C O N N E C T I N G T H E S T C AT H E R I N E ’ S C O M M U N I T Y
ISSUE 44 | SUMMER 2026
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n September 2025, Emma Watson joined us as the ninth Head of St Catherine’s School.
leadership credentials and her belief in the widest possible career opportunities for women.
Emma brings with her a wealth of experience in independent day and boarding schools, across both coeducational and single-sex sectors, having held roles at Stowe, Harrow, Wycombe Abbey, and most recently at Berkhamsted Girls, where she was promoted in 2022 from Deputy Head (Pupil Wellbeing) and Deputy Head (Sixth Form) to Head.
Emma writes, “I am thrilled to have been appointed as Head. With a passion for all-girls education, I am inspired by the supportive and ambitious culture at St Catherine’s, that nurtures and develops each individual’s talent, confidence, and potential - both within the classroom and through the exceptional breadth of opportunities beyond it. With significant external challenges facing our sector, I feel privileged to have been chosen to lead and develop the rounded and future-focused education for St Catherine’s girls, and in doing so, to shape confident, creative, and compassionate young women who will be the leaders of the future.”
Her personal academic record is exemplary, with a 1st Class BEng in Aerospace Engineering, and an MBA with Distinction. Her early experiences at Sandhurst, and in the Army Air Corps as a Lynx helicopter pilot and Flight Commander further enhance her S T CAT H E R I N E ’ S | S C H O O L H E A D S
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CHARLOTTE RUSSELL BAKER
AGATHA SYME S
CELIA STONER
SUSAN MATHER BURNE TT 2
Sadly there is no image/painting of Ms Mather Burnett
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LO O K I N G A H E A D : A P E R S O N A L R E F L E CT I O N Emma Watson, Head
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s I complete my first year at St Catherine’s, I have had the privilege of immersing myself in a school that is ambitious, caring, and deeply committed to every pupil. From my first day, I have been struck by the warmth of our community, the dedication of colleagues, and the confidence and kindness of our girls. Working alongside staff, parents, pupils, and governors has given me an even greater appreciation of St Catherine’s and the remarkable opportunities ahead. Independent education is evolving, and our responsibility is to build on the school’s outstanding reputation while continuing to innovate, preparing pupils for an ever-changing world and ensuring St Catherine’s remains resilient for generations to come. Looking ahead, we will introduce a future-ready curriculum that equips pupils with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to flourish. Initiatives including the Extended Project Qualification, a stronger focus on workplace-ready skills, and the appointment of a Head of Wellness Education reflect our commitment to helping every girl lead a successful, healthy, and purposeful life. Our alumnae are central to that vision. By sharing their experiences and inspiring the next generation, they offer invaluable encouragement and perspective. Alongside parents and friends of St Catherine’s, they will also help shape our future through support for an ambitious long-term masterplan that will enhance our campus and opportunities for generations to come. Above all, my ambition is to help steward a school known not only for academic excellence, but for developing young women of character, confidence, and compassion who will make a positive difference in the world. The future of St Catherine’s is bright, and I look forward to shaping the next chapter together .
