MOSA Newsletter

Spring/SUMMER 2017 Issue 1

Welcome from New Alumnae Officer We are pleased to inform you that Your MOSA Committee MOSA has a new Welcome to our new-look Newsletter which we hope proves to Alumnae Officer, be an interesting and informative way of keeping with Hannah Roberton. Hannah joined the whole of the Old Scholar community. us in September We have been delighted by the number of updates, news, memories, and photographs sent by Old to support the Scholars and, so as not to overwhelm you with a huge first newsletter, have decided to share over work of MOSA. several editions. We would welcome any comments you wish to make about the content and, of Her main purpose is to take over the course, any contributions. Please email [email protected]. administrative tasks of the Association, Our other main communications effort concerns social media. The Mount Old Scholars’ Social thus replacing the work of the current Forum is now the official Facebook group so please do join if you are not already a member. Secretary, Communications Officer and Finally, we would like to thank all Old Scholars who came to the 2017 Reunion Weekend and Reunion Secretary. Her initial areas of focus who helped make the event a big success. It was fantastic seeing you all and hope you enjoyed the include expanding the Old Scholar database, weekend. A full report can be found on page 8. organising reunion events, communicating Yours in friendship with Old Scholars and further developing The MOSA Executive Committee links between Old Scholars and The Mount School. She is very much looking forward to meeting lots of Old Scholars over the Updated Contact Details coming months. We are in the process of updating our database. Hannah brings over 15 years’ experience Please ensure we have the right contact to the role, managing and developing details (address, email and birthday) for you programmes in the education, charitable by emailing [email protected]. and sporting sectors. She works part time, If you know of any other Mount Old Scholars is based at The Mount School, and has two who would like to be on our mailing list that young children. aren’t already, please ask them to get in touch. Hannah is in the office on a Monday and Wednesday during term time and her contact details are: Update from the Principal Email [email protected] Tel 01904 232330 Dear MOSA Friends It is with great pleasure I write to MOSA At the last AGM, I talked about the future members. Since taking up post as Principal 18 of The Mount and in particular my desire to months ago, I have been actively involved with build a Performing Arts hub at the heart of MOSA and have attended all the Committee the School. At the recent Reunion Weekend, Meetings and the two AGMs. The recent we launched our new appeal to Old Scholars, Reunion Weekend was a fantastic event and it to build a specialist dance and studio, was an honour to meet so many Old Scholars. adjoining the current hall. If you have I have been bowled over by the support Old not already, you will shortly be receiving Scholars have shown for the School and information on the appeal. Performing Arts in-particular the two fundraising projects we at The Mount has a rich history with many have prioritised over the last year, the felling alumnae having gone on to achieve great of the poplar trees and the refurbishment of things in drama, dance and music so I do hope the library window. Your combined donations that you will support me in any way you can to have raised just under £12,000 and MOSA has help me realise my vision for the development agreed to meet any shortfall in the costs of the of the Performing Arts Hub. projects for which I am very grateful. Please do get in touch if you are interested The opening of the new Life Sciences Room in finding out more about this exciting project. in the Junior School took place in March with We will be launching the appeal to the rest of Old Scholars in attendance. This exciting The Mount School community on 29th June, at project has been kindly funded by MOSA and our Performing Arts showcase event, to which we would like to express our thanks to you all. you are warmly invited. Adrienne Richmond pictured with Christine Johnson from the MOSA Committee MOSA NEWSLETTER Spring/Summer 2017 Old Scholar News 2 Years On 10 Years On Rebecca Biggins PhD Class of 2007 Rebecca came to The Mount aged 12. The school helped, encouraged and inspired Rebecca to have confidence in what she could achieve and taught her that through hard work most things could be achieved. Rebecca went on to achieve a first-class honours degree from York St John University and subsequently completed a