Non Nobis issue 28 October 2017

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ISSUE 28 | AUTUMN 2017 - NON NOBIS

Nobis

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ST CATHERINE’S ASSOCIATION

15 Years on ...

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END OF TERM LECTURE JULY 2017

DIARY DATES 2017/2018 NOVEMBER Wed 8 Mon 13 Thur 16

Fri 17 Sun 19 Fri 24

19.00 Jazz Café, Lower Atrium, Auditorium 19.00 Cambridge Alumnae Reunion Dinner at Newnham College. If you live in the area and haven’t been invited, it’s still not too late to ask for more information.

19.30 “A night at the Theatre” – Vocal Concert, Auditorium 18.30 – 19.30 Manchester Alumnae Reunion, Chetham’s School of Music.

19.30 St Catherine’s Day Gala Concert (parents only or listen/ watch via live stream)

DECEMBER Sat 2 Tue 5 Wed 6 Mon 18

19.30 – 23.00 PTA Christmas Dinner Dance 14.00 – 15.00 Prep School Nativity Performance 9.30 – 10.30 Prep School Nativity Performance 18.30 – 20.00 Association Carols

by Candlelight, Chapel (All welcome)

JANUARY Mon 29

19.30 String Sectional Concert, Holy Trinity Church, Bramley. In aid of our partner School, Gosden House Special Needs School in Bramley, and Holy Trinity Church, Bramley.

FEBRUARY Wed 7 Fri 9 Thur 8

19.00 - 22.00 Senior School Production – The Crucible From January tickets available www.brownpapertickets.com

MARCH Sat 3 Sun 4

Association History of Art trip to Amsterdam

Mon 5

19.00 Chamber Music Concert, Auditorium

Sat 10

19.30 St Catherine’s Association Choir Concert, Holy Trinity Church, Guildford 19.30 Woodwind & Brass Sectional Concert, Auditorium

Thur 15 Mon 26 Wed 28

19.30 A Level Examination Recitals & Leavers’ Recitals, Auditorium 18.00 – 19.00 Alumnae Drinks Reception prior to House Singing

APRIL Fri 27

19.30 PTA Quiz Night

MAY Thur 3 Fri 25

19.30 Senior School Summer Concert, Auditorium 19.30 Association Rock & Jazz Concert

JUNE Fri 22

Hugh Dennis

17.30 Choral Evensong, Winchester Cathedral

19.00 – 21.30 Middle School Concert, Auditorium

THE IRON LADY KATY WEBB (2006) WRITES: If you’d told me when I left school that I would have done three Ironman triathlons before I was 30, firstly, I wouldn’t have had a clue what you were talking about, and secondly, I would never have believed you!

If I haven’t lost you already, an Ironman triathlon consists of a 3.8km swim, a 112 mile cycle and a 26.2 mile run.

I loved all sport at school and was generally found with a lacrosse stick in hand, which continued at university and beyond. I did my first half marathon in 2010, my first full marathon in 2013 and subsequently my first triathlon.

My first Ironman was in Copenhagen in 2015 and, after grinning my way round the whole 140.6 miles in 11 hours 55 minutes, my love of the distance was established and I quickly entered my next race, in Switzerland in 2016.

After some hard work in training, I finished in 11 hours 31 minutes and came 3rd in my age group, which meant winning a very nice trophy! Four days later I entered my third Ironman in Frankfurt in 2017.

IN JULY THERE WAS MUCH EXCITEMENT AND SPECULATION about who Mrs Alice Phillips’s top secret end of term speaker might be.

She wanted to give the School a special treat following an outstanding school inspection earlier in the year, and girls and staff were not disappointed when Hugh Dennis walked into the Auditorium.

He told many amusing stories about his career path from Cambridge Geography student and Footlights Comedian to Marketing Executive at Unilever and then on to stand-up comedian and actor. Nicknamed ‘Desk’ at Cambridge in his first two years by Sue Perkins, a fellow undergraduate who teased him for working so hard, he then decided to balance studies with comedy with the famous Footlights in his final year, nonetheless gaining a First class degree.

