Church High Alumnae Newsletter | 2019/20
ALUMNA NANCY’S NATURAL TALENT 2 3
CONTENTS 26
Nancy Campbell 06 News From GDST and NHSG Alumna Nancy Campbell is an acclaimed 07 School News Achievements of NHSG girls writer of poetry and non-fiction. A series of residencies with Arctic research institutions 13 NHSG Results Success has led to a number of environmentally GCSE and A Level inspired works. Nancy explains more about her latest book about the world’s ice and the Features stories hidden deep within it.
19 Diana Scheffler CHS to USA 29 30 10 Years On 24 Church Reunion - quite literally!
Best Friends Back Together 28 A very special dinner date
Bursaries 32 A gift of education Judith Alexander Julie Hagen Dame Catherine Cookson 35 Her lasting legacy Judith set aside her love for Julie Hagen shares her Church High Reunion 2019 acting to focus on a series story on how she came to 36 ‘Old Girls’ Reunited of more ‘traditional’ career be living in South Africa’s 39 Events and Getting Involved paths. Little did she know, sunnier climes. Tales Dates for the diary she would be realising her of her extensive travels acting dreams a little later in the early part of her on in life... retirement have left us feeling a little jealous! 4
Welcome to the latest edition of the Church High Alumnae magazine.
I hope you enjoy reading this latest copy of the Church We hope you find this High Alumnae newsletter. It is one way of keeping in touch newsletter informative with you all and demonstrating that we value our links with and stimulating. We do you. appreciate readers’ contributions This newsletter also details opportunities for you to link and comments. with each other, your shared histories and with the School. I wonder, however, if there is anything in particular you I look forward to welcoming you to Newcastle High School would like to see included? for Girls for reunions and events which will happen during the coming year as well as, I hope, to our first out-of- Are there aspects of the life of the School or the activity Newcastle gathering which we plan to hold in London later of Alumnae which we are next year. missing?
With best wishes Please do let our Marketing Officer, Amy Rodway, know at [email protected]
Michael Tippett Head, NHSG
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A BRIEF NOTE FROM
THE EDITOR
Dear Friends,
Once again we are delighted to publish this year’s annual Alumnae newsletter, sharing news of both School and our Alumnae. I do hope you like our ‘new look’ and new size newsletter; our aim is to create a more modern style while still sharing the news you love. Thank you to Amy Rodway who has worked to bring our vision for the newsletter into being.
Thank you also to everyone who has contributed content for the newsletter. It was fantastic to hear from Nancy Campbell this year and learn of her work as a poet and a writer. Judith Alexander tells of her love of acting on page 29 and we report on some of the reunions that have taken place over the last 12 months. We open, though, with news of the school, followed by a feature article by Diana Scheffler.
Please do continue to send your news and messages and we hope you see you at one of our reunions in the future - the next Church High Alumnae Reunion at school will be on Saturday 20th June 2020 and we are planning a London Reunion too! We will be sending news of both of these to Alumnae via email so if you are interested please make sure we have your latest email details!
Warmest wishes,
Janice Graves Director of Marketing, NHSG 6
NEWS
GDST Brand The campaign is part of the GDST’s All Girl strategy to raise awareness of Campaign the organisation as a whole and We are very excited to announce generate interest for the individual that we have launched a new look Have you spotted the GDST’s schools across the country. for the Newcastle High Autumn advertising campaign? 2019 marketing campaign, one The adverts appeared on poster The GDST recently launched that champions a very traditional sites, in the press including maga- sentiment. Regional campaigns across the zines and on digital platforms. The UK to celebrate GDST girls, their results showed that the campaign confidence and their spirit. But reached and inspired new parents more importantly, this new phase and girls to think about a future of the campaign featured pupils with GDST. Current parents, pupils, teachers and Alumnae were ex- from Newcastle High School tremely proud to see the ads and for Girls. Kristiana Beasy, Year belong to a group that champions 8, and Rachel Tsang, Year 12, the education of girls. were selected to feature in the campaign and attended a high- profile photoshoot in London. Mentoring for every Sixth Former The eagle-eyed amongst you may have spotted one of our adverts on the first page already! The new To enable every GDST Sixth Form ‘All Girl’ campaign celebrates the girl to connect with their values and benefits of an all-girl Alumnae family, we’ve teamed up education, something we are with rungway.com, the mentoring extremely proud of here at NHSG, app. Now, at the touch of a button, and the essence of what makes our our pupils have a way of asking school community so special. some of the burning questions they have about study and life We feel it is more important than after school, anywhere and at any ever to shout about our status as time. If you’d like to find out more, the leading school for girls in the or join the Rungway mentoring North East, especially as the drive community, visit the following for gender equality has gained so website www.gdst.net/ much momentum. Rungway-mentoring-app. 7 NHSG SCHOOL NEWS A Way with Words
Caitlin Pyper was one of fifteen talented winners invited to London to receive a prestigious 2018 Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award.
With over 11,000 entries to the competition from over 80 countries, Caitlin’s creative flair for poetry writing is demonstrated by this fantastic achievement. Her moving poem, titled ‘Mrs Richard’s Year’, was inspired by her transition from Junior to Senior School and began as a piece of work in the classroom.
Speaking about this year’s winning entries, Caroline Bird, Foyle Judge 2018, described the works as “politically brave and socially aware; NHSG are GDST Champions much braver than I remember feeling at that age. As long as they hold on to that wisdom, We are pleased to report that our Senior humankind might be all right.” A glowing review, Netball Team brought home the GDST Netball of which all winners should be extremely proud. Trophy in March, the first team to do so in the history of NHSG. As if this wasn’t enough to celebrate, on 1st October Caitlin was interviewed by BBC Look The competition took place at Bromley High North about her fantastic achievement. Caitlin School and girls competed against their fellow read a short excerpt from her poem and described GDST school teams from across the country, in her total surprise on finding out she was a winner. what can only be described as very gusty con- How did she celebrate, you might ask? There was ditions! The final game against some dauntingly only one thing for it: cake, cake and more cake! tall Royal High School Bath players finished with a strong 8-2 win; a fantastic result and a Caitlin’s poem is published in the phenomenal achievement overall! Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award anthology which includes the poems from the 15 winners of the competition. As well as attending the prestigious awards ceremony at the South Bank Centre, London, Caitlin has the opportunity to attend the prestigious Arvon writing course, led by highly acclaimed writers. 8
NHSG’s First Mother and Daughter Science Fair
Ines top 10 in London Mini
Marathon STEM Discovery Week 2019 took place on 6th-19th March. This international initiative encourages Ines Curran came 10th in the London mini- projects, organisations and schools across Europe marathon on 28th April, an absolutely amazing feat. and around the world, to celebrate careers and She was representing the North East in the Under studies in the fields of Science, Technology, 15 girls team. Each team consists of six selected Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). athletes competing against teams from all over the UK and all the boroughs of London. She was Deputy Head and STEM Co-ordinator at Junior first finisher for her team and completed the three School, Miss Williams, couldn’t let this fantastic mile course (the last three miles of the London initiative pass us by and so came about our very first marathon) in a time of 17.20. As a result of her Mother and Daughter Science Fair. Girls and their top ten finish, she has been selected to attend a Mums were invited to work on a Science project of summer camp where she will meet elite GB runners their choice and display their findings at an afternoon like Mo Farrah. exhibition of all-things Science on 8th March.
