The Rochester 2014 Alumni Newsletter*

*previously Old Girls Association

Welcome to the 2014 RGS Alumni Association Newsletter!

We have adopted a new format this year, and are taking advantage of the opportunity to include photos as many of you will be receiving this electronically for the first time. Thank you to the Committee for their hard work in sourcing these details – I know they have had many lovely conversations with ‘old girls’ in the process.

This newsletter includes a lot of important and interesting information and news. Can I encourage you to join us for the Annual Lunch in September to see friends, share memories and learn more about how RGS is faring in 2014? Why not organise a table of friends from your year group? Forms for this, and to become an official member are included at the end of this newsletter and on the Alumni pages of the school Learning Platform (the easiest way to find this is to go to www.rochestergrammar..sch.uk and follow the link at the top right – the Alumni page is part of the Parent and Community portal). As we commemorate the centenary of the start of World War I this July, we include some information about RGS during the War. There are also profiles and news from ‘old girls’ old and new! Please get involved and send us some news for next year!

You can contact us through all the usual channels and Ann (Chairman) and Avril’s (Treasurer and Membership Secretary) details are at the end of the newsletter. In addition, there is now an official email address [email protected], which you can use to get in touch at any time.

Enjoy the newsletter! We look forward to seeing you at the lunch or hearing from you during the coming year.

With every best wish,

The Alumni Association Committee RGS ALUMNI ANNUAL LUNCH The Alumni Association invite you to join us for our AGM, a tour and then lunch on Saturday 13th Sepetember 2014, £23

This annual get together reunites we ‘Old Girls’ and offers chance to reminisce about the old days and MENU celebrate the new. Enjoy a tour of the new school buildings, then Slow Roasted Honey & Spice Scented Ham join us for the AGM to hear about the activities of the Committee and Tomato Mozzarella Salad With Oven Dried Tomato & Basil Dressing current RGS news. Following this will be a delicious lunch, at the end of Mixed Green Leaves which our keynote speaker, Richard Pine Nuts, Flakes Of Parmesan Holdsworth MBE, will share some thoughts with us. If you are unable to Roasted Red Peppers & Shallots join us for the whole day, please feel free to just come to lunch. Green Beans There will also be a raffle and A Light Balsamic Dressing donations of prizes would be appreciated. Hot New Potatoes

Why not get in touch with a few Wild Mushroom Tart With Thyme (W) friends from your year and organise a table for a mini reunion? To attend, Salmon Fillet With A Light Spicy Crust & Cucumber Relish (W) SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY please complete the form on the Timetable for the day: Learning Platform or at the end of this Richard M Holdsworth MBE newsletter and send to Sarah Earle. The Alumni 10.30am Registration, meet Chocolate Truffle Torte Preservation and Education Director Award Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and chat (soft drinks At the lunch we will be asking for a £1 available) donation from each person to finance Raspberry Mousse With A Thick Compote Base Richard studied History at the a money prize to accompany the new 11.00am Tour of the new buildings Following last year’s article University of Leeds before beginning Alumni Trophy. The student recipient Meringues With A Lemon Cream outlining our hopes to found an a career in museum and heritage in 11.45am AGM will be able to purchase a book/music Alumni trophy, we are delighted 1979, firstly as a Research Assistant item and the Trophy will remain at Served With Creme Fraiche 1.00pm Lunch that we are now in a position at Merseyside County Museums, school. to purchase this thanks to and subsequently as a Museum 2.30pm Guest Speaker your generous donations. The Officer at the Imperial War Museum, 4 to 4.30pm Carriages engraving on the trophy will be: . He joined Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust in 1985 as the Trust’s THE ROCHESTER first Curator, becoming Museum GRAMMAR SCHOOL and Heritage Director in February ALUMNI AWARD 2001. As Preservation and Education “SERVICE NOT SELF” Director he is currently responsible for the preservation of The Historic It is proposed that this will be Dockyard’s 80 acre site and its awarded annually to a student 100 historic buildings, structures demonstrating a caring nature, and environment; together with the either in school and/or in the delivery of its ‘education’ objectives community. through museum and visitor attraction activity.

Richard currently chairs the UK Maritime Curators Group and the SE Museum Development Coordination Group. He is also a member of the Maritime Collections Strategy development group and of the Royal Opera House Bridge Advisory Board. In 2009 he was awarded an MBE for services to heritage in . Alumni Activities A collection of stories about past and present students of RGS

Alice Oseman Novel Debut Audrey Bishop (née Harris)