PhD with the University of Leeds entitled “Marketing heritage tourism that wins in the end.” Rebecca’s favourite destinations: community and commercial memories of her time at The Mount include representations of the past”. While studying the School House Christmas Carol Night and for her PhD Rebecca became a lecturer in the talent show, having the year 11 horseboxes (I Business School at York St John University. hope these still exist) and the school history Now at the age of 27, and after six years of trip to Ireland with the fabulous Miss. Hebron hard work, she has passed her PhD. who was an absolutely inspirational teacher Rebecca’s mother Lynne said of her time at and who still inspires her with the Poppy Rodriguez The Mount: “I have no doubt in my mind that memories of history lessons. Also, Rebecca still without The Mount Rebecca would not be talks about how much she loved Games in the Class of 2015 where she is today. Sometimes it is the tortoise Dark on the eve of bonfire night. Leaving school, I was uncertain about what to do, so I chose to take a gap year. After nine 20 Years On months working as a waitress, I spent the I have worked in the NHS since leaving Bristol most memorable two months volunteering Lucy Turner University in 2001, following my BSc and MSc in Nepal with Raleigh International. I also in Politics. I initially worked in London NHS travelled in South America, Australia, and Class of 1997 Trusts as a project manager, then moved back Canada. to York and worked at the hospital in York Whilst volunteering in Nepal, I was fully for 13 years in a variety of roles including immersed in the Nepalese culture. For the first Directorate Manager for Medicine and Head three weeks, we embarked on a trek through of Operational Performance. I still live in the foothills of the Himalayas carrying our York but am now working for Leeds Teaching tents and belongings on our backs. I was Hospitals as General Manager for Oncology. pushed to my physical and mental limits I have recently completed a second MSc but learnt about the importance of tenacity, in NHS Leadership with the University of perseverance, and leadership. We then moved Birmingham - studying definitely gets harder onto the project phase; the aim of our project as you get older! was to start building three earthquake-proof These ladies are still my best friends and I houses in rural villages, close to the epicentre Left to right: Alkelda (Bradley) Kelman, Mary (Ashby) Haigh, feel privileged that I have been able to share Lucy Turner, Mhairi (Baxter) Bennett, Nell Gair, Chris Turner of the 2015 earthquake. (Bursary at The School until 1999), Ruth (Burnett) Muir and all the happy and ‘difficult’ times in my life Spending five weeks in a rural community, Lee (Robinson) Lyons. with them. working and living with the villagers introduced me to a completely different way 25 Years On of living. of the biggest lessons I took been each other’s bridesmaids and children’s away from Nepal was the importance of being Shelley (Bish) Shakespeare Godparents. A group of us celebrated our 40th able to be happy with little material wealth; Class of 1992 birthdays together as girls in Majorca and we people who had had everything taken from are also in touch with a number of boys and them but were still so willing to welcome us I am married with 4 children. I lived and girls from Bootham in our year. with laughter and jokes. I also learnt to wield worked in recruitment in London for years a pickaxe, make cement, and remove leeches. before moving out to Berkshire to raise (A skill which I would have been perfectly our family. I still work; now locally and happy to never need to learn!) have moved into Estate Agency. I did a lot This autumn I started at the University of travelling after university (Nottingham of Birmingham reading History and Political Trent - European Business and French) and Science. Having experienced so many still use languages (which was my ‘thing’ at different cultures and countries on my gap school) regularly. I bark on to my children year brought a new perspective and focus to about languages and mummy being Head Girl my studies, and the confidence I gained from of Judy Dench’s old school-poor old them! Front row left to right: Emma (Wykes) Ward, Rebecca Noble, They get completely fed up of listening to Lindsay (Kirkley) Murray, Sophie (Robinson) Scott, working and travelling made the transition Kate (Bayes) Le Mesurier. Back row left to right: Shelley into university life very easy. me! As a year group, we meet regularly both (Bish) Shakespeare, Beth Woodford, Lucy (Walker) MacKay, at home and abroad and many of us have Alex (Meikle) Durie

