Prior's Field - Field Notes Magazine 2020

April 2019–September 2020

Prior’s Field Old Girls’ Magazine

She's cracked it!

When a hobby turns into a global sell-out competition Photo: Euan Cherry

Page 10–11

Mountains, oceans, beaches - our adventurers know no bounds

Learning Through Lockdown: Old Girls turning the pandemic into a positive

PF Old Girl is first reporter to interview ‘Captain Tom’

Page 16–19

Page 22–26

Page 24

Head’s welcome Dear Alumnae, On the very first day of remote learning back in March 2020, I was thrilled to hear that every pupil had successfully logged on to the school system. I was proud of the girls for being so diligent and prepared to continue with their studies, despite the circumstances, and very impressed with how calm and focused they were. Their measured response is an example to us all.

The provision of remote learning, internationally and across time zones, has not been a service that many schools have had to consider until this year. Lessons had to be taught virtually to girls in locations from Godalming to Africa! There is no denying that it was a challenge to respond quickly and effectively to the immediate need which arose almost overnight. Since then, though, teachers have become accustomed to the new way of working and are embracing that challenge with creativity and innovation. We have had a positive reaction from the girls who, I think, were very relieved to come back to school for the normality and routine it provides.

We saw so many wonderful initiatives across the school during the summer.

Girls worked together despite being apart, and this is reflected in our Old Girl community, too. This is especially obvious in the Learning Through Lockdown pages further in. I was amazed to read about all our adventurous Old Girls in this edition who have put barriers aside and have gone for it! An attitude that we like to encourage at Prior’s Field today.

Tracy Kirnig, Head

Editor’s Note

Contents

9 14

If someone had said last year when I was writing the editor’s note that the magazine would be delayed because of a global pandemic, I don’t think I would have believed them. It has been heartening to read how some of our Old Girls have remained positive and have started new businesses, made time to reconnect with old friends and have raised money for charity, all during a very difficult time.

Due to the delay, there is even more to cram into this edition, with ‘adventure’ emerging as a clear theme. Our Old Girls have scaled Mont Blanc, been pushed to their limits on the Inca Trail, broken through ice with a sledgehammer for a swim, and sailed across the Pacific Ocean on a 38 foot boat. It’s all in here!

4 School News

20 Events, Reunions & Visits

6 Archive Project

22 Learning Through Lockdown

8 Making Memories

27 Former Staff and Friends Ambassador

9 Powered by Plants and Eco Schools 10 Cover Story: A Smash Hit for Alice

28 OG News & Achievements 29 Making Connections 30 Old Girl of the Year 2020

12 Charity and PF Foundation 31 Tying the Knot 14 Family Matters 32 Welcome to the World 15 PF Community Website 33 Remembering Joan Blake 16 Adventures 34 We Remember

Sadly, many of the events we had planned in 2020 were cancelled, but we still have a lot to report and have hosted a couple of events online. We hope we will see you online, soon.

It has been a bumper year for our Archivist who has received many items for the ever-growing Milton Archive Store Room where we house your memorabilia, photograph albums, uniform and much more in special acid-free, archival-quality boxes. Only the best!

To finish, I hope you have had a chance to see the newly launched PF Community website.

Published in the thick of Lockdown 1, over 300 Prior’s Field Old Girls, former teachers, former staff and former parents have registered, enjoying news, interviews, our Women in Business Directory, the PF Mentoring Scheme and hundreds of photos.

Let’s hope we can resume our in-person tours and events soon and welcome you back to Prior’s Field, safely, in 2021.

Polly Murray (OG 1995–2000) Alumnae Officer Contact us Email: alumnae@priorsfieldschool.com Phone: 01483 813461 Web: https://community.priorsfieldschool.com Follow us on social media by searching for our groups: Prior’s Field Alumnae

12

@pfalumnae

19

@pfalumnae Prior’s Field School Alumnae GSA Girls’ Boarding & Day School 11–18 Prior’s Field, Priorsfield Road, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 2RH

School News From the front line Life Before Lockdown The notion of school news seems very different when we look back over the last few months. It would be possible to think that having gone into lockdown in March 2020 that there would not be much to report, but there was most definitely a life before lockdown and the school was as lively as ever in 2019, as seen in these images.

It was all happening at PF, including the whole-school production of Chicago, a debating contest, the annual Rock and Pop concert, House cross country, a hockey and netball tour to Malaysia and so much more - it would be hard to document it all!

Chicago 2019

Overcoming Challenges In the early stages of the lockdown and in true PF style, we battled through a week of learning online before the Easter holiday, then gathered together, debated, planned and started back in April 2020 with practically every element of school life online.

Assemblies and tutor time saw the girls convene for pastoral catchups. Clubs and activities charged ahead with physical, mental and creative practical challenges and competitions each week. Well-being also being a key concern. Soon, the school email airways were buzzing with images of girls creating and achieving.

Third Form bonding

First Day of PF

One of our most important goals was to ensure that those girls due to sit public exams were occupied, academically engaged and still felt part of school life. To fill the gap left by the lack of exams we devised a series of step-up courses for both post GCSE and post A-level study.

This allowed the girls the opportunity to do some highly satisfying in-depth research, involving digital presentations, dissertation-style essays and creative arts pieces.

A Team Effort Using Microsoft technology such as Teams, Streams and additional kit such as iPads and cameras, we taught, marked, had assembly, ran PE and Sports Day, clubs, charity initiatives and performed drama and music with over twelve productions making it onto our very own YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/priorsfieldtv We ran parents meetings via Zoom, had virtual Meet the Head events and even created our very own and very special virtual Speech Day. The Sixth Form leavers each submitted a video of themselves taking a virtual walk across the stage (in their gardens!) as they would during the real thing, dressed to impress, which was compiled into a wonderful video accompanied by our Jazz Band.

4

Field Notes – Prior’s Field Old Girls’ Magazine

Boarders' House Meeting

Speech Day 2020

Class of 2020 The Class of 2020 had an academic year like no other in our history. We are so proud of their resilience and determination to keep going. After several dramatic weeks surrounding the awarding of exam grades, we were delighted that our girls achieved the wonderful results they had been working so diligently to reach over the last few years. It was so hard not to allow them the usual hugs and whoops of joy as they joined us, socially distanced, in August 2020 to collect their grades.

A-Level Results 2020

A-level Results Day 2020

Flying the PF Nest We waved the girls off with a sad but happy heart having gained places on some varied courses and at wonderful destinations such as Leeds, Nottingham, Surrey, Exeter and Plymouth. We were particularly proud that, yet again, we had a successful Oxbridge outcome and we wish Imogen Rowe (OG 2013–2020), pictured above, left, all the best for her Music degree with a Choral Scholarship at the University of Cambridge. Proof once again that PF is The Place to Achieve for girls of so many different talents.

GCSE Results Day 2020

Never has the school motto seemed so important in 2020 and we hope that we can all Live by Admiration, Hope and Love. #AtPFAndBeyond

We live by Admiration, Hope and Love 5

Archive Project Get up close to the 1900s Following the launch of the Prior’s Field Archive Online, which was celebrated at a packed-out event in October 2019, we have continued to build up our digitised archive platform. A professionally scanned copy of the earliest of the school’s large format photograph albums, has now been made available. This enables us to get closer than ever before to the photographs, without having to worry about damaging them.

This work was jointly funded by the Milton Archive Endowment and the PF Marketing Department, along with donations from the Community and it is hoped that the other more recent albums will be made available in the same way.

We would be grateful for your donations to help us maintain and expand this valuable resource. https://archive.priorsfieldschool.com

Archive Store We are pleased to report that our Milton Archive Store Room in Field Wing is now in full and constant use. This picture shows a group of First Form pupils who visited the store room to deposit a time capsule containing letters they had written to their future self. When they leave school, they will be shown their letters, to see what has changed in that time. One First Form girl said "The Archive Store is so special." We hope to allow pupils back into the store when it is safe to do so.

Founder's Day 2019 The Founder's Day assembly pulled together archive research and family testimonies to tell the life of Prior’s Field’s second Headmistress, Ethel Ann Burton-Brown. Volunteer archive researchers and former PF Parents, Lizanne Milton and Elaine Sibley, kindly went to Cambridge to discover more about Ethel Ann’s time studying History at Girton College.

In addition, personal accounts from the family were provided by Ethel Ann’s grandson, Micky Burton-Brown, who we were thrilled to welcome to the event. Mr Burton-Brown was a hit with the audience who were fascinated to hear Prior’s Field described as his 'family home'.

Mrs Burton-Brown (b. 1868) was an outstanding scholar who first came to Prior’s Field in 1904 to lecture to the girls on Italian art. By that time, aged 36, she had already lived in India and Italy, written a book on Roman archaeology, and had five children. Her ideals and visions mirrored those of Julia Huxley and the pair quickly became close friends, with Mrs Burton-Brown becoming joint Headmistress in 1906.