A Great British Record for rower, The variety, and quality, of the research was fantastic, covering a vast number of topics in great detail; from Lucie Harrington chemical reactions, electricity-producing lemons, homemade hovercrafts and everything in-between Lucie Harrington, Year 8, has recorded a – it was clear that girls and their Mums had invested monumental time of 3 minutes 40.2 seconds for a huge amount of time and energy investigating rowing 1000 metres on an indoor rower, confirming their topic. It’s safe to say the Science Fair is going to a new British Record. This is Lucy’s latest accolade in become an annual event! a string of rowing achievements, including placing 3rd in a Northern Regional Rowing Competition. Mr Tippett congratulated Lucie in a whole-school assembly on Monday 13th May so her phenomenal record could be recognised by all at NHSG. 9
Esther heads to the House of Commons
Esther Kirk, Year 13, had the opportunity to debate in the House of Commons in November, as a result of being elected as the Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) for Newcastle in February 2018.
Talking about her experience, Esther said: “Hearing young people truly impassioned by what they were Gold Champion Status for NHSG debating for, and against, and having the wonderful Right Honourable John Bercow from NCS chair the event was an experience I will never forget.” National Citizen Service (NCS) has awarded ‘Gold Champi- on’ status to Newcastle High School for Girls, thanks to its During the day, key politicians dropped in to listen to consistent commitment to working alongside NCS to build the various debates, including Jeremy Corbyn who was awareness of the NCS programme and having exceeded present for the Knife Crime debate. Esther spoke on the expectations in promoting the programme as well as debate around the issue of Equal Pay and is fortunate recruiting students to take part. enough to be returning to the House of Commons next year in her role in the Procedures Group (PG). PG The NCS programme supports young people’s transition makes the decisions that guide the development of to adulthood by developing their strength of character the organisation, and agree on the arrangements for and life-skills which enables them to contribute to society each sitting. with a greater sense of purpose, optimism and belonging.
Open to young people aged 16-17 the NCS programme takes place in school holidays and includes outdoor team-building exercises, a residential for participants to learn ‘life skills’, a community-based social action project and an end of programme celebration event.
Jo Cooney, NCS Recruitment Coordinator for Newcastle says:
“We always receive a warm welcome from staff and students at Newcastle High School for Girls so I am delighted to present an award to mark their NCS Champion status.”
Pictured above: Esther Kirk at the House of Commons with fellow MYPs 10
Alumnae inspiration for Connie Hayward, Year 9, was crowned the International Women’s winner for her moving entry on suffragette Lady Constance Lytton. Connie, also a talented Day violinist who was recently awarded a coveted prize from the Associated Board of the Royal Thanks to the generous donation from School of Music, produced a 6-minute film parents of an Alumna for an annual with a moving soundtrack, about the life and prize, NHSG has been celebrating the work of Constance, an influential outstanding achievement of trailblazing suffragette activist. women across the years through an exciting competition for our very own Other winners in the competition included an future trailblazers. emotive dance in honour of ‘Every Woman’ that has contributed to women’s rights, a The International Women’s Day Prize poster and essay on the achievements of sailor encourages girls at NHSG to submit Susie Goodhall, and a beautiful poem on Civil entries about the female they felt has Rights Movement pioneer, Claudette Colvin, done the most to empower girls and who refused to give up her seat to a white advance women’s rights in the last 100 woman on a crowded, segregated bus. years. As part of our IWD event, Helen Dalby, who We were delighted to welcome Mrs Vane, is now Senior Editor and Head of Digital the prize donor, and Alumna Helen Dalby at Reach plc which includes the Chronicle, to judge and present the prizes to the Journal and Gazette, also spoke to the girls at a special event on International girls about how her education has shaped Women’s Day. her climb to success in what is a very male dominated field. NHSG girls had submitted a superb range of films, poems, essays and dance We only need to look to our own Alumnae for choreography. Some were of women that so many inspiring stories of women who are most will have heard of and others were making their mark on the world. modern day change-makers. 11 NHSG SCHOOL NEWS
NHSG brought the Oomph! Many of the NHSG Alumnae who enjoyed theatrical triumphs at school have gone on to tread back to Oliver! the boards in theatre productions. Among their ranks are Alice Stokoe, who took the lead in the This year NHSG Senior School ditched West End production of Mamma Mia in 2015; and ribbons for rags to perform one of the most Laila Zaidi, a graduate from the Arts Educational beloved British musicals, Oliver!, bringing School who performed on BBC 1’s Shakespeare to life Dickens’ timeless characters with Live event, played Maria in West Side Story and is its infamous story of the orphan boy who now appearing in the new series of Benidorm. asked for more. Nearly 100 girls took part in the hit musical (in January at Northern We’re confident that this year’s cohort of aspiring Stage), which originally premiered in the performers will go on to achieve such success West End in 1960 and ran for an impressive when they leave NHSG to embark on the next 2,618 performances. Those of you that were stage of their educational journey. With just under able to come and watch will know that the 6 months to wait before the next production, its performances were a triumph, with the cast fair to say, the girls have definitely left us wanting wowing nearly 1500 people over four shows, more! including sell-out performances on Friday and Saturday evening.
Many audience members remarked that our production was at least as good as, if not better than a West End performance! Girls embodied their characters with ease and demonstrated their acting, dancing and singing talents like true professionals. The cast and orchestra had been tirelessly rehearsing from October last year but the reaction from the audience at each of the four shows ensured that their efforts were very much rewarded. 12
Over £6k raised for NECCR
Girls from Junior and Senior School have raised a collective £6014 for the North of England Children’s Cancer Research fund through individual sponsorship for completing the Children’s Cancer Run in 2018 and 2019. The money raised has gone towards helping children to overcome cancer and live long, happy and healthy lives.
Three girls from Year 6 who completed the run, Charlotte Hardie, Robyn Leck and Sarrah Khushnood, were invited to attend an awards presentation at Metro Radio’s studios at 55 Degrees North to accept a trophy and framed certificate on behalf of the School.
Remarkable golfer Rosie wins Rising Star Award
Talented golfer Rosie Belsham, Year 13, won a Rising Star Award after being nominated by NHSG PE teachers for this accolade. Rosie, whose home club is Whitley Bay, is currently ranked number 4 in the country and 22nd in Europe with a handicap of + 1.4. Rosie became the youngest ever Northumberland Ladies Senior Champion at the age of 15, which put her firmly on the sporting radar. She was lucky enough to be picked to represent England’s Under 16s in the National Cup, finishing runner-up.
Rosie attended the Awards Evening in February and said: “I only realised the calibre of the event when I arrived and I saw the famous and very talented athletes in attendance, along with presenters and sponsors. It was a fantastic night and I am very proud to have won the Award for Golf.”
