News of Old Girls and Former Staff

If you would like to get in touch with any of the Old Girls featured – or any other Alumni – please contact the Development Office.

Jennifer Gorski (née Smith, Class of 1968) On 29th December 2021 Jenny and her husband, Steve (Class of 1969), invited family and friends to celebrate their Golden Wedding. Steve and Jenny met at Bolton School in 1967. Steve was rugby captain and Jenny a keen netball and lacrosse player. They gelled immediately and, although they spent the next years apart at different Universities (Dundee and London), they got engaged in 1969. In 1971 Jenny moved to Dundee to join Steve and to study for a Doctorate in Physics. They were married in December that year. Fifty years later, Patterdale Hall, the School’s outdoor pursuits centre, seemed an ideal place to celebrate as several of their guests, spanning three generations, have connections with Bolton School: they included Steve’s brother Chris Gorski (Class of 1964), daughters Julia Miskelly (née Gorski, Class of 1995) and Erin Chuter (née Gorski, Class of 1996), Richard Waterfield (Class of 1975), Cathy Malley (née Bullough, Class of 1993) and current pupils Katy and William Malley. After a hike to Aira Force and back in damp and windy conditions, the celebrations began with a splendid meal and some emotional speeches, followed by a good old Polish toast with genuine Polish vodka. The party continued with family games and karaoke and Jenny couldn’t resist surprising Steve by donning her old School uniform, complete with his old ‘grey book’ (1968-69) in her blazer pocket, and then placing her father’s wedding ring on his finger. Steve and Jenny thank Bolton School for bringing them together and for being part of their lives again as they celebrated 50 years. They are indebted to the staff at Patterdale Hall for their hospitality, warmth and welcome. There were some tearful goodbyes at the end of the festivities and all are looking forward to their next excuse to visit Patterdale!

Sheila Fisher (née Platt, 1963-1970) In appreciation of her work as a returner doctor and supervising clinician at the Covid-19 vaccination site and community service in Wigan, Sheila was nominated in the ‘Returning Champion’ category in the Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards 2021. Although she did not win the award, she was thrilled to make the short list out of 500 nominations and was very pleased that the vaccination service and all of those who work in it, both as professionals and as volunteers, gained some well-deserved recognition.

Elaine Greenhalgh (née Lee, 1967-1981) and Anne Ibberson (née Lee, 1967-1981) Elaine and Anne visited Park Road for the unveiling of a memorial bench in honour of their father, Old Boy Kenneth Lee (19351940). Ken served in the Second World War and in 2020 he shared his wartime experience with pupils at the Boys’ Junior School, following which a group of boys produced an e-book, Holding the Line, to mark 75 years since VE Day. Ken died in January 2021 at the age of 96 and the bench has been established for the boys to sit on while they watching football – as Ken always loved to watch sport – and to chat with their friends. It bears a quotation from Ken: “You eat. You sleep. You fight. You share a slit trench. Oh yes. They are your best of friends. The camaraderie is absolutely unique. There’s nothing like it.” Kim Carmyllie (1978-85) Kim has recently been appointed as District Commissioner for Bolton Moorland Scouts, a wide and varied role involving the support of leaders of 16 Scout groups and five Explorer Scout Units in the area, including those at school. Collectively they provide Scouting to approximately 600 young people aged 4 to 18. A former Venture Scout at School, her first official duty was to present a long service award to the Paradox Explorers leader Ann Chambers. Ann was an art teacher in the Girls’ Jenny donned Division (1978-1983), and joined the her old School Venture Scout Unit as a leader on uniform the persuasion of several girls, who needed a female leader in order to enable them to join Ventures. She has since led many through their various Scout and DofE awards and on regular international camps. As well as her volunteering, Kim is Practice Manager for a law firm in Cheshire. Rachel McHattie (née Robinson, 1984-1989) In December 2021 Rachel joined the staff of St Albans High School for Girls as Director of Finance, having worked in school finance for ten years and prior to that served as a school governor. Rachel really enjoys working in schools as it is so varied – don’t believe anyone who says accountancy Three generations is a boring career! of the Gorski family Outside school Rachel and her Elaine (right) and Anne on the memorial bench husband are approaching their silver wedding anniversary and have three sons. She is still in touch with a number of people from the Class of 1989 and looks forward to the next reunion.