She remained as Headmistress until her death in 1927, having instilled generations of Prior’s Field girls with a unique love and understanding of her beloved Italian art.

To read more of Mrs Burton-Brown’s story, please visit the ‘Featured Articles’ section of the Archive Online website: https://archive.priorsfieldschool.com within the 'Browse' tab.

6

Field Notes – Prior’s Field Old Girls’ Magazine

Mrs Burton-Brown with twins, Christopher and Theo and daughter Beatrice

More treasures than ever

Interesting research in the Archive In March 2020, the week before the UK national lockdown, we welcomed Alison Bashford (pictured left of Head, Tracy Kirnig) of the University of New South Wales who is writing a biography of members of the Huxley family, including our founder, Julia Huxley and her husband Leonard.

Professor Bashford was able to get a sense of the buildings and landscape that come through so strongly in Julian and Aldous Huxley’s earliest childhood papers, and saw the earliest documents from the Archive which relate to Mrs Huxley’s short but extremely influential time at Prior’s Field.

Whilst researching the Huxley papers at Rice University, Texas, she came across quite a few references to Prior's Field which she has shared with us. They included this humorous illustration almost certainly painted by Aldous Huxley, c. 1905.

Professor Bashford’s book, The Huxley Dynasty.

An Intimate History of Evolution will be published in 2021.

An intriguing Discovery Since the last issue, we have helped the Discovery Channel with their research for a programme on climber, George Mallory. He was married to Ruth Turner (OG 1908–1910). It is said that he took a photograph of Ruth with him on his ill-fated expedition to Everest in 1924, intending to leave it on the summit. We were able to provide the show’s researcher with two photographs of Ruth at Prior’s Field. The photograph shows Ruth standing next to her sister Mildred.

When Mallory’s body was found 75 years later in 1999, Ruth’s photograph was not with it. Does that mean that the photo reached the summit?

Linking with Academics It is our aim to raise the profile of the PF Archive amongst academic researchers. To that end, we have established a link with the Centre for the History of Women’s Education at the University of Winchester. Recognising the importance of our collections, the Centre’s convener Dr Helen Loader said “We are all fascinated and excited to hear of your archive, which is obviously an important resource.” As a result, we have been invited to contribute to various related blogs and publications in the coming months.

We look forward to sharing that work with you.

Perhaps the lockdown sparked some sorting at home, as donations to the PF Archive have come in thick and fast. Here are some of the highlights.

Jo Prudence (PF 2002– 2016), former philosophy teacher and Head of Sixth Form, sent us photographs of school trips to Venice and Verona and Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk.

Marilyn Back née Richmond-Watson (OG 1958–1963) shared photographs of a staff tennis match in summer 1958, above.

Desiree Roderick née Johnson-Houghton (OG 1934–1937) sent us a letter from Headmistress, Beatrice Burton-Brown, thanking the Old Girls for their generous gift on her retirement.

Sarah Priday (OG 1970–1977) kindly gave us a school prospectus and the original receipt her father received from the school upon payment of entrance fees.

Bee Grant-Peterkin née Jensen (OG 1960–1965) sent us her tie and girdle (pictured) to add to our uniform collection.

Terence Brightmore, the grandson of Mary Vera Paramore (OG 1919–1921), donated some photographs and a brochure from his grandmother’s time at the school.

We are very grateful to all of our donors.

How can you help?

If you would like to help sort, catalogue, research and more, please contact our Archivist, Jo Halford: archives@ priorsfieldschool.com We live by Admiration, Hope and Love 7

Making Memories Documenting memories that were made at Prior's Field is important, so that we can form a picture of what the school was like through the decades. Here are some memories from our Old Girls from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Caroline Shelton née Nicholls (OG 1953–1956, Former Staff) I have a photo of Bice at my wedding in 1962, in Chelsea Old Church. She gave us a pair of white Wedgwood ceramic shells which survived seven years in India and thirty in Australia and are now on my dresser in the kitchen-living room here in Saffron Walden, giving me a buzz whenever I look at them.

Jean Le Maitre née Finlay (OG 1954–1959) The summer terms were always warm and sunny. It was the term when we swam at the Charterhouse swimming pool, having to run the gauntlet of passing boys as we got to the pool door. I had piano lessons with Miss Bedlington and when music exams loomed, we had ‘fright parties’ where a group of staff listened as we performed our exam programme, presumably with the purpose of it being more alarming that the actual exam!

Christine Lim née Wilkinson (OG 1959–1963) I remember…our Headmistress Miss Chinneck, playing tennis on the lawn, lacrosse matches, picking raspberries and gooseberries in the fruit cage, early Sunday morning walks to Compton church, Miss Polanski our Art teacher - which is where I was when the news of President Kennedy's assassination was announced, the gymnasium/hall for daily assembly and, of course, for the dreaded exams!

Rosanna Cameron née Grotrian (OG 1960–1963) I, too, travelled to school on the Flying Scotsman and knew Alex Crabbie. After reading her article in Field Notes 2018, I feel a need to salvage the reputation of Miss Le Maitre’s cottage! I spent two terms there and found it rather a sanctuary!

I enjoyed being away from the noise of the main school. The tree branches were close enough to the window at the back to see the world of the birds.

Sukey Pullen née Cameron (OG 1968–1973) As juniors, we weren’t really allowed in the Rose Garden, but I do remember being in there in the Sixth Form. We were not allowed in the Oak Hall unless we were seeing Mrs Hiles! In the first year, during a Governors’ meeting, we leant over the banisters, smelling the cigar smoke and listening in! Our dorm we called the 'Aquarium' was above the Oak Hall stairs (we were forbidden to use them).

8

Field Notes – Prior’s Field Old Girls’ Magazine

Eco Schools

Powered

by plants

How turning Vegan helped Bronwyn’s health

Roundup

Prior's Field had a busy start to the last school year, including hosting an MSc Student from the Centre for Sustainability at Surrey University. Mack Craighead did his work placement with us and shared his research on how we could work towards carbon neutrality.

His findings highlighted how food waste was a major contributor to our carbon footprint and that clearly supported our Eco Club’s work to promote ‘Zero Waste Lunchtimes’ as well as our ‘Meat Free Mondays’.

Bronwyn Coles née Bourke (OG 2000–2007) I suffered with eczema nearly all my life and it became severe during pregnancy with my second baby.

I was willing to try anything; light therapy, steroids and creams, but these were always short-term fixes which came with a host of side effects. Making the choice to be a vegan was the best decision I could have made as not only has my eczema disappeared, it has made me examine my outlook on life and the example I set for my children. I knew my choice has an overwhelming power to reduce harm to me, animals and the planet.

Food manufacturing and farming are on the brink of great change.

With impending catastrophic climate shifts, we, as a global community, need to examine how we source and manage our food resources. Overall, we are mostly aware that beef and other meats are damaging the planet, and we farm crops such as palm oil and soya in sustainable ways, but quietly in labs and on small farms across the globe there is a hopeful revolution.

The Sixth Form Climate Crew continue to do their bit, recycling their crisp and biscuit packaging

Since March, most of our EcoSchools work has had to be virtual. We ran a week-long Eco Club during the summer term, which coincided with World Water Day and The World Bee Count, so we did our best to make everyone aware of how they could be involved. Some of us now know how tricky it is to get a bee to pose for a photograph!

You may ask how you as an individual can help encourage the sustainable production of food and lower your own carbon footprint. Ultimately, having a plant-based diet is the easiest and quickest way for you to make an impact, but if that seems a little too much, buying local produce from farms that use slower farming methods and who encourage biodiversity is an excellent way your money can make an impact.

Now that we are back at school, the Sixth Form have been leading the way, promoting our most recent project. Our aim is to recycle crisp and biscuit wrappers as part of a TerraCycle project in conjunction with Walkers Crisps. The Sixth Form boarders also had their own cinema night watching David Attenborough’s Extinction: The Facts. We have also launched our first edition of the PF Climate Crew Bulletin. This is an internal newsletter to keep staff and students informed of what we are doing at school and how everyone can contribute to our sustainability work.

I believe ‘We live by Admiration, Hope and Love’ is a motto that we can continue to live by, and will help inspire all of us as Old Girls to look for a more sustainable future for our planet.

In the meantime, we continue to promote the reduction of waste, reusing, recycling and energy saving. The work never stops!

Bronwyn and her husband held their wedding in the grounds of Prior’s Field in 2015.

Catrin Treanor, Head of Geography We live by Admiration, Hope and Love 9

Cover Story

A Smash Hit

for Alice Alice Goodridge (OG 1998–2005) On 2nd February 2019, I unexpectedly found myself on the front page of The Times (and other national newspapers…and now Field Notes) with a sledgehammer!