Rosie took home the Bronze Grant Award which entitles her to a £250 grant to help support her sporting successes. We know it will be money well spent and Rosie has a very exciting future ahead of her. Most recently, Rosie has been selected by England Golf to play in the Duke of York Champions Trophy in Northern Ireland. We wish her the best of luck. 13
SECTION GDST Girl for Life 2019/20
RESULTS SUCCESS AT NHSG
It’s been a great Summer for the year in post focusing on academic Cooke and Annie Frost winning girls at NHSG, and especially for the attainment for all the pupils. places on the highly competitive girls who, this year, are joining the Art Foundation course at Kingston ranks of the Alumnae Network. He said: “Our A Level results show University in London. an increase of 20 percentage We were able to report a sharp points at both A* - A grade and A* Mr Tippett added: “For the girls increase in our performance at to B grades. With 51% of grades who attended NHSG, these results A Level compared to 2018 and have at A* to A and 80% at A* to B, the will mean that they will now be been delighted to see NHSG soar effort and sheer hard work of the following the university and career back up the league tables. girls has been recognised in this paths of their choice. I know they outstanding set of results. have exciting futures ahead of Over half of the A Level grades them and we wish them every achieved by the pupils at the “Underpinning the girls’ success. School are at A* and A, and an achievements is the excellent impressive 80% at grades A * to B. teaching and support they receive NHSG has reported excellent Both of these statistics represent at NHSG and I would like to results across all subject areas a rise of 20 percentage points on congratulate our staff, as well as ranging from Dance and results reported in 2018. the girls.“ Geography to Maths and Science and this is testament to the new Appointed as Head in September There were some phenomenal approach taken by the School over 2018, Mr Tippett has spent his first individual performances from girls the past year. at NHSG. Alice Larsen (pictured above, middle) who was Head Girl Following the success of the girls at NHSG achieved four A*s and is at A Level, results issued a week now going to St Mary’s in London later demonstrated that the School to study Medicine. was on the ‘up’ at GCSE level too. An outstanding 130 grades were Rosie Hurcombe (pictured left) awarded at the coveted top grade was delighted to learn that she too of 9, an increase of five percentage had gained four A*s. She is now points compared to 2018. looking forward to embarking on her degree at Sheffield University There have been improved where she will be studying results across all grades where an Aerospace Engineering. impressive 38% of grades at GCSE have been awarded at grades 9 – Meanwhile Amal Hashmi saw her 8/ A* and 62% at grades 9 – 7/A place confirmed at Oxford’s Corpus – A*.” Christi College to read Classics. 15 girls at NHSG achieved all 9 – 7/ Girls studying the Creative Arts A* - A grades across their 10 GCSE were also celebrating with Emilia subjects and three girls achieved a stunning clean sweep of ten top grades (Grades 8 – 9 or A*). You may know that the grading system has changed at GCSE, so while some subjects are still being marked with the traditional A* to G grades, most subjects are now graded 9 – 1 (grades 9 and 8 are the equivalent of an A* grade, with grade 9 being introduced to allow for greater distinction of the very best candidates, while Grade 7 equates to an A grade).
There were strong results across the whole range of GCSE subjects offered at NHSG, from the Arts to Sciences and Humanities to languages. – once again demonstrating the strength of 14
breadth across the School. highlight the success of the work we have undertaken Mr Tippett said:“We are especially delighted to be reporting improved to focus over the last year results at GCSE level with even on academic attainment. more girls at our school achieving We will continue to build the highest possible grades. on this to ensure that every girl at NHSG achieves her “The girls should feel very best. I am a passionate extremely proud of their believer that an all-girl achievements; they have school provides the perfect performed phenomenally environment for girls to well. I look forward to seeing achieve without limits and them continue to excel in I am looking forward to a their A Level studies. bright future for NHSG and all our pupils.” “Our 2019 GCSE results, combined with the excellent A Level results we received, 15
ONE YEAR ON
It was delightful to welcome back last year’s Year 13 leavers, now NHSG Alumnae, for afternoon drinks and a light buffet before they headed into Jesmond for an extended Reunion evening. The girls, some of whom started at our founding schools Church High and Central High, delighted in exchanging updates about their first year of university with school friends and teachers. There was certainly no shortage of stories to catch up on!
It was lovely to hear that the girls have all kept in touch since leaving school and being back in the Sixth Form Common Room was a great reminder of all the fun times they had shared together over the years at NHSG. Many of them commented on how they missed school and felt they could ‘walk back into school tomorrow and feel they never left’.
The girls requested that they be allowed to attend next year’s ‘One Year On’, so it seems like we will be seeing our NHSG Alumnae even more regularly than we anticipated! 16
CATCHING UP WITH EMMA CARRIE
It’s been a year since our Any mischief? Other than Head Girl, did you 2018 Head Girl, Emma Nothing I’d like to print in these win any prizes or awards? Carrie, left NHSG to study pages… Over the years I won some at Edinburgh university. We academic prizes at Prizegiving, and Favourite teacher? won the Sports Person of the Year caught up with her to reflect Mr Tippett – but he never actually prize in my final year. on her time at school and taught me, so Mr Newman! see how she’s getting on... What advice would you offer Let’s talk about the food… your younger school-age self? It certainly changed a lot! Some Say yes to everything! And don’t of my first memories from school take for granted all the people are serving other girls in my class who are there to support you in in the West Avenue dining room – school, it won’t be the same after those were classic school dinners, you leave! and Barbie Cake was always a favourite. When I was in Chapman What are you studying now and House the food got so much what do you like most about it? better, and nowadays in Senior I’m studying Physics at the School, Nick (Mr Hearfield), never University of Edinburgh. My fails to impress – I don’t think the favourite thing about it is that girls at school realise how good it covers such a wide range of the food is now in comparison to topics so you are always learning what it was! That’s not even something new – and something mentioning the cookies in the challenging! Common Room, which made Sixth Form worth the exam stress. What are your plans after university? Describe your school experience Where was your favourite place in three words? at school to hang out? No idea! I will probably do a Masters and want to travel at some Wouldn’t change anything! In the old school, under the point, but apart from that I’ll just Science stairs – nice and close to see where post-uni life takes me. Who was your best friend? the lunch hall so we could get in I like the idea of being an eternal first! student – not sure the parents I had lots of different friends over would approve though! the years, which came from our Sporty or outside field lingerer? Year Group as a whole being quite tight-knit. Still, some of my closest Sporty! Some of my best friends now are those who I’ve memories at school are from known since Nursery! GDST trips around the country for various events.
