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Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5441

Author:	Advent Drabblers [ Thu Dec 18, 2008 7:59 am ]
Post subject:	Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
This letter was written after Miss Bubb returned to the school on being dismissed by Madge Dear Alma, Thank you for your recent letter. It found me in good health, as I hope this will find you. I read with interest your description of the school and your proposal. As you know I had hoped that my temporary appointment here would last for at least a year, possibly longer. However it has transpired that the injuries to some of the senior staff are not as serious as was initially thought and it is possible for me to leave this term. I will certainly be free to join you in September, should we decide that a partnership would be mutually beneficial. I would like to visit your school and talk to you in person about our plans before I make a firm decision and wonder if it may be possible, time and the war restrictions permitting of course; for me to come and visit before the end of this term. This will give us both opportunity to ensure we are sure we want this partnership. You may find it unusual for me to be so indecisive and reticent. I admit that this is so and my current situation is, I am afraid, to blame. When this position was advertised I was pleased to apply and quietly confident of success. I was aware of the reputation of this school as one that was excellent both academically and on the field and expected it to find a strong and well disciplined body of staff and girls. The loss of all their senior staff was expected to have some effect, but with the mistresses pulling behind a strong leader, supported by the owner of the school there should have been very few transitional problems. I am sad to say that this was not what I found. Although I was promised an unrestricted hand in running the school, I found that at every step I was thwarted by the rather unhealthy relationship this school has with the Sanatorium run by the husband of the founder. The Sanatorium doctors are often in the school; much more so than in any other school I have taught in. While the girls appear healthy, they are treated as fragile and thus begin to believe that they are. The staff seem to defer to the doctors as if they are gods and never question when they cancel lessons or send the girls outside to lounge around in the sun. It strikes me as deceitful that a school should promise parents a good education and then let educational issues be decided by those without any experience or official standing within the school. This highly unusual situation has made me realise that it is never wise to accept a position 'sight unseen' so to speak, and although you and I are friends of long standing and I know that your common sense would never allow a situation such as the one that has developed at the Chalet School, I feel that we would both be wise to talk such a venture through in some details before we make firm commitments. I look forward to receiving your reply and hope that we can find a mutually acceptable date to discuss this proposal further. Yours faithfully, Mabel Bubb.

Author:	snowmaiden [ Thu Dec 18, 2008 8:36 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
Interesting!!! You know, when you put it like that, you have to have a certain sympathy for Miss Bubb. Thanks, ADs.

Author:	Alison H [ Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:16 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
I feel sorry for Miss Bubb every time I read Gay, especially when Jack Maynard tells her that she's got to let Gay go out with the others - it was none of his business, and even if it was he shouldn't have undermined the acting Head in front of a pupil!

Author:	Emma A [ Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:31 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
That's just the kind of letter I imagine Miss Bubb writing after her dismissal. Thanks, ADs! Reading now, I agree with Alison, but as a child reader was grateful for any come-uppance meted out to the evil Miss Bubb!

Author:	JB [ Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:48 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
Also feeling sympathy. I was thinking about this the other day and it does seem unfair for Madge to appoint someone without appearing to brief her about the school and how it functioned. And to promise someone an "unrestricted hand" in a temporary position. LOL about the frequent appearance of doctors at the school.