The cover photo was taken by the talented Euan Cherry. Although I knew Euan was a press photographer, I never thought that a photo of me smashing ice to go for a swim at Loch Insh in the Highlands would be so far-reaching. I have had so many lovely messages from people all over the world as a result of people seeing my photo.

roup

mers g

wim Wild S

10 Field Notes – Prior’s Field Old Girls’ Magazine

I have a background in adventure travel operations and environmental research, which has led me to work all over the world. This meant I was lucky enough to swim in some amazing places along the way, including glacial lakes in the Arctic Circle, mountain lakes in China and Kyrgyzstan, spring-fed rivers in Nigeria and around tropical islands off the coast of Sierra Leone.

In 2012, I swam the English Channel. Luckily the water temperature wasn’t that extreme. It was about 16 degrees and because I’d acclimatised over the previous couple of years, I didn’t find it cold at all.

In 2014, I moved to the Highlands and started exploring the local lochs, swimming round castles and dipping in river pools and under waterfalls. I fell in love with the incredible mountain lochs and stunning beaches of the west coast and the islands. Having set up several open water swimming groups in the South of England, I was keen to share my enthusiasm for outdoor swimming in Scotland and set up the Cairngorm Wild Swimmers group, pictured, which has grown from just a handful of regular dippers to a thriving community of hardy all-year-round swimmers. It’s a really nice social thing to do, a little bit crazy but then it’s nice to do something crazy with a bunch of other crazy people!

More recently in 2018, I swam the length of Loch Lomond. It was really tough, temperature-wise because it was about 14 degrees Celsius. We did it overnight, so the air temperature went down to about four degrees and I got really cold. I’d never been that cold for that long, for about ten hours and the only thing that kept me going was that I knew I could deal with that water temperature.

I also swam the IISA Ice mile which is a mile in water less than five degrees Celsius without a wetsuit. Some of us do put our faces in and swim front crawl. I get a bit of brain freeze to start with though!

Around my coaching, development workshops or swimming retreats, I plan to undertake more solo swims in Scotland, including the length of Loch Awe, Scotland’s longest freshwater loch at 25.5 miles/41 km.

© Euan Cherry

Since these photos were published, I have taken a big leap and I dived into doing what I love, full-time. I set up SwimWild to introduce people to the joys of outdoor swimming. I coach beginners and experienced swimmers in the pool and open water, and organise events and adventures that bring the outdoor swimming community together.

One such event is the The Scottish Winter Swimming Championships. It is amazing (and quite surreal) when an idea you had a couple of years ago turns into a competition that sells out in just a few hours with nearly 300 swimmers competing from all over Scotland and the rest of the UK. In addition, we were so pleased to welcome competitors from Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Finland and Latvia.

© Euan Cherry

Find out more about Alice’s wild swimming: Website: www.swimwilduk.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ groups/285624335203726/ Watch Women In The Wild video: https://vimeo.com/wildernessscotland

We live by Admiration, Hope and Love 11

Charity 100 Stories Helena Traill (OG 2008–2015) This project started towards the end of my Graphic Communication Design degree at Central Saint Martins in January 2019. But the ideas started before then, so let me explain my story.

After studying A-level Fine Art, Photography and Textiles at Prior’s Field, I went on to do an Art Foundation at Central Saint Martins. I ticked the wrong box on the application form so ended up on the Graphic Design pathway which ended up being a happy mistake! It turned out that Graphic Design was perfect for me because it mixed all the things I love doing: image making and storytelling.

My father has two cancerous brain tumours which cause epilepsy and I wondered if, through my art, I could break down stigmas by telling stories in an honest way. A few weeks later I decided to base my final major project on the ‘Big C’.

Creating 100 Stories of Cancer My initial research was based on cancer stories in the public eye. I thought that many adverts, films and articles were not presented in an honest way, so my aim was to tell cancer stories and spark open discussion.

I contacted a family friend, Vix (story number 99) and she told me about the charity Cancer On Board. They use a badge, much like TFL’s Baby on Board badge, which encourages open conversation amongst commuters. A few weeks later I met James, the founder of Cancer On Board. I asked if I could use his badge and symbol as part of my project.

I created social media accounts and James helped me spread the word to collect stories and make portraits.

To my surprise, within a month or so, I had conducted fifteen face-to-face interviews, emailed over 200 people and made 123 portraits. I was amazed by the sheer number of stories and moved by the trust people showed in talking to me. They had no idea what I was going to create.

rter “I launched a Kicksta in edia campaign on social m ed £9,410.”

October 2019 and rais From the filmed interviews, I had over five hours of footage.

I spent days listening back to each interview and tried to make a storyline out of the dialogue. The topics included: people who ‘get it’, people who don’t ‘get it’, children’s reactions, community, diagnosis, doctors’ language, emotions, normalising the conversation, open conversation, remission, social media, side effects and preconceptions.

We also discussed the struggle to arrive at a clear picture of cancer because it comes in over 200 forms.

I launched a Kickstarter campaign on social media in October 2019 and raised £9,410 which helped pay for the book production and printing. Creating the book itself was a learning curve for me as this was the first time I’d made something on this scale. I chose the paper at G.F Smith in London and they mocked up a book with my paper choice.

Being able to hold a blank book to the exact specifications of what 100 Stories would become was so exciting, but it all started to come together when I received the proofs (pictured). I also made some bookmarks using the Cancer On Board symbol and these were being sold as part of the Kickstarter campaign. I wrote an introduction to the book and then the typesetting took place. One of my favourite parts was seeing the book being printed at Ripping Image, near Heathrow. The pages whizzed through at record speed and they piled up high.

12 Field Notes – Prior’s Field Old Girls’ Magazine

The campaign grew traction on social media and to raise awareness, I was interviewed in the Farnham Herald.

We held the book launch at Maggie’s Centre, West London, which included a live storytelling session and live music. Old Girls Rebecca Gwyther (OG 2008–2015), Anna Blades (2008–2015), Victoria Stockford (OG 2008–2015) and Lucy Collins (OG 2010–2017) all came to support me.

So, this is how I ended up with a 452 page book. A book which, I hope, can help many people. Maybe it actually encloses 101 stories – because one of them is mine.

To find out more and to purchase the 100 Stories Book, go to 100storiesbook.com

Canvas4Charity Emma Kendall (OG 2008–2013) Whilst watching everyone achieve amazing things during lockdown, I wanted to do my bit and combine my passion for conservation and wildlife with one of my favourite hobbies; photography. Despite still working full-time in public relations, I spent my free time over a two month period creating my first photography project, Canvas4Charity, to help support Tusk, an African wildlife charity.

Before Covid-19, Africa’s tourism industry was the second fastest growing in the world.

With an almost instantaneous shut down of the tourism industry throughout Africa, conservation efforts have been hit hard. A complete loss of income, increased poaching and hunting of bush meat has had a detrimental impact on Africa's wildlife, putting many endangered species at greater risk than before. This inspired me to start Canvas4Charity, with the aim of raising awareness and funds to support African wildlife conservation.

As part of my Canvas4Charity project, I am selling six of my favourite photographs that I have captured on my travels in Africa, with the profit going to Tusk.

For more information, please visit: https://www.imbaliphotography.co.uk/charity-canvases

Prior’s Field Foundation Fiona Konarek appointed as Chair of the Trustees While my daughter Emma attended PF, the Konarek family all enjoyed being part of the PF Community. I was on the PSA committee throughout her time at school and Chair for the last three years. Now that Emma is at university, I wanted to stay involved with the school, so I am pleased to have been appointed as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Prior’s Field Foundation.

The Foundation is important to me because of its aim to provide an opportunity to girls from disadvantaged backgrounds to attend a school that will nurture them and to help fulfil their potential. The Foundation funds a full boarding Sixth Form place for girls who we think will embrace the PF education and thrive in all that PF has to offer.

I have seen that Prior’s Field’s ethos of taking girls from a broad spectrum while encouraging an inclusive environment, means that the Sixth Form is incredibly supportive of someone new to this type of education. The help they give a new student to adapt to a vastly different life is essential, as is your continued support, for which I thank you.

We live by Admiration, Hope and Love 13

Family Matters Occupational Therapist Anna Burrows (OG 2005–2010) What does an Occupational Therapist do?

An Occupational Therapist (OT) is a health and social care professional who works with individuals to enable them to do occupations after a change in functional ability such as injury, illness or disability.

These occupations include washing, dressing, meal preparation etc. An OT has therapeutic skills to support someone to get back to doing what they need, want and aspire to do in a variety of settings (mental and physical health), in a variety of places (hospitals, schools, community teams) and with different ages.

Journalist Rebecca Haworth née Burrows (OG 2000–2005) What did you do after PF, which got you to where you are now?

I graduated from the University of Birmingham having studied Psychology. I really enjoyed the degree but I had no idea about what I wanted to do afterwards. I took a gap year and went travelling. I had an interest in the media, so I did some voiceover work for Sky, as well some work experience at radio stations in Surrey and a TV production company in London. When I realised I was interested in journalism, I did a Master’s in Broadcast Journalism at City University. It was a lot of hard work.

What inspired you to go down that career path?

