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#1: Jo Scott - Head Girl Author: Caroline, Location: Manchester

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:48 am
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I think I posted this story (originally published in the FOCS magazine many moons ago) once before - pre-hack, I'm guessing - but it has vanished into the ether. To set the scene: Josephine Mary Scott, after starring in A Chalet Girl from Kenya, and appearing in succeeding books as the youngest member of Mary-Lou’s gang and Josette Russell’s special friend, is last seen as Form Prefect of Va in CS Wins the Trick. Although apparently destined for a senior prefectship, she vanishes, and Maeve Bettany is appointed Head Girl for the following year. Some people, including me, think that Jo should have filled that role. This is the story of what might have happened if she had…

Part 1

‘And finally, girls, I have great pleasure in announcing the name of our Head Girl for the forthcoming year – Josephine Scott. Jo, my dear, come up and receive your badge.’

Miss Annersley smiled at the serried ranks of applauding Chalet School girls, as the popular new Head Girl made her way to the dais. After the small gilt badge had been fastened to her uniform dress, Jo turned to face the school, her face flushed with pleasure and pride; for once the new Head Girl was not too overcome by her appointment to address her school-fellows. With that, evening Prayers on the first day of the new term was over, and the girls streamed away to Abendessen and bed, tired after the long journey to the Görnetz Platz in Switzerland.

***********************

The next afternoon the sixteen Chalet School Prefects gathered in their own room, unpacking completed and cubicles tidy, to have their first meeting of the new term. It looked like being a difficult term as well, mused Jo, the first to reach the Prefects’ Room, as she took her seat at the head of the table.

Before Jo's own appointment had been announced, the Head had welcomed the school back for the new year, and informed them of the reason for the presence of 37 girls from another school, St Hilda’s. It seemed that St Hilda’s new school buildings, at Hellerdorf, a small village in the mountains above Brienz to the north-east of the Görnetz Platz, had been the victim of an unfortunate accident: the entire school had been destroyed by fire. What was worse, their Headmistress, Miss Holroyd, and one of her staff had been injured in the conflagration. Miss Holroyd, more seriously injured than her colleague, was in the Görnetz Platz Sanatorium, and likely to remain there for some months; Miss Ashley, on the other hand, was presently in the Chalet School’s own Sanatorium, but her doctors predicted that she would be able to return to work within the week. What would happen to St Hilda’s, no one really knew – but rumour was rife around the school.

#2: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:55 am
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Will be lovely to see all this from Jo's point of view! Thanks, Caroline.

#3: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 10:04 am
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Nice start - do we see her relationship with Maeve Bettany, too? And what about two terms later with Jack Lambert's horrendous bullying of Jane Carew? Sorry, getting carried away there! Laughing

Thanks Caroline.

#4: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 1:03 pm
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Hooray - I always wished Jo had been Head Girl!

#5: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 3:16 pm
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Thanks, Caroline. It's great to see Jo as Head Girl.

#6: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 3:54 pm
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Thanks Caroline, this looks really interesting!

#7: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:17 pm
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Lesley wrote:

Nice start - do we see her relationship with Maeve Bettany, too? And what about two terms later with Jack Lambert's horrendous bullying of Jane Carew? Sorry, getting carried away there! Laughing

Ooh, am I at the beginning of an epic? I've never been at the beginning of an epic! Very Happy

Thanks Caroline!

#8: Author: Lizzie, Location: A little village on the Essex/Suffolk border

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:17 pm
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A most promising beginning...

Thanks Caroline!

#9: Author: Laura V, Location: Czech Republic

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 7:13 pm
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finally Jo gets her chance! I wonder how different things will be...

#10: Author: Phil, Location: London UK

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:48 pm
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Agreed, Jo should have got her chance. In fact, she would have been better than OOAO!

#11: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 10:33 pm
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This is lovely; I always wondered why EBD made so little use of Jo Scott. Unless she decided that the name was sufficient honour of course. Very Happy

#12: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 10:54 pm
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Yay! I always liked Jo....

Thanks Caroline

#13: Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:18 am
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Great! I always liked Jo, too. Looking forward to this ...

#14: Author: Imogen,

Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:50 am
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Thank you Caroline, I'm really looking forward to reading about Jo as head girl, she did deserve to be it!

