Old Girls Magazine 2026 by St Helen's School

St. Helen’s Old Girls

News 2026

Foreword

Contents and Officers

Officers of the Club 2

Contents and Officers

Foreword

Report from Charities Secretary and Letters of Thanks

Treasurer Paula Ryan Email: vpk18@hotmail.com

Feature: Old Girls in the Media and Broadcasting

Old Girls’ Day

Charities Secretary

Old Girls’ Day in Pictures

In Memoriam

Announcements

Newsround

President

Mrs Janet Kirchheimer

Vice Presidents Mrs Mary Morris Dr Mary Short

Susan Northcott Email: snoozenorthcott@gmail.com

Editors Kim Carr Email: mrskimcarr@hotmail.com Kate Bradley-Kidd Email: katebkidd@gmail.com Sally Fleming Email: sallyclarke25@hotmail.com

Front cover images show some of the buildings at St Helen’s through the decades

Letters from the Officers The Secretary Dear Old Girls, This is my last letter as Secretary as reluctantly I have had to step down from running the Old Girls Club after 26 years. Over that time I have delighted in the contact I have had with so many OGs from so many different year groups but also enjoyed getting to know, and working with, five different Heads: Mary Morris, Mary Short, Alice Lucas, Tracy Pollard and Bridget Ward. The two Marys in particular were so kind and supportive when my husband died. Another highlight was working alongside with the irrepressible Zoe Baines, the first Development Director, to foster an increased closeness between the school and its alumnae.

focus will be on strengthening communication, tightening up systems, and putting in place a structure that supports both our longstanding traditions and the direction we want to take going forward. Thank you for your continued involvement and support. I’m ready to get started and confident about what we can achieve together. Paula Ryan (Kanesanathan)

The Editorial Team Thank you to everyone who contributed their news, photos and stories for this year’s Magazine. A reminder that you can sign up for a digital version of the Magazine at http://eepurl.com/gj7Vu5

With love and best wishes, Sally Fleming (Pollott) The Treasurer Thank you to our former Treasurer, Giselle, and to Sally for their hard work and commitment over the past year. As I step into the role, I’m looking forward to working with all of you. This will be a transition year as we review how the role operates and how we work with the school, with the aim of making our processes clearer, more efficient, and better aligned with what the school and our community need. My

We hope you enjoy reading this year’s the Magazine and please do remember to keep us updated with any new contact details. Sally (BSec 1973), Kate (BSec 1996), Kim (BSec 2000)

ERRATUM: We apologise for a mistake in last year’s list of Prizes which should have read:The Founder’s Prize for Services to the School is awarded to Rhea Shah.

To opt in to receiving an electronic version of the Old Girls’ Magazine, sign up at http://eepurl.com/gj7Vu5 You can opt back in to receiving a paper version at any time

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A Letter from the President

Contents Hi Everyone,

I have recently had the honour of being nominated as President of St Helen’s Old Girls’ Club and am the first President who is not a past Headmistress.

The Executive Committee proposes that we canvass opinions from now until Christmas. We will then collate the responses in order to have a proposal for the Main Committee meeting, usually held in March.

The club is at a crossroads and I would like you to let the Committee know how you would like us to proceed.

Question One Once the running of the OG club has moved to the school’s Development Office, how would you like any funds left in the OG accounts to be used?

Sally Fleming has run the OG Club virtually single-handedly for the last 26 years and there is no one who will take over this mammoth task. The school’s Development Office are happy to incorporate the club into that system. They also have a list of most alumnae. The Executive Committee of the OG Club supports this initiative.

a) Any remaining funds to be distributed to charities chosen by the Committee, as set out in the Constitution, for example, charities the OG Club has supported in recent years

As this is such a significant change for the OG Club we want to canvass your views.

b) To become part of the School’s Bursary Fund in the name of the Old Girls’ Club Answer : 1A or 1B

According to our Constitution, the aims and objectives of the Club are:a) to enable all members to maintain contact with each other b) to enable members to maintain contact with St Helen’s School Northwood, present and former staff and support the school c) to help preserve interest in the history of the school d) to help keep alive the aims, ideals and objectives of the founder and her sisters e) to arrange meetings, including an annual OG day f) to publish an annual magazine to further these aims and objectives g) to support the Old Girls’ Charitable Trust and to abide by its terms and conditions A key issue is how the OG Club’s funds should be used. A summary of the main funds is below, including details of how these funds have been/are raised and what these funds are currently used for:-

Question Two The subscription money is currently used to print and post the magazine. This will last approximately 7 years. After that the magazine will have to be sent out digitally only. When the school takes it over there will be no paper copy of the magazine. The Executive Committee feels that the magazine is one of the cornerstones of the OG Club therefore it proposes to continue to use this money to fund hard copies for as long as possible for those who would prefer a hardcopy, whilst continuing to encourage members to opt for a digital only option to save money and for environmental reasons. How strongly do you agree or disagree with the Executive Committee’s view:

The Charitable Trust a) two prizes* are awarded at Speech Day to pupils of St. Helen’s in memory of June Leader and Eva and Mary Rose Seldon, funds for which come from money left by June and Mary Rose for that purpose b) A 6th form scholarship* paid over two years, awarded every alternate year. This money came from legacies. c) Small grants to OGs who are involved with small charities and apply for grants, the funds for which are raised on OG Day and at Calendar Sale. *The level of awards in both (a) and (b) are currently under review.

2.5 2.4 2.3 2.2 2. 1

Old Girls’ Club Funds This fund contains the subscriptions paid for pupils to become life members of the OG Club. Until recently the school collected this money on behalf of the OG Club who used it to pay for printing and postage of the Magazine. This is about £10,500 per year. For several years we have been encouraging members to receive it digitally but most still prefer to have a hard copy. The collection of news and articles, editing and proof-reading of the magazine is done entirely on a voluntary basis

This letter will also be going into the Old Girls’ magazine.