I didn’t grow up dreaming about being a journalist, it was my family who were hugely supportive and who were my real inspiration for finding a career I loved. They all have jobs which mean a lot to them, and I wanted that for myself.

How did you get into it? What inspired you?

I came across OT at a point in my life where, due to my own mental health, I was having difficulty participating in day-today occupations. I was assigned an OT who worked with me for three years to help me regain skills. I was inspired by her caring, understanding nature and her ability to engage me in activities.

I volunteered at the activity centre and then worked as an OT assistant at The Meath Epilepsy Charity in Godalming. This enabled me to complete a course which gave me qualifications to study OT at university. I was assigned a range of placements across London, from acute stroke and forensic mental health, to a primary school.

What’s the day in the life of an OT? Currently, I am working in an NHS hospital on a trauma and orthopaedic ward. I work closely with physiotherapy and nursing colleagues to rehabilitate. I come across injuries as a result of a fall, road traffic collisions, horse accidents and work-place related accidents. As part of the OT process, I gain an understanding of an individual’s home environment, previous function (physical and cognitive) and assess their function after surgery. I enjoy getting to know the individuals I am working with and feel a sense of achievement when they are able to return home.

What are your future plans?

I am on a rotational post within the Nottingham Hospital Teaching Trust where I have already gained experience in medicine and surgery. My next rotation will be on a Neurological Rehabilitation Unit. I am keeping my future options open, but I am interested in the new Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Centre for Armed Forces.

I am really passionate about my job and I am excited about the possibilities ahead of me.

What’s the biggest highlight in your career so far?

It has to be going to Camp Bastion in July 2014 for Eagle Radio (pictured). I started at Eagle Radio as an intern and worked my way up to become their Drive-Time news reader and reporter. I managed to persuade the news editor to let me go to Afghanistan to report on the troops there, and how the withdrawal process was going. I spent five days in the camp in the peak of summer; it was around 40-50 degrees every day! I had the chance to explore various parts of the camp, from the working dogs, to the US base.

What’s the day in the life of a reporter?

Working as a regional reporter for ITV Anglia means that no day is ever the same! You wake up with a rough idea as to which story you'll be working on, but if there is breaking news, then all those plans are scrapped and you have to get to the scene as quickly as possible. I often self-shoot, edit and script the reports on my own, but if it's a challenging story to film, I will have a camera crew.

What are your future plans?

14 Field Notes – Prior’s Field Old Girls’ Magazine

I've always been interested in health stories, so perhaps becoming a Health Correspondent could be a next step.

Follow me on Twitter: @beccareports55

An sig y m Ma ns em ph rch up b ber ot 20 et of o, wi 21 w wee the ll b ith n Co of e p a fu now mm ten ut an un ll be into profi d th ity w au e tif a dra le in end ho ul pr w to clud of ize in s! win g a on e

Stay Connected At PF and Beyond In July 2020 we launched the PF Community website for our Old Girls, Former Teachers and Former Parents. Its main objective is to help and support you. Our promise to you is to: • Reignite your PF memories

And more!

• Help to promote your businesses

If you’re at university now, why not join the ‘clubs’ pages?

You can join your specific university club to meet other Old Girls who have either been there or are there now.

• Publish your good news stories • Help you find work experience opportunities • Connect you to your class friends and teachers • Create networking opportunities

We’re friendly - we hope you will join the crowd! #AtPFAndBeyond

• Invite you to events • Show you school photos

https://community. priorsfieldschool.com

We live by Admiration, Hope and Love 15

Adventures Crossing the Pacific Alexa Hohenberg (OG 1995–1997)

possible: to be a female professional snowboarder, to be a female mountaineer, to create a life of freedom and adventure.

ear thy Swimw © SurfWor

It’s safe to say that I have always loved a challenge. Throwing myself into uncomfortable situations, or adventures as I like to call them, is where I have always flourished.

Now residing in Sydney, Australia, a surfer girl with an Australian tan but a British heart, I have created a life that thrives on adventure. Since leaving the UK in 2009, I have filled my life full of them.

Over the last ten years, I chased my biggest passion of all; snowboarding.

Those who knew me at Prior’s Field will remember that snowboarding, listening to Nirvana and causing Miss West all sorts of trouble in the boarding house was all I wanted to do. Aged 31, I left a prestigious career in advertising to qualify as a heliski guide and avalanche professional. The following four years saw me introduce people to what I loved the most; adventure via the deep mountains of Japan and Alaska.

My greatest achievement of all is my website StillStoked.com. A place for women to read the stories that I wished were available when I was younger. The stories of other women doing what I only dreamed could be

I find it hard to say no to opportunities as I follow a ‘you only live once’ mentality. In April 2019, after finishing the winter snowboarding guiding season in Japan, my friend and her partner were sailing their small boat, Finding Avalon, from Panama towards the land down under, across the Pacific Ocean to Tahiti, French Polynesia.

d to say r a h t i d n fi I “ s as I e i t i n u t r o p p o no to only live u o ‘y a w o l l o f y.” once’ mentalit

To sail 4,000+ nautical miles with just two people is quite a challenge so, of course, I jumped at the opportunity to join them.

We set sail from Panama to the Galápagos Islands with a boat full of tinned vegetables, tea and baked beans! We passed through the Doldrums at the equator; the ocean was like a lake. The Galápagos was everything you see on Blue Planet; sea lions everywhere, nipping at

16 Field Notes – Prior’s Field Old Girls’ Magazine

the leg rope of your surfboard. It was a dream come true to sail into such a beautiful, remote and inspiring place. The pristine environment of the Galápagos Islands forced me to assess the damage my own behaviour is having on my surrounding environment and to always seek a way to do better. Small things like choosing a menstrual cup over using tampons, always carrying a metal water bottle and refilling from taps rather than buying plastic bottles, never using straws or plastic bags, or buying food wrapped in plastic and supporting sustainable companies. I wish everyone could see what the world looks like when animals are the majority, and ecosystems are bountiful and healthy.

The Pacific crossing from the Galápagos Islands to The Marquesas Islands took us twenty six days in total. Twenty six beautiful but challenging days of solitude, watching the sun rise and set, the moon wax and wane from the east.

We drew our power from solar panels, our forward movement from the wind, and we trawled two fishing rods to catch a splendid array of yellow fin tuna, albacore tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi.

We were a floating sustainable speck within a giant ocean. We did get the occasional squall of stormy weather, but nevertheless we sailed into the Marquesas Islands smiling. The boat was still in one piece, we were all still friends and we were hungry for some fresh vegetables, French cheese and wine!

I’ll never forget the smell of the land when we reached Hiva Oa in The Marquesas. After being at sea for so long, we became accustomed to the faint smell of sea spray, rotting fish on the boat's deck, or the smell of the delights we were cooking in the galley below. Waking up that morning before sunrise, full of the anticipation of seeing land, and coming up to the top deck, the unique, foreign, sweet smell hit us immediately.

Now back in Sydney, with a new zest for life and a burning passion to motivate others to get outdoors, I am even more driven to turn my life’s work of adventure into a brand and a platform to inspire more people. If I could give any advice to PF Old Girls, it would be that it is only by being bold that we get anywhere in life. The juiciest growth comes from the place you are most uncomfortable sitting in.

That’s where you will find gold, and that’s where you should reside.

More of Alexa’s adventures including crossing the Pacific Ocean, can be found on www.StillStoked.com Follow @Still_Stoked on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter, and on the YouTube channel “Still Stoked”.

Watch Alexa’s ‘A Day in the Life’ video from Finding Avalon: https://linktr.ee/pfalumnae

A Family Trek In Peru Eve Mayhead (OG 2011–2017) During the summer of 2019, I travelled to Peru with my family to walk the Classic Camino Inca Trail. Our trip began in the capital city, Lima, before heading to the ancient capital city, Cusco.

The Inca trail is completed at high altitudes, so in preparation, all trekkers are required to stay in Cusco for a few days to acclimatise, before arriving at the Urubamba Valley (Sacred Valley). As well as my family of four, we got to know the other eight on the trip during our four day expedition.

On the first day we walked for six hours to the first campsite, stopping for lunch at the halfway point. All of the campsites we stayed in had incredible views of the Andes, and because there are no towns or villages on the Inca Trail, there was no running water or electricity.

We had a bowl of water to wash with in the morning and evening, and were woken up by the guides every morning at 5:30am with coca tea. Breakfast usually consisted of porridge made with quinoa, which originates in South America. It was also one of the main components of many of our meals during the trek.

ours climbing h n e v se s u k o to “It eps of the st 0 0 ,0 3 n a th e up mor ach the Dead e r to s ir ta S n a Inc Woman’s Pass.”

The second day of walking is known to be the hardest, as you are walking at an altitude of 13,828 feet over ‘The Dead Woman’s Pass’, appropriately named as it resembles a woman lying down. It took us seven hours climbing up more than 3,000 steps of the Incan Stairs to reach it.

