The Alumnae Journal, Issue 1, 2016

ISSUE 1

THE

JOURNAL Th e Bedfo rd G irl s’ Sch ool Alum n a e Publi cati o n

MEET YOUR ALUMNAE COMMITTEE

T H E I M P O R TA N C E O F S PAC E

MY SCHOOL, YOUR SCHOOL

Coming together to build an engaged community

Developing an environment for 21st century learning

How their education inspired their careers

ALUMNAE CONTACT DETAILS P L E A S E S TAY I N T O U C H , S I G N U P F O R T H E A L U M N A E M E M B E R S ’ O N L I N E P O R TA L O R FO LLOW US O N SOC I A L M E D I A TO FIND OUT ABOUT UPCOMING E VENTS

Dates for your Diary We have a number of events coming up throughout the year. All of these will be held at Bedford Girls’ School unless otherwise stated.

We do hope you can join us.

Further details will be sent out via our Alumnae portal and social media channels.

A N D M E M B E RS’ N E WS.

Wednesday 9th March 2016 Coffee Catch Up

Emma MacKenzie, Marketing and Development Officer

Friday 22nd April 2016 London Networking Evening

The Alumnae Office Bedford Girls’ School Cardington Road Bedford, MK42 0BX Email: alumnae@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk Telephone: 01234 361900 Sign up at: community.bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk

Social Media

Twitter/@BedfordGirlsSch

Facebook/BedfordGirlsSch Flickr/photos/bedfordgirlssch Instagram/bedfordgirlssch Pinterest/BedfordGirlsSch YouTube/BedfordGirlsSch LinkedIn/company/bedford-girls’-school

Saturday 7th May 2016 Bedford (152nd) Regatta Thursday 12th May 2016 BGS Youth Theatre production The Lion King (special Alumnae performance) Saturday 14th May 2016 The Guild Biennial Saturday 11th June 2016 Dame Alice 1985 Reunion Wednesday 15th June 2016 Work the Room, Students and Alumnae Friday 17th June Alumnae Drinks (2011-2015 leavers) Monday 4th July 2016 Coffee Catch Up Wednesday 7th September 2016 Old Girls’ Lacrosse Match and Opening of Cople Fields Saturday 17th September 2016 Dame Alice Reunion (incorporating a 1984 Reunion)

A W E LC O M E F R O M A L U M N A E P R E S I D E N T

Miss Jo MacKenzie, HE A DMIST R ESS W

elcome to the Bedford Girls’ School Alumnae and the inaugural edition of your publication, The Journal.

Our alumnae are a diverse and inspiring collection of women.

We are lucky to have two strong and longstanding alumnae associations from our founding schools - the Bedford High School Guild and the Dame Alice Harpur School Association.

Today they retain their individual identities but work alongside the Bedford Girls’ School Alumnae Association to encourage all our alumnae to continue their relationships with present and former pupils, staff and parents of Bedford Girls’ School.

Our aim is to create an engaged association where we can foster a sense of community, and support each other throughout our lives. We want to create a community that has a sense of belonging and involvement and our alumnae are integral to that.

We are building a structure which is capable of proactively reaching out to our alumnae in a number of different ways, beyond reunions at school, and offers a wide range of activities to benefit members of different ages in diverse communities. We are very proud of our shared heritage and the success of all former pupils and staff. Each and every member brings a unique story, and varied experiences, which can benefit both those in the current BGS community as well as our alumnae.

encourage as many of our members as possible to register via community.bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk. If you would like to get in touch or find out more, please contact Emma MacKenzie in our Alumnae Office on 01234 361900 or via email: alumnae@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk Within the pages that follow, you will see that we already have an active organisation of women, representing many eras and professions, coming together to remember old times, but to also inspire our younger generations to follow their dreams with self-belief, compassion and integrity.

We encourage our alumnae to take an active interest in the life of the school whether in time, expertise or support, in order to benefit our current girls through networking, work experience and opportunities for career progression.

Equally we hope they will provide a valuable and supportive network for each other, helping those embarking on new careers or returning to the workplace, offering mentorship, insights and connections. We would like to be in touch with as many members as possible, so we can create a diverse and stimulating alumnae association.

I look forward to welcoming you to events, and through the doors of Bedford Girls’ School, soon.

Warm wishes Jo MacKenzie

To help make staying in touch easier, we have invested in an online portal for our alumnae community, and we hope to

01

MEET THE ALUMNAE COMMITTEE Jo MacKenzie,

Ann Maltby,

Jo has over 30 years teaching and school management experience and successfully led the two heritage schools through the merger to create Bedford Girls’ School. Jo is passionate about providing pupils with a forward-thinking, relevant education which is focused on the whole girl and not solely on academic success.

Ann was a student at Bedford High School between 1954-1962. She gained the Parents’ Association Prize for Secretaries at the conclusion of her time in the Sixth Form, and shortly afterwards entered the world of insurance and finance.

Headmistress & Committee President

Treasurer

Ann says: “There is no doubt that the skills and selfconfidence gained whilst at school have been tremendous assets and presented many opportunities during my life and career. Sport too has been of great importance to me, both participating whilst at school and as a spectator in later life.”

Prior to joining Dame Alice Harpur School as Headmistress in 2009, Jo was Deputy Head at Ipswich High School and has worked in a number of top GSA and GDST schools.

Ann was the first lady Chair of the Building Societies Institute in Bedford, which demanded public speaking duties. And a later marriage took her to the West Indies for three years with her husband’s diplomatic duties.

Kate Whitlock,

Chairman

Kate was a student at Dame Alice Harpur School between 1982-1993. After leaving school Kate achieved a BA (Hons) in History of Art and Architecture at the University of East Anglia, followed by an MA in Arts Administrations at Anglia Ruskin University. A successful career at the Arts Marketing Association followed.

