Herlufsholm Boarding & Day School - Incidents and Reactions of the Royal Family

[Mbruno]

To me the statement reads that as parents they are totally fine sending their children to this boarding school (even though it has systemic bullying issues), however, their position as crown prince couple makes them think twice as it might damage their credibilty.

Not a very encouraging starting point imho.

What I get from the statement is what I already assumed, i.e. that Christian is very happy at Herlufsholm and excited to go there. Honestly, why wouldn't he feel like that? As a male who can relate to those experiences, I am pretty sure that Herlufsholm must be very fun for a 16-year-old boy with Christian's profile (usually kids like him are not the ones at the receiving end of bullying incidents).

But, although they don't want to upset their kids (both Christian and now apparently Isabella), F&M, as you said, are also worried, as the CP couple, about the public implications of keeping them at Herlufsholm. In the end, it will all depend on Herlufsholm being able to reform or, at least, looking like it is doing something concrete to change its culture and end the type of incidents that have been uncovered. My impression is that F&M will push it to the limit and will take action only if their position becomes untenable.

 

[kalnel]

From a PR perspective, their statement was odd. It doesn't really accomplish anything, so it's hard to understand why they bothered issuing it at this time.

They ought to come out and say either: "We're satisfied with the steps the school is taking, and our kids will be attending" or "We're not comfortable with the developments at the school, so we've pulled the kids to keep them out of a bad situation."

Dragging it out just stokes the controversy.

 

[Archduchess Zelia]

Eh, I don't think I said that.

I merely said it's not my impression that people talk much about it in the circles I frequent - and they are pretty wide and diverse.
Nor do I deny it's something people talk a lot about in your circles.
So again, I'm not sure it's that big a deal for the average Dane - nationwide, to be even more specific.

But you sort of do imply that my circles aren't as representative for "the average Dane" as yours

However my circles are quite diverse (and spans outside the capital – it's not just kjøbenhavneri on my part ). Which just goes to show that although it's impossible to make any firm conclusions, it certainly isn't true that it hasn't been a topic of conversation.

But I agree. It doesn't say much else that what's already been said. I half-expect a confirmation of the kids' continued attendance over the summer holiday in hopes of dodging any more questioning by the press.

From a PR perspective, their statement was odd. It doesn't really accomplish anything, so it's hard to understand why they bothered issuing it at this time.

They ought to come out and say either: "We're satisfied with the steps the school is taking, and our kids will be attending" or "We're not comfortable with the developments at the school, so we've pulled the kids to keep them out of a bad situation."

Dragging it out just stokes the controversy.

This statement was a response to the reaction to the DRF's head of communications' recent comment that "as things stand" there are no change in the plans for Christian and Isabella's schooling. That prompted a pretty scathing (and frankly, very poorly handled) response to an engagement Mary had in connection with one of her foundation's social well-being projects. The press reaction was predictable, but I think the DRF was taken aback by the response of the students she was visiting. Hence this statement.

 

[polyesco]

During their visit to the Netherlands, an interview with Frederik and Mary.
https://www.billedbladet.dk/kongeli...ter-kronprinsparret-flere-ord-paa-herlufsholm

- It is clear that it has affected them, and we have talked to them about it and asked about it. Especially our son, who goes there and has been to the exam and held on while this case has been running, thrives really well there. There have been unpleasant episodes, but we also have a sea of ​​students who have had good experiences, said Crown Prince Frederik.

- It is important that we as parents show our children that you have to see a challenge from all sides. That yes, there is one side of the story that is awful and to which we must take the sharpest distance, but it is a whole story that needs to be illuminated and it is an important learning for children that one should not just take a decision on one basis, no matter how powerful and shocking it is. We need to have the whole picture with us so that we and our children can make the right decision. The Crown Princess

In the middle of a very busy two day visit in the Netherlands, nice that they answer questions. It is clear that they are engaged parents.

 

[Izzie]

During their visit to the Netherlands, an interview with Frederik and Mary.
https://www.billedbladet.dk/kongeli...ter-kronprinsparret-flere-ord-paa-herlufsholm

- It is clear that it has affected them, and we have talked to them about it and asked about it. Especially our son, who goes there and has been to the exam and held on while this case has been running, thrives really well there. There have been unpleasant episodes, but we also have a sea of ​​students who have had good experiences, said Crown Prince Frederik.

- It is important that we as parents show our children that you have to see a challenge from all sides. That yes, there is one side of the story that is awful and to which we must take the sharpest distance, but it is a whole story that needs to be illuminated and it is an important learning for children that one should not just take a decision on one basis, no matter how powerful and shocking it is. We need to have the whole picture with us so that we and our children can make the right decision. The Crown Princess

In the middle of a very busy two day visit in the Netherlands, nice that they answer questions. It is clear that they are engaged parents.

