#1: The scholarship
Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeriesPosted: Sun Oct 14, 2007
12:22 pm — The
Scholarship
“I’ll hate it. Oh, why did ever the Rector and Mrs Gay want
to give a scholarship for Miss Gay’s old school? And why did they pitch on me
for it?”
Rosamund told me once about her reaction to being awarded that
scholarship, ironic really, because I really wanted to go to the School, though,
I’ll admit, for all the wrong reasons. I was a nasty girl at that time; it’s no
wonder that Rosamund’s parents didn’t want me near their daughter. I can admit
it now, I was a bully, rude, dirty, I had no manners and no thought that any of
that mattered. But it did. I’m very surprised that the School kept me, that
first term, the mess I made. In a way I suppose I was lucky, after all I had an
excellent education, some extremely good qualifications, I managed to get a
really good post when I left.
But I never fitted in; not like Rosamund,
I mean she couldn’t have gone any higher – Head Girl herself, only for a term I
know, but it wasn’t her fault that she had to leave early. Rosamund was the
perfect example for any new Chalet Girl, a scholarship girl, from a working
class family, who had overcome all her disadvantages. Always said with that
slight undertone of superior self-righteousness; as though, without the Chalet
School’s intervention, Rosamund would never have amounted to anything.
As I said, though, I didn’t fit in, not even after I had made amends for
my terrible start. I appreciate that I behaved badly, but was I any worse than
others who went on to be the epitome of the perfect chalet school girl? I was a
bully, yes, so was Jack Lambert, my language was very bad, but even Mary Lou had
a lecture about her language when she was a Junior. I eavesdropped on my elders
and reacted to that I heard, it’s true, but at least I didn’t try to use that
information to force another to do what I wanted – yet Margot Maynard is now
considered to be one of their greatest successes, isn’t she?
Throughout
my entire time at the School I was haunted by my poor start, I was never allowed
to move on. Descriptions like, ‘cheaply pretty’ ‘over made-up face’
‘inappropriate dress’. Why didn’t any of my so-called friends take me to one
side, educate me about such things? Why didn’t Mrs Maynard, who was the friend
and counsellor to all the girls, speak to me about it?
And my
accomplishments were never really mentioned, or only mentioned as an aside, not
worthy of notice. That time when I helped out when our Form were trapped by the
river being in flood. I went back and forth again and again helping those girls
who were a lot smaller and lighter. I don’t like to boast but I think I was
pretty brave that day but I heard nothing about it afterwards. Yet Mary Lou and
Hilary receive a bravery award for pulling Miss Ferrars off that precipice – how
much more brave were they, than I? How much time did they have to consider the
consequences? Or the fact that, when I left school, I was going to get a post
and pay for my sister to finish her education – is that any less self
sacrificing than the Maynards’ older cousins, Peggy and Bride, deciding to look
after their mother rather than go to St Mildred’s?
So, I know this might
sound like sour grapes, but, although I know I owe the Chalet School my
education, I not prepared, now I have the money, to fund a scholarship to that
school. Find another one.
Last edited by
francesn on Sun Oct 14, 2007 1:15 pm; edited 1 time in total
#2:
Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, KentPosted: Sun Oct 14, 2007
12:31 pm — Ah yes -
that would be mine - thanks Fran - wondered where it was!
#3:
Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeriesPosted: Sun Oct 14, 2007
12:37 pm — Sorry
for the delay putting these up! I got internet at home a month ago, and my
computer promptly died on me....It's back though, and nothing was
lost!
#4:
Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, KentPosted: Sun Oct 14, 2007
12:41 pm — No
worries - it's nice to see it again. Glad your computer has been
fixed.
#5: Author: Fiona
Mc, Location:
Bendigo, AustraliaPosted: Mon Oct 15, 2007
10:27 am — Thanks
Lesley. I never thought about how Joan would have felt about what people thought
of her and yes she had changed and been extremely brave