Eve, left, with family

Coca is the leaf which is used to make cocaine, however when it is chewed for about twenty minutes, it opens up the lungs, therefore making it easier to breathe at such high altitudes where the air is thinner and with less oxygen. We all felt the difference before and after chewing the coca leaves - a method the guides and porters have been using for many years.

The third and fourth day of the trek were flatter than the second, however we were still travelling across the mountains. On the final day, the last ascent to Machu Picchu took us to the Sun Gate in Quechan, also known as Inti Punku, which was once the main entrance to the ancient city of Machu Picchu.

When we arrived at Machu Picchu, we all felt such a sense of achievement after four days of difficult terrain, but the panorama of the ancient city was a sight I will never forget.

We live by Admiration, Hope and Love 17

To the beaches and beyond Annalisa Corrigan (OG 1994–1998) As I begin to write this, I realise it was 23 years ago that I left Prior’s Field. Where did the time go? One thing I can tell you is that those 23 years have been quite an adventure!

After I left PF in 1998, I started attending Ceroc dance classes in the evenings. An opportunity was presented one evening when the teacher cancelled at short notice and I was asked if I would jump up onto the stage and take the class! I agreed, nervously, and then afterwards, I was offered a job on a more permanent basis. From there, I went on to set up my own Ceroc franchise in Surrey which became a huge success. At its peak I was running seventeen different dance classes a week, each class had between 30 and 300 people attending and I had 97 part time members of staff working for me. It was hard work but I had some great times and made some fantastic friends along the way.

row caution th to e m r fo e m ti s a “It w business and to the wind, sell my et.” head off into the suns Six years ago, I decided it was time for a change. I had gone almost straight from PF to running my own business from the age of seventeen. I had missed out on travelling and that was something that I really started to crave. After much deliberation and soul searching, I decided it was time for me to throw caution to the wind, sell my business and head off into the sunset on a travel adventure around the world.

My partner Rob and I started to make plans, so that we could be completely free to leave without any commitments. This meant undoing everything that I had built over the past seventeen years, including selling my business, selling our home and everything in it! This was by no means an easy thing to do - especially letting go of the more sentimental items.

Sri Lanka

It took three years to organise and just when we thought that we had everything under control, fate had a little surprise in store for us. I discovered that I was pregnant! It was quite a shock and it left us with a real dilemma. We had just sold everything; a stable business, a family home, most of our belongings and even our two cars! We were about to head off into the unknown on an adventure around the world.

After the initial panic, we decided to stick to our plans and take our little surprise along with us. We left the UK when Leo was six weeks old and so far, he has travelled with us to 17 countries. Leo is almost three and we have had some fantastic adventures so far. We hope to travel for at least the next five years.

We are currently in Sri Lanka and have been here for the past three months. We rented a Tuk Tuk to travel around this beautiful country and explore everything that it has to offer.

So far, we have been on a safari where we saw lots of fantastic wildlife including elephants, leopards, crocodiles and water buffalo. We have been out on the ocean watching blue whales, dolphins and turtles.

The beaches on the south coast are actually home to thousands of turtles, some of which grow to over 6ft in length. We have been in the water swimming with them many times. We have also been lucky enough to witness babies hatching from their nests and slowly making their first journey across the sand towards the ocean that will soon become their new home.

Sri Lanka is an amazing country, with endless soft sandy beaches, exciting hikes through lush green jungle, incredible views from mountain tops and beautiful scenery wherever you look. The local people are some of the friendliest we have met on our travel adventures so far and the food is absolutely delicious! It should come as no surprise that we have decided to extend our visas and stay for a little while longer. This will mean that we can explore the east coast and northern regions, too.

Embarking on this adventure took a huge leap of faith.

Stepping into the unknown, selling all our belongings and giving up everything that was comfortable. There were times when we nearly backed out, but we are so glad that we didn’t, because now we feel an amazing sense of freedom and liberation.

Our journey continues…

Annalisa and family 18

Field Notes – Prior’s Field Old Girls’ Magazine

You can follow our adventure by searching for our travel blog, ‘Along Came Leo’, on YouTube.

Tour du Mont Blanc Lucy Collecott (OG 2009–2014) As part of my Sport and Exercise Science degree at Oxford Brookes, in September 2019, I joined the Tour du Mont Blanc expedition. Our aim was to collect data on the physiological adaptations to exercise at altitude, which would enable us to write the report for our coursework.

The trek itself is 170km, and passes through France, Switzerland and Italy and is usually completed in eleven days. To keep it cost effective, we did it in seven days, which brought the first challenge; we would have to walk for six to eight hours a day on mountain terrain. A typical day generally consisted of three to four hours uphill, lunch, then three to four hours of downhill walking until we got to the refuge. This amount of walking eventually takes a toll on your joints, especially when you are carrying a week’s worth of clothes, food, water, toiletries and first aid.

Good physical fitness was imperative, so I trained five days a week for six weeks in the lead-up to the trek - and still found it challenging at times.

The motivation to continue was very difficult, especially when you are physically exhausted and in lots of pain, but resilience and motivating everyone else even when you are struggling is so important to keep the group morale high.

The experience itself was second to none and the views we witnessed every day were breath-taking.

We had to remind ourselves to take in the scenery when all we wanted to do was keep our heads down and put one foot in front of the other. The mountain refuges we stayed in were beautiful, but remote; the only way they could get supplies to us was by helicopter. Phone signal was rare, so it was very nice to leave behind the world of social media and spend time with friends.

The overwhelming feeling of pride and camaraderie when you finally reach Les Houches again at the end is amazing and I will look back on the experience with fond memories and would highly recommend it to others.

The trek taught me a lot, and showed me how hard I can push myself.

My main findings showed that there was a decrease in percentage body fat, whilst fat-free mass and quadriceps mass both increased as a result of completing sustained exercise at a moderate altitude.

Rock Star Ros Fomin (OG 2014–2016) Mack and I live in the Peaks, and spend our weekends climbing, hiking and mountain biking. As our bigger adventure plans have been put on hold, due to the pandemic, we took to adventures closer to home; discovering local walks.

We keep in touch with Jeremy Hepworth (former PF teacher), and have climbed with him on the coast a couple of times. In January, we are planning a winter ascent of Ben Nevis. With the evenings drawing in we have charged our head torches so that we are still able to get out in the Peaks despite the dark and rain!

Mack and Ros met on a plane to Vancouver and they plan to marry in June 2022.

We live by Admiration, Hope and Love 19

ns Events & Reunio

Old Girl Penny Hawker née Dening hosted the West Sussex Lunch for Old Girls in the local area. Making cooking for 14 look like a breeze, Penny welcomed us all to her house in Chichester on a perfect sunny day in May 2019.

We were pleased that another set of Old Girls came back to talk to the Lower Sixth about their career choices.

Guest speaker Virginia Stourton (OG 1951– 1954) (L) and recipient of the Old Girl of the Year Award 2019, Emily Lamb (OG 1997– 2002), (R), at Speech Day 2019.

Rosie Capps, Anastasia Paterson, Izzy Healy, Natasha David, Kate Bodie and Alumnae Officer Polly Murray talking about the new PF Mentoring Scheme.

We hosted a group of Old Girls from 1990 who stayed the night in the Sixth Form House for their Sleepover Reunion in 2019.

Jemma Tricket née Phillips (OG 1990–1995) caught up with school friends for Gin Yershon née Armitage's 40th birthday. From left to right Gin Yershon, Harriet Hoult, Jemma Trickett, Melody Woodford, Louise Andrews née Davies, Georgie Hart.

Recent Leaver Reunion 2019 from Class of 2016–2019 at the Inn on the Lake, Godalming (L-R) Megan Wood, Bea Dando, Abi Edge, Phoebe Janssen, Sammi Herring, Martha Simmonds.

Well done to PF's Archivist, Jo Halford, for a successful Archive Online Launch in 2019.

Deputy Head, Mr Andrew Taylor, caught up with Vogue China's former Senior Fashion Style Editor, Grace Lam (OG 1986–1991) and also hosted a group of Old Girls for a reunion in the Sheraton Hotel, Hong Kong in October 2019.

Liv Goode (OG 2005–2012) and her OG mother, Kathy Goode (OG 1967–1973) during Heritage Open Day 2019.

Hettie Maylam (R) met Pippa Hemmings (OG 1995–2000) (L) after 19 years on the other side of the world in Port Noarlunga, Australia.

PF Connections Due to the pandemic, PF Connections has been postponed to Thursday 16th September 2021.

It’s the second of a series of networking events that we are hosting for you, with guest speakers from a range of industries.

Held at the prestigious Lincoln’s Inn, you’ll be in for a great evening!

Tickets and information: https://community.priorsfieldschool.com/events

20 Field Notes – Prior’s Field Old Girls’ Magazine

Old Girl Visits

Malak Fouad (OG 1985–1990) came to look around the school in April 2019.