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16 Years On 41 Years On Charis (Campbell) Bass Sally Johnston Class of 2001 Class of 1976 Charis’ first daughter Lilla celebrated her I have been a GP in Lymington for 28 years 1st Birthday with two generations of and lately am enjoying developing a career MOSA present. in medical politics. I am the Chair for Hants Sally is 2nd in from the right with a cream top in the IOW LMC and Clinical Lead for the locality reunion photo. Vanguard. My daughter and middle son are both doctors and both married. My Electronic Engineer. I went to my first reunion youngest son is an accountant. I have one last year which to celebrate 40 years since baby grandchild and am happily married to an leaving The Mount and really enjoyed it.

From left: Susan Croft, Katie (Challis) Blake with Grace, Joanne Barker, Christia ne Eaves, Charis (Campbell) Bass with Lilla, Sally Hebron, Judith (Wragge) Campbell

31 Years On The original Mount photo shows Sally 7th in from the right on the back row. Anna (Quilley) Scantlebury 42 Years On Class of 1986 disenchanted with the course and completed a secretarial course which led to my first Some of our class of 1986 met up at Old Frances (MacGill) Dupuy job working for the Art Director of Fontana Scholars Weekend in May 2016. It was 30 Class of 1975 Paperbacks as Office Manager. Four years later years since leaving, and we spent a happy I came from a very rural I was offered a place on a graduate trainee weekend reminiscing and visiting old haunts. farming area in SW scheme at a large advertising agency in the We think there were over 20 girls from our Scotland; there were 25 City (despite not being a graduate!) It was year from all corners of the UK and abroad, in my village Primary a great experience but I got itchy feet and and quite a few from Bootham too; we School. 3 of us started left London 3 years later to spend some time enjoyed the meal and entertainment at the in Primary 1 but after 3 abroad. After 8 years and many adventures De Grey Rooms, as well as looking round years the other 2 went in Greece, Italy and Austria I returned to The Mount and meeting current pupils and off to prep schools so I Scotland and married Geoff in 1992. We staff. About a dozen of us have met regularly was the only one in my spent our Honeymoon on Paxos in the Greek over the years to go camping or rent a hostel class. It didn’t matter, Islands and made friends with the couple with our families, the children now know Frances Dupuy catching we had great teachers next door to us - she, it turned out, was an each other well, and all agree the “Mounty” up with old school friends and all muddled ex Mountie! Our son, Patrick, was born in weekends are our best holidays! at the 2015 MOSA Reunion Weekend through but I was a 1994 and daughter, Zoe, 2 years later. Patrick bit lonely at home graduated from Aberdeen Uni with a Music and The Mount provided me with around degree in June this year and is hoping to work 30 friends from Day 1 so when I got there as a composer/sound designer for film/TV, I literally thought I’d landed in Heaven. All Zoe is in her 3rd year studying Geology, also those wonderful facilities, a beautiful city on in Aberdeen. our doorstep and so much fun and laughter. We live now where I was born, in rural SW We had our 40-year reunion in 2015 at the Scotland, next door to my sister, Pat (Class of MOSA Reunion Weekend. It was the first 1971) and an hour from Jane (Class of 1967) time I’d seen anyone since I left apart from both of whom I see regularly. For the last 12 my closest friend there - it was a fantastic years I have been working for a small Whisky weekend and many of us have kept in touch company and was delighted to be made a Left to right: Anna (Quilley) Scantlebury, Peggy (Ashton) since then, through Facebook mainly. Giffin, Belinda Asquith, Geraldine (Shaw) Scott, Sally Ann Director in 2010. We buy and sell single malts, Norman, Natascha (Wilson) Rock, Kate (Green) Walker I spent the year after school travelling and mostly to export markets around the world. and Lucy (Hardie) Broadbent working in London followed by a year at the I have been very lucky. Froebel Institute in Roehampton. I left there

Request for Information Isle of Wight Old Scholars Kate (Pafford) Ford (Class of 1964) writes “We are moving to the Isle of Wight next year and I would be very interested to know if there are any Mount Old Scholars living on the Island. My e-mail is [email protected]” Frances Dupuy during her time at The Mount in approximately 1970.