17
NHSG STAFF LEAVERS
Sadly we said goodbye Carol Elliott wish Jennie every success as she moves on. to some of our long- Mrs Carol Elliott joined in 2000 serving staff this as the School’s Librarian and has ensured an excellent provision Paul Mogie summer. We wish them at Central High and then NHSG all well. for the past has 19 years. She has Paul has been with NHSG as during these years developed and teacher at the Junior School maintained the School’s archives, for four years, having joined in Christine Chapman leaving a lasting legacy for us all. September 2015. Paul came to us We wish her every happiness in her with a huge wealth of experience – After 34 years of service to NHSG retirement. and Church High before it, Miss 19 years of teaching before NHSG Christine Chapman has decided to - and he put that to good use in leave the School. Miss Chapman Toria Harrison the Junior School. He has been joined Newcastle Church High much appreciated by girls, parents School as an English Teacher in Mrs Toria Harrison has chosen to and colleagues alike, for his calm 1985. For 12 years she was Head retire after 40, extremely happy, and dedicated approach. of Key Stage 4 before becoming years in teaching. The last 17 of Head of Year in Newcastle High these have been spent in Central School for Girls, where she guided High and then more recently at Roger Newman one cohort from Year 8 through NHSG teaching History. As Mr to 11 and also led Year 8 during Allender, her colleague, would say, Mr Roger Newman started as a the 2018-2019 academic year. ‘this seems like a logical place to Physics teacher at Central High in Christine has a passionate interest end’. September 2003 and has taught in the history of Church High and at Central High and NHSG for we thank her too for her many Jennie King 16 years. Roger has inspired a contributions to the Alumnae significant number of girls with magazines over the years. Mrs Jennie King joined Central a love of Physics and girls have We wish Christine every happiness High in September 2010 as Head valued his knowledge, experience for the future. of Modern Foreign Languages and care. His dedication to the and became the Head of the promotion and organisation of Languages and Digital Literacy the School’s Duke of Edinburgh Emma Davie Faculty when NHSG was created. Award Scheme has supported so many girls to develop as resilient Miss Emma Davie joined the PE In recent years, Mrs King has individuals. We wish him every department in September 2016. She SWIRE Chinese Language Centre happiness in his retirement made a really huge contribution Newcastle to successfully develop to the PE team and helped inspire our Mandarin programme in a love of sport, especially hockey, partnership with a number of among the girls. We wish her primary and secondary schools in luck in her new teaching role in Newcastle and South Tyneside. We Newcastle. 18
Zoe Robinson Junior School but Mrs Thew also taught English in Church High Mrs Zoe Robinson joined Church Senior School from 2007 and High as an Art Teacher in 2004 moved across to the Senior School and continued to teach Art until permanently in 2009. She became the end of the Summer Term in Head of Year 7 at NHSG in 2014. 2019. Zoe has decided to take We wish her all the best as she the opportunity to focus on her moves to her new job as Head of individual work as a practising English at Mowden Hall. artist next year. We wish her well with her endeavour. Jill Tiryaki
Dianne Smith Mrs Jill Tiryaki joined NHSG two years ago as our Home Economics Mrs Smith joined Central High teacher; her positive and energetic in September 2001 and has approach to her role and school life completed her 18th year of service have left their mark on us all. to the School. She started with us as a Biology teacher and in 2010 became the Head of Biology at Edyta Weronska-Bowles Central High then Assistant Head of Faculty in the Science and Maths Mrs Edyta Weronska-Bowles, as Faculty at the merged school, for Senior Technician, has provided one year 2014-2015, after which excellent IT support to the whole she continued steering the success School since October 2015. We of the Biology department as wish her and her family every Subject Leader from 2015-2017. happiness as they make their move Dianne is one of the most caring to Italy. persons that you could wish to meet, and is utterly devoted to Marguerite Wiggins ensuring the girls get the best possible experience. Mrs Marguerite Wiggins joined Central High in the Science department in September 2009 and Kay Thew has taught Chemistry, Biology and Science from Year 5 to Year 13 ever since, at Central and in NHSG. We Kay joined Church High in the will miss her and wish her well in Junior School in September 1998 her future plans. and has completed 21 years of service to Church High and NHSG. Her career started in the 19
CHS TO THE U.S.A
Church High Alumna, I was dragged from my familiar finished off the school term in life in 1956 at the age of 13. The Junior High School there, then in Diana Scheffler, shares Church High was all I knew; all my the fall went on to High School. the story of her journey friends were there. You know what These were public schools, and it’s like for a teenager to have to I managed to develop a better from Newcastle to leave her friends. attitude along the way, taking San Diego. advantage of starting over to My father was attracted to Canada become more outgoing and find by a job offer. He had just new friends. I was still the shy qualified as a neurosurgeon and English girl. was unable to find a position in Newcastle. We settled first in Then came college – the University Montreal where I attended Miss of Manitoba. In those days and in Edgars and Miss Cramps (yes, that time, most students really!) School for Girls. It was attended the local university and rather like the Church High - even lived at home. There in my last the uniforms were green. I suspect year, I began dating my future my parents decided to send me husband, Immo Scheffler. We there so that I could continue my had been acquainted since my sheltered existence. first year, but we each discovered that the other would be in Ottawa However, the school fees were over the summer. That prompted high, which is perhaps why I was an invitation to the movies – Tom enrolled the next year in “public Jones. school” (that means something different in North America; no fees We continued the relationship in but publicly funded). I threatened Ottawa, got engaged at the end of my parents that since there would the summer, and Immo went off to be boys there, no doubt I would do a graduate degree at Stanford be dating, and that surely they University near San Francisco. We wouldn’t like that. In retrospect, were married the following year, perhaps they thought it would be and I joined him in California. good for me to get to know the Neither of us had any intention of other species. It was; and I didn’t staying in the US; the future was do much dating! wide open.
Then after two years in Montreal, While Immo was doing post- my father got a better job in doctoral work in Boston and Winnipeg. The first reaction in Paris (there are great travel people have to life in Winnipeg opportunities when married to a is that it’s cold. It is, but it gets scientist!) he was offered several nice and warm in the summer! I 20
permanent jobs at US universities. It took only one visit to San Diego to make it very clear that the right choice was the University of California at San Diego. We’ve been there ever since, 58 years now.
The epilogue may turn out to be that we return to Canada. Immo grew up in Germany and I in England. Canada seems to us a wonderful blend of the best of Europe and the United States. We’ll see. Meanwhile we enjoy visits to relatives and friends in our old home-towns in Canada, Germany, and England. We’ve both kept in touch with our pals from those days, and they remain perhaps the best friends we have.
Pictured right: Diana constructed a beautiful memory box 20 years ago with cherished souvenirs from her Church High days.
Pictured above: NCHS School Photograph, 1955.
See pages 22-23 for close-up images of Diana’s classmates. With a little help from fellow Alumna, Susan Kirkhope, she was able to identify and name as many as 30. Impressive work, ladies! 21
This treasured Franz Marc framed antelope postcard was signed and given to Diana by her classmates (IVB1) when she left Church High for Canada all those years ago. Did you sign this postcard? We’d love to hear from you, and so would Diana!
