BEYOND THE MANOR
January 2020 – Issue 1
Celebrating 100 years in September 2020 Welcome to the very first edition of ‘Beyond the Manor’ and I hope this publication brings back many fond memories of your time at Manor House School. I am honoured to be leading Manor House into its 100th year and truly delighted that we have been able to reach out to former pupils and learn more about the School’s rich history. Whilst much has changed, there are many reminders around School of days gone by and I often find myself wishing that I could have met Elizabeth Green, who was clearly an impressive and successful woman. No doubt some of our alumni will remember her well and I look forward to meeting you and hearing your reflections. We are looking forward to a range of events in our year of celebration and I hope that you will be able to join us on some of these occasions. Manor House School continues to flourish and we have enjoyed a range of recent successes across all aspects of school life. Whilst ‘the Marrows’ are no more, our motto ‘To love is to Live’ certainly pervades school life. I look forward to meeting you in the future and in the meantime enjoy a trip down memory lane. Ms Tracey Fantham, Headteacher
BEYOND THE MANOR
January 2020 – Issue 1
Manor House Leaders As we approach our Centenary Year celebrations, what better chance to reflect on the history of our school and its inspiring leaders. Manor House School was founded by two inspirational and forward thinking women, Elizabeth Green and Lilian Wheeler who began with two small classes in Sidmouth, Devon in 1920.
Manor House Leaders
By 1929, the two ladies had decided to move to Surrey in order to branch out into boarding and it was felt that Devon was too far for London families to travel. For seven years they rented Mickleham Hall in Dorking, but in 1937 the school moved to Bookham after Miss Green purchased the Manor House at auction. Manor House School, as we know it, has been settled there ever since. The white Queen Anne house was built in 1710 but had been empty for some time when the school moved in. Arcot Hall was added and the gardens were tamed. In 1939, after Miss Wheeler died suddenly, Miss Green carried on as sole headmistress until 1965 when she retired to Meadow Cottage (now used for music lessons). The School became an educational trust in 1961 and continues to offer a range of scholarships and bursary assistance as well as working with many charities throughout the year. Miss Green and Miss Wheeler are buried in All Saints Miss Green at Sports Day, 1950s Church, Bookham and they are remembered on ‘Founders Day’. Joan Findlay was Headmistress of Manor House School between 1985 and 1989 and still lives locally in West Horsley. Life is quieter now and she enjoys spending time with her family that now includes three Great Granddaughters and a Great Grandson aged from seven down to two. Joan can be tempted to kick a ball and likes doing puzzles with them. She still plays Scrabble with her own peers at West Horsley Scrabble Club and is currently reading books by Gervais Phinn that remind her of her early teaching experiences in South Yorkshire.
Perhaps Joan’s greatest treats are visits to the family home in Portugal where she is well known in local restaurants! Both Joan’s daughter, Ailsa Vincent and granddaughter Fritha Vincent, attended Manor House and both Ailsa and her husband Steve were Governors at different times. Ailsa remembers as a little girl being invited to Manor House for Christmas parties and remembers Elizabeth Green and Patsy White. Ailsa used to work at Manor House during her University years helping to costume Miss Pettigrew’s Shakespeare plays in The Dell and later taught swimming for a summer season.
Mrs Findlay a few weeks before her 92nd birthday recently
BEYOND THE MANOR
January 2020 – Issue 1
Manor House Community
Manor House Community
Sam Wadsack and MHS friends, celebrating 35 years of friendship. Class of 1983
Carrie Heath-Taylor celebrating her 21st in the school grounds with MHS friends. Class of 2011
Kasha Smith with MHS friends at her wedding in December 2019. Class of 2005
Ellie Winter and MHS friends visiting our Christmas Fayre this year. Class of 2012
Emily Brunt and her mum also paid us a Christmas visit. Class of 2000
BEYOND THE MANOR
January 2020 – Issue 1
Manor House Q&A Ella Seal When did you leave Manor House? I left in 2010, at the end of Year 11. Where did you spend your Sixth Form and go to University? Sixth form was at Charterhouse, then Nottingham Trent University. I graduated with a First in Fashion Design specialising in Womenswear. We talk of unforgettable experiences at Manor House School. Can you share one or two of yours? Our school trip to Knapp House stands out, in Year 6 maybe? And lots of sport! Mostly, I remember trips to The Dell, being free to roam. We’d make up ridiculous games! We imagined each bush was a shop and we used leaves as money. We definitely stayed younger for longer.