Julie Larke née Alder (OG 1984–1989) and Michelle Allan (OG 1984–1991).

Becca Templeton (OG 1989–1991) and Tilly came for a tour of boarding and a knock-up on the court!

Anthea Williamson (OG 1983–1988) with husband Lawrence and son Theodore during a visit to the UK from Australia.

Saskia Lawrence (OG 2012– 2016) is at Durham studying Physical Geography and Ilse Hughes (OG 2010–2017) is at Merrist Wood.

Hannah Bradbury, Caroline Healey, Abby Thomson and Sophie Douglas (OGs 1991–1996/8) in August 2019.

They had some hilarious memories of their time at school.

Hayley Roberts née Warner (OG 1991–1997) came to see the school production of Chicago in June 2019.

Lauren Gomes (OG 2011–2018) and Tiffany Ng (OG 2014– 2018) visiting during a break from Nottingham University.

Dr Smith and Sue Ann Law (OG 2000–2005) during a trip to the UK from Hong Kong.

Tiggy Wheaton and Rosie Spicer (OG 2009–2014) came for a tour.

Rosi Robinson (OG 1960-1965), judged the Inter-House Art Competition in March 2020.

Maddie Boden (OG 2005–2009), (L), came for a tour. She is doing a PHD in History of Art and lectures at York University.

Maddy Simmonds (OG 2009–2016) gave a lecture at PF as part of her degree in Zoology at Exeter.

Ellen Bryden (OG 2007–2014), Head of Music at Bishop David Brown School in Woking, judged the House Music Competition.

Jo Halford and I met 100 year old Eloise Pack (OG 1934–1936) in Winchester. She was full of life and loved talking about her days at Prior's Field. It was a pleasure to meet such a warm-hearted and inspiring Old Girl - a trip we won't forget!

We live by Admiration, Hope and Love 21

Learning Through

Lockdown During the summer of 2020 we asked Old Girls for stories of how they have dealt with the pandemic in a positive way. From interviewing the beloved Captain Sir Tom Moore to starting up online businesses, we have found comfort in their successes throughout this unusual year.

Loggia Marketing Gabriella Loggia (OG 2010–2017) I began modelling in 2014 and used Instagram to promote myself to clients, engage with my audience and increase my following. This is where my interest in social media started. Throughout this time, I found my passion for photography and quickly fell in love with the marketing power social media creates and the influence that one individual post can have on someone.

I did Photography and Business A-levels at Prior’s Field as I wanted to grow my knowledge of both subjects. When I finished school, I proceeded with my modelling career where I worked with well-known brands Stella McCartney, Freya Lingerie and Marie Claire Sportswear. This allowed me to see what life was like both in front and behind the camera, whilst also growing my network within the marketing industry.

In 2018 I started a career in digital marketing. I worked in-house for two years and soon realised that I wanted to run my own business. I felt that this would be the best way to push myself and advance in my career. Having dyslexia meant that I struggled at school and tests weren’t my strong point. I thought life would reflect this, however I was determined to prove myself wrong. During lockdown I found that digital marketing, as well as social media marketing, had a steep growth trajectory and decided that now would be a great time to put my love and passion for all things social and digital to good use. I started Loggia Marketing on my own; building the website, registering as a sole-trader and organising my finances - invoicing, budgeting, forecasting, outcome sheets. I used my people skills and confidence I gained in my modelling career to gather clients prior to launching my business. It has been challenging to say the least, but definitely worth it.

Spreading Cheer During Lockdown Jessica Meins (OG 1999–2004) During lockdown, in order to raise money for the halow project, I produced twenty six pieces of illustration and poetry, inspired by the essays on Delight by JB Priestly. Each piece was designed to cheer people up during this trying time and depicted a delightful thing with examples including cars, yoga, reading, the seaside and dogs. All proceeds went to the halow project and so far I have raised over £500.

One particular piece, named Florence, was inspired by an Art/ History of Art trip taken to the city during my time at Prior's Field with girls who are my close friends to this day.

Loggia Marketing is a consultancy that offers services across social media and digital marketing.

A few of my pieces are still for sale so please consider buying one for this great cause: www.jessicameins.com. The halow project helps young people aged 19-35 with learning difficulties live a more independent life and is based in Guildford, Surrey.

www.loggiamarketing.com

www.halowproject.org.uk

22 Field Notes – Prior’s Field Old Girls’ Magazine

Isolation 21st Century Style

A Family History

Caroline Shelton née Nicholls

(OG 1959–1963)

Christine Lim Everyone in Singapore now wears a mask and so far it seems pretty effective. We’ve only had one person in ICU and a total of twenty six deaths and we have been out of lockdown for a couple of weeks.

(OG 1953–1956) In the beginning of Covid-19 lockdown, with no one calling in for a meal, no shopping possible, no travel, time was expected to expand for many of us. The contents of drawers, cupboards and shelves were rationalised, thousands of photos saved on the computer were halved in number but inboxes never became empty. Every organisation that had ever held our names, posted wondrous things to enlighten, entertain, tempt…

One day the Quaker newsletter talked of an online course on Milton’s Paradise Lost run by Woodbrooke, the Quaker Learning Centre in Birmingham. Underneath were the words ‘Go on, you can do it!’.

My mother was given a lifelong love of poetry by the incomparable Miss Miskin at PF in the 1920s. I was similarly lucky. Mrs Heywood teaching English in the 1950s opened doors that seemed to release torrents of wonderful words. I simply do not remember anybody being bored in her classes. With the whole of English Literature to sample she chose Milton’s ‘Lycidas’ for us. Perhaps we were not quite ready for Paradise Lost.

There was scarcely a dry eye when we got to: But O the heavy change, now thou art gone, Now thou art gone, and never must return!

Thee Shepherd, thee the Woods, and desert Caves, With wilde Thyme and the gadding Vine o'regrown, And all their echoes mourn.

I read History at Cambridge, not English, and was never comfortable in the 17c, the century Milton ‘bestrode like a Colossus’, never afraid to write what he thought was the truth about the tumultuous events of his day.

Paradise Lost gives plenty of material to help readers to try and work out what sort of a Christian Milton was, what sort of a political animal, son, husband and father he was, but at the end of the fascinating and helpful Woodbrooke course when we were finally asked to consider why Milton had not embraced Quakerism, we were able to find no easy answers.

Thanks to The Book Depository, I now own a handsome boxed edition of Paradise Lost and if severe isolation has to kick in again I am no longer diffident about sitting down to read it out loud from cover to cover.

Thank you lockdown and Woodbrooke College and Mrs Heywood of PF.

During this time at home, I have started writing my family story for the grandchildren who are living in New York, on the other side of the world. Although they come here and we go there, it’s all rather intense and not like living in the same town - so I figured they may ask questions when they are older when it’s too late! It is extremely time consuming, but I do have the benefit of letters I wrote to my mum when we first moved to Hong Kong forty years ago. I have also kept a brief diary and have photos, of course, so the memories do come back.

A Full Sketchbook Bee Grant Peterkin (OG 1960–1965) In the first week of lockdown, my daughter-inlaw Christabel Blackburn won Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2020.

Christabel encouraged me to start portrait painting and to take part in Sky Portrait Artist of the Week where she was demonstrating for their first episode.

Akram Khan MBE was the sitter and I followed the demonstration, painting at the same time from my computer. I surprised myself with the result.

I kept an A3 sketch book during lockdown, working in it every day until I ran out of pages.

We live by Admiration, Hope and Love 23

Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day Rebecca Haworth née Burrows (OG 2000–2005) At the beginning of April, when the country was in a nationwide lockdown, I had the pleasure of being the first journalist to meet Captain Sir Tom Moore.

It was a beautiful sunny day and I was relieved to be given the chance to report on such an uplifting story, after having continuously worked on various bleak developments of the pandemic.

When I arrived at Captain Tom's house, I was welcomed by his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore, who was so friendly and accommodating and made us feel very at home. We were mindful of Tom's age, and made sure we were welldistanced when we set up the camera equipment for the interview. When he came out to meet us, he was utterly charming. He gave me a beaming smile, and was fascinated with our camera equipment. After we had a good chat, I spoke to Hannah and his grandchildren Benjie and Georgia about how much money they were hoping to raise.

24 Field Notes – Prior’s Field Old Girls’ Magazine

They said they were aiming for £5,000, but would be grateful for anything they got. At that point they'd raised just under £2,000. And of course, as we all know, they went well beyond that fundraising target. In just a few days, his story went international, and the money kept going up and up. He had clearly captured the hearts of the nation, and people from around the world, with his optimism and determination to continue serving his country, like he did during the Second World War. In the weeks that followed, I saw Tom almost every day, and we developed a lovely friendship as I was seeing him more than any of my family and friends at that point. He was always so happy to see me, and remained the same humble and humorous man I first met on that sunny day in April. I have followed his story every step of the way and I even got the chance to report on his knighthood at Windsor. It has been an incredible journey, and I am hugely honoured to have been able to report on perhaps the biggest good news story of our time, from the very beginning. And it's a story which keeps on giving, as he has set up his charitable foundation, and is determined to carry on giving people hope that "Tomorrow will be a good day.”