Latterly, Ann has undertaken a considerable amount of charity work and is involved with her local church. Ann was delighted to have been asked to become Treasurer of the Bedford Girls’ School Alumnae, a position she cherishes, as it has given her the opportunity to keep in touch with the new school and Alumnae members.

A change in career path led to Kate attaining a Coaching and Mentoring Cert (Merit) in 2009 from Oxford Brookes University and setting up her own business, Maple Blue, an executive coach and mentoring service.

Finally, Ann reiterates how thankful she is for her Bedford High School education: “The grounding, learning, support and friendship gained throughout my school life gave me the foundation to go out into the world, to meet and cope with the many challenges that lay and, still lie, ahead.”

Kate’s daughter is a pupil at Bedford Girls’ School.

02

Kate Jones,

Jane Hall

Assistant Head (Co-Curriculum), Bedford Girls’ School

Representing Bedford High School

Kate joined Bedford High School as a Mathematics teacher in 2002 and later became Head of Mathematics at Dame Alice Harpur School in 2006.

Jane was a student at Bedford High School from 1973-1983.

Jane is the Fundraising and Business Development Officer for local charity FACES (Family and Children’s Early Help Services).

In her current role as part of the school’s Senior Leadership Team, Kate is responsible for ensuring there is a cohesive, engaging and extensive co-curricular programme, to provide the pupils with a well-rounded and holistic education.

Kate is also responsible for the smooth running of the School’s House system and charitable commitments.

Jane’s role is to ensure the smooth running of all functions and to support the development and day-to-day running of the charity’s projects and monitoring. Jane has recently led the charity through achieving and retaining its external quality mark - ISO 9001, which assures funders and grant donors of the quality of services delivered by the charity.

Kate’s daughters attended Dame Alice Harpur School and Bedford Girls’ School.

Jane is a former pupil of Bedford High School, along with her two daughters and mother. Jane has a BA (Hons) in Applied Social Science from the University of Bedfordshire.

Tina Beddoes,

Chair of Governors, Bedford Girls’ School Tina attended Dame Alice Harpur School from 1977-1982.

Carolynne (Peacock) Roberts Representing Dame Alice Harpur School

Tina is a chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser. She is currently a Tax Director for Mazars LLP, the eighth largest accountancy firm in the UK.

Carolynne attended Dame Alice Harpur School from 1964-1971.

Never top in any academic subject at school, she dreaded the termly grade readings that they had to suffer from ‘LB’, but she was very good at sport, a county netball player, school netball captain and a Prefect. In 1971, she packed her bags and went off to Chelsea College of Physical Education in Eastbourne for three years, before starting a long and happy career in PE and classroom teaching.

Tina was elected as a trustee of the Harpur Trust by the parents of Dame Alice Harpur School in 2008. In addition to being Chairman of Bedford Girls’ School Committee, Tina is also a member of the Policy and Nominations Sub committees for the Harpur Trust.

Her two daughters attend Bedford Girls’ School.

To complete the education experience, she rounded off her career in the Education Department at Bedfordshire Council, working on a variety of projects, including Nurture Provision in the county, Hard to Place and Managed Moves of difficult to place pupils.

Dorothy Chandler, Ex-Officio Member

Dorothy attended Bedford High School from 1951-57. After taking a Business Course in the Sixth Form, Dorothy worked as a secretary for a Bedford Estate Agency, before becoming personal secretary to the Chief Superintendent of Bedfordshire.

Carolynne has always believed in giving time to volunteering and has been involved in lots of educational and local support groups.

Whilst taking a career break to have children, Dorothy taught shorthand and typewriting from home, and from this decided to train with RSA and Pitman to gain her teaching diploma. In 1965, Dorothy was asked to set up a Business Studies Department at a local school.

Ashleigh Thorpe

Representing Bedford High School A pupil at Bedford High School between 1997-2008, Ashleigh went on to study at the University of Manchester where she gained a BA (Hons) in Ancient History and an MA in Ancient History and Classics.

Dorothy went on to study for a degree in Education, Psychology and Technology with the Open University in 1973. Dorothy returned to Bedford High School to be Head of Commercial Studies and Business Studies.

Ashleigh lives and works in Milton Keynes and is pursuing a career in marketing at Freeths Solicitors LLP, where she is currently a Business Development Coordinator. She is keen to encourage a younger generation from Bedford High School to become involved in the Alumnae.

Dorothy’s daughter Jane (Hall) also went to Bedford High School, followed by her two granddaughters.

Dorothy joined the Guild upon leaving school and has been involved in the Committee since 1973 as Secretary and Chair.

03

ALUMNAE EVENTS Guild Biennial, May 2014

The Bedford High School Guild celebrated its 62nd Biennial, as alumnae of all eras, gathered at Bedford Girls’ School to mark the occasion. The day began with a morning service in the Assembly Hall, following the theme of new beginnings.

After the service, the Annual General Meeting and a delicious lunch was held. The afternoon concluded with coffee on the Terrace and an enjoyable time perusing the archives in Burnaby House. The archive team, led by Kathy Fricker, have done a superb job collating the history of the High School.

It was a lovely afternoon and provided many Bedford High School alumnae with the perfect opportunity to visit Bedford Girls’ School.

The next Guild Biennial is scheduled for Saturday 14th May 2016. Please contact Dorothy Chandler for more information: 01234 300816 or Dorothy.chandler4@ntlworld.com

Bedford Regatta, May 2015 The great and the good of Bedford Girls’ School were out in force at the 151st Bedford Regatta on Saturday 9th May 2015.