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JOHN PALMER
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ALICE PHILLIP S
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n 19th November 2025, St Catherine’s School, Bramley, was honoured to welcome its Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, for a special visit to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the foundation of the School, and to officially open the building which is home to The 6 Queen Camilla Quoin. Her Majesty’s great-great grandfather, George Cubitt, the first Baron Ashcombe, was one of the founding beneficiaries of the School in 1885. As Patron since 2014, Her Majesty’s visit marked a momentous occasion, celebrating both the School’s rich heritage and its forward-looking vision. An hour before Her Majesty’s arrival, an unexpected snow fall came to Bramley, but it had all luckily thawed
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by the time her car pulled into the School to a warm welcome from a sea of flag-waving Pre-Prep and Prep School girls, whose enthusiasm set the tone for the joyful and inspiring celebration. Her Majesty toured the Art & MakerSpace at the John Palmer Centre, where she engaged with A Level Fine Art and Photography students, showing keen interest in all their work. In the Culinary Arts Studio, she joined students in preparing ginger biscuits, helping to drizzle them with chocolate. Each of the classes was joined for the day by one of the four Prep School Art and DT Prefects. A standout moment was Her Majesty’s engagement with our innovative Design Engineering
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This visit was a wonderful celebration of the diverse talents and passions of our students at St Catherine’s, and a reaffirmation of the importance of fostering leadership, innovation, and kindness within our community. Emma Watson, Head Project, the build of a Westfield car. Her Majesty was impressed with the School’s commitment to promoting STEM and encouraging girls to explore engineering and design with confidence, and she asked to be kept informed of the car’s progress throughout the year. Her Majesty later joined Sixth Form students in their common room over tea and homemade biscuits, engaging warmly with them about their aspirations and experiences. The morning closed with a visit to the Sports Hall for a Whole-School assembly with a wonderful programme featuring musical performances from the School’s Prep and Senior choirs and Symphony Orchestra, including a powerful excerpt from Les Misérables. A key moment was Her Majesty unveiling a commemorative plaque to mark the official opening of Queen Camilla Quoin, the home of The 6. This building will stand as a lasting testament to her support of our school and the family connection to our founder, Lord Ashcombe.
It was a joy to welcome Her Majesty back to St Catherine’s. Her warmth and genuine interest in the girls then and now is something we will always treasure. The Prep girls were thrilled to be part of this historic day. Naomi Bartholomew, Prep Head
The photographs here capture just some of the many special moments from Her Majesty’s visit - a truly memorable day in the School’s history. To share even more of the celebrations, we have also created an online photobook, offering a wonderful glimpse into the warmth, excitement, and spirit of the occasion . 5
2026 - 2027
LONDON NE T WORK A I I N T H E WO R K P L AC E : H OW W I L L I T A F F E CT M Y C A R E E R ?
Thursday 8th October 2026 6.00pm - 8.00pm Venue TBC
Discover how artificial intelligence is reshaping careers with Richard Barltrop, Director of Digital Value Creation at CVC Capital Partners, and Isabel Mangan-Campbell, Chief Operating Officer at AiLert, as they explore AI's impact on the workplace and future opportunities. Email association@stcatherines.info to register your interest .
LONDON NE T WORK H O W TO B E A N E F F E C T I V E C O M M U N I C ATO R
Monday 8th March 2027 6.00pm - 8.00pm Venue TBC
Develop the confidence and credibility to lead conversations that matter with Andy Hitchcock, Managing Partner of Dark Star UK, as he shares practical strategies for communicating with clarity, authority, and impact in every professional setting. Email association@stcatherines.info to register your interest . 6
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Monday 14th December 2026 6.30pm - 8.00pm Chapel Mulled wine and mince pies followed by a candlelit service in the Chapel. We look forward to hosting this very popular event for our alumnae. Alumnae Lax matches in the afternoon from 3pm.
Email association@stcatherines.info to register your interest .
Sunday 9th May 2027 2pm - 5pm St Catherine’s School Reconnect with old friends at Reunion Day 2027. Enjoy a chapel service, school tours, and afternoon tea as we celebrate the St Catherine’s community. Open to all members of the Association community, with special invitations extended to the Years of 1967, 1977, 1987, 1997, and 2007. Email association@stcatherines.info to book your place .