Strongly agree Tend to agree Neither agree nor disagree Tend to disagree Strongly disagree

PLEASE send me your answers to Q1 and Q2 so that we can understand members’ views, only one option for each of the questions posed:- i.e. Q1A or Q1B and one answer from Q2.5, Q2.4, Q2.3, Q2.2 or Q2.1

I have set up the email address below especially for this exercise. Please use it, otherwise your views will not be considered Best wishes Janet Kirchheimer President OG Club Email: jk4og@icloud.com

St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026 | 3

Foreword

Mrs Mary Morris

Dr Mary Short

Dr Yvonne Burne OBE

Dear Old Girls,

After much thought and consideration, I made the decision to step down from my role as president of the Old Girls’ Club in March. Whilst not easy after 11 years, it was the correct decision. I am very grateful and proud to be associated with such a vibrant, active and successful organisation. I am delighted that Janet Kirchheimer agreed to become President and has been duly elected. I am confident that she will be an outstanding President, having an encyclopaedic knowledge of the school as a former student, as a mother of two former students, as Chair of the Parents Association and as an active and involved Governor of the school for many years.

I have so enjoyed meeting up with many of you at events such as drinks at the Landmark Hotel, school productions such as the wonderful ‘Amelie’, Old Girls’ Day, and seeing your news through LinkedIn posts. I am, as ever, impressed by the range of your interests, careers, and experiences and proud of what you achieve professionally and in your communities. I look forward to seeing you at future events hosted by Bridget, the Development Office and the OG Club.

One of the best events of the year for me was attending the wonderful reception at The Landmark Hotel in January. It was such a pleasure to see and meet again so many alumnae. Everyone was having fun catching up with each other in person as well as current and former members of staff. I loved every minute. It was very moving to meet so many OGs and to hear about your lives, families, and careers, what had gone well, and sometimes not so well. It really did feel that we all ‘belonged’ and that the St Helen’s bond is a particularly strong one.

Our Old Girls’ Club is one of the largest and most connected in the UK, enabling us to stay in touch with our close friends, the wider community of St Helen’s alumnae and the school. We are all incredibly grateful to our secretary, Sally Fleming, for her tireless efforts and encouragement to maintain these strong links. Sally is standing down now from her commitments to the Old Girls’ Club. We are all deeply indebted to her for managing our organisation so meticulously for over 26 years, to ensure we stay in touch not just with each other, but with the school where our friendships were formed. I know that some of our older old girls have been friends for over 70 years, thanks to this alumnae organisation, and the branch secretaries who ensure that each year group stay in touch. We are all grateful for the experiences the club gives us, not least Old Girls Day, and the charitable support and new opportunities and friends that have come from this.

Old Girls’ Day this year was blessed, as always, by sun and we all enjoyed the opportunity to catch up. It was very good to see the members of the class of 2016 and 2021 though I am always surprised that those bright-eyed and excitable 11 year olds who I remember so well from their first day in the Senior School are now working, and contributing to society in many, many ways. And then there are those I knew from our Junior School and whose school careers I watched from such early days. I am very pleased that so many you keep in touch with each other and this is certainly one of the benefits of the growth of social media! I remain busy and fulfilled – gardening, clarinetting (a very special source of satisfaction), cooking, catching up with friends and travelling in the UK and Europe. I am also a chair of governors and of a bursary fund, supporting girls with very particular needs to attend schools which can provide them with security and opportunity. These voluntary roles are always interesting and help me to keep in touch with younger people and to better understand the issues which confront them as they negotiate their way through life.

You deserve to feel proud of all that the Old Girls’ Club has, and does accomplish. St Helen’s School has always benefited from such an amazing group of old girls who not only want to stay friends but also to stay connected to, and travel back to, the school where these friendships began. I really enjoy reading the news of each year group in the magazine. Your charitable exploits, empathy and positive enthusiasm for life and all its challenges are a strong exemplar for the current students of exactly what it means to be a Girl In Green.

But these are difficult times for independent schools and all the more so for girls’ schools which, along with Prep Schools, appear to be more vulnerable to the impact of falling birth rates (particularly in London) and of VAT on fees. For those who value the special and important contribution that girls’ school provide, these are challenging times. If you are able to support St Helen’s in any way – with time, professional skills or financially – I know that the School, and future generations of ‘girls in green’ would be enormously grateful.

With warm regards,

I look forward to seeing you again, Mary Morris With best wishes, Mary Short

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St Helen’s is certainly not the same place as the school which I recall from the late ‘80s and early’ 90s. The building itself has been transformed. I confess to being happily impressed by the entrance, new buildings and grounds each time I walk up Eastbury Road. I find it quite easy to get lost inside the school sometimes these days, but there are still areas of familiarity. Another highly enjoyable event was Prize Day. It was, as always, a celebration of the past year, with uplifting speeches from Bridget and Sallyann Keizer and the Head Girl. It was good to hear Sallyann again and she was inspirational and thoughtful. There was poetry, drama, and music, including a great brass band. Despite all that has changed over the years, I am always heartened to recognise the essential core

of St Helen’s, driven, I believe, by the same values. The aspiration for educational excellence remains, with all the breadth which that encompasses. But so too does the central and vital core of kindness, resilience and courage. The past year has shown a very uncertain, indeed quite unpredictable world internationally, technologically and in the effects of climate change. Political changes have also adversely affected so many independent schools. The future for young people has to be viewed afresh. Understanding and helping them identify opportunities and how to embrace them is just one of very many challenges. I remain confident however that St Helen’s, under Bridget’s leadership, is in very good hands. Indeed, I have been privileged to be invited to become a Governor, hence having to step down as a Vice-President of the OG Club. This is a great honour and responsibility. On a personal level, life has been busy and I continue involvement with medical charities and education. We have much joy from our friends, including my own school friends from way back when! Our six grandchildren are very dear to us. So, we are blessed to be able to continue to enjoy life. I am so sorry not to have been able to attend Old Girls’ Day, but send you all my very best wishes and hope you all have a good year ahead. With best wishes Yvonne Burne