He gave the girls sound advice about how life is a marathon and not a sprint and to make sure that you do a job that you love. Whilst working at Unilever he and comedy partner Steve Punt worked as a warm-up act for Jaspar Carrott in the 1980s. Following this success, he was approached by the BBC to have his own show. Unsure what to do, he asked his boss at Unilever. They gave him a sabbatical year, pronouncing him mad not to do it, and the rest is history.

Following an enthusiastic Q&A session, Hugh posed for numerous selfies and signed unending autographs with great patience.

For Frankfurt I decided to use a triathlon coach to help me get the most from my time. It was a programme that was well structured and had me training twice a day most days, often getting up before 5am to get cycle or run for miles before work. Some weeks saw me put in almost 20 hours of training, on top of a 40 hour week at work, which meant there wasn’t really time for much else!

All that hard work and sleep deprivation paid off in the end though. I won my half Ironman warm up race in May and then finished Frankfurt in July in 10 hours 43 minutes, with vast improvements made in each three disciplines!

As for what’s next, turning 30 and getting married next year will do for now, but I suspect there’ll be a return to Ironman in 2019!

PROSPECTIVE PARENTS’ EVENTS 2017 Senior School Tuesday 30th January Wednesday 7th March Friday 4th May Monday 25th June

Prep School Friday 2nd February Tuesday 6th March Thursday 3rd May – Reception intake only Friday 8th June

Senior School Registrar - Clare Woodgates 01483 899 609 clare.woodgates@stcatherines.info

Prep School Registrar - Sally Manhire 01483 899 665 sally.manhire@stcatherines.info

www. s t c a t h e r i n e s . i n fo

GOLDEN GIRLS REUNION 2017 ON FRIDAY 23RD JUNE WE WERE DELIGHTED TO WELCOME BACK OVER 70 ‘GOLDEN GIRLS’ who left school between 1940 and 1960. Following a lovely chapel service our oldest alumna on the day, Miss Audrey Bayliss, 1942 Leaver now aged 91, met one of our youngest pupils, Eva. Whilst on a tour of the school the L6 also recorded some of the group’s memories of St Catherine’s which we will be adding to our new digital archive. Reunions like these are a great opportunity to capture a living history for future generations

Our 72 Golden Girls

Zena Skinner (1944) writes: After a welcome reception, we moved to the Chapel which I have loved ever since I went to St Catherine’s – it really is a special place.

There was a lovely service of Thanksgiving and I was privileged to be asked to read the first lesson, a Psalm. This was followed by a musical concert given by current pupils.

Following a delicious lunch, I enjoyed seeing items from the archives which proved very popular with much discussion as to who was who, and can you put a name to the face? We couldn’t name them all, but had a good laugh trying!

Audrey Bayliss (1942)

I’m so happy every time I go back to St Catherine’s, as the teaching, community life and belief in one’s ability helped me to shape my life for the future. Most of the Golden Oldies have been pretty good achievers in their lives and I am sure the present day pupils will also achieve great things in the future.

Judith Knox (Gordon)(1960) writes: The Golden Girl’s reunion was a great opportunity to meet up with old friends and remember historic events, probably now much exaggerated. We were escorted on a school tour by two very patient Association Prefects and the highlight for me had to be the stunning A level and GCSE Art and Textiles displays – we were born too early! The talented musicians in the Chapel were most impressive.

Thank you to the Association team for a wonderful day.

Miranda Greenway (Johnston)(1960) writes: It was like walking back to childhood and remembering all the fun we had – and the trials! The chapel, just the same, but with a new roof and wonderful sounding refurbished organ. Still a very special place.

Enjoying the Archive Display

Meeting up with such OLD friends. Seven of us had got together the night before plus some husbands. Yes, we do look a bit different but we are just the same: mannerisms, laughs, senses of humour, loyalty.

The wealth of photos from the archive bringing back so many memories while struggling to remember names!

Tour of the school – lucky lucky girls of today….

And finally…reflecting on how much we gained from being at St Cat’s, and how much bigger and better it is today.