With a number of the School’s rowing teams entered into the event, the Alumnae team were also in attendance by the river, hosting parents, old

We always look forward to welcoming alumnae to both dedicated Alumnae events and to join us to listen to visiting speakers or enjoying a concert or theatrical experience.

Please sign up to our Alumnae online portal, or contact Emma MacKenzie, at alumnae@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk to ensure you receive invitations and updates.

girls and current pupils. All enjoyed sandwiches, scones and Pimm’s in the BGS hospitality tent. We were even found by a Bedford High School group of 1986 leavers who happened to be having a reunion weekend in Bedford!

Despite mixed weather conditions, BGS’ rowers performed admirably.

This is an annual event so we look forward to welcoming more of you on Saturday 7th May 2016, to cheer on BGS from the river bank.

London Business Networking Forum, May 2015

Working in partnership with Bedford School’s Old Bedfordians’ Club, a joint networking event was organised for London-based alumnae.

The evening was held in the beautiful surroundings of Trinity House with spectacular views of Tower Bridge.

It was a super evening and a great opportunity to both catch up with former school friends and make further business contacts.

Performing Arts Evening, June 2015

The School was thrilled to invite back Gloria (Tola) Onitiri (DAHS 2002) as our guest of honour at the Performing Arts Awards Evening. A star of the stage, musicals and TV, Tola is still fondly remembered by many staff.

Currently about to embark on a role in Clybourne Park, Tola has risen to success in The Lion King and The Bodyguard.

Tola spoke passionately to the girls about following their dreams and enthralled us all with her incredible rendition of One Moment in Time from The Bodyguard. Before the evening finished she kindly posed for photos with her new adoring fans.

Work the Room, June 2015

Dame Alice Harpur School 1993 Leavers Reunion, June 2015

BGS welcomed the Year of 1993 for an afternoon of catching up over tea and cake in the Learning Resources Centre.

Each year the Lower Sixth are given a unique opportunity to take part in a networking event with leading business professionals.

On arrival, the former students were greeted by Headmistress, Miss MacKenzie, who updated them on the developments at BGS. The former students – many of whom had not been back since leaving – enjoyed tours of the school, led by current pupils, and looked through the archives.

The evening started with a two hour workshop for the girls delivered by Kate Whitlock (DAHS, 1993), a local alumna and business consultant, which focused on developing an understanding of networking with a purpose, planning a unique elevator pitch and questioning what it means to network effectively.

04

The Lower Sixth then made their way to the Assembly Hall for a formal drinks reception, to put what they had learnt into practice.

The reception was attended by guests representing a cross section of professions and businesses ranging from teaching to marketing, many of whom were old girls from Bedford High School and Dame Alice Harpur School.

Initially nervous, the girls rose to the occasion magnificently, brimming with confidence and acquiring the necessary tools to network effectively in the future.

If you would like to volunteer to be a “guest” at this event, please email alumnae@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk

Old Girls Lacrosse Match, September 2015

DAHSA Reunion, September 2015

December 2015

Committee members from DAHSA, the Guild and the Alumnae attended a tea party in December to celebrate the renovation of the Sixth Form Common Room, which had been made possible through donations from the three Alumnae associations.

The annual Dame Alice Harpur School reunion was held in the Senior School on a gloriously sunny afternoon, and 120 old girls from all eras came to enjoy tea and tours.

The alumnae were greeted by a selection of beautiful music played by students Isobel Stearn and Amy Lammin, followed by a warm welcome from Bedford Girls’ School Headmistress, Miss Mackenzie, who gave an update on all the latest school news.

Tours of the School ensued, led by Sixth Formers Amber Joe, Chelsea Spanoudakis and Emily and Leila Duchenne. The celebrations finished with a delicious afternoon tea and a browse of archive material in the Learning Resources Centre.

To mark the beginning of the new school year, a friendly Lacrosse match was held at the School between the current First Team and an Alumnae team.

With plenty of end to end action in somewhat chilly conditions, the First Team edged out the Old Girls 11-9.

Bringing the afternoon to a close, players, friends, teachers and parents discussed the match over some light refreshments, with many already looking forward to the rematch next year.

To see a selection of images from the match, please visit our gallery on Flickr.

This is an annual event so we look forward to welcoming you to play or support on Wednesday 7th September 2016, which will be held at Cople Fields.

Opening of the Sixth Form Common Room,

This year we were delighted to be joined by alumna, Laura Gibbs, who was selling her collection of oilcloth bags, gifts and homewares, which are all handcrafted by Laura and her team in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

Lecture on the Suffragette Movement, November 2015 The alumnae enjoyed hearing Professor Krista Cowman, Professor of History and Director of Research at the University of Lincoln. Professor Cowman is a specialist in Women’s History and historical advisor for the recently released film, Suffragette.

Professor Cowman gave a presentation on the suffragette movement and her recent involvement with the film to Year 8 students, parents and alumnae members.

05

The Sixth Form Common Room also doubles up as a gallery of notable old girls and this gallery will be added to yearly. We are delighted to confirm that images of Professor Lucie Green, Jocasta Innes, Dr Stephanie Cook, Gail Emms MBE, Dora Carrington and Jean Muir comprise the first installation.