#15: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 5:42 am
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Thank you for bringing this back, Caroline.
Obviously last weekend's reread of Feud was perfect timing. Smile

#16: Author: Woofter,

Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 9:34 am
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ooh I like this story, Thank you Caroline.

#17: Author: Caroline, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 9:39 am
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Kate wrote:

Lesley wrote:

Nice start - do we see her relationship with Maeve Bettany, too? And what about two terms later with Jack Lambert's horrendous bullying of Jane Carew? Sorry, getting carried away there! Laughing

Ooh, am I at the beginning of an epic? I've never been at the beginning of an epic! Very Happy

Thanks Caroline!

Not an epic - sorry! Maeve does feature, but this story only covers the term in Feud, so no Jane...

And here's the next part.

As the rest of the Prefects entered the room for the first Prefects' meeting of term, Jo put thoughts of the unexpected start to the term behind her and concentrated on the matter in hand. Beckoning to Anna Hoffmann and Monica Caird, she indicated the seats on either side of her own – those reserved for the Second Prefect and the Games Prefect. Tall, capable-looking Monica took her seat with a grin – her promotion was no surprise as she had been second Games Prefect the previous year and was easily the best all-rounder among the Prefects. In contrast Anna, a serious-looking girl from Alsace with a reputation as a dedicated student, looked somewhat surprised by the Head Girl’s gestures.

‘But Jo, that is the Second Prefect’s chair – I am not to be her, surely?’ The long Summer Holiday had erased the intricacies of English grammar from Anna’s memory, and Jo had to smother a chuckle at the thought of Anna being the chair.

‘You are, though – Miss Annersley told me this morning,’ she said in an undertone. Anna took her seat and looked at the Prefects’ Minutes Book in front of her in some confusion, whilst Jo stood and addressed the rest of the Prefects:

‘Well, here we are again! Welcome back, everyone, to what looks like being an interesting term. Firstly, I have to inform you that the Heads have appointed Anna as Second Prefect and Monica as Games Prefect. Before we vote for the rest of the positions, I have a few words to pass on from Miss Annersley about our unexpected guests.’ The Prefects looked alert – maybe now they would find out some more about St Hilda's (Miss Annersley having only told the school the bare bones of the story at Prayers). Jo glanced down at the table in front of her, where she had some notes from her interview with the Head. Tossing her long dark red plait back over her shoulder, she raised her head again.

‘Miss Annersley says that she knows that things will be difficult this term – but that we must do our very best to help everyone adjust. These new girls will be quite unused to our way of doing things, and some of the things we take for granted will be very hard for them – our language rules, for instance. And, of course, we are a much larger school with a need for more discipline than they are probably used to. Naturally, if they are in our school, they will have to conform to our rules, but the Abbess says that we should break them in gently. They’ll probably resent having to do things our way, but we can do a lot to help them if we set about things properly.’ Jo, a hard-working, conscientious girl, had obviously given this matter some thought even before her meeting with her Headmistress; some of the other Prefects, who had not considered the implications of St Hilda’s arrival, looked surprised and serious – this was responsibility indeed.

#18: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 9:54 am
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This is great, Caroline. Thanks!

#19: Author: Caroline, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 2:03 pm
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Part 3

‘So, are we to let them off things which we would punish if our own girls did them?’ asked a perplexed Maeve Bettany – who was not the brightest of girls, as she herself was only too happy to admit.

‘No, of course not – and that was a terrible sentence! – but we are to be fair and explain things to them in more detail, and give them the benefit of the doubt for the first few weeks – in fact, we should be treating them as we would any other new girls.’

‘I know what you mean, Jo,’ put in Rosamund Lilley, helpfully. ‘We should assume that they don’t know that they have broken a rule – tell them what the rule is, and explain why it is necessary, so they don’t just think we are being bossy overbearing prefects. And don’t expect them to be happy about trying to speak French and German all day – after all, the poor lambs didn’t choose to come to a tri-lingual school.’

‘By the way,’ asked Heather Clayton, ‘where are their own prefects? The Abbess said they had them – isn’t that girl Mary Murrell their Head - Prefect, did they call her?’

