Building a STRONG Foundation from

The academic years 2020-21 and 2021-22 brought significant changes to the Development Office, providing an opportunity to review and rebuild our operations. Although in-person events were limited due to the unpredictable nature of the year, we successfully brought the NLCS community together through a series of engaging online events.

In October 2020, we held a lively Zoom reunion for the Class of 1970 and other ONLs who left NLCS over 50 years ago, joined by over 100 ONLs from around the world, sharing memories and updates. As Christmas approached, our online Carol Service brought the community together, and Founder’s Day was celebrated online in the Spring Term, with plans to continue streaming future services for broader participation.

During the pandemic, the mentoring and career services programme continued to play an important role in the lives of our Sixth Form students and young alumnae. I would like to thank everyone that takes the time to support, mentor, and guide others in the next phase of their journey after NLCS.

In the 2021-22 academic year, Emily Abrahams and Claudia Marks joined our team to reignite the Alumnae Relations programme, making a significant impact during their 12-month tenure. We also welcomed Tara Stephens, an experienced professional with a background in development, as our Development Office Administrator.

To strengthen our community and enhance our fundraising strategies, we partnered with consultants from Graham-Pelton.

They conducted surveys and facilitated smaller discussion groups to gather valuable insights. The feedback received from these interactions will directly shape our development program for the future.

In September 2021, we were thrilled to welcome ONLs and friends back for in-person events, fostering a sense of connection and celebration, including our first Staff Reunion and a special reunion for the Classes of 2019 and 2020, who missed school events due to the pandemic. Other events included the 1-Year Reunion, 5-Year Reunion, 10-, 20-, 30- & 40-Year Reunion, 50-Year Reunion, the Big Six Dinner, and the ONLA Summer Picnic.

In April 2022, we published the first ONLine magazine in three years, featuring inspiring stories from ONLs making a positive impact. ONL Connect, our alumnae networking site, continued to grow with new signups, fostering connections among ONLs. Additionally, 73% of users offered their expertise and assistance in supporting our career and mentoring services.

We finished the year with the launch of The 1850 Club, a way for us to recognise and thank our supporters who make a recurring gift to NLCS. Designed to be accessible to all and make donating a positive experience, The 1850 Club enables the School to make long-term commitments to its most pressing funding priorities, whilst providing a sociable platform to thank regular supporters.

During the 2022-23 academic year, we will be reinstating the Neighbourhood Drinks events after a two-year hiatus. Once a term, parents in a particular area or postcode are invited to an evening reception at the home of local parents. Parents from all school years can socialise and chat with senior staff. If you are interested in hosting an event in the future, please do contact me.

A heartfelt thank you to our parents and ONLs who generously support our community, host events, and contribute to the work of the Development Office. As the School has no historic endowment, we rely on the generosity of supporters. Without your help and support, we would not be able to offer bursaries to talented girls or maintain and enhance the School’s facilities and grounds. We are grateful for your generosity and commitment to our mission.

Thank you!

Gavin Mann