Thanks for posting this! What I see are two parents that are taking this very very seriously. They are not just dismissing the situation because Christian has had a good experience there. They are not burying their heads in the sand either (contrary to some opinions). In fact, they are teaching their kids to always look at all sides of a situation...to be informed, ask questions, express their feelings/thoughts about it and to always have all the information that is possible to have in order to make informed decisions. If anything, they are teaching/showing the kids NOT to be reactionary to a situation, but to be discerning, informed, rational and disciplined. Like I keep saying, I can guarantee that they have way more information than all the Monday morning commentators, analysts, and regular people with a maybe biased opinion (whichever direction that opinion points).

And yes, always nice that they take the time to answer the tough questions even though they are on an important business trip and that should be the focus for the next couple of days by everyone to promote Danish interests/companies...but it is what it is....for the media it is "if it bleeds, it leads" and always looking for the clickbait headline.

 

[Muhler]

You beat me to it, Polyesco

Here with video from DR1:

https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/seneste/k...ret-uheldige-episoder-men-vi-har-ogsaa-et-hav

Pretty much every news-outlet in DK has an article about this today. Rather than covering an otherwise important visit to the Netherlands.

- Okay, IMO it's the best reply so far from M&F. Still a bit clumsy though. My guess is that they expected that their recent statement sufficed.
Frederik IMO came on top today, because he explained it from the perspective of a parent. While Mary's reply was more, shall we say, diplomatic.

Because being a parent myself, I feel I can relate to M&F.
It's a thing I have often pointed out here on TRF: Royals are humans. Which is something many tend to forget. And sometimes the royals (here M&F) act like humans.
I think most of us who are parents will go to considerable lengths to accommodate the wishes of our children, certainly in regards to their education but especially also their well being.
I also think most of us who are parents will instinctively go into defensive mode if we feel our children are suffering or is expected to suffer from mistakes others or we have made. The gut-reaction being a: None of your business! Now, buck off!!
While I believe M&F could and should have handled this better, I also find it very difficult to blame them.

Christian is thriving at Herlufsholm, that is obvious. He is among friends and presumably in what he feels is a safe environment.
Isabella is looking forward to going there - also with friends.
- Is it any wonder M&F are reluctant to pull their children out, just because some more or less demands it?
If Christians and Isabella were my children, you'd bet I'd be in a protective mode!

Apart from that, the whole point of the anti-bullying is to eradicate bullying, to the extent that is at all possible. Here is a chance for Herlufshom to show that it is possible to change the environment at a school, that has a poor track record and which is steeped in old traditions, some of which IMO are archaic and unsuited for a modern school. The motivation to do so being Christian and Isabella.
After all there is little point in introducing anti-bullying tools in a school with very little bullying. The focus should be where there are problems.

If I were to have advised M&F today, I would have said: Make it as simple as possible.
Knocked on the table: This is about turning Herlufsholm around. (Bam!)
And we expect Herlufsholm to do the utmost for that to happen. (Bam!)
If that does not happen, then and only then, will we pull our children out. The well being of our children being a priority for us as parents.

That's a simple message I think most, especially parents, can understand. Whether they agree is another matter, but they can understand it.

Does that mean that this will be the end of it?
No, of course not. Being cynical: The story of of M&F pulling Christian and Isabella out is a better seller, than the story of Herlufsholm quietly becoming a better school.

Finally. I always try and see if there is something positive in a given situation.
There is in this one:
It has taught M&F not to become complacent and think they can walk on the water. That's always a good thing.
And if it means they will get a more professional attitude in regards to the public and in general communication, that's good too.

Each time there is some sort of controversy in the DRF (blown up or otherwise...) there are always some who sound the doomsday trumpets:
Oh, it's end of the monarchy!
It's the worst crisis ever!
Now, all Mary's work will be undone!
- That's a load of bull dust!
Other royal houses will look at this "controversy" with envy.
And QMII has made many communications or PR mistakes over the years, yet she is still here. Probably as popular as she has ever been.

From a PR perspective, their statement was odd. It doesn't really accomplish anything, so it's hard to understand why they bothered issuing it at this time.

They ought to come out and say either: "We're satisfied with the steps the school is taking, and our kids will be attending" or "We're not comfortable with the developments at the school, so we've pulled the kids to keep them out of a bad situation."

Dragging it out just stokes the controversy.

Totally agree. Keep it simple stupid. KISS.

 

[Izzie]

You beat me to it, Polyesco

Here with video from DR1:

https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/seneste/k...ret-uheldige-episoder-men-vi-har-ogsaa-et-hav

Pretty much every news-outlet in DK has an article about this today. Rather than covering an otherwise important visit to the Netherlands.

- Okay, IMO it's the best reply so far from M&F. Still a bit clumsy though. My guess is that they expected that their recent statement sufficed.
Frederik IMO came on top today, because he explained it from the perspective of a parent. While Mary's reply was more, shall we say, diplomatic.