‘Miss Annersley thought we should have a meeting ourselves first to sort out our own appointments, and then have another later to deal with duties lists, supervision and such – which the St Hilda’s Prefects will have to be part of as we are such a big school this year. And,’ Jo checked her notes again, ‘they elect their prefects other than the Head Girl, so they don’t know who they are yet.’

‘How long are they likely to be here for?’ asked Richenda Fry, one of the Sub-Prefects, known to her peers as Ricki.

‘No one really knows yet – it depends on Miss Holroyd’s injuries and when they can find another building. Miss Annersley says we should assume they will be here for at least this term.’

Len Maynard, the youngest of the Sub-Prefects, looked up at this – her father, Dr Jack Maynard, was head of the Görnetz Platz Sanatorium and she was more aware of the consequences of injuries as severe as Miss Holroyd’s than the other girls. She was fairly sure in her own mind that St Hilda’s would be at the Chalet School for longer than a term. However, as the Head had obviously not mentioned this to Jo, she kept quiet.

#20: Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 2:30 pm
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Lovely to see this, Caroline. Typical of Jo to have really given the matter some thought and interesting to see Rosamund speaking up and not just sitting quietly in the background.

Thanks.

#21: Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 3:01 pm
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thanks caroline! nice to see this set of prefects. I think jo will make a lovely head girl

#22: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 6:54 pm
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Thanks Caroline - interesting that you didn't even make Maeve Second Prefect of Games Prefect! Laughing

As for not going into next term - well you'll just have to write part two, won't you? Wink

#23: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 8:02 pm
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Thanks, Caroline. I think that Jo is doing a great job so far.

#24: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 9:28 pm
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Lesley wrote:

Thanks Caroline - interesting that you didn't even make Maeve Second Prefect of Games Prefect! Laughing

As for not going into next term - well you'll just have to write part two, won't you? Wink

Of course! You know you can't leave it there!

#25: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 9:47 pm
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Thanks Caroline, this is wonderful Very Happy

#26: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 10:28 pm
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I like Maeve, but Jo would definitely've been a better choice as Head Girl!

#27: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 10:42 pm
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Jo is very thoughtful isn't she? And it's good to see that Rosamund is having similar thoughts.

#28: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 10:50 pm
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I love Caroline's stories. Smile

*settles down snugly for more*

Thank for this!

#29: Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 11:53 pm
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They do seem a pleasant, responsible, thoughtful crew.

#30: Author: Caroline, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 9:22 am
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Next little bit...

St Hilda’s dealt with for the moment, Jo turned to the normal beginning of term business, and called on Anna to read the Minutes from the end of the previous term. That completed, the Prefects settled down to vote for their special jobs – Library Prefect, Music Prefect, Art, Staff, Juniors’, Stationery, Bank, Lost Property and Hobbies Prefects, and deputies for the more time-consuming posts – such as Games and Library. Some of these posts were easily assigned.

Three of the previous year’s Prefects – Maeve, a Head’s Appointment as Editor of The Chaletian, and Aimée and Lizette as Art and Music Prefects – wanted to continue in their jobs. Of the new Prefects, Heather was the obvious choice for Second Games Prefect, and Rosamund, with Len and Francie as her deputies, was a natural for Library Prefect. Eventually, every girl was assigned a job and Anna listed the appointments in the Minute Book. The bell rang for Kaffee und Kuchen and the meeting was over.

***********************

Over the next few days and weeks, the Chalet School and St Hilda’s more or less settled down into the new Term. Miss Ashley was released from the school Sanatorium to discover that ‘her’ girls had been spread throughout the numerous forms of the Chalet School, rather than being kept together as she had hoped; Doris Bratsby, Pamela Oliver and Monica Garstin were elected Prefects of St Hilda’s; and over in the Görnetz Platz Sanatorium, Miss Holroyd’s burns and broken ankle healed slowly but surely, helped by the knowledge that her school had a safe haven for the next few months.

Thanks for the kind words, everyone.

#31: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 9:56 am
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Thanks, Caroline. I'm glad that Miss Holroyd knows that her pupils are safe.

#32: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:33 am
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Thanks, Caroline!

#33: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 6:06 pm
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Good to see more of this - thanks Caroline.

