Anniversary Reunion brings over 100 people together

Old School Hall was a buzz with over 100 Old Girls, former staff and current staff chatting, laughing and reminiscing with one another on the afternoon of 6 June. This was the start of the annual Anniversary Reunion to celebrate those who left St Helen and St Katharine 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years ago. It was a wonderful occasion, despite the unseasonably cold and wet weather, and the drinks reception in the Hall was followed by a two-course lunch in the Atrium. A group of 14 prefects, in the traditional boaters, were on hand to serve wine and clear plates to facilitate an enjoyable celebratory lunch for our guests.

As well as welcoming former students from Class of 2016, 2006, 1996, 1986 and 1976, it was a joy to see the return of many former staff, whose time at St Helen’s spanned seven decades. It was a pleasure to be joined by the following former colleagues: Joan Beeson (Twemlow) - Head of Geography (1963-1986); Jo Bell – Head of Science (1991-2011); Geoffrey Currey – Head of Biology (1972-1994); Marina Lister – Admissions (1989-2004); Jean Mirfield – Head of Physics (1984-1999); Clive Morris – Head of Mathematics (2002-2023); Andrew Tillett – Director of Music (1977-2003); Frances Wassell – Teacher of Biology (1962-1997).

After lunch, the Old Girls assembled in Yoland Paterson Hall where they were welcomed by the new Head, Sarah Rollings. Mrs Rollings thanked them all for coming and gave an update on the School today, highlighting some of its recent accolades. To showcase the many developments across the site, she shared photos of the School as it was when the audience were students as well as current images. A key theme of the address was the enduring core values of St Helen’s, which resonated with the listeners regardless of their era.

A whole-group photograph was taken in Old School Hall before the guests enjoyed a tour of the School in small groups, each accompanied by a prefect. The tours covered both the familiar (Chapel, the main school classrooms and boarding houses) and the newer parts of the School. A highlight for many was the visit to the library to view the numerous old photographs, magazines, programmes and other material from the School Archives, which had been especially curated to include memorabilia relevant to the Old Girls attending. As ever, the old photographs brought back many memories and a good deal of hilarity. Tea and cakes followed the tour, before it was time to bid each other farewell.

It was an absolute pleasure to welcome our alumnae back and we very much hope they enjoyed the afternoon reminiscing about their school days alongside old friends. We hope to see them again in another decade, if not before. Photographs of the event can be viewed below.