3 MOSA NEWSLETTER Spring/Summer 2017 Births, Deaths & Marriages Announcements with obituaries Patricia (Barker) Moore a variety of posts, as well as taking part in useful at moments of stress, and like most of many village activities and Patricia continued us she had many of them. 1931-2015 her magistrates’ duties until she had to retire. Alison died in an Edinburgh hospice on 9 Patricia Barker was born in January 1931, the Her ten grandchildren were an enormous joy February 2016, witty and surprising to the end. younger daughter of John and Isa Barker. Her to her, and she watched most of them through Obituary written by Karin (Hamilton) Blaikie father was a Bootham Old Scholar, and was a university. For many years holidays were and Marina (Riley) Branscombe. solicitor and Clerk of the Peace for Grimsby. largely spent walking and flower hunting in There were three formative influences in her the Swiss Alps. She was last in the mountains June Brady Hyde MD life. First, she was very close to her father, to only three months before her final illness. She whom she was perhaps the son he never had, died peacefully with her immediate family 1929-2017 for he taught her all sorts of practical skills beside her, leaving a note saying “I have had a Merril Sylvester sent MOSA the obituary from mending fuses to sorting out problems very happy life…’. Don’t grieve for me – rejoice for her sister June who attended The Mount with car engines. Secondly her aunt Margaret with me”. Sixth Form from 1945 – 1947 as a Rowntree Wintringham, who had been the first British- Scholar. Her remarkable career was recorded in born member of Parliament, instilled into her Faith Alison (Guy) Wright the San Francisco Chronicle: what were then modern ideas as to the role of Passed away at home with her family by women in society. And thirdly the onset of the 1943-2016 her side at the age of 87. She was born in war meant that she left home as an evacuee Ali Guy was born Birmingham to Margaret Atkinson Brady and at the age of eight and had to learn the hard in Edinburgh on 29 Edward Richards Brady. June loved life and way how to look after herself. November 1943, the lived it to the fullest across five continents; She went to The Mount in 1944, and had third and youngest her deepest concerns were for the poor, the happiest memories of her schooldays child of doctor parents. the disenfranchised and suffering children there. She absorbed the standards of work and After her father became everywhere. She graduated from Girton service by which she came to live her life. She Medical Officer for College at Cambridge University where she went up to University college, London, in 1949 Westmorland she was studied medicine. June was a House Officer in to read law. It was a sign of the times that in brought up in the Lake District, and arrived at Pediatrics at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital her year she was one of only five women LL.B the Mount in 1958 at the age of fourteen, one in London. graduates, whereas there were 120 men. She of only two girls to join that year in the Fourth June met her husband Dr. George A. Hyde, went on to read for the Bar, and was called Form. With her tall, imposing figure, hearty Jr. while skiing in Austria and then followed in 1953. Life for a woman barrister was not laugh, trenchant remarks and strong opinions, him to New York City where she completed easy. She could practise in the courts, but was she made an immediate impact. Her friends residencies in Pediatrics at Bellevue, Bronx excluded from the men-only social life, which remember with affection her enthusiasm for Municipal, and St. Luke’s Hospitals. They was an important part of a young barrister’s high culture, bemusing to the more sheltered married in 1958 celebrating 52 years of training. Worse, women were frowned on in among us (Rudolf Nureyev springs to mind), marriage until his passing in 2011. In 1960 the courts. Her first case, at Bedford assizes, her energy on the hockey field and on school they moved to San Francisco where they was before a judge who at first refused to skiing trips, and her exuberant company on raised three daughters, Sandra, Karen and recognise that a woman could defend a ‘wet walks’. Wendy. June set up the first neonatal intensive prisoner, and she had to argue forcibly to In spite of the pessimistic advice of Mount care unit (NICU) at San Francisco General be heard. She subsequently joined the Legal staff her formidable Welsh mother ensured Hospital (SFGH) and then was the Director Civil Service, and prosecuted fraud cases in that Alison did go on to take A-levels and of Nurseries at Children’s Hospital in San magistrates’ courts throughout the country, left the Mount in 1962. She then graduated Francisco for 24 years. As a Clinical Professor although she had to retire when she wanted in Modern Languages from Trinity College, of Pediatrics at UCSF, she was one of the to marry, because the Legal Civil Service would Dublin and spent many years teaching Spanish first neonatologists to study Sudden Infant not then employ married women. and French at schools in St Andrews and Death Syndrome (SIDS) and a lifelong ardent In 1956 she married a fellow barrister, Peter Edinburgh. In 1973 she met and married John advocate of breastfeeding. Moore, who was an Ackworth Old Scholar. Wright, and later had two sons, Thomas and In her desire to embrace global health, They had got to know each other well when Richard. She loved cooking and gardening, in 1986 she completed a Master’s in Public living at the Penn Club, which in those days appreciated antique furniture and old china, Health at UC Berkeley and a diploma in had among its residents a large number of and delighted in opera and stylish clothes. Tropical Medicine in Liverpool. June and young professionals, many of whom had been Alison’s passion for history since childhood George were invited to teach at the medical at Quaker schools. After they were married coupled with her indefatigable talent for school at the University of Nairobi, Kenya in they moved to the London suburbs, where research eventually culminated in a PhD from 1987, and in 1990 they joined the medical Patricia quickly founded a local Women’s St Andrews in 2002 entitled, ‘The Layburnes faculty at the University of Zimbabwe, where Institute. Their three daughters were born and their world, circa 1620-1720: the English she worked in Pediatrics and HIV/AIDS. She there, and, soon finding herself at a loose Catholic community and the House of Stuart’, and George returned to the Bay Area in end, she began a 23-year spell of teaching in her interest in the subject having been kindled 1999, where they spent their time traveling, primary schools, as well as taking a part-time by a family armorial in Kendal parish church. In skiing and camping with their daughters and Diploma of Higher Education at Middlesex addition, she wrote at least two novels based grandchildren. During their retirement, she and Polytechnic. She was appointed as a justice on some of her colourful experiences. How her husband worked as medical humanitarians of the peace, and sat regularly in Barnet she wished she could have confronted her old and consultants in Equatorial Guinea. June Magistrates’ Court. Mount teachers with her achievements! But continued working as a volunteer at SFGH On Peter’s retirement in 1992 they moved those long-ago years at school turned out teaching hundreds of medical students how to to Odiham in Hampshire, where both became to be worth it after all, she said. Fragments examine well babies. In 2014 June received the happily active in the Parish church, occupying of texts learned at the Mount came in very Hillman Award for Lifetime Service and Lasting