Hermione Menges (Association Prefect) writes: I was privileged to assist at the reunion and enjoyed chatting to the ladies about their humorous and inspirational stories of their time here.

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CAREERS FORUM 2017 OVER 300 GIRLS IN THE 5TH AND 6TH FORMS, AS WELL AS PUPILS FROM RODBOROUGH AND ST PETER’S SCHOOLS, attended the Careers Forum on Tuesday 10th October. At St Catherine's we are extremely lucky to have access to a broad range of contacts through The Association, and over 70 alumnae, parents and staff attended the event to offer the girls the benefit of their experience. Working within organisations such as KPMG, the Bank of England, BBC, Sony, Phase Eight, RSPB, Dentons LLP, the Treasury and IBM, to name but a few, they were well-placed to advise students of potential careers.

We know that the range of career opportunities available to ambitious young women has never been greater, but at the same time the job market is intensely competitive. Therefore, it has never been more important to ensure that our girls have the best possible careers information in order to make choices regarding higher education and long-term career options. In addition to traditional forms of careers information, we believe that contacts currently working in areas of potential interest can be a valuable source of impartial advice.

Career advice in the Sports Hall

Louise Aldwinckle (current parent)

The evening began with a keynote speech from Mrs Louise Aldwinckle (current parent), a specialist in ‘early years’ recruitment including apprenticeships, industrial placements and graduate programmes with clients including city law firms, Simon Cowell, the Bank of England and GSK. The girls then had the opportunity to talk to panellists in the sports hall before attending two panel sessions which they chose from a range of different career sectors, including Medicine, Engineering, Architecture & Property, Charity, Retail, PR, Law and Performing Arts.

Sorcha Cotter (2010) giving advice on a career path into medical research

Thank you to all of our speakers for giving up their evening and sharing their expertise with the girls. It was much appreciated. The experts themselves also enjoyed being part of the event and meeting the girls and our visitors: ‘Thank you so much for asking me back as a speaker on Tuesday. It was a pleasure to meet the girls and hopefully inspire a few of them to work in our fantastic industry!’

Xanthe Jackson (2012) (Engineering & Manufacturing)

Tracy Meller (current parent) giving advice on a career path into architecture

‘Just to say how much I enjoyed last night's careers fair, as did the lively crew of girls I took home afterwards. They had attended a variety of sessions, which had certainly given them plenty to talk about and digest! It was particularly good to have Victoria Green on the panel. Being 3 years post qualification gave her a really good perspective on training and qualification and the early years of working.’ Mrs Horan, Current Parent (Law) ‘The range of careers was excellent and the advice from the keynote speaker was particularly interesting!’ Current Pupil, U5 ‘Thank you so much and well done on a really busy and buzzing evening!’

Louise Aldwinckle, Current Parent (HR & Recruitment) ‘It was great to meet up with a girl who I helped to get work experience, and to learn that she has applied to Architecture at university. It felt really good to have been able to help her in her career choice.’ Tracy Meller, Current Prep Parent (Architecture & Property)

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THE LONDON NETWORK STEM EVENT AT IMPERIAL COLLEGE OUR SECOND LONDON NETWORK EVENT IN MAY SAW NEARLY 50 ALUMNAE, PARENTS, PUPILS AND STAFF gather at Imperial College to make professional connections and to provide invaluable advice and opportunities.

Specifically aimed at our younger alumnae, from graduation onwards, the evening focused on careers in STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Association members in Medicine, Pharmacy, Life Sciences, Law, Consultancy, Human Resources and Media also joined us.

We were delighted to welcome Naomi Climer, the first female President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, as our keynote speaker. She spoke about her early work experiences in a variety of jobs prior to her illustrious career in the broadcast and communications technology industry at the BBC, ITV and Sony. Her advice resonated with many in the room and was relevant for all of the audience at each stage of their careers: ‘Love what you do, look at the periphery, not just at what’s straight ahead and don’t expect your career to be linear and perfectly strategised because, in doing so, you may miss some fabulous serendipitous opportunities!’

There was a wonderful buzz in the room and we’ve been told of many connections and offers that were made as a result of the evening.