RGS 2013 graduate Alice Oseman The excitement began on New Year’s acquired a two-book deal from Day, when I opened a very ordinary The Rochester Grammar HarperCollins last year, and her debut looking envelope, to find that I had An Honour for Barbara novel, Solitaire, is set to be released been included in the RNLI’s New in only a couple of months. Year’s Honours List. I would be When Her Majesty’s Birthday presented with a Gold Badge by the Honours List was published in 2013, School Alumni Association Solitaire, a contemporary Young Adult Duke of Gloucester at the Barbican in Barbara Letchford, RGS Alumni novel, tells the story of sixth-form May. and former Trustee, was named as pessimist Tori Spring, who turns up a recipient of the “British Empire AGM 2013 to school one day to find that a group Totally unexpected, not even dreamt Medal” for services to education. Summary of the Annual General Meeting held on 28th September 2013 of online pranksters named Solitaire about. We don’t work for these She received letters of congratulation have decided to wreak havoc across charities to be rewarded, but to and was invited by Her Majesty’s the school. As Solitaire’s harmless be acknowledged is wonderful, an Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, Viscount fun descends into something more honour, in fact. De L’Isle to attend an investiture at sinister, Tori, while dealing with her Penshurst Place on 16th September. own problems such as her brother It was a great day, lunching with Barbara attended with three friends, President’s Report Our Committee members have continued with their and her boredom and the Year 13 the Chairman, sharing a table with conforming to the Dress Code of various tasks and some progress has been made. Ann who just won’t leave her alone, Sir Timothy Lawrence – rubbing “Day Dress with Hat”. She writes… Ms Denise Shepherd (President) gave a review of the has continued to attend RGSA meetings, the parents/ begins to wonder who Solitaire really shoulders with Royalty, a real ‘wow’ school’s achievements over the 2012/13 period. The staff group. They have done an excellent job fundraising are, and what they are trying to factor! “By chance I had become acquainted overall school performance was once again outstanding, for the school. Ann has also attended the Trustee achieve. with a volunteer helper at AGE UK, with Year 13 achieving 87% A*-B and Year 11 achieving meetings, having stepped into Barbara Letchford’s shoes. The background to this starts in 1983 Hythe. One day, she said how she 68% A*/ A. This made RGS the highest achieving state The Alumni Association are making progress with our When not distracted by crazy when I collected house to house and a group of ladies used to make school in Kent and Medway for A levels apart from The collection for an Alumni trophy to present to the school, story ideas, Alice studies English for the lifeboats. The following and sell hats for charity. When the Judd. Over 75% of students gained their first choice to date we have over £200 to buy a trophy for a student at Durham University. She wrote year, our Villages Branch group ceased, she could not bear to places at university. The average IB score was 37, a demonstrating a caring nature, either in school and/or in Solitaire during her time in the sixth was formed and I was asked to part with all the hats so she invited UCAS score equivalent to 4 A* grades. RGS were, again, the community. form at RGS after having been an be Secretary, but I declined as I me to see them, and they were above the world wide average for the IB. This meant avid writer since her early teens, but worked at a drawing board in a splendid! She encouraged me to 2013 brought the best ever Year 13 results, second best During the year Alumni were saddened by the death of loves all other things creative – art Drawing Office, unable to type or borrow three favourites to keep at ever Year 12 results and good Year 11 results. The RGS Violet Watson, over 100 years old. We miss her here today and music especially. take minutes. However, the Branch home so as to make my final decision Thinking School Trust has continued to grow. There are and pass on our condolences to Angela, her daughter. was formed, and, needless to say, on the day. now 5 schools in the Trust; The Rochester Grammar The Committee congratulated Barbara Letchford on She hopes that RGS and ex-RGS I became the Secretary, doing School, All Faiths’ Community Children’s School, New being awarded the British Empire Medal for Services to students will enjoy the book, and spot everything in longhand! “When the great day came, my Horizons Primary Free School, Portsmouth for Education (particularly to “Headrest”) and receiving it some of the sneaky RGS references friends and I met in Penshurst Girls (most improved school in Portsmouth 2013), and the recently from The Lord Lieutenant, Viscount De L’Isle at that she included. Our Committee has changed over the Place, near Tunbridge. The Lord- Gordon Federation. In addition, RGS continues to enjoy Penshurst Place. Also many congratulations were offered years, but I have remained, mainly Lieutenant of Kent opened the extra curricular success, winning the district athletics to Christie Ransom, our Alumni staff representative, on the Alice’s debut novel, Solitaire as Chairman, the post no one else proceedings by explaining that trophy and reaching the finals of the debating competition. imminent birth of her first baby. (HarperCollins, £7.99), is prublished would take on! We raise several he had been commanded by her on 31st July 2014 thousands of pounds every year, Majesty the Queen to conduct the Chairman’s Report Ann thanked the Committee for all their work and support. collecting throughout local villages, investiture on Her behalf. In turn, attending numerous coffee mornings we stepped forward to receive our Ann West (Chairman) reported that the Alumni Committee Treasurers Report with sales of Christmas cards, and medals. We enjoyed a glass of wine have continued to work closely with Christie Ransom, our holding chocolate tombola stalls at while speaking informally to the Alumni member of staff. The Committee formed a team Avril Noble (Secretary and Treasurer) reported that the village fetes (a magnet for children Lord-Lieutenant. In the photograph, for a house fundraising quiz, but didn’t fare well as the balance of the account now stands at £3,315.01, and that and adults alike). We also have home his immaculate while gloves may questions tended to be rather modern! The Committee the accounts have been audited in accordance with our events; one member has a Strawberry be seen—I took a brand new pair have also attended school functions and productions, and usual procedure. Tea in her lovely garden and I hold a with me but forgot to put them on! some members assisted with judging and adjudicating at Punch and Pizza lunch. All good fun, Finally, we went outside for group house events. Some of Barbara Letchford’s memoirs were Other Business unless it’s pouring hard, but we do photographs. Those with medals used in assemblies, including her evacuation stories. A find now, as we’re getting older and were given a special box in which number of members attended the school Carol Service at Pat Stevens gave an update of her work on the mentoring older, the boxes are getting heavier they could be kept. My three friends , an evening of wonderful music and database and is making great progress. Some students and heavier! and I went to the Penshurst Place singing to celebrate the Christmas Story. Furthermore, have now been matched with relevant Alumni. Pat is also Restaurant for lunch afterwards.” the Committee congratulated Denise and her team for continuing to forge links between the schools in Trinidad Maidstone Villages Branch is the excellent Founders Day celebrations; the singing was and RGS and was congratulated for all her hard work on continuing to raise funds and The School and the Alumni superb and very moving. these two projects. Audrey is continuing to fly the flag Association would like to for the RNLI. For more information congratulate Barbara on receipt of The meeting closed at 1.05pm. visit www.rnli.org this award. RGS memories and reunions Feature

