Former Staff and Friends Ambassador

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.

Nicky Gunn, (PF French and Careers - 1982–2007)

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

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

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.

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.

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. 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