Because being a parent myself, I feel I can relate to M&F.
It's a thing I have often pointed out here on TRF: Royals are humans. Which is something many tend to forget. And sometimes the royals (here M&F) act like humans.
I think most of us who are parents will go to considerable lengths to accommodate the wishes of our children, certainly in regards to their education but especially also their well being.
I also think most of us who are parents will instinctively go into defensive mode if we feel our children are suffering or is expected to suffer from mistakes others or we have made. The gut-reaction being a: None of your business! Now, buck off!!
While I believe M&F could and should have handled this better, I also find it very difficult to blame them.

Christian is thriving at Herlufsholm, that is obvious. He is among friends and presumably in what he feels is a safe environment.
Isabella is looking forward to going there - also with friends.
- Is it any wonder M&F are reluctant to pull their children out, just because some more or less demands it?
If Christians and Isabella were my children, you'd bet I'd be in a protective mode!

Apart from that, the whole point of the anti-bullying is to eradicate bullying, to the extent that is at all possible. Here is a chance for Herlufshom to show that it is possible to change the environment at a school, that has a poor track record and which is steeped in old traditions, some of which IMO are archaic and unsuited for a modern school. The motivation to do so being Christian and Isabella.
After all there is little point in introducing anti-bullying tools in a school with very little bullying. The focus should be where there are problems.

If I were to have advised M&F today, I would have said: Make it as simple as possible.
Knocked on the table: This is about turning Herlufsholm around. (Bam!)
And we expect Herlufsholm to do the utmost for that to happen. (Bam!)
If that does not happen, then and only then, will we pull our children out. The well being of our children being a priority for us as parents.

That's a simple message I think most, especially parents, can understand. Whether they agree is another matter, but they can understand it.

Does that mean that this will be the end of it?
No, of course not. Being cynical: The story of of M&F pulling Christian and Isabella out is a better seller, than the story of Herlufsholm quietly becoming a better school.

Finally. I always try and see if there is something positive in a given situation.
There is in this one:
It has taught M&F not to become complacent and think they can walk on the water. That's always a good thing.
And if it means they will get a more professional attitude in regards to the public and in general communication, that's good too.

Each time there is some sort of controversy in the DRF (blown up or otherwise...) there are always some who sound the doomsday trumpets:
Oh, it's end of the monarchy!
It's the worst crisis ever!
Now, all Mary's work will be undone!
- That's a load of bull dust!
Other royal houses will look at this "controversy" with envy.
And QMII has made many communications or PR mistakes over the years, yet she is still here. Probably as popular as she has ever been.

Maybe this situation will also give M&F the opportunity to see where they can improve their communications and PR aspect of their image/brand. IMO that area is lacking in having someone that knows how to handle these types of situations (this is NOT the first and certainly will NOT be the last). So, IMO they would be prudent to take this as a teaching moment in regards to how they handle crisis management and the associated media communications and determine if that is a niche in their own team that is in need of some updating and revisions as to personnel. This can serve as a good wake up call for them as they continue to take over more and more.

Maybe this situation should have been addressed from the beginning from the POV of them as parents. Like you said, that is something a large majority of people can relate to and can empathize with. What parents has not had to wrestle with trying to make the right decisions for their children and figuring out how to give them the best they can. I think they got a slow start with their statements and are now making up a little ground. I don't think it is too late to correct course and find a silver lining to this situation.

Muhler - speaking for myself - I just want to thank you for always providing such objective and unbiased information about what is, in this case, a sensitive situation. You opinion and POV is always centered around giving a clear view of the facts (with some analysis clearly stating that it is your POV). Plus, you never present anything as one extreme or the other...it is always balanced and helps the rest of us to understand what is going on! There are no rose-colored glasses NOR "OMG, the sky is falling...M&F have ruined Denmark forever and will be working at Legoland once the Monarchy is abolished due to their terrible parenting"!! So, I just wanted to extend my gratitude for your tireless work in providing us on the TRF with your posts! Tusind Tak -

 

[Muhler]

There is of course one more thing to take into consideration, not the most important I think, but it's there: Janteloven = The Law of Jante = Thou shall not think you are above everybody else.
Equivalent to the tall-poppy syndrome in Australia.

Because quite a number of teenage royals these years are attending or will attend elite boarding school. And I should be very surprised if at least some of these school haven't had unfortunate cases of bullying and abuse, perhaps even systematic.
Yet, that doesn't seem to be a problem AFAIK in these monarchies.

But In DK we basically only have one elitist boarding school, Herlufsholm.

So while M&F send their children to a public school (albeit a top-school, in a affluent neighborhood, with resourceful parents) everything is cool.
But Herlufsholm, a posh school. That's where the Law of Jante starts to kick in somewhere in the background.
That's one of the disadvantages of being a tribe.

The DRF is expected be special and above the rest of us, that's pretty much the whole idea of a monarchy. But at the same time, they (and their children) are also supposed to be as ordinary as possible. A hopeless compromise.

-------

What will be interesting to see is: What will they do in regards to Vincent and Josephine? And how will it be interpreted?

Vincent and Josephine may not even wish to go to Herlufsholm (A gut feeling says Vincent won't be that interested) and if they don't will that be interpreted as Herlufshom getting the thumbs down? Regardless of what explanation M&F provides.
Will M&F decide: We are not going through that one again, with our youngest! And not send them to Herlufsholm.