Remembering Miss Evans

Miss Evans was my first individual encounter with any of the staff at Rochester Grammar School. She wore her hair done up in a bun ring, and all you could see was the bun ring disguised as a hirsute hedgehog (with all the hair pins sticking out) perilously perched lower and lower on the back of her head as the The day progressed. It became a little more secure as her hair grew longer. After their first Parents and Teachers Evening, my father said, “She could be a bit of a stunner.” Those words damned her with his faint praise in my eyes! Sparshott We never knew if she was as new as we were to the school. She was our first Form Mistress and our History teacher. We studied History in date order back Sisters then, starting with the Stone Age, and by the end of the academic year we had reached the Reformation! June Elizabeth and Margaret Mary Sparshott I recall only two of the rather futile Prep tasks she set for us that year. We had to draw pictures of some cave painting animals, and colour them appropriately. Then, jumping a good few centuries further on, we wrote an imaginary letter My sister June Elizabeth Sparshott was a pupil at the life-long love of music, and now at the age of 78 I still sing from a new Novice-Monk to his mother, telling her about the timetable of school before the Second World War, but left at the age with the Plymouth Philharmonic Choir (although my voice events at the Monastery. Back then, I doubted if his mother could actually of fifteen when the junior boys of King’s School were has dropped from soprano to tenor!) evacuated to Scotney Castle in Lamberhurst; my father Hockey Reunion read anyway, as I was sceptical about the notion of neophyte mediaeval monastics writing home. My later knowledge of monasticism and my ten was Headmaster of the Junior School. For twelve months I trained as a nurse at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, years’ experience of “modern” Convent life from the inside merely confirmed she was given dispensation to act as Junior Matron for the then as a midwife, and worked for a time as Staff Nurse my childhood attitude to this otiose homework! boys, until we were evacuated once again to Taunton, and in the Royal Salop Infirmary, Shrewsbury, then as Ward Enid Bradley (née Arnott) and my sister went to Bishop Fox’s School in Taunton until she Sister of the University College Hospital Chest Wards, Rochester Old Girls Hockey Miss Evans managed to harness my nascent rebellious streak, and was scant was called up and joined the ATS. She did well at school then as Nurse at the Banks of in Threadneedle Club Reunion in her criticism, lavish with her praise, and endorsed my classmates’ vote after and became Head Girl there. Street. I then moved to Greece to work in the Premature the first term that I should be Form Prefect for the rest of the school year. I Baby Unit at the Aghia Sophia Childrens’ Hospital, where I In making telephone calls to was probably as surprised as she was at the election result, but it bound us When the war was over, June went to St Hilda’s College in stayed for six years; I fell in love with the babies. I worked try to obtain email addresses together a people, in that kind of very unequal but shared responsibility for the Oxford to study English. She became a school mistress, in the Tracing Agency and as a nurse with the international for distributing the 2014 good-ordering of our form. “Set a thief to catch a thief” was my father’s dictum first in and then in London. She was appointed medical teams for the International Committee of the Red Newsletter, I experienced on this development! as Head Mistress of the High School for Girls in Ludlow, Cross in Cyprus during the Turkish invasion. I then took some wonderful conversations, Penny Fenn-Clark where she remained for some years, until she took the a course in Neonatal Nursing, and moved to Switzerland as did my fellow committee same post at Farnham High School for Girls, then Tile Hill where I worked in the Neonatal Unit of the University members. Wood, where she remained until her retirement. She has Cantonal Hospital in Geneva for six year, after which I took considerable prestige locally, and was appointed Vice a post as Assistant Director of Nursing in Hospital de la One on my list was Enid Claire Heaton (née Hardaker) former member of staff. He believed President of the Head Mistress Association, (I am almost Tour in Meyrin, Geneva. I returned to England to work as Bradley (nee Arnott), 1932 to her to be his cousin with whom he certain that was the title, but sadly of course she cannot staff nurse on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Derriford 38, the organiser of “Rochester I was at RGS from 1976 to 1983 had no contact for many years, and remember!). June was also invited to tea at Buckingham Hospital, Plymouth, to be near my mother and sister in Old Girls Hockey Club”. and I have since also been known we were able to put them in touch Palace (I was abroad at the time, but remember how Sidmouth. as Claire Sainsbury. I have been with one another! excited we all were by her visit to the Palace). She We reminisced about the club working in Loughton in Essex for the eventually retired and moved to Sidmouth, where she During these years I became interested in the effects and our playing times together past 9 years as a school nurse, a Members Reunited cared for our elderly mother who died at the age of 91. the hospital and intensive care environment might have and Enid reminded me that she job I love; so much variety and such My sister has now just celebrated her 89th Birthday. on fragile new-born babies in hospital, particularly with had organised 2 “Hockey Get fun working with children. I have We know that there are Old Girls relation to pain. In 1991 I was the winner of the Nursing Togethers” and she wondered two children who are growing up out there trying to contact their I am ten years younger than my sister June, and will be Times/3M National Nursing Award for Practice, and in when the next was being held! fast. I can’t believe that I will be 50 old school friends and teachers. 79 on 28th June. I first attended Rochester Grammar 1998 and the three following years was a guest at the next year. I am planning a big party The Alumni Association is keen to School when my family and the King’s School returned Women of the Year Lunch and Assembly at the Savoy So hockey players, are you with my husband who will also be help! Unfortunately, due to the data to Rochester from Taunton at the end of the war, and Hotel, London. I joined the International association for still out there and would celebrating his 50th next year. I have protection act, we cannot give out remained there from the age of eleven until I left at the Study of Pain, and attended international conferences you be interested in a get very happy memories of RGS and personal information. However, if you eighteen. I was Vice Head Girl in the Sixth form. There on paediatric pain, giving poster presentations. I have together? was very sad to see the old building are looking for someone please get in were some great teachers at that time, and I remember written three books, two of them concerned with these had been demolished while on a visit touch with us and we will do our best particularly Miss Hulland who grounded us firmly in problems; Pain, Distress and the New-born Baby If you are interested, please to Rochester a few years ago. to link you up. If you are willing to be English Literature and Miss Gamble, who could make (Blackwell Science, Oxford, 1997), Holy Innocents: contact me on my email, Ann found, please become a member and History live, and wrote wonderful historical plays! But Grieving for the death of a baby (Austin and Macauley, West on [email protected] or Eunice Tope we will then help to put you in touch from my point of view the most memorable was the music 2009) and A Matter of Identity: a life recalled in poetry 01634 864163. I shall look with others from your school days. teacher Miss Irene Turner. Under her teaching the school (Stanford House, 2008). I also still lecture and write forward to hearing from you. Professor David Crout, currently living Membership forms can be found on developed quite a name in music; both instrumental and articles on care of the new-born in hospital and their in Coventry, found our email in an the Learning Platform or at the end of choral. There were two choirs and an orchestra. I sang parents. Ann West (née Grubb) online copy of the 2013 Newsletter this newsletter. in the first choir, and played the cello in the orchestra and and enquired after Eunice Tope, a in the string quartet. Miss Turner is responsible for my Margaret Sparshott Feature Elizabeth Ackerley Member profiles Jennifer Ann Wiltshire (née Duffell) Christie Ransom (née Scates) Patricia Dawes (née Thompson)