Do You Believe In Miracles?

Maggie Colvin née Duckett (OG 1953–1958) A friend of mine, a beautiful film producer living in Chelsea, caught the dreaded virus in mid-April.

She became so ill that she wrote her own funeral service choosing her favourite hymns.

She belonged to our Christian prayer group, so the next day before the ambulance arrived she texted us to ask us all to pray. We became truly worried for her and began to pray for her healing. In the ambulance she met a male nurse who was a Christian who told her how he had been healed of various illnesses supernaturally by the power of Jesus’ name. She began to believe God could and wanted to heal her as well. The hospital gave her oxygen and sent her home the next day. Gradually she began to recover although some nights, not being able to breathe, she felt she would die. We prayed all the more fervently. In two weeks she texted to say she was over the worst. She is now back at work.

Maggie became a born-again Christian in 1973. She was a journalist, interior designer, TV presenter and is now working on a musical film series, Danny’s Song. http://www.dannyssong.co.uk

Home Schooling Grace Lam (OG 1986–1991) My family and I left Hong Kong before the pandemic and relocated to Australia. Moving to Perth from Hong Kong was like arriving at a very tranquil spa, filled with extra-clean air, fresh produce and endless outdoor spaces.

We began the lockdown in March 2020 right before my 47th birthday and during that time, I learnt some new skills: home schooling my six-and-a-half year old son, Theo (kudos to teachers!), how to use Zoom, and I started a workout routine. Just because I moved away didn’t mean I would ignore what was happening in Hong Kong, so I kept up with the news, as hope is the only way forward.

Finding Hope Alice Edwards née Lowe (OG 1978–1983) Thursday 12th March 2020 was our last day of in-classroom teaching at my pre-school based on the grounds of a museum in Lincoln, Massachusetts.

The biggest question of all was how were we going to adapt to teaching pre-schoolers remotely.

Brainstorming, we realised we had to adapt, and technology became our communication link. Utilising our school’s website, we recorded story time and music classes for the children to access. We held individual Zoom meetings with families and in our classroom groups, and the children learned how to play alongside each other, virtually. We all grew plants from food scraps and compared our results.

(Did you know that Romaine lettuce hearts will regrow if you put the stub in water?). Each week the classroom teachers created a blog with photographs and anecdotes from the families so the children could see what their friends had been doing at home. Normally, the school year ends with a culminating family event, and this year would be no different.

The Spaces for Hope project was born out of a desire to come together as a school and make visible our sense of community. An old stone wall full of crevices and spaces within the grounds of the museum became the canvas for this hope (pictured below). On the last day of school, the socially distanced children began to fill these spaces with hope in the form of decorated stones (pictured above). The end result a wall filled with wishes and hopes from a community that was separated by Covid-19.

My greatest lesson learnt so far was slowing down and being patient. People often associate being busy with success and often look for validations. This pandemic has forced people to stop, rethink and rekindle relationships.

It makes me appreciate my life even more. Globally, there are so many unresolved problems, so when fortunate people complain about being bored during lockdown I refuse to listen to them. If this pandemic hasn't taught you anything, it will keep recurring and the next virus will come back even stronger.

Instagram: @gracelamStyle We live by Admiration, Hope and Love 25

Time For An Online Business Phoebe McBride (OG 2010–2015) I am a textiles design student at the University of Leeds, specialising in digital print design. I am about to embark on my fourth and final year, having just done a year in industry with some fantastic companies in London.

Supporting Others

Sadly, my placement year was cut short in March so the time gained in lockdown seemed the perfect time to get designing and structure my days using some creative energy. I decided to use my digital print skills to create art prints to sell on Etsy and enhance my portfolio at the same time.

After the initial disbelief at the reality of this pandemic; cancelled holidays, theatre tickets, courses and freedom to access London, I adjusted to a slower pace, enjoying the peace and quiet of my surroundings.

I invested in a Wacom digital illustration tablet which I had used over my various placements to design and edit, digitally.

This gave me the freedom to experiment with a completely new style of art, a contrast to my usual hand-drawn and painterly style, pictured above.

Inspiration for the designs came from my photographs from holidays and trips. These initial ideas, together with trend research during my industry year, culminated in a collection of botanical plant and floral-inspired digital prints in bold bright holiday colours.

An unexpected benefit of the whole process has been learning how to start and grow a small business, including finding good print suppliers and setting up social media platforms. Learning how to market the prints and get exposure continues to be one of the more challenging aspects of this whole experience.

I am hoping to expand my product range to include notelets and cards and I also plan to bring out a new design collection very soon.

Etsy: Phoebeestelleprints Instagram: @Phoebeestelle_prints Email: phoebeestelleprints@gmail.com 26 Field Notes – Prior’s Field Old Girls’ Magazine

Rosemary Lamaison (OG 1958–1963)

As a therapist, it seemed expedient to move sessions to online and telephone for clients to stay infection-free.

Not ideal as 80% of communication is body language.

However, I’ve been surprised with how many have been able to work at a deeper level and find telephone/online to be beneficial. New issues that have been heightened because of the pandemic are anxiety and fear, loneliness, uncertainty, health issues, and of course relationship difficulties.

As lockdown continues, the demand has increased. My task has been to explore new ways for clients to think about, and handle, their distressing feelings, as well as navigating the internet transmission blips and frozen screens as people share very personal and distressing stories.

I wonder if therapy as we knew it will ever return fully to how it was pre-pandemic. www.rosemarylamaisoncounselling.com www.boardingrecovery.com

Former Staff To coincide with Beatrice Burton-Brown’s birthday, a group of the 'West Country Rusties' enjoyed a Strawberry Tea at my house in Dorset on 20th June 2019. We had hoped that the weather would be such that we could sit in the garden in the blazing June sunshine enjoying strawberries and cream.

It was not to be. The heavens opened just as everyone was arriving and it poured down. We were beautifully entertained

by Gillian Brierley, a friend of Iris Walker who happened to be visiting. Gillian has sung in the Royal Opera House and had led choirs over many years. She played a lovely piece called The Wild Rose and then led us all in a rendition of 'Strawberry Fair'. We followed this with a few poems that referred to strawberries. We had a lovely afternoon and no promises, but this might just become an annual event.

(L-R) Nicky Gunn, Iris Walker, Lin Walker, Linda and Mike McDowell

Nicky Gunn, (PF French and Careers - 1982–2007) Having worked at Prior’s Field for 31 years, Mrs Humphreys has some stories to tell.

Just before lockdown, in March 2020, one of Cassie’s pupils and current Alumnae Officer, Polly Murray, interviewed her in the science lab (pictured left).

Reminiscing about the early days, Cassie said “When I came for my interview, the Head of Science, Steve Barnett, only asked me one question – how would you dilute concentrated sulphuric acid?

I replied “Do you mean would I just put a drop of water in it and run like the wind to watch the explosion?”, which was the right answer!

Cassie was much loved by colleagues and pupils, and we all wish her well in her well-deserved retirement.

Please go to the PF Community website to read the full article: https://community.priorsfieldschool.com/news/former-staff

We met with Mrs McCallum (Headmistress, 1987–1999), pictured right, last Saturday at a very convivial lunch given by her son and daughter-in-law. They live in a village not far from us in Derbyshire. Jenny and her husband, Ian, were on excellent form and we had much fun reminiscing about PF and the characters who made up the school.

Jenny, like me, takes huge pleasure in seeing PF going from strength to strength.

Jack Stenhouse (Bursar, 2003)

Are you the next Friends Ambassador?

Each year the Friends Ambassador will contact the parents whose daughters have just left the school to encourage sign-up to the Prior’s Field Community. This will ensure that the parents still feel connected with the school. Parents will then be invited back to the school for various events such as music masterclasses, school plays, talks, concerts and a variety of other events including the ever-popular PSA Christmas Gift Fair.

We also ask whether former parents would like to be involved in careers initiatives, such as our popular Mock Interviews with the Lower Sixth pupils, or to volunteer in the Prior’s Field Archive.

The role of Friends Ambassador has recently become available. Carolyn Boersma, who is a former parent, invigilator and Friend of the school, is standing down after many years in the role and we would like to thank her for all the help and support she has given to us. Please apply if you are a former PF parent who would like to continue to build on what is already a thriving community.

To express your interest in the voluntary Friends Ambassador role, please email Polly Murray friends@priorsfieldschool.com If you are not already a Friend of Prior’s Field, please sign up (free of charge) to our brand new PF Community website: https://community.priorsfieldschool.com/register

We live by Admiration, Hope and Love 27

Old Girl News and Achievements Alice Budge (OG 2008–2015) Alice received her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award at Buckingham Palace with her family, on 22nd May 2019.

