ONLine 2013

ONLine

the old North Londoners’ association magazine Issue 18 | 2013

ONL Features Madhulika Sikka in Washington Isabel Vielba in Afghanistan CLAUDIA NEWMAN GLOBETROTTING Hilary Blackburn IN Canada You can download ONLine at www.nlcs.org.uk

Welcome TO ONLine 2013 Dear Old North Londoners,

Editor’s Welcome

F

rom Afghanistan to Australia, it sometimes seems as if ONLs are everywhere! This edition of ONLine celebrates the geographical diversity of the NLCS community and traces it back to Dame Kitty Anderson’s world tour of 1965 - a gap year of her own!

Mrs McCabe's Founder's Day address was on 'Internationalism' this year which reflects just how important our global community is at NLCS. In an even bigger edition than usual, ONLine also features regular pieces like the Arts Corner, ONL News and ONL Book Club. We hope you enjoy it!

It is always so good to hear about what ONLs are doing, wherever you are in the world, so please keep in touch and let us know your news. If you know of an ONL who has lost touch with us, do pass on their details – we are keen to ensure everyone is included. Our theme for 2014 is ‘Philanthropic ONLs’ so please let us know if you have any ideas for ONLs to feature or if you would like to be involved in the magazine.

Holly O’Connell (2003) ONLA Editor Please contact us Email: onla@nlcs.org.uk Post: ONLine, Canons, Canons Drive, Edgware HA8 7RJ Tel:

020 8951 6475

Editorial Team Arts Columnist Chloé Nelkin (2006) Archives Columnist Joelaine Fitch (2006) Rebecca Choong-Wilkins (2010) Sub-Editor Sheli Rodney (nee Levenson, 2004)

At Canons we have enjoyed a year of celebrations and exciting developments. During the Summer Term of 2012, we held parties and special events at School to involve all the pupils in the celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and then the London Olympics.

The theme of Founder’s Day this year was ‘internationalism’ – a strength of the School since its inception, in terms of the breadth of its intake, its curricular and extra-curricular life and in the ambitions and reach of its former students. As Holly O’Connell, our Editor, suggests Old North Londoners are indeed everywhere! This issue of ONLine explores the lives of ONLs abroad since the early years of the School. I think Miss Buss, a great traveller herself, would be proud to see how well NLCS prepares pupils today for lives which often take them around the world.

Our international links and exchanges with schools in other countries including language and cultural visits to Europe, Australia and, for the first time this year, NLCS Jeju, develop not only depth of cultural knowledge and understanding, but give pupils an outward-looking perspective and the confidence to become leaders in a fast-paced and ever-changing global economy. We want them to leave school after their time here with the ability to take on the world!

Today, as in the past, NLCS seeks to offer the finest possible education to able young women from a wide variety of social and cultural backgrounds. We currently offer help with fees to approximately 20% of pupils in the Senior School, many of which are funded through the generosity of the ONL community and NLCS parents. For this we are very grateful for your continuing support. This year we are proud that 33% of girls entering in Year 7 are receiving some form of help with fees. We are committed to finding new sources of revenue to enable us to offer more bursary places, in order to maintain the broad social mix of girls, which makes NLCS the unique place that it is. NLCS Jeju, our first franchising venture, has been successful already in providing funds for bursaries for girls at Canons. The royalties from one year alone are funding a full 7 year’s education for 4 pupils entering the school at 11+. We are exploring further franchising opportunities in other jurisdictions to generate additional funds.

The establishment of NLCS Jeju, judged in its first formal inspection to be offering an outstanding academic and pastoral education to its pupils, is already helping us to build on our Bursary Fund, but it also delivers other benefits: we have already been able to offer to ONLs from Canons up to 7 gap year placements each year; you can read about these experiences on page 16in the article by Zoe Ilivitsky.

Next year, the girls here at Canons will be able to enjoy improved facilities, due for completion

by January 2014. The building project will offer space for our wealth of curricular and extracurricular activities, without taking away from our precious green space. The girls at School today enjoy our excellent facilities as a result of the generosity of previous generations of ONLs, former parents and staff; I particularly enjoyed meeting a dozen of our ‘Frances Mary Buss Fellowship’ donors for our annual lunch last summer.

In February we saw the launch of our 2013 Capital Campaign, culminating with a joyful ‘NLCS Variety Performance’ in the PAC, attended by ONLs, parents, Governors and Friends of the School. You will have received the brochure ‘Extending Excellence in Education: 2013 Capital Campaign’. I hope you find this of interest.

In 2012/13 North London Collegiate School has also joined together as a community to celebrate the lives of two ONLs who between them gave years of dedicated service.

In March we invited the family of Connie Hurran (nee Kemp ONL 1929) to unveil a plaque and renovated fountains in the formal school gardens to commemorate Connie.

You will read later in this edition about Ennis Brandenburger (nee Freedenberg, ONL 1943) who died in June 2012. Ennis was passionately committed to education and served her old school for many years with dedication and energy. The School will hold a memorial service for Ennis on 29th April 2013.

As I reflect on the past year at School, I recall the words Connie Hurran used at the opening of the First School in 1996: “All of this means that whatever you are good at, whatever you like doing, whatever you want to be, you have the opportunity to do it to the best of your ability”. We remain true to that spirit and continue to provide an education which transcends borders and welcomes students from all walks of life.

Please do visit us when you are able to – the girls love to meet ONLs and hear tales of school in both the distant and not so distant past.

I hope to see you at School again soon, With warmest wishes,

Magazine design by Johnny Marks, Printin 2000

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| ONLine magazine

Bernice McCabe Headmistress

ONLA Travel Award UPDATES Travel Award Report Ramya Arnold

(2008)

L

ike many other ONLs, I have been fortunate enough to take advantage of the many work experience opportunities on offer in London, while enjoying free accommodation

and meals at home. My university was running an international internship scheme and I was offered a two-month placement at the United Nations headquarters in Nairobi, working in the Dispute Tribunal for the internal administration of justice.

The Tribunal is an independent body,

This was first-hand experience of legal

to which employees can apply, to have

drafting that is normally impossible to get

decisions judicially reviewed and obtain

on vac-schemes and mini-pupilages in

an injunction or damages. Our job was to

London and I really appreciated the degree

was especially

bring the UN to account.

of responsibility we were given.

grateful for the extra funding

A loca stole my l monkey who highlight er pen!

The key areas of law being practised were

The UN had quite flexible working hours,

I received

employment, public, international and

with a 2.30pm finish on Fridays, which

from NLCA, as well as the

administrative law. As a non-law student

enabled many a weekend trip exploring

scholarship offered by Oxford which

planning to convert, I was quite daunted

Kenya. My favourite trip had to be my three

covered my flight costs. Having started

by being thrown into the deep end with

days in the Maasai Mara, where I caught

my law conversion course, I can see that

this internship. I was surprised to work

sight of four of the “big five” game animals

the internship honed my legal reasoning

so closely with a Judge – Vinod Boolell,

and returned with hundreds of pictures

skills and has given me a taste for an

a former Supreme Court judge from

that I viewed on loop while listening to

international career. What’s more, I find

Mauritius who had also tried war criminals

“The Lion King” soundtrack!

myself incessantly bringing up stories and

in the former Yugoslavia and Cambodia. He

anecdotes from this trip to my friends

appreciated our enthusiasm for the tasks

The whole experience was a little

and family, having opened me up to a

and, once we had discussed files with

expensive, potentially prohibitively so, with

fascinating part of the world that I can’t

him, he would let us draft whole

the meagre allowance given to interns at

wait to return to, perhaps with some more

judgements independently!

the UN barely covering meals. This is why I

Swahili under my belt!

Travel Award Report Claire Strauss

(2005)

I went to ward rounds, clinics and

Sometimes patients received frustratingly

inter-disciplinary meetings and observed

poor treatment. We had a patient who

procedures. I met some inspirational

had been left, unconscious, overnight

children suffering real traumas, such as

and was breathing four times a minute.

Amber, aged 12, who remained optimistic

We ventilated her and suctioned blood

despite almost complete paraplegia due

from her lungs. With limited resources (no

to a tumour in the spine. At the weekends

CT scanner or intensive care facilities)

I

I explored Auckland with my cousins and

we could do very little, so had to stop

travelled to the Bay of Islands.

treatment, knowing that she would die.

the first five weeks of my elective

I then went to Nkhoma, a village in Malawi,

I also travelled with other students to Lake

at Starship Children’s Hospital’s cancer

and worked on the paediatric and adult

Malawi and Liwonde National Park, where

unit, in Auckland, New Zealand. Many

medical wards. The hospital has 220

we went on Safari.

children had leukaemia, although there

beds and treats 30,000 outpatients

were also rarer illnesses. Admissions

and 12,000 inpatients a year, despite

The two halves of my elective were very

were often for chemotherapy or

having very few doctors. Malaria was

different but both were enjoyable and

side effects such as infections in

extremely prevalent and tuberculosis and

valuable experiences.

immunocompromised patients.

HIV-associated problems were common.

applied for the travel award in order to support my medical elective. I spent

ONLine magazine |

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ONLA Travel Award UPDATES Travel Award Report Michal Goldschmidt

(2009)

As part of our initiative, we organised for three large synagogues in the Chicago area to open their doors (and kitchens) and to share in this moment with their Muslim neighbours.

Across our three locations, roughly 1,000 people attended the event – roughly 50:50 from the two communities – and the feedback was immensely positive.

Iftar Synagogue

T

In the US, the Islamophobic backlash that

in Chicago that their Jewish counterparts

his summer I travelled to Chicago,

the Muslim community has experienced

condemned such behaviour and to open up

where I volunteered for an interfaith

since 9/11 has been even more extreme

channels of communication and friendship

charity, the Jewish-Muslim Community

than in the UK. Sharia Law is outlawed in

between the two groups.

Building Initiative. Along with a fellow

Tennessee, and many other states try to

Muslim student intern, a German Action

follow suit annually. In Chicago and New

Within the organising committee, I wrote

and Reconciliation for Peace intern, and

York, there are racist advertisements on

the press releases for the event and

our supervisor, we organised a city-wide

buses that portray Muslims as a barbaric

oversaw the logistical organisation,

event, called Iftar in the Synagogue. Iftar

people. The Jewish-Muslim Community

including the catering, recruiting and

is the name given to the meal in which

Building Initiative was set up after 9/11

liaising with our volunteer teams who

Muslims break their fast during Ramadan.

in order to show the Muslim community

helped out on the night.

Travel Award Report Laura Parker

T

(2006)

his award enabled me to extend an

materialised successfully, including

internship in External Relations with

Kigali’s first Refugee Film Festival and

UNHCR Rwanda (the UN Refugee Agency)

photography exhibition. This was coupled

during a busy period for the operation.

with a debate on refugee issues, to

The decision to extend was twofold: I was

advocate for tolerance and assistance –

organising the Rwanda programme for

though complications must be overcome

UNHCR’s biggest annual advocacy event,

when debating in climates of limited

Laura Parker UNHCR Rw anda Gihembe Ca mp May 20 12

at

World Refugee Day, and wanted to see

freedom of speech! Parallel open-air

plans through to completion. Secondly, the

film screenings ran in two of the longer-

country was experiencing its first influx of

established refugee camps, to more than

refugees for years, due to renewed fighting

3,000 children at once, which I hope will

SOAS, and I’ve found it hard to

in neighbouring DR Congo. The emergency

continue on a monthly basis… camp living

disassociate from the refugee cause. I

response for the 20,000 recent arrivals

is depressingly dull!

now work with destitute failed asylum

necessitated extra duties – I focused on

seekers at the Refugee Council, and

monitoring population movements

Much of my role was in communications,

with detainees at Colnbrook Immigration

and related political developments,

and I sought to bring refugee voices to the

Removal Centre. Human Rights abuses

researching country of origin information to

fore and share them globally by writing a

don’t just occur in central Africa.

assist with refugee status determination,

Bulletin and human interest stories.

liaison with journalists, and redoubled fundraising efforts.

During this, World Refugee Day events

I very much appreciate this award The interests sparked during this formative

for helping me pursue and refine my

internship shaped my course choices

career path, and wish every success to

during my current Human Rights Law MA

future recipients!