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ALUMNAE AND OLD GIRLS I often get asked what is the difference between Alumnae and Old Girls. There is none. “Old Girls” is the name that Alumnae were given by the school over 120 years ago (probably because Merchants Taylors called their alumni OMTs). So all Old Girls are Alumnae and all Alumnae are Old Girls. If you left school before 1982, i.e. are now 63 years old or older, then joining the “Old Girls’ Club” was optional. All that meant was that you had paid a life subscription to receive the Old Girls Magazine every September. Since 1982 all alumnae have become members and so received the magazine automatically. But whether you are a member of the Old Girls’ Club and receive the magazine or not you are still an Old Girl and an Alumnae, and most importantly a “Girl in Green”. Sally Fleming, editorial team

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Charitable Trust & Letters of Thanks

Letters of thanks

Report from Charities Secretary OG Day was another sell out and as always wonderful to see so many delighted smiling faces meeting up with old friends and renewing acquaintances across the years. Our Committee Meeting was held in March again this year. This is an important date in our calendar for me as Charities Secretary when we review applications for grants. Here is my annual reminder that if you are fundraising or volunteering for a charity in this country or internationally – we want to hear from you by the end of January 2027. A short email to snoozenorthcott@gmail.com telling me about the charity and your own involvement is all we need. If you want more information or are not sure if you meet the criteria do send me a message. If you are working alongside a national charity, you must show that you are providing support at a local level. This is because we feel that any donation tends to get swallowed up without seeing its real grassroots impact. Assuming you are successful and on receipt of your cheque all we ask is that you write a short note with some pictures attached that we insert in the mag. This encourages others and adds some extra flavour to our copy. Each year it is my pleasure to thank Sally for her devotion and commitment to the Old Girls’ Club for which we are all extremely grateful. As those close to her know she gives up a great deal of time and energy, both in front and behind the scenes to secure the legacy of this great Club. We owe her a debt of gratitude for all that she does. THANK YOU, SAL!

Letters of Thanks GEORGIA WILLIS

LUISA BALDINI

NATIONAL LITERACY TRUST

Dear Sue, Thank you so much to you and the Old Girls’ Club for the very generous donation of £200 towards my fundraising in support of the National Literacy Trust!

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Thank you so much to the OG Committee for the generous donation. Irene, the founder of The Lorna Legacy is over the moon and wishes me to extend her thanks.

In October 2025, I ran a half marathon as part of my wider fundraising efforts for an Arctic Challenge I signed up for in support of the National Literacy Trust. The half marathon was a tough challenge but very rewarding, and I was lucky to run it on a beautifully sunny, autumn morning.

ALISON WILLIAMSON (Parkinson) Dear Susan, Thank you so much to the Old Girls’ Club for the generous donation towards our work in Uganda. The money will be spent on the final phases of a dormitory for about 60 students (in the Kumi District in N.E. Uganda ) which has been the major project this year - before they can build any more classrooms. The building includes a small flat for a Manageress and has its own latrine and fence to enclose the area. So a major expense that parents insisted on, to save long journeys on foot every day. Work can now start on the next classrooms. Best wishes,

Reading and writing are fundamental skills that impact every aspect of life, from education and employment to health and well-being. Children without the expected level of literacy skills are held back at every stage of their lives. This charity works to improve literacy through programmes in schools and communities, delivering free resources for teachers and families, training local volunteers and leading national campaigns.

Alison Williamson (Parkinson) (1962)

It will help us send multiple kilograms of pre-loved books which we collect here in the UK and send to Uganda. It costs approximately £2.99 per kg to ship the books, which mounts up quickly even though we only send paper backs, not hard backs. Petrol then has to be paid for to transport them across land to orphanages and schools sometimes in quite remote areas. This way, we ensure they get directly into the hands of children who don’t own any books of their own. This helps with literacy and learning English but also mental health. Thank you once again for your generosity and for supporting The Lorna Legacy. Best wishes,

Luisa Baldini (1990), Trustee

AHALYA JOGARAJAH

BREAST CANCER NOW

Dear Susan, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Old Girls’ Club for generously sponsoring me as I trained for and completed my half marathon in support of Breast Cancer Now, a worthy cause close to my heart. Your kindness and encouragement meant a great deal throughout my training. Completing the half marathon was both a personal challenge and an opportunity to raise money for a cause that is deeply meaningful to me, and I am truly grateful for your support. Thank you once again for your generosity and for continuing to encourage former pupils in their endeavours. Your contribution has made a real difference, and I sincerely appreciate your support.

CHARITABLE TRUST

Charities Sec : Sue Northcott Email: snoozenorthcott@gmail.com

Dear Susan,

This is a fantastic charity doing such important work to improve literacy skills amongst children and adults in the most disadvantaged areas of the UK.

The Arctic Challenge was a 4-day endurance challenge that I completed in January 2026 in the north of Sweden. It involved taking on a 20km Nordic hike, a 35km dog sled race and other activities in the freezing temperatures of the Arctic!

Are you personally giving up your time to fundraise or volunteer for a small charity? If so, and you would like to apply for a grant from the OGs Charitable Trust, please email the Charities Secretary, giving details of both your involvement and the work done by the charity, before 31st Jan.

THE LORNA LEGACY

I thoroughly enjoyed my fundraising efforts for the National Literacy Trust, and overall I raised over £2100 which I am very proud of! I am very grateful for your support!

Best wishes

Ahalya Jogarajah (2010)

Best wishes, Georgia Willis (2019) St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026 | 7

Feature

Feature: OGs in the Media and Broadcasting MANAGING EDITOR ITV NEWS : Arti Lukha – 1993

One of my most memorable assignments was reporting from Pakistan following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Working in a predominantly male environment, I was determined not to be intimidated. At the end of the trip, a senior army general remarked, “That girl does not give up until she gets what she wants.” I took it as a compliment.

THE ACCIDENTAL JOURNALIST : Esme Stallard - 2013 I remember being 15 and my classmate Bethany Scott (who I’m still lucky to call my friend) suggested we go to the Old Bailey in London to watch a trial as we were both interested in being lawyers. Sitting through a harrowing account of a woman’s murder wasn’t the most appropriate thing to do with our half term but as someone who loved a debate, I assumed lawyer was the natural career choice. Well safe to say, it put me off.