Please get in touch with us via email [email protected] 22 Class IVB1 in 1955 Anne Feldstein Anne Scott Carole Barnett
Diana Hay Diana Magnay Diana Thorpe
Eileen Ward Elizabeth Forman Elizabeth Forster
Elizabeth Wigham Gaye McGill Isobel Thubron
Jennifer Antliffe Judith Hinkley Margaret Walker Class IVB1 in 1955 23 Magueritte Burge Mary Anne Taylorson Muriel Grey
Nicole Andrews Pat Robertson Patricia Newton
Pat Wright Patricia Newton Sandra Brown
Sheila Saville Sonia Kellett Susan Kirkhope
Susan Williams Valerie Mason Wendy Thornton 24
10 YEARS ON
Above L to R: Georgina Archer, Liz Ascroft, Emily Buchan, Lucy Craig, Katy-Jane Cuthbert, Jenny Shell, Laura Pallas, Emma Herron (back row). Sarah Cotterell, Jess Dickens (nee Shaw), Sophie Stalgis (nee Laws), Lucy Robinson, Rachel Robinson, Steph Brown, (middle row). Emmelene Zack, Alex Mackellar, Liane Phillipson (front).
Below L to R: Sophie Stalgis, Anna Oswald, Rachel Robinson, Alex Mackellar, Jess Dickens, Liane Philipson, Jenny Shell, Liz Walker (nee Griffiths), Katy-Jane Cuthbert, Lucy Craig, Liz Ascroft, Charlotte Thompson (nee Johnson), Emmelene Zack. 25
We were delighted to receive The close knit group attended the Thank you for coming ladies, we these photos (pictured left) from Church High Reunion lunch on hope to see you again soon. Church High Alumna Katy-Jane 22nd June this year and delighted Cuthbert following the celebration in looking at the recently released If you would like to share your of Liz Walker’s (née Griffiths) archived materials from their photos, or the story of a recent wedding service at St George’s Church High days. They reunion with fellow Alumnae, then Church in Jesmond last Summer. recognised themselves on the please do get in touch. covers of several magazines! They ([email protected]) Katy, along with her school friends also enjoyed a tour of NHSG recalled taking a photograph facilities led by NHSG Director of in front of the same spot at St Sixth Form, Mrs Harrison, who was George’s Church 10 years ago, also Head of Sixth Form at Church at the end of year service in July High and a Church High Alumna 2008, so couldn’t resist recreating herself! It was a lovely afternoon the photograph on such a special spent reminiscing on happy school occasion! memories. 26
NANCY’S NATURAL TALENT
Nancy Campbell, class of the millennium to read English years. 1996, is a renowned writer Literature at the University of My curiosity about ice and Oxford. After completing my concern about climate of poetry and non-fiction degree, I worked for an old firm of with many of her projects antiquarian bookdealers in London. change have led me to responding to the collaborate with museums environment. She has won I loved the classics that and scientific research many accolades for her passed through my hands, stations and coastal dedication to the natural but I wanted to write villages around the Arctic world and has kindly shared books of my own. and Scandinavia from with us her journey to Denmark to the United success. I left London in 2010, and States. travelled to Upernavik, an island on the northwest coast of Greenland, At school my passions were Everywhere I witnessed the effects where I’d been appointed Writer books and the natural world, of warming winters: ending the in Residence at the most northern and these subjects are now at epic winter bonspiels traditionally museum in the world. I was given the heart of my work. I moved held by Scottish curling clubs a cabin on the shores of Baffin south from Newcastle just before on frozen lochs, or causing the Bay, and I lived as part of the retreat of Europe’s largest glacier community that winter, learning in Iceland. The people and places how to survive the cold and I encountered are charted in 24-hour darkness. As the sun my memoir The Library of Ice: returned, I observed breathtaking Readings from a Cold Climate, icebergs, but my neighbours which was published last year. told me how dramatically their environment was changing. I turned my attention to the environment closer to home My first book How To Say ‘I Love when I was appointed as Canal You’ in Greenlandic (winner of a Laureate by The Poetry Society. Birgit Skiöld Award) was inspired The Laureate’s role is to write by learning an endangered Arctic about the 2,000 miles of the language on the island. My poetry waterways in the UK looked after collection Disko Bay (shortlisted by the Canal & River Trust. For a for the Forward Prize for Best First year I explored this much-loved Collection 2016 and the Michael network on foot, bicycle, and Murphy Memorial Prize 2017) by kayak: giving readings on a related my wider experiences of life narrowboat for Nottingham Light on the ice edge. Night, celebrating the opening of a Secret Garden on the River Kennet, My work in Upernavik began a and paddling the 126-mile length pattern which continued over seven 27
of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal during a heatwave. My words can be seen along the waterways from London Docklands – sprayed on the towpath in hydroponic ink – to the River Severn – embedded in concrete fish passes.
This year I am Writer in Residence at the Internationales Künstlerhaus Villa Concordia in Bamberg, Germany, where I’m completing my next book. There are so many challenges facing our world today, few of which were anticipated while I was at school.
I look back with gratitude to the teachers who first encouraged my love of literature and showed that words could be a means of understanding the world – and maybe even making it a better place. 28
A LONG-AWAITED LONDON GATHERING
Earlier this year, Julie Green (née organising their long-awaited Ayers) reached out to the NHSG reunion dinner in London later that Alumnae team to ask if we had any month. The three ladies had an Are you looking for information on leavers of 1984. We absolutely fantastic time catching quickly responded with names of up 35 years after leaving school but old school friends? contacts on our database for that remarked that they “felt like we year, two of which happened to be Julie’s closest friends throughout were teenagers again!“ We can help! her time at Church High! We were absolutely delighted that NHSG made contact with Helen we are able to help three of our Williams (née Stokes) and Susanna Alumnae reconnect, and they sent Email us at: Hinton (née Hall) to provide Julie’s us this photo to thank us for being [email protected] contact details and they were soon part of this special reunion. 29
A DREAM COME TRUE FOR JUDITH ALEXANDER
come true! It started me on the Archer and Gail Rodwell in a lovely road to becoming an actress and scene which was great fun to film. it helped that the school drama The Coronation Street cast are a teacher, Mrs Remington, was also lovely, warm and welcoming bunch at the theatre. Both she and my who made my filming days a real English teacher encouraged me treat and I am crossing my fingers I enormously with Mrs Hardaker will get asked back. Later this year, coaching me personally towards I will make an appearance in an my drama school auditions. Our episode of the Netflix series, The hard work paid off and I was Crown alongside Olivia Colman, awarded a place at Mountview Tobias Menzies, Charles Dance Drama School in London, but after and other very well-known actors. much thought I decided that I I can tell you that I kept pinching would instead pursue a ‘normal’ myself whilst filming that and I am career and became first a nurse looking forward to its release at and then a police officer. the end of the year.
