Are Blackberrys allowed in Christ's Hospital?

[onewestguncopse]

EMA is the source of much deabte and frustration in the school. Particularly when children who get £120 a month ALSO qualify for other handouts because of their parental income, when others whose parents earn £37,000 gross (not a huge wage these days, particularly if you are on a joint income) get absolutely nothing from the Government or the CH foundation in terms of extra handouts etc.

IMHO this is madness - but that is a whole different discussion!!

[fra828]

I think a certain a amount of hardship makes you a stronger person in the end. Mobile phones ok, but I would say if you can afford to flash a blackberry about, you shouldn't be at CH in the first place. It's taking away places for those in genuine need.

[J.R.]

I think a certain a amount of hardship makes you a stronger person in the end. Mobile phones ok, but I would say if you can afford to flash a blackberry about, you shouldn't be at CH in the first place. It's taking away places for those in genuine need.

I'd love to comment further on your post, but I think my views on the current 'selection' process are already very well known.

[onewestguncopse]

Lets not get hung up with the Blackberry thing - you can get one on pay as you go now! It is not a rich mans toy anymore! Besides, teenagers today are defined by their phones and it is THE most important item in their electrical entourage. This is closely followed by the ipod (an almost imperative buy once you get to 13+). It is clear some of you out there are out of touch with the current teenage spending habits

[lonelymom]

I would have to agree that teenage spending habits have probably changed somewhat in the last few years. There are many teenagers that I know (my own included) who would happily forego lots of individual small presents from family and friends at Christmas and birthdays, instead requesting money, so that they can buy a good phone or ipod. Apparently one quality item is much better than lots of smaller presents

[kerrensimmonds]

At £35-£50+ per month??? In my understanding, a Blackberry is in a rather different league from most mobile phones - to which I testify because at the ripe old age of 61 I have just got one!
This money would be on top of the intial cost of the hardware, which retails at over £300 unless the subscriber signs up to a minimum 18 month contract, at the monthly fee mentioned above?
I note the potential pupil's comment that if this is what their parents choose for them, so what? Maybe it's no one else's concern. But transcribing that sort of money against what we had when I was in the Sixth Form (despite the dilution of monetary affairs over 40 years or so) leads me to sympathise with the respondent who suggested that if this pupil has the money to flash around a Blackberry, then maybe they are misplaced at Christ's Hospital and their position might be better taken by a more needy pupil.

[lonelymom]

I do understand what you're saying, £35+++ is loads, plus the cost of the phone, but if thatgirlxo is one of the new 6th form that is paying full fees (which we all know CH needs the income from at the moment), can any of us really tell her what she should and shouldn't have? I thought that CH took a percentage of full fee-paying pupils every year, a small percentage up to GCSE age, then a much higher percentage for A levels, in which case there are no doubt a few pupils with blackberry's or i-phones etc.

[fra828]

Lets not get hung up with the Blackberry thing - you can get one on pay as you go now! It is not a rich mans toy anymore! Besides, teenagers today are defined by their phones and it is THE most important item in their electrical entourage. This is closely followed by the ipod (an almost imperative buy once you get to 13+). It is clear some of you out there are out of touch with the current teenage spending habits

I do have a 21 year old daughter myself (albeit with special needs) and I have friends with teenage children, so I am not completely out of touch with teenage spending habits! I was just trying to make the point, that personally , I think mobiles are acceptable in school, but Blackberrys should (possibly) not be allowed, as very many of the pupils could not afford them , and this could lead to problems.

[lonelymom]

I was actually going to add that on my post and say that, hopefully, those pupils fortunate enough to have the 'best' phone, 'best' laptop etc would consider the feelings of those less fortunate and not show off.

[kerrensimmonds]

Yes, I think that Blackberrys are in a totally different league to mobile phones - in just about every regard. I also agree with your point about full fee paying pupils entering the Deputy Grecians year bringing income into the school. But if those who can afford it chose to act as 'rich kids' (e.g. having a Blackberry AND flashing it around) then they would be causing a 'them and us' divisiveness into the top of the school, which I would not think would sit easily within the ethos of Christ's Hospital. But
a) life was never fair and
b) it's a long time since I was there, so maybe there is already a 'have' and 'have not' division at the top of the school. Ironically, there is clearly already something along those lines, as Ian has suggested that many of the 45% of pupils over 16 drawing EMA are using it as 'pocket money'.

[lonelymom]

Yes, I've been reading about the EMA thing. I know what onewestguncopse is saying about it being a payment to the child, therefore cannot be included as income, but that just doesn't seem fair or logical, does it? I really hope that any of the wealthier pupils at CH would not 'show off' in front of the not so well-off. If it is found to be a problem then CH would have to introduce new rules - the problem being where would you stop, first electrical items, then designer clothing and shoes and so on. And it would be impossible to police it, much better if those with the top-of-the-range items were discreet in the first place.

[Barnes Mum]

In my experience the children that have more than others don't show off or think they're any better than those with very little. Things seem to get shared around and lent out to others quite a bit. I think one of the nice aspects of CH is that the children mix with others from all backgrounds, wealthy and not so wealthy. Some live in big country houses and others in highrise flats in inner London but everyone is treated equally.

[lonelymom]

I agree - I think I've mentioned on another thread that my daughter and her friends share everything, clothes, make-up, shoes, jewellery etc. There is never any jealousy because if one of them gets something new, they all reap the benefits of it!!

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

I remember, on a previous Old Blue's Day, being addressed by the, then, Headmaster, in the Science Theatre.
He was trying to explain to a rather, unimpressed audience of Old Blues, why he had decided to admit "Full Fee Paying Pupils" -- and abolish the "Glass Ceiling"
Under Fire -- he explained that it was to "Broaden the Social Scope" of the School.
No mention was made of Finances.
I assume that, with the advent of Blackberrys (Not ies !) his object will have been, more than, achieved !
It is no use that we, Old blues, who still think it is wrong and demeans the original Ethos of CH, moaning about it --- the principle of Full Fees is now established, and we might as well shut up. --------- although I can still mutter in my sleep !

[J.R.]

I remember, on a previous Old Blue's Day, being addressed by the, then, Headmaster, in the Science Theatre.
He was trying to explain to a rather, unimpressed audience of Old Blues, why he had decided to admit "Full Fee Paying Pupils" -- and abolish the "Glass Ceiling"
Under Fire -- he explained that it was to "Broaden the Social Scope" of the School.
No mention was made of Finances.
I assume that, with the advent of Blackberrys (Not ies !) his object will have been, more than, achieved !
It is no use that we, Old blues, who still think it is wrong and demeans the original Ethos of CH, moaning about it --- the principle of Full Fees is now established, and we might as well shut up. --------- although I can still mutter in my sleep !

Why only in your sleep

Why just mutter