- So the drama is far from over!

 

[kalnel]

It must be frustrating for M&F when so many people in Denmark and strangers around the world have opinions on where they should send their kids to school. Apart from info in press releases and gossip magazines and observations during public appearances, we really know nothing about the kids, their needs, and their preferences.

We also have no idea how or if the scandal at the school has affected them. Although the stories sound horrible, the problems may be confined to a few students. For Christian and many other students, this may have been little more than a rumor that never touched their day-to-day lives as students directly.

 

[victor1319]

We also have no idea how or if the scandal at the school has affected them. Although the stories sound horrible, the problems may be confined to a few students. For Christian and many other students, this may have been little more than a rumor that never touched their day-to-day lives as students directly.

Yep, good observation!

But there is a lesson for the kids too: Everything in their lifes and everything in it's surroundings will be highly political! There will be no "Oh, I did not recognize this..." in the future.

 

[kalnel]

Yep, good observation!

But there is a lesson for the kids too: Everything in their lifes and everything in it's surroundings will be highly political! There will be no "Oh, I did not recognize this..." in the future.

Good point! Talk about learning the hard way...

 

[Chronojourner]

Definitely Agree

You beat me to it, Polyesco

Here with video from DR1:

https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/seneste/k...ret-uheldige-episoder-men-vi-har-ogsaa-et-hav

Pretty much every news-outlet in DK has an article about this today. Rather than covering an otherwise important visit to the Netherlands.

- Okay, IMO it's the best reply so far from M&F. Still a bit clumsy though. My guess is that they expected that their recent statement sufficed.
Frederik IMO came on top today, because he explained it from the perspective of a parent. While Mary's reply was more, shall we say, diplomatic.

Because being a parent myself, I feel I can relate to M&F.
It's a thing I have often pointed out here on TRF: Royals are humans. Which is something many tend to forget. And sometimes the royals (here M&F) act like humans.
I think most of us who are parents will go to considerable lengths to accommodate the wishes of our children, certainly in regards to their education but especially also their well being.
I also think most of us who are parents will instinctively go into defensive mode if we feel our children are suffering or is expected to suffer from mistakes others or we have made. The gut-reaction being a: None of your business! Now, buck off!!
While I believe M&F could and should have handled this better, I also find it very difficult to blame them.

Christian is thriving at Herlufsholm, that is obvious. He is among friends and presumably in what he feels is a safe environment.
Isabella is looking forward to going there - also with friends.
- Is it any wonder M&F are reluctant to pull their children out, just because some more or less demands it?
If Christians and Isabella were my children, you'd bet I'd be in a protective mode!

Apart from that, the whole point of the anti-bullying is to eradicate bullying, to the extent that is at all possible. Here is a chance for Herlufshom to show that it is possible to change the environment at a school, that has a poor track record and which is steeped in old traditions, some of which IMO are archaic and unsuited for a modern school. The motivation to do so being Christian and Isabella.
After all there is little point in introducing anti-bullying tools in a school with very little bullying. The focus should be where there are problems.

If I were to have advised M&F today, I would have said: Make it as simple as possible.
Knocked on the table: This is about turning Herlufsholm around. (Bam!)
And we expect Herlufsholm to do the utmost for that to happen. (Bam!)
If that does not happen, then and only then, will we pull our children out. The well being of our children being a priority for us as parents.

That's a simple message I think most, especially parents, can understand. Whether they agree is another matter, but they can understand it.

Does that mean that this will be the end of it?
No, of course not. Being cynical: The story of of M&F pulling Christian and Isabella out is a better seller, than the story of Herlufsholm quietly becoming a better school.

Finally. I always try and see if there is something positive in a given situation.
There is in this one:
It has taught M&F not to become complacent and think they can walk on the water. That's always a good thing.
And if it means they will get a more professional attitude in regards to the public and in general communication, that's good too.

Each time there is some sort of controversy in the DRF (blown up or otherwise...) there are always some who sound the doomsday trumpets:
Oh, it's end of the monarchy!
It's the worst crisis ever!
Now, all Mary's work will be undone!
- That's a load of bull dust!
Other royal houses will look at this "controversy" with envy.
And QMII has made many communications or PR mistakes over the years, yet she is still here. Probably as popular as she has ever been.

Hi Muhler, I absolutely agree with you. The crown prince said that Christian is thriving at Herlufsholm and that Isabella is very much looking forward to going. If I had a son who was happy and doing so well at a school, I would think long and hard before moving him.

People often rush to punish those they perceive as responsible for such situations, regardless of whether or not they are actually guilty. They also try to solve these situations without fully understanding them and without much effort at consideration and discernment. The results of such overly quick action are not often pretty. In such situations, I always try to remember the emperor Augustus' favorite saying, "Festina lente," (Make haste, slowly). IMO, people need to recognize that solving complex issues, like systemic bullying, takes time and effort. For the sake of Christian and the many other children who are not involved in such activities, but who are happy and getting a good education there, we need to give the school time to fix the issues, while simultaneously demanding that those issues really be fixed, if the school administration wants the school to survive.