Visitors in We are thrilled that so many alumnae have got in touch and are keen to come back to share their advice and experience with current girls. Over the past year we have welcomed: Katie Bociek (DAHS, 2007), Careers in Osteopathy Amy Bond (DAHS, 2009), Careers in Finance Teresa Brooks (BHS, 1990) Careers in Editing, Publishing and Entrepreneurship Emily Clements (DAHS, 2011), Starting your Law career Natalie Cooper-Lewis (DAHS, 2008), Psychology at University Anna Edwards (DAHS, 2000), Journalism talk and English workshop Victoria Holloway (DAHS, 2012), Studying Medicine Jo Mason (BHS, 1997), Graduate recruitment at Ernst & Young Harriett Mather (BHS, 1992), Careers in Criminal Law Megan McMellon (DAHS, 2012), Studying Law at University Alexis Monks (BGS, 2014), Computer Science at University Nabihah Parkar (BGS, 2012), The Erasmus Programme Helen Quayle (DAHS, 2000), Careers in Private Banking Hannah Ventisei (BGS, 2014), Studying Languages at University Kate Whitlock (DAHS, 1993), Business networking skills

I N S P I R I N G S PAC E S For a long time, artists and designers have understood the ef fect dif ferent types of spaces and environments have on pupils’ behaviour.

R

girls boards and portraits of past Headmistresses, whilst the stained glass windows from Bedford High School take pride of place in the Assembly Hall.

einforcing this view, a 2010 survey by the British Council for School Environments stated that 95.8% of teachers agreed that the school environment could influence the learning process.

In 2013 the Library, vital to every girls’ journey through the school, received a major overhaul and was redeveloped to reflect the changing learning preferences of girls in the 21st century. New spaces and learning areas were created for pupils to thrive in a modern and vibrant area while they read books or debate issues. Renamed the Learning Resources Centre (LRC), it is a hive of activity throughout the day and after school.

Buildings need an arrangement which creates an emotional response to the spaces. Within schools learning spaces can help inspire pupils to work in different ways. If the focus is on collaborative learning then the space should be open, however, quieter, more enclosed spaces are better for eflective private study.

Schools should be starting to move away from traditional uniformed spaces and be looking at using space more flexibly, so that it can respond to the learning situation and provide a greater range of opportunities to learn in different ways.

Headmistress Miss MacKenzie said: “We strongly feel that the LRC should be the focal point of learning in the School and have designed an environment to ensure that this is the case.”

Understanding the importance of ensuring that BGS pupils have the best possible learning environment, the School has revamped large parts of the Cardington Road site since the merger five years ago, creating a modern, vibrant environment.

The next significant area to be renovated was the Sixth Form Centre, as Dr Jennifer Walters, Director of Sixth Form, explained: “In the Sixth Form House we wanted to generate a brighter, inspiring environment that is more conducive to the girls’ learning and working behaviour.

The whole school has been given a lighter facelift with white washed corridors, pale grey carpets and the use of glass, helping to brighten up the traditional buildings. References to both heritage schools have been cleverly incorporated into the new design with a dedicated Heritage Corridor housing head

“For the girls to enjoy their learning and produce the best possible results, they need to be inspired by the environment they’re working in. Little things like revamping the lockers, or big changes such as completely refurbishing the Common Room, will all have an impact.”

06

The cold “tunnel corridor” received an eye-catching revamp, with a graffiti artist turning all 200 lockers into a sea of green, grey and black bearing the school’s eagle emblem.

Bedford High School alumnae, including Olympic silver medallist (badminton) Gail Emms MBE and artist Dora Carrington, adorn the walls of the Common Room for Sixth Formers to draw inspiration from.

The Common Room has been redecorated and fitted with new furniture, providing a modern open space where the girls can relax and work in a collaborative fashion. In addition, the entrance has been moved back to the front of the Sixth Form House to give the girls a sense of independence. The Careers Department has been relocated to the heart of the building, allowing girls lower down the School to access the team’s services more easily.

Dr Walters said: “The link between the Sixth Form and our alumnae is absolutely crucial as our alumnae are wonderful role models and mentors for our current girls, offering support and advice.”

Dr Walters continued: “Through our renovations we have not only created inspiring modern spaces, but have also made the Sixth Form House a real hub for the School’s wider community. By opening our doors to alumnae, parents, mentors and friends we are further able to support the girls with their transition to a wider world.”

The Sixth Form loft has been turned into a silent study area, with individual learning booths allowing privacy for focused self-directed learning. Students also have access to a larger media suite that has more space to use desktop computers.

The improvement in facilities hasn’t just been restricted to the academic side of the curriculum, with funds being provided to modernize the school’s sporting facilities – both inside and out.

A further feature of the Sixth Form redevelopment is the creation of a flexible working space for students to use for a number of different activities including the weekly lunchtime lectures with speakers from our alumnae, our parental body and our growing connections with PhD students and university lecturers.

With BGS priding itself on spotting and developing outstanding talent under the watching eyes of coaches who have competed to an international standard, the school appreciates the need for top of the range facilities to complement this process.

Passing on their pearls of wisdom to Sixth Formers, professionals range from PR specialists to lawyers, with one recent lecture taken by Ginny Bradwell, a Director at accountancy company First Intuition.

Dr Walters commented: “We want to do all we can to prepare the girls for life after school, whether that would be further education or entering the world of work.

The PE Department is now home to a refurbished gym, dance studio and fitness suite along with new changing rooms, showers and lockers area, all of which back on to the lacrosse and astro pitches.

“External speakers who know what university life is like or have extensive experience in their particular profession – they are best placed to advise the girls, who are eager to tap into their knowledge.”

As part of an ongoing and ambitious multi-year redevelopment project, the work on Cople playing fields is coming along at a rapid rate, with work set to be completed ahead of the 2016/17 academic year.

The girls themselves were central to the renovation plans with the Girls’ Leadership Group canvassing opinion of what the Sixth Formers would like to see done with the space.

The Cople site, a five minute drive from BGS, will boast six lacrosse pitches, a pavilion and a community orchard, which will double up as an outdoor learning space for the girls.

