Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

dinahcat wrote:Am I being told off?

Not by me!

Like I said the diversions are part of the fascination of the forum.

I was thinking about the whole difference in punishment thing last night when trying to drop off to sleep!
Whilst its been mentioned a number of times on this forum that in the scale of things punishments/treatment of pupils has changed significantly over the years-in some respects softened!

What I htough about though that during my stint at CH and the years either side of it, certain boarding houses had reputations for 'ease' of life i.e you get up to no good the punishment isnt what it should be. So much so Mid A when I was there was joked about having lumpy carpets where everything got brushed under them! This amused by tutor a lot when he became a tutor in that house and i told him that story! The boys in Mid A seemed to get away with anything-caught drinking...pah a couple of nights gating. Lamb A was also seen quite liberal as was Maine A and for girls well Col A seemed to get away with more, but saying that in BaB when I was there I dont remember anyone getting into a whole lot of trouble for things which we probably should have done

Ah -- Ba B ! Oh happy days !

I am a bit puzzled by being "Gated" ---- what did that involve ? -- I would have thought that at a Boarding School we were all permanently "Gated " Horsham and Cinemas were definately Out of Bounds --- because of the danger of btinging infections into a closed community at CH.

Explanations please for the Aged and Infirm !-------

If a child is 'Gated' it means that apart from lessons, meals, music or other school commitments they are to stay in House, ie no socialising.

Just like at Hertford all the time then

Precisely! The major differences between life at school for girls and boys seem to have been that punishment for the boys tended to be physical, short, sharp, effective, and quickly overcome, whereas for the girls, who were already living with all manner of physical privations, punishments were more psychological and results far more long-lasting. School rules were so detailed and so petty that we were often punished for things which would not have been regarded as wrong in the 'real' world outside the school gates (eg my chewing gum incident), and it was impossible to explain this sort of thing to our parents or anyone else who had not experienced it.

I remember while I was at Hertford that on one occasion we were all herded over to the County Cinema opposite and allowed to watch the film 'The Nun's Story' - I have since read the book several times - and it struck me that our lives were very similar to the film portrayal of life in an enclosed convent; every second of our day was timetabled, school rules (or often the whim of the housemistress) controlled who we were allowed to speak to, or who we were allowed to have any sort of relationship with. I am sure if they could have found a way to control our thoughts they would have done so.

Fjgrogan wrote: we were often punished for things which would not have been regarded as wrong in the 'real' world outside the school gates (eg my chewing gum incident), and it was impossible to explain this sort of thing to our parents or anyone else who had not experienced it.

Yes - I remember two of us going up to the far reaches of Bengeo one Saturday during O levels, therefore aged 15 or 16, with a small amount of illicit cash (we were allowed our purses one weekday afternoon a month in the UVth once we had our BAs - twice a month in LVIth) and buying ice lollies, which we ate with the same degree of guilt and furtiveness as if they had been cigarettes..... Also, someone, possibly Susan Parkin, lost her GA (Green apron - symbol of monitresshood) in the UVIth for posting a leter ni the town.... What can one say?

On reading through this Thread agaain ------- Gee Whiz !
What could we possibly have had, about which to complain ---- at Horsham !

MaryB wrote: Also, someone, possibly Susan Parkin, lost her GA (Green apron - symbol of monitresshood) in the UVIth for posting a leter ni the town.... What can one say?

Once in a BA, I was able to post letters for people - especially for the juniors who couldn't get out. I had a favourite unvigilated post-box within five minutes striking distance. It was my major incentive for getting that BA! I, a born miscreant, worked hard at seeming dutiful, and had the BA by the LV Christmas. Successful strategy!

If I wanted a letter posted really quickly at a busy time of day, I'd give it to Pot, who'd speed out with it promptly - the dear old thing!

"Ee..eee... you scrarch my bark, I'll scrarch yourr bark... cough cough".

Her favourite saying!

That was really tough luck for poor Parkin. What a drag. I wonder who reported her?

I remember going to Miss Tucker and asking her what the point was of insisting that we all either had to wear blazers or we all had to go without - did this rule contribute to our education and well being or was it only to exact mindless obedience?

No wonder she got fed up with me. If she hadn't changed the rule about GA's I doubt I would ever have got mine!

I don't remember any such rule but usually it was so hot before we were allowed to doff our blazers that no-one wanted to wear one anyway.

Angela Woodford wrote:

MaryB wrote: Also, someone, possibly Susan Parkin, lost her GA (Green apron - symbol of monitresshood) in the UVIth for posting a leter ni the town.... What can one say?

Once in a BA, I was able to post letters for people - especially for the juniors who couldn't get out. I had a favourite unvigilated post-box within five minutes striking distance. It was my major incentive for getting that BA! I, a born miscreant, worked hard at seeming dutiful, and had the BA by the LV Christmas. Successful strategy!

!

That was really tough luck for poor Parkin. What a drag. I wonder who reported her?

No, we didn't get BAs until UVth - definitely. You and I must have got ours at the same time, Munch.
As to who reported Parkin, I have it in mind it was Miss Wilson or Miss Jukes - and she did post it at the main GPO in Fore St, which may have been unwise....

Yes, of course, Mary; you're right. The UV. Getting my years of endeavour mixed up there!

At the Post Office in Fore Street! Oh, Parkin! Reminds me of that hymn which we sang in Chapel -

"More eyes are o'er thee watching
Than human heart can know."

Fjgrogan wrote:
I remember while I was at Hertford that on one occasion we were all herded over to the County Cinema opposite and allowed to watch the film 'The Nun's Story' - I have since read the book several times - and it struck me that our lives were very similar to the film portrayal of life in an enclosed convent.

So you didn't get nun, then ?