Laura’s Refugee Bulletin can be viewed at www.unhcr.org/4fcca6d49.html

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| ONLine magazine

ONLA Academic Awards Academic Award Report Dhaarica Jeyanesan (2010)

C

urrent treatment of schizophrenia

Academic Award Report Saarah Ebrahim

(2008)

ince my first experience in research

S

Throughout the programme I was able

during the sandwich summer of the

to embrace the skills of the lab and

International Baccalaureate at NLCS, I

articulate techniques that would aid my

have always taken a keen interest in the

advanced studies in medical research.

is considered

medical field. It was with great excitement

With every step I took along the steep

inadequate

that I looked to NLCS to help fund my

learning curve, I encountered new insights

as existing

research placement at the Department of

and work for further investigation.

antipsychotic drugs

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University

do not alleviate

of Cambridge.

The study unravelled questions that

many cognitive

ignited an urge to understand to a

deficits. Cognitive domains affected

Having previously

greater depth, the web of seemingly

include attention and working

learnt that my

endless explanations into NK cell

memory. In my studies I investigated

specialism lies in the

trafficking. Results suggested an

these two aspects of cognition using

field of immunology,

immature precursor cell already committed

touch-screen tasks, where a drug

I was delighted

to the NK cell lineage gives rise to Uterine

called PCP induces schizophrenic

to spend my time

Natural Killer cells but at the moment

symptomatology in healthy human

focusing upon the Origin of Murine

subjects and enhances psychosis

Uterine Natural Killer (NK) cells under

in schizophrenics. Rats were sub-

the supervision of Mr Jens Kieckbusch,

I am most grateful to NLCS for its support

chronically treated with PCP. Working

overseen by Dr Francesco Colucci. Innate

and for providing me with an opportunity

memory was then assessed using a

immunity is a complex and intricate

to cultivate a new found inspiration. This

touch-screen working memory task.

research theme and appreciating Natural

has allowed me to be most certain in

Killer cell activation would help us to

my decision to pursue a career in this

In another experiment, rats were

understand the role in health and disease

particular field.

administered methylazoxymethanol

at the foetal maternal interface.

remains inconclusive.

acetate (MAM). Offspring have neuroanatomical and behavioural changes like in schizophrenics – for

Academic Award Report Georgina Prichard

(2010)

example, impairments in attention and the ability to remain alert to

During the summer of 2012, I travelled to

These organisations can no longer legally

incoming stimuli, and this was

the Addis Ababa to conduct research for

work on rights, democracy and good

measured in rats using a touch-

my Geography degree at the University of

governance issues, and capacity is now so

screen Continuous Performance Task.

Cambridge. I conducted 20 interviews and

poor in domestic charities that the concept

collected secondary data in the format of

of rights and democracy in development

reports and research documents.

is becoming increasingly marginalised

PCP-treated rats were impaired

in Ethiopia. Not only are these charities

on working memory relative to control rats and, for the first time,

My dissertation explores the impact of the

limited by the restriction on their activities

the effect is existent months after

2009 Charities and Societies Proclamation

but also charities can only devote 30% of

treatment. MAM-treated animals had

on Ethiopian charities working in the area

costs to administration issues, with the

an increased false alarm rate – they

of child development. The Proclamation

other 70% being project and operational

were unable to disinhibit incorrect

is a controversial piece of legislation that

costs. In practice the law categorises many

responses (more impulsive). As

imposes a legal framework regulating

administration costs inappropriately and

these both prove to be animal

non-governmental organisations’ activities

this 70:30 issue is proving a real challenge.

models of schizophrenia, next,

in the country. My research studied the

an anti-impulsivity drug will be

impact of the legislation on: Ethiopian

However, in spite of this, I managed to

administered to the MAM-treated

residents’ charities which are run by

collect significant data with the help

rats to assess its effect on the false

Ethiopians but receive more than 10% of

of the ONLA Bursary Academic Award,

alarm rate, providing a potential

their funding from overseas.

I feel in a position to produce a truly

therapeutic in future treatment.

unique dissertation.

ONLine magazine |

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ONL Births, Marriages & Engagements

ENGAGEMENTS Keren Bagon (2003) announced her engagement to Itay Tokatly in December 2012, in Israel.

Lauren Gaventa (2003) became engaged to David Hirschfield in July 2012.

Olivia Godfrey (2003) became engaged to Zeb Wayne on 2nd October 2012, in Los Angeles.

Sophie Rogers (2003) announced her engagement to David Eden in January 2013.

Dharmi Shah (2000) announced her engagement to Nirav Morjaria on 27th January 2013 in London.

MARRIAGES Joelle Rashti (2003) married Jonathan Rich in July 2011.

Friends and NLCS Lucy Wray

Anisha Shah (2002) married Siva Palan in a registry office ceremony on 21st June 2012, and their Indian wedding ceremony took place on 24th June 2012.

Charlotte Olins (2004) married Stuart Singer in June 2012.

Lucy Tobin (2004) married Howard Lesser in August 2012.

Sam Goldman (2003) married Nigel

Lucy Wray (1999) married Tom Mercey

Hikmet on 29th August 2012, in Israel.

on 7th July 2012.

BIRTHS Hannah Boyden (née Margolis, 1995) had a baby boy, Josh, a little brother for Jacob, Abi and Tali.

B a by E nzo

Stephanie Holding-Shah (née Holding, 2002) had a baby boy, Enzo Rafael Shah, on 13th June 2012, weighing 6lb 13oz.

Deborah Jones (née Peters, 1995) had a baby boy, Sammy Alexander Jones, on 4th September 2012.

Fizzah Nurmohamed (née Kazmi, 2003) had a baby girl, Ava Fatima, on 23rd September 2012.

Nurmoham Ava Fatima

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| ONLine magazine

ed

(1998)

Studied medicine at the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford and is now pursuing a PhD in neuroscience at Stanford University, California.

On one of my last days at NLCS, then

it. Eighteen months later, I found myself

small sacrifices in exchange

headmistress Mrs Clanchy told me:

plunged into the world of neuroscience

for becoming part of this

“Remember – there are other ways to

at Stanford University, California, joining

inspiring community.

help the world than becoming a doctor!”

a cohort of young, enthusiastic American scientists who are determined to change

One lesson I carry with me

t the time, I couldn’t think of any

the world. To understand the brain we

from my NLCS days is that

other ways. My one goal was to

need more tools - tools that can help us

life should never be one-

become a doctor - I loved the idea of

manipulate and visualise activity across

dimensional. What I loved at

medical school, of learning about the

the whole brain, as well as monitor brain

NLCS was the encouragement

human body and being one of the people

activity at time scales fast enough to

to pursue many different

qualified to try to fix it when it goes

be relevant. I am now deeply involved in

interests: academic, artistic,

wrong. So I spent six hard but glorious

research and tool development to probe

sporting - and these could

years at medical school, learning much

the brain to understand some of the most

often complement each other

about myself as well as about the various

complex neural diseases the world faces:

rather than hinder. I put this

disciplines in our curriculum. After what

psychiatric diseases. We hope to emerge

into practice recently when I

seemed like an eternity - but also a blink

in the future equipped to combine clinical

painted a picture of my most

of an eye - there I was: a doctor! I began

and scientific skills to tackle neurological

recent scientific project. The

my working life in London - straight into the

and psychiatric diseases in a new way.

painting appeared on the

A

world of night shifts, clinical procedures

cover of the journal Nature

and daunting real life responsibilities. This

Methods, where the paper

was a welcome yet terrifying change, from

was published. The marriage

a life in which the most important thing

of art and science is perhaps

had been exam results. Suddenly, I was

not such a strange one,

faced with the reality of what we had spent

but one that for me started

all those years studying for: life and death.

during my NLCS days, rushing from an A-level physics class

I decided I wanted to be a neurologist -

to an A-level art class. The

fascinated by trying to solve the diagnostic

lesson I have learned is that

puzzles of the strange conditions that

science is a creative pursuit

affected people’s ability to move, feel,

and one cannot predict

speak and think. However, one terrible

where the next inspiration

downside of neurology was that so many

will come from - perhaps

of these diagnoses are lacking hope of

from medicine, perhaps from

a cure. Despite many recent advances,

somewhere else. I hope that

the brain and nervous system is still so little understood that many available

Emily Ferenczi's Opsin Abstraction

Feature: Art and Science in the USA

Emily Ferenczi

creativity in science will lead us down paths of discovery

neurological treatments are, at best,

Living abroad has been exhilarating.

never before predicted

non-specific and at worst, non-existent.

Americans are extremely welcoming,

and ultimately allow us to

Research was beckoning me once again,

friendly and wonderfully enthusiastic

find cures for the world’s

this time in the form of a PhD. But I

about most things! Silicon Valley is a

most elusive and torturous

calculated that a PhD and remainder of my

thriving centre for new ideas and change

diseases. Mrs Clanchy’s

medical training would take me well into

and it is hard to avoid being swept up in

comment about helping the

my late thirties and I suddenly felt an urge

this mentality. Every now and again I feel

world in many different ways

to explore somewhere else in the world. I

sentimental for some European cynicism,

often echoes in my thoughts.

applied for a Fulbright Scholarship to do

perhaps even for a drop of rain, and

a PhD in the USA and to my surprise I got

definitely for more holidays! But these are

By Emily Fereczi (1998)

ONLine magazine |

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Archive Feature: Dame Kitty Anderson

Around the World with Old North Londoners – Dame Kitty Anderson’s “Grand Tour”.

“Where’s Damn Kitty?”

That was a very good, if mispronounced, question from Davydd (aged two, son of ONL Diana White – née Langley, aka Wynne, 1948). After a long, outstanding career that included more than 20 years as Headmistress of NLCS and being awarded the DBE for services to education, one might suppose that Kitty Anderson’s retirement would be spent peacefully pottering around her native Yorkshire. Instead, come 1965, Dame Kitty and her travelling companion, Dr Margaret Yates, were on board the SS Southern Cross, heading for the other side of the globe.

The adventure began with a

and set forth across the Pacific Ocean to

stormy crossing. As Dame

Australia and New Zealand: “Over seven

Kitty recalled: “We had a

days of ocean and still more ocean – no

tremendous gale in the Bay of

land and not a single other ship in sight,

After stopping off in Fiji, the voyage ended

Biscay and the ship performed

only lots of flying fish.”

in New Zealand, where they visited a large

every antic possible. It

sheep station, home of Helen Aitken (née

pitched, tossed, rocked,

Dame Kitty, whose fondness for hats

Murray), ONL and former head girl. The

shuddered.” However, they

was well known, happily reported to Miss

Aitkens took their visitors to the Waikei

survived that first leg of their

McLauchlan that the Christmas paper

thermal area where they saw “steam

journey and enjoyed their stop

hats were “elegant ones, and mine was

which shoots out of the ground alarmingly,

in Trinidad, where they were

a mortar board in gold with gaily coloured

and boiling mud pools”.

met by the parents of ONL

tassel!” Even on board, Dame Kitty

Jacqueline Sealy. Then they

reported that she “met many people

continued to Curaçao

From New Zealand it was onward to

with whom I had some link

Melbourne, where the travellers were

through NLCS or mutual

welcomed by more ONLs, as well as some

friends”. Yes, NLCS really

former NLCS staff members. Then they

is global!

flew to South Australia, to the Adelaide home of Barbara Tahourdin (née Ker

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| ONLine magazine

The New Year saw the

Wilson, 1948). There, Dame Kitty wrote: “I

travellers watching “the

am having a delightful time ... and look out

sun rise over Tahiti”, a

into the garden with its vines, grapefruit

place Dame Kitty found

and orange trees and passionfruit ... the

“out of the world, with

sun is shining and the sky is blue.” She

its palm fringed lagoons,

gave an outdoor interview on the tennis

exotic vivid flowers,

lawn for Australian national television.

thatched houses and

Visits were made to other ONLs in

friendly colourful people.

Adelaide, including Alison Bailey, genetics

I loved it all.”

researcher at the University of Adelaide,

Maya [Battacharaya, ONL 1944] and being

her row of microscopes”. Dame Kitty

entertained by her in Calcutta”. She also

also addressed a meeting of all Adelaide

visited the Loreto House School, which

headmistresses, and the Federation

had an exchange programme with NLCS.