#34: Author: JoS, Location: South Africa

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 8:22 pm
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Oh, I am going to enjoy this! Thanks Caroline.

#35: Author: Elle, Location: Peterborough

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 8:47 pm
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JoS wrote:

Oh, I am going to enjoy this!

So am I.

Note to self: go back and re-read 'Feud'.

Thanks Caroline

#36: Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:32 pm
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Thanks, Caroline. Miss Holroyd sounds happier about the situation than Miss Ashley.

#37: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 8:20 am
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I'm glad you posted this. I'm looking forward to seeing how the term progresses

Thanks, Caroline Very Happy

#38: Author: Caroline, Location: Manchester

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:53 pm
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Thanks, everyone. Here's the next bit...

Of course, there were problems.

The Middle School forms of the Chalet School had had to absorb far more St Hilda’s girls than any other forms, and there was tension between the two factions. Higher in the school, the situation was less strained – the older St Hilda’s girls appreciated the broader range of opportunities available to them in such a large school, revelling in lacrosse lessons, the Hobbies Club, more strenuous teaching from specialist mistresses and greater competition in games and class.

Even in the Sixth Form, though, there were troubles; Jo and her colleagues were happy to welcome Mary and Monica into the Prefects’ Room, but had a difficult time with Doris and Pamela, who were quite different from their fellow prefects and routinely shirked their duties and poured scorn on things that the Chalet School held dear. Miss Ashley also created difficulties between the two schools by announcing to all and sundry in the Staffroom that she was not happy with St Hilda’s situation and wished that they could be a separate entity again. Of course, nothing was said of this to the girls, but her views were soon common knowledge around the school. However, within the Chalet School organisation, and without the backing of Miss Holroyd, she had no opportunity to put such a plan into action.

The problems amongst the younger girls were the most serious, as far as the Prefects were concerned. What started out as minor dissent caused by dissatisfaction at the Chalet School’s more stringent rules, soon escalated into open defiance of the Prefects and on-going squabbles between the girls themselves.

Miss Ashley’s attitude was partially to blame for this situation; the normal and largely meaningless grumblings of schoolgirls dissatisfied with their lot had been fanned into open rebellion by the knowledge that one of ‘their’ mistresses wasn’t happy at the Chalet School either. Doris and Pamela, too, acted as a spur; it was obvious to most of the school that two of the St Hilda’s Prefects were ‘agin the government’, and such an example was not ignored by the mischievous Middles. Without even such tacit support, it is likely that they would have become reconciled to their situation fairly rapidly; unfortunately, this was not to be the case and the Chalet School’s own Middles were quick to react against what they saw as criticism of their beloved school.

In the shape of their determined Head Girl, however, the malcontents met their match: Jo Scott was not a girl who was prepared to let such a situation go unchecked. She spent several days watching the Middle School as closely as she could and soon established that the two main parties were led by Jacynth Lambert, known as Jack to her Chalet School contemporaries, and Gilbertine, or Gillie, Garstin, the much younger sister of one of the St Hilda’s Prefects, and that the main catalyst of the whole situation (other than Miss Ashley) appeared to be Minette, the St Hilda’s School cat!

#39: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 1:19 pm
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I wonder how Jo will handle the situation!

Thanks, Caroline Very Happy

#40: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 1:41 pm
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Will be interesting to see Jo's take on the Jack-Gillie thing.

#41: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:08 pm
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Think Jo will deal with it far better than Maeve.

Thanks Caroline

#42: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 7:53 pm
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This is good, more , Please.

#43: Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 10:25 pm
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Interested to see how Jo will cope.

#44: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 10:58 pm
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I like the way in which Jo pauses to observe and think about the situation.

#45: Author: Caroline, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:49 am
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The next part is here...

This much learned, Jo decided to hold an informal meeting to which she invited a select group of Prefects – Rosamund, Form Prefect of the Lower Sixth and generally regarded as one of the most sensible girls in the school, Len, who had been Jack’s mentor since her arrival, Mary Murrell to represent St Hilda’s, and Anna, Heather, Ricki and Francie as they all happened to have a free period. They foregathered early one afternoon in the Prefects’ Room and the Head Girl presented her evidence. After a catalogue of minor and major skirmishes between the Middles and several more serious examples of impudence towards those in authority, the atmosphere in the Prefects’ Room was grim.