Carols by Candlelight is one of my favourite St Catherine’s traditions. Reconnecting with old friends and singing those unforgettable descants after a term at uni was the perfect start to Christmas. Alumna (2024)
Returning to St Cat's for Reunions Day was incredibly special. Seeing old friends again, it felt as though the years had simply melted away - we picked up exactly where we left off (c.1986)! Alumna (1986) 7
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n Sunday 28th September 2025, we celebrated Foundation Day, marking 140 years since the founding of St Catherine’s School in 1885. More than 140 guests joined the celebrations, including pupils, alumnae, current and former parents, staff, and friends of the School - all united by shared memories, friendships, and the lasting impact of St Catherine’s on their lives. This year’s event also saw a number of special reunions, with alumnae from the Years of 1978, 1985, 1995, and 2005 returning to celebrate milestone anniversaries together. The afternoon began with a beautiful chapel service centred around the theme Let Us Go On…, followed by a talk from Emma Watson, Head, who shared her vision for St Catherine’s. Guests then enjoyed tours of the
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School, with many alumnae reflecting on how much has changed while fondly recalling familiar classrooms, lessons, and memories from their school days. The celebrations concluded with a delicious afternoon tea in the Dining Hall, complete with a spectacular birthday cake marking the School’s 140th year. There was plenty of time to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate the enduring spirit of the St Cat's community. It was a truly special occasion, and a joy to welcome so many members of our community back to St Catherine’s .
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n Sunday 17th May 2026, St Catherine’s was delighted to welcome back more than 65 alumnae for Reunions Day 2026, celebrating the Years of 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996, and 2006. We began with a chapel service reflecting on the theme of friendship, before alumnae enjoyed tours of the School, revisiting familiar spaces, sharing memories, and recreating old photographs along the way. Over cream tea, guests had the opportunity to meet the new Head and explore photographs and memorabilia from the School Archive, prompting plenty of conversation and nostalgia. It was a joyful afternoon celebrating lifelong friendships and the enduring connection shared by the St Catherine’s community . 9
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his year, it was wonderful to see so many of you celebrating My St Cat’s Day by sharing photographs from across the years and across the globe. From treasured school memories to recent reunions with lifelong friends, each image was a reminder of the strength of the St Catherine’s community and the enduring connections formed here. Thank you for bringing our global community closer together on this special day. Let us go on . 11
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n November we were honoured to be joined by the internationally acclaimed vocal ensemble Tenebrae for a day of workshops with students from both St Catherine’s and George Abbot Schools. The day culminated in a joint concert, where we enjoyed a wide range of repertoire, including pieces such as Stanford’s Beati Quorum Via and the spiritual Every Time I feel the Spirit. We were very impressed by how the students rose to the challenge of the workshops and performed to an exceptionally high standard alongside such a distinguished group. We are very grateful to Tenebrae for their generosity in sharing their wealth of expertise .
It was inspiring to see the students perform with such confidence alongside Tenebrae. The quality of the music, and the enthusiasm on stage, made for a truly memorable evening. Thank you. Parent
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he Prep School’s annual Evacuee Day brought history vividly to life for Year 6 as the girls arrived at school dressed in wartime outfits and spent the day immersed in activities inspired by life during the Second World War. A highlight of the day was a fascinating talk from Fiona Haywood and Jane Pink from the Association Office, who shared a selection of remarkable items from the School Archive showing what life was really like for pupils at St Catherine’s School during the war years. The girls were captivated as they revealed treasures from the archive, including the 12
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e were delighted to welcome the internationally acclaimed multilingual presenter, Fernando Tiberini. He inspired the students and audience with his engaging insights into the transformative power of languages; not only as tools for communication, but as pathways to understanding different cultures, perspectives, and building confidence in an increasingly global world.
Fernando highlighted how learning languages builds essential skills such as empathy, creativity, and global awareness and encouraged everyone to embrace linguistic challenges with confidence and curiosity.
Headmistress’s diary, letters written home by pupils, and even a video showing the Home Guard marching around the school grounds lead by Septimus Clutterbuck!
to cycle to school every day from Haslemere! They also discovered that rationing made school meals rather unappetising at times, and that the school became increasingly self-sufficient by growing its own vegetables and keeping chickens, rabbits, and a pig called McWerter.
The talk painted a vivid picture of wartime school life. The girls heard how a German bomb once landed on the neighbouring Bramley Railway Station and how pupils would run to the air raid shelters near the lacrosse pitches when the sirens went off. They enjoyed hearing about the evacuees coming to board from St Mary’s Brighton to St Catherine’s for the duration of the war and how with fuel rationing two sisters used
His provoking talk reminded us all to see the value of linguistic skills in all areas of life .
