tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post4527381927613437672..comments2024-01-25T09:28:56.610+00:00Comments on Confessions of a skeptic: From a parentJonathan Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527063732905729010noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-19993787175558614522011-11-26T07:17:43.943+00:002011-11-26T07:17:43.943+00:00What an interesting blog.I too went to a school th...What an interesting blog.I too went to a school that had numerous abusers who got away with it for many long years.<br />Oddly enough it is another St. B's some 180 miles north of Ealing.<br />After being abused the first time by the head teacher, a priest, I went home and complained to my father. My poor father would not believe me and spanked me twice over that evening for telling 'lies'. My father, a devout catholic just could not believe his only son.<br />I was sent back to the school and more abuse that went on for 4 more years. My schoolwork went down from being in the top five for everything to the last in the class year after year.<br />It finally all came to an end after a final attack were I turned on my attacker and belted him, I had grown bigger and stronger over the years, especially after spending a long time in hospital after trying to commit suicide on the way home after yet another attack.<br />Finally my father realized the truth and believed me.<br />And what happened? I was taken out of the school and the local bishop informed.<br />After that silence until about one year ago!David Hoylenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-75451323943975436622011-11-10T23:31:28.288+00:002011-11-10T23:31:28.288+00:00I enjoyed my time at the school too and was taught...I enjoyed my time at the school too and was taught without harm by all the people accused.<br />Let's be honest that much of the beating was considered a game in those days and there was a lot of kudos from who was beaten the most, wearing three sets of PE shorts to see if you could dare the division master to check you (in which case you had ammunitionand kudos). I don't thin it did anything much for discipline however and I don't think there would be many boys who agreed with Fr David about what was "good clean fun".<br />It's clear that some terrible things went on towards more vulnerable boys but I doubt very much that was the normal experience for most boys.<br />Giving monks responsibility for caning and separate offices outside the monastery in which to deliver the punishment now looks ludicrously naive management.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-48187252297250167812011-11-09T12:07:00.483+00:002011-11-09T12:07:00.483+00:0023:42, please provide evidence for your claims. Wh...23:42, please provide evidence for your claims. What have they covered up exactly? Even Mr. West has not accused them of a cover up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-40603187277241767422011-11-08T23:42:52.923+00:002011-11-08T23:42:52.923+00:00Shipperlee and Cleugh should both go as both have ...Shipperlee and Cleugh should both go as both have covered up. That is real evil.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-90795210184456375872011-11-08T20:26:59.957+00:002011-11-08T20:26:59.957+00:00As an old boy of the !970's. I have to say tha...As an old boy of the !970's. I have to say that anyone who was not there, is unlikely to understand. The dark, fearfilled days of childhood spent at that terrible institution may be with me forever. At the age of fifty I still wake, in the middle of the night, in terror. Priests and layteachers in cahoots and parents that did not care. If you didn't notice your son covered in cane marks from the back of his knees to the top of his shoulders, you surely can not claim to care. This particular beating was at the hands of Fr Pole.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-67447438836694721262011-11-07T10:57:59.215+00:002011-11-07T10:57:59.215+00:00To the poster who asked where the Abbey's shil...To the poster who asked where the Abbey's shills were, I can assure you that they are back with a vengeance in the Comments section of the most recent posts, including "Back in the Beginning" on 6.11.2011. And now, they are not just spitting vitriol at Jonathan West but also at victims/survivors, which was always a predictable escalation of their tactics. After all, the current headmaster, having assured me in 2006 that Pearce was no longer a threat, not only enabled Pearce to re-offend afterwards - Abbot Shipperlee shares the blame for this too - but is on record as accusing victims and whistleblowers of being part of an anti-Catholic plot. Stand by for some real nastiness...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-23443867958504460942011-11-07T08:38:27.705+00:002011-11-07T08:38:27.705+00:0016.55