Memories of Lisa Ann Thaler

Then it was time to head homeward.

I remember very clearly

The travellers’ final tour destination was

when Dame Kitty went on

The next destination was Sydney, where

Israel, where Dame Kitty met “many

her “round the world trip”.

Dame Kitty stayed at the home of Diana

Old North Londoners”. They stayed with

Her last stop was in Israel,

Wynne, who reported that her infant son

Sheila Kritzler (née Osler) at Kibbutz

and her base for a month

Davydd repeated the same question each

Lavi, where Dame Kitty took a class of

of her stay here was

morning as soon as he woke up:

children, who were fascinated and did not

our home. She went to

"Where’s Damn Kitty?"

want the lesson to end. ONLs Ruth Fluss

Kibbutz Lavi and gave an

(née Lowenthal, 1956) in Haifa and Lisa

English lesson there to the

Thaler (née Pollack, 1948) in Netanya also

fascinated children. Then

played host to their former headmistress.

she stayed with Sheila

Lisa recalls spending a “most wonderful

Oster Kritzler and we were

and enjoyable month” with Dame Kitty.

all invited to tea at the

They “laughed a lot but also had a lot of

British ambassador’s.

serious discussions ...” More ONLs were

We dressed up very

of University Women held a dinner in her honour.

(née Pollack, 1948):

encountered in Upper Galilee, Jerusalem

smartly for it and when

and Tel Aviv. After this final stop, they

the ambassador arrived

headed home by way of Italy.

he had just come from a

After Australia the intrepid travellers sailed

game of tennis and was

to India via Hong Kong, where they were

Back in Yorkshire, Dame Kitty surely

informally dressed in an

guests of the Indian Council of Cultural

had a “rare traveller’s tale” to tell of

open-necked shirt. We had

Relations. Dame Kitty had “a heavy

her trip “around the world with Old

a very good time with him

programme of lectures and meetings in

North Londoners”.

– and our young children

Bombay, Madras, Calcutta, Benares and

loved Dame Kitty.

Delhi”, yet despite her official duties, she

By Joelaine Fitch (2006)

managed to see “quite a number of Old

Source: Ker Wilson, Barbara, ed., Everyone Mattered: the Life and Times of Dame Kitty Anderson (London, The Chandos Press, 2003) ISBN 0954531108

North Londoners”, and felt that “one of the high spots of [this] tour was visiting

Archive Feature: Dame Kitty Anderson

who allowed her visitors to “look down

ONLine magazine |

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ONLs in Africa – Now and Then

ONLs Now – Zambia Flying Angels Summer School

W

main objectives: improving literacy

compound N’gombe in 2008,

programme centred on the arts and

I looked down to see a long

humanities. For all my preparations

drop, and then ahead, straight

– I had arrived a month in advance

into rusty-coloured African

– the success of the programme

scrubland. It was certainly a

was ultimately contingent on the

shift in perspective. If

brilliance of my fellow volunteers.

alking into a toilet cubicle in the Zambian

and verbal expression through a

you can only afford to build While Adam Lovett’s debates on the

class on London culture and the Beatles

back wall is the logical one to

utilitarianism and liberal democracy

fell totally flat, and our driver reminded us

bypass – people wandering

aroused spirited retaliation, in the next

regularly that “now” in Africa meant soon

past in the distance were

door classroom Frankie was teaching

and “now-now” meant considerably later!

certainly further away than my

gestural Greek drama through Sophocles’

Some of the Junior School students stole

fellow toilet companions.

Antigone, whose resonant issues of

all 10 of our glue sticks and 60 felt-tips on

familial allegiance and religious devotion

the first day. But stern words from Ruth,

provoked an emotive response.

the deputy headmistress, saw them all

Having taken part in the annual trip to Flying Angels

returned within the hour.

school in year 12, the creativity of Zambian toilet

Importantly, we worked with Junior School

arrangement was just one of

teachers to integrate a programme of

the many things that led to

tiered reading books, donated by NLCS,

a fixation with returning and

into the curriculum. By the end of the

doing something more.

week, Hal Hainsworth had relinquished his lunch breaks to sit in the sun and

At the end of my gap year

supervise students desperate to finish

in 2010, I returned to run a

their books before afternoon activities.

Summer School programme that two ONLs had completed

My gap year had taken me from the forts

in 2007. Along with ONL

and palaces scattered across Rajasthan

Frankie Goodway, we decided

to the Soviet-style expanse of Beijing,

to extend the programme to

and I had arrived in Africa with 8,000

three weeks, adding an extra

Our mock election was timed alongside the

photographs, basic Mandarin, few clothes

week at the Junior School. We

run-up to the real elections, which pivotally

and dwindling funds. The ONLA travel

went on to see MMD party replaced by

and bursary fund donations to both my

of 12 volunteers.

the PF – the first new party since Zambia

Mandarin diploma at SOAS and the cost of

This shrunk to

became a multi-party state in 1991.

the Summer School in Zambia were vital,

Splitting the eldest group into political

but also contributed to rather more than

then – two weeks

parties according to personal choice, our

just facilitating the “gap” between the end

before I was set to

mock elections echoed many features

of school and the beginning of life.

leave London – just

of its real counterpart. Issues such as

collected a motley crew

eight, then six,

10

Of course, there were also mishaps. The

three walls in a toilet, the

four. We decided

tribal loyalties and religious homophobia

to go ahead – the

swiftly emerged; “MMD” campaign policies

ever-phlegmatic Flying Angels

included bribing the younger students

teachers barely batted an

with sweets, and attempts to rig the

eyelid at the change of plan.

election with false ballot papers led to the

Our Summer School had two

disqualification of the “PF” party.

| ONLine magazine

By Rebecca Choong-Wilkins (2010)

Please email rebecca.choongwilkins@ st-annes.ox.ac.uk if you would like more information on the Summer School or to get involved next year.

a n gh ital, Sh r H osp te s e L China

“I always used to feel it was the height of courage to work amongst the cannibal people, though I don’t think I should feel the same fear now.” Speaking to the ONL Missionary Union, around 1930, ONL Helen Orme adds: “After all, they cook you first, so it doesn’t really matter.”

ai

S ev e n

maids

with se ven m o ps

Orme points out: “You can see what a splendid place St Catherine’s is. These three little patients holding hands – a Christian, a Hindu and

O

rme speaks of ONLs scattered from

1st day Patient bad, 2nd P worse, 3rd P in

Muslim – seem well content.”

“the crowded villages of India” to

sink, 4th P on the flit, 5th P flut”.

The ONL Missionary Union was

the world was still discoverable – a time

This precedent for seeking scientific

time the alumnae network was

when eight cannibal chiefs rowed ONL

qualification and devoting expertise to

established. Regardless of any

J Glower down the river Congo to meet

the needs of others was initiated by Mary

new purpose, there remain the

Pailthorpe. The second Girton student to

integral bonds of friendship,

gain first class honours in mathematics, in

support and pride.

“the vast fields of China” at a time when

their tribes.

eventually disbanded, and over

“So, through these early pioneers, we

1881, she went on to the London School

touched the cannibals,” Orme proclaims.

of Medicine.

There was undoubtedly an aspect of

These first generations of “global” ONLs are not only

“civilising” in this philanthropy and the

She then spent 27 years as a medical

characterised by the humour

damaging consequences of colonial

missionary at the Victoria Hospital,

and courage they took to their

Christianity should not be played down.

Benares, India. Reminiscing about

work, but by the strength of

Yet, reading Orme’s speech in a secular,

Pailthorpe, fellow ONL Frances Wilkinson

character exhibited by women

post-colonial 21st century context,

writes: “She had qualifications possessed

who, as qualified experts in

there is a startling absence of religious

by few medical men and women in India,

their fields, chose a life of

or ideological moralising. She conveys

but the chief charm of her life comes

extreme philanthropy and

a warmth that bespeaks her resolute

from her own beautiful, sympathetic, deep

physical deprivation. Women

concern to help, to “touch”.

nature.” She adds: “One other titbit. When

who sincerely believed in

her hair was cut off in her illness in 1906,

breaking social boundaries to

The connotation of colonialism in the

she found it so much cooler and more

achieve the exceptional, and

word “pioneers” is displaced by the

practical and hygienic that she wore it short

whose head-shaving tactics

assuredly groundbreaking missions of

to the end of her life. In 1906!! Strong

doubtless shocked other ONLs.

the 150 ONL pioneers across the globe.

minded woman.”

Not just as women, but as voyagers, they

ONLs in Africa – Now and Then

ONLs Then – African Medical Missionaries: We Work(ed) in Hope

There is a fearlessness here

were trailblazers – initiating and running

Characteristically cerebral, it is clear the

that hopefully still resonates

humanitarian projects.

ONLs of the Missionary Union were not

among current North

blinded by idealism or self-righteousness.

Londoners. Overwhelmingly

The ONL Missionary Union’s work began

Orme speaks with an astute awareness of

apparent, however, is the

with Dr Edith Young, who in 1925 was

the fractious effects of religion, including

understated way these ONLs

awarded the Kaisar-i-Hind Medal for

her own. She speaks sympathetically

reference their achievements.

her services to India. Subsequent ONL

of one son abandoned by his mother

Wilkinson’s reminiscence of

generations followed suit, including Dr

for converting to Christianity, after he

Pailthorpe ends: “A satisfactory

Doris Clay, who worked in the Jester

accepted food from a fellow Christian

alumna, I’m sure you’ll feel!”

Hospital, Shanghai. With characteristically

but of inferior caste. Closely inspecting a

Satisfaction is perhaps the

dry humour, Orme notes that “evidently the

detail in the background of a photo sent

best we can hope for.

patients [there] are treated better than by

by ONL Sophie Hyman de Tiel, a doctor at

the Chinese doctor who wrote his bulletins:

St Catherine’s, Cawnpore (now Kanpur),

By Rebecca Choong-Wilkins (2010)

ONLine magazine |

11

Feature: Executive Editor of NPR News

Executive editor of the news team at US Media Agency NPR Madhulika Sikka (1981) is executive editor of the news team at US media organisation National Public Radio (NPR). NPR creates and distributes news, information and music programming to a network of 975 independent stations. Through them, NPR programming reaches 26 million listeners every week. She was interviewed by Diana Grant-Davie about her career, her recent promotion to executive editor, her new book on breast cancer and the impact of her time at NLCS. At the time of the interview, Madhulika was executive producer of NPR's Morning Edition, public radio's most-listened-to program with an audience of almost 13 million listeners each week on more than 700 public radio stations across the United States.

Amaria/NPR , credit Kainaz Madhulika Sikka

There is so much pressure to be first and fast in the competitive media environment that we live in.

What do you think is the secret behind the show’s success, with 13 million

How would you describe your

get a sense of what I’ve missed overnight

listeners? I think there is still a huge

job in a sentence? Providing

and what I should anticipate for the day,

appetite for smart, intelligent, non-

enlightening, interesting,

where we should be focusing our attention

judgemental coverage of the news, arts

edifying and sometimes

in news coverage.

and culture and the sciences – all areas of

entertaining journalism to an

coverage that NPR excels in. We treat the

engaged audience every day

How have you transformed Morning

audience with respect and allow them to

– which they can listen to on

Edition during your time there? We have

do their own thinking.

their radio, mobile device

made the show more lively and responsive

or computer.

to news. It is a more nimble operation that

What is your new book A Breast Cancer

can turn stories around quickly and react

Alphabet about and why did you write

Why did you move to the

to fast breaking news events, but we also

on the subject? In December 2010 I

US to work? I married an

provide time to take a breath on the big

was diagnosed with breast cancer. I

American after I graduated

stories and examine some issues in more

underwent surgeries and chemotherapy.

with my M.Phil from Cambridge

depth. I think the most important thing we

It was a tough period. I learnt a lot of

University and moved

do is take the time to listen to voices on

things from people who had gone through

to America.

our air.

breast cancer and from going through the experience myself. I was fortunate enough

12

Describe your average day at

How has the show changed with the

to have friends I could consult and also

Morning Edition on NPR news.

advent of social networking and new

had excellent medical care. I wanted to

The great thing about the daily

technology? I think it has really allowed

write a little something that people who

news business is there isn’t

us to be more engaged with our audience

didn’t have those kinds of resources might

really an average day, as so

and find sources across the globe in a way

find useful. Some of it is serious, some of

much is driven by the news

that would have been very labour intensive

it light-hearted, but I hope all of it is useful.

of the day. However, I get up

before. The technology has allowed us

early, around 5am, make my

to reach so many new places – but the

What has been your biggest achievement

tea, catch up on overnight

downside is that things move so fast,

in your career? I guess still being

email, read a ton of news

one has to be careful to ensure we are

employed! The broadcast news business

sources and my Twitter feed to

accurate and thoughtful in our coverage.

is going through a tumultuous period and

| ONLine magazine

Linda A dato Un der the Overpas

I feel privileged to be working at a high-

s

ARTS CORNER

quality news organisation that seems to be appreciated by the audience.

