Contents Chairman’S Message P2
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Laurel Leaves THE EDGBASTON HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE Contents Chairman’s Message P2 Reunions P4 An Interview with Claire P6 Destination of Leavers P8 Olympic Dreams Come True P10 Old Girls’ News P12 Kathleen Elliott Award P14 Welcome New Members P15 Eton Choral Course P16 Summer Supper P18 Margaret and her Refugee P22 Sally Bruce-Payne, speaker at the Summer Supper 2016 www.edgbastonhigh.co.uk 2017 treat for me as Sally and I were at school I hope the 2017 afternoon will bring as Chairman’s in the same year but hadn’t seen each much pleasure and happy reminiscing. other since those days. Before the evening Forthcoming Events Message events began, we had a really wonderful The Old Girls’ Association Initiative afternoon catching up and taking a stroll Award is a valuable way in which we can in 2017 around the school, enjoying both the give something back to current pupils. original parts as well as marvelling at all This year, Bethany Lucas, the current Our calendar is already filling up for 2017; we do hope to see you at one of the the fantastic changes that have occurred Head Girl, was a truly deserving recipient. OGA events taking place in 2017: since ‘our day’. If you have yet to join us The committee was delighted to be able at one of these suppers, I would urge you to offer her financial support to attend a OGA Open House to come along - they’re always great fun, highly prestigious choral course at Eton Saturday 4 March 2017 past pupils and staff sharing anecdotes over College. Following her participation, A great opportunity for a walk down memory lane, this is a chance to meet up with fellow a drink and a delicious meal - bubbly and Bethany attended one of our meetings to Old Girls! Bring family and friends to see your old haunts and feel free to wander the Last year’s Open House was a great success chocolate concrete, how can you refuse? talk to us about her experience; we, as a corridors and explore the newest part of School in Prep, the recently opened extension of committee, were truly humbled to see what which includes a brand new Library and spacious Art Room. Doors open at 2.00pm and The EHS Prep Department has seen a profound impact the week had had on refreshments will be served in true EHS style - with plenty of cake! Edgbaston High School significant changes over the past year and her and feel honoured that we were able to after great anticipation, the completed play a role in helping her to make the most Summer Supper 2017 Old Girls’ Association extension was opened in November. The of this opportunity. June/July - date to be confirmed Committee 2016-17 new façade, expanded Library, impressive As ever, the OGA will be celebrating the summertime with a get-together over fine food Art room and refurbished Staffroom have I hope you enjoy reading this edition and and drink. Be sure to look out for our e-newsletter, Old Girls Reunited, throughout the President all enhanced the teaching and learning recognise some familiar faces amongst year for confirmation of the date, details of this year’s Guest Speaker and a booking form Dr Ruth Weeks Welcome to Laurel Leaves. environment for pupils, staff and visitors. the pages. Laurel Leaves thrives on your to get your tickets. The Summer Supper, which follows the AGM each year, is a favourite stories, so keep sending in your news and for many Old Girls and we do hope you will join us for another enjoyable evening. We are delighted to bring you another We would love to share these exciting photographs for future issues. It never Vice-Presidents packed edition, chronicling the events Mrs S. J. Horsman (1987-1997) developments with you and invite Old ceases to amaze me how varied and Details, updates and reminders of all the OGA’s events will be available via our of 2016. Thanks to everyone who has Miss E. M. Mullenger (1998-2006) Girls and their families to our second inspirational the lives of EHS Old Girls e-newsletter ‘Old Girls Reunited’ and on the OGA Facebook page. For further contributed with articles and photographs, ‘Open House’ event. The school doors seem to be! information or to register your interest in attending an event please contact us on and, as always, to the wonderful team who Chairman will be open on the afternoon of Saturday 0121 454 5831 or by email to [email protected] have put the publication together for us so 4 March, to both the Senior and Prep Wishing you all a happy Anna Stanley (1982-1989) beautifully. Departments. Please