Dr Walters added: “We wanted the girls themselves to be able to shape the new look of the Sixth Form House, as they will be the ones who will reap the benefits of an uplifting learning environment.

Mrs Axford, Head of Sport at Bedford Girls’ School, said: “What really excites me about Cople is that we will now be able to host regional and national tournaments, as there will be plenty of parking space and we will be right by the A421 which links to the A1 and M1. These transport links will allow schools across the country to reach us easily.”

“By giving the girls the responsibility of having an input in the decision making process, we are giving them the opportunity to lead and make key decisions, which will be vital when they enter further education and pursue a career.”

The School has made big strides in the five years since it was founded, but is aware that it needs to continue to move with the times in order to prove the best possible education for girls. BGS’ pledge to ensure its facilities remain state-of-theart means girls will be inspired by the learning spaces for years to come.

An aspect of the initiative has been enhancing ties between the Sixth Form and the Bedford Girls’ School Alumnae Association, whose donation part funded the work.

Sizeable images of famous Dame Alice Harpur School and

07

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Do send us your news: alumnae@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk

BEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL Emma Wong (2008) Emma graduated in medicine from the University of Sheffield with a BMedSci (Hons) and an MBChb. She is now working in Hull as a junior doctor, and due to marry late next year.

Rachael Davies (2007) Rachael has followed her passion for sport and is currently the Student Activities Manager for the University of Salford Students’ Union.

Stephanie White (née Goodman, 2005) Steph read Biology at Cardiff University before completing a PGCE in secondary science at the University of Cambridge.

She is now in her third year as Head of Science at St Thomas More Catholic Teaching School. Steph got married in May 2014 to Chris and they live together with their dog Juno in Upper Caldecote, Bedfordshire.

Rachael Fernandez (née Payne, 2000) Rachael is the Owner/Director of Bruck Payne Associates Ltd, an educational development programme for schools to help build greater awareness of individual strengths, and assess how these can be used to optimise performance for both teachers and students.

Rhiannon Mills (1998) Rhiannon is the new Royal Correspondent at Sky News. Rhiannon joined Sky News in 2010, having previously worked for ITV Anglia.

Meetali Parekh (1998) Meetali is now based in Hong Kong working for St. James’ Place Wealth Management. Meetali is keen to connect with any alumnae based in Hong Kong via meetaliparekh@gmail.com

Charlotte Thompson-Edgar (1993)

Squadron Leader Charlotte ThompsonEdgar was awarded the prestigious Associate of the Royal Red Cross Medal in 2015 for exceptional services and devotion to duty in nursing, after evacuating over

600 wounded soldiers from the battlefields of Afghanistan. Charlotte served six tours in Afghanistan and is believed to have taken part in more helicopter missions than any other British nurse. Charlotte has recently left the RAF and forged a new career in motivational speaking.

Charlotte will be the guest speaker at the Harpur Trust’s 450th anniversary service in April 2016.

Lucy Findlay (1988)

Based in Exeter, Lucy is the founder of the Social Enterprise The Mark.

The Mark is the first development of its kind in clarifying the definition of social enterprise and providing certification for eligible international organisations. Lucy has also cycled all over the world with her husband Matt.

Julia Von Winterfeldt (1987)

Based in Berlin, Julia was recently voted one of the Top 100 People to know and watch in the Marketing and Media World in Germany, listed under the category ‘those who will turn the industry upside down’, through her focus on women’s leadership.

Elizabeth Boers-Maynard (née Maynard, 1985)

Following a successful career in banking, Liz now runs an international marketing business based in The Netherlands, Feeling-Healthy.net. The business is passionate about providing people with the opportunity to achieve their health, personal and financial goals.

Agribusiness Management in 2014.

Eleanor will finish her MSC International Rural Development later this year.

Verity Barber (2010) Verity graduated from the University of Birmingham with a degree in History.

She now works for BT Openreach in London.

Amy Bond (2009) Having read Mathematics at Oxford, Amy is working for global investment bank Credit Suisse.

Eloise Stark (née Page, 2007) Eloise is currently undertaking a DPhil in Psychiatry at the University of Oxford.

Eloise recently published her second journal research article - completing a meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging studies of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Emma Dudley (2006) Emma Dudley studied Business Studies at Lancaster University before embarking on a Master’s degree in Real Estate at Oxford Brookes University. Emma has qualified as a chartered surveyor and is working for British Land.

Gloria (Tola) Onitiri (2002)

DAME ALICE HARPUR SCHOOL Charlotte Jenkins (2012) Charlie is excited to announce that she will be beginning her career as a Biology teacher this September, having accepted a place at the University of Oxford to study for a PGCE.

Eleanor Sear (2011) Eleanor graduated from The Royal Agricultural University with a 1st BSC (Hons) in International Food and 08

Gloria was the guest speaker and performer at Bedford Girls’ School’s inaugural Performing Arts Awards Evening 2015. Gloria has achieved great success as a musical theatre star in the West End, as well as performing challenging roles in theatre and television. She has performed in lead roles in The Lion King and The Bodyguard.

Dr Clare Miller (2002) Congratulations to Dr Miller who was the recent winner of BBC2’s Special Forces: Ultimate Hell Week. The programme was the ultimate endurance challenge, with the UK’s fittest men and women being pushed beyond their limits by veterans from the world’s most elite Special Forces. By day Dr Miller is a Haematologist.

rower, James Cracknell, footballer Matt Le Tissier, rugby player Shane Williams, and javelin thrower Fatima Whitbread.

Laura Gibbs (née Foulkes, 1995)

We are delighted to confirm that Dr Miller will be our guest speaker for Prize Giving 2016.

After several years working in the Police as a detective, Laura founded a small successful business, called Chatterbox and Button, specialising in bags, aprons and accessories made from oilcloth fabrics.