People often ask how I got into journalism, and the honest answer is that it was never a glamorous route. Like most journalists of my generation, I learned the trade the hard way, one deadline at a time. My first job was at the Press Association, where I became the first female sports journalist employed by PA. While sport was exciting, I was increasingly drawn to hard news and eventually moved into local newspapers.

As Managing Editor of ITV News, I help steer an international news organisation covering some of the most significant stories in the UK and around the world. My role includes making editorial decisions, guiding coverage and ensuring our journalism is accurate, fair and clear across all platforms. In an era of endless news sources and misinformation, trust and authenticity are more important than ever. Maintaining the confidence of our audiences depends on rigorous journalism and a commitment to reporting the facts. It is a position of great responsibility, but it is also the culmination of a career that began with a passion for storytelling long before I entered a newsroom. After leaving St Helen’s, I went on to university and completed a Master’s degree in Journalism. In many ways, I was fortunate because I had always known what I wanted to do. My first article was published in the Harrow Observer when I was just 12 years old, and from that moment I was hooked. On my final Speech Day in 1992, I listened to another Old Girl, ITV News journalist Penny Marshall. Her speech inspired me enormously and reinforced my determination to pursue a career in journalism. Journalism has taken me all over the world. There have certainly been glamorous moments. I have attended the Oscars in Los Angeles, met stars such as Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, and worked with politicians and members of the Royal Family. Yet journalism has also exposed me to the harsher realities of life. I have covered murder trials that left me with nightmares and reported from areas affected by violence and conflict.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER : Lucie Kon - 1987 Following on from the EMMY win for Best Current Affairs for ‘We Will Dance Again’, Lucie won a BAFTA and an Academy Award for Best Documentary for ‘Mr Nobody Against Putin’, This prestigious win honours the film’s powerful storytelling, courageous journalism, and its profound global impact. Congratulations, Lucie.

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My three years at the Burton Daily Mail provided some of the most valuable training of my career. I spent evenings at parish council meetings listening to lengthy debates about local issues and then finding a way to turn them into engaging stories before the deadline. It taught me one of journalism’s most important lessons: every story matters to somebody. I later joined the Southern Daily Echo as a senior reporter. Much of my work involved covering serious court cases, politics and human interest stories which often made the national news. My experiences were often emotionally challenging, but they taught me resilience and reinforced the importance of accurate, responsible reporting. My move into television came when I joined London Tonight as a broadcast trainee. It was a huge transition from print journalism, requiring new skills in scripting, voice training and visual storytelling. Working in London meant I covered major events including the capital’s first mayoral election, the introduction of the congestion charge and the death of the Queen Mother. Eventually, I was recruited by ITN, which produces ITV News. I served as Deputy News Editor, News Editor and Programme Editor before becoming Managing Editor. Throughout that journey, I learned that journalism is about much more than reporting events. It is about helping people understand the world around them. Despite the stress, long hours and relentless deadlines, I still find journalism as exciting as I did when I first started. Every day is different, every story presents a new challenge, and after all these years there is still nothing quite like the thrill of breaking a story and knowing your team has made a difference.

SPORTS REPORTER : UMA GURAV - 2019 The best thing I ever did at St Helen’s was to start playing sport – and a lot of it! Whether it was a weekend netball tournament, a rainy lacrosse session, lunchtime badminton, the delight of the Gym and Dance show or even, very briefly, the chaos of being introduced to contact rugby - sport was the highlight of a truly wonderful sevenyear spell at St Helen’s. It taught me how to be more confident, how to deal with setbacks with more resilience and most of all, it proved to be the foundation of my eventual career, and for that I will be forever grateful.

Going into sixth form I ended up doing the IB as I couldn’t face choosing between English, Geography, Maths and Sciences. I was pretty delighted to discover that Geology was a subject at university which meant I could do as many of these as possible. I am from a family of accountants and engineers so naturally I joined an engineering consultancy company after university working in climate change and energy modelling. And to be honest, that could have been it, I seemed to be doing well at my job, consultancies offered good career progression and benefits. And then Covid happened. I had been seconded from my company to Surrey County Council as a project manager overseeing their climate strategy, but once the pandemic hit those things took a back seat. I was asked to help with setting up temporary hospitals and mortuaries. Those kinds of things put things in perspective. I loved working in climate change but knew I had this suppressed love for English and writing. School assignments aren’t always the most fun, but I still remember vividly doing my first english language assignment and staying up late into the night to perfect my story of two little boys growing up in the countryside. I saw and applied for a job to be a climate researcher at BBC News – as a researcher your job is to assist journalists in understanding a topic, providing in depth briefs, and producing online articles. I told no one. Not my family. Not my friends. It felt like a whimsical dream. I heard nothing. Six months passed. I applied for other consultancy jobs, quit my existing one, and a week before my leaving drinks I got a call – an editor at the BBC. “Sorry it has taken so long, but are you free for an interview for the researcher role?”

A few years after leaving school, I embarked on the journey of becoming a sports broadcaster. I began my career at a radio station called talkSPORT, working as an apprentice and eventually becoming a reporter and producer. And it was my particular passion for women’s football that really gave me my ‘big break’, as they call it! Like many people, I had been so incredibly inspired by England’s Lionesses’ home UEFA Women’s EURO triumph in 2022. And it had made me realise that covering the inspirational achievements of these incredible sporting teams was what I wanted to do. So, when the Women’s World Cup in 2023 came around, I threw myself into the stories and the personalities of the tournament – eventually earning myself my first reporting slot on air! Luckily, my seniors thought I was rather good at it! The buzz that comes with talking to the nation over the airwaves or through the television set is one that never goes away. Since then, I have become a freelance broadcaster working also for Sky Sports News, where (if you’re lucky!) one day you might just see my face pop up on your television. When I look back on the last few years, I can hardly believe how lucky I am to have this role. To date, my career has taken me to Switzerland to cover the Lionesses’ European victory campaign in 2025, it has taken me around London as a Premier League reporter for Sky Sports, to Belfast to present coverage of the Northern Irish League Cup games – and I hope that in the next few years it might take me further afield to cover even more major tournaments with both the men’s and women’s national teams.