‘So, I am sure that you all appreciate that this can’t be allowed to go on,’ concluded Jo, casting grammar aside in her earnestness. ‘We must absolutely put a stop to this spitefulness, petty backbiting and defiance of authority, before the school is harmed. At the moment it’s mainly restricted to IIIa and the Fourths…’

‘It always is the Fourths,’ interrupted Francie, who had herself been no angel at that age.

‘But,’ Jo frowned darkly at her Sub-Prefect, and Francie had the grace to blush, ‘if it continues, it may well spread to the younger girls, and then the Staff will have to get involved, and then who knows what will happen – to the school or to Jack and Gillie and their chums.’

Mary Murrell looked aghast: ‘We can’t allow that to happen! Why, it would be tantamount to saying we can’t control the school, and the girls would lose all respect for us as prefects!’

‘I’ve an idea,’ said Ricki, taking off her glasses and polishing them. All eyes turned towards her instantly. ‘Are we generally agreed that one of the problems is Miss Ashley’s attitude – the younger girls sense that she wants St Hilda’s to be a separate school, and because they aren’t enjoying life here very much, and they think she will support them, they’ve decided that they can pretty much do as they like?’

The other Prefects nodded, and Ricki carried on, ‘Well, I think that they probably don’t understand the situation fully – you can’t expect youngsters of their age to appreciate what it means to have lost a whole school – buildings, furniture, fixtures, books, everything! – or how badly Miss Holroyd is injured or,’ Ricki paused as a new thought occurred to her, ‘how much time, and presumably money, is involved in starting again from scratch.’ Again, the meeting agreed. ‘So why don’t we tell them?’

#46: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:58 am
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They're really thinking deeply about this, aren't they? Maeve & co never seemed to do much in what was really a very awkward situation.

#47: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:22 am
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Good idea, Ricki Very Happy

Thanks, Caroline

#48: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 10:06 am
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That's a great idea from Ricki. It's nice to see more of her, too.

#49: Author: JoS, Location: South Africa

Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 5:56 pm
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This is great Caroline Smile

Keep the sequels coming please.

#50: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 7:33 pm
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Very good idea, Rikki - and it could work, the girls probably haven't even considered cost etc.

Thanks Caroline.

#51: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:11 pm
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Thanks Caroline, very interesting to see how the prefects deal with the situation

#52: Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:13 pm
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thanks caroline

#53: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 12:22 am
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That's a good idea, to involve them in the situation,

#54: Author: Caroline, Location: Manchester

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:17 am
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Today's installment...

As the rest of the group congratulated Ricki on her inspiration, Jo sat back in her chair and absently tapped her pen on the table in front of her, thoughts snowballing through her mind. After a few moments consideration she sat up abruptly, drawing the attention of the rest, and said, ‘Yes, that’s a great idea, Ricki! If we can explain the situation to the girls, both the problems of starting a new St Hilda’s and how things work at the Chalet School, if we can really get their attention – appeal to their better nature – show them how they are letting their school down by their behaviour, and how it would worry Miss Holroyd if she knew about it…’

‘Yes!’ interrupted Mary, excitedly. ‘They say they are so keen on St Hilda’s that they can’t bear to be a part of the Chalet School, but I could show them exactly how far their ‘keenness’ has brought them from decent behaviour – they really are disgracing their school at the moment!’

‘And our kids too,’ commented Len, ‘they’re not behaving in the way we expect of Chalet Girls.’

‘And another thing,’ added Heather reluctantly, her cheeky face looking unusually serious, ‘we need to do something about Doris and Pamela – they are setting the school such a bad example and making us look like fools for not bringing them into line.’

Mary looked awkward; much as she would have liked to defend the two St Hilda’s Prefects, she knew that she could not – their behaviour was unforgivable, and only the potential for humiliating the Prefect body in front of the whole school had prevented Jo from reporting them to Miss Annersley.

