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