On the train to the drinks, I found out I had got the job. Fast forward five years, I have now progressed to a senior journalist in the climate and science team – all my favourite subjects combined – oh, and it helps if you can make an argument! Working in the media is a strange place right now, like many industries it is changing rapidly. But I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I get to travel to places I never knew about, talk to interesting researchers and innovators every day, and bring science stories, and all their wonder, to people.

But I will always look back at my time playing sport at St Helen’s with immense gratitude. It was there that I learnt that there is nothing like sport when it comes to telling the stories of those that inspire us to be humble in victory, gracious in defeat and to always believe that, with a lot of hard work, even the biggest dreams are never out of our reach.

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Feature /Old Girls’ Day

Old Girls’ Day

Other OGs in media and broadcasting that we know about CHIEF CLIENT OFFICER, MAIL METRO MEDIA : Claudine Collins – 1986 Chief Client Officer of Mail Metro Media, non-exec director of The Mission Group, final stage interviewer & panellist on BBC1’s The Apprentice. Claudine sits on the corporate board of Cancer Research UK and is a long standing member of WACL.

PRODUCTION DESIGNER : Maria Djurkovic – 1978 Maria’s work has shaped many critically acclaimed productions, earning her four BAFTA nominations including one for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and an Oscar nomination for The Imitation Game. In 2002 she was honoured with the Women in Film & Television Technical Achievement Award and most recently her artistry on Ferrari in 2024 brought yet another award nomination. FILM PRODUCER : Felicity Morris – 2005 Felicity is a filmmaker, directing thoughtprovoking and deeply affecting documentary films such as ‘American Nightmare’ and ‘The Tinder Swindler’ for which she was awarded a BAFTA for Best Director in a factual film. Felicity is the founder of her own production company, Ladywell Films, and continues to travel widely searching out stories that need telling.

Old Girls’ Day Reminiscences 50 YEARS ON 50 years since we left and wonder where the time has gone. The school building has been modernised in some areas most certainly for the better, though classrooms that we recognised prompted memories to come flooding back with much laughter and discussion. A lovely day was had by all, the present staff and pupils were welcoming, lunch (and wine) infinitely more agreeable than back in our day, a WhatsApp group set up and all vowing to return in another 5 years! Rosemary Leno - 1976 40 YEARS ON Reminiscences and photos from our vibrant WhatsApp group. To others not on the chat please get in touch and we can add you if you would like. Amanda Armour - 1986 Fittingly the sun was shining for the 40th reunion, but I was double booked and gutted to be elsewhere! I spent a few hours distracted, scrolling WhatsApp and zooming in on the photos to see who people were – ‘no way, Sarah Johnson hasn’t changed at all!’ I spoke that out loud to my kids for no reason than I couldn’t help myself! They were then subjected to a slide show of shots – picking out Julia and Toby, Amanda, Debbie and others. To see faces from so long ago, out of the mists of time - it was very moving - and the shot of you all sitting at low tables with your hands up had me right back in Dr Sullivans classics classes. Ahhhh! I definitely got fomo on the school tour and I wanted to sit and hear tales from Greece (Nat), folk festivals (Aly), and to eaves drop on chit chat like in the 6th form common room. I think the day is a testament to a few things - Amanda’s faithful

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tenacity at getting us involved, the enduring feelings that can exist between old girls (from a time in our lives when we were constantly evolving - I mean, the 80s hair!) and the simple joy of celebrating a big birthday - 40 years feels a privilege. So, ‘til the next big birthday reunion - love to all! Rachel Ross (Fell) - 1986 Great words. I was also gutted I wasn’t able to make the reunion. I also did the same as Rachie, spent quite a long time scrolling through all the wonderful photos of the day. Kim Lloyd Mathieson - 1986

The excitement started well before the day, connections rekindled across the years! Then coffee in Northwood, with Sarah and Ki, followed by the familiar, yet distant stroll along Eastbury Road! The quad was full of so many familiar faces, laughter and hugs! Jax, Sophy, Caro, Lou, Debbie C, Tash, Debbie B, Ali and Lesley. Then, the slightly off piste tour as we were keen to see our old boarding rooms, which were now smart studies! Finally, the lunch, catching up, hearing the news, Soph’s life in Fuerteventura, the grown-up kids, where did the time go! Having chats with these 57 year old faces and seeing their 17 year old selves right there, felt such a joy and privilege! It ended, as it always did at The Gate, where we met some 5yrs on who were vomiting in the toilet from too much wine, we’ve all been there! It felt a very special day, there were some faces missing, Jo was missed! But also, Clare B who’s in Canada, Anuk, Caroline Green, Lisa H, if you are reading this, I would love to hear from you! Sanna Brooks - 1986

Forty years since we walked the halls, Beneath the green and peaceful walls, Time has flown, our lives have grown, Yet seeds we planted there are sown.

Final throes of the day were back at the Grim’s Dyke hotel in Harrow which, bizarrely, was hosting a totally unrelated school reunion group (that included a nun)! We all crammed into someone’s bedroom and chit-chatted until the small hours like the sleepovers we had as teens. What a tonic to spend time with such an incredible bunch of girls. We are still a bit crazy I am pleased to say, and the warmth and love is still very real and I hope we can continue to regroup for these milestones. Respect and thanks for those who work so hard behind the scenes to make this happen. Penny Lyons (Lacey-Smith) - 1991

Though four long decades pass us by, The laughter wakes, the years untie, Once girls in green, now women grown, St Helen’s spirit still is known… The Girls in Green from years gone by, Beneath a timeless campus sky, Forty years of paths now passed, Yet these treasured friendships last.

25 YEARS ON It was hard to believe that 25 years had passed since we graduated from St. Helen’s as we walked back onto the school grounds. Before long, we’d bumped into the rest of our year group and found ourselves standing where the pond at Junior School used to be, trying to remember exactly where the woods were for den building during breaktime. It’s safe to say the grounds have changed a bit since our day, with a new Junior School location, a revamped school entrance and, thankfully (or sadly, depending on your view), not a portacabin in sight.