Thanks for providing the information, translations and perspectives that you do. It's very helpful to those of us who are trying to understand the what's going on.

 

[Muhler]

An agency under the Ministry of Education has published a preliminary investigation of Herlufsholm:
https://jyllands-posten.dk/indland/ECE14188302/styrelse-kritiserer-herlufsholms-bestyrelse/

It's pretty critical! Not least of the board at the school.

Its findings are:
The school has not lived up to its responsibility in regards to the well being of the students at Herlufsholm.
It is emphasized that the school, being a boarding school, has extra obligations ensuring the well being of the students there. (Since they are there 24/7 and thus can't get away.)
The school has not enforced the rules regarding how the students are to treat each other.
The school has not adhered to the obligations of reporting to the Ministry of Education. (About these issues in particular.)
It's up to the board to ensure that all this is being carried out, so the agency express serious criticism of the board.
The agency finds that there have been serious breaches of the legislation.
The agency finds that many transgressions have taken place prior to the agency starting it's investigation in December 2021.
(The Ministry of Education began sniffing around at Herlufholm long before the documentary.)

The agency recommends:
That the school abolishes all privileges for the oldest class. (Which is one of the reasons for the institutionalized bullying that has taken place over the centuries.)
That the school abolishes the system of prefects.
That the school ensures that students are not subjected to bullying during the night. (The school has done that, by permitting the students to sleep in their own rooms at night.)
The school is obliged to formulate a course of action to address the problem of bullying, violence and harassment that has taken place.
All individual cases most be addressed openly with immediate involvement of the relevant authorities (like the Ministry of Education)as well as parents - including the police.
The school must enforce the regulations at the school openly and uniformly. (So no exceptions or bending of the rules.)

- It's a pretty bad report!

I expect the board will immediately declare that they intend and will carry out the recommendations to the letter.
I also find it difficult to see that the chairman of the board can survive at the start of the new school year in early August.

It will certainly not ease the pressure on M&F!

The school and the board can simply not afford not to do their utmost to implement these recommendations (which they have indeed already begun to do) preferably an hour ago.
I also expect to see a number of new faces on the board by August.
Otherwise the pressure on M&F will be too hard for M&F to keep giving the school a chance to turn this around.

Time is running out for Herlufsholm. The summer school holidays started this weekend, the school now has six weeks left.

Breaking:

The board at Herlufsholm has just resigned:
https://www.bt.dk/royale/herlufshol...-sig-de-maa-sidde-paa-amalienborg-og-klappe-i

https://www.bt.dk/samfund/bestyrelsen-for-herlufsholm-skole-traeder-tilbage

A new board will now be appointed during the summer holidays.

 

[Izzie]

Thanks Muhler! Wow! I am not shocked the board resigned. It was really a matter of time. And based on the report there is no way any of those people could stay on.

Muhler, do you think that all the changes will cause some of the parents to pull their kids that have not had any issues at the school? As in protest for changes they may not deem needed or too harsh? And I don't think it can be denied that these parents with this line of thinking exist.

I will keep my other thoughts to myself.

 

[Muhler]

Thanks Muhler! Wow! I am not shocked the board resigned. It was really a matter of time. And based on the report there is no way any of those people could stay on.

Muhler, do you think that all the changes will cause some of the parents to pull their kids that have not had any issues at the school? As in protest for changes they may not deem needed or too harsh? And I don't think it can be denied that these parents with this line of thinking exist.

I will keep my other thoughts to myself.

A few probably.

But who is gong to miss them?
They represent a line of thinking that has gone extinct - at least in regards to schools in Denmark.
And may they never return.

 

[Chronojourner]

An agency under the Ministry of Education has published a preliminary investigation of Herlufsholm:
https://jyllands-posten.dk/indland/ECE14188302/styrelse-kritiserer-herlufsholms-bestyrelse/

It's pretty critical! Not least of the board at the school.

Its findings are:
The school has not lived up to its responsibility in regards to the well being of the students at Herlufsholm.
It is emphasized that the school, being a boarding school, has extra obligations ensuring the well being of the students there. (Since they are there 24/7 and thus can't get away.)
The school has not enforced the rules regarding how the students are to treat each other.
The school has not adhered to the obligations of reporting to the Ministry of Education. (About these issues in particular.)
It's up to the board to ensure that all this is being carried out, so the agency express serious criticism of the board.
The agency finds that there have been serious breaches of the legislation.
The agency finds that many transgressions have taken place prior to the agency starting it's investigation in December 2021.
(The Ministry of Education began sniffing around at Herlufholm long before the documentary.)