Susannah Penney (1983-1993) Susi is a consultant head, neck and thyroid surgeon based at Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) and is also the Associate Medical Susi Penney Director at the (photo courtesy Greater Manchester of Greater Cancer Alliance, with Mancunians) close links to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. Susi studied medicine at the University of Manchester, qualifying in 1999. With a love of taking things apart, seeing how they work and putting them back together again, she always knew she wanted to be a surgeon and after passing her exams with the Royal

College of Surgeons she underwent Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) training at Hope Hospital and MRI, then head and neck cancer training at The Christie. The pandemic has had a significant impact on her work in cancer care, but with her characteristic determination and compassion she has endeavoured to keep cancer patients safe across the whole of Greater Manchester. Away from work, Susi enjoys include badminton, cooking and racing fast cars: a proper ‘boy racer’, she recalls her days as a Registrar driving around Manchester on call in a bright blue Subaru Impreza with a big wing on the back! Susi was recently featured in ‘Greater Mancunians’, a photography project featuring people from Greater Manchester who have in some way shaped the city and its surrounding boroughs for the greater good – you can see the project here: www.greatermancunians.blog. Saima Hanif (1990-1998) Congratulations to Saima, who has been included in The Lawyer’s ‘Hot 100’ list for 2022. The list features those lawyers who are instructed on major cases and recognises stand-out excellence in the legal profession. Saima took silk in 2021. She is based in London and specialises in banking and financial services. Charlotte Morley (née Maddrell, 1985-1999) Charlotte recently appeared on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den, seeking investment in her company, The Little Loop, which rents out stylish childrenswear to parents to save them having to purchase new clothes as their children grow. Charlotte, a University of Cambridge graduate and former teacher, became the first contestant to talk the dragons into giving her double her initial investment request – she received £70,000 from Deborah Meaden and another £70,000 from Steven Bartlett, both of whom took a 12.5% stake in her business.

Lisa Jacobs (née Griffiths, 1996-2003) Congratulations to Lisa who was pronounced Fintech Woman of The Year at the 2021 AltFi Awards. The awards recognise achievements in the rapidlygrowing alternative finance and fintech community and Lisa’s honour acknowledged her work for Funding Circle UK, where she was recently promoted to Chief Executive Officer. Natalie Lewis (née Caldwell, 1997-2007)

Congratulations to Natalie who has been made a Partner in the law firm Travers Smith LLP. Rebecca Smethurst (1998-2008) Becky is thrilled to have received the 2022 Winton Award for Astronomy. This accolade, by the Royal Astronomical Society, recognises research by a postdoctoral fellow in astronomy whose career has shown the most promising development and was awarded to Becky after she made major advances in the field of galaxy formation and evolution.

Alex Holden (2009-2011) Congratulations to Alex who has received her Doctorate in Biochemistry from Royal Holloway, University of London. Alex is now working as an Associate Consultant at Cambridge Healthcare Research. Eleanor Mott (2010-2012) Congratulations to Eleanor who has been included in this year’s Drapers 30 Under 30, an annual initiative celebrating the rising stars of fashion retail. Elle studied Fashion and Textile Retailing at the University of Manchester and joined Continental Textiles as an assistant buyer in 2017, being promoted to junior buyer in 2019. She now manages a team of five. She was nominated for the award by the Directors of Continental Textiles in recognition of her involvement in establishing new brand VAI21 and managing its launch on Asos. She has represented Continental Textiles Ltd globally in China, India, Europe and the USA and works on all brands and product areas in the business, VAI21 being the latest project. Charlotte Holden (2012-2014) Congratulations to Charlotte who successfully defended her doctoral thesis and has achieved her PhD in Sleep Science at Nottingham Trent University. Riya Kalhan (2009-2016) Riya’s latest single, Escape, has been entirely written, produced and independently released by Riya on all streaming platforms. Escape has already received notable airplay, garnering attention from BBC Introducing London, BBC Manchester and BBC Lancashire. The ballad features lush harmonies, melodic strings and a rich brass section. Riya was the first guest in two years to be invited into the BBC headquarters in Media City UK (Manchester) to an in-person live interview on air for the release of Escape. She was invited back to do an in-person interview for BBC Radio Lancashire in February. Riya has also been selected as one of 12 participants across Europe for the Music Cities Network LEC project, shortlisted into the EuroSonic 2022 Festival line-up. She is excited to release her debut EP in the coming months. With an exciting future ahead, Riya is one to watch! Caitlin McGuffie (Class of 2016) Caitlin is in her fourth year at the University of Liverpool studying for an integrated Masters Degree in Aerospace Engineering. She is heavily involved with numerous aspects of university life acting as a course representative, university ambassador and peer mentor as well as being voted Vice President of the University's Engineering Society. Last year she completed a 12-week internship with BAE Systems over the summer, working in their UK Sport Partnership team. Having interned with the company during the Summer of 2019, she was grateful to be invited to return. The experience with the company during both placements was invaluable and following a successful performance review in September she was thrilled to receive an offer to join BAE Systems Air as an Airframe Engineer after she graduates this Summer. Caroline Blair (2011-2018) Congratulations to Caroline who has won the prestigious Joan Chissell Caroline (second Schumann right) celebrates her Lieder Prize award at the Royal Academy of Music.