Manor House Q&A
Not sure other girls our age would have done the same but we loved it. At the time….we really didn’t realise how special it was… What do you do now? I’m a designer for All Saints, a London fashion brand based in Shoreditch. I also work on our Outwear sub brand, Shoreditch Ski Club”. What was your path to the job you’re in now?
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Mostly, I remember trips to the Dell, being free to roam. We’d make up ridiculous games! We imagined each bush was a shop and we used leaves as money, we definitely stayed younger for longer.
I did an internship between my second and third years at University - lots of driving between work and Uni. Also I wasn’t paid for the internship as my degree course wasn’t a sandwich course so it was challenging at times. I delivered my final collection in Year 3 and took part in Graduate Fashion Week, I think it helped when it came to applying for jobs afterwards as people could see what I’d already done in the outside world. I also worked for a small Chinese fashion brand before I joined All Saints.
BEYOND THE MANOR
January 2020 – Issue 1
Manor House Q&A - continued Ella Seal Tell us something about your work that might surprise us?
At Paris Fashion week…I was left pretty much on my own to produce my show, very stressful!...and I was often awake for thirty sixhours at a time. Also lots and lots of waiting around, not as glamourous as people think! What memories of your teachers stand out? I wasn’t so strong in Sciences, but I always felt supported by the teachers. I remember in particular Mrs Hutton, who was supportive and kind. And Mrs Williams who gave everyone confidence. I was quite shy when I was younger, and things like Drama really helped me come out of my shell. It made us open to trying new things, but also to being ourselves. No pressure to be anything else. What travelling have you done?
After Charterhouse, I worked for six months and then went travelling to Tanzania with my best friend from Manor House. I also spent time traveling around Asia. Earlier on in my career, I worked for a Chinese brand and I spent one month in China. Because it was a small company, I lived in my boss’s flat there. It was really basic and a long way from any big cities. It was hard at times but it made me realise that I could survive outside of my normal home comforts. Are you still in touch with MHS friends?
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Manor House Q&A
Yes, we see each other all the time! Just when I was waiting for your (phone) call, I was chatting to one of them here (whilst waiting outside on a London street near Ella’s work). There’s about fifteen of us who’ve been in touch right through from when we left Manor House. We have a Whatsapp group and we have a Christmas meal every year. We’re lucky, most of us live in London so it’s easy to get together and see each other often. And lastly… your favourite app at the moment? “Perfect Dog”….everyone should have it!
At Paris Fashion week…I was left pretty much on my own to produce my show, very stressful ….not as glamourous as people think!
Share your News & Promote your Social Causes Thank you to everyone who sent in their photos, memories and stories to make this inaugural Newsletter possible. We’ve loved bringing it all together. We are now preparing for next term’s newsletter. Send us news of your charity & social causes, personal adventures, marriages, births, obituaries, business ventures, and anything else you would like to share. A photograph is a must too!.