Footnote: Later in the summer, we were honoured when Naomi Climer agreed to be Patron to the STEM networking group of The London Network. And we are thrilled she is supportive of our new science building project – the CATalyst – which is destined to replace West Block and forms part of the Headmistresses’ and governors’ vision for the next ten years of school development.

Elise Russell (current parents), Shu Fei Wong (2009), Naomi Climer & Sah Morris (1981)

Networking at Imperial College Alex Crouch (2010)

‘DIFFERENCE, NOT EQUALITY?’ PANEL EVENT AT IBM, SOUTHBANK AMY PRICE (2013) WRITES: It was a pleasure to join alumnae, parents and a select group of current 6th Formers at the London Network’s panel discussion event at the beginning of October.

The setting was spectacular, as IBM’s auditorium provided panoramic views of the Thames, and I know we were all very grateful for the hospitality we received at the company’s headquarters. Indeed, following an introduction by IBM’s Vicky Cooper, it became apparent that the location was especially appropriate given the technology firm’s longstanding commitment to diversity and egalitarian working practices.

Vicky’s introduction paved the way for a dynamic panel discussion, chaired by devil’s advocate Charlie Geffen (former parent), with thoughtful contributions by Kara Cauter (current parent), Hattie Hounsell (current parent) and Nigel Walker (former parent) on the subject of ‘Difference, not Equality?’. The panel acknowledged the existing prejudices women face and debated how this might best be tackled in relation to financial services, legal practices and the hospitality industry, as well as in science and innovation.

The complexity of the question ‘Difference, not Equality?’ was then definitively proven as the audience cast their vote, with a nearly even split of responses. Perhaps even more contentious was the follow-up question about female quotas, with some audience members insisting quotas would instigate more rapid change, and others voicing concerns about becoming a ‘token woman’ rather than a respected member of a team.

The event proved to be an excellent forum for debate and I am particularly grateful to Rosemary Squire, Chair of the Network, and the Association team for taking the time to arrange these evenings. The experience and expertise offered both by the panellists and by contributors from the audience has kept my mind buzzing ever since, with the myriad of points made proving to be food-for-thought long after the night came to a close.

Networking at IBM, Southbank

Amy read English Literature at Durham University and is currently a Parliamentary Researcher for Ms Davies MP.

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GREAT NEWS FROM THE WOMEN’S LACROSSE WORLD CUP & FESTIVAL great spirit and the silver medal well received nonetheless!

In the U19 section we had several girls playing for the home countries. For England U19A, B or C teams: Sophie Tamblyn (2017), Saskia Walker (U6), Imo Buck (U6) and Molly Mclean (U5). For Wales: U19A Flora Burdett (U5).

The England U19A, which included Sophie Tamblyn, won silver, just losing out in their final to an American club side. All other players gained excellent experience of high level lacrosse for their age groups.

England Development Team with their coach Vic Alexander (current staff) RATHBONE'S WOMEN'S LACROSSE WORLD CUP, HOSTED IN JULY AT THE SURREY SPORTS PARK, saw the English Team, cocaptained by former member of St Catherine’s PE staff, Laura Merrifield (currently Head of Lacrosse at Wycombe Abbey), win the bronze medal in an amazing match against Australia, which went to golden goal after full time and two periods of extra time.

Scotland achieved a best ever 5th place and the team included two of our alumnae, Charlie Bergqvist (2011) and Chloe Carruthers (2014).

Meanwhile, in other news from the World Cup and the surrounding lacrosse festival, St Catherine’s featured in many ways: The England Development Team won gold in the Senior Women's Open Competition. The

team included Lucy Grant (former PE staff ) in goal and alumna Nancy Day (2014). With Vic Alexander (Head of Sixth Form Boarding) as the Coach, we were pleased to host the squad at St Catherine’s for the tournament.

Meanwhile, a mixed U15/U19 team of girls also played in the U19 Elite section of the festival, which included a range of international U19 teams and a strong contingent of US club teams. Playing as a team for the first time, the girls rose to the challenge and put on an impressive show in

Wales also had their development team competing, which included alumnae Polly Brooks (2015), Kirsty Coates (2016), Megan Cowx (2014), Arie Pearson (2015) and Annabel Williams (2015).