come and enjoy and healthy 2017. wandering around the corridors of your Secretary This year brought opera singer Sally youth and join us for refreshments of tea Stay in touch Diane Hirst (1947-1961) Bruce-Payne back to school as our Guest and cake. The first event in 2015 was a huge Anna Stanley Contact Details: If you have recently changed your address or wish to update your of Honour at the Summer Supper in success; it was fantastic to see mini school (née Lefever) records, perhaps you have a new email address or contact telephone number, then Past Staff Representative June, which is reported in greater detail reunions chattering away around school, please do get in contact to let us know. In addition, we are always delighted to hear Stella Pinkess (1946-1960) in a separate article. This was a particular some even clad in the old green uniform. about your news - career development, engagements, marriages and births. If you have any news of special interest that you would like featured in a future issue of Laurel Current Staff Representative Leaves or if you would like to simply update us on what you have been doing, then Lesley Bowler (1969-1980) Message from the Headmistress please do contact us. Sally Hartley Old Girls Reunited: For news and updates on forthcoming events as General Committee well as news of interest from in and around School don’t forget ‘Old Girls Another year has slipped by in the world of aim of enhancing facilities in the Prep Laura Banks (1979-1990) EHS. We say a fond farewell to our Year 13 department: the library, spacious art Reunited’ the termly e-newsletter for EHS Old Girls. Visit the Old Girls’ Anne Howarth (1954-1961) leavers and welcome in our new girls, and and design studio and public spaces are Association section of the school website to sign up for this free email service. Lindsay Lucas (1973-1981) the year moves on again. The wonderful wonderful additions which have already Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps Leyla Ogan (1989-1994) thing is that our leavers never really leave. been put to good use and are enjoyed by Follow us on Facebook: Like, follow and share our Facebook page ‘EHS Priti Bansel (1985-1997) As last year’s leavers said fondly: “We love all. OGA’ for news and updates from the Old Girls’ Association. Share your stories to come back to the EHS bubble” - a lovely and photographs from events or find and keep in touch fellow Old Girls. phrase. The OGA events this year have been well- Legal Advisor supported and it is always a great pleasure with the times but the EHS spirit remains To contact the Old Girls’ Association send an email to oldgirls@ Miss S. Thomas (1961-1972) This year has seen the completion at long to meet with former pupils and staff and unchanged - and long may that be! edgbastonhigh.co.uk, telephone 0121 454 5831 or write to the School by last of the Preparatory School’s extension. reminisce about times gone by and catch post marked ‘OGA’. Laurel Leaves The project has been successful in its up on current news. EHS does move Dr Ruth A Weeks, Headmistress Helen Holmes (1980-1985) Page 2 www.edgbastonhigh.co.uk www.edgbastonhigh.co.uk Laurel Leaves 2017 Page 3 Class of ’66 Reunion Old Girls Reunion of 1989 and 1991 what fun we had! Over the summer, Old Girl Katie definitely holds a very dear place in my After our tour we made our way to the Fitt (née Speer), visiting the UK from heart. next door Botanical Gardens next door for her home in Australia, was joined by refreshments and we continued our catch From the moment the first intrepid Many of us brought memorabilia to share her old school friends for a reunion So here we all were, on this bright Saturday up. It was brilliant to see photos of each arrivals entered the ante-hall, and the tour of the school and the displays at EHS. The girls who attended were afternoon, slowly gathering in front of the other’s families and see where our lives had the hubbub of conversation and in the library all prompted memories we leavers from 1989 and 1991 and many new front door and rather impressive glass taken us. As the afternoon drew to a close, reminiscence began and lasted all day. thought we’d forgotten and others we had been at the School all the way extension of EHS And from the moment we all agreed what a fabulous time we had Who knew that, 50 years on, we would wished we could forget! through from Westbourne through to we all emerged from our cars, the anxiety all had. all be so exquisitely pleased to see old Penny Lynda and Susie Sixth Form! Imogen McCormick (née and nerves evaporated.