Sarah Meriel 'Mulu' Thomson (OG 1965–1969) I now live in Frampton near Dorchester in Dorset and I am still working from home as a massage therapist, having trained as a nurse in the 1970s at the London Hospital in Whitechapel. I have been working for myself since 1987 and having trained in Manual Lymphatic Drainage massage in the 1990s, I now specialise in treating people who suffer from lymphoedema and Lipoedema with some of my patients funded by the NHS. Both my sisters Fanny and Willy who went to PF are now living in Dorset/Hampshire.

Rebeccah Webber (OG 2007–2014) After initially choosing Philosophy at Sheffield Uni, I realised I'd made the wrong decision and changed to Psychology. After three years of hard work, I've just found out that I've received a First Class Degree as well as a prize for my dissertation. A prize that was awarded to only four out of 200. None of this would've been possible without PF!

Kay Badenhuizen (OG 2010–2017) I am very excited to say that I have been accepted into the Eller College of Management. I will be starting my Eller journey in Lisbon, Portugal in the Global Cohort, and will be pursuing a degree in Business Economics.

Laura Oakley (OG 2011–2014) After a year's dedication at the University of Portsmouth, I finally came out with my Master's thesis; 'Impact of upbringing and socio-demographic background on perception of young people engaged in sexual offending' within my Forensic Psychology course.

Georgia Thorpe (OG 2009–2016) I graduated with a 2:1 in BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences in July 2019. Following on from this I will be starting an MSc course in Therapeutic Radiography in September 2020.

Lydia Ferguson (OG 2010–2015) I am part of the committee for Winchester Hub which is a charity based at the University of Winchester. I am the Woolly Matters Coordinator, which is the knitting group that we run. With the group we aim to use what we make to benefit the community in some way.

At the moment we are making items to donate to the local homeless charity: www.winchesterhub.org/activities/woolly-matters

Natasha Briggs (OG 2005–2010) I have always been interested in the film industry, in particular animation and visual effects (VFX) from Disney.

Therefore, doing a study into computer animation at university seemed a natural decision. During my study I was able to build relationships with VFX companies in London, which enabled me to eventually get a position as a Software Coordinator at MPC Film. I worked in the software management team who created the cutting-edge tools used on the Disney remake of The Lion King. It is especially exciting when you see your name in the credits!

Clarissa Beedie née Carle (OG 1983–1989) I received an email from Canterbury Christ Church University to inform me that I have been awarded my Post Graduate Certificate in Education - Primary (PGCE) on the September board. I am lucky to have found a fabulous TA job to keep me inspired!

Katie Bennell (OG 2002–2007) Today marked the end of five years of training. All I know is that I’m doing something I have loved for many years. Katie Bennell, BA Hons, PGcert, PGdip, ADIP, Integrative Psychotherapist reporting for duty!

Alumnae & Friends Choir During lockdown 1, the Alumnae Office appealed for singers from the community to record themselves singing the well-known song 'I'll Be There' to give the effect of everyone singing in a choir together!

You can find the video on the PF Community website: https://community.priorsfieldschool.com

28 Field Notes – Prior’s Field Old Girls

Kathryn Clover (OG 1994–1999) I am a Specialist Occupational Therapist in Neurology at St George's Hospital.

I have a MSc in OT and I would be very happy to advise and support pupils about the profession.

Imogen Simmonds (OG 2005–2010) Imogen went straight back to New Zealand for two years after falling in love with the country on her year abroad during her degree in Art History and Anthropology. She lived mostly in Wellington and worked in a restaurant to fund her adventures. She planned to take up an internship at an eco-enterprise in Spain but this was stymied by Covid-19. She has now embarked on a Master’s degree in the Anthropology of Food at SOAS and is hoping to get to Spain once her dissertation is submitted in September 2021.

Toyin Dairo (OG 2014–2016) Just before the peak of the pandemic, I received a job offer as a Booking Clerk at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, involving booking and amending patient appointments, answering enquiries and aiding both nurses and doctors.

Unlike a lot of the UK population, I worked consistently throughout the pandemic, from March all the way until the end of August.

There were many highs and lows, however as a key worker, my time was given to helping patients across the country, especially those with severe diseases.

I was specifically assigned the position of helping oncology (cancer) patients organise and amend their appointments.

Not only did this enhance my medical knowledge, but it also was touching to see medical staff from all sectors working hard to provide the best patient care available during the pandemic.

Overall, I would say that the experience was life-changing and definitely strengthened my character, enhancing my personal development. I plan to continue my career within the medical sector and work my way around the NHS.

Making Connections We love hearing about how our Old Girls have connected with each other with the help of the Alumnae Office. Here we see how connections have been made for personal and work purposes.

Bea Fomin (OG 2014–2018) was put in touch with Sarah Capes (OG 1999–2006) a couple of years ago and has been helping Sarah's company Talbot Capes Ltd to manage private art collections.

Margaret Taylor née Russell (OG 1957–1961) had lost contact with class friend Sarah Hohler née Gilbert (OG 1957–1961). We put them in contact with each other.

We had an email from Amelia Cazalet (OG 1948–1953) (above, right) asking whether there were any PF Old Girls living in Hampshire. We were able to introduce her to Nicola Ross (OG 1995–2000) (above, left) who by chance lives in the same village as Amelia!

Clare Macarthur Stanham née Wilson (OG 1965–1971) asked if we could help her get in touch with her class friends. We connected her with Carolyn Lawlor McKenzie (OG 1965–1969).

Julie Larke née Alder (OG 1984–1989) and Michelle Allan (OG 1989–1991) toured the school in June 2019 and because the Alumnae Office posted a picture on Facebook, by the end of the evening, two of Julie's best friends who she had been searching for without success, got in touch.

Sarah Hains née Meynell (OG 1996–2001) advertised her friend's child-care job within the alumnae pages on Facebook and an Old Girl applied and was the successful candidate.

Emma Salmon (OG 2005–2007) reported that a couple of girls sent messages to her on the PF Community website asking about careers within banking and finance.

Annabel Stott (OG 1989–1994) After a pretty challenging year as a newly qualified midwife, I have been promoted to a Band 6. I'm finally in the blue uniform!

Poppy Reynolds (OG 2006–2011) I just wanted to say that Mr Pratt taught me everything I know and he always pops into my memories when I am teaching my little students.

I have managed to bag myself my dream job of being a piano, music and dance teacher in Surrey.

Get connected through the PF Community website https://community. priorsfieldschool.com We live by Admiration, Hope and Love 29

Old Girl

of the Year Diana Brooks Now in its third year, the Old Girl of the Year Award has highlighted the wonderful work that our Old Girls have been doing, often above and beyond their busy working lives.

Caroline Trotter née Brewer (OG 1973–1976), nominated Diana Brooks née Thomas (OG 1972–1977) and we are delighted to share how she has also been recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.

Diana Brooks, founder of the charity art exhibition Art for Youth, has been awarded an MBE for services to Charity and Young People in the Queen’s New Year Honours List 2020.

Diana founded Art for Youth in 1987 in aid of the charity UK Youth, who supports disadvantaged and vulnerable young people, and to date the exhibition has raised approximately £1.7 million.

These funds have been integral to the evolution of UK Youth over the past 30 years. It has helped to achieve impressive outcomes for thousands of young people, often to those most in need of support. At the same time, the event gives young aspiring artists the chance to exhibit to a broad new audience.

Every year Diana selects a young artist (under the age of 35) that is exhibiting, to receive The Diana Brooks Prize (£1,000). For many of the young, aspiring prize winners, this can make a massive difference. Living in Leicestershire with her husband Richard and their three children, Diana has also helped to raise over £100,000 for various charities by running an annual concert in their field every summer.

In addition, Diana has established two further events in her home county of Leicestershire. The first is the annual Music in the Park at Wistow Hall raising much needed funds (between £3,000 and £20,000) for local charities.

The second, the popular tourist attraction Wistow Maze, a giant eight acre maize maze attracting 20-30 thousand people a year.

Art for Youth: https://www.artforyouth.com Wistow Maze: https://www.wistow.com/wistow-maze

Could you be Old Girl of the Year 2021?

We are now appealing for entries for the Old Girl of the Year Award 2021.

Do you know someone who has achieved success or made a difference to others in the following areas?

• Business or professional life • Fundraising or support to charity • Voluntary or community work

• Inspiring women and young people • Achievement in difficult personal circumstances

Please nominate by email to Polly Murray, or submit your entry on the PF Community website: https://community.priorsfieldschool.com/announcements

30 Field Notes – Prior’s Field Old Girls’ Magazine

Achievement in all its forms is alive and kicking in every part of their school day.

- Tatler Schools Guide 2021

Registered Charity No. 312038

THE PLACE TO ACHIEVE SINCE 1902 10% discount for Alumnae Call now to view our virtual Open Event and discover why Prior’s Field is the place to achieve.

01483 810551 www.priorsfieldschool.com