I never lost my love of acting, Going forward, I am filming an however, and whilst on a career independent feature film later this break from the police, I started year and continue to audition and doing some extra work in local take part in workshops to make me Judith Alexander, Class of TV shows and adverts and was as up to date as possible. I never 1983, set aside acting for incredibly lucky to be cast in a actually made it to drama school a ‘normal career’ but has Peter Kay comedy special on TV, and yet it’s all working out so well, since rekindled her passion playing the mother of one of the I would tell anyone interested lead characters. This really helped in performing to go for it. There for performing arts. She me, allowing me to get an agent are many more courses now than tells us why you should and of course more work, which there were when I was starting out never give up on your included commercials, corporate and they can lead you to some childhood dreams... training videos, voicing a character wonderful places in television and in an XBox game and small roles in film. I am really pleased that I went feature films including a horror and back to acting and gave it another I first started acting when I was 12 another alongside David Tennant, shot because it was all I really at the People’s Theatre in Heaton. which was great fun! wanted to do and now I can say I Every week I would take part in the achieved my dream. youth theatre workshops and a few I am now represented by one of times a year would be in a play or the leading agents in Manchester, performance. I will never forget the where a lot of TV work is done year that the Theatre Royal closed and I am happy to have had some for refurbishment and the Royal great work as a result. Earlier this Shakespeare Company came to the year, I appeared in Coronation People’s Theatre – it was a dream Street alongside love-rat Lewis 30
A SOUTH AFRICAN ADVENTURE
We couldn’t resist asking later, I decided that I would give Centurion just outside of Pretoria Julie Hagen (née Sampson, teaching a miss and I joined the and then 23 years ago we ended Inland Revenue, at the time, HM up in Cape Town, making the most Class of ‘69) to write us an Inspector of Taxes, leaving in 1979 of every place along the way. We article on the events that when my elder son was born. have not stayed here the whole led to the South African time though. adventure of a lifetime - I was married in 1973, and am still with the same husband, well on After taking early retirement at literally. our way to our Golden wedding the end of 2005, my husband anniversary. We have two sons, moved into the franchise side of It wasn’t until I really read, not just both of whom were born in the business and we moved to glanced at, the email invitation to England but who live in South Gaborone in Botswana and lived this year’s Old Girls lunch in June Africa, just around the corner from there for the next nine years. This that I realised that it was 50 years us. My husband has had a career in time our sons remained at home. almost to the date since I had left the retail industry for over 45 years. While in Botswana we travelled Church High. 50 years, a lifetime! In 1984 he was offered the chance for work to Namibia, Swaziland to take up a management position and back to Cape Town and for I messaged Amy at NHSG to say with a supermarket chain in South pleasure to Zimbabwe. We have that as I now live in Cape Town, Africa. After a lot of thought, had some fantastic adventures I would not be attending but discussion and prayer, we decided along the way, Cape Point, Table would like her to pass on my best to accept the two year contract Mountain, close to home, then wishes to any of my year who knowing that if it was a complete Hluhluwe/Umfolozi game parks might be going. She emailed disaster we could always return in Zululand, Rorke’s Drift, the back to tell me some of those home. So, in February 1985, the day Drakensberg mountains, Londolozi going from my year - I recognised before our youngest son turned private reserve in the Kruger, Christian names, but not so many 2 and with a 5 year old who had Addo elephant park in the Eastern surnames. She suggested I might completed only one term of school Cape. Chobe reserve in Botswana, like to contribute to the Alumnae in England, we landed in East the Victoria Falls, where we were magazine saying how I came to be London, a small coastal town in the transported back to colonial in Cape Town. So, condensing 50 Eastern Cape with our household times staying in the Victoria Falls years into three paragraphs, here goods to follow in four weeks. hotel. We have seen all of the big we go! five, several times over, majestic From there, to working and now leopards, an incredible lion kill, I left school in 1969 to take up retirement in Cape Town there buffalo, elephants, rhino, whales, a place at Middleton St George have been lots of moves, always dolphins. Sunsets over the Chobe teacher training college in transfers and promotions with my river, rainbows over the Vic Darlington with French as my husband’s work. We have lived Falls. All the most incredible and main subject. As I was about to in Gonubie, just outside of East wondrous experiences. A trip to embark on my teaching career, London, then it was Three Rivers the bush restores a person’s soul. my father had a heart attack so I in the Vaal Triangle, Pinetown in went to work with him in the family Natal, Richards Bay in Zululand, We have lived through the end of business. After selling it three years 31 Photo 1: 1st Netball Team (Back row) Dulcie Turnbull, can't remember, Rosalind Anderson. (Front row) Joy Cavanagh, Mar- garet Grant, me, Gillian Gale.
Photo 2: 1st Hockey Team (Back row) Dulcie Turnbull, ? Hilary Brown ? ? Wendy Martin, Margaret Grant (Front row) Rosalind Anderson, ?, Alison Appleby (Head Girl), Susan Walker, me (Julie Sampson), ?.
Photo 3: Class of 1969 with Miss Lewis, Headmistress, Mrs Hogg and Miss Proom to her right. I cannot remember the other teachers’ names but I recall they were Sixth Form form teachers.
Apartheid, I was an Independent Electoral Observer and after standing for over four hours to cast my vote I witnessed first-hand people voting for the first time in the 1994 elections, making sure that the elections were free and fair. I am part of the democratic new South Africa, which still has far to go, but is so much further than it was when we arrived over 34 years ago. Now, I spend my days looking after my 5 year old granddaughter, school days here are different to England, she starts at 8.00a.m and finishes at 12.30a.m, so we have whole afternoons to fill! I am having the privilege to see a whole new world through her eyes.
32
THE POWER OF EDUCATION IN DRIVING EQUALITY
Since 1872 NHSG and our had no prospect of social mobility wealthy nobles, allowed boys to founding schools have been through education. Opportunities be taught free of charge. Many educating the young women of for working class girls remained of these schools survive today the North East. With a combined limited well into the 20th century, and their early philanthropic history of over 270 years, right up until the 1980s, where founders paved the way for them Gateshead High School, Church grammar school places for girls to continue to be able to offer High School, Central High School, were restricted. It is now estimated educational opportunity regardless and now NHSG, have played a that without the quotas, in mixed of financial circumstance. crucial role in the emancipation grammar schools, two thirds of Philanthropy is woven into the and advancement of women. all the classes would have been fabric of their schools and old boys occupied by girls. understand that it is a fundamental Women’s lives have changed part of belonging to their school radically in the last 100 years and Opportunities for bright boys from that they contribute to providing education has been a fundamental all backgrounds on the other hand, an equal opportunity to future part of this transformation. We were more readily generations. have come a long way from available. From as home delivered lessons in basic far back as 604, Independent girls’ schools were Latin, Greek, Music and etiquette independent able, in some measure, to designed to make girls ‘decorative, boys’ schools, balance the scales by providing modest, marriageable beings’. established bursary places to those girls by charitable denied grammar school places endowments but in far fewer numbers Now, we are offered from than the independent boy’s religious schools. Lacking the culture equal educational institutions, of philanthropy embedded opportunity – almost. merchants in these schools, and the and fact that most Alumnae Women’s education always did not have control conformed to class expectations. of their finances and Educational reform for women were restricted by was occurring from the late the expectations 19th century but it remained of family life, the privilege of the middle and funding for upper classes. Working class girls, bursaries at if they were educated at all, girls’ schools were taught the very basics of has reading, writing, arithmetic and domestic skills such as needlework. Bright, talented girls of this class 33
“Education is liberation. Knowledge is power.”