Prints have always played an important role. Before the invention

What is the best decision you’ve made

of photography, engravings enabled

in your career? Probably the best

people to see otherwise inaccessible

decisions are the ones where you say

works of art. Simply, a print is an

no to something, as much as the things

image transferred from one surface to

you say yes to. On occasion I have had

another – whether a woodcut, linocut,

some opportunities that I have passed on,

lithograph, screenprint (a medium I still

because even though on paper they may

miss from my school days), engraving,

sound impressive, they were not the right

drypoint, aquatint, mezzotint or etching.

fit. It is tempting to say yes to move up, but if the fit isn’t right, your gut probably

Brooklyn Roofscape

lets you know that saying no is ok.

What are your plans for the future?

Start my new job as executive editor in January 2013 and hope that I excel. I am looking forward to providing broad editorial direction for NPR on all platforms.

Do you feel your time at NLCS has helped you, both in your career and life? Yes. And

of American Graphic Artists, where she

as with many things, you appreciate things

served from 2007 to 2010 as the third

more with the benefit of hindsight. I learnt

female president in its long history.

that it was ok to be intellectually curious

Among other memorable experiences,

(an important thing for girls) and I learnt to speak up for myself. I probably also got a lot of my work ethic from NLCS (and

she curated an exhibition in Australia ross Blue Bridge ac the Gowanus

for all the members and was present at the opening.

my mom). I am a pretty tough taskmaster (ask my children or staff!) and I am quite

Known for her beautiful etchings, Linda

Her work has been shown throughout the

sure that is an ethos I acquired at NLCS.

Adato (née Falber, 1960) has fond

world and is in collections including the

I think that NLCS prepared me very well

memories of drawing by the pond in front

Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts of

both for university and for life and made

of the art department, where she was

the Fine Arts Museums in San Francisco,

me a big believer in single sex education.

taught by Moy Keightley, Peggy Angus

the British Museum, the Corcoran Gallery

In fact, I am the mother of two teenage

and Gladys Anderson. Miss Anderson

of Art in Washington DC and the New

girls and they go to an all girls school here

encouraged her to apply to Hornsey

York Public Library.

in Washington DC – National Cathedral

College of Art, where she studied for a

School – that often reminds me of NLCS.

year before emigrating to the US with her

Linda’s studio, with two etching presses,

family in 1962. She and Miss Anderson

has nearly always been in her home and

Are you still in touch with any of your

remained in touch. She received her BA

she is constantly busy working on her

friends or teachers from your time at

and MA from UCLA and although she did

next print. For more details about her

NLCS? I turned 50 last year and my

enjoy her art classes there, she secretly

work see www.lindaadato.com.

husband tracked down a few friends to

thought the teaching had been much

come to my party in London – it was like

better at NLCS.

old times and made me realise how much of our personalities are set by the time we

For a while, she taught printmaking at

leave school.

Manhattanville College in New York State. Like-minded printmakers

By Diana Grant-Davie (2012)

encouraged her to apply to the Society

By Chloé Nelkin (2006) If you have any involvement in the arts, please get in touch, info@chloenelkinconsulting.com Keep up-to-date with my art adventures by following Artista at http://chloenelkin.wordpress.com

ONLine magazine |

13

LIFE IN AUSTRALIA: Parallel lives, doubly rich

Victoria Rousseau (née Veronica “Lonk” Massarik, 1962) recalls the life-saving support of her NLCS “sisters” from Melbourne, Australia.

A

to me a benighted

leaving, I recall the sense that

which I had read, was banned!

every school day I was able

There were no chocolate biscuits. The

Everywhere in Australia, the sky is

to enter a world of beauty,

girls at my new school were parochial

vast. It’s a giant dome. The tall gumtrees

fairness and validation. It

and unsophisticated. I missed my

tower majestically above you, but they

was a place of redemption.

friends and NLCS sisters, who wrote

are dwarfed by the sky. There is a primal

My mother was a Holocaust

marvellous letters for years on those

feeling when surveying this beautiful land.

survivor and terribly damaged.

sixpenny aerogrammes. Dame Kitty wrote

It says to you: “I was here for millennia

She would have sudden violent

to me too, as did Miss Mellor and Miss

before you, and I will be here for millennia

rages. Our father left and

Vamplew. One week I had 30 letters to

after you have gone, but while you are

our childhood was traumatic

reply to! They truly sustained me.

here, I am yours.”

brother left for university,

I’d sit forlornly on the wintry beach, telling

I am in an ecstasy every time I return

things deteriorated. In 1960,

myself that the water lapping my toes

to England, but equally when I return to

the evening before O levels

would eventually lap England’s shores...

Australia. Melbourne is now repeatedly

s I reflect on my time at NLCS, 50-plus years after

place then. Lolita,

with lucid intervals. Once my

began, my mother suddenly threw me out. I had nowhere

I got good A levels, but English

Alone in the developed world, Australia

to go.

universities didn’t accept them.

has experienced no recession and the

Trapped, I sat residential college

mood is cheerful. There are chocolate

A neighbour took me in so

scholarship exams at Melbourne

biscuits. I have degrees from both

that I could do my exams and,

University and won one. At last, I

Australian and English universities,

unbeknown to me, Dr (later

left my guardians. Dame Kitty wrote,

longstanding friendships in both countries.

Dame Kitty) Anderson was

saying she was proud of my academic

I have lived parallel lives, and count myself

informed. She at once cabled

achievements and especially proud of

doubly rich.

my father, who was working in

me “personally”.

Tehran, telling him that I was

People comment on how together I am,

homeless, and that he should

Freedom! Melbourne University was

considering my dysfunctional background.

return to London immediately.

exciting. I wrote for the university

NLCS contributed largely to that.

(What a marvellous woman

newspaper. I starred in the Revue in a

she was!)

racy sketch written by Germaine Greer.

As a psychotherapist, I know that a child’s

Edna Everage gave a hilarious talk while

vital needs are validation and safety.

He was on the next plane and

still a local housewife. I acquired a

NLCS reliably gave me both. For crucial

I finally saw my Dad again after

prestigious boyfriend. When we eventually

years, I was nurtured in a place which

many years. He took me back

decided to go to England, I discovered that

was beautiful, peaceful, predictable and

to Tehran, but as there were

Australia had become hard to leave.

fair; where there was no punishment;

no suitable schools there,

where there was enquiry, discovery and

he contacted his brother in

England made me, and I love her

discourse; where there was laughter

Melbourne, asking if he and

eternally. But the trees I first gazed at

and affection; which inculcated social

his wife could foster me until I

for hours were Australian trees. The first

conscience in the wider world; where I was

had completed my schooling.

contemporary poetry I read was Australian

affirmed, safe and happy. As the years

They telegrammed back: “Yes”.

poetry. The first man I loved (after Elvis!)

pass, I realise increasingly how indebted I

My new guardians were a cold,

was Australian. These are formative

am to our unique school.

childless couple. They never

experiences too.

laughed. Australia seemed

14

voted the world’s “most liveable city”.

| ONLine magazine

By Victoria Rousseau (1962)

Isabel Vielba writes about her extraordinary life as an army doctor in Afghanistan Isabel and James Bond (actor Daniel Craig) on her birthday

I

suppose my interest in all things “green”

Academy Sandhurst. Just two months

time, there were mountains

started at North London. The wonderful

later I started my pre-deployment training

of sweets and chocolates

grounds at Canons provided the backdrop

to join 243 Field Hospital (based across

in every department of the

to many games of “dungeons and

the south-west, where I am currently

hospital. The festive season

dragons”, as well as an unofficial explorers

completing my specialty training in

also brought several VIP visits.

club with the associated den-building and

emergency medicine) in a tour of duty

Most memorable for me

tree-climbing – skills I later formalised

in Afghanistan.

was meeting James Bond on

during Duke of Edinburgh expeditions to

my birthday!

the Lake District and the Brecon Beacons.

Having been back in the UK a few days,

On a gap year before university, I spent

I can give a somewhat rose-tinted,

Although I saw nothing outside

three months in remote Patagonia with

but hopefully accurate, account of my

the base, I learnt a little of

Raleigh International. This introduced me

experience on tour.

the culture through our Afghan

to a life of hiking, “bivvying” (sleeping

colleagues at the hospital and

outdoors under an improvised shelter, as

I was deployed for three months as

from the patients. A few words

opposed to a tent) and long drops. It was

the General Duties Medical Officer (the

of Pashtu took me a long way

there that I also met and made friends

junior doctor!). Our TA Field Hospital

with what I saw as a stoical

with several aspiring military personnel

(243) combined with US colleagues and

but welcoming people. It never

and was impressed by their commitment

several UK regular counterparts to staff

ceased to amaze me how

to the task at hand, camaraderie and

the Hospital at Camp Bastion, the main

brave the children were – often

general competence.

operating base for UK troops in Helmand

not shedding a tear in the face

Afghanistan F plane to Isabel on RA

Province, Afghanistan. This is one of

of horrific injuries. In the case

the busiest trauma centers in the world,

of a few long-term patients,

pioneering world-class care. Patients are

real friendship formed

of all classifications and ages, and have

between the patient

injuries including from IED (improvised

and staff. Although

explosive device) blasts and gunshots.

we were sad to say

My job involved day-to-day care of ward

goodbye to them,

patients, seeing patients in the emergency

it was wonderfully

department, as well as primary care,

rewarding to see

assisting in surgical theatre and acting as

them recover from

a general spare set of hands. In contrast to

what were often

the NHS, the care is consultant delivered,

such devastating

which gave me a unique and cherished

injuries.

opportunity to learn from my international

Isabel o nA Camp Le merican base, atherneck

After graduating from medical school,

consultant colleagues, and I was privileged

All in all, my tour of duty

I resolved to give military life a go. As I

to make some great friends in the process.

was what I expected it

started my foundation training, I joined the

Feature: Life in Afghanistan

Isabel Vielba

to be: a life-changing,

Territorial Army (TA). As a result of being a

As a winter tour, we didn’t struggle

humbling experience.

military virgin and several NHS-related job

with 40°C heat, but had only the

This 10-year conflict has

moves, I took a somewhat indirect path to

occasional cold night to suffer. We were

transformed trauma care

becoming an officer. In November 2011,

accommodated in tents for six to eight

to an unprecedented level,

I completed the soldier’s basic training

people, with hot showers and laundry

something that should benefit

and then moved on to the professional

facilities. The cookhouse provided three

us all as the expertise is

qualified officer’s course. In July 2012, I

good meals a day. And thanks to the

transferred to the NHS.

passed out as a captain in the Royal Army

generosity of friends, family and the

Medical Corps from the Royal Military

general public, particularly at Christmas

By Isabel Vielba (2002)

ONLine magazine |

15

Feature: Flying the NLCS flag abroad

In our first of two articles about the influence of NLCS on schools abroad, Zoe Ilivitzky (2011) recalls her gap year placement at NLCS Jeju in Korea.

D

uring the first term of our Sixth Form year, Mr Dan

Lewis, NLCS’s Deputy Head (Franchising), gave a talk to

us on gap year opportunities at NLCS Jeju, and I decided to take a gap year. So in February 2012 I was on a flight to Jeju, South Korea. I had no idea what to expect and it is only now, looking back, that I can see I was on the verge of a great year, packed with amazing experiences.

Landing in Korea was not what I expected at all. It was westernised with Dunkin’ Donuts and 7/11s everywhere.