There is a posting about how the safeguardi...16.55<br /><br />There is a posting about how the safeguarding elements of the statutory framework apply to independent schools.<br /><br /><a href="http://scepticalthoughts.blogspot.com/2011/10/sex-abuse-fears-grow.html?showComment=1319909857940#c5585591057927947604" rel="nofollow"> This link takes you to Part 1.</a> of three posts. <br /><br />This is not to say things do not go seriously awry in the maintained sector - they of course do and I could list a large number of schools where the failures were systemic. But the maintained sector is a model of safeguarding 'best practice' when set against the OK Coral independent sector.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-17633397038546301372011-11-06T21:29:00.262+00:002011-11-06T21:29:00.262+00:00Pearce forgave no one who criticised him pupil or ...Pearce forgave no one who criticised him pupil or staff he was an evil vindictive being,sarcastic and destructive ,he also bullied the monks in the abbey who tried to stand up to him,however he was protected by the hierarchy in the Abbey, Rossiter and Soper amongst others.All the monks must not be tarred with the same brush nor must the majority of the school staff ,the trust must be purged of those responsible for the cover ups and hypocrisy that has permeated the whole thing for the last 50 years. Cleughs recent statement and admission in the Mail is the first time that anyone has apologised, perhaps the Abbot could eat humble pie do the same and resign with Cleugh and allow some cathartic relief for those who have suffered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-91828680575476052202011-11-06T20:56:08.545+00:002011-11-06T20:56:08.545+00:0016.55 - You make a relevant observation about safe...16.55 - You make a relevant observation about safeguarding, but I need to inform you that the statutory framework is hopelessly inadequate. In the maintained sector, and as you indicate, the useless infrastructure can be made to work. The backdrop though is that no child in England Wales or Scotland has any statutory right to have the abuse or even rape they have experienced reported to the authorities (LADO, police or social services)<br /><br />The independent sector is another matter all together, and the dynamics of allegations and the management of abuse is entirely different because of (i) non requirement to report/refer allegations or actual abuse, (ii) the existence of a balance sheet. <br /><br />This is not to say an effective policy cannot be implemented in an independent setting, but such a policy in a double edged sword for obvious reasons when they are brought to one’s attention. As a result of the safeguarding infrastructure being guidance, it provides independent schools with a conflict of interest when considering whether to report or not because afterall it is a non mandatory and it therefore becomes a choice. . <br /><br />Until there is a mandatory requirement to report all allegations i.e. 15.2.1. of the London Safeguarding Children's board 'guidance' made statutory for all schools, then the any reduction in non reporting/referral, particularly by independent settings, cannot be considered possible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-19886571391514729472011-11-06T16:55:59.278+00:002011-11-06T16:55:59.278+00:00I think I may be one of the ones mentioned in the ...I think I may be one of the ones mentioned in the article above who stood outside an office and made noises while one of our friends was been chastised. The reason I say this, is not that I remember it, but my mother mentioned it to me the other day after she had read the articles in The Times. Apparently I came home after school one day and told her this. <br /><br />I was at St B's in the 1970's and while I got through, David was certainly one person that you didn't want to get close to. Indeed I had a major argument with him once over something and I don't think he forgave me!<br /><br />If these staff were operating in a State School today, then things are much tighter. We are all trained in CP and have to have refresher course on a regular basis. We are also expected to report in any untoward behaviour to the CPLO. It doesn't mean that nothing happens, it just that State schools give a much higher profile to CP. It is nothing to do with being anti-Catholic, it just makes sense. Believe me that in a well run school (to which I belong) Management take a very hard line on CP issues. It doesn't mean that it can't arise, but it is more likely to be addressed. If St B's wants a consultant.......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-12560169734288831732011-11-06T13:52:51.889+00:002011-11-06T13:52:51.889+00:00What other skeletons are there in your cupboard Gu...What other skeletons are there in your cupboard Gumley, come clean and tell the truth, things have a way of catching up with you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-89953710472621585272011-11-06T11:16:20.631+00:002011-11-06T11:16:20.631+00:0018.06