Opinions rang around the small room – Ricki’s idea had certainly caught their imagination. Allowing her fellow-Prefects free rein for the moment, Jo sat back again and thought long and hard about what they were proposing to do. If they handled it properly it might make all the difference, but if they made a mistake – said the wrong things, or were too high-handed – they might actually make things worse. In this instance, she thought, they needed some advice, and also some information. If they were going to tell the Middles how things really were, then they had better get their facts right – no surer way to lose their trust than to get things wrong, however inadvertently. Before they did anything else, Jo felt that they must consult Miss Annersley – off the record, of course. Her decision made, now all that she had to do was to convince the rest of the Prefects.

#55: Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:39 am
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Well done all the prefects! And Jo's right, they do need to consult Miss A. Just shows how wise she is - recognising when they need to consult someone older and wiser.

#56: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 1:15 pm
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Jo is doing such a great job. I'm glad you're giving her her chance at being Head Girl!

#57: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 1:29 pm
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Well done Jo, I hope the other prefects agree - I'm sure Rosalie Dene can give them lots of useful facts and figures too.

Thanks, Caroline Very Happy

#58: Author: JoS, Location: South Africa

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 5:07 pm
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Well done Jo. If only EBD had known what a good head girl she would have been [sure that grammar's wonky, but so be it].

#59: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 9:48 pm
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Very sensible of Jo to consult the Head 'Off the record' and they also need to sort out the two Prefects.

Thanks Caroline.

#60: Author: Caroline, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 11:08 am
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Here's some more. Jo is very sensible, isn't she...

Later that week, Jo called a full Prefects’ meeting to introduce the plan, now unofficially sanctioned by Miss Annersley. She described to the assembled girls the Head’s response to the proposal that the deputation (Jo, Anna, Mary and a hastily-briefed Monica Garstin) had put before her.

‘The Abbess really thinks it might work – she certainly hopes it does, anyway, because the Middles’ behaviour is going to merit Head’s Reports all around, if they carry on much longer.’

‘Yes – and you know what really surprised me? She doesn’t seem to like dispensing justice. I think she would much rather that we dealt with things,’ said Mary.

‘Yes, I also have noticed that, many times. It is understandable, though, nicht wahr?’ said Anna, thoughtfully. ‘There would be serious consequences for die Kinder if Miss Annersley had to deal with their conduct, and I am certain she does not wish to so punish entire forms.’

‘Anyway,’ said Jo, firmly steering the conversation away from this hypothetical backwater, and addressing the rest of the St Hilda’s Prefects directly, ‘she also told us exactly how things stood with St Hilda’s – that there is no chance of your school leaving ours for the next two terms and, consequently, Miss Holroyd has arranged for you all to finish the year here at the Platz. And, of course, she gave us permission to pass on that information to the Middles. She’d rather we kept away from money matters though – other than that rebuilding an entire school is so jolly expensive, of course. After all, that’s no one’s business but Miss Holroyd’s.’

‘Then she described Miss Holroyd’s injuries,’ added Monica, ‘and suggested that we really make sure that the girls understand that she won’t be fit for some time – we shouldn’t worry them of course, Miss Holroyd’s in no danger – but just stress how long a recovery takes, and make sure that they absolutely understand that we won’t leave until our Head is ready to take up the reins again. Mary and I are to visit her on Saturday, so we’ll be able to give the girls some first hand news.’

Jo took up the tale again. ‘And we must also make sure that they understand a few things about the Chalet School – why things are done here in the way that they are, and that nothing is going to change so they may as well make the best of the situation, rather than the worst. We know our rules are different from those at St Hilda’s – that’s inevitable, no two schools are the same – but they are our rules, they are there for a reason and most of them are pretty much common sense, when you are dealing with an institution of almost 400 girls. Miss Annersley suggests making sure that they know that we aren’t trying to make things difficult for them, and that we will help them adjust as much as we can, but that adjust they must.’

‘Miss Annersley understood also that a poor example has been set to the Middles by some of their elders in the school,’ said Anna, trying not to look at Doris and Pamela. ‘She suggested that we should leave that situation for her to deal with, but that we should try to remember such extenuating circumstances when we talk to die Kinder. ‘Tempering justice with mercy’ was the phrase I believe she used – and she stressed that they have probably been miserable for most of the term.’

‘And finally,’ said Jo, ‘we shall have plenty to say to our own girls about their behaviour – they are just as much to blame as the St Hilda’s Middles for the present situation.’

#61: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 11:56 am
—
Thanks, Caroline. That sounds as if it's a good plan of action.