The archive items helped the girls imagine what it must have felt like to be a pupil at St Catherine’s during such an uncertain period in history. There was plenty of curiosity and enthusiasm, and the session ended with a lively question-and-answer discussion . 13
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e had a great turnout at our London Network event, Finding Your Feet in London. Alumna Vicky Green (2005) kindly hosted the evening in the offices of her law firm, Clyde & Co in the City, and we were delighted to see many young alum who have recently finished their degrees and moved to London to start their first jobs.
Following an external speaker from Coutts Bank, who gave financial tips on budgeting and saving options to help throughout your career, we then welcomed Laura Biggs and Lucy Floydd, both Year of 2019, who gave advice on navigating life in London – from how to find accommodation to having a full social life. There was an exciting buzz to the whole event with lots of chat and networking before and after the talk .
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ver 50 alumnae, parents, and Sixth Form students attended our London Network event, hosted at the CVC/DIF offices on the Strand, with the focus on careers in the world of marketing, PR, and advertising - a fast moving and vibrant sector filled with many different roles and opportunities. We were delighted to welcome Claire Molyneux, current parent and Global Marketing Strategy & Transformation Practice Lead at Publicis, who unpacked the variety of roles within this complex industry and shared
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valuable advice on how young people can break into and thrive in such a dynamic field. An interactive discussion followed, with attendees exploring the real-world challenges faced by the industry, from the pace of AI to rising costs and rapidly shifting customer trends. A networking session rounded off the evening sparking thoughtful conversations and a generous exchange of insights between alumnae, parents, and students. A huge thank you to Angela Roshier, current parent and Chair of London Network, for hosting the event .
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S A M A N T H A WA L K E R (GARNHAM) (1993)
ROSANNA THOMPSON (BARBER) (2003)
After graduating from Royal Holloway in 1997, she joined Coca-Cola and has been with the company ever since. She has had a variety of interesting roles within the company and particularly enjoyed her three years living and working in Stockholm.
From a young age Rosanna had a passion for flying - she had her first flying lesson when she was 15 - and it was always her ambition to become a pilot. After her degree in Geography from Durham, she completed her pilot training and flew Boeing 737s for Jet2 and Norwegian Airways. Since 2018 she has been a First Pilot for British Airways.
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s the Autumn term drew to a close, our Senior School pupils were treated to a wonderfully festive and inspiring End of Term Lecture delivered by alumna Samantha Walker (1993), currently Sales Director at Coca-Cola.
Samantha shared her career journey with warmth and passion, giving invaluable advice that encouraged the girls to aim high, embrace challenges, and seize every opportunity. She told the girls to believe in themselves and their potential .
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or our End of Spring Term Lecture, former Head Girl Rosanna Thompson (2003) came to talk about her career journey as a pilot.
During her talk Rosanna dispelled some of the myths about being a pilot by asking the pupils some fact or fiction questions, e.g. do you need perfect eyesight? Answer: no. She then gave a fictional MAYDAY scenario about a passenger being ill mid-flight and the options available to the pilot on where they could land. The students then had to decide in groups, within five minutes, what the best option would be and why. Before the Q&A session, Rosanna ended her talk with information on the avenues and pathways into a career in aviation as she is passionate about inspiring more women to consider becoming a pilot - currently only 5% of pilots worldwide are female .
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t was a spectacular night of music, choirs, soloists, and orchestra in perfect harmony.
Our Auditorium was brought to life with powerful music performances from our Association Choir, Senior Choir, and Middle Chamber Choir as they came together to perform Verdi’s Requiem. The audience were delighted by the outstanding performances by the choir of current students, alumnae, current and former parents, staff, and local friends, with Thalie Knights (2003) performing the Mezzo solo alongside Emily Beech (Soprano), James Edgeler (Tenor), and Harrison Reon (Baritone).