What a surprise Gumley Mason and Advisory G...18.06<br /><br />What a surprise Gumley Mason and Advisory Governor at St. Benedict's, she obviously taught them well, look at all the deceit and secrecy now surrounding St. Augustine's.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-17011608645965191762011-11-06T08:24:33.081+00:002011-11-06T08:24:33.081+00:00I never thought I'd say this...but in the ligh...I never thought I'd say this...but in the light of recent events I'm almost ashamed to admit that I once attended St Benedict's! <br /><br />So much damage has been done that I doubt whether the school or the abbey will ever be able to live it down and the reputation of both has been irredeemibly damaged. So would the best course of action simply be for the authorities to close them both down ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-25781244076619432652011-11-05T18:28:30.522+00:002011-11-05T18:28:30.522+00:00I have been told as a former pupil and as I have n...I have been told as a former pupil and as I have noted in a past communication that some staff have stood up and complained to both the authorities and the school hierarchy of their concerns about about Abbot Laurence and other teachers activities ,however it appears their careers and futures have been blighted by their actions.The devious natures of these miscreants and their pernicious influences mustn't be underestimated it is an over simplification to say they stood back and did nothing,the cover up seems to continue and the term historic is a ruse to pass the buck by those in control now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-87435199165761918152011-11-05T18:06:54.748+00:002011-11-05T18:06:54.748+00:00You do realise that mrs gumley Mason was an adviso...You do realise that mrs gumley Mason was an advisory governor at St Benedict's prior to being appointed as headmistress of St Augustine's?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-40778156026894621882011-11-05T17:58:59.848+00:002011-11-05T17:58:59.848+00:00I was abused by father David whilst in the junior ...I was abused by father David whilst in the junior school at St Benedict's. It took me some years to report this to a teacher in the senior school, but I'm glad I did because they reported it to the police and encouraged me to do so too. Sadly, the police decided to take it no further due to insufficient evidence or other boys coming forward. I understand that it was only due to the fact that father David abused again that he was eventually prosecuted and sentenced. I loved my time in the senior school and am saddened by some of the comments on this site labelling all the teachers as bad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-50957535403647592932011-11-05T00:03:34.170+00:002011-11-05T00:03:34.170+00:00Crikey, this is bringing back some memories! I hav...Crikey, this is bringing back some memories! I haven't thought about this stuff for years! I was a Bennie Boy during the '80s and witnessed (and experienced first-hand) caning, being hit with a rounders bat, hair-pulling and slaps around the head by various teachers (Byrne, Fr David, Fr Greg and Maestri were the standouts).<br />I remember those showers and changing rooms at Perivale as well. I learnt fairly quickly never to remove my rugby shorts and even kept them on in the showers, merely washing off the mud from individual limbs without ever actually getting right under the shower. I always waited until I got home to have a proper bath/shower.<br />As others have said already, it's difficult to speak up as a 9-13 year old if the abusers are in positions of power . . . that's how they get away with it for so long. The notion of abuse then (I believe) wasn't as prevalent as it is today, and the staff were held in high regard by most parents - how could they possibly think a holy monk could be an abuser of boys???<br />Like Bryan, who was one of my peers, I too learnt that there were a lot of troubled souls wearing those robes. I still thinks there's something a little odd about any individual dedicating themselves to such a cloistered life but then that's for another discussion!