BEYOND THE MANOR
January 2020 – Issue 1
Manor House Memories Lorraine (Raine) Bryant – Class of 1968 “The 1/3 of a pint milk bottles we all had daily, warm in summer and frozen in winter with blue tits pecking holes in the silver foil tops. Drunk from crates in the little courtyard that led out to the kitchen garden where the borders grew plants. Playing French skipping and cats cradle under the huge copper beech tree. (gone) Seeing but not being allowed in Miss Green's rose garden (now gone). Miss Green had retired into her house in the grounds, her visits were always a treat for us. Sitting at lunch with a teacher at the end of the table, not allowed hands on the table, we communicated by BSL alphabet under the table. There was a large wicker tray where our named napkins in rings were kept on the windowsill. Being put in a classroom by myself to finish both cornbeef and fried spam in batter. The matron, who wore a nurse’s uniform, used to put cold keys down my back when I had a nose bleed. We were not allowed in The Dell without a teacher because there had been Teddy Boys in there. The stairs had green lino. We were not allowed on the stairs at the same time as a teacher. If we were already on them and a teacher appeared we had to stand at the side until they had passed. Having a chalkboard duster thrown at me for not paying attention. Getting into trouble for refusing to get out of the swimming pool, because I was trying to rescue a drowning bee that eventually stung me. The swimmers wore white caps, the non swimmers red caps. Enormous baggy green and white stripey knickers with a pocket on the front that we wore for eurythmics. A fairy, in the Midsummer Night's Dream production held in the open air theatre in The Dell, wore white ankle socks because she had a verruca. There was a meadow with a clear view between the Manor House front garden, to Miss Green's house, (looks like trees now). There were two school houses, Endeavour (yellow) and Discovery (green), when I started, then volunteers were asked for a new house, Victory (blue).
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Those were the days loved every minute! (except the corned beef and fried spam). Thank you Manor House.
If you were very naughty you were given an 'Order' and had to stand up in front of the whole school in assembly. I think three Orders and you got a Conduct, and three of them and you were expelled. We used to get jeered by The Howard of Effingham boys at the end of the wooded path going to the playing field.
ARHHHHH, those were the days - loved every minute! (except the corned beef and fried spam). Thank you Manor House.
Miss Green’s Rose Garden
BEYOND THE MANOR
January 2020 – Issue 1
Passing it on Carla Quirk & Friends of Manor House School Carla Quirk (nee White), Class of 1990 For the last four years, the Friends of Manor House have been led by Manor House old girl, Carla Quirk, class of 1990. At the end of this school year, Carla (see right, in white) will be stepping down as Chair, leaving behind a legacy of highly successful school events and invaluable fundraising.
The past two years have seen FoMHS fully fund ipads for Year 1, an extensive student iMac suite and invaluable and exciting equipment for Academic Advancement. Carla attended Manor House School from Year 7 to Year 11, followed by Esher College for her A’ levels and the London College of Fashion & Marketing. Following her studies, Carla worked for Gap and then Louis Feraud, organising fashion shows, along with roles in retail management and wholesale sales.
Passing it on
With accounts in the UK, Barbados and the Bahamas and regular travel to Paris and Germany she recalls: “When I look back I now realise how lucky I was, the job and perks no longer exist…and I was privileged enough to attend couture shows in Paris”. In 2002, Carla left full time employment and focused on seasonal work selling collections from De Keyser’s London showrooms, until she went to live in Greece in 2010. In 2012 Carla started working with her family’s business and now holds the role of Director of Sales. Carla reflects: “Manor House gave me such belief in myself that I have never let it stand in my way. I joined the Friends as I wanted to help grow our Manor House Parent Community ”.
BEYOND THE MANOR
January 2020 – Issue 1
Passing it on Fritha Vincent & Secret Projects Fritha Mason (nee Vincent), Class of 1995 Fritha Mason (nee Vincent) is the granddaughter of Manor House School Headmistress, Joan Findlay. She attended Manor House School from the age of eight to sixteen, leaving in 1995. Fritha’s innate passion for social change not only shaped her education but also her career. At eighteen, she took up a place at Newcastle University to study Social Change and went on to forge a successful career as a charity fundraiser. Fritha spent two years as a fundraiser with local charity, Rainbow Children’s Charity before moving on to take up a role within the fundraising team at Save the Children. Following this, she spent many years working as the Project Manager, Fundraiser and latterly as CEO for Adventure Ashram, a small charity that supports grassroots health, education and anti-trafficking NonGovernmental Organisations (NGO) in India. It was during her time with Adventure Ashram that Fritha began her transformation into becoming the social entrepreneur that she is today, when she founded Secret Projects in 2014. Secret Projects is an organisation that drives female led micro- enterprises in India to empower women through the making and selling of clothing and homeware.