Katy Young (2001)

Professor Lucie Green (1993)

Katy is the Sport Development Co-ordinator at SPORT Manchester, part of the University of Manchester.

Katy will be visiting Bedford Girls’ School in May 2016 to talk to students about careers in sport.

Anna Edwards (2000)

Many congratulations to Professor Green, who has been promoted to Professor of Physics. Lucie is a Royal Society Research Fellow based at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London’s Department of Space and Climate Physics. Professor Green also sits on the Advisory Board for the Science Museum and is a Governor of the UCL Academy. She is the Chief Stargazer at the Society for Popular Astronomy.

Jo Churchill MP (née Wuidart, 1982)

Anna is a Sky Sports News HQ Producer. Anna produces Sportswomen, a weekly programme that highlights all the major issues and achievements in women’s sport.

Joanna Brittain (1996) Joanna has been teaching for 14 years.

She currently lives in Zurich and runs a unit for children with special needs at Foundations For Learning, attached to ICS International school.

Charlotte Tomlin (1996) Charlotte has forged a career in teaching and is now Head of PE and Assistant Head at a school in Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Gail Emms MBE (1995) Gail was recently crowned winner in ITV’s endurance show Eternal Glory.

Gail battled physically and mentally against some of Britain’s finest sports stars to win her title, including the

BEDFORD GIRLS’ SCHOOL

Robyn Armstrong (2015) Congratulations to Robyn, who was part of GB junior women’s quadruple sculls crew in August, claiming double gold at the Coupe de la Jeunesse in Hungary.

Rebecca Murray (2013) Rebecca won the Junior Women’s English Cross Country Championships in February 2015. Rebecca is studying Natural Sciences at the University of Birmingham.

Helen Hepher (2013)

In 2015 Jo became the first female Member of Parliament for the constituency of Bury St Edmunds.

Helen Hepher is reading Geography at the University of Sheffield. This academic year she is studying at the National University of Singapore.

Debbie Bliss (née Hudson, 1971)

Jess Howard (2013)

In June 2015 Debbie was honoured with an MBE for her services to the Hand Knitting and Craft Industry.

Debbie is a world renowned knitwear designer and author.

Following a successful Commercial Assistant internship at Luton Town Football Club, Jess is now studying Business Studies at the University of Lancaster.

Alison Bourgeois (née Beastall, 1971)

Hannah Short (2013)

Alison is based in Geneva working in Corporate Communications. A relative newcomer to the world of running, Alison successfully competed in the World Masters Athletics Championship in Lyon and achieved a Bronze medal in the W60 10,000m and 5,000m.

Hannah is reading Medicine at the University of Birmingham and is currently in her placement year at Birmingham City Hospital. Hannah will shortly be embarking on voluntary work at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where she will be a ward host and entertaining the children.

Ann Wilson (née Bramford, 1956)

Nabihah Parkar (2012)

After leaving Dame Alice, Ann left Bedford to work at the Equine Research Centre at Newmarket, and from there travelled the world working with horses.

09

Nabihah is reading English and Spanish at the University of Leeds. She has just completed an Erasmus placement in Spain before embarking on her final year of her course.

YOUR SCHOOL, MY SCHOOL Bedford Girls’ School and both of the heritage schools have always had thriving Science, Maths and Technology departments with large numbers of students studying STEM subjects at A Level and IB, and going on to forge exciting careers in STEM related areas.

Recent Bedford Girls’ School leaver, Science student Chantel Duchenne (CD), and Bedford High School alumna, Emma Wong (EW), who has recently graduated from medical school, look back on their school careers and what inspired them to study the Sciences.

Do you remember your first day at school?

CD: Not as such. I remember feeling nervous but excited for a long time beforehand. However the actual day is, sadly, a bit of a blur!

EW: I don’t remember my first day as much as the first day I came to look around the School. I was eight, and I remember sitting in on some lessons, and in particular finding the library at lunchtime. I found a really good book, and I remember Mrs Boulting, the then Headmistress of the Junior School at BHS, saying I could borrow it to finish reading and bring it back later.

What was your favourite subject and why?

CD: Difficult and time consuming though it was, I’d say Chemistry was the subject I enjoyed the most, especially during the A Level course. I really enjoy linking one topic with another and there was is a sense of understanding why everything we learned previously at GCSE happens.

If you had your time at school again would you have done anything differently?

EW: Probably English or History - English because I have always loved reading, and it gave me a chance to explore books I’d never have thought of. Pride and Prejudice, my favourite book, was one I first read in Mrs Clifton’s GCSE English class.

I also really enjoyed History, as I think it’s important to have an understanding of how the world got to where it is today.

What/who inspired you to study the sciences?

CD: Apart from the generic ‘work harder when I was younger’ I don’t think I’d change anything. I’m happy with all the choices I have made along the way and would probably keep everything the same.

EW: Looking back now, I think I would have appreciated my time at school more - sometimes, with all the work for GCSEs, A Levels, IB, you forget to enjoy what you’re doing. Sometimes, it helps just to slow down and appreciate the moment!

How has school shaped your values and aspirations?

CD: I wouldn’t say I was inspired from a young age - if anything, when I was younger, I was swaying towards the languages. However, during Year 11 I started reading more around my subjects and found that the Sciences and Maths really leapt out at me, so I guess that was the driving force.

EW: This is always a good question, because at school I always thought science was interesting, but it was never my favourite subject. In this respect, Medicine is an excellent career, as it’s not all about the science - it’s also about the people - so you don’t have to be excellent at science to do it, although a basic understanding definitely helps!