The concert opened with a performance of Stainer’s I Saw the Lord and was followed by movements from Arutyunyan’s Concerto for Trumpet and Milhaud’s Scaramouche for Saxophone, performed by Upper 6 Music Scholars Iris and Morwenna respectively. The entire concert was accompanied by our own Symphony Orchestra, who also performed Danzon No 2 by Arturo Marquez. The event was made even more special by the generous support for the retiring collection in aid of The Peritoneal Malignancy Institute . 16
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n the first Monday after the Autumn Term had ended, we welcomed back alumnae and former staff for our very special Carols by Candlelight service. It is always a really special evening, welcoming the young alumnae returning home for Christmas after their term at university and seeing them reconnecting with all their school friends. Following mulled wine and mince pies in the Dining Hall, we moved to Chapel for a beautiful candlelit service conducted by Rev'd Dr Benji McNair Scott, with all the favourite carols and the usual strong descant input! It was the perfect start to the Christmas holidays, and we look forward to welcoming many alumnae back on Monday December 14th 2026 .
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lumnae, former staff, and current pupils came together online in November for a special St Cat's Chats Book Club seminar hosted by former Head of English, Jonathan Worthen. The virtual event, held on Teams, centred on Jane Austen’s classic novel Mansfield Park and offered attendees an opportunity to revisit one of the author’s most complex and thought-provoking works. Mr Worthen, well known to many members of the school community for his passion for literature and lively teaching style, guided listeners through the novel’s themes, characters, and historical context. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of Austen’s writing, he explored the moral questions at the heart of the story, as well as the social expectations and family dynamics that shape the experiences of the heroine, Fanny Price. Throughout the evening, Mr Worthen encouraged attendees to think critically about Austen’s portrayal of class, wealth and morality. He discussed how Mansfield Park differs from Austen’s more widely known novels, highlighting its quieter heroine and more serious tone. Listeners were particularly interested in the debate surrounding the character of Fanny Price, whose reserved nature has long divided readers and critics alike. The evening proved to be both stimulating and enjoyable, and attendees left with a renewed appreciation for Austen’s work and for the enduring power of literary discussion. Many expressed hopes that future Book Club seminars will continue to bring together members of the school community in the same thoughtful and engaging way . 17
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he 2025 Careers Forum took place at the end of September and was attended by girls from the Fifth and Sixth Form, as well as over 50 pupils from a range of local schools. At St Catherine's we are extremely lucky to have access to a broad range of contacts through the Association community, and we welcomed 27 alumnae, current, and former parents to the event who offered the girls the benefit of their career experience.
It was lovely to return to St Cat's, see some familiar faces, and be able to give some insight into what I've been up to since school. Alumna Speaker, Careers Forum 2025
This year the format focused on careers leading from a range of degrees. Pupils could choose to attend two different seminars on careers leading from Degrees in Geography, Humanities, Languages, Business & Maths, Creative Arts, and Sciences - both the traditional medical route, or sciences leading to alternative careers . 18
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The range of career opportunities available to ambitious young women is ever increasing, but at the same time, the job market is intensely competitive and constantly changing. It has never been more important to ensure that our girls have the best possible careers information, so they can make informed choices regarding higher education and long-term career options. In addition to traditional forms of careers information, we believe that hearing from professionals currently working in areas of potential interest can be a valuable source of impartial advice; it opens their eyes to a wide range of potential careers and shows the different paths which can be taken following the study of the same degree. We are so grateful to all our speakers for giving up their evening and sharing their expertise and wisdom with the pupils. It was much appreciated .
I was particularly inspired by the speakers who had decided to use their science to work in non-profit organisations, which I think I would love to do in the future.
St Cat’s Student, Careers Forum 2025
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s part of celebrating National Careers Week in March, students from St Catherine’s and other local schools explored the world of law through a seminar with four inspiring professionals at different stages of their careers – from paralegal and trainee routes to Managing Associate solicitor and King’s Counsel. Thank you to alumnae Sasha Narraway (2018) Mishcon de Reya, Laura Briggs (2019) Ashurst, Hannah Pilkington (2012) Linklaters, and Sarah Phillips (Current Parent) KC QEB for sharing their journeys and insights on resilience, employability skills, and the many pathways into the legal profession. The event ended with a networking session, with students having the opportunity to talk on a one-to-one basis with our speakers and other parents who work in the legal sector to ask for advice and guidance on the many different aspects of a career in law .