Passing it on
Fritha is particularly proud that two famous and staple products of Secret Projects have links back to Manor House School. The Secret Pillow, a charming pillow that unfolds into a blanket, was first made by Manor House mother, Stephanie Rosdol. When Fritha saw these pillows, she fell in love with their clever design and vowed that houses all over the world would feature them. The Secret Sari Dress, a clever wrap-around dress, (made from a sari and folds neatly into a small and neat pocket) was designed by one of Fritha’s best friends from Manor House, Amy Cowell. Amy is a successful leather sampler and accessories producer of We Wear Teal and Turquoise Studios. Secret Projects has recently undergone an exciting change and has transformed into a Community Benefit Society, which means that people can now buy Community Shares in the organisation and, with others, own the business. Fritha would like to invite Manor House girls to become investors and wants to say a huge thank you to all those who have already invested. The Community Share Offer ends on 29 February. INVEST HERE Reflecting on her Manor House days, Fritha remembers: “I was loved me for who I was. I was never asked to be anyone different. Manor House gave me a rock solid self-belief and a group of best friends”.
BEYOND THE MANOR
January 2020 – Issue 1
Events & Invitations 23 -25 March 2020 – Senior Production “Half a Sixpence • This year’s Senior Production ‘Half a Sixpence’ will be performed in the Elizabeth Green Hall on Monday 23, Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 March, at 7.00pm. • Tickets cost £13.50 plus a 15p booking fee per ticket and once purchased are non-refundable. • Tickets can be purchased using the following link: https://www.trybooking.co.uk/PKN • For booking enquiries please contact: lmccartney@manorhouseschool.org 25 April 2020 - Alumni Netball match • We are inviting old girls to form Alumni teams to play each other in a friendly and sociable Netball game followed by nibbles and bubbles and a chance to catch up with old friends. • Register individually or as a team. • Contact Sophie Milton for more information or to register on smilton@manorhouseschool.org 19 June 2020 - Rock & Pop Concert
Events & Invitations
For the first time, starting this year, we would like to invite Alumni to join the School Orchestra and/or the School Choirs at the Rock & Pop concert. NB The Orchestral music is for Grade 3 and above in difficulty. For those wishing to take part, sheet music and audio files will be made available to facilitate practice in your own time. To register your interest, please email Jessica Harman (nee Ward) on jharman@manorhouseschool.org with your voice type (sop/alto) and/or instrument and grade. 12 September 2020 - Centenary Heritage Picnic • Manor House School will be celebrating its 100 years during the 2020-21 academic year, starting with a Centenary Picnic to coincide with National Heritage Week. • There will be an extensive archive photo display celebrating the different decades at Manor House, along with music and entertainment throughout the day. • Bring a picnic, bring your friends and family, all welcome. More details to follow in the next Newsletter. 8 May 2021 - Centenary Ball
• Save the date! A Centenary Ball is planned to mark the end of our year of celebrations on Saturday 8 May 2021. • The event will be open to current parents and Alumni, more details to follow later this year.
BEYOND THE MANOR
January 2020 – Issue 1
From the archives “The Manor House”
by Liz Marriott, MHS librarian
The Manor House of Little Bookham was built in 1740. It suffered a fire at the turn of the twentieth century and although the house repaired and refurbished, it soon fell into disrepair again. The Manor House and the Lordship were bought by Miss Elizabeth Green in 1936.
From the archives
As the founders of the school, Elizabeth Green and Lillian Wheeler, became joint headmistresses, with a roll of fifty girls and three boys. The school needed more space as numbers grew, particularly a hall which could be used for assemblies, Drama and PE; so having just moved in, workmen began the foundations on a new wing, situated on the left hand side of the house.
Work started in September 1937 and ‘Arcot Hall’ was ready for an opening ceremony on November 25, just two months later. Miss Green needed a new permanent base for her school and in 1937 the school moved from a rented wing in Mickleham House, near Box Hill, to the Manor House. The house had been empty for some time, so the rooms needed updating and altered to provide classrooms and accommodation for boarders.
Any comments or suggestions? Email: Sophie Milton on smilton@manorhouseschool.org.