CD: Being in an environment that is so accepting of everyone has certainly made me a more tolerant individual, and taught me to value all talents and strengths. As all of my classes are with girls of such high abilities, school has helped me aspire to do my best at all times and has helped me achieve these goals.

EW: I’d say BHS was important in helping with my aspirations - all the teachers knew I wanted to do Medicine, and were always willing to help or lend advice - I knew I had plenty of support behind me.

If you could sum up your time at school in three words what would they be?

I’ve wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember, and so I knew that Science was something I had to do to get into that profession. Funnily enough, when you start applying science to Medicine all those Physics and Chemistry lessons suddenly start to make sense.

CD: Motivating, dynamic, rewarding.

EW: Challenging, exciting, rewarding.

10

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS For news prior to 2013 and full obituaries, please visit the members’ bulletin section on the Alumnae website. For inclusion in further editions, please contact Emma MacKenzie:

alumnae@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk

Births Frankie Brunker (née Mochan, 2001)

Rita Milito (former staff member) Rita died suddenly in June 2015, aged 51. She worked as a receptionist at the

Is thrilled and relieved beyond belief

High School for 10 years. Rita will be

to announce that she gave birth to

remembered for her warm, witty and

a healthy baby boy, Jago Toby, on

generous personality.

Monday 27th October 2014. He is a very special brother to her daughter Esme, who was sadly stillborn at full term in September 2013.

Deaths

Bedford High School (Elizabeth) Jean Callander (1939-1949) Jean passed away very peacefully on

Carol Muller (nee Preston, BHS Westlands 1951-1958) Carol was born in 1939 and sadly passed away in June 2015. Carol was a Westlands boarder and keen lacrosse

2005. They were born in Zanzibar and moved to Bedford around 1938. They both attended Bedford High School as day pupils and then qualified as Nightingale Nurses at St Thomas in London. In 1967 they relocated to Carryduff near Belfast

continued to live in Carryduff for the rest of their lives.

Doyin (Dupe) Fagbenro (2004-2009) Doyin tragically died in January 2016, following a car crash in Nigeria.

Doyin was a student at both at Dame

Margery Bevan (nee Daniel, 1928 - 1934) Margery was born in 1916 and moved with her family to Bedford in 1924.

In 1938 she married Owen Bevan, a school master at Bedford School, and they were house masters at Burnaby House for 15 years. She died in February 2014, aged 97.

Canada to study nursing, later marrying

Esmé Blore-Rimmer (2008-2012)

and settling as a farmer’s wife in Bega,

Born 1996 and died suddenly on 26th August 2013 from a previously undiagnosed condition called MCADD. Esmé was a beautiful, vibrant, and spirited girl; she had a true zest for enjoying life to the full. She had a cracking sense of humour and a very kind spirit that brought joy to many.

She had grown into a confident young woman who was very clear that her next educational step would be to study Fashion, Communication and Styling preferably at Middlesex University. Esmé was never afraid to voice her opinion, she had a strong work ethic and she graced us all with her infectious smile and laugh. Esmé is deeply missed by many of the hearts she touched.

New South Wales, Australia.

Penelope Bain (former staff member 1954-1988) Pen joined the School in 1954 in the Languages Department. She went on to become Head of French, on retirement she moved back to Scotland. Pen died on 12th June, 2014.

and Jean worked in Lisburn and Pat in Newtownards. After retiring they

Died in March 2014, aged 80.

player. Following BHS, Carol moved to

15th January 2016, aged 85.

Jean was a twin to Pat who died in

Margaret Beechener (née Strange, BHS Quantocks 1943-1951)

Margaret Panter (née Taylor, 1929-1936) & Audrey Munford (née Taylor, 1932-1937) Born on 1919, Margaret died in March 2015 following a long illness. Margaret always spoke fondly of her time at Bedford High School, and had a particular fondness for languages.

Alice Harpur School (2004-2007) and

Audrey passed away in January 2007.

Bedford High School (2007-2009).

Audrey married Dennis Munford in

Doyin went on to read Law at Queen

1943 and after World War II they lived

Mary University. Doyin had been

in Aden (now Yemen) until 1966 when

working as an Executive Assistant to

they returned to England. They had

the COO, Dixoil Offshore in Nigeria.

no children.

11

Esmé was a former student at both of the heritage schools. A keen rower, a BGS rowing boat was launched in her memory in Summer 2014, the Esmé Blore.

A recent fundraising event in Esmé’s memory, for the charity CLIMB, raised over £21,000.

For further information, please visit www.justgiving.com/Esme-Blore Rimmer

Margaret Hartley (née Prigmore, 1944-1955)

Angela Hipwell (née Tunbridge, 1949-1955)

Daphne Allan (née Seamark, 1939)

Angela died suddenly in December

Passed away peacefully in October

Born 1937, died September 2014.

2012. Angela came to Hilbre Grange

2015. Sadly Daphne had been suffering

from Norfolk in 1949, following in

from Alzheimer’s since 2007 but it is

Margaret Hodgson (née Joyce, 1934 - 1939)

her mother’s footsteps. After school

Passed away in September 2014,

she trained as a teacher. She was an

following a short illness.

excellent homemaker and created wonderful homes for her family

Janet Hoare (nee Godfrey, 1948-1956) Sadly died in March 2014, aged 74.

in Norfolk.

Louisa Bullows (1973-1984)

understood that Daphne was recruited straight from school to work at Bletchley Park, as she was particularly good at French and German.