Vic Alexander and Gayle Vickers (current staff ) also played in the England ‘Vets’ team – the Old Roses - in the Social tournament and, after two days of matches undefeated, they lost in the final to a sudden death golden goal scored by a team whose average age was half of theirs – so all good fun and played with

OPENING OF THE WONDER LAB ON TUESDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER DR MAGGIE ADERIN-POCOCK MBE opened a completely refurbished Science Laboratory in the Prep School. A Space Scientist whose passion is presenting science to a general audience, currently the Presenter of BBC Four’s ‘The Sky at Night’. Her BBC Two programme ‘Do We Really Need the Moon?’ earned Maggie the Talkback Thames New Talent Award The School is keen to develop Science and already has an existing strength in this area that makes it stand out head and shoulders above other prep schools in the South of England. Our Senior School is the only girls’ school to include Science as part of its entry assessment. 60% of last year’s Senior School graduates went on to study a science related course at university.

In June the girls put forward their suggestions for a name for the new laboratory and the School selected one that reflected the girls’ enthusiasm for the subject. Since it is a room where discoveries are made, the new laboratory is called The Wonder Lab. ‘I hope that the new facility will inspire the girls, enable their curiosity to flourish and ensure that they can work collaboratively as they investigate and explore……..as the plaque says, ‘Let curiosity lead the way.’

Naomi Bartholomew (Headmistress, St. Catherine’s Prep School) The Wonder Lab is bright and airy. It has state of the art digital technology and four colourful learning pods that will facilitate increased collaborative and exploratory investigation.

‘The new lab has taken learning science to a whole new level, with newer equipment such as the huge touch screen interactive TV and a HoverCam that will make learning much more interesting and exciting. (current L3 Prep Pupil)

Laura Merrifield - England Captain

www. s t c a t h e r i n e s . i n fo

The Old Roses Team

Elspeth Semple (1959) with Chloe Carruthers (2014)

many of their matches. They grew in presence and maturity as the tournament progressed and finished with some impressive results.

They recorded narrow losses to two of England's U19 teams and learnt much from their games against the American club sides, who combined speed and accuracy to show

the girls how the game is played in the States.

They were placed 11th out of 18 teams in the tournament! A big thank-you goes to former and current parents, who were volunteers during the World Cup, and to current parents and staff for their support on the touchlines throughout the ten days.

The Welsh Dragons competing at the World Cup Festival 2017

We were delighted to receive a visit from Elspeth Semple (Bruce) (1959), who came for a tour of the School for the first time since leaving in 1959. Elspeth was attending the Lacrosse World Cup and, as the event was so close to the School, she could not miss the opportunity to visit. She thinks she was the first Scottish international at St Catherine’s and played lacrosse for Scotland in 1962. She was twice President of the Scottish Lacrosse Association in 1982/3 and again in the 1990s, and she was Secretary of the International Federation from 1989-91.

Meanwhile, in breaking news for the new Lax season, The 1sts are County Champions, in the Seconds tournament our 2nds were runners up, the thirds came 3rd, the fourths came 9th and the fifths – yes indeed, five teams – came 10th out of 14 teams competing. The yellow shirts were everywhere!

And Sophie Tamblyn (2017), Tilly Shires (2016), Emily Gray (Head of Lacrosse), Laura Merrifield (former staff ) and Lucy Grant, our former lax coach of last year, have been selected for the full England Ladies Training Squad.

Congratulations to Flora Burdett (U5) and Alicia Pearson (L6) who have been selected for the U19 Wales National Squad.

SAL’S SHOES TOE-TO-TOE COLLECTION IT IS ON EVERY SCHOOL PARENT’S TO DO LIST - THE TRIP TO THE SHOE SHOP to stock up for the new school term – and no doubt an outing that does not feature as a highlight of the holidays. Travel 4000 miles south to the African continent and there is a very different story to be told. With millions of children worldwide in need of shoes in order to gain education, as well as protecting them from infection, the work of Sal’s Shoes is quite literally transforming lives.