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Contributions to Global Child Health from She kept in close contact with old school the International Child Health Section of the friends throughout her life and at the age In Memory American Academy of Pediatrics. of 80, flew to Canada to visit one. However, June is survived by her daughters, four she suffered a stroke 10 years ago which In memory of Mount Old Scholars and grandchildren, her oldest sibling and members permanently affected her health. She also Friends of the school who have recently of her large extended family. suffered increasing poor health towards passed away... the end of her life, when staff at Gardens Annie Hodgson care agency, Birkbeck district nurses and Mary Elizabeth (Duffy) Smith Hospice at Home did a sterling job of Died in 2016 looking after her. Mary attended The Mount from 1950-1956. Old Scholar Mary died on 31 August 2014 Gillian Cartwright Yvonne Hotham (Cadbury) Fox (Barraclough) wrote to Katharine E Rees MOSA to inform us of 1921-2016 Katherine died 29 February 2016 the death of Miss Annie Yvonne is a past Hodgson who taught MOSA President May Kathleen Mary Strang Geography at The who attended The May attended The Mount from Mount in the 1950’s. Mount from 1913- 1935-1938. May died 1 March 2016 An obituary to Annie was published in her 1918 and became local paper and has been included below: Head Girl. Yvonne Eleanor Rookledge Teacher and sportswoman Annie Hodgson, died peacefully on Eleanor attended The Mount from 1936- of Castletown, Penrith, has died at the age Wednesday 21st 1938 and died 26 September 2016 aged 96 of 92. September 2016 aged 95 years. The daughter of Thomas and Evelyn Yvonne Fox had a remarkable positive Sarah (Crosfield) Archer Hodgson, who farmed at Kitchen Hill, Penrith, energy and spent her life joyfully serving Sarah attended The Mount from 1958 she was the eldest of four children, followed others. She will be greatly missed by her by May, John and Jean. friends and family who were touched and to 1963. Sarah died peacefully at Annie attended Brunswick Road School and inspired by her optimistic spirit, selflessness Addenbrookes Hospital Cambridge on 4th then Penrith Grammar School, where she was and ability to find good in all. November 2016, after many years bravely captain of the tennis and hockey teams and She had a wonderful zest for life that she struggling with the effects of lupus. eventually became head girl. After leaving to shared with others through her work as a attend university in Leeds, she became an physiotherapist and through her dedication Maisie (Collis) Rutter active member of the Old Scholars network to many community causes. Having trained Died 13th February 2017 of the grammar school and remained so and worked as a physiotherapist she went throughout her life. During her time at on to volunteer with St John Ambulance, Helen Jay (Starkey) Wilson university she continued to play hockey and Meals on Wheels, and Inner Wheel Club Helen attended The Mount in the late was twice selected for the England team (part of Rotary International). She also 1930’s. Exact date of death unknown. during her student years. served on the management committee at After graduating with a degree in Tone Vale Psychiatric Hospital at Cotford St geography, Annie took up teaching and Luke, and she was a Governor at both Sidcot practically in her love and care, and in seeing after a spell in Sunderland, ended up at the School and Wellington School. the best in everyone. prestigious Quaker Mount School, York, an Yvonne was an early advocate of the It was not only what she did, it was how independent day and boarding school for natural childbirth movement, which went she did it that inspired those around her. girls, where she taught the likes of Dame against the norm of the time. Instead of being Everything she undertook from the biggest Judi Dench. She was extremely proud to be made to lie flat on their backs with their feet endeavour to the smallest chore was carried a teacher, however, following the early and in stirrups, as was the standard practice of out with joy, fun and a profound sense of untimely death of her mother in 1956, Annie the time, she believed that women deserved gratitude. She was a source of wisdom and gave up her teaching career to return to the to have a more active role in giving birth eternal optimism for her many friends and family farm, where she took over the care of to their children. She was able to combine family. her eight-year-old sister and looked after her her healthcare training with her ability to Yvonne was born in Northfield, Birmingham father and all the farm workers. build confidence in others to empower more on 27th July 1921 to Margery and Joel Upon her return to Cumbria, she became women to do this. She was greatly valued for Cadbury. Joel was related to the chocolate- an active member of the Red Cross and began her work with the Natural Childbirth Trust. making family but he was a Director of Green playing tennis again. She also ran the Old As an enthusiastic member of St John & Cadbury a button-making business in Elizabethans badminton club; of which she Ambulance Brigade Yvonne regularly ran first Birmingham. Together with her three elder was captain. When her father died in 1972, aid courses, helped with home nursing and brothers she was brought up in a Quaker the family gave up the farm and Annie bought did lots of fundraising. Her concern for others family. her home at Mill Terrace, where she spent the led her to setting up St John Car Outings, She attended the Friends schools at Sidcot rest of her days. She also returned to work, organising drivers to pick up lonely older near Bristol and the Mount School, York. this time as a domestic bursar, first at Kirkley people and take them to country houses When the second world war broke out she Hall College and then South Shields Marine for tea. Her open, welcoming nature put was studying English at Leeds University, but and Technical College, where she remained others at ease and made these outings fun. her contribution to the war effort was to train until her retirement, when she returned to live The generosity of local people in opening as a Physiotherapist at the Queen Elizabeth in Penrith full-time. their homes was rewarded by the heartfelt Hospital, Birmingham in order to be of She and her sister, May, took an allotment appreciation of people who were becoming practical assistance to those in need. and grew a huge variety of crops. She also side-lined by society. She was happily married to Michael Pease helped to run the Evergreen Old Time and Yvonne was a committed member of Fox, Chairman of Fox Brothers of Wellington, Modern Sequence dancing club and helped to Wellington Society of Friends (Quakers), who she met through her school friend fund-raise for Castletown Community Centre. playing an active role inspiring newer Angela Fox of Gerbestone Manor. Michael She was also active within the church and the members. Her Christian faith was expressed spent the war with the Friends Ambulance Red Cross at this time. 5 MOSA NEWSLETTER Spring/Summer 2017