traditionally been significantly less. Institute shows that nearly 50% Alumnae changed the world for of female donors support causes future generations of women, and However, times are changing. In for women and girls and are we continue to shape the future the 140 years since our founding 84% more likely to invest their of all who pass through our doors. schools were established we have donations in sustainable social There’s still so much do be done seen our society transformed. initiatives. Now that women have though. We can’t yet meet the Education is the agent of basic control of their resources we have demand for places at our school change in the status of women a unique opportunity to establish through our current bursary funds and has enabled us to grasp the girls’ schools as equals in the and to be able to do so we need opportunities the suffragettes and field of offering life- transforming to demonstrate that women are two world wars opened up for us. education regardless of financial equally powerful in supporting one Gateshead High School, Church circumstance. another as the Old Boys network High School, Central High School of old. and now NHSG have all been at the Here at NHSG we are working forefront of girls’ education. We towards establishing a significant have educated thousands of young endowment fund that will enable A gift of education is, women from across the North us to offer this remarkable we believe, is one of East and our Alumnae – doctors, opportunity to as many girls as educators, lawyers, scientists and we can. the biggest you can politicians to name but a few – have give. all played a part in transforming Our founding schools and our the lives of future generations of women.
Education has given us access to the job market and financial independence.
Women now control 40% of global wealth and Forbes statistics show that women give almost twice as much of their wealth as men (3.5% vs. 1.8%).
Furthermore, empirical research by the Women’s Philanthropy 34
ADD TO YOUR ARCHIVES
No longer locked in the safe recesses of our school, our archives are now open to all through this excellent website which gives you the opportunity to explore some of our schools’ archives from anywhere in the world with internet access. You can explore our school magazines and conduct searches by name or special word too which we know will be a great advantage and save much research time.
We would like to provide a comprehensive digital archive of Newcastle upon Tyne Church High School. We will be drawing on material held in the Discovery Museum archives, our own archives and, we hope, contributions from Alumnae like yourselves.
It costs on average £100 to digitise each year which will include the school magazine at an average of £1 per page and photographs which cost up to £4 each.
We have been able to fund the digitisation of some of our archives through the generous support of our Alumnae and we hope you would like to help.
Our aim is to digitise the whole archive when funds become available to do this. We would like to appeal to you, our Alumnae to support this project, either individually or collectively in class groups and each digitised year will acknowledge the source of funds.
If we receive funds over and above what is required for that year then we will pool them to fund years that have no Alumnae to contribute or for extra material that falls outside a Year Group, such as The Centenary Book of the Newcastle upon Tyne Church High School 1885 – 1985.
I hope that you are as enthusiastic about this project as we are. The digitisation of these archives will enable us to preserve this fascinating and evocative material and make it accessible to everyone. You can donate by contacting Polly (contact details below) or browsing to the following link: https://bit.ly/2kbwH1H
In the meantime please do go and have a look at the Archives so far: newcastlehighschoolforgirls.daisy.websds.net/ (click on the ‘Browse’ tab at the top left to explore the archive material).
For more information please contact:
Polly De Giorgi Development Manager [email protected] 0191 201 6549 35
CATHERINE COOKSON
North East in mines, shipyards, much to be said for growing up For over seven years, farms and the surrounding rural coal poor in Tyneside in the early the Catherine Cookson areas, her heroines overcome 1900s when the North East was a Charitable Trust has their class restrictions through derelict region in a period of deep supported Newcastle education. Catherine Cookson’s depression. High School for Girls in escape from a life of grinding our endeavours to make poverty through education and Catherine was scantily educated an outstanding education determination are a convincing and left school at 13 to work example of the transformative in heavy domestic service for a available to the young power of education and a wealthy family. It was here that the women of the North East strong reminder that a child’s differences between the classes regardless of their financial level of competence should not were made apparent to Catherine circumstances. We are be presumed by their social and her determination to better delighted to have recently background. herself through education and received our third tranche of hard work was born. Borrowing funding from the Catherine The life of Catherine Cookson could books from South Shields Library Cookson Trust and we hope have been lifted from the pages of and saving every penny she made, one of her novels, an illegitimate she began the transformation from that she would have been child raised in the North East in working class waif into one of proud of the fact that her the early 1900s, who dreamed of a Britain’s most prolific and wealthy legacy to the North East is better life, married a school master writers. giving the opportunity of and eventually became one of a transformative education Britain’s wealthiest women. During her lifetime Catherine to bright, determined and Cookson wrote 103 novels which deserving girls. Catherine Cookson had a tough sold more than 123 million copies upbringing. Born in 1906 in South and were translated into at least Shields, Catherine grew up in one 20 different languages. She was We are enormously grateful of the poorest communities in the awarded an OBE and later a to the Trust for their support. Western Word. The illegitimate Dame Commander of the Order daughter of a domestic servant, of the British Empire, received the her childhood was marred by Freedom of the Borough of South Newcastle High School for Girls alcoholism, unemployment, and Tyneside and an honorary degree is built on a strong tradition of poverty. Trips to the pawnshop, from the University of Newcastle. philanthropy. The belief in equality scavenging for wood and coal Catherine amassed a great fortune and social mobility through on the banks of the River Tyne, during her lifetime and, loyal to her education is woven into the ethos picking up coke from carts, roots, insisting that she had always of the School. cinder-sifting and other penny- been ‘a child of the Tyne’ she left saving devices were commonplace a lasting philanthropic legacy in Social mobility is a core theme features of everyday existence. the form of the Catherine Cookson throughout many of Catherine The description of her early life in Trust which continues to enrich the Cookson’s stories. Set against her autobiography Our Kate does lives of the people of the North a background of poverty in the not make easy reading, there’s not East. 36
CHURCH HIGH REUNION 2019
We were delighted to welcome nearly 50 of our Church High Alumnae back to their former school site on Tankerville Terrace in June this Summer. There was a 60 year age difference between some of our ‘old girls’ in attendance, with leavers from 1949 all the way up to 2009!
This year we were able to display a vast collection of Church High archive materials, organised by decade, which have been protected in storage since the school merged with Central High to become NHSG. There was a huge variety of documents to peruse, from reports to photographs to newsletters, and peruse they certainly did! There were some impressive memory skills amongst our Alumnae cohorts as they reeled off names of faces on black and white grainy photographs as though they had left school just yesterday.
NHSG Sixth Formers provided tours of the new facilities for our guests, all of whom were amazed by the quality of the learning spaces available for current pupils at Newcastle High. The Art studios and roof terrace on the Science floor were particular favourites; the terrace always looks spectacular on a bright sunny day.
