here?" I told her about my grandfather's death and how I just wanted a bit of peaceful reflection. She made no direct comment on this and told me she was busy and I couldn't come into the Chapel.
Her thing with Dobbie's victim is 100% in line with her character. I googled her and found two Australian school magazines. She's mentioned both times in the sections about departing members of staff. Both times there is a paragraph or two honouring each teacher, thanking them and wishing them well. But for her, both times it is a single neutral sentence, saying "She's leaving."
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Re: Sheila and Peter Higgins - character references for Gary Dobbie
At the risk of being branded a pedant I believe the poor girl in question was actually Husband's victim rather than Dobbie's.Otter wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2019 8:32 pmShe was the only teacher/staff member I straight up hated, of all my 3 schools. You know how you remember having certain teachers you really disliked, you thought you "hated" them, but when you're a bit older you reflect and realise they were OK really, maybe strict or odd, but good teachers and cared about their pupils? All but her, a despicable person who should never be allowed anywhere near a school or church.
Once I had a dental appointment (remember those little green slips?) at 8:30, the same time as morning chapel. I was quite square and didn't want to miss the end of it and get done for "dossing". So I turned up at 8:50 in the gallery. She interrupted her sermon and blew a gasket on me, on the microphone in front of the whole LE to Grecians, about disrespect, how I hadn't been raised properly, how I should be disgusted (she used that word) with myself. I was in shock and could only tamely wave my green slip.
Then later my housemaster said the "chaplain" wanted to speak with me, so I went to see her and it was the same lecture all over again. This time I spoke up about my reason for being late to chapel, but she snapped at me not to interrupt, slamming the door at the end without letting me speak. She then phoned my mum at gone 11pm to tell her what an awful human being I was.
Another time my grandfather had died and I went to Chapel on my own in free time on a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon. I had even checked that there wasn't anything on in Chapel at that time. This chaplain is there and asks "What the hell are you doing here?" I told her about my grandfather's death and how I just wanted a bit of peaceful reflection. She made no direct comment on this and told me she was busy and I couldn't come into the Chapel.
Her thing with Dobbie's victim is 100% in line with her character. I googled her and found two Australian school magazines. She's mentioned both times in the sections about departing members of staff. Both times there is a paragraph or two honouring each teacher, thanking them and wishing them well. But for her, both times it is a single neutral sentence, saying "She's leaving."
That said my posting the reference on a thread about Dobbie has done nothing to aid clarity in fairness.
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Re: Sheila and Peter Higgins - character references for Gary Dobbie
She was a victim of both.
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Re: Sheila and Peter Higgins - character references for Gary Dobbie
And a victim of this chaplain.
If, as others have claimed, she gave evidence in person at trial, real shame there was nothing they could arrest her for upon arrival in the country.
If, as others have claimed, she gave evidence in person at trial, real shame there was nothing they could arrest her for upon arrival in the country.
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Re: Sheila and Peter Higgins - character references for Gary Dobbie
She was our house tutor on my Juniors and unfortunately none of what you say surprises me. She was an utter bitch to all of us, but in a sickeningly sweet, passive aggressive way.Otter wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2019 8:32 pmShe was the only teacher/staff member I straight up hated, of all my 3 schools. You know how you remember having certain teachers you really disliked, you thought you "hated" them, but when you're a bit older you reflect and realise they were OK really, maybe strict or odd, but good teachers and cared about their pupils? All but her, a despicable person who should never be allowed anywhere near a school or church.
Once I had a dental appointment (remember those little green slips?) at 8:30, the same time as morning chapel. I was quite square and didn't want to miss the end of it and get done for "dossing". So I turned up at 8:50 in the gallery. She interrupted her sermon and blew a gasket on me, on the microphone in front of the whole LE to Grecians, about disrespect, how I hadn't been raised properly, how I should be disgusted (she used that word) with myself. I was in shock and could only tamely wave my green slip.
Then later my housemaster said the "chaplain" wanted to speak with me, so I went to see her and it was the same lecture all over again. This time I spoke up about my reason for being late to chapel, but she snapped at me not to interrupt, slamming the door at the end without letting me speak. She then phoned my mum at gone 11pm to tell her what an awful human being I was.
Another time my grandfather had died and I went to Chapel on my own in free time on a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon. I had even checked that there wasn't anything on in Chapel at that time. This chaplain is there and asks "What the hell are you doing here?" I told her about my grandfather's death and how I just wanted a bit of peaceful reflection. She made no direct comment on this and told me she was busy and I couldn't come into the Chapel.
Her thing with Dobbie's victim is 100% in line with her character. I googled her and found two Australian school magazines. She's mentioned both times in the sections about departing members of staff. Both times there is a paragraph or two honouring each teacher, thanking them and wishing them well. But for her, both times it is a single neutral sentence, saying "She's leaving."
I’m sorry you bore the brunt of her vindictiveness.
Re: Sheila and Peter Higgins - character references for Gary Dobbie
This is Reverend Kate Powell, right?Otter wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2019 8:32 pmShe was the only teacher/staff member I straight up hated, of all my 3 schools. You know how you remember having certain teachers you really disliked, you thought you "hated" them, but when you're a bit older you reflect and realise they were OK really, maybe strict or odd, but good teachers and cared about their pupils? All but her, a despicable person who should never be allowed anywhere near a school or church.
Once I had a dental appointment (remember those little green slips?) at 8:30, the same time as morning chapel. I was quite square and didn't want to miss the end of it and get done for "dossing". So I turned up at 8:50 in the gallery. She interrupted her sermon and blew a gasket on me, on the microphone in front of the whole LE to Grecians, about disrespect, how I hadn't been raised properly, how I should be disgusted (she used that word) with myself. I was in shock and could only tamely wave my green slip.
Then later my housemaster said the "chaplain" wanted to speak with me, so I went to see her and it was the same lecture all over again. This time I spoke up about my reason for being late to chapel, but she snapped at me not to interrupt, slamming the door at the end without letting me speak. She then phoned my mum at gone 11pm to tell her what an awful human being I was.
Another time my grandfather had died and I went to Chapel on my own in free time on a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon. I had even checked that there wasn't anything on in Chapel at that time. This chaplain is there and asks "What the hell are you doing here?" I told her about my grandfather's death and how I just wanted a bit of peaceful reflection. She made no direct comment on this and told me she was busy and I couldn't come into the Chapel.
Her thing with Dobbie's victim is 100% in line with her character. I googled her and found two Australian school magazines. She's mentioned both times in the sections about departing members of staff. Both times there is a paragraph or two honouring each teacher, thanking them and wishing them well. But for her, both times it is a single neutral sentence, saying "She's leaving."
Picture here to prompt memories.
https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/ma ... s/1897308/
Re: Sheila and Peter Higgins - character references for Gary Dobbie
maybe the megaphone has helped her speak up
Re: Sheila and Peter Higgins - character references for Gary Dobbie
She has written a play about her near-death experience:
https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/ne ... -/3715998/
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/healt ... c94b5c8d67
Perhaps the play contains a near-death life-review of her actions at CH.
Has the Toowoomba Chronicle reported on their local connection to the Husband/Dobbie trials?
https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/ne ... -/3715998/
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/healt ... c94b5c8d67
Perhaps the play contains a near-death life-review of her actions at CH.
Has the Toowoomba Chronicle reported on their local connection to the Husband/Dobbie trials?