#62: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 1:33 pm
—
Sounds like an excellent plan - I hope it is well received.

Thanks, Caroline Very Happy

#63: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 2:59 pm
—
I really like Jo Scott as Head Girl, she's handling it far better than Maeve did and she's keeping the whole 6th form united. Well done, Jo!

Thanks Caroline.

#64: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 6:04 pm
—
Love the way she is handling it - and like the way no names were mentioned when the bad example from some of St Hilda's own Prefects was mentioned. - Wonder how the head will deal with that? And whether the two involved are worrying about it yet? Laughing

Thanks Caroline.

#65: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:28 am
—
I hope Doris and Pamela realise that Jo will need their help and that they don't set out to make any more trouble.

#66: Author: KathrynW, Location: London

Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 5:11 pm
—
Thanks Caroline - I just hope Doris and Pamela will back the others up...

#67: Author: Caroline, Location: Manchester

Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:34 am
—
Only a couple more sections to go - unless I get the inspiration to write more about Jo's career as The Best Head Girl the Chalet School Never Had....

The plan outlined, it only remained for the Prefects to decide how they were going to put it into action.

After some debate, it was agreed that a straightforward approach should be adopted – the Forms in question requested to attend a meeting where the facts could be put before them. And so it came to pass – one sunny November afternoon when they should have been enjoying their weekly Netball practice, the Middles from IIIa to Upper IVb were gathered in their Common Room being shown the error of their ways by Mary and Jo, Anna and Rosamund (Monica Garstin having begged off, due to the presence of her small sister amongst the sinners).

An hour later, the Prefects were serving a very chastened and ashamed group of Middles with Kaffee und Kuchen, whilst the Head Girl spoke seriously to Jack and Gillie, the ringleaders. She was finding it difficult not to laugh out loud at the hang-dog pair in front of her (Jack, in particular, looked decidedly comical when feeling guilty), but managed to keep a straight face.

With chastisement over and the Middles looking happier than they had for many a long day, the only thing remaining was for Jo to pronounce her novel punishment, dreamt up in a frivolous moment in the Prefects’ Room and declared so appropriate that they just had to impose it. As the girls munched slices Karen the Cook’s excellent cake, Jo drained her coffee and stood up for one last time:

‘I am sure that you all think you’ve been punished enough already, after a miserable first half of term and us lecturing you for an hour, but there is one last thing that I would like you to do. I’d like each girl here to write an essay for me about life at St Hilda’s School compared to life at the Chalet School – rules, lessons, games, people, traditions, history, oh everything – compare and contrast, in fact. Maybe you’ll all learn a few things about each other in the process, and appreciate a bit more about why our two schools are as they are and the strengths and weaknesses of both. You have until the end of term to finish the essays, and the Prefects are offering a prize for the best one – to be presented next term.’

With that, the four Prefects departed for their own quarters, leaving a room of excitedly chattering girls behind them.

#68: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:03 am
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What a lovely punishment!

Please write more about Jo, Caroline, I am really enjoying this.

#69: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 3:18 pm
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A punishment that's also a competition - how clever Very Happy

Caroline wrote:

Only a couple more sections to go - unless I get the inspiration to write more about Jo's career as The Best Head Girl the Chalet School Never Had....

*sends lots of bunny food*

#70: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 6:20 pm
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Well done Jo and the others - inspired indeed.

Caroline I really think it's your duty to continue this. Wink

Thanks.

#71: Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 7:20 pm
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That's really designing a punishment to fit the crime, Caroline - brilliant!

Adds to the pleas for a continuation - I'd love to read the story of the Best Head Girl the Chalet School Never Had. I always did think it a shame that Jo was allowed to fade out of EBD's writing as she did.

Thank you.

#72: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:05 am
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Unique twist on consequences. Very Happy

*applauds Jo's management*

#73: Author: Caroline, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:22 am
—
Thanks for the kind comments, everyone. I would love to write more - whether I do depends on time and inspiration...

I'm not a drabbler who can make things up as they post; I do rather like to have everything written first so that I can check and polish it, which is rather a time consuming way to write.

Hmmm. Must re-read Triplets and Jane, and see what other major crises Jo can avert in her year as Head....