In July the Prep School took part in the Toe-to-Toe initiative. Each pupil was invited to donate her used school shoes on the last day of term in order for Sal’s Shoes to ship them out to children in need around the world.

The response was astounding, with over 500 pairs of shoes donated. The pupils spent the

final week of term bringing in bags of their used shoes from home. On the final day the school shoes were donated and the pupils left in their summer shoes to start their school holidays. What a privilege for one school to make such a difference to the lives of other children.

‘We were thrilled with the overwhelming response from the girls, who reflected on the fact that without shoes it is almost impossible for children to access education and walk to school.’ Naomi Bartholomew (Headmistress, Prep School) ‘Sal's Shoes do amazing work providing millions of children with shoes all around the world. Just remember, every pair of shoes equals one child not walking barefoot. One tiny step to one happier child somewhere in the world.’ (current Prep School Pupil)

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OVER 85 INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES HAVE DONATED £495,000. Alumnae and parents have been very generous. £5,000 donated to The Annual Fund, £58,000 donated to The Bursary Fund, £34,000 donated to The Hardship Fund and £5,000 was received as a Legacy gift from an alumna. £383,000 has already been contributed to our exciting ‘Create the Future’ Campaign.

Create the Future

THE ST CATHERINE’S WHEEL TURNS; WE DO NOT STAND STILL. WE ARE AMBITIOUS AND WE INVITE YOU TO CREATE THE FUTURE.

St Catherine’s was founded in 1885 and is now an internationally known leading girls’ school. As we have grown, buildings and facilities have been added over successive decades. Most recently the wonderful Anniversary Halls have enriched the girls’ drama, music and sports performance immeasurably. This has been made possible through the generosity of the community.

Our goal now is to ensure continued success by developing the School’s strengths and attracting the very best girls and staff.

The Governors and teachers have prioritised future developments and we invite you to review these. To Create the Future for St Catherine’s we will need the financial support of the whole community.

To discuss how you can donate to Create the Future at St Catherine’s, please contact Pippa Carte, Development Director on +44 (0)1483 899754 or email pippa.carte@stcatherines.info | www.stcatherines.info/development

INSPIRING teachers

ASPIRATIONAL facilities

Imagine CO MP LETE D Prep Science

Create

Art and MakerSpace

EXCEPTIONAL students

The Science WonderLab in action

Extending our current building to create additional spaces full of natural light; for fine art, ceramics, textiles, design technology, and an extended photographic studio. A studio will be reserved for senior girls’ independent work in fine art.

A re-designed Science lab specifically created for collaborative work and experimentation, offering girls aged 4 to 11 the chance to unleash their imagination. The space will match the curiosity of our girls to explore the world around them.

Architects:.......... Labform Cost:.................... £65,000

Architects:.................TBC Due for completion:.2019 Projected cost:.........£1m

The completion dates of these projects are dependent on your support.

www. s t c a t h e r i n e s . i n fo

WE’VE LAUNCHED THE 6 CAMPAIGN TO CREATE A VIBRANT BOARDING HOUSE AND A SOCIAL SPACE where the 6th Form girls can relax. The girls deserve it. In 2012 we rebuilt the Speech Hall Library as a 6th Form Study space – a bridge between School and University – providing the girls with a unique academic space of their own. Our alumnae will remember many an Assembly, House Drama Competition and School Play in the Speech Hall! We will now replace our older boarding accommodation in the Unit and the Barbara Platt Building with its narrow corridor and restricted bathrooms. The 6 Campaign will enable us to create generous boarding accommodation, bright bathrooms and a spacious common room for The 6 community. The 6 will bring together day girls and boarders and be a complementary space to the Speech Hall Library which the girls enjoy for their quiet, academic study.

Belong 6th Form - The 6

A modern building to replace the current Unit and Barbara Platt accommodation, creating a vibrant space for day girls and boarders.

To provide generous boarding accommodation, bright bathrooms and a spacious common room.