Elizabeth Ackerley (1982-1989), who is now living in Tarpoley, Cheshire, Years attended - 1962-1967 Years attended – 1994-2001 (student), Years attended – 1937-1942 emailed us enquiring after Marjorie Wilson, a member of staff who had 2007-2014 (teacher) taught Needlework, after reading about her in the 2013 Newsletter, and What did you do when you left What did you do when you left we were able to put them in touch with one another! school? What did you do when you left school? I attended Newcastle University school? I trained in telegraphy with a view Elizabeth said that she had often thought of Mrs Wilson and that she and obtained a degree in English I attended Magdalene College, to joining WRNS, but I was told had a great deal to thank her for. Elizabeth achieved a degree in Fashion Language and Literature. I then Cambridge, where I gained a degree (with another) that it was a reserved Promotions, went on to teach Textiles Technology, and now has her own completed a PGCE at Avery Hill in Philosophy. occupation. After the war, I became small business. In her email, Elizabeth said “I’d love to write and thank College of Further Education. a teacher. her, as I didn’t always appreciate her strict lessons at the time!” What have you done since then? What have you done since then? I worked in many jobs, all connected What have you done since then? I worked for 27 years as a teacher, to youth work, and then was I got married in 1951. My son was ending my career as a Head of eventually persuaded to join the born in 1954. I have done a lot of I was at RGS in the decade of big on the right side of Mrs Wilson and, Cheshire and had my daughter, Daisy, Department. I then spent ten years teaching profession, training at RGS! singing, both solo and in choirs. I hair, Wham, Just Seventeen, Jackie, fortunately, I found my niche in born in 2007. in Civil Service, working in the Official I have been teaching Mathematics have since retired and am the Pierrot-the-clown, Neighbours (the sewing. I wonder how many of you Solicitors Office. I have been married there since 2007, and will be leaving Chairman of women’s groups, giving Charlene & Scott years)... I was 80s girls still have your half-circle Being a full-time mum meant that I for 27 years. this summer to begin a new post at talks to retirement homes. going to list some of the glorious skirts, hessian cushion or character could finally pursue my long-term Grammar. I have been 80s fashion items, but a lot of them doll? dream to set up my own personalised What are your thoughts about married for five years and have What are your thoughts about seem to have made a comeback! I embroidery business. It’s all school? What events have stayed recently had a little girl. school? What events have stayed have happy memories of playing Encouraged by both Mrs McClelland happened in slow-motion as I naively in your memory? in your memory? Bulldog and 1M building pyramids on and Miss Lockhart (the art teachers) thought motherhood would leave me I remember the teachers; Mr Green, What are your thoughts about The 1938 Pageant and singing the the playing field at the new school; and going against Mrs Wilson’s plans oodles of time to happily sew. Other Miss Symonds, Miss White, Miss school? What events have stayed school song (the original one!). ghost-hunting in the old school for me to do a Textile Science degree, mums will know that this is far from Lintott. I remember the way the in your memory? basement; taking the caretaker’s I did an Art Foundation course at reality and being a mum has to be Sixth Formers ‘ran the school’ and I loved the Christmas Sixth Form ladder to explore one of the attics KIAD (Maidstone), followed a degree one of the hardest jobs. Daisy, my put on end of term plays, especially Entertainment, and still do – the above the 3rd year cloakroom (most in Fashion Promotions. Whilst at “apprentice”, was born with low- ‘The Happiest Days of Your Life’ teacher caricatures are fantastic. As of 3M were involved in that); sneaking university, I joined BUNAC (British muscle tone, which as had an affect where each character was based a teacher, winning the Hartley House What’s your round to Rose’s corner shop behind Universities North America Club), on her general development. I now on a perfectly recognisable member Shield while Head of Hildegard was the old building and getting caught which was one of the best decisions work around Daisy and her hospital of the RGS staff! I also remember also a highlight! Most of all, the best story? by Mrs Turner; rolling an enormous I’d ever made and I do recommend appointments and tend to slow my sunny afternoons on the games field, thing about RGS continues to be snowball and wedging it behind Mr it to any of you who are still students work during the school holidays. I watching tennis tournaments and the people; students, teachers and Parkinson’s car so he couldn’t reverse and are in search of an adventure know I’m lucky to be able to do what more. Seven very happy years for colleagues have all given me lots of Could you complete a profile out of the car park; being part of and the chance to travel. I was sent I love doing. me! happy memories. for the next newsletter? the fantastic team of 6th formers, to a fine and performing arts camp in especially Alison Cutts (nee Cooper) Massachusetts, where I set-up and I have recently been in touch with If so, please email the following and Kirsti Sandom, that put together taught a Fashion Design programme. Mrs Wilson, who retired in 1988. In Ruth Margaret Deadman (née Allen) information (and a current and/ “Oklahoma!”. I remember, whilst in I taught there for 7 summers and was her email she wrote, “I am surprised or school days photo if you 1M, being sent out of the classroom, inspired to become a teacher back you remembered me from so long Years attended – 1967-1972 can) to RGSKentAlumni@gmail. with Amanda Colvin, by Mrs in England, rather than working in ago.....”! I only wish I’d got in touch com or send to the school Osbourne-Broad (English teacher), for the fashion industry. I even turned with her years ago to thank her for What did you do when you left school? FAO Christie Ransom, Alumni hiding in the bottom shelf of the book down a job offer in New York, where all she taught me. I wonder how I spent three years at Bromley Teacher Training College. The year I left, the Association Newsletter. cupboard during her lesson (being the I’d worked as an intern, to do a many of you have been inspired by a building was converted into council offices! I then started my teaching career smallest girls in the class, we always PGCE in Art & Design (at particular teacher, even though you at Highgate, teaching many famous people’s children. I then took a post at a Name, maiden name, years at got hidden). This was bad timing on Christ Church). That was my route may not have appreciated their efforts school in Broadwater Farm during the riots! From there I moved back to the RGS, plus short answers to the our part, as it happened to be on the into teaching Textiles Technology. I at the time. village where I was born (Woodburn, Bucks) as Deputy Head of a school there. following questions: day of a parents’ evening. I’m sure taught Textiles Technology for 6 years When my second son arrived, I took a break, however, after a few years, I took What did you do when you I must have done some school work in London and Oxfordshire. I became For those of you who may recognise a post in Cookham, where I ended up as Acting Headteacher. I am now retired left school? too. My favourite subjects were Art disillusioned with the direction my surname, I am Katherine (1984- and enjoying every minute. and Needlework. I really wanted to Textiles Technology was going in, so 91) and Rosy’s (1986-93) sister! What have you done since be a chef until Mrs Legg (the cookery I “retired” on my 30th birthday and What have you done since then? then? teacher) caught me eating a raisin took up sailing. I did supply teaching You can find out more about I am spending my time visiting all the places I have never had the time to go to! that should have been in my stuffed- for another 6 years in Medway, but my work at Sunny days are spent on the Thames on our boat ‘Ferriha’. I have two sons - What are your thoughts about apple and told me that if she caught I was able to enjoy the freedom that www.elizabethackerley.co.uk my eldest is in the Police Force and my youngest is teaching in Cambodia. school? me eating in her cookery room again, supply teaching gave me. Nine and also on my Facebook page then I’d be banned from cooking in months after learning to sail I took www.facebook.com/ What are your thoughts about school? What events have stayed in your What events have stayed in her kitchen. I was mortified. At 12 part in a transatlantic yacht race and ElizabethAckerleyDesigns memory? your memory? years old my culinary dream was came 13th out of 225 yachts and 1st All new “likers” are very welcome and I remember running from the old school up to the new, hoping a bus would over. I decided that I’d better keep in our class. Since then I’ve moved to please say “hello”! come along! I also remember trying to avoid the cold showers! Obituary wanted to return to the Soviet Union by her Father, a skill he had learnt in meet the world, visiting among other but, on the pretence of a sick mother, the Army. She made all her and my countries, Leningrad in January, was tricked into finally crossing the clothes. She was always smartly China, Singapore, Greenland, Iceland, border from Poland to see her and dressed, casual clothes purely for Norway, Canada and the USA as well VIOlet Watson was never heard of again. working in the house or garden, and all the countries along the Danube one of my abiding memories is of and all but three of the countries 1919 - 1923 Elvira, who was to become and returning from school each day to surrounding the Mediterranean. As well as a résumé of my Mother’s life I have also incorporated elements to illustrate remain her best friend, was from find her sitting at her dressing table the economic and social changes which she experienced during her long life - Prague. Contact was cut in 1938 with having changed from her working Violet was intelligent with an enquiring Angela Watson, RGS 1954-1961 the invasion of Czechoslovakia by clothes and putting on her make-up mind and whatever she did, she did Germany. Contact resumed again