Here's the last part.

And that was largely the end of the trouble as far as the Middles were concerned. Many times over the coming weeks, the Prefects came across a member of the Third or Fourth Forms working on her essay in a quiet corner. Jo’s novel punishment was regarded as inspired by the Staff, ensuring, as it did, that the girls of St Hilda’s and the Chalet School had to talk to each other immediately, when the upshot of the Prefects’ lecture might easily have been awkward silences and the two factions not speaking.

Further up the school, the Seniors were not surprised when Miss Annersley (after consulting Miss Holroyd) asked to see Doris Bratsby and Pamela Oliver in the study. Neither of the St Hilda’s girls knew what to expect, and they were horrified when Miss Annersley, at her grimmest, presented them with a very unflattering portrait of their behaviour this term. Indeed, before an hour was past, both girls were trying not to cry and were convinced that they would have their Prefectships withdrawn at the very least! So it was with considerable relief that they heard Miss Annersley offer them a second chance, and both promised to try and do better from now on.

And Miss Holroyd, well enough to deal with school business again, made it her prime objective to talk to Miriam Ashley. Such was her influence that Miss Ashley apologised to the Chalet School Staff for all the trouble she had caused, and settled down to become an ordinary member of the Staffroom.

The End

Afterword (as I wrote for FOCS)

Of course, as we all know from reading Feud, this is not how the trouble between St Hilda’s and the Chalet School was resolved. In EBD’s version, the Prefects and Staff talked about the problems amongst the Middles, but took no action, and although it took a long time, the feud did more or less resolve itself eventually, aided by time, Herr Laubach’s death and the Good Influence of the Christmas Play.

I don’t feel this is typical of EBD – in previous books the Prefects (and Joey, largely anonymous in this book) are very pro-active in resolving disputes and dealing with malcontents. Think of Peggy, for example, where the Prefects make every effort to counteract Eilunedd Vaughn’s whispering campaign against Peggy Bettany. Think also of Theodora and the CS where Mary-Lou Trelawney notices and tackles problems amongst the Maynard triplets well before any of the staff; of New CS where the Prefects discover and deal with the Moonlight Dramatic Society without consulting the Staff (other than to borrow Miss Wilson’s bedroom); of Eustacia where everyone agonises over bringing Stacie into the fold, to the point of having a school meeting about her; and of Bride Leads where Bride Bettany and chums are holding meetings about the Tanswick girls as soon as Diana Skelton has had a tantrum in the Speisesaal. I feel, EBD allowing, that a better Head Girl than Maeve Bettany would have tackled the Middles head-on – but, of course, that would have made for a much shorter book!

#74: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:42 pm
—
Thanks Caroline.

#75: Author: JustJen, Location: sitting on the steps

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:37 pm
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Thanks for the lovely story Caroline.

#76: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 3:36 pm
—
That was excellent - Thanks Caroline Very Happy

#77: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:59 pm
—
Thanks, Caroline. That was great.

#78: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 6:46 pm
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Feel very sorry for those two Prefects - an hour in the Head's Study! Shocked

Your explanations made perfect sense, Caroline - and I loved the story, Jo Scott made a much better impression. Please do consider a sequel - among other things I'd love to see how Jo would have dealt with Jack Lambert's bullying of Jane Carew.

#79: Author: JoS, Location: South Africa

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:23 pm
—
That was excellent Caroline.
*Echoes the pleas for more on Jo*

#80: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:32 pm
—
Thank you so much Caroline, that was great!

Caroline wrote:

I'm not a drabbler who can make things up as they post; I do rather like to have everything written first so that I can check and polish it, which is rather a time consuming way to write.

Might be time consuming, but probably works better! I post as I write and when I'm writing new bits, I often want to go back and change old bits to make them fit... this is also symptomatic of my utter inability to follow a plan!!

#81: Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:21 pm
—
Thanks, Caroline. I enjoyed this and would also like to see more.

#82: Author: Imogen,

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2006 12:50 am
—
Thank you Caroline, it was lovely reading about Jo.

#83: Author: Pollyana, Location: Brisbane

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 8:25 am
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Fantastic Caroline. Jo has always been a favourite of mine, so i really enjoyed this.

The CBB -> St Agnes' House

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