In halls we walked so long ago, The laughter lights the steady glow, A ribbon spun, a common thread, By all the spoken words we said. Though time has turned our blazers deep, These cherished days we safely keep, The girls in green forever stand, With treasured friendships in our hand. Debbie Ames - 1986 35 YEARS ON A huge push by Angie and Sophie (Jolly) to reconnect with as many of the Class of ‘91 as possible meant the turnout for OG day was the best yet. We had folks flying in from overseas (Louise (Minnett), Paula (Casey) and Laura) and some faces that we had not seen for a good while (Catt Baum and Lisa (Hawken)). Punu helped us to get in the mood by sharing a digital copy of the ‘91 video yearbook in the weeks prior that had us either crying with laughter or cringing with horror to see our 18-year old selves again. Annabel Glyn-Jones your sporty skit never gets old! The school put on a great show – helped by a glorious summer’s day – tours in the first half took in the new pitches, the old boarding houses, the willow walk-way and then completed in the Quad for drinks. A real festival vibe with music, bunting and a bunch of shrieking and squealing as we reunited. Well done to the girls who dressed in green! The school put on a fabulous lunch in the new dining room with the other year groups. I think we were the longest table, but we had a strong challenge from the Class of ’21, who had their first reunion since COVID days. They clearly had some catching up to do! The underlying hubbub during the speeches required Mrs Ward to turn full headmistress and tap into some subliminal Pavlov-style commands to get us all to pipe down – executed beautifully with a twinkle in her eye – very effective! Punu kindly invited us all back to her parents’ house in Moor Park to continue the celebrations and some more faces joined us which was just wonderful (Louise Winwood, Sophie Brampton (Nawarski), Charlotte, Sona and Nisha). We continued to embrace the 90’s vibe with karaoke; confirming why very few of us are in the music industry. Paula Harrington joined us too on WhatsApp Video Call from New Zealand on someone’s phone. Group photos still include her face!

We had great fun exploring what we knew as the Sixth Form and attempting to find the linkway to the Kennedy Building. Memories came flooding back as we wandered around campus, and as we entered the RBH, we embarked on a treasure hunt to spot the names of the girls who sponsored the assembly chairs. The biggest surprise was how little had really changed. It genuinely felt like no time had passed. We all looked exactly the same as we did 25 years ago (insert hair flick here), and it was wonderful to discover that everyone still had the same familiar traits, quirks and sense of humour we remembered from school. Hearing about everything people have achieved over the years was wonderful, and we left the reunion with a newly formed WhatsApp group that is still going strong — filled with nostalgia, laughter and plenty of joy. Liz Wombell - 2001 20 YEARS ON Having taken over Branch Secretaries for 2006 this year, we were really looking forward to visiting school again after so long - not only to see all the changes, but to reconnect with old friends, in some cases of some 34 years standing. We weren’t disappointed. It was lovely to see so many of our year together again and to reminisce. Highlights were the walk around the grounds - the distance between Little Saints and Gables felt like miles as a 4 year old but now looks like a brief stroll - and seeing the senior school classrooms that have barely altered in 20 years (except the omnipresence of big screens). We were all very impressed by the new STEM and Music buildings which provide amazing-looking facilities (and the Music block building looks much safer than the Claremont building that was there before it). Of course, in classic 2006 form, most of us migrated to the Moon after the main event, where we planned future get-togethers. (Sooner than the next OG Day!) Cassie Lloyd Perrin and Philippa Goulde - 2006

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Old Girls’ Day Among those present at Old Girls’ Day were: 1960s Moira Bishop (Macara) Janet Kirchheimer (Ritchie) 1966 - 60 Years On Hilary Riley (Allen) Alison Cork (Erskine) Marilyn Croft (Puttocks) Susan Haines (Morris) Judi Herman (Lambert) Jane Jackson (Robinson) Susan Lees Diana Lowe (Waller) Victoria Lucas Roberts Lynda Preston (Humphrey) Fiona Rawlinson (Leach) Katherine Sloper Joanna Talbot-Rice Penelope Ware (Rodnight) Lindsey Weimers (Roberts) Patricia White (George) 1970s Sally Fleming (Pollott) Susan Northcott (Poyser) Julie Perkins (Macfarlane) 1971 - 55 Years On Jane Mayhew (Plumbly) Charmian Baker Pamela Hansford (Baker) Esther McCafferty (Back) 1976 - 50 years On Rosemary Leno Margit Beck 1976 Isobel Burton (Hanton) Julie Djuric Anne Everett Janet Firmston-Williams (Parsey) Joanne Gillett (Crump) Jane Greenwood (Collins) Nicola Guest (Kalman) Juliette Guthrie (Hindson) Catherine Harer (Longman) Sarah Janes (Dawes) Ingrid Kirby (Sandom) Helen Nicholas Clare Parker (Tollit) Yvonne Sanderson (Kingsley Brown) Jane Scanlon (Thornley) Angela Stockwell (Paterson) Sally Wheal (Mason)

Old Girls’ Day in Pictures 1980s 1981 - 45 years On Fiona Bliss (Jackson) Mary Alderson (Green) Nicki Akerman Amanda Chapman Corin Doregger Sophie Fairfield (Harris) Lisa Gosling (Dumonde) Elizabeth Linden (Webb) Libbie Mills (Harris) Helen Ralston (Warren) Naomi Richland (Cohen) Antonia Scott (del Tufo) Seema Verma Rebecca Walker 1986 - 40 Years On Amanda Armour (McKelvie) Debra Ames Ruth Amos (Barrett) Jennie Aumayr ( Urquhart) Deborah Browne Alison Curtis (Ward) Jackie Hart (Fleming) Myra Herbert Lara Howlett (Churchill) Louise Jeffs (Williams) Antonia Leak Susannah Marks (Brooks) Sarah Michaelis Sophie Molloy (Goodall) Sue Moreman (Parry) Natasha Presvytis (Rodikis) Alyson Rainey (Evans) Joanne Remo (Schogger) Julia Richardson (Clements) Catriona Russell Mirvette Russo (Makar) Roshini Saravanamuthu (Perinpanayagam) Deborah Thompson (Clark) Lesley Welburn (Goulding) Caroline Whitehill 1990s 1991 - 35 Years On Angela Lawrence Lisa Billin Emma Bloomfield Kim Davidson Rabin (Davidson) Kate English Fiona Fairbairn (Pandit) Jo Finburgh Tanya Garner-Veal (Garner) Kirstin Gifford Annabel Glyn-Jones Caroline Hill (Grimshaw) Nadia Hutchinson Flora Krassakopoulou Sophia Lovell-Smith (Jolly) Catherine Mitchell

