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bluesman
Junior Member
Username: bluesman
Post Number: 26
Registered: 5-2006
Posted From: 68.83.79.247
| | Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 6:50 am: | 
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I think the only way an accurate picture of any organization can emerge is for as many people as possible to tell their stories. Your story is not a debate topic. It is your story. You lived it.
Tell your story -- good, bad, indifferent, whatever. The more stories are told, the more historical data there is, and the more easily intelligent people can draw their own conclusions. Student stories, staff stories, parent stories, all of them are part of the whole tapestry.
Many have already told their stories here. I am sure that many more are reading who also have stories to tell. We can all bear witness to what we have experienced. So if you have not done so already, please tell your story. |
q12hrs
New member
Username: q12hrs
Post Number: 1
Registered: 9-2007
Posted From: 67.71.153.247
| | Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 10:07 am: |
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This was the only thread I feel comfortable posting on. I did not get involved with GCC until 2003.
I enrolled my son as a day student. I was looking for more individual attention, smaller class sizes and better teachers. He was looking for the free laptop. I got what I wanted. He did not.
When I was called and told that the school was closing I was in shock and denial. I had a hard time not crying when I saw the school billboard on the 401. I became obsessed with GCC and this is how I found this website. Needless to say this was even more of a shock.
My previous experience with GCC students (30 years ago) had been with the "snotty" kids at the mall. (I was a teenager as well)and bumping into them at St. A's. For those who don't Mrs. M. is selling this year and taking semi-retirement. I digress... |
q12hrs
New member
Username: q12hrs
Post Number: 2
Registered: 9-2007
Posted From: 67.71.153.247
| | Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 10:29 am: |
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#2
When I told some friends about my plans to enroll they advised me that the school was full of "problem" kids and the teachers were not up to par as they worked for so little money. This has not been my experience. I always felt that most of the teachers were looking out for my son's best interests. My son considered Mr. C and Mr. S to be "world class" teachers. He had good relationships with all of them except one teacher and one administrator. Both of which are not held in high regard on this forum. I guess he's a better judge of character than I thought. |
quietgrl
Junior Member
Username: quietgrl
Post Number: 30
Registered: 8-2007
Posted From: 24.226.102.190
| | Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 10:33 am: |
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"snotty kids at the mall"
Just to shed some light on your comment...
As a local girl.. I would go to the mall ...in my group of 3 students, organized by the staff... not my gcc friends... ie no freedom to associate, no trust in the mall.. ( I was a good kid... keep that in mind..)
Friends of mine from my local highschool (BCI) would approach me... ( a normal and natural thing to have happen...) ... When they did this...I spoke to them happily... introduced them to my "shopping group" and that was that...
That night I was approached by J.J... I was told that I was not allowed to speak to my friends at the mall... I asked why... she said it was because I was making the other students jealous... "Think about the kids from China... you are being a very selfish, self centered girl... they can not see their friends... it makes them homesick..." When I said that I would introduce them and maybe they could make some more friends... she said " you need to stop being so willful with me...etc." ( former gcc students...insert willful speech #1 here .. you all know it... ) she went on to say that jealousy is a sin and by making others jealous ... I was leading them down the path of sin.... and away from god...
And I just thought I was being friendly... smile... so... I warned my close friends not to approach me at the mall... and when someone I did not warn approached me... I would signal a wave to them that I could not talk... I am sure to some that I came across as a snob...
I explained why I waved them off...when I returned to BCI the next year... I am not sure if anyone fully got it... |
cryfreedom
Member
Username: cryfreedom
Post Number: 78
Registered: 6-2006
Posted From: 24.226.27.60
| | Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 10:37 am: |
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And how right your son is. Certainly there are many teachers at GCC who were wonderful and sadly they were going through emotionaly abuse(ruled by fear) from the powers that be just like so many of the students were. Good for you for listening to your son and being willing to read the truth here. Good luck.
Dawn(there from 1969-1985). Now that was a long "tour of duty".  |
q12hrs
New member
Username: q12hrs
Post Number: 3
Registered: 9-2007
Posted From: 70.48.55.53
| | Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 11:30 am: |
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No offense meant by "snotty". To me it just shows how skewed people's perceptions can be.
When I first started reading these posts I believed that the abuse only ended when the school closed. My son assured me that he had not been subjected to anything nor had he heard of anyone else. Then the posts became quite clear that the abuse did end by 1997. Through my work life I have found that one person can cause an environment to become toxic. His legacy of horror has had an indirect affect on my son. I do believe that the school's methods had changed with the infusion of new blood.circa 1999. Unfortunately the media does not dwell on this angle, but why should it? I'm being quite egocentric in these matters. My son will probably be questioned as to his experiences with the "light" sessions and his sexual relationships with teachers. I know that the abuse was predominately emotional(the worst kind in my books)but the general public gets far more excited about anything sexual. I find it interesting that the R. & T. investigation 20 years ago coincided with the Prescott sexual abuse - Project Jericho. That abuse had been hinted at 5 years previously, but came from less credible sources that the CAS. When I read about the prior CAS involvement with GCC it reinforced my belief that their jurisdiction should not end at 16. I lay most of the blame on the Anglican Church. They had the power to do something. Anyone can contact the OPP for suspected criminal behaviour. Parents could have done so as well. But it seems some were unaware or frankly did not care. A lot was learned from Project Jericho. i.e how to interview properly, who not to talk to etc. In hindsight I wish the abuse had been exposed soon after that. People might have been more willing to believe and act upon it. I realize I am taking up a lot of space with stuff that does not matter to most. I'm still angry that because this abuse took place GCC's reputation will forever be tarnished (stole that from another post) My son's transcripts for University or College will not be worth the paper they're written on. I firmly believe that he received an excellent education! My heart goes out to his teachers(those not involved in any of the abuses) that now will have their reputations tarnished as well. I am attending the closing ceremonies with my son. He will never have a proper graduation now. I believe he will regret not going. He never was full of school spirit. While he enjoyed his time with teachers and friends he was not fond of the school as an entity. Due for the most part because he is a stanch atheist (there is no god) He never received any flack for this. Sorry for being so verbose but thanks for letting me vent. Good luck to everyone. It is never too late to help a victim/survivor. |
quietgrl
Junior Member
Username: quietgrl
Post Number: 31
Registered: 8-2007
Posted From: 24.226.102.190
| | Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 12:53 pm: |
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I took no offense ... no worries...
As a local person... I am very grateful that you are taking the position of an open mind to the abuse... It is wonderful to know that people are hearing us... and trying to understand... (though I don't think we all understand it... hard to do..)
I have always told anyone who would listen to me ... all that I knew and witnessed. Since the story broke...I have had some people say to me " Wow! Everything that you told us is true." ( Very insulting comment... implies that I was fabricating .... I don't think they mean it like that... I just think... it is hard for local people to believe... take in ... absorb. Thank you for trying... |