Architects: ..................IID Due for completion: ..2019 Projected cost: ..........£8m

Experiment

High ACHIEVERS

The CATalyst

A new teaching space dedicated to science, technology, maths, digital learning, independent reading and research. Senior girls deserve an inspirational space that meets their aspirations as the coders, engineers and geneticists of the future.

Ideas will collide, interact and fuse across the sciences as girls experiment and learn.

Architects: TBC Due for completion: 2022 Projected cost: £10m

Independent THINKERS

Social CONTRIBUTORS

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FOUNDATION DAY 24th SEPTEMBER 2017 THE SUN SHONE AND ALUMNAE OF ALL AGES, CURRENT AND FORMER PARENTS AND STAFF, as well as friends in the local area, joined us on Sunday 24th September 2017 for Foundation Day, which celebrates the opening of the School in 1885 with the very first pupils: 11 boarders and six day scholars.

Over 60 members of the Association gathered at 2pm for a lovely Chapel service, led by Rev’d Dr Benji McNair Scott, on the theme of ‘Awe and Wonder’. As part of the Intercessory prayers we particularly remembered Lottie Fullerton (2013), who died so tragically in a trekking accident in Nepal in August.

It was a short stroll to the Lecture Theatre for a fascinating and insightful keynote talk on ‘The Value of Art: Size Matters and Beauty Sells!’ by Siân Folley (2005), who is a specialist in Impressionist and Modern Art at Sotheby’s. She gave riveting insights into the art market, the valuation and auction process and explained why some artists’ work commands such extraordinary prices. She had many behind-the-scenes stories to share and there was a lively Q&A session at the end.

The afternoon ended tours of the buildings for those who had not been back recently, and then on to a delicious cream tea in the dining room with much chat and laughter, catching up and networking. There was also the opportunity for a hands-on experience of our new digital archive.

Several groups enjoyed a tour and were delighted to see how the School had changed.

Do come along and join us next year on Sunday 23rd September 2018 for the 133rd birthday party.

Siân Folley(2005)

Afternoon tea in the Dining Room Siân Folley(2005) giving her keynote talk in the Lecture Theatre

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SPOTLIGHT ON MISS MEEK MISS PEGGY MEEK, HEADMISTRESS OF THE JUNIOR SCHOOL FROM 1946 – 1967, was quite memorable because she had a wooden leg, which she nicknamed Willy, keeping a spare leg behind the office door.

Barbara Silver (Former staff ) remembers that Miss Meek and her sister owned a converted bus which they shared and kept in a farmer’s field. Out walking one day Miss Meek accidentally put her foot down a rabbit hole and broke her ankle. She had a number of operations on this foot over a period of time but finally she had to have the leg amputated from the knee joint as they could not save the lower part of her leg and foot.

Rosemary Christophers (Munn) (1960) our current archivist, remembers that her parents had Miss Meek to stay at their house, Broome House on Station Road, to recuperate after the operation as it was near school.

wheel. Barbara Bulow and Barbara Silver (two junior staff ) were charged with pushing the chair across the road. They recall trying to do it quicker and quicker each time, until they almost tipped her out on one occasion. After that, Miss Meek felt it was safer to walk!

The Irish janitor at the time, Noel Pierce, was very worried that Miss Meek, having only one leg, would not be able to get down from the first floor of Church House, where she had both her classrooms and her accommodation, if there was a fire. He set up a rope pulley system from her window as an escape route for her.

Barbara remembers that ‘Willy’ could be heard pounding along the corridors, long before Miss Meek reached her destination. He was

Marjory Bayliss (1946) (Former Staff ) recalls that Miss Meek must have had much pain from her leg which could make her difficult and sometimes quick tempered. She had to go to Roehampton Hospital quite often for repairs to the straps on the artificial legs. It was amazing how she managed to do most things and never seemed to use a stick.

When the Junior School moved from Main School to Church House in 1949, Miss Meek had acquired a bath chair to save ‘Willy’ the strain of walking backwards and forwards so many times. This contraption was steered with a long handle attached to the front

Prep School lesson in the 1960s

extremely heavy and made an awful noise.