It was only when I was shown to my room at NLCS, that it

Jungmun beach, or just day to day

activities or just chatting to kids during

finally hit me - I’m in Korea!

in breakout.

breaktime was the highlight of my day.

My first impression of NLCS

One of the strangest aspects was the

There were many tears, on both sides, when I left.

Jeju was that it looked like

overnight switch from being an NLCS

a holiday resort. The new

student to being a member of staff. I

The Jeju experience gave me so much

buildings are amazing: big,

loved working with such passionate and

and I feel I grew up more in that

new versions of the London

fun people, on duty and off, day and

six-month period than any other in my

ones I know so well. Although

night. The level of responsibility that I was

life so far. For the first time, I was an

I quickly got to know and love

given, and the trust the teachers had in

adult and was responsible not just for

the teachers and students,

me, were amazing. I had the opportunity

myself, but whole classes of children.

the cultural differences at the

to work on my own projects, such as with

As a consequence, the eventual move

beginning were huge – not

the marketing department, as well as

from home to university in September

least having boys there!

getting really involved with the children. I

was easy. I also feel that I have a

started helping out with the netball squad

much more realistic view of working

The first close relationships

and ended up being one of their coaches,

life, as well as where my career may

I made were with six other

running sessions and even going on a trip

take me.

Gap year students. We’d

to Seoul with them.

spend most of our free time

16

North London Collegiate School Jeju

It is difficult to compare NLCS London with

together, exploring the island

The most memorable and amazing aspect

NLCS Jeju. Each is unique: one with one

and just having a good time.

was getting to know the children. In the

hundred and sixty years of history and the

Some of my most memorable

boarding house I was like a big sister, with

other a brand new school. Both will always

experiences are of us all

girls coming to me for advice or homework

remain very dear to me and I hope to go

cycling to the Sanbang-san

help. Around school I was a younger

back one day and visit everyone in Jeju.

Mountain, going to Seoul

“teacher” to whom they could relate.

during half term, surfing on

Spending time teaching lessons, running

| ONLine magazine

By Zoe Ilivitsky (2011)

A

The coming of age celebrations in 1923 were tinged with sadness, as it was the year Miss Aitken chose to retire. One girl wrote that “it is impossible

group of girls at one of the best girls’

that she arrived in South Africa to find

to imagine the school which

schools in the country are holding

“school buildings, one or two members

[she] has made without its

daffodil-like flowers and singing the school

of staff, but no pupils or equipment”.

inspiring spirit”. Miss Aitken’s

hymn. Their motto is “We work in hope”

Undaunted, she prepared the school for

final address to the school

and they are celebrating their pioneering

its official opening on 10th October 1902,

included a brief history of

female founder. But it is not that well-

and it opened with 106 pupils. Inez du

Miss Buss’s foundation of

known favourite “To be a pilgrim” – it

Saar reminisced that “there was such a

NLCS. She encouraged the

is an English translation of the Dutch

shortage of equipment, of everything that

girls to remember the “years

Eendracht school song. The “daffodils”

was necessary to run a school properly!

of struggle and hard work”

are in fact irises and the motto has been

But the whole proceeding became an

suffered by women such

translated into Latin – Prosit spes labori.

adventure to both staff and pupils ... we

Miss Buss and Miss Beale

The school’s pioneering female founder is

grabbed our opportunities with both hands

that enabled girls to have an

not Frances Mary Buss, but Edith Aitken.

and determined to make good.”

education as good as boys’.

And the country whose league tables this

Her challenge to the girls is

school is topping? It’s sunny South Africa,

Despite initial difficulties, PHSG

as relevant to us today: “The

not rainy England...

flourished under the leadership of its

seed [of women’s education]

much-loved headmistress. Its first

was sown and watered, even

Welcome to Pretoria High School for

head girl, Daisy Antill Place, wrote

with tears; it has come up

Girls! Its similarities to NLCS are no

that she would “like to pay tribute to

and there is a harvest. The

coincidence – Edith Aitken, the school’s

Miss Aitken for the manner in which

question remains, are you fit

first headmistress, was an ONL and former

she overcame almost insuperable

to gather it in? ... All these

member of NLCS staff who modelled

obstacles ... it was not very long before

opportunities – what are you

PHSG on her former school. She wanted

she had got the whole establishment

going to do with them? ...

her school to be “conducted with the

organised and in working order”. Within

What are you going to make

earnest hope that here girls of different

two years, it received glowing reports

of it all? Are you going to use

races and different denominations might

from inspectors, who complimented

these wonderful lives of yours

meet in the commonwealth of letters

the high academic standards, excellent

or let them run to waste?”

which gave Erasmus and Shakespeare to

organisation and “the general tone and

the world; to acquire there, in accordance

orderly bearing of the pupils”.

with the ideals of Christian duty, the

If Edith Aitken could see Pretoria High School for Girls

healthy physique, the trained mind and the

The girls strove for academic success,

today, no doubt she would

disciplined character which should fit each

theatrical and musical performances were

be very proud indeed. The

to live worthily in that state of life unto

regularly held, a literary and debating

school continues to

which it should please God to call her.”

society was established early on and

flourish academically

there was a library and a museum.

and has just been

The ideal of inclusivity was, and is, strongly

Emphasis was placed on the girls’ physical

named third-best

upheld at NLCS – as one of the first ONLs

education: Miss Aitken “always encouraged

public school in the

said: “at North London ... no one cared

the girls to be as active as possible”

Gauteng Province,

where you lived or ... what your father was

and sports included tennis, swimming,

based on its final

– he might be a bishop or a rat-catcher”.

basketball and hockey. Some fifty years

school year results.

However, despite fundamental ideological

earlier, Miss Buss had been considered

Meanwhile, Miss Aitken’s

similarities, PHSG could be no identikit

radical in her attitude towards physical

ideals of integrity, inclusivity

Pretoria

copy of NLCS: the challenges faced by

education for girls, as even forward-thinking

and excellence continue to

PHSG in Boer War-ravaged Africa would be

friends such as Dorothea Beale, head of

be upheld.

very different to those of Victorian north

Cheltenham Ladies’ College, mocked the

London. Her obituary in The Times relates

spectacle of girls playing hockey.

Feature: Flying the NLCS flag abroad

In our second article about the influence of NLCS on schools abroad, Joelaine Fitch (2006) explores the impact of Edith Aitken (c.1879) and Frances Mary Buss on Pretoria School in South Africa.

High Sc hool 19 28

By Joelaine Fitch (2006)

ONLine magazine |

17

Feature: Life as a globe trotter

zo Mum & En

Stephanie Holding-Shah (2002) talks about catching the travel bug and the journey life has taken her on so far. magazines, I finally came face-to-face with the man who I knew was the one for me.

In just weeks he had won me, but, in the middle of that whirlwind I was offered a fantastic job at Grazia magazine: in Dubai!

Mr Right proved himself though, telling me to take the job and then coming to visit me every few weeks for the next 15 months – he loves collecting air-miles.

Hong Kong View

H

ad you asked me in

terrifying, but at the same time reassuring

And now, having married the man I love,

2002, when I left NLCS,

– I felt I could now stand up to the world

life trumps itself and gives me Enzo Rafael.

with some strength.

That brings me to the here and now. I

what I would aim to achieve in the next ten years, you may

couldn’t have predicted it – 18-year-old

have actually received a full

As clichéd a phrase as it is, I had now

me certainly would have had no idea! The

blueprint for what this last

lapped the globe and been thoroughly

here and now is the unchartered waters

decade has brought me. Man

infected with the travel bug. It was not

of motherhood, Hong Kong style – thanks,

of my dreams: check (but don’t

long before I would set

this time, to hubby’s curiosity for the world.

tell him that!). Baby: check.

off again, electing to

A career in journalism: check.

spend my second year

A healthy dose of hard study,

of university abroad.

a little partying and as much

New York beckoned

Watching my little man grow and

travel as I can fit in: done,

this time – not that I

develop fills me with huge joy, and

done and done.

was heading to the glamorous heights of

Motherhood is a gift I feel blessed to be experiencing.

knowing that I am helping mould Night m arket w ith Enzo

Being at NLCS made the

Manhattan, rather the

world seem like a large open

post-industrial and very snowy town of

book, something I could plot

Buffalo, around six hours away from where

As for Hong Kong, it feels like home, for

with broad sweeps of my

I actually wanted to be! I survived though,

now. Having a new baby so far from family

pen, but getting myself to

and came back knowing that I could live

and friends isn’t easy, but I’m certainly

this point has been as much

pretty much anywhere. Well, nearly.

enjoying the challenge. The city itself is

of an education as anything

is an absolute privilege.

an exciting world of opportunity and a

I could have received

The next few years brought me into the

fantastic base for exploration. In fact, as I

at school.

seductive world of fashion journalism. It

type I am sitting aboard a plane to Taipei.

wasn’t all frocks and fancy heels, though.

Why not check it out for the weekend?!

On leaving NLCS, I flung myself

In fact, more often than not, it was ironing

straight into my gap year:

piles of clothes in a stuffy hotel basement,

While I still dabble in some freelance

travelling around the world

in readiness for a photo shoot, or even

writing and styling work, I have set my

with stops in India, Australia

dog-sitting for a flamboyant fashion

sights on entrepreneurship. Right now

and the United States.

designer. Still, I have ironed clothes all

though, I am just enjoying being a mummy.

Teaching young children in a

over Europe, America and New Zealand.

It is the greatest journey I have been

tiny, poverty-stricken village in

Luckily, I earned my stripes and soon got

on yet.

south India immediately forced

to do more of the “fun” stuff.

me to evaluate where it was I had come from and what I

18

him in to the man he will one day be

I guess that’s the beauty of life – who It was then that life presented me with one

could go on to do. Being so far

of those awful decisions. After years in the

away from what I knew, was

female-dominated environment of fashion

| ONLine magazine

knows where it will take you next!

By Stephanie Holding-Shah (2002)

We often joke that Singapore is the best-run company in the world.

Everything runs like clockwork, which I have found makes for a calmer experience than London. I remember my first commute on the MRT (Singaporean Tube): as I heard the train approach on the platform below, I tried to fly down the escalator but I was stymied by the absence of a “stand on the right” rule. I soon learnt that Singaporeans have no reason to rush for a train when they know with absolute certainty that another one will arrive in two minutes. Since then I have had to accept that there is no way to get down an escalator quickly in Singapore.

T

business community, many friendly expats have been in exactly the same position.

I'll be sad to leave

shopping mall for every week of the year,

Much to my delight, I quickly lost the

Singapore at the end of the

my 11 months in Singapore could be

nickname “newbie Newman” as fresh

year but I am lucky enough

described as a soft introduction to Asia. I

arrivals appeared after just a couple of

to be moving to New York

chose to move to Singapore for my second

weeks. When an Asian feast costs less

for my final year of the

year of the WPP Fellowship – a graduate

than a ticket from Canons Park to Oxford

Fellowship. This promises

programme that comprises three year-long

Circus, it's not hard to find an occasion to

many more international

rotations across different companies within

eat out with new friends.

learning experiences,

wenty-eight degree heat, an abundance of noodles and a different

WPP, a leading marketing communications

Feature: Life as a globe trotter

Claudia Newman (2006) reveals how acceptance onto the WPP Fellowship Scheme has opened up the world for her.

though the first shock is

organisation. This provided a unique

An undeniable attraction of Singapore is

likely to be experiencing

opportunity to develop an understanding

the number of exotic destinations within

winter again!

of business in Asia. At MediaCom, I am

a two-hour plane journey. This year I have

a regional manager responsible for the

been lucky enough to visit Thai beaches,

media strategy for Coca-Cola and Pringles

Cambodian temples and orang-utans in the

in Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand,

jungles of Borneo.

By Claudia Newman (2006)

Australia and Indonesia. The experience has reinforced the need to understand differing local preferences. The leading Coke competitor in Malaysia is an isotonic called “100 Plus”, while in Singapore it is bubble tea.

Singapore is an easy place to arrive in without knowing a soul. Given its transitory

ONLine magazine |

19

Feature: Life as a globe trotter

Chloe Nelkin (2006) talks to Hilary Blackburn (née Catherine Hilary Prince, 1962) about settling in Canada.