in ready for the return of her husband it well. She played the piano – as a 1945 for communication to be cut yet from work, with a meal cooking in result of enforced practice at school. again in 1948 by the invasion by the the oven. She went to millinery She learnt to drive at 47, when I was Violet lived and died within a became prominent local figures. The to boarding school”. As this was as Soviet Union. But in 1964 Elvira was classes, where she was taught by 17 and was given a provisional driving mile of where she was born and was based in the hut a result of her parents’ divorce, this permitted to accompany her doctor Zandra Rhodes’ Mother, to tailoring, licence. She passed her driving test Rochester Grammar School became which housed the Library for those of was a traumatic time for her, which husband to a conference in London pattern-cutting, leather-work and first time and decided that she was a significant part of her life on four my generation. There is a photograph resulted in a life-long, occasional and was amazed that the letter she soft-furnishing classes and finally to never going to take the easy way out, occasions during this hundred- of her and her class standing around propensity to sleep-walk. From the had sent to the old address generated upholstery where, under supervision, only giving up driving at 91 through year period, a period of time which a pond with nets on a nature-study age of ten she never saw her Mother a reply, as Violet lived the whole of she re upholstered her three-piece failing eye-sight. She and I holidayed saw great changes to ‘Rochester trip somewhere on the Hoo Peninsula. again. I think it was Miss Hoyte who her married life in the same house. suite, which is still in use today. After twice yearly all over the United Grammar’ with regard to its buildings, wrote to her at her new school, a Elvira twice came to stay with Violet William’s death she then branched Kingdom, Violet sharing the driving its pupils and its curriculum, changes Violet always had a social touching gesture I always thought. and William and they went to stay out into his territory of woodwork, and she liked nothing better than to which reflected the great changes conscience, recognising at an early with Elvira in Prague in 1968. Dora, with the staging in the greenhouse drive along the motorway at 70 miles taking place in society, its mores age the privileged position she and Violet always considered that one of Elvira’s daughters, also came the enduring testament to her ability. an hour, usually with two dogs and and technology during this time. her school friends enjoyed, never boarding school was a good thing for to stay and this time correspondence She was generous and was always sometimes a cat and the tortoise But Violet embraced these changes forgetting the sight of bare-footed her as twenty-four hour surveillance did continue until Elvira’s death in prepared to give and share her skills in the back of the car. (She had an despite being just a stay-at-home children, the little girls wearing no meant that there was never any 1977. Living with others of a different and time with anyone who wanted abiding love of animals, all her pets mother and housewife for 77years. more than a cotton dress, as she opportunity for slacking and she felt race or creed generated in Violet it. But, whilst her hands were busy, being rescue animals, and managed walked along Morden Street, with a that, had she remained living with her great understanding and tolerance so was her mind and she took up to raise both a fledgling sparrow and Apart from a trip to Prague to stay friend but otherwise unaccompanied, Grandmother, she would not have and she was proud to belong to a Russian and Italian at evening classes thrush.) She considered motorway with her best friend Elvira in 1968, from her Grandmother’s home at exerted the same pressure on her family which had welcomed into its and belonged to the National Council driving to be far simpler than driving just a month before the Soviet 11 Ford Street the short distance to to achieve. With the opportunity for midst members of the Jewish and of Women. through towns. Her interest in roads Union moved troops back into the Maidstone Road. Violet always playing games at any spare moment, Moslem faiths. had developed when she had worked Czechoslovakia, Violet did not start had an interest in politics and, when although petite, Violet was a good Violet had a friendly and out-going as a shorthand-typist in the County to travel abroad until she was 80, married, the weekly family gatherings all-round sports-woman. She had After an almost three-year personality, keeping old friends and Surveyor’s office in Maidstone culminating with a visit to her cousin’s around her Mother-in-law’s tea-table excellent health and in addition to her engagement Violet married her continuing to make new friends between finishing a year’s secretarial daughter in Switzerland at the age of always concluded in a lively political genes she always felt that her active childhood sweetheart William in throughout her life. Her home was course at Gillingham Technical 97, but from her earliest memories debate on some matter or other life at school with its wholesome but August 1936. Letters show that the open to all. She did not need prior College and leaving to get married in the world had always come to her. despite all those present being of the not excessive diet, the great amount white church wedding, transport, notification and nothing gave her August 1936. When a new by-pass She was born into an Army family, same political persuasion. of walking which she and her fiancé, a sit-down reception at the Carlton greater pleasure than to open the was completed she often passed the an only child and first grandchild, William, did in the local countryside Café and a week’s honeymoon in front door to find a relation or old remark “We had a file on that when I living with her Grandparents and As eight- and nine-year olds Violet now long covered in housing estates, Broadstairs were all organised within friend on the doorstep. Many a was in the office.” Her first contact eight aunts and uncles, all of whom and her friend Joan Baker would because they were saving to get three months! They started life with a distant relation was welcomed during with cat’s eyes, now an essential part had been born in different corners of meet up with their doll’s prams, pop married, as well as walking the fully furnished home for which, note, the Second World War having found of any road construction, was when the globe. The house therefore was into the wool shop in St Margaret’s dogs throughout her married life, William had themselves she saw a proto-type on the County full of foreign artefacts and stories of Street, buy a skein of wool and then contributed to a long life and healthy the mortgage drafted into Surveyor’s desk in the early 1930s strange places and peoples, such as continue on to the Castle Gardens, old age. And I would add to that and whose the Navy and enquired what it was. her Grandfather’s tour of duty in the where together they would sit and mowing the lawns. Both my parents sole name was and based Swat Valley (does that ring any bells?) wind the wool and knit dolls’ clothes; on the deeds, at Chatham. But returning to Rochester Grammar on the north-west frontier and going so very grown up. Sometimes they Once again, whilst at boarding believed in the adage and 10/-d Having lived School, her second link was during to the unsuccessful relief of General would go up the Castle, no bars school, the world came to Violet. (50p) in the as a child the Second World War when she Gordon in Khartoum leading a troop on the windows and crenulations Queen’s School specialised in taking “educate the mother, bank. Violet with her aunts volunteered for the Women’s of mounted camels. Did you know then. She did nevertheless survive foreign pupils, some coming for saw her rôle and uncles, Voluntary Service, then WVS, later that the British Army had a camel unscathed what we would now just a year and Violet’s photograph educate the child” as providing all her life to become WRVS and now RVS as corps? consider a somewhat hazardous album is full of school friends in a comfortable home for her husband she maintained contact with every men are welcomed. The vacated childhood. foreign costumes in exotic locations. and family, which she did until his branch of her Grandparents’ gradually school had become a WVS canteen At the age of five Violet went to There was Susan from Sierra Leone, death after 43 years of marriage. extending family and hers was the where she served meals to local Linden House School in Nags Head Miss Seward was in post during Georgette de Rothschild, niece of the But, both my parents believed in the home to which all relations came to war workers. Mrs Brooker, whom Lane but transferred at the age of both my Mother’s and my time at French Baron, and Sonia from the adage “educate the mother, educate gather and stay. As the years passed my generation will remember as the seven to Rochester Girls’ Grammar Rochester Grammar School but Miss Soviet Union. Violet had been born the child”. Violet learnt to cook and and I travelled extensively visitors school cook, ran the canteen. Violet School’s Kindergarten, where boys Hulland arrived the term following before the Russian Revolution but the fed the family healthily and well. came to stay from all corners of the was finally called up for war-work in and girls were accepted, so, nothing my Mother’s departure at the age of realities of emerging life in the Soviet She gardened, but only taking over globe: Australia, Canada, China, 1942 to work in the local Education new there then. Mr Dale of Dale’s ten to Queen’s School, a boarding Union were brought home to her William’s province of the lawns upon France, Germany, Malawi and USA Office which was located in Fort the grocers in Rochester High Street school in Shoreham, where she when Sonia recounted how she had his death. She had learnt to sew as spring to mind. And, finally, at the Pitt House on the New Road, but was a Rochester Grammar School remained until she was 18, the school hidden in a cupboard while a relative a child and had been taught to knit age of 80 Violet finally went out to as she found herself pregnant with old boy as well as others who records being annotated “left to go in the room was shot. Sonia had not GETTING