Author:	Advent Drabblers [ Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:28 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
The solicitor looked at the woman sitting across the table from him, feeling grateful that he had not had the privilege of being taught by her. She was a grim-looking woman, with thin lips and iron-grey hair, and altogether presented a most formidable appearance. "Suppose you tell me what happened, Miss Bubb. Then we can see what grounds you have for your claim." "Very well. I was employed by the Chalet School on a temporary basis to cover for the Head - a Miss Annersley - who had been involved in a coach accident. Three other members of staff were also in the crash, but Miss Annersley was the most seriously injured. In fact, I understood that there were grave doubts about her survival, and certainly about her ability to resume her post. Therefore I was determined to make my mark, so that I would be in a strong position to retain the post should the opportunity arise." "What changes did you make, if I may ask?" "I improved the academic standard by banning all extra sports practice for those taking any examination, which was principally the Sixth Form of course. This allowed them to spend more time preparing, and would help them to achieve a better grade." "Didn't that impact on the sports teams? I would have thought that representing the school at the required level would need extra practice time." "The school was represented by younger girls who did not need to prepare for important examinations." The solicitor managed to keep his professional mask in place, though he knew very well that that dictum would have gone down like a lead balloon in any self-respecting school. He suspected that the Chalet School was no exception to this, and felt more than a little pity for what they had had to deal with. "I also wanted to have the lower windows whitewashed to prevent the girls wasting their time by looking out of the windows. Unfortunately, the building is only rented and it wasn't possible to do that. I improved discipline and safety by restricting all girls under the Sixth to the main part of the grounds, instead of being allowed to wander where they liked as they had done. I made sure that they used their free time for proper recreational purposes, instead of such things as teaching each other musical instruments. I was very surprised to learn that they actually had permission from the music mistress to use a practice room for this activity." "Didn't they tell you so at the time, Miss Bubb?" "Oh yes. But I could hardly take their word for it, could I? Not when they'd been caught red-handed, so to speak. And one of the girls was extremely rude to me. I had to punish her severely." "Is this the Headmistress from Hell?" thought the solicitor to himself. "No wonder they terminated her contract early. She could have done irretrievable damage to the school, which I believe has always had a very good reputation." "I improved behaviour by ensuring that free time was spent in the common rooms, rather than lounging about in the grounds. The place looked more like a seaside promenade than a respectable girls school. Would you believe that the Kindergarten mistress was reading to her girls out in the garden, on a Sunday afternoon, and that she'd made them change out of their Sunday frocks and back into uniform! Discipline I found to be very slack, with no proper distance between staff and even the senior pupils, which resulted in a fifteen year old child feeling able to challenge my authority, as one child did?" "Total frustration and anger?" thought the solicitor wearily. "Were you given any grounds for being asked to leave so soon?" he continued aloud. "Oh yes! I had an interview with the owner and founder of the school at one point, and she explained to me the ethos of the school. But you must realise that although she founded the Establishment, and ran it herself at first, she was only Head for a few years before she married. Also she had had no formal training as a teacher, nor any experience to fall back on, so naturally a trained teacher would have a better understanding of the way a school should be run. I put down the lack of discipline and lack of interest in high academic achievement to this, I have to admit, though the staff are mostly qualified nowadays. There is a high proportion of Old Girls teaching there, and that naturally perpetuates lax practices. She's a very clever woman, however, and managed to trick me into offering my resignation at the end of this term. She was quick to accept it too, I can assure you." "I bet she was!" thought the solicitor gleefully. “Then, as I say, I found it necessary to discipline one of the girls, and she ran away! I would have refused to have her back, of course, but Lady Russell is a soft-hearted creature, and refused to hear of this. By this time the Deputy Head had returned - far too early in my opinion, as she was still far from recovering from the broken leg she sustained in the accident. She had come up through the school, having started as simply the science mistress, and was imbued with the same outlook as Lady Russell. Lady Russell asked me to visit her at her home, and suggested, quite forcefully, that I should leave immediately rather than at the end of term. So you see, I feel quite justified in seeking to bring a case of constructive dismissal against the school." There was a silence as she finished speaking, a gleam of spite shining in her eyes that the solicitor did not fail to notice. Finally he looked her straight in the eyes. "Forgive my blunt speaking, Miss Bubb. But I can see no case for the Chalet School, or Lady Russell to answer. You made no attempt to follow the established ethos of the school. Whether you agreed with it or not is not the issue here. You were employed in a temporary position, and even allowing for the natural wish to make your mark, what you did at that school was not acceptable. May I ask for what period you were paid?" "The full term," came the reluctant answer. "Then I am very sorry Miss Bubb, but I can only reiterate my previous statement. There is no case to bring."

Author:	MHE [ Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:57 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
Quote: You were employed in a temporary position, and even allowing for the natural wish to make your mark, what you did at that school was not acceptable. Lovely, just what I've always thought about Miss Bubb's tenure. Thank you ADs, looking forward to the last viewpoint.

Author:	Lesley [ Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:16 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
MHE wrote: Thank you ADs, looking forward to the last viewpoint. Suppose that means I'd better go and write it then! Lovely post Pat.

Author:	Pat [ Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:18 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
At least you know that what you write won't clash with ours!!!

Author:	PaulineS [ Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:20 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
After the first installment I felt sorry for Miss Bubb, which I had not done on reading the book, but after the second I have reverted to my original view that she went too far in trying to change the ethos of the School. Thanks ADs, looking forward to Lesley's installment when she has written it.