I

know it’s clichéd to call ONLs “inspirational” and

“adventurous”, but Hilary Blackburn is amazing. It was suggested I talk to her about her recent motorcycle “road trip” around California, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. I came off the phone feeling proud to be an ONL. A product of his era, Hilary’s father didn’t believe in education for women and wanted her to leave school

Hilary snowshoeing

m d Mount Doo Zealand an Hilary in New

at 16 and get a job. Instead,

include the Ardennes, Ireland Provence and Turkey) and plays tennis at senior

Hilary chose a profession

working in the town. Customers would

competitive level in Ontario, competing in

that ensured she had to stay

phone and only want to speak to the male

biannual tournaments.

at school, and went on to

pharmacist! A true North Londoner, she

study at the London School

developed a technique to deal with this –

Hilary doesn’t sit still for long – she’s

of Pharmacy. A year after

saying “fine, call back tomorrow”, before

been scuba diving in the Galapagos, hiked

graduating, she and her

hanging up. People were cured of their

the Inca Trail and visited Machu Picchu,

husband, also a pharmacist,

prejudices in no time.

popped to Rio, dived on the Great Barrier

decided to travel. Ontario

Reef, cycled round Hawaii, explored

was a major hub for British

After the birth of her first child, she

California on the back of her husband’s

pharmacists and the couple

accepted a position at the local hospital.

motorbike and so much more.

thought they would try it out

More women worked there but

for a few years. That was in

inappropriate remarks and sexual

She is living a very different life

1968 and they are still there.

harassment were rife. NLCS had made

to the one she anticipated but there is

Hilary comfortable enough with herself to

no doubt she has enjoyed herself and

Canadian winters can be

do battle. She believed in female equality;

continues to do so in leaps and bounds.

horrendously long and cold

NLCS girls were not inferior to men – they

but the couple embraced the

spoke up and were organised, strong

outdoor lifestyle – Hilary took

individuals. School gave her confidence

up downhill skiing and, living

and a sense of adventure that she has

on the St Lawrence River, they

now passed on to her children.

By Chloe Nelkin (2006)

also bought a boat. At first Hilary missed London and

Combining a career with raising a family,

her friends, family and the

Hilary still found time for sport. Four

accessibility of good art and

compulsory periods of PE every week had

music, but nearby Ottawa

instilled a firm belief in the importance of

and Montreal soon made up

exercise and, even now, she feels guilty

for this.

if she doesn’t exercise daily. She hikes, kayaks, canoes, skis (and thoroughly

20

Taking a pharmacy position

recommends Western Canada for this,

in a retail store, Hilary found

with which I concur), snowshoes, scuba

there were no other women

dives, swims, cycles (recent cycling trips

| ONLine magazine

Hilary cy cling in Tu in May 2 rkey with 011 hus ba n d Ian

REUNITED

Throughout 2012 ONLs attended events to swap news, visit familiar haunts and view the latest changes at Canons.

50th REUNION Class of 1962

Calling the Class of 1963 for your 50 year reunion on Monday 16th September 2013 – please save the date!

40th REUNION Class of 1972

Calling the Class of 1973 for your 40 year reunion on Wednesday 11th September 2013 – please save the date!

Hong Kong View

ONLine magazine |

21

REUNITED

SUMMER REUNIONS 2012 ONL Picnic

Calling all ONLs – come and join the fun at our next annual ONL Picnic on Sunday 23rd June 2013.

It is a fun day for your whole family with rounders and tennis on offer, as well as games for children.

10th, 20th and 30th Reunion Classes of 2002, 1992 and 1982

Calling the Classes of 2003, 1993 and 1983 for your reunions on Saturday 11th May 2013 10.30-4.30.

Invitations have been posted out – please contact the Alumnae Office for more information.

22

| ONLine magazine

REUNITED

UNIVERSITY DRINKS Bristol, Cambridge, London & Oxford

3rd Reunion Class of 2009 Calling the Class of 2010 for your three year reunion on Wednesday 3rd July 2013, 5.30-7.30 – please save the date!

ONLine magazine |

23

Careers Networking Service – a success story

A serendipitous reunion of two ONLs saw the formation of Rose Okin Tutoring. and her husband Ed took the bold and characteristically adventurous decision to move there and show the other side of the world how relocation is really done. Jaime became a partner in the new and thriving online business, Sassy, and threw herself into meeting a network of other vibrant and entrepreneurial Brits, while keeping her heart (if not her time zone) well and truly in sync with Rose Okin. ose Jaime R

Michelle Okin

I

business at such a distance have undoubtedly surfaced:

t is a truth universally

the elements I had been trying to

the absence of daily counsel

acknowledged that if two

glue together to create this elusive

and a physical presence can be

second career.

tough, but Skype and email have

ONLs are in a room, they will invariably get talking (at the

minimised some of these hurdles

same time) and find that they

At that first meeting it became clear

and enabled us to have regular

have near-identical memories

that we shared a fierce work ethic,

chats and business reviews. Jaime

of Budge Square, Lime Avenue

a determination to create a sound

has been in London several times

and daffodils. It’s also fair

commercial entity and, most importantly,

since her move and we always

to say that there will be no

a sensitivity to the potential ethical pitfalls

take these trips as an opportunity

shortage of opinion, drive

of the tutoring world. Had I searched for an

to catch up and share ideas.

and energy.

ideal business partner (and, as it turned out, friend), I’m sure my quest would have

Eighteen years after leaving NLCS,

The nine years that separated

failed. Serendipity surely played a part in

my connection to the school and its

our time at NLCS certainly

our meeting and it did a very good job:

significance in my life is perhaps stronger

disappeared when Jaime and

it was apparent from day one that we

than ever. As any ONL will tell you, there

I met, firstly online through

worked well together, finding it easy to

is a sense of identity and membership,

the ONL Alumnae Facebook

make decisions, allocate responsibilities

if you like, to a group of people that

group and then in person, to

and create the momentum required to

goes beyond textbooks and exams. The

discuss forming a business

expand the already successful business.

existence of the alumnae team and

partnership that was to

Fate aside, we also benefited from the

careers service is so valuable to the

become Rose Okin. Jaime had

wonderful support and network that we

maintenance of that spirit and network.

been tutoring for some time

were able to access through the NLCS

Our success over the last few years is

after realising that she had a

alumnae department and careers service.

something of which we are very proud:

talent not only for explaining

Poorvi’s contact with so many academically

we now list more than 100 people as our

difficult academic concepts,

gifted and ambitious ONLs has provided us

clients and have more than 50 tutors on

but also for helping students

with a steady stream of tutors and enabled

our books; we received positive press

to organise and gain control

us to maintain the high standards that

coverage in The Times and The Telegraph

over their studies. I was on

we (and our clients) expect of our tuition.

and continue to create new partnerships

my second maternity leave

There’s no doubt that being able to trace

and ventures. The last word though

from a career in advertising

our provenance to Canons Drive provides a

may have to go to Ms Austen: “...they

and contemplating a change

kite mark for our business.

were both ever sensible of the warmest

of direction. Jaime’s email to

24

The practicalities of running the

gratitude towards the persons who... had

our Facebook group requesting

Not one to stay quiet, fate intervened

tutors sparked my interest and

again and this time the mischievous imp

seemed to alight on many of

decided to throw Hong Kong at us. Jaime

| ONLine magazine

been the means of uniting them.”

By Michelle Okin (1994)

ONL Career Networking

ONL BOOK CLUB Jane Corry (nee Thomas, 1974) Jane, who writes under the pen name Janey Fraser, launches her latest book at the end

N

LCS is a community for life and

of March 2013. It’s called ‘Happy Families’

the School’s relationship with its

and is being published by Arrow, Random

pupils extends far beyond their time

House. The story explores whether there is

at Canons. ONLs are a unique and

such a thing as the perfect family.

dynamic group of people with careers

www.janeyfraser.co.uk

and life experiences spanning an incredible array of sectors. Young or old, there is an instant bond between

Tamara Atkin (1999)

them and an amazing willingness to

Tamara is a lecturer in medieval literature

support each other.

at QMW, University of London. Her book, based on her D.Phil thesis is ‘The Drama

Our objective is to be the first port

of Reform: Theology & Theatricality,

of call for any ONL who is looking for

1461-1553’. Published by Brepols,

career assistance. By working with

Spring 2013.

other ONLs, parents and any contacts we may have, we can offer work placements and specific career advice

Dr Claire Monk (1982)

to any ONL, regardless of what stage

Claire’s ‘Heritage Film Audiences:

of life they are at.

Period Films and Contemporary Audiences in the UK’ was published by Edinburgh

ONLs are welcome to contact us for

University Press. It is a study of audiences

any advice.

for historical representation in film. The period drama is a British phenomenon but

We are also looking for ONLs that

this is the first empirically-based study

would be happy to act as career

of the genre's audience. By exploring the

mentors, or if you are able to offer any

attitudes and habits of this audience, it

work experience or placements.

breaks new ground both in scholarship of contemporary period films and in film-audience studies. The book contrasts two opposite sections of late-1990s UK audiences, which has illuminating and unpredicted results. It includes an extensive discussion of Merchant Ivory productions and Jane Austen adaptations.

Lottie Moggach (1998) Lottie is a journalist who writes regularly for the Times, and publications ranging from Elle to the FT. Her first novel is out in the summer, called ‘Kiss me First’. Last year, Picador won the rights for Kiss Me First in a hotlycontested eleven-publisher auction.

Contact Poorvi Smith, Alumnae and Development Officer, by email: psmith@nlcs.org.uk or by telephone on 020 8951 6377.

ONLine magazine |

25

Staff News

Staff Baby News We are delighted to share with you that the following staff members have had babies in the last year: Mrs Jo Cooke, a little boy George, Sep 11 Mrs Sam Wettreich, a little girl Ziva, Feb 12 Mrs Jo Demetriou, a daughter Anastasia, April 12 Mrs Jo Benjamin, a little girl Sienna, April 12 Mrs Amy Ansell (nee Newsome), a little boy Mason, 1st June 12 Mrs Julia Sheikh, a daughter Anais, Summer 12 Mrs Niranjali Manek, a little boy Saavan, August 12 Mrs Geraldine Castle, a little girl Darcie, December 12 Mrs Susie Stutely, a son Ethan Oliver, Jan 13 Mrs Elizabet Gunzi, a little boy Xavier Valentine, Jan 13 Mrs Laura Needoff, a little girl Gracie, February 13 Mrs Erica Breffit, a little boy Adam George, March 2013

Staff Marriages Anna Ryan married Adel Mayadeen on 27th October 2012 in Hertford.

Natasha Garland married Dan Taberner on 21st July 2012, at Haileybury College, Hertford.

Lawrence Haigh married Sandy Gomm (Clarinet teacher) on June 6th, 2012 at Grimsdyke Manor.

Staff Valette

Julia Sheikh (Modern & Foreign Languages) came to us in 2009 as a

n

Jane O’Connell

teacher of Spanish and is leaving to pursue other interests.

When Jane O’Connell Alexandra Neville (Mathematics) joined us in 2009 and is relocating to the

crossed the road from

south of London and is taking up the post of Teacher of Mathematics at

Aylward School in

St Paul’s Girls’ School.

1998, she brought a special mix of care and

Sonia Li (Mathematics) came to us in 2007 and is taking up the post of

humour to the Junior

Teacher of Mathematics at Notting Hill & Ealing High School.

School. So many girls have benefited from Mrs O’Connell’s enthusiasm and

Jon Linklater (Biology) joined us in 2007 and is relocating to North Yorkshire

patience. ‘Everyone mattered’ to her and

and taking up the post of Head of Biology at Ripon Grammar School.

she ensured that each new Year 3 girl settled in quickly and enjoyed school life.

Gillian Robinson (Modern & Foreign Languages) came to us in 2005 and is

She listened to each and every worry, and

leaving to spend time with her new baby.

solved many a break time argument before the end of the school day.

Sue Muswell (Biology) joined us in September 2005 and is taking up a post at Immanuel College, Bushey.