of Ypres in 1915. She experienced the traumas of the depression first INVOLVED! hand when her fiancé was seeking work despite being a qualified and Upcoming opportunities to participate in current school activities Other Events experienced engineer. As was so often the case his ultimately finding Mrs Christie Ransom (Alumni Member of Staff) is working on raising the profile The school calendar includes many work in Chatham Dockyard was due of the Alumni Association in school. events which you are welcome to to the influence of his uncle and he attend should you wish to visit us. remained there until his retirement Summer Events These include the annual school in 1972. At the end of her life Violet production (this year we enjoyed The embraced modern technology and At the end of every school year, the summer brings the great events of the Wizard of Oz in April), lower school particularly enjoyed flying but her annual calendar – Sports, Arts and Olympiad Days! Last year I wrote about production (coming up on 7th and 8th regret was that her plans to master these for the newsletter and the students were delighted to welcome alumnus July!), Our annual charity dance show a computer were thwarted by her Joy Lancaster. Joy was visiting from America where she now lives, and (Soliflaire in April raised more than age-related Macular Degeneration. was designated expert judge for the House Choir competition and a speech £3000 for the Oliver Fisher Trust), But never in her wildest imagination category. Joy emailed me shortly afterwards to say… Carol Service and Founders’ Day would that young grammar-school “What an inspiring day! Thank you so much for including me in this celebration celebrations, alongside other smaller, girl Violet have envisaged that she of creativity, spirit, and the school of which I have always been so proud. It was house led events. would not need to go to a theatre to a pleasure to meet you, other staff members, and the enthusiastic students see a play but could watch one in today. I appreciate the welcome I was given and the time you took to show me In addition, we are also keen to her own living room; that she would around.” inspire our students with stories fly to New York for a long weekend, from alumni. I have received after all in 1912 there was still no What a testimonial! Therefore, this year, once again, we would like to invite any some wonderful stories of schools Royal Air Force; that in her 90s she alumni who are willing and able to attend one of our end of year events: days past which I have used in would take a helicopter flight over • Sports Day runs much the same as you may remember assemblies. We welcome offers the Medway towns; or that at her from your school days, however, the recent growth of the six to speak to students at certificate hundredth-birthday party she would houses has made this a very competitive affair. evenings and special occasions, or be able to see her great-great nieces • Not wanting to be outdone by the PE department, the in smaller classroom seminars on me, this never came about. In later But she appreciated the fact that and nephews speaking to her from Performing Arts are now also represented at House Arts Day, a career pathways or to share subject years she returned to the WRVS to she was still made welcome by later America, Canada and New Zealand day full of competitive events in drama, music, art, dance, knowledge. In return we would be deliver meals on wheels, to many generations and enjoyed celebrating whilst sitting in a marquee in her speech and much more. This year also welcomes a new ‘bake delighted to show you the school considerably younger than she. For her 99th birthday with them. garden. Some changes have been off’ category to put our beautiful cookery rooms to work! All and how it is growing and developing fifty years she regularly gave her rare for the better, others maybe not, but students are encouraged to participate in the day, and the so that we continue to provide AB blood. So, the little white-haired lady sitting the centenarian Violet took them winners form a show for the school as the climax of the event. outstanding education for students in at the Old Girls’ AGM and dinners all in her stride, for that early 20th • Finally, recognising our world reputation as an Advanced Medway. The third link was the seven years I each year was born two years before century child who had known seven Thinking School, we also have the RGS Olympiad, a Crystal spent at Rochester Grammar School, the commencement of the First World generations of her family, from her Maze type day of events which involve problem solving in Here are some pictures of highlights where Violet attended every function War and was aged six when it ended. Great-grandmother born in 1836 to house teams. from the year to whet your appetite. that was organised, so much so that She could remember watching with her cousin’s great-grandson* born If you are interested in coming at the School’s Centenary dinner her grandmother Zeppelins flying in 2011, had become a 21st century The Sports, Arts and Olympiad days are calendared this year for 15th, 16th and to visit us or getting involved in at the Corn Exchange in 1988 she over Rochester and, although she woman. was immediately recognised and might not have remembered the 17th July 2014. current school life, please contact Mrs Christie Ransom at the school welcomed by Miss Butterfield. local men who did not return, she *The grandson of Primrose Hoskins If anyone has a particular interest in adjudicating on Sports Day, judging on on 01634 843049 or e-mail her knew their widows and children and (née Kill), another RGS alumni whom Arts Day or supporting the ‘Crystal Maze’ Challenge Day, The RGS Olympiad, [email protected]. And finally the fourth link was her their subsequent struggles. She had some of you I am sure will remember. attendance over the years at the experienced, if not fully understood, we would love to hear from you. Old Girls’ Dinners and then the her family’s pain on the receipt of With thanks to Miss Seward for the Please send information regarding your availability, preference for involvement Alumni Lunches, where gradually her a telegram to inform them of her many hours I spent practising précis and contact details to Mrs Christie Ransom at the school on 01634 843049 or contemporaries left her one by one. Uncle George’s death at the Battle under her tutorage! e-mail her [email protected] Feature RGS remembers World War I Isabel Margaret Stedman work such as nursing and armament On Vimy Ridge we visited the creation, working an average 7-7 hour strikingly beautiful monument to the Isabel Margaret Stedman was a day and working on the minimum Canadian soldiers - twin columns of pupil at Rochester Grammar School wage of 2S 10D. On a ‘Sunday White Croatian marble built in 1922 from 1899 until 1911. She attended Shift’ an average of 300 shells were on the highest point in the area. Now Curriculum Newnham College, Cambridge, which made, per person, in one day. This considered Canadian ground, the maintains a splendid archive of the work further demonstrates how the memorial can be seen from a vast subsequent lives and careers of its students and staff at the Rochester distance, and in dazzling sunlight Alumni. In a beautifully inscribed Grammar School dedicated ensures that those men lost here will Enrichment volume you can read the First World themselves to the war effort. never be forgotten. War exploits of Isabel, who after attending RGS, obtained Medieval School life was hugely disrupted by At Thiepval - recording 72,000 and Modern Languages Tripos, Class the war, in more ways than just a missing soldiers there are two small Links Update 2014 II, in 1914. change in focus. In 1915 a German cemeteries together, one French, the Zeppelin raid occurring in Chatham other Commonwealth, which show On 11th September 1914, seven days