Births, Deaths & Marriages (continued) Unit in China before studying Engineering at presence could transform the most mundane Cambridge University, and then joining the occasion into something special. Request for Information family textile business. They married in 1948 Her family are grateful for the loving care and moved into Legglands on Wellington she received these last few months as a Does anyone know what Hill, where they spent their whole married resident of Popham Court and for the friends ‘The Web’ was? life together. They went on to have four and family who brightened her days with children, seven grandchildren and ten great chats, visits and outings. A document held in school talks about the grandchildren to whom Yvonne was a source building of The Mount swimming pool and of love, inspiration and fun. Yvonne loved mentions a Web being removed during site being outdoors, regularly ate her breakfast in clearance. Does anyone know what the the fresh air, and welcomed friends and family Web was?! The building of the swimming to share the fruit, veg and flowers from her pool and gym was funded by Old Scholars garden. She and Michael enjoyed going on who raised in excess of £27,000 for this picnics, walks and mountaineering together building project. Please email until well into their 80s. [email protected] Yvonne had an amazing ability to make everyone feel welcome and special. She was Do you have an announcement? always really pleased to see you and shared her time and energy generously. She will Send in your story and help contribute to be remembered by her family as someone future issues [email protected] who was perennially optimistic and whose Yvonne in 1939, centre front, in the tennis team. News from The Archives There have been some exciting additions to the Mount Archives this year and some fascinating publications resulting from research in our Archives deposited at the University of York.

In September we were notified of the Archives, including some delightful cartoons forthcoming sale of a photograph album that and poems dating from the late nineteenth had belonged to Isabel Abraham, a scholar century. The book has now been published at The Mount from 1900-1904. It turned and The Mount features in it as an example up at the York Antique Book Fair and the of early girls’ scientific education. It was dealer had recognised that the initials M.S.Y. launched at the Royal Society of Chemistry referred to the school. We had to bid £270 to on 10th April 2017. purchase it but feel it was well worthwhile as Other enquiries have come from research it contains many lovely photographs where students around the world. A South African all the pupils are named. There are also some PhD student is researching the life of very atmospheric photos of Scarborough Nontendo Jabavu, the first African girl to and North Wales in the album. A little attend The Mount. She came for two years further research reveals that Isabel Abraham in the 1930s; she was the grand-daughter graduated with Honours in History from of one of the founder members of the Liverpool University and taught at Rotherham African National Congress and her father and later at Wellington in Shropshire. was Principal of the first University for black In 1915 she married McGregor South African students. Nontendo went on to Ross. He became Director of Public become an active campaigner for Civil Rights. Works in Kenya. They had two We look forward to hearing more of her life sons and travelled much in East when the thesis is published. and South Africa. Isabel was the What these examples show is what an founder of the East Africa Women’s important role The Mount has played over League and a member of the more than two centuries in girls’ education. Education Committee for Kenya. Although not a large school, it has always Many enquiries come in every been very influential and its Old Scholars have year. One very interesting one taken its ethos all over the world. came from Marelene and Geoff We continue to collect archival material; Rayner- Canham who were much comes to us from Old Scholars or their writing a book about girls’ families many years after they have left the education in Chemistry. I was school. Please keep sending us anything you able to furnish them with quite think might be of interest; we love to hear a lot of information from our from you.