26

Mr & Mrs Mayadee

| ONLine magazine

By Mrs J Newman, Head of Junior School

B

dressing-down can probably testify to...

arbara Toyne was a pupil at NLCS from 1961 – 1968, sharing some

In Barbara’s final assembly

of her time there with her sister Pamela

she showed the school

(who, in her capacity as an architect has

some souvenirs of her time

designed all of the recent new buildings at

here as a pupil: her school

school – what a family!) After a successful

tie, her hymn book and the

and typically fearless career as a pioneer

photograph of her taken by

woman in the field of Engineering and

her proud parents on her first

some time raising her young family,

morning in her new school

Barbara Pomeroy wrote to the then

uniform. Her farewell gift to

Headmistress Joan Clanchy in February

through their time at the School,

colleagues included some

1987 asking if there was a part-time post

something she cared about deeply. She

framed pictures and coasters

available for a teacher of Physics. From

also maintained her passion for Science,

featuring stunning photographs

that small beginning came 25 years of

enthusing generations of girls with a love

of the school grounds that she

loyal service to the School.

of the subject, not only in this country

had been privately taking for

but also abroad: when she visited the

months, with great talent. We

As her excellent teaching and great

Flying Angels School in Zambia, she took

know she will continue to hold

capability became evident, Barbara took on

with her an entire science laboratory

the school in great affection,

a series of new positions: as Examinations

in the extra suitcase she persuaded

and that many generations of

Secretary, as Senior School Observer to

British Airways to allow her to take. That

North Londoners are grateful

the Governing Body, and organising the

visit generated a memorable assembly

to her for all her teaching and

Careers Convention. In 1995 she was

featuring a video of an elephant weaving

support. We are not surprised

promoted to Head of Science, and in

its way through the breakfast tables

to hear that she is extremely

September 1999 to the post of Pastoral

she had been sitting at, an assembly

busy in her retirement,

Deputy, succeeding Anne Thomas; in 2003

which inspired a number of sketches in

travelling, painting, gardening

she became Senior Deputy Head when the

Canons Follies, where she was invariably

and spending time with her

post was first created.

represented by a girl walking on her

family, and we wish many

knees in an attempt to represent her

years of happiness in this next

Barbara’s approach might best be summed

diminutive height. This was something

phase of her life.

up by the phrase “Everyone matters”,

which Barbara always took in good spirit;

and her dedication to the pastoral care of

as she explained, ‘Inside I’m a tall person’

By Mrs A Wilson, Mrs H Turner,

students was clear in her determination to

– something which those ONLs who were

Mrs M Fotheringham and

ensure that all girls were supported

sometimes summoned to her office for a

Mrs C Wagner

Margaret Fox

Staff Valette

Barbara Pomeroy (ONL 1968)

We wish Mrs and Mr Fox every

It is impossible to capture the 35 years that Margaret Fox has been part of NLCS in a

happiness in

short article. She arrived in 1977, moving from cleaning and lovingly looking after the

their retirement

front entrance area to the catering department. Gill Conway (nee Boyne, ONL 1996)

and great joy in

remembers her serving a sausage roll every break time. Once catering had been taken

their new home

over by a contractor, Mrs Fox was snapped up by the Bursary, and borrowed by numerous

in Hampshire.

other departments as word of her magic spread. Finally, the Junior School were lucky

We trust Mrs

enough to have her invaluable support and I can clearly remember the support she

Fox will be a

offered me from every perspective – as a pupil, parent and member of staff. Each day,

regular visitor

no matter who you were or why you had come to school, she made everyone feel as if

to school – to spread a little

they really mattered. Over her 20 years in the Junior School, she got to know over 1,000

more magic.

girls, their parents, a huge number of teaching staff, office staff, catering staff and groundsmen and of course three Headmistresses, four Heads of the Junior School and I

By Mrs J Newman,

think six Bursars – what a terrific record!

Head of Junior School

ONLine magazine |

27

remembrance Ruth Arnaud (1969) died 19th August

If Ennis had been asked to choose her

Valerie Gagen (née Southey, 1980) died

2011, studied English at Birmingham

favourite word, she might have chosen

on 11th March 2012 at University College

University, and after teaching in Suffolk,

‘education’ – this was a theme of her

Hospital after a short illness. Her husband

attended the Central School of Speech and

life. She attended NLCS from 1939-1943

Nick, children Thomas and Mark, and her

Drama. She spent her entire working life

after her parents moved to the suburbs

mother were at her bedside when she died.

in the theatre, first as a stage manager,

to escape the bombing in central London

both in repertory and for a long period at

during World War II. From NLCS she went

Moira Ruth Gold (née Lefton, 1967)

the Young Vic; in the early 1990s, she

to St Hilda’s College, Oxford.

died on 3rd July 2012. After NLCS, she

moved to the literary and theatrical agent

accepted a scholarship to Oxford. After

Casarotto Ramsey, where she worked until

After monitoring the German press

her gap year on a Kibbutz, she gave up her

her death.

during the Allied Occupation for the Royal

place at Oxford to stay in Israel where she

Institute of International Affairs (Chatham

had met Eugene, her husband - graduating

Avis Blundell Jones (née Dyer, 1933)

House), Ennis married, devoted herself

in French and Spanish from Hebrew

who died aged 97, was a pioneering GP

to raising her family and worked in the

University. Five years later they moved

and first female president of the SW

family business.

to the US where their two sons were

Section of the British Medical Association.

born. Moira taught French and Spanish in

After leaving NLCS, she became one of

Her great commitment to education

schools and Hebrew at a synagogue. She

a handful of women studying medicine

and NLCS never wavered. She became

is survived by her husband of 44 years,

at University College Hospital, qualifying

secretary of ONLA, then governor

their sons Jason and David, her mother

in 1938 and marrying Geoffrey. She was

and finance chair of NLCS’s Board of

Esta and her sister Barbara.

active in the BMA, and was made a

Governors. She was highly respected for

fellow in 1973. She is survived by her

her sharp mind, her careful listening, her

Patricia Hobbs (née Arnott, 1948) died

children Rosamond, Peter and Paula,

vigorous commitment and her no-nonsense

on 17th August 2011. Paddy had a

and six grandchildren.

approach. Ennis remained a champion of

scholarship to NLCS in 1940 and treasured

education, and acted as counsellor-in-chief

her many ONL friendships throughout her

Audrey Brain (née Wheeler, former staff)

to her relatives and friends, their children

life. She trained and worked as a primary

died aged 93, having taught piano and

and grandchildren on all educational

school teacher, and married John. She had

aural training for more than 70 years. She

matters, until the very end.

several children’s stories published while

taught at NLCS from 1939 to 1975. She

her own three daughters were young. As

retired in 1983, but continued to teach

Lilian Violet Cadoux (née Humble,

they grew, she had more time to write, and

privately until 2012. She is survived by

1937) died on 22nd November 2012

two of her radio plays were produced by

her four children, Jenny, Roger, Michael

in Lancaster, aged 92. She married

the BBC. She is survived by John, her three

and Tina.

Harold Cadoux, who died in 1974, and

daughters and eight grandchildren.

she is survived by three children, eight Ennis Brandenburger (née Freedenberg,

grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

1943) died on 22nd June 2012, with

Janet Johnson (née Asham,

her family around her. If one word could

Joyce Coysh (former staff) died in 2011.

1965) died on 2nd

encapsulate her life, it would be ‘language’.

She was mother to two ONLs (Heather

September 2012,

Ennis loved language and was fluent in

Gibb, 1979, and Gillian Low, 1973) and

at the age of 65.

French and German. This love of language

served as secretary to the Parents’ Guild.

She won the James

will remain a

She volunteered as secretary for a bursary

Cropper Scholarship

lasting influence

appeal – the bursary was named after her

to Oxford. After a career in teaching,

on her family to

and her husband, Bill Coysh. She went on

she took a doctorate at Oxford in 2003,

whom she was so

to work as Assistant Bursar for around 10

published several articles in academic

committed – her

years and taught typing to the girls.

journals and became a Research Fellow at

three children,

28

| ONLine magazine

Lady Margaret Hall. But nothing compared

their spouses

Julia Elliott (née O'Donovan, 1959) died

to her love for her family – her husband of

and her three

on 13th January 2013 and is survived by

40 years, their three children and her joy at

grandchildren.

her husband Timothy.

the arrival of four grandchildren.

Greta Ann Josephy (née Bateman, 1960)

for her dignity,

Diana White (née Langley, aka Wynne,

died on 3rd November 2012. Greta trained

determination and style

1948) died at home on 1st March 2012.

and worked as a casualty nurse at the

– and her dedication

Diana held her years at NLCS in great

Middlesex Hospital, married Richard

to NLCS. Her

affection – she felt she was taught the

Josephy and had three children. Greta

achievements in golf

value of education, the duty to use her

returned to work at the Churchill Hospital

resulted in more than

education in society and the importance

and then became a district nurse until her

100 trophies gained at

of believing in herself as a woman. After

retirement. Although diagnosed with a rare

various clubs; both for

school, Diana moved to South Africa

lymphoma in 1999, Greta continued to

the county, and representing Great Britain

to be with her first husband, Donald,

have a very active and happy life.

in the Macabbiah Games in 1989. She will

and worked in radio – presenting and

be sadly missed.

acting in radio plays – writing, editing

Sheila Lee (née Howlett, 1952) died of

and journalism.

cancer on 7th June 2012, aged 78. In

Betty Elsie Smith (née Barwick, 1948)

She and Donald

1952 she won an Exhibition to Royal

who died on 30th October 2011, aged 80,

also made films

Holloway College where she read History

retained an interest in the activities of her

for the UN about

and was President of the Union in her final

old school and avidly read NLCS news. She

the traditional

year. She married John, had two children

is greatly missed by her son Simon Smith

folk tales of what

and spent the next 22 years as an army

and family.

is now Tanzania.

wife. She founded a highly regarded

Back in London,

bereavement counselling service at her

Edith Spivack died on 21st January 2012,

Diana worked her way up from secretary

local hospice, exemplifying in her life all

aged 101.

to replace a retired Enid Blyton as editor

the qualities that NLCS seeks to instill

of Sunny Stories for Children, then on to

today. She is missed by her husband,

Clare Sykes (née Hardwick, 1947) died

adult journalism at Modern Woman. They

children and grandchildren.

on 18th October 2012 in Warrington,

continued to move around the world, had

Somerset, aged 82. She was the loving

their only son Davydd, and Diana worked

Monica King (née Pearson, 1938) died on

wife of Clive, mother of Jennifer and

at several well known publications,

6th November 2011. She trained at the

David, and grandma of Stephanie, Fiona

including Time magazine, Australian

Middlesex Hospital, London, from 1940

and Nathan.

Women’s Weekly, presenting a weekly

to 1945. She described wheeling patients

cookery programme on television and

down to the sub-basement during bombing

E Joan Thomas (née Huxley, 1931)

writing the script for a film that Donald

raids, covered in bits of plaster dust. She

who died in January 2011, was the last

directed. In 1964 in Sydney, Diana played

later became a midwife, married Anthony

surviving sibling of three Huxley sisters

host to an important visitor: Dame Kitty

and had two children.

who attended NLCS in the 1920s-30s. She

Anderson. In 1991, Diana was widowed

lived in Sarratt and knew all the children

but found love a second time and married

Lesley Nickell (1962) died peacefully in

in the village (and later their children), as

Roger White, with whom she shared 15

her sleep on 11th February 2013. Lesley’s

she weighed babies at the fortnightly baby

wonderfully happy years.

passions were birds and choral singing,

clinic for nearly 40 years.

Joan Williams-Ashman (née Mellers,

in Britain and all over the world. She was a founder member of the CBSO Chorus

Jocelyn Urmson (née Maplesden, 1959)

1939) died on 14th November 2012 at

and sang with them for 40 years including

died on 18th May 2012. Jocelyn lived in

St Mary’s Convent.

concerts this year.