The agency recommends:
That the school abolishes all privileges for the oldest class. (Which is one of the reasons for the institutionalized bullying that has taken place over the centuries.)
That the school abolishes the system of prefects.
That the school ensures that students are not subjected to bullying during the night. (The school has done that, by permitting the students to sleep in their own rooms at night.)
The school is obliged to formulate a course of action to address the problem of bullying, violence and harassment that has taken place.
All individual cases most be addressed openly with immediate involvement of the relevant authorities (like the Ministry of Education)as well as parents - including the police.
The school must enforce the regulations at the school openly and uniformly. (So no exceptions or bending of the rules.)

- It's a pretty bad report!

I expect the board will immediately declare that they intend and will carry out the recommendations to the letter.
I also find it difficult to see that the chairman of the board can survive at the start of the new school year in early August.

It will certainly not ease the pressure on M&F!

The school and the board can simply not afford not to do their utmost to implement these recommendations (which they have indeed already begun to do) preferably an hour ago.
I also expect to see a number of new faces on the board by August.
Otherwise the pressure on M&F will be too hard for M&F to keep giving the school a chance to turn this around.

Time is running out for Herlufsholm. The summer school holidays started this weekend, the school now has six weeks left.

The only thing I will disagree with you about here is the part where you say:

"That the school ensures that students are not subjected to bullying during the night. (The school has done that, by permitting the students to sleep in their own rooms at night.)"

I don't think that giving students an option to sleep or not to sleep in a common room is really a solution, as a great deal of social pressure can be brought against the students to conform and sleep in the same room, regardless of what they really want to do. If I were the ministry, I would require the school to rip out all of the existing common sleeping rooms and replace them with individual rooms. If they did that, then along with their existing "hummers", they should be able to accommodate all of their boarding students, and I think that is what the ministry is looking for... to make it as difficult as possible for bullies to do their thing with students.

Muhler, I have seen several references to a department at the school called "skolens kostafdeling". This gets translated as "the school's diet department." At least int he U.S., a diet department would be dedicated exclusively to preparing food for the students and wouldn't have anything to do with rule enforcement beyond food safety rules. What are they actually trying to say here? Are they referring to the department that oversees the boarding students, as in the boarding school department, or what? Thanks for any information you can provide about this.

 

[Somebody]

In Dutch boarding school would be 'kostschool' and in Danish they use a very similar word 'kostskole', so I think you are right in that 'kostafdeling' (afdeling (meaning department - again both in Dutch and Danish) instead of skule - as it is not a full kostskole but a school with both day students and boarding school students) indeed refers to the department that is tasked with the 'boarding' part of the school.

 

[Archduchess Zelia]

The preliminary report can be read in its entirety here.

Interesting bits and pieces:

"It is the agency's preliminary assessment that the case concerns such grave violations of the law, particularly centred around the school's boarding section, that there are grounds to decide to impose the school to repay previously received state grants in their entirety from 8 December 2021 until the conclusion of the case."

National Agency for Education and Quality has had Herlufsholm under supervision since 2017. In March 2022, the school informed the agency of 13 cases of either bullying, violence or sexual abuse over a period of two years and that although they repel these cases, they don't think it is an overwhelming amount. The agency concludes there isn't a coherent overlap between the cases listed by the school and the cases that have been presented in the press (from the documentary's release in May) and there's a probable likeliness that not all cases have been brought to light.

"It is the agency's preliminary assessment that the school shows signs of a conspiracy of silence regarding violent incidents in and around the school. Signs of a such conspiracy the students in between, where some students pressure or threaten each other not to reveal bullying and abuse of other students. This is supported by witness account stating that students are beaten in ways that doesn't make the abuse obvious and where witnesses are told to stay out of the matter – and do it. Signs of a conspiracy of silence in the information of the school's – including the administration and the employees – handling of the cases where students who experience abuse are met with statements such as "that is word against word" and are asked to forgive or reconsider whether to report the incident."

"On these grounds, the agency considers it completely insufficient that the board and the school administration for a long time haven't recognised that they're dealing with a cultural problem but have maintained that this concerns a few individual cases. As such it is the agency's preliminary assessment that the board and the school administration haven't displayed the necessary academic and pedagogical understanding that bullying etc. concerns group dynamics and not (exclusively) the individual chiæd. The board and the school administration does not have a genuine recognition that the school framework (culture, pedagogy, traditions etc.) is of significant importance in preventing bullying and unhappiness. According to the agency, this understanding is a defining condition to confront the challenges."

The headmaster couldn't sanction students without consulting the board first. Goes to show how deeply involved in these cases the board has been.

"(...) it is the agency's preliminary assessment that the board's decisions to initiate [measures against the school's challenges] appear led by the considerable amount of pressure from the public that the documentary brought about. Thus the agency finds it encumbered with great uncertainty whether the school's board would have initiated these measures if the documentary hadn't been show and the public hadn't been as severe. The agency attaches particular importance to the differences in the conclusions the school makes before and after the broadcast respectively. This even though the chairman of the board had seen the documentary before it was broadcast and before the board's report to the agency on 3 May 2022."