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YEAR OF 2020 It felt so special to be back together after everything the Class of 2020 experienced. Alumna (2020)
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irls from the Year of 2020 met up at Between the Bridges near Waterloo on Friday 11th July to mark five years since leaving St Cat's. As for all five year reunions, the Association gave them some money towards their bar bill. Thank you to former Head Girls, Larry Gaunt and Alice Chapman, for coordinating the event and for sending in these lovely pictures. The Year of 2020 are the year group who had their final year at School cut short by the Covid pandemic , so it was particularly special to see them all together again .
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YEAR 0F 2015
n Saturday 18th October, we welcomed back the Year of 2015 for their Ten Year Reunion. The afternoon started with welcome drinks in the Lower Atrium. The tours of School were very lively as they all chatted and told us their memories, while taking lots of pictures in their old haunts. They were particularly impressed to see The 6 and the new Art & MakerSpace extension to the John Palmer Centre - all new additions since they left. They were delighted to see their names on the 2015 Honours Boards and loved poring over their Upper 3 and Upper 6 photos which we had put out for them from the School Archives. After the tour, everyone headed to the Culinary Arts Room for a cooking lesson with Mr Friend to make chickpea and butternut squash hummus, followed by a game of dodge ball with Mrs Alexander in the Sports Hall. Everyone was so impressed she could remember their names and houses! To round the afternoon off, everyone gathered in the Dining Room for afternoon tea and a chance for more catching up .
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n the Autumn and Spring Terms, the Association Team visited the university towns of Nottingham, Durham, and Exeter to meet with alumnae.
At all the events it was lovely to catch up on all the girls’ news, to hear about the wide range of degrees they are taking, and to see them reconnecting with their school friends .
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In 2001, Toppy returned to St Catherine’s in a professional capacity, becoming Personal Assistant to former Head, Mrs Alice Phillips. Over the next quarter of a century, she became a familiar and much-loved figure within the School community. Her efficiency, discretion, warmth, and unwavering commitment ensured that generations of pupils, parents, staff, and governors benefited from her support and guidance.
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any members of the St Catherine’s community will be sorry to hear that we waved farewell to Toppy Wharton in the Spring Term, after an extraordinary 25 years of dedicated service to the School. Toppy’s connection with St Catherine’s stretches back much further than her professional career. She first joined St Catherine’s Prep as a pupil in 1978 before continuing her education in the Senior School as a member of Musgrave House. Few people can claim such a longstanding association with the School, and Toppy’s affection for St Catherine’s has been evident throughout her years here.
As Toppy embarks on the next chapter of her life, we thank her for her many years of loyal service and for the enormous contribution she has made to St Catherine’s. She leaves with the gratitude, affection, and very best wishes of the entire School community .
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s the Summer Term draws to a close, we say a fond farewell to the Year of 2026 girls, in particular to our lifers who have been here since PPI, aged 4: Lottie Harlow, Ava Haynes, Erin Moore, and Scarlett Webster. As you embark on gap year travels, further studies, or into the world of work, we look forward to hearing all your news, and we hope to see you at some of our regional reunions or at St Catherine’s in the near future. This picture taken just after the traditional fancydress parade around the School grounds and through Dining Hall! 23
IS THERE A HOPE IN HELL?
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ur School Chaplain, Rev'd Dr Benji McNair Scott has written a fascinating book, which is now available on Amazon.
Is there hope in hell? Was Dante wrong when he warned us to 'abandon all hope' upon entering? Can the Bible, tradition, and reason lead us toward a hopeful eschatology - one that dares to believe that hell is not the final word? This book shows how these pillars of Christian theology can build a strong case for what the author once considered an impossible dream. Benji's courageous exploration of a difficult topic challenges us to rethink our understanding of God's character and the nature of hell. A timely and thought provoking contribution to an important conversation. Dr Jason Clark Head of Waverley Abbey College This book reminds us that the Almighty wants us to live life to the full, and it tackles such a difficult subject as heaven and hell with wisdom, love and gentleness.