Edinburgh where she worked for various firms, particularly the Edinburgh Club,

Olive Wood (1948) died on 9th November

for many years. After graduating from

2012. Olive studied History at Royal

died in 2012, at the age of 86. She is

St Andrews University, she worked as

Holloway College and later moved to

survived by her son Marius.

a systems analyst in the early days of

Leicester, where she became personal

Mrs Xanne Poulsen (née Wallace, 1943)

computing, before getting married. She is

assistant to the Vice-Chancellor of

Vivienne Ross (née Abulafia, 1957) died

survived by her husband Chris, daughters

Leicester University for many years. Her

on 17th November 2012, after a long

and grandchildren, her sister (Lesley, ONL

group of NLCS friends celebrated her 80th

fight with cancer. She is best remembered

1965) and her brother Jon.

birthday with her.

ONLine magazine |

29

ONLNEWS Rachel Binnington (nee Kemp, 1982) works as accountant's assistant and, with her husband, volunteers in a prison going in to chat to the men every week. She also acts as a discussion facilitator on courses designed to rehabilitate them into society. They are involved with the chapel where her husband is a volunteer prison chaplain. Their son delights in answering the phone and stating that his parents are in prison again! The couple even spent their 25th wedding anniversary in prison.

Mary Cozens-Walker (1957) has been married to artist Anthony Green for 50 years and, in their very different ways, they have documented their lives together with wit, humour and attention to, sometimes intimate, detail. Mary works in textile appliqué and ‘stitch’ drawing to develop extraordinary, evocative art objects which elude every attempt at classification. NLCS have very proudly hosted Mary’s Retrospective Exhibition (JanuaryMarch 2013) in the Performing Arts Centre. Mary’s book ‘Objects of Obsession 1955-2011’ is available to purchase through the school.

Bridget Decker (nee Shell, 1987) has been working in China for the last 19 years, mostly

Norman Flower is the brother of the

in the northeastern city of Shenyang. During that time, she has taught English (university,

late Pamela Flower (ONL). NLCS

high school, private tutoring) and presently homeschools her two daughters, Hadashah

was very privileged to welcome Mr

(7) and Teshuah (4). She met her husband, Emmanuel, in China and they volunteer with a

Flower to the Pamela Flower Tennis

medical organisation that trains doctors in family practice medicine.

Tournament Final in 2012. The winner, Monisha Kochar in Year 10, was

Sarah Ebner (1989) now works for The Times, where she writes and edits their education

thrilled to be presented with the cup

blog, School Gate. She recently won the award for outstanding online commentary at

by Mr Flower. He could vividly recall

the Education Journalism awards and spends too much time talking about schools and

dropping Pamela at the Canons Drive

universities! Sarah is also the author of a book for parents whose children are starting

entrance as a boy, but remarked that

school for the first time. The “Starting School Survival Guide: everything you need to

it was his first visit inside the school.

know when your child starts primary school” is published by White Ladder. Sarah has two children, Jessica aged 11 and Robert, aged 7.

The Karen Morris Memorial Trust – continuing the work of a very special North Londoner

tirelessly to

Karen Morris (left 1993) was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia in 1997 and

Supper quizzes,

lost her battle to the disease one year later at the age of just 23.

the London

ensure Karen’s legacy continues.

marathon, theatre events, concerts... each Talented, vivacious and a genuine friend to

be together at a difficult time in a relaxed,

occasion helps keep Karen’s ambition alive

all that knew her, Karen immediately started

welcoming atmosphere. There are currently

- to ensure as many leukaemia patients as

to fundraise upon her diagnosis. Inspired

3 Karen's Homes from Home, with talks

possible suffer as little as possible during

by Karen’s dedication, the Karen Morris

to open another 2 in the next couple of

their fight with their illness.

Memorial Trust (KMMT) was set up by family

years. The KMMT also currently supports

and friends in her memory in 1999.

complementary therapists, counsellors

Any ONL wishing to support Karen's charity

and clinical support nurses in leading

can do so by donating online through

haematology departments across England.

justgiving.com or virgin money giving

To date the KMMT has raised an incredible £1.6m. Its primary focus is building

and by becoming a friend of the KMMT

‘Karen’s Homes from Home’ for leukaemia

The KMMT continues to do an inspirational

on Facebook. Further information on the

patients and their families – facilities

job of helping families get through some

KMMT web site: www.kmmt.org.uk or by

within hospitals that allow families to

extraordinarily difficult times. It fundraises

emailing sylvia@kmmt.org.uk

30

| ONLine magazine

ONLNEWS Alexis Rose (1996) is currently the

stage at night. In the week preceding

Director of Operations for Accenture

the Ceremony we did three full dress

Management Consulting (Europe,

rehearsals, two of which had an audience,

Africa and Latin America). In July

so by the time the night came we couldn’t

2012 she was named as one of

have been better prepared! My section,

Management Today’s ‘35 Women

featuring 1,500 volunteer dancers and

Under 35’. Here she shares with

around 50 professionals, was a tribute to

us her experiences as a Volunteer

British music through time and honoured

Performer in the London 2012

Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World

Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Wide Web. I was dancing in the “Now”

“Performing in the Opening Ceremony was an amazing experience. From the moment in

first experience of Street choreography!

2005 when I watched the announcement that we had won the bid, I knew I wanted to be

Waiting in the tunnel to go on, the

involved. I never imagined I would end up dancing in front of 85,000 people in the Olympic

atmosphere amongst the volunteers was

Stadium! I applied in 2011 and took part in a ‘General Ceremonies Audition’ before being

just incredible, we were all beyond excited.

recalled for a specific dance audition. I couldn’t believe it when I was offered a role! The

Then we ran on, and it almost didn’t seem

preparation process was intense – 23 rehearsals lasting from 5–12 hours each.

real. Luckily with the lights you couldn’t

section, alongside Dizzee Rascal, my

really see the enormous audience, so I We started off learning choreography on Sunday afternoons at a TV Studio in East

just focused on the dance moves and tried

London, and then moved to the 1:1 venue in Dagenham (a “lifesize” mockup of the

to soak it all in. It seemed to be over in

Stadium floor) where we did all the blocking of entrances and exits. Finally in June we

moments, but it was an experience I will

moved to the Olympic Stadium, where we did evening rehearsals to get used to the

never forget.”

Anna Madeley (1995) has been described by the British Theatre Guide's Philip Fisher as one of the United Kingdom's "brightest and most versatile young actresses".

She is currently appearing at the Almeida Theatre, Islington, as the governess in ‘The Turn of the Screw’ (January-March 2013).

News from the Hampshire ONLA Group On Saturday October 20th the Hampshire ONLA group met at Helen Jex's (1983) house in Winchester to share lunch together. We had an excellent attendance of 15 and, as usual, a magnificent spread was laid before us, contributed to by all present and there was much chat and swapping of news. Two members had attended Founders Day this year, so it was interesting to have an up to date account of the school. The weather was kind, although muddy under foot, so we could only admire Helen’s well laid out and manicured garden from inside the house. We were very pleased to welcome a new member who lowered the average age considerably.

The 2013 meetings will be on April 20th in Chandlers Ford and on October 19th in

Robyn Slovo (1972) is working as a film

Southampton. We are always pleased to welcome new members.

producer. Her recent films include ‘Tinker

Please contact: Marilyn Ayres (nee Swallow) marilyn.ayres@mac.com

By Marilyn Ayres

Tailor Soldier Spy’ and she is currently working on ‘Smileys People’ for production in a couple of years. Her next film, a

ONLA Committee News

Patricia Highsmith adaptation, is currently

The ONLA Committee would like to announce the retirement of Rita Mirchandani and

in post production.

thank her for her tireless support of the Committee in her role as Secretary.

Julia Wagner (née Brown, 1999) has been

We are delighted to announce two new appointments to the ONLA Committee.

awarded a doctorate in Film Studies from

Dr Roma Patel (ONL 1996) has taken over from Rita Mirchandani as ONLA Secretary.

UCL, where she teaches in the Italian

Annabelle James (ONL 1994) has joined the ONLA Committee and will also coordinate

Department. She is married to Adam,

ONL groups in the North of England.

and their son Joseph Shalom was born on 12.10.10.

We wish both Roma and Annabelle all the very best in their new roles.

ONLine magazine |

31

ONLA Information Annual General Meeting SATURDAY 11th MAY 2013 Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting 2013 of the Old North Londoners’ Association will be held at North London Collegiate School, Canons, Canons Drive, Edgware, HA8 7RJ on

ONL groups Regional groups are run by ONLs to meet and develop friendships with other local ONLs. Some groups meet up regularly, others on an ad hoc basis, often at each other’s homes or a local pub or restaurant. If you would like to get in touch with the ONL group in your area, they would be delighted to hear from you. For the full, up to date list of groups, please visit: www.nlcs.org.uk If you are interested in setting up a new area or special interest group yourself, please contact the Alumnae & Development Office on onla@nlcs.org.uk or call 020 8951 6475.

CORNWALL/DEVON Jill Hall (nee Hankins) jhall22@btinternet.com Alison Nelson (nee Strachan) an276@uwclub.net The group is also on Facebook: Cornwall/Devon ONLA Group.

HAMPSHIRE Marilyn Ayres (nee Swallow) marilyn.ayres@mac.com LINCOLNSHIRE Caroline Kenyon (nee Brandenburger) Tel: (01673) 828302 MIDLANDS Kate Jones (nee Levinson) Tel: (01676) 535249 Kate.Levinson@talk21.com SOUTH WEST Audrey Derrick (nee Dickinson) Tel: (01823) 421323 priorscombe@tiscali.co.uk WEST SUSSEX Mrs H. A. Sherwin-Smith (nee Davis) Tel: 01403 790403 hilary@sherwin-smith.com

OVERSEAS AUSTRALIA Kay Moyes (nee Hannah) Tel: Australia 02 9975 6150 moyes_kay@hotmail.com Mobile: 0416 002 701

Saturday 11th May 2013 at 10.30am.

EAST ANGLIA Margaret Angus (nee Claydon) maa@angi.me.uk

NEW ZEALAND Pauline Miller Tel: Auckland (09) 577 3319 prmiller@xtra.co.nz

AGENDA

EAST SUSSEX Marguerite Wright (nee Steinhardt) Tel: (01273) 330387

USA Sarah Feldman (nee Shaps) feldman05@juno.com

GLOUCESTERSHIRE Dorothy Farley (nee Coode) Tel: (01452) 713883

ISRAEL Debra Benstein (nee Kestel) dbenstein@gmail.com

1. Apologies for absence 2. Minutes of the last AGM 2012 3. Matters arising 4. Secretary’s Report 5. Presentation of ONLA accounts 6. Election/re-election of Committee Members and Vice Presidents

FORTHCOMING Community EVENTS 2013 for Life

7. Any Other Business

Please visit the ONLA section of www.nlcs.org.uk for the most up to date list of events and reunions.

Coffee and pastries will be served

May

at 11am.

11th ONLA AGM

All ONLs are entitled to attend and

11th 10th, 20th and 30th Reunions – Classes of 1983, 1993, 2003

we would welcome as many of you as possible. The Association is run for the benefit of ONLs and we need your input. If you would like to attend, please contact Emma Maltz, Alumnae Officer,

by Friday 26th April 2013 by email:

June 19th Frances Mary Buss Fellowship Lunch 23rd ONL Summer Picnic

onla@nlcs.org.uk or write to Emma at the above address.

July

If you would like to nominate another

3rd Class of 2010 Summer Pimm’s Party

member for election or re-election to the Committee at the AGM please visit

September

www.nlcs.org.uk for guidance on how

9th Class of 2012 Reunion

to make a nomination and the relevant

13th Class of 1973 40th Reunion

forms. Alternatively, contact the Alumnae Office.

16th Class of 1963 50th Reunion

ONLs are warmly welcomed back to school at any time. Please don’t wait for a reunion – if you are going to be in the area, please contact the Alumnae Office and we would be delighted to organise a visit for you, with a tour of the school led by current girls. Please contact onla@nlcs.org.uk or 020 8951 6475.

ONLs have an open invitation to attend any of the school shows, performances and sports matches. For example, last year the school hosted 36 productions in the Performing Arts Centre, plus art exhibitions throughout the year. Information about these are available at www.nlcs.org.uk under the Forthcoming Events section.

Alternatively, we would be happy to post you a copy.

Founder’s Day remains a popular date in the diary and places for 2014 can be booked from January 2014 through the Alumnae Office onla@nlcs.org.uk or 020 8951 6475. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and we will let you know if we are able to offer you a seat approximately two weeks beforehand.