<br />My life at St Bennies was one I thoroughly enjoyed, don't get me wrong, but I saw a lot that still to this day, leads me to view all priests with suspicion (rightly or wrongly) and to worry when a teacher gets too physically close with one of my children. It's sad, but then life isn't a Mary Poppins movie. There's some unpleasant people out there, folks, and I hope that if teachers knowingly covered up the abuses at the time, they also get their just deserts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-38493924501844747912011-11-04T23:53:58.288+00:002011-11-04T23:53:58.288+00:00Let us turn the spotlight back in time St B's ...Let us turn the spotlight back in time St B's early to mid 70s, Stirzaker fits that description, by the way, although I did not do the post, and I'd say it was certainly he who was referred to. I think if Stirkaker was operating today as a teacher, he'd be up in court.<br />Two points:<br />1) The lay teachers were complicit in the culture. Who does not remember the 'walk of shame' in breaks as boys sent up to the fifth form division master were sent by him to Father Edmund to fetch the cane in public, to be used for their own beatings. Every day.<br />2)More of the monks were involved in this than are currently targeted - Father Edmund (now deceased) was an exceptionally prolific beater, and was widely believed to enjoy it. How about Father Dunstan's 'mass executions'. All this requires questioning of their motives and some of the pupils were in no doubt about the conclusions.<br />3)Ealing Abbey regularly invited boys to dinner in evenings and there was an active 'lay community' in which Father Pierce lived, in a house next to school, where some boys at the school had a lot to do with, and where in some cases temporarily removed from their homes. This community was not subject to policing or control and the boys living there and visiting there were underage. I am not suggesting anything grossly wrong happened there, but only that it was not healthy given some of the people involved (with all the monks against whom action was taken companies with whom those boys took meals, and drank coffee and shared facilities).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-41780619466277780452011-11-04T23:27:02.028+00:002011-11-04T23:27:02.028+00:00Thank you Mr West. Super Abbot appears to have sil...Thank you Mr West. Super Abbot appears to have silenced his suicide squad. Well! <br /><br />But it is unlikely to be as a result of reality kicking in. <br /><br /><br /><b>We appear have a new school 'advisor' by the way. Date of appointment not provided.</b>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-19786263940968671452011-11-04T22:45:13.913+00:002011-11-04T22:45:13.913+00:0015:28 "One short, stocky teacher in particula...15:28 "One short, stocky teacher in particular was notorious for phsical assaults including punching boys in the stomach."<br /><br />Stirzaker?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-78652447284021337342011-11-04T22:28:23.303+00:002011-11-04T22:28:23.303+00:00Well I no which one I'd rather deal with, the ...Well I no which one I'd rather deal with, the on with the heart unlike the iron lady up the hill!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-76596178505383204682011-11-04T22:13:35.827+00:002011-11-04T22:13:35.827+00:00Can someone answer why both Heads are still in sit...Can someone answer why both Heads are still in situ, you have the one who lies and wastes money all to protect her good name, bully's children parents and staff, and the other one who instead of admitting fault believes its an anti-cotholic conspiracy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-77021465495525041162011-11-04T21:47:21.187+00:002011-11-04T21:47:21.187+00:0021:09
I've had cause to block very few comment...21:09<br />I've had cause to block very few comments in the last few weeks.Jonathan Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00527063732905729010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-80228550657726925812011-11-04T21:11:10.611+00:002011-11-04T21:11:10.611+00:00I have had dealings with both school, and i had re...I have had dealings with both school, and i had reason to complain in both establishments, in St. Benedicts I was treated with respect and kindness, the same cannot be said about St.Augustine's the Headmistress tretaed me like I was something she had picked up on her shoe.<br />I removed my daughter and sent her to another school and it wasn't St. Benedicts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518202135348193859.post-5377108538196119462011-11-04T21:09:41.443+00:002011-11-04T21:09:41.443+00:00Where are the 'Abbeyvistas?' Are you block...Where are the 'Abbeyvistas?' Are you blocking them Mr West? We'd all be interested to measure the radii of the holes they create below the plimsol line of their beloved Abbey as a result of their 'considered' contributions to this site. <br /><br />But maybe Super Abbot has belatedly realised that his fleet of habited 'banzai' monks and their ever attendant brown nose yappy poodles are not the most positive weapon in his armoury. A quick flick through their past postings of the past provides a flavour!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com