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Bear Grylls Author and Adventurer
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e are delighted to share the many ways you can help shape the future of St Catherine's, creating opportunities for current pupils and generations of girls to come.
When you support Bright Futures, you help create life-changing opportunities for talented students who would not otherwise be able to join our community. We all benefit from the diversity, perspectives, and experiences that each student brings, enriching the education of every girl at St Catherine’s.
By supporting our Shaping Spaces campaigns, you will help refresh and enhance our facilities, create inspiring new learning environments, and realise our ambitions for new sports and recreational spaces. Keep an eye out for our new Bat for St Cat’s campaign, launching soon!
A gift to Opening Doors enhances the educational experience for every student by supporting curriculum and environmental enrichment. Your generosity helps bring our teachers’ vision to life through new equipment, educational programmes, visiting speakers, inspiring trips, and innovative resources that enrich teaching and learning.
For further information, please contact association@stcatherines.info
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memories of her time at Senior and Prep school, and loved seeing the Chapel again. Adrienne is a renowned actress in the Netherlands. A film you may have seen her in is the 1977 film A Bridge Too Far.
1. Ann Curtis (1955) met up with Janet McGowan (Brown) (1970) near their homes in Stratford-upon-Avon.
6. Arts & Crafts Tour – in August we welcomed members of the Arts and Crafts Movement in Surrey for a guided tour of the Chapel. Ms Louise Johns told them the history of the Chapel, the organ, the architecture, stained glass windows, and the unique reredos.
n addition to the larger reunions and careers events, we have also welcomed back many alumnae over the past year for impromptu visits or tours of the School. We have also met up with other alumnae at their homes or joined them for small reunions.
2. Mrs Dawn Pilkington and Mrs Fiona Haywood were delighted to join (l to r) Jane Crawford (Stotter)(1955), Deirdre KirwanTaylor (1955), Wendy Faulkner (Henshaw) (1958), Ann Maughan (Hart)(1958) and Wendy Buer (Lyon)(1955) for lunch at The Withies in Compton. 3. Shan Morris (1981) and Felicity von Oettingen (Bingham)(1976) 4. Nicola Onslow (1978) visiting from her home in Brisbane, Australia. 5. Adrienne Kleiweg de Zwaan (1966) was on a trip from the Netherlands with her husband and brother. She had very fond 26
7. Georgia Dixon (2024) (International Media and Communications at Nottingham) and Danai Muyambo (2024) (Data Science at Warwick) came back to talk to current students about life at uni. 8. Ty Phillips, Deborah Wu, and Zara Farooqi, all from the Year of 2024, came back for an impromptu visit in the summer holidays. Deborah is studying Psychology at Bath; Zara was about to start her degree in Geography at Plymouth. Ty had just finished their gap year working as an outstanding Office Junior in the Senior School and
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was about to head off to start a degree in Sociology and Criminology at Manchester. We would like to recognise and thank Ty for the dedication, professionalism, and positivity they brought to the role throughout their time as Office Junior. They were a valued member of the school community, and we wish them every success for the future. 9. Judith Hilvert (Former Drama Director) wrote to tell us she was still in touch with one of her former pupils, Vanessa Caswill (2000), and that in February she had attended the London preview screening of Vanessa’s latest film she had directed: Reminders of Him - a US romantic drama which Judith really enjoyed.
to share that the launch event and the follow up event in May this year My Sister’s Keeper, were both well attended and hugely successful. Feyi told us that “As former students of St Catherine’s, it meant so much to us to bring our shared values of sisterhood, excellence, and service into this work.” 11. Sarah Hood (Diggens)(1998) visited us on a bitterly cold day in January from her home in Sydney. Sarah works as a Leadership Coach at KPMG and has her own company, Press Pause Coaching. 12. Year of 2018 - Great North Swim, Lake Windermere 2026 in aid of the Max Windle Memorial Trust.