killed several people and caused the vast differences in our cultures A highlight of 1950s RGS was a visit on the data base is protected by the after her 22nd birthday, she sailed huge amounts of destruction, and - The Commonwealth war graves from Old Girl, Dame Sybil Thorndyke. school and is available only to staff on S. S. Megantic to Canada to take deeply affected many students at the (CWGC) having bright, white marble The renowned actress made time in and senior students. up a post as Assistant Mistress at RGS remembers World War I RGS. Although the girls faced these headstones, the French simple her busy schedule to visit her beloved the Trafalgar Institute in Montreal. events with tremendous courage, wooden crosses. Elsewhere I found old school to judge the annual house A questionnaire in this newsletter Two years later she dodged torpedo “The War has, of course, affected our they continued to raise money. These that French and Polish cemeteries do plays, (produced by St Andrew’s, continues to seek Alumni to join attacks across the Atlantic to return life in school.” efforts showed perseverance and not have flowers - Czech ones do. St David’s, St George’s and St a team representing wide-ranging home on S. S. Cymric. patriotism, proving that the spirit of The largest cemetery in the world, a Patrick’s houses), to give a stunning interests, scholarship, expertise and Wartime at The Rochester Grammar the students and the staff was not German one at Neuville-Saint-Vaast in performance of poetry and prose as experience for the benefit of today’s As the First World War raged, she School was a difficult, yet inspiring damaged by the atrocity of war. France, with 44,000 graves, only has we sat on the floor, (gym benches talented and aspiring students. ventured into France to engage in time. Students had to be deprived of trees - Germany believing that their for the Sixth Form), in the old hall propaganda work as a British Literary school luxuries including Christmas This feature was compiled by Ellie soldiers were all heroes, and heroes and to visit classes to give advice on Another highlight of RGS experience Agent in Paris from 1916 to 1917. celebrations, and summer holidays Rust, RGS’s current year 12 History are buried under trees. Interestingly, articulation and projection. was a German class visit with Miss She returned to London to work as were put on hold. Despite this, it is Officer, using information from the there are quite a few Jewish graves, Carter to Burscheid, near Cologne, an assistant in the French section of evident that the efforts of both the School Archive collated by the Alumni the Germans at the time having no Memories such as these have where we stayed with pen-friends the Ministry of Information from 1918 staff and pupils were geared towards Association Committee problem with Germans with Jewish inspired the Alumni Committee to from the Pastor Löh Gymnasium. to 1920. She must have worked the war effort. The needlework ancestry in their midst until Hitler create a data base, through which Plans are progressing now for a with great skill and purpose during classes gave up their examination A Tour of the Battlefields came along. former students can offer their many global partnership link with Bishop these years. Her services were work and devoted their time to and varied experiences to the current Anstey High School / Trinity College honoured by the award of the OBE making garments. About 1000 In April I went on a tour of First World We toured Passchendaele, Hill 60 generation. By means of the data East in Trinidad, a high achieving and 1 Officier d’Academie Republique garments were dispatched from time War battlefields on the Western and the underground museum of base Alumni, through their work and school, specialising in Mathematics, Francaise, a decoration founded by to time to the centres in Chatham Front and the Somme. Starting Wellington Quarry in the medieval contacts, can offer work shadowing, Music and Technology. Discussions the Emperor Napoleon and widened and London. In addition, the present in we walked the tunnels beneath Arras, extended by work experience and internships; are in hand with Mrs Brinklow for in 1866 to include major contributions given to Headteacher Mrs Sandford beautiful Leas, then a vast military N.Z. Troops to hide 24,000 soldiers advice on specific areas of interest ; a starter project, assisted by two to French national education and on her birthday took the form of encampment; down the steep hill, before a surprise attack. At the largest advice and practice for interviews and global ambassadors. The Trinidadian culture made by anyone, including contributions, under her request, known by the soldiers as “Slope CWGC cemetery in the world at Tyne auditions; visits to the school to share School runs a keen journalist club, foreigners. of £1 10S worth of mittens for the Road”, to the harbour where they left Cot I managed to find the grave, experiences with groups in particular which looks forward to working with soldiers on the front line, which led to cross to Belgium. Over 14 million among 35,000, of my great uncle who curriculum areas; even study visits to RGS AS level students, who study All this happened to Isabel before she to the Officer Commanding the 3rd soldiers passed through here during died aged 21 at Ypres in 1916. I was France and Italy. an undergraduate journalism course was 28 years old. Her subsequent Battalion Queen’s Regiment giving those four years, making it the most surprised at how emotional I felt even at school, which is accredited by a career in education involved two concerts in the school hall as heavily fortified town in Kent. though I only found out about him five All offers to share expertise and local university. Watch out for some various teaching experiences and thanks. years ago. experience are welcome. Our link exciting writing from both sides of the a significant period as an HMI, We started in Ypres where we listened staff member, Mr Ashley Wicken, has Atlantic! inspecting schools the length and However, the patriotism of RGS was to buglers playing the Last Post at the Despite the pre-occupation with investigated the data base to invite breadth of the country. not limited to just this. In November Menin Gate, performed every evening death, the tour was not at all dismal. I Alumni to help him prepare students If you have memories of times when As we commemorate the events of 1915, The Rochester Grammar since 1928 in memory of soldiers was in a group of forty very interesting for university interviews in Economics, your learning and understanding the First World War, Isabel’s story is School created a collection towards who fell in Belgium. We seemed and cheerful people including several Mathematics, Chemical and at RGS took a great leap forward, an apt reminder that RGS girls would a “Plum Pudding Fund” which raised to pass a cemetery every half mile, couples in their eighties and one very Mechanical Engineering, Medicine, please complete the questionnaire to have been involved, and, as fellow funds to provide those on the front many commemorating the various energetic lady of 90, but it was deeply Law, Classics, History and English. join the data base of those happy to Alumni, it is our privilege to share in line with Christmas puddings so they countries who took part in the war, thought provoking. Ashley has a list of the subject and pass on their life-long learning to the their legacy. could also celebrate the event. This Belgians, Canadians, Australians, career interests of all students, who splendid young people of today. fundraising was held in conjunction New Zealanders, Irish, Indians and Pam Baldock he seeks to match with Alumni, who Pat Stevens with hard work dedicated entirely to Chinese. can communicate through e-mail, Pat Stevens war. A fair few RGS girls took up war phone or meeting up. Information Feature