The Mount School Archivist Sarah Sheils pictured with the latest addition to the Mount Archives

6 MOSA NEWSLETTER Spring/Summer 2017

The Mount School News NEWS IN FOCUS: 2016/17 SCHOOL PeaceJam and NEWS IN BRIEF Summer 2016 Lifebags  The Mount School celebrated another strong year for A Level results in 2016 Our Quaker footprint is During the weekend, the girls met a with well over a third of pupils achieving deeply important to us as a contingent from Peacejam Greece, who two or more A*-A grades and 70% of all community and one major part spoke of their challenge to help lone child entries at grade B or above. refugees in their first few days after arrival  Over one third of pupils achieved eight of our enrichment programme in Europe, when they remain at high or more A*-A grades in GCSE results. is ‘PeaceJam’ which pupils from risk of child trafficking. This inspired the Latin students scored 100% A*- J3 to College II engage in. girls to help them through the Lifebags A grades with Religious Studies, French, A group of college girls from The Mount programme. Since returning from Brussels Music and Art students scoring 100% attended the PeaceJam Conference at the PeaceJam pupils have visited many A*-B grades. the University of Brussels in September. local schools and community organisations September / October The weekend provided the girls with the to ask for donations of bags and items to send to Greece. To date the girls have  Six Mount girls won prizes in the Ilkley opportunity to listen to a talk from the Literature Festival’s open competition inspirational Nobel Peace Prize Laureate received enough donations to fill nearly 400 bags. The bags have been shipped for young writers and poets resulting in Jody Williams who campaigned to ban the comment, ‘What a talented School!’ to Greece and distributed to five refugee land mines. Jody was not only inspirational from the compère. youth shelters in Athens and Northern but also funny, making her speech about  Junior School gave their Harvest Festival Greece. difficult issues, both entertaining and concert and donated food items were hard-hitting. In the afternoon they took given to a charity appeal by the local part in discussions around the different Salvation Army. ways to tackle the 10 global calls to action of the biggest challenges to our world November / December today, including global health and wellness,  The Junior School raised a fantastic and human rights for all. The second day £525 for BBC Children in Need saw the girls take part in the ceremony  Christmas performances took place of inspiration where they heard people with The Junior School wowing their talk about those that inspire them. The audience with a spectacular Nativity weekend concluded with the main event Play performance of The Shiniest Star. of the trip; a talk by the Dalai Lama. His  The Senior School displayed outstanding Holiness talked about the responsibility talent with flawless performances during that we as humans have for the world the annual Christmas concert which can around us and to each other, and how be seen on our YouTube Channel. we should be engaged and mindful in January / February everything we do. The first pallet shipment of Lifebags being despatched  The Mount School hosted the ESTA event, ‘Creating Musicians, Not Just Players’, led by the distinguished composer, performer and teacher, Mary Cohen. Events at The Mount  The Mount hosted another ‘Your Daughter’ evening. Packed with The Mount School is always open for Old Scholars to pop back and have a tour of the thought-provoking workshops to help school. Please email [email protected] or if your visit is last minute please do parents navigate the tricky waters of pop in and we will always take time to show you round if at all possible. Additionally, there guiding a young person to realising their are a number of events to which Old Scholars are more than welcome. Please see The best potential. Mount School website for our events calendar and email [email protected] if you would like to attend. Events this summer term include: March / April  Mount Senior School pupils slept Event Date outdoors to raise awareness for the plight of the homeless. Performing Arts Hub Showcase Thursday 29 June at 6pm to 8pm  The Mount School took gold in the Intermediate division of the York Rotary Foundation Meeting Friday 7 July at English Martyrs Church Technology Tournament. 10.30am to 12.30pm  The York Literature Festival came to The Mount for the Desmond Elliot Prize Authors’ Q&A. Visit www.mountschoolyork.co.uk for more news from The Mount