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Puneeta Mongia Lisa Morris (Taylor) Joanna Mowle (Harris) Catherine Ogilvie (Ross) Emma Olliff (Levene) Paula Pallaria (Casey) Kate Rowley (Reynolds) Sian Southwell-Sander (Masterton) Catt Thompson-Baum (Baum) Louise Vaughan (Minett) Claire Walters 1996 - 30 Years On Kate Bradley-Kidd (Ogden) Joanna Morrison (Galinsky) Alexandra Goodman (Castell) Emma Husbands Donna Kwok Joanna Melville-Jackson (Suckling) Lauren Osmond (Hill) Rosanne Please (Smith) Michelle Roberts (Igoe) 2000s 2001 - 25 Years On Emma Arch (Young) Holly Constable Rowena Da Rocha Katherine Suchet Penny Preston (Utton) Natalie Raeched Paula Ryan (Kanesanathan) Sajni Saksena (shah) Elisabeth Wombell 2006 - 20 Years On Nikki Thomas (Shah) Charlotte Ambridge Lucy Chandler Emily Charles (Krimholtz) Sophie Corcut Lucy Dunsford Claudia Fox (Green) Philippa Goulde Sarah Hannay (Wallace) Emma Hawley Natalie Heawood (Limbrey) Frances Heritage Lauren King (Thompson) Cassie Lloyd Perrin Deveka Makwana Clare Miller Monique Skovron Natasha Stanton (Inow)

2016 - 10 Years On Shivani Ananth Imogen Ablett Elly Adams Alexandra Baikov Selin Balcioglu Kate Fallowfield Holly Haynes Sarah Haywood Grace Healy Shriya Kotak Karissa Kotecha Elizabeth Willis Hannah Yerbury 2020s 2021 – 5 Years On Rakhee Shah Verity Leake Deborah Adenigbagbe Keerthika Arulananthisivam Kimica Banwait Roshani Bhundia Isabelle Bisgood Louise Burling Anaika Chopra Jada Cooke Sarina Dadlani Hannah Davidson Rebecca Dawson Maiya Devani Emily Driver India Fisher Sophia Gadsby Camée Gough Irena Heppard Lihini Jayasinghe Siyona Khimasia Shona Khoot Hannah Kleiner Saisha Mamtora Esha Mandavia Ishani Mehta Soraya Merali Aliza Merali Reia Morter Alexandra Murphy-O’Connor Ruby Ndirika Anaiya Patel Cira Patel Rhea Shah Riana Shah Maya Shah Molly Weerasekera Dr. Mary Short Chris Le Bas

Former Head Former Staff

2010s 2011 - 15 Years On Jennifer Gwyther Olamide Oshunniyi

St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026 | 13

In Memoriam

In Memoriam DR MARY SLOPER : (1950-2025) (at school 1955 – 1968) Mary attended St Helens from 1955 until 1968. She entered Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford on a scholarship to read medicine, obtaining a degree in Animal Physiology. She moved to Kings College Medical School for her clinical training, qualifying in 1975. At the end of her training for general practice, she went to the obstetric department at University Hospital in Kingston, Jamaica. This began her long and deep medical and social commitment to Jamaica – initially working in the University Hospital and in various health clinics in impoverished areas but at the core of which was her own General Practice in Kingston, from 1987 until 2025. She was committed to helping those most in need often offering free or reduced fee care. From 2006 she also came to the UK regularly to work on short-term locum placements in general practice and in prisons; by maintaining her registration as a GP in the UK, she was able to continue in medical practice through on-line GP services during her latter years, despite her deteriorating health. Mary was always particularly interested in research that could improve the care of her patients. Among other things she made a study of depression following sexual abuse. She published several research papers, as well as loving her teaching at the Medical School of the University of the West Indies. Mary became president of The Caribbean College of Family Physicians, and played an important role in the Jamaican Association of Family Practitioners, where her wide contributions to the community were much admired and celebrated. She led public health initiatives including screening for Zika virus in pregnancy. For many years she was a producer and presenter on a Jamaican radio show as ‘Dr Mary’, answering many questions from listeners, as a part of medical information and education for the public. Mary had 3 children, one of whom died tragically in an accident as a baby. Tessa, her 2nd daughter, spent 2 years in the 6th form at St Helen’s School before medical school in London, and now practises in London as a Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist. Mary’s son Timmy has continued to live in the hills outside Kingston, in the house which Mary and her then partner built. From her time at university Mary put her energies into supporting issues around women’s rights. She enjoyed early travels in Europe with her school and university friend, Sally Walker; she became fluent in French, and competent in Arabic, during a placement in Algeria as a medical student. Her interest in languages had first been sparked by Miss Whyte during Greek O-levels, and by our parents; she continued to study Arabic online, particularly during her last year of life when her mobility and health were poor. She died on Christmas day 2025 from complications after surgery. We all miss her greatly; but we were glad that we could see her more often during her last 15 years during visits to England. Katherine (Sloper) (1966), Joanna (Sloper) (1970), Tessa Sloper-Talbot (2003) MEMORIES OF MARY SLOPER I remember at the time of our Biology ‘O’ level classes with Mrs Whittick, when she demonstrated a frog being dissected, most of us were rather squeamish about watching it. There was no compulsion to do it ourselves, but Mary was keen to volunteer and I realised then that she was likely to follow happily in her family footsteps. On a more frivolous note, at a time when I was carefully cultivating

