EVENTS 2022-2023

Celebrating 10 Years of BGS

Early in May 2022, we were joined by some of our alumna mums for a visit to the Junior School as part of our Heritage Week celebrations, to mark 10 years of BGS.

The morning began with coffee in the Library and much reminiscing over the school year books that were on display and sharing memories from their time at school, before being expertly taken on a tour of the Junior School led by their daughters!

We have a huge number of multi-generational alumnae and it is lovely to hear all the different memories of the generations when they are together.

The 66th Guild Biennial, May 2022

Hosted by Guild Chair, Lady Leech MBE, guests gathered in the Assembly Hall for a morning of music from talented Year 10 pianist, Eva Ng, before

Gold Duke of Edinburgh, May 2022

listening to alumna guest speaker; Courtnay Osborne-Walker (BGS 2015) delivered a high-energy talk charting her journey from school to her work as a highly successful personal trainer, and influencer. She credited much of her success to the opportunities she experienced at school. Guests enjoyed lunch whilst catching up with their friends. It was particularly special to welcome three former Headmistresses, Mrs Anne Kaye (1976-1987), Mrs Barbara Stanley (1995-2000) and Mrs Julie Eldridge (2006-2012).

We are proud to announce that the following alumnae recently their achieved the prestigious Gold Duke of Edinburgh AwardOlivia Allen (2019), Molly Barker (2021), Olivia Benjamin (2020), Aarti Bhogaita (2016), Flora Charatan (2015), Masha Ermakova (2022), Zayneb Farhoud (2014), Bryony Fleming (2020), Charlotte Forbes-Laird (2021), Isabelle Gurney (2017), Isabella Iacono (2019), Amy Lammin (2018), Francesca Lynn (2017), Sophie Parry (2020), Johanna Rawlings (2014), Gabriela Samuels (2014), Priya Shah (2013), Charley Spriggs (2017), Olivia Swain (2017) and Kaia Sweatman (2019).

Dame Alice Harpur School 1982 Ruby Reunion, June 2022

We welcomed the Dame Alice Harpur School Class of 1982 back into school for their Ruby Reunion. We had a superb turnout including several friends who made it over from Australia, as well as former teachers, Miss Calvert (Geography) and Mrs Scott (Biology). After tours of the Senior School, they enjoyed a glass of bubbles and a delicious afternoon tea in the Library

Celebrating 10 years of the GLG, June 2022

As part of the BGS 10th birthday celebrations we welcomed back former GLG members to a celebratory dinner with our current GLG team. A wonderful evening of catching up and networking, which included 4 former Head Girls, 8 Deputy Head Girls, 11 outgoing GLG and 13 of our current GLG as well as our Former Headmistress, Miss Jo MacKenzie, and current Headmistress, Mrs Gemma Gibson.

Celebrating Women in Engineering, June 2022

A number of our alumnae engineers joined us for the International Women in Engineering Day, a yearly event to highlight the diverse field of careers in this area. Our guests were Lucy Hill (née Scott, DAHS 2011), Sharon Kindleysides (DAHS 1987), Melody Stokes (BHS 1974) and Elizabeth Gilbertson (née McDonald, BHS 1999) who helped with a number of engineering challenges over lunch. Between them, they have worked on projects as wide ranging as aerospace engineering for the RAF; designing and installing the roof on No. 1 court at Wimbledon; and designing and installing traffic flow mechanisms on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

A big thank you also to Emma Forbes-Laird (née Hudart, BHS 1994) who sent a presentation about her area of engineering expertise.

Prize Giving, July 2022

We were honoured to welcome music agent and alumna Emma Banks (BHS 1986) as our Prize Giving speaker. A full marquee saw prize winners, parents, governors and teachers listen to Emma deliver an inspirational speech about her career in the creative arts industry. A trailblazer, maverick and hugely influential agent, Emma represents U2, Kylie Minogue, Florence and the Machine, Dua Lipa, and Harry Styles. In 2018, she received the highly prestigious Music Industry Trusts Award (MITs) in

Work the Room, September 2022

At BGS we are always preparing our students to be future ready; our Work the Room two-part workshop focused on learning confident and effective networking skills is always a popular event with our Sixth Form students as they practice the importance of making the right impression, securing business relationships and building networks.

After attending a workshop led by Mrs Whitlock (Head of Careers), the students take part in a networking drinks reception, comprising invited members of our alumnae and parent community who represent a number of careers from Law to the Civil Service, Motorsport Engineering, Construction and Accountancy.

recognition of her contributions to the music industry.

Emma said: “Do what you can do, don’t do what you are expected to do, go above and beyond. For the first couple of years after you leave the education system, my recommendation is that you work harder than you have ever worked before. If you are being sent into battle, there are millions of warriors that want the same thing as you, so you have got to be better, stronger and more capable than all of them.”

She concluded: “There’s a phrase which you have all heard before ‘the harder I work, the luckier I become’, and I really do believe that. What can I leave you with – seize every opportunity that presents itself to you, say yes when you can, saying yes is a privilege, it is so important… You’ve all got so much ahead of you and are some of the best and brightest women that we’ve got, we need you. You have all been given a fabulous start with an incredible education and whatever you do next, I wish you all health, happiness and prosperity.”

Thank you to the following alumnae who helped with the event – Charlie Abrahamson (née Gardner, DAHS 2010), Verity Barber (DAHS 2010), Kimberley Clifton (BGS 2014), Francesca Denny (BHS 2011), Emma Forbes-Laird (née Hudart, BHS 1994) , Harriett Mather (BHS 1992), Sally Michaels (née Carroll, BHS 1997), Rebecca Nisbet (BGS 2019), Megan O’Reilly (BGS 2018), Rachel Parsonage (née Groom, DAHS 1993), Carol Perla (née Munkman, DAHS 1961) and Caroline Watson (BHS 2012).

We are always keen to encourage alumnae to be part of this event, if you would like to volunteer please email, alumnae@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk.

Alumnae Super Sporting Sunday, March 2023

A huge thank you for joining us for our Alumnae Super Sporting Sunday, with the First Teams playing the Old Girls’ in Netball, Hockey and Lacrosse, for a very competitive day of sport!

The Netball and Hockey matches are dedicated to the memory of Sarah Raven (née Fisher, BHS 2004 and former PE teacher at DAHS & BGS); Megan Whittle (BHS 2010) was awarded the Fisher Cup for Netball and Jossy Young (BGS 2022), the Sarah Raven Player of the Match.

The Lacrosse Match celebrates the life of Miss Joan Gibson, former Head of PE at BHS 1951-1972, and Octavia Cavill (BGS 2012) was awarded the Joan Gibson Player of the Match Award. The results were as follows: Netball 20 - 12 to BGS, Hockey 2-2 and Lacrosse 12 - 8 to BGS

London Drinks, April 2023

A lovely night was had by all at the London Alumnae Drinks Reception in Covent Garden at our annual London get-together. A big thank you to Helen Wood (née Smith, BHS 1989), MD Orveon Global, who generously hosted in her office space, as well as setting up a wonderful London Marathon fundraising beauty shop for Eloise Bailey (BGS 2020).

It was good to see lots of old faces as well and catch up with some of our younger alumnae, who are progressing well in their careers. The evening also provides a great opportunity for alumnae to connect with others in their field and increase their network.