7 MOSA NEWSLETTER Spring/Summer 2017 Branch News Reunion Weekend Several MOSA branches exist and are always on the look out for new members. If you are interested in finding out more about your 12-14 May 2017 at The Mount School local branch or indeed setting one up yourself The 2017 MOSA Reunion Weekend took please email [email protected]. place from 12 – 14 May, and was enjoyed Below is an update on some recent reunions by many Old Scholars from the last 65 organised by local branches: years. Mount Old Scholars joined those Bristol and South West Branch from Bootham on the Friday, for an evening of light refreshments and entertainment, followed by a visit to the Ye Olde Starre Inn on Stonegate. The 134th MOSA Annual General Meeting on Saturday morning at The Mount was well attended. The Members were brought up to date on MOSA’s affairs with reports from 2007 Old Scholars: Rebecca Biggins, Florence Marsden and Penny Cheung the Steering Committee, Honorary Interim Treasurer, Communications Officer and where they had spent many days as students, Branch Liaison Officer. The School Principal, alongside the many changes that are now Adrienne Richmond, and Head Girl, Nicole a part of the current Mount girls’ lives. Eleven Old Scholars met for lunch in June. Several Dransfield, reported on the key moments Interesting memories of times gone by were more had expressed interest but were unable and achievements this year at The Mount, shared by all. to attend. If there is anyone else who would be and together with two other College girls, The weather was kind to us and Old interested in joining us please do contact the launched The Mount’s Performing Arts Appeal Scholars and their families enjoyed a variety branch secretary Pat (Stewart) Thirkettle on to build a new dance and drama studio. of activities throughout the afternoon, email: [email protected] More information on this appeal will be sent including musical and sporting performances directly to Old Scholars whose names are by current Mount students. Sarah Sheils, Lincolnshire Branch held on the MOSA database. Mount School Archivist, created a fantastic Five Lincolnshire Old Scholars met on 16th Following a drinks reception and hearty display of performing arts material, from August 2016. We had a fun-packed lunch full of lunch in the School Dining Hall, Old Scholars as early as 1914, including Rebecca of lively stories about our days at The Mount. Any enjoyed guided tours of the School led by Sunnybrook Farm, Pride and Prejudice, Trojan more old girls from Lincolnshire out there? Get College girls. Many of the Old Scholars have Women, Animal Farm, Nicholas Nickleby and in touch with Margaret (Chadburn) Harrold on not been back to The Mount in over 60 years, Wizard of Oz. A second showcase of more email: [email protected] including ladies from the Class of ’57, who recent performances was displayed in the are still very much in contact with each English Department and included plays such other, and who enjoyed looking around and as Kindertransport by Diane Samuels, The reminiscing about their wonderfully happy Witches, The House of Bernarda Alba, Alice by times at school. Old Scholars were excited Laura Wade, Return to the Forbidden Planet to explore old school haunts and see their and Smike. Old Scholars very much enjoyed former classrooms and boarding houses these displays, spotting themselves and their peers in different productions over the years. The Reunion Supper at the De Grey Rooms in York was enjoyed by Old Scholars from We are: (seated) left to right - Sarah (Cole) Cooper (1974-76); both The Mount and Bootham. The Mount Annabel Yulesmith (1977-82); Caroline (Brook) Findlay (1977- 82); (back row) left - Margaret (Chadburn) Harrold (1963-68) String Quartet played as guests arrived and right Ruth Gatenby (1966-73) and Old Scholars had the opportunity to chat to old friends from both The Mount Irish Branch and Bootham. A small group of Mount Old Scholars then joined us on for We have made the decision to sadly Morning Meeting and brunch before the discontinue this branch. We send our best Class of 1987 Back row: Kathy (Rickards) Wood, Jennie (Stout) Grady , Lisa Athron, Rachael (Wright) Lavelle, Reunion Weekend was closed. Overall it was a wishes and hope the Association continues to Harriet (Bremner) Reid. Front row: Jenna (Longbottom) wonderfully nostalgic weekend. enjoy happy reunions. Drury, Trudi (Frazer) Lister, Linda (Smirthwaite) Kianfar

North West Joint Branch North Yorkshire and South and West Yorkshire Branch No Branch Secretary in post. Humberside Branch Seven of us met at our house in Bramhope, in Report below written by Christine Irving We had a New Year Lunch at July 2016. We repeated the local walk, out across The joint N W Branch met on 14th October for The Dormouse here in York fields and back above a quarry. Parts of it were lunch at Crooklands Hotel near Kendal. Friends in January, followed by a July more overgrown this year, and its length was as had come from far and near and we enjoyed a meeting at Harlow Carr Gardens in Harrogate. much as some of us wanted. Unfortunately, four very convivial time together. Our thanks go to The rain stopped by the time we had finished members had to call off at the last moment due John Garrett for taking over the organisation our Betty’s lunch. Ten of us then enjoyed a to ill-health or other reasons. After an uncertain from Brian Spencer, and arranging another gentle walk around the gardens, always a forecast the rain just managed to hold off. There splendid occasion. This has become a very pleasant venue with good company. Report by were eight of us together for tea and chat. successful annual event and John told us that the Alison (Wroe) Baldwin, Branch Secretary: Report by Elizabeth (Starkie) Wagstaff. hotel has been booked for 20th October 2017. [email protected] [email protected]