Author:	Advent Drabblers [ Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:12 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
Miss Mabel Bubb cycled back from the Round House and immediately went straight to her quarters and began packing. She was very quick and managed to pack both her trunk and overnight bag in less than twenty minutes. She walked down to the Library and informed Miss Wilson that she was leaving. Miss Wilson, still walking with a stick due to having broken her leg in the bus crash, managed to stop herself from dancing a jig - correctly realising that her leg would not stand for it. Instead she calmly phoned and ordered a taxi and, only a short time later, Miss Bubb was leaving the Chalet School, her depature mourned by none. Once at the station Miss Bubb arranged for her trunk to be sent on to her frend's house - she intended to join her friend and set up a new school in the near future - first though, she had some unfinished business. She bought her train ticket and entered a First Class Carriage. The journey, with changes, was long but uneventful. Once Miss Bubb had reached the station she hailed a cab and ordered it to take her to the hospital. Once there she asked for directions to a particular ward. The nurse on duty there was a young Londoner and seemed reluctant at first to allow entry, enventually though Miss Bubb prevailed and was able to walk in to the room and stand by the bed. The woman in the bed had obviously been seriously injured; she had a bandage covering her head and appeared pale with signs of bruising around her eyes. As Miss Bubb arrived the woman awoke, "Mabel, I did wonder if I would see you today," she smiled, "Well?" Miss Bubb smiled, "Very well, I have just been dismissed from my post. And I venture to add that I can guarantee that Lady Russell will not even consider hiring another to take your place, however long your recovery." Miss Annersley smiled, "Thank you, Mabel, in my sponge bag you'll find a cheque - you have more than earned your money." Miss Bubb searched for and found the cheque and gave her thanks, she turned to go then turned back, "Forgive me, Hilda, but aren't you worried about Miss Wilson? She seems a rather formidable opponent." Hilda shook her head gingerly, "No, she is cursed with being honest. It would not occur to her to take advantage of my misfortune." But once you are well?" "By then I will have planted the seeds for a Finishing Branch - Nell will be the perfect Headmistress." "Genius, well, I must be going. A pleasure doing business."

Author:	Kathy_S [ Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:15 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
splutters I might have known Lesley would think of something different. Thanks to all three of you.

Author:	PaulineS [ Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
Thank you AD for another perspective on Miss bubb and Hilda. Wonder when Hilda arranged it!!!!

Author:	Sarah J [ Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:20 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
That was an amazing twist in the last perspective. Wonderful!!

Author:	linda [ Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:42 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
Fantastic twist in the tail! Wicked!!!!!!!!!!

Author:	Sugar [ Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:44 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
What a twist!!! Fabulous! All great - thanks for such a different perspective on one of my favourites!

Author:	Susan [ Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:59 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
3 lovely differing viewpoints. Thankyou.

Author:	Elder in Ontario [ Fri Dec 19, 2008 12:12 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
What an evil twist in the tail you prepared for us, Lesley....!!

Author:	Fiona Mc [ Fri Dec 19, 2008 2:19 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
Love the twist

Author:	Carolyn P [ Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:57 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
Fantastic twist, I loved it!

Author:	Elbee [ Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:43 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
That was an unexpected alliance, thanks ADs.

Author:	abbeybufo [ Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:02 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
Trust Lesley! Loving these ADs - thanks for all of them!!

Author:	MHE [ Fri Dec 19, 2008 1:15 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
I must admit I didn't think of that scenario Trust Lesley to do the unexpected!

Author:	JS [ Fri Dec 19, 2008 1:52 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
Very funny, thank you all.

Author:	Pat [ Fri Dec 19, 2008 2:20 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
Lovely twist!

Author:	Lisa [ Fri Dec 19, 2008 5:30 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
splutters fabtastic! Love that gleam in Hilda's eye ( I can see it, you know!)

Author:	Cath V-P [ Sat Dec 20, 2008 1:10 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
Oh brilliant!

Author:	Vick [ Sat Dec 20, 2008 12:51 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
Good one! Thanks ADs

Author:	LizzieC [ Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:34 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
Brilliant! Thank you ADs

Author:	Chris S [ Sat Dec 20, 2008 3:50 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
Loved the ending. Makes sense of the book later in the series where Miss Bubb is allowed back to teach the sixth. Thank you all.

Author:	Smile :) [ Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:53 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Advent Drabbles : Day 18 - Gay
That was an unexpected twist in the last part! Thanks ADs.

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