New Old Girls

My Year Since RGS NEXT STEPS Emily Southcombe 2004-2011 I gladly accepted. Two weeks later I was starting my course! One of the class of our newest Two of our Alumni who are graduating this year tell us briefly what life has Three years ago I had just finished Alumni tells us what she has been involved since RGS and what the future brings! sitting all of my A-level exams and The past three years have flown by; up to since she left last summer. was eagerly awaiting my results I have just finished my degree in Lizzi Hill 2004-2011 whilst enjoying my summer of Applied Theology with Youthwork Kris Brown 2006-2013 freedom. I was fully expecting to get at Moorlands Bible College and am Since leaving RGS in 2011 I have the AAB that I needed to get into about to graduate with a 2:1. I have Last September, four months after I been living in Norwich, attending the University of Surrey to study made some excellent friends, learnt left RGS, me, my mother, and a car the University of East Anglia. After Mathematics with Music; however that I know only a fraction there is crammed with belongings drove the three years of study there I will be results day came and I found out that to know and gained skills that will four hundred and twenty one miles to graduating, this July, with a 2:1 in I had not managed to get the results enable me to be an effective youth Edinburgh. Having been all over the English Literature. To begin with I needed. Even though I had obtained worker. It turns out that sometimes world with RGS, from language trips struggled to adjust to university life. I A*BB this was not good enough to there are better plans for your life to choir tours, the prospect of moving had great flatmates and the campus get me onto the course. The next two than the ones you make yourself! to a different country for university and the city were wonderful places to days were spent ringing Universities, didn’t particularly faze me, and I’m live. For the most part, I was incredibly checking clearance for any courses of this was happening my parents What’s next? Well this summer I glad it didn’t. If I hadn’t had the same happy. Yet coming from a school which and worrying about what I was going were relocating to Bournemouth and am getting married and am looking opportunities to travel with RGS then I loved so much had set the bar pretty to do next with my life! It was the year so I was also trying to pack all of at starting a PGCE in Secondary I may have wanted to stay closer to high! before the fees went up to £9000 so a my belongings up. I had to go to a Religious Education. In the long run home, and I’d have missed out on higher number of people had applied friend’s house to apply to the course I’d love to work in a school giving all the amazing things Scotland has During my time at RGS I was extremely involved with the music department; to University and there were not many and later that day I had a phone call pastoral support and mentoring. to offer. I’ve learnt to ceilidh (after I was in the ensemble for the musicals A Winter’s Tale and Little Women, had spaces left, none for the courses I from the admissions tutor saying they learning how to pronounce it), visited singing and drumming lessons and was a member of NChant, the chamber wanted to do. could give me an interview the next I will always remember RGS and the the ‘most haunted’ graveyard in choir. This took up the majority of my time and I loved it! I absolutely adored day. We drove with the removal vans opportunities I had while I was there. Europe, trekked up to the castle (to the feeling of togetherness and camaraderie that being part of those groups I have always loved working with down to Bournemouth and I headed later find it’s bad luck for Edinburgh gave me, and this is what I missed and craved the most when I first moved children and my aim after finishing my straight to my interview which turned Mostly I miss the amazing choir trips undergrads to visit before they away from home. degree had been to go in to teaching out to be just 15 minutes down the that were always the highlight of my graduate) and even watched my or Youthwork. I decided to look into road. The next day I received a letter year. This photo brings memories of flatmate trying to eat a deep fried For this reason, I thought I would try out UEA’s student radio station doing a Youthwork degree and found through the door saying that they Malta 2010! mars bar without being sick. “Livewire1350”. It was without a doubt the best decision I could have made a course I liked the look of. Whilst all would like to offer me a place which throughout my university career! I began my time in student radio as a member In fact, I have fallen in love with of the music team, where I was partly responsible for the commercial sound A request for Edinburgh to such an extent that I’ve of the radio, deciding on the playlists which the DJs would play each week. I made the, somewhat crazy, decision was also part of the New Music team, where I sourced new local talent for our Updates on Twitter email addresses to stay here for summer instead of playlists. After a while I decided to give presenting a go, with a Specialist Music coming home for my four month show, where I played easy-listening folk/acoustic/electronic music. This year, I break. This created an entirely new was actually awarded Producer of the Year at our society awards, for my show, If you would like regular updates and information about events Hopefully, many of you have challenge; I had to find a job. Having which was such a lovely way to end my time with Livewire. happening at school, please visit our website received this newsletter by never needed a job before, I had www.rochestergrammar.medway.sch.uk or follow @RGSKentAlumni on email. Help us to reduce our no CV and no experience but it’s I will soon be moving back home to Kent where I will be blogging about my life Twitter. impact on the environment and surprising how useful the habits of as a graduate, whilst looking to pursue a career in the radio industry. It sounds our overheads by letting us excellence are when you’re applying clichéd but I really do believe that RGS gave me the best possible start to my The Twitter following has grown this year and is a really useful way to know your email address if you for a job (as much as I disliked them young adult life. I learnt so much there, both in and out of the classroom, which stay in touch with the latest news and events at the school. We’ve haven’t done so already. You whilst at school). However, as fun has stayed with me over the last three years and I’m sure will continue to do also been delighted to make contact with some of our famous alumni, can send them to as Scotland promises to be over so. including gold medal winning Paralympian Charlotte Evans (guide to [email protected] summer, I can’t resist coming home visually impaired skier Kelly Gallagher). If you’re tech savvy, find us and (and please encourage your for Founders’ Day because I’ll always Keep up with Lizzi on twitter @lizzihill or at www.lizzihill.wordpress.com follow! school friends to do so too!). be an RGS girl at heart. The Rochester Grammar School

The Rochester Grammar School Maidstone Road, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3BY, United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 (0) 1634 843 049 Facsimile: +44 (0) 1634 818 340 Email: [email protected] Website: www.rochestergrammar.medway.sch.uk

Chairman Treasurer and Membership Secretary Ann West Mrs Avril Noble

273 Walderslade Road 176 City Way Chatham Rochester Kent Kent ME5 0HN ME1 2AU

Telephone: 01634 864163 Telephone: 01634 849032 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]