Later in the afternoon, everyone settled down for a delicious two course lunch which was served after a short welcome from Mr Michael 37
Tippett, NHSG Head. Michael Ann Charlton Daphne Strange stressed the important bond (née Hunter) Class of 1951 that remains between NHSG and Church High Alumnae, and that the Class of 1954 Really enjoyed the piece written Church High ethos will always live Ann was 80 years young in April in the last newsletter on the CNHS on in NHSG. Please remember that 2019 and has been married to doll, whose extensive wardrobe of Church High Alumnae are always Michael for 55 years. She is most Church High uniform had been welcome and you don’t have to interested in the School and has lovingly created by Daphne’s wait for a Reunion to visit. We are two granddaughters, one of which, mother and donated to a school only a phone call away! Sarah Ord, currently attends. Her tombola during Daphne’s school other granddaughter, Abigail Craig, years. It was lovely to see Daphne Each year we invite has since left NHSG and is now reunited with the doll at last year’s studying at Edinburgh university. Reunion, after so much time had Alumnae to provide passed! their most up to date Anne Walton contact details as well (née Hastie) as any personal news Class of 1949 they would like to This is Anne’s last year of travelling share with us. Here are (she says this every year!) single some updates from handedly for four months on her your fellow ‘Old Girls’! narrow boat, doing an average of 750 miles. Fiona Rickwood (née Wright) Class of 1972 Fiona has returned from teaching Angela Roberts-Smith in the Seychelles for 33 years and (née Brandon) is now living locally. A former Head of Performing Arts and Deputy Class of 1969 Headteacher, Fiona would like to The Brandon girls - Christine, Janet connect with anyone who and Angela - have now retired and remembers her from Whitley Bay. all are doing well! Contact [email protected] who will put you in touch with Michele Guinness Fiona. (née Gilbert) Class of 1967 Has written and published 13 books, with more than 1 million sold. Chosen features her time at Church High which was later made into a documentary (1985) by ITV with an interview with Daphne Proom. Michele now lives in France for most of the year.
38
IN MEMORIAM
Since the last newsletter we have Ros never looked back. grandchildren Max and Lilly were been advised of the sad news of She began teaching Domestic “the best things ever”), she will be the following Alumnae who have Science at Thomas Addison remembered with great affection passed away. Girls’ School which then became by everyone whose life she Longbenton High School, where touched. Gwenda Graham she also became involved with the Youth Club. A move into Written by Judith Jenkins (Hattle) Adult Education followed, and she (nee Grayson) 1935-2019 finished her career as Principal Adult Education Officer for North Sheila Lough Tyneside. Gwenda was born in 1935 and 1946-2019 married Ted Graham in her early Ros was something of a trailblazer, 20s. Sadly her mother died when negotiating a return to the job Sheila Lough has died, aged 73, a she was just 14. You can find her she loved when both Clare and friend and mentor to many. She pictures on team photos in the Simon were born. Although fairly was born Sheila McGuire in Bristol, 1950s. She was very good at sport standard practice today, it was the middle of three daughters of and played tennis for Durham highly unusual in 1973 and 1979. Don McGuire and his wife, Nell. County. The family moved to Newcastle Every summer when the children where Sheila attended Church Rosalyn Jane Croucher were small, the caravan would High School, near her home in be packed and the family would Jesmond, and met her future Class of 1963 set off for France for the summer husband, Hugh Lough, doing 1945-2019 holidays, returning with hilarious Scottish country dancing at a tales of adventures and mishaps, youth club next to the school. but also of the lovely people they Ros and I started at Church High met, who remained friends to the They married in June 1968 and on the same day and although in end. Later Ros and Basil enjoyed moved from Newcastle to Whalton different forms, through travelling holidays in more exotic locations. in 1988 with their three children to school together, shared interests to enjoy a more rural lifestyle. and mutual friends we formed It was whilst at school that Caryl Sheila threw herself into village a lasting friendship. She had a Burnett had introduced Ros to life. She was a long-serving church mischievous sense of humour, as a potential doubles partner for warden at St Mary Magdalene’s in some members of staff discovered tennis. Ros and Basil were married Whalton. Her ability to organise to their cost, but was also always in June 1968 and celebrated their was legendary – Burns Night ready to laugh at herself. Golden Wedding with their family suppers, jumble sales, garden last year, shortly before Basil died. parties – as was her ability to Her initial career plan was to be a Ros’ devoted care for her husband persuade others to get involved. nurse (her father had even bought earned her the admiration of She was also the founder, in 2006, her a fob watch!), instead Ros went everyone. of Whalton village show, an event to Ilkley College , where Mary still held annually in September, Mann, a CH “Old Girl”, was her Ros had a great circle of friends which makes thousands of College Mother. from every stage of her life, as pounds for the church, school and was evident at her funeral. Even community. After her Junior School Teaching in her final weeks she enjoyed Practice, which she hated, she having visitors, sharing a drink Our condolences to Hugh, their was ready to give it all up but and hearing the gossip. Strong, children, Anna, Neil and Jen, and was persuaded by her tutor to try positive, feisty and loving (her her sister Kirsty. secondary teaching , after which 39
EVENTS & GETTING INVOLVED
Inspire lecture series Church High Reunion Charity Golf Day Saturday 20th June 2020 Spring/Summer 2020 Newcastle High School for 11 a.m. We are hosting a Close House Girls is proud to announce the Join us for our annual Church Charity Golf Day to raise money launch of an exciting public High Reunion on Saturday 20th for our all-important bursary lecture series. The series has June for a day of reminiscing with programme. To book places been introduced to offer delightful old friends and delicious (teams of four) please contact opportunities for our girls, their food. Everyone is welcome, whether [email protected]. family and friends and the wider you’re in a special Reunion group community, to attend engaging or want to join us for the first time! and captivating events talks within our school theatre space We’ll be sharing the link to book starting from September 2019. your tickets via email very soon! If you do not use email and NEW Leaders Conference would like to come along, please Our biennual NEW (North East telephone Amy Rodway on Women) Leaders Conference is 0191 2016 599. taking place on 16th September 2019 at Northumbria University. The conference aims to inspire Christmas Fair 16-18 year old girls from Saturday 23rd November across the region, focusing on 2019 leadership characteristics and 10.30 a.m. skills. The event will involve Join us at Senior School to our region’s high flying women enjoy a range of stalls from and emerging talent coming local businesses, a raffle, a guest together to offer guidance on appearance from Father Christmas London Gathering routes to success and getting to and much more festive fun! the top in their chosen field. Summer 2020 ______Keep your eyes peeled for an Christmas Carol Service invitation to a Central London Alumnae gathering! We want to Want to get involved? Tuesday 17th December 2019 Please get in touch with our stay connected with those that Co-Ordinator of Co-Curricular 10.00 a.m. have moved away from the North and External Links, Miss Sarah You are warmly invited to the East and what better excuse for a Penny, who is a fellow Church Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols celebration in our nation’s capital. High Alumna! at The Parish Church of St George, We hope to share more details [email protected] Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne. with you very soon via email. Afterwards, you are all welcome back to Senior School for mulled You can update your details here: wine and mince pies. newcastlehigh.gdst.net/ Get In Touch...
Janice Graves Polly de Giorgi Amy Rodway Director of Marketing Development Manager Marketing Officer [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
@tankervillehouse
newcastlehigh.gdst.net/alumnae