10. Feyikemi Bello (Adesanya)(2010) (CEO Motherwell Group) and Ibiyinka Ibru (Akinnola) (2011) (CEO Motherstart) have co-hosted two sold-out events in Lagos, Nigeria, called The Mum Fund.
Left to Right: Back Row: Saskia Walker, Mia Scott, Imogen Buck, Henny Foord, Tash Lewis, Rosie Kelsall
Launched in June 2025 The Mum Fund is a financial empowerment and wealthbuilding movement for mothers. Its purpose is to create safe, vibrant spaces for African mothers to be informed, inspired, and financially empowered. They were proud
13. Laura (Staff) and Rosemary Hill (U5) met up with Sophie Banks (2025) (Natural Sciences at Trinity College), for a tour of the university in May .
Front Row: Anna Beggs, Libby Gilbert, Jess Roberts, Imogen Walker.
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T H E S T C AT H E R I N E ’ S FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
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Wheel Award for Distinguished Service is not routinely given every year. This year however, was an exception to the rule, when on Speech Day 2025, two of the glass trophies were awarded.
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JA N E T M C G OWA N
In appreciation of her loyalty and dedicated years of service •
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3rd Generation Alumna (1970) Mother: Barbara Brown (1939) Grandmother: Rhoda Higlett (1911) Consultant Anaesthetist Governing Body, Vice-Chair and Chairman of the Pastoral Committee (1995 - 2025)
e are always interested to hear your news, big or small! Have you graduated, changed jobs, got married, had children, set up a business, volunteered for a charity, retired, or taken a gap year to travel the world? Any weddings and deaths that we have been notified about can be found under the Association section on the School website: stcatherines.info/association
WEDDINGS Becca Green (2008)
Hannah Johnson (2011) Louise Taylor (2012) Isabelle Capps (2012) Millie Parrott (2012) Alice Milne (2012) Hannah Johnson (2013) Bella Tidswell (2015) Sophie Wilkinson (2015)
ALICE PHILLIPS
In appreciation of 25 years of outstanding leadership, loyalty, and dedication. Generations of students have benefited. • 28
Headmistress (2000-2025)
Rebecca Robinson (2015) Elizabeth Potter (2015) Isabella Rees (2019) Rhianna Rainbow (2021) Krystyna Sawicki (Current Senior Staff) Lucy Sinclair (Current Prep Staff)
NON NOBIS | SUMMER 2026
FINAL ROLL CALL IN MEMORIAM Nesta McGibbon (Cole) (1943) Janet Nixon (Symonds) (1949) Elizabeth Cook (Gooding) (1954) Anya Bazhenova (2025) Celia Bermingham (Former Staff)
W
e remember in this issue those who died fifty years ago in the Dunsfold Air Disaster 20th November 1975. Jane Onslow (U6) Julia Whittington (U5) Kathryn Tucker (L5) Catherine Leakey (U4)
Evelyn Dent Nita Draper (Former Staff) Martin Hardman (Former Prep Staff) Eileen Johnson (Former Staff) Sam Kelly (Former Staff)
Lisa Whittington (L4) Jenty Whittington (Parent)
LET US GO ON ...
Ross McCue (Former Staff) John Peters (Former Staff)
B E I N G I N C O N T R O L O F Y O U R D ATA A N D O U R F U N D R A I S I N G P R O M I S E We take your personal privacy seriously. We have a Confidentiality and Data Privacy Policy
that is available on the St Catherine’s School website under ‘School Policies’. Communications we send might include publications, surveys, appeals, and event marketing and may be sent by post, telephone, or email. We will never release your details to any third parties for their use for marketing purposes. We are committed to high standards of fundraising, being open and honest, respectful of you and accountable for the support you give us. We adhere to the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Codes of Best Practice and as a charity are registered with the Fundraising Regulator. Our Fundraising Promise and Vulnerable Adults commitments are on the Development section of the website. If at any time you would like to change your preferences, please call Dawn Pilkington on 01483 899751 or email association@stcatherines.info. Thank you.
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ISSUE 44 | SUMMER 2026