– or as Helle Rabøl Hansen, who specialises in bullying research and sits on one of the Mary Foundation's expert panels, calls it: "symptom management". Measures that have been taken due to "outer pressures and not because they have understood the problem".

On the subject of the board resignation, it is perhaps interesting to note that M&F's very close friend Malou Skeel (and mother of a student on the school and member of Jammerbugt's Municipal Council for the liberal party Venstre) is one of the members of the school's board.

 

[Iolanthe]

Thank you, Zelia. The description doesn't give me much hope that the important people at Herlufsholm (board, teacher, parents) really understand the gravity of it all. Or (much worse but more likely) they do understand but don't care, as long as they and their children aren't affected. Because the current system is the system that worked for the important nembers, they see no need to change anything. But at the moment the bad publicity is affecting everyone, so they try to change the bare minimum necessary to soothe the public and be left alone again.

What really startles me is the picture that draws about the DRF. If they stay there, Christian and Isabella will for ever be the ones who not only went but knowingly stayed at an institution only invested in the well being of it's strong, rich and important nembers, while delibaretly ignoring the suffering of the victims of it's system, as long as the public picture isn't affected too negatively.
That is the worst impression a royal family can give. Everyone knows they are rich. But caring for, being invested in and giving attention to the good cause, the not so lucky and possible victims of the same society that makes them who they are is pretty much their job description.

 

[Chronojourner]

Well, I stayed up the whole night (my time) reading the preliminary report (thanks for providing the link, Muhler), and all I can say is "OMFG!!!!!" I am 65 years old and have been in the business world for about 45 years. While Herlufsholm is not the worst case I've seen of an organizational culture run amok, it's certainly close. The picture this report paints is so pervasively bad and the implication of student involvement and of a culture of silence is so extensive that it's hard to imagine that any student didn't know what was happening, at lease to a small extent. If I were M&F, after reading that report, I would sit down and have a long, stern talk with my son, as I don't see how he didn't know at least a little of what was going on. That may not be a popular opinion, but it's a truthful one.

Now, I'm going to sleep for a while and process what I've just finished reading. I'm sure I'll have more to say when I wake up. Thanks!

 

[Muhler]

Allow me to have the opposite view.

M&F pulling their children out may sound as an obvious solution.

It's also the easy way out.

The hard option is to stay and help do their upmost in changing the environment at Herlufsholm and ensuring, by the attendance of their children, that the next board is committed to make drastic reforms - to the end.

 

[Blog Real]

New statement from Frederik and Mary:

As we have previously announced, we are deeply shaken by the reports that have come out about Herlufsholm recently. We have also made it clear that we as parents of a child at school expect the school to do what it takes to rectify the unacceptable conditions.

The information in the recently published preliminary decision from the Danish Agency for Education and Quality directs extremely harsh criticism from a state authority against Herlufsholm and places demands on the school at several levels, not least the management level.

The question of our son Christians and our daughter Isabella's school choice has filled a lot for us, and the unfortunate case has brought many and strong attitudes into play in public. This is completely understandable when it comes to the well-being of children and young people. At the same time, it has been important for us to stand by our basic idea that major decisions must be made on an informed basis. We now have that basis.

It has been a difficult process for us as a family, but based on the overall picture and our special position as Crown Prince Couple, we have chosen that Prince Christian stops at Herlufsholm, and that Princess Isabella does not start in 9th grade at school after the summer holidays. During the summer, we will make a decision with our children about their future school choices. Given the many students who continue at Herlufsholm, it is our hope that the school now has more peace to ensure the necessary changes and succeed in creating a culture where everyone can thrive and feel safe.
The Crown Prince Couple

https://www.kongehuset.dk/nyheder/udmelding-fra-kronprinsparret-den-26-juni-2022

 

[Prinsara]

In the long run, it's probably best. There are other good schools, and perhaps Herlufsholm will reform even faster after losing Christian and Isabella never setting foot there. It'll be interesting to see if either of them goes abroad now... but probably not as that would (unintentionally) signal a lack of confidence in the whole Danish educational system on their parents' part.

 

[suztav]

Frankly, I do think this is the only thing that F&M could have done in the short-term. Perhaps Vincent and Josephine may attend ... if, by the time they go, the culture has undergone a very necessary change. JMHO

 

[Somebody]

It sounds like the right decision to me. If things are SO bad, it is almost impossible that any student attending at least is aware of some of it. By not only keeping Christian in the school (that's one thing) but even sending Isabella there while all these issues are going on, their previous commitment did suggest that personally they didn't think it was that serious.

It's a bit like the school board: as long as it is not public knowledge, there isn't much reason to change and we rather consider this as 'individual cases' instead of a systemic and cultural issue. Only after a public out cry, they figured they needed to take some 'token' measures. And the CP couple went along with it at that point. Now all the evidence is out in the open (or more precisely, not yet all, as the committee that looked into it states that they think there is more that was kept hidden), they have no choice but for the school board to resign and for the CP couple to finally accept that this is NOT the place where you want your children to be raised/formed.