Nativity plays were one of Miss Meek’s specialities. Each year she wrote and produced the nativity, every child with a part or in the choir. Rehearsals started after half term in the autumn and the performance was held in the Speech Hall. Miss Meek would approach both the Vicar of Bramley Parish Church and Dunsfold Aerodrome to tell them that she wanted no bell ringing practice or aeroplanes flying over St Catherine’s during the nativity performances in the Speech Hall!

To explore more photos and highlights of the School’s history from 1885 to 1960, please go to our Digital Archive on www.stcatshistory.info

2002 15 YEAR REUNION

We welcomed back alumnae from 2002. The event was coordinated by Jo Adams (Martin). The event started with a glass of bubbly and the girls looking through photos from the Archive. There was much laughter at both their U3 and Sixth Form photos. Even in 15 years they could not believe their hair styles and clothes!

After a tour of the school through their old classrooms, they lingered in front of the Millennium tiles, enjoying spotting their artwork. This was followed by a moment of peace in the chapel – ‘which now has cushions’ - and the tour ended looking at their house boards.

It was then off to either the Home Economics room for a baking lesson with Mr Friend or a game of badminton with Mrs Folley. Finally finishing with afternoon tea in the Dining Room.

KATHARINE LIPPIETT IN SEPTEMBER DAWN PILKINGTON, ASSOCIATION DIRECTOR, AND FIONA HAYWOOD, DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, went to visit Katharine Lippiett (Langston-Jones), who was a day girl in Blue House from 1928 to 1934. She has just celebrated her 101st birthday and is our second oldest alumna.

Whilst at school, art was her favourite class and she gained many awards in this subject. She enjoyed sport and was in the lacrosse and cricket teams. She was confirmed in the Chapel on St Catherine’s Day in 1932 by the Bishop of Guildford.

2012 5 YEAR REUNION FLO ELLIOTT (2012) AND MILLIE PARROTT (2012) WRITE: On a sunny Saturday in July, members of the Class of 2012 descended on the Magic Garden in Battersea for an afternoon of catching up and reminiscing with much laughter. In the five years since leaving St Catherine’s we have travelled the world, completed degrees, secured jobs and can even boast of one engagement amongst our cohort! However, while our paths may have diverged wildly since 2012, nothing can bring together a group of ex-St Catherine’s girls like copious amounts of food!

On leaving School, she went to the Guildford School of Art, and then taught at various schools before living in Madeira where she continued her painting and wrote a weekly update on the British news for the national paper. She only returned to UK the day before war started.

During World War II she joined the Wrens and became a Senior Officer in charge of the Wren Division in Northern Ireland and then in Dartmouth. Her sister, Patricia Langston Jones (1932), was also a Wren and she was the Personal Assistant of Admiral Ramsay, the Naval Commander in charge of the D Day landings. [As we so often say, St. Cat’s girls get everywhere! Ed] Katherine had a remarkable memory for all of the staff and friends in the School photo from 1929. She said that Miss Symes, the Headmistress, had been very strict, but very fair, and was well liked by the girls.

Meanwhile, on Speech Day, a small group of Year of 2010 met up in London for lunch and were delighted to watch their contemporary and friend, Emily Revess, via the live stream, as guest of honour on speech Day. Emily is currently working as a Policy Advisor, Cabinet Office.

Her best friend at School was a girl called Betty Oliver (1934), who she said was very mischievous and always getting into trouble. They remained friends for life and she laughed remembering how Betty had still been driving aged 96 and used to skid onto the drive of Katharine’s nursing home and jump out saying to the nearest staff member, “Park the car, I can’t reverse!”

Katherine loved seeing all of the old school magazines and photos and sent her very best wishes to everyone at St Catherine’s. We presented her with an Association badge and St Catherine’s bear which she said her great grandchildren would very much enjoy when they visited.

Meeting up in Bristol with the lovely Pippa and hearing all about school and learning a lot I did not know. Rosie Gornall (nee Laurence) (1961)

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Non Nobis Domine!

Not unto us, O Lord, The praise or glory be...

The opening of the school hymn Rudyard Kipling