Kathleen (Kate) Dillon (née Skinner, 1949-1955) Kate passed away suddenly but

Heather Quinlan (née Baxter, 1950-1954)

Louisa died in December 2012 in

Born 1935, who died in July 2014, after

Ashford, Kent, having suffered from a

a courageous battle with cancer.

brain tumour for 20 years. Many BHS

A loving mother to Sam and Fiona,

friends kept in touch with her over the

mother-in-law to Andrew and Pete and

Anne Klar (née Sykes, 1944-1952)

years.

grandmother to James, Rachel, Jack,

Dearly loved wife of Stanley, died in

Deaths

June 2014.

Gillian Rose (née King, formerly Garman, 1953-1963) Sadly died March 2014, aged 67. Gillian

peacefully at the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital on 2nd April 2015, aged 76.

Tom and Robert. She will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.

Dame Alice Harpur School

Joan Sargent (1936–1942)

Jayne Willie (née Mason, 1973)

Passed away peacefully in March 2015

Passed away peacefully on 19th

aged 92, following a short illness.

was also a former governor of Bedford

January 2016, following a battle with

High School.

breast cancer.

Margaret Todman (former staff member 1947-1982)

Jean (Alison) McVittie, (1941-1948)

Ann Dukes (née Darlow, 1948-1956)

Passed away following a short illness in

Born 1930, died in August 2013. Jean

Sister of Jean and Pamela, passed away

member of staff and former Head of

on Christmas Day after a short illness.

the Prep School. Margaret joined Dame

died peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of Sunday morning in August 2013, in Hamilton, New Zealand.

John Edward Walker (The Foundation) Born 1926, died in August 2013,

January 2015. Margaret was an adored

Alice in 1947 and retired in 1982.

Wendy Eyre (née Bailey, 1950-1956) Passed away following a battle with Alzheimer’s on 18th December 2015,

following treatment for cancer. John

aged 77. Wendy’s daughters Anita and

was a valued supporter of the Bedford

Julia both attended Bedford High

High School Foundation.

School, tragically passing away in 1982.

12

Barbara Wilkins (1939-1945) Passed away in early 2015, following a short stay at Moggerhanger Hospice.

Remembered by many at Dame Alice, where she worked as a Food Technician.

Rebecca Farnworth (1983 leaver)) Passed away in November 2014, aged 49. Rebecca was a Brighton based writer and the ghost writer behind Katie Price’s best-selling books.

Margaret Heather Laird, OBE (former staff) Born 1933, died May 2014.

In 1970 she become Head of Religious Education at Dame Alice. During her teaching years she also served as a member of the General Synod’s

Margaret Minns (1945-1952) Passed away peacefully in October 2014, aged 80. A much loved sister,

House of Laity. In 1989 she took up an invitation from Archbishop Runcie to become the Third Estates Commissioner. She was awarded an

aunt and friend. Margaret taught at

OBE and the cross of Saint Augustine,

Bedford High School from 1962-1966.

in recognition of her outstanding

Ruth Blackman Passed away in October 2014.

Ruth was the niece of Miss Todman and a honorary member of DAHSA.

service to the Church of England.

Barbara Alice Parrott (1931-1939) Born in 1921 and passed away peacefully in April 2014, aged 93.

Barbara was an ex-pupil of Bedford Modern Girls’ School and was a

Joan Proudfoot (former staff member) Following several years of illness Joan sadly passed away in August 2014.

Joan joined the school during Miss Morse’s era and later became Deputy

Judy Denison-Edson (née Walker, 1963) Judy passed away peacefully and unexpectedly in Yorkshire in February 2013.

Iris Helen Inkpen (née Dewsbury 1964) Iris died from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease having fallen ill in December 2012. Each year, Iris and her close school friends arranged meet-ups in Bedford and London, where they still got on famously.

Greta Beatty (née Gilbert, 1942-1952) Born in 1934, Died January 2013. Greta joined when the school was still known as Bedford Girls’ Modern School, before changing its name in 1946 to Dame Alice Harpur School. Greta was extremely proud to be involved in such an important period of the School’s history.

stalwart member and past President

Jaskomal Sher-Gill (1996-2007)

of the Old Girls’ Association for

Jaskomal, the much loved youngest daughter of Pargan Singh and Jaswinder Kaur and baby sister to Jaspreet and Gurjoban, sadly passed away after a two-year battle with cancer in January 2013.

many years. Barbara will, perhaps, be best remembered for organising and performing at the annual ‘Blind Party’ throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s. Barbara was primarily a

Head. Joan was also Head of the Home

music teacher, and an accomplished

Economics Department for many

pianist with a beautiful and distinctive

NOTE ON LEGACIES

soprano voice.

We have received a number of enquiries from Alumnae members requiring clarification concerning legacy donations or bequests.

Freda Smallwood (née Inkersole)

As neither of the heritage schools are registered as schools it is no longer possible to leave funds to these organisations. Please be advised that if it were your intention to leave any bequests to either Dame Alice Harpur School or Bedford High School, they would not automatically be transferred to Bedford Girls’ School.

years.

Radmila (Millie) Dancer (former staff member, 1983-1998) Died peacefully in July 2014 at home,

Died 2013, aged 101. Former pupil of Bedford Modern Girls’ School in the 1920s.

aged 75. Devoted wife of Derek, mother to Melanie and Anita, grandmother to

Marjorie Olive Ridout née Roberts (1948-1953)

Jack and Sam.

Born 1935, died 2013.

of Colin and Michael, mother-in-law

13

We would therefore suggest that if any alumnae had intended to leave a bequest to Dame Alice Harpur School or Bedford High School and now wished it to come to Bedford Girls’ School, they need to specifically amend their Wills to stipulate that change in beneficiary.

We would also suggest that you take legal advice before making any amendments to your Will to ensure that your wishes are stated.

CARDINGTON ROAD, BEDFORD, MK42 0BX Email alumnae@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk

n

n

Telephone 01234 361900

www.bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk/alumnae