The final sentence is also interesting:

Given the many students who continue at Herlufsholm, it is our hope that the school now has more peace to ensure the necessary changes and succeed in creating a culture where everyone can thrive and feel safe.

What do they mean by this? Do they think that by Christian leaving and Isabella not starting the school will be less in the press/less pressured? And therefore, it will be easier to implement necessary changes that would be harder if C and I were attending?

 

[Muhler]

Fair enough. Their children, their decision.

I do feel sorry for Christian and Isabella though.

But considering the scathing report, perhaps some of their friends will follow them to another high school as well.
My guess is that Christian will attend the high school next to Tranegaards School, they went to. (Can't remember the name.) And Isabella may finish her ninth grade at the school.
She will have plenty of time finding a continuation school, where she can board, for a year, before attending high school.

Let's go through the DK school system:
0-2 years - Nursery.
3-5 (often 6 or even 7 years of age) - Kindergarten.
5-15 - zero to ninth grade.
16 or so - Continuation school for a year or high school for three years or a technical high school, also three years.
19 or so a gap year or conscription or going straight to the university or another higher education. Or attending a trade school for about 4 years.
24-25 or so. A bachelor or a trade brief, say as a carpenter.

 

[Somebody]

So, Christian has 2 more years of high school left (just did 1st year of high school?) and Isabella has one year left in 9th grade (which makes you wonder why she was going to switch to Herlufsholm right before her final year in the first place...) before she can enter high school?

And why would people do a 'continuation school' in between finishing their prolonged primary education and starting high school? IIRC princess Ingrid-Alexandra also did such an optional 10th year.

 

[Annine]

IIRC princess Ingrid-Alexandra also did such an optional 10th year.

No, in Norway you start school the year you turn 6 and then go for 7 years , then you go 3 years at highschool (these 10 years are obligatory for all) and 3 years at videregående, she changed school the last year at highschool because the Oslo international school which she was attending follow another system, but she has nort done an extra year.

Im actually supprised it ended like it did with Herlufsholm, I though they would stay… But it seems the last repport was to much. To me they seemed genuinly supprised and unprepared for the criticism. Maybe it would be time to change the communications team a litle, move with times. I dont think you get really sharp communications wise staying very long at the palace, to protected

 

[Kataryn]

So, Christian has 2 more years of high school left (just did 1st year of high school?) and Isabella has one year left in 9th grade (which makes you wonder why she was going to switch to Herlufsholm right before her final year in the first place...) before she can enter high school?

And why would people do a 'continuation school' in between finishing their prolonged primary education and starting high school? IIRC princess Ingrid-Alexandra also did such an optional 10th year.

Here in Germany we had a similar system to Danmark but have now changed the need to go to a continuation school for one year before you could start "Gymnasium" (called High School here) when you only went to a primary school lasting 9 years (that one is much easier than the "higher" primary schools Realschule or Gymnasium.) But now we have mostly 5-10th grade primary schools on the more or less easy or a bit more advanced level (you only need to attend 9 years of school here, but doing 10 years on a Realschule prepares you better for a good apprenticeship and gymnasium was meant to train you for attending university which it does nowadays but didn't at my time. We were so helpless in the first semester at uni...


Going to a boarding school has different reasons. My nephew eg. went to a "Gesamtschule" where you had to pass on the minimum level till 9th grade, but could pass your lessons on the "Realschule" or "Gymnasium"-level as well. He passed with a "Gymnasium"-level exam and is now in a boarding school close to his home because it offers training sessions for his sport, American football and he got a stipend to attend from his club, which is one of the most successful German American Football-clubs.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

In all seriousness, I don’t think Christian, Isabella and their parents was left with any other real choice.... The seriousness in the report can’t be ”talked around”.... And does the school really show enough signs of awareness of the gravity of the situation ??? In my ears it doesn’t sound like that...

Sounds a lot like the problems at the similar schools ”Lundsberg” and ”Sigtuna Humanistiska Läroverket” here in Sweden...

Having C staying and I starting there and hoping to put pressure on the school that way, could have backfired heavily at the entire DRF if more is to come...
Even if that likely is what the children would have preferred, the DRF would have come under serious fire immediately as soon as the media would have digged up something new - or futher scandals would have been uncovered...

The wording of the press statement makes it sound like Dad and Mom is dragging their protesting children away on straight order from Grandmom.... I really don’t think that’s the case...
Christian and Isabella are fully aware that they belongs to Denmarks First Family, and knows that everything they will do and every decision they will make, will be heavily scrutinized, and possibly critisized and turned against them, even if it’s not their own fault at all... In the era of social media and smartphones, nothing can be kept secret... Especially not for a Prince and Princess...

I just hope that Herlufsholm now really takes the chance to rebuild itself and don’t see this as a way to escape the media-attention and continue as if nothing has happened...
It’s not the responsibility of the Royal
Family to save boarding schools, but i hope this should be a wake up call for everyone who wish to send their children to boarding schools, that violence, harassment and rape is not okay, just because the boys did that when their fathers and grandfathers were young....