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long finger nails, Mary would ask me to ‘start off’ her orange peel at break or lunchtime - a good healthy choice of course! (My left-hand nails were cut when I learnt to play the guitar, and the nails on both hands have been kept short ever since I became a serious gardener.) In later years, before Marjorie Smith died, when Mary, Marjorie, Cheryl Pitt and I met up at her mother’s house in Moor Park, we were impressed by Mary’s great memory for names of the teachers and girls in the two official old school photographs we examined. On that occasion Mary also revealed that she had kept the prize-winning project that she and I had worked on together after a IIIA class visit to the British Museum, led by our inspiring history teacher, Mrs Robertson. We must have been 11 or 12 at the time. I look forward to reading more memories about Mary and I feel proud to have been counted among her friends. Patricia Garrard 1968 CHRIS HOLIFIELD : 1947 – 2025 (at school 1960 – 1965) Chris was born in Austria while her father was serving with the British army. From a very young age, Chris developed a passion for books and reading, teaching herself to read at the age of four. This was despite the regular army postings the family had to cope with, causing a severe disruption to her education. One of these moves was to Kenya, a highlight in all our lives. By the time Chris started at St Helen’s School for Girls as a boarder she was attending her eighth school. Despite this, Chris worked hard and was eventually offered a place at both Oxford and Cambridge University, opting to read History at Newnham College, Cambridge. After returning to UK after post-university travels, she was advised that the best way into the publishing world was to take a secretarial course and work her way up, which she did with great determination and grit. She had a long, distinguished career as an editor and Cassel and Haywood Books among others, and later moved into book clubs, working at Time Life, and as Editorial Director at BCA. In 2003 she was appointed Director of the Poetry Book Society, going on to become the first Director of the T.S. Eliot prize. She worked tirelessly in this role for 20 years, growing it from a small British poetry prize into one of the most prestigious prizes for contemporary poetry in the English language. Chris was passionate in her love for poetry, retiring only in 2022, due to ill health. Even then, she continued her work in the poetry world voluntarily, chairing the Children’s Poetry Summit of charities and publishers which came together to promote children’s poetry in the UK. Chris was always devoted to her two daughters and adored her three grandchildren. She was always very interested in every member of her extended family. She had a huge number of friends, having a knack for both making and keeping friendships throughout the whole of her long life, including from St Helen’s. Chris died in September 2025 after a courageous five year battle with cancer. She will be sorely missed by her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Jean Binns (Holifield)

FRANCES DE GARCIA (Pawley) (1943 – 2025) (at school 1956 – 1961) Frances was a War Baby born in London in 1943 and spent the first 2 years of her life in the Wiltshire village of Netheravon where the family lived to be away from London bombing. They returned to their house in Bromley in 1945 and Frances eventually started school at Bromley High before going to St. Helen’s when she was 13. After school she went to Madrid University to do a foreigner’s course and decided to live in Spain. She married Raul and had two children. After working for the Spanish Coal Board, she joined Shell and worked in the trading department until she retired. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed caravanning in the summer. She was also an active member of St George’s English Church. After various medical problems Frances died on 18th June 2025. Janet Buter (Pawley) GINA ALEXANDER (Pirani) : 1934 – 2026 (at school 1946 – 1951) Gina was the daughter of Max and Leila Pirani, professional musicians, who came to Europe from Australia in the 1920s. She was born in London, but in 1942 her family emigrated to Canada and from the age of 8 to 14 was educated in Canada. She was later educated at St. Helen’s and Bedales in Hampshire. In 1953 she went up to Somerville College, Oxford, to read history, graduating in 1956. She continued her studies at Westfield College and Royal Holloway where her PhD thesis was a biography of Edmund Bonner, Bishop of London 1540-49 and 1553-59. She later had three articles about Bonner published in historical journals. She married Laidon Alexander in 1959 and they went on to have four children. Her teaching career started in Middlesborough, followed by Aylwin School in Bermondsey and Kidbrooke School, where she was Head of the History Department. From 1978 to 1992 Gina enjoyed working for Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools (HMI). From 1985 to 1991 she was a trainee psychotherapist with the British Association of Psychotherapists (Jungian section) and from 1992 to 1999 she had a practice as an analyst in London. After moving to Oxford she continued her practice as an analyst, retiring in 2004. From 2003 to 2009 she was chair of trustees and the Mulberry Bush School in Standlake, Whitney and was also a trustee of the Oxford Parent Infant Project. She was Treasurer and then Chair of the Residents Association at Pegasus Grange where she lived for the last 9 years, and was also on the Funding Committee at Christ Church Cathedral. Gina is survived by four children and five grandchildren. JAYNE HIRSHFIELD (Fisher) : 1968 – 2025 (at school 1976 – 1984) Jayne met and married David Hirshfield in London in 1994; shortly thereafter they moved to New York City. Jayne taught kindergarten and first grade in New York before they moved to Stamford, Connecticut in 2001. She then spent 20 years teaching elementary school in Greenwich, CT - a career that she dearly loved.

SUSAN MADOCKS: 1954 - 2026 (at school 1967-1973) Susan had an unusual, idyllic childhood in remote outposts in Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) where her parents were stationed. At St Helen’s, Miss Leader, the Head Mistress, noticed Susan’s love of art, her interest in art history, and arranged for her to take Italian classes in London, with a view to experiencing Italian art first-hand. Susan was always grateful for this support and encouragement. Susan graduated from Manchester University in 1976, and in 1978 from the Courtauld Institute, concentrating on History of European Art. Soon afterwards she came to live in Florence where she was Lecturer in Art History at the British Institute of Florence, later at a number of other academic institutions in Florence. She also learned, almost to her surprise, that she had a talent for academic administration. She ended her teaching career by coming back, full circle as it were, to the British Institute of Florence, where she was Head of the Art History Department for several years. In the early 1980s Susan found important documents in the Vatican archives relating to diplomatic gifts from the Barberini papacy to the court of Charles I of England. She wrote several elegantly written articles on this subject, including one in Italian, and one for the Burlington Magazine. Her interest in diplomatic gifts was perhaps no coincidence: she was a gift-giving person, always remembering birthdays and anniversaries. For over thirty years, Susan shared with her many students ‘that sheer breathless joy experienced in the presence of great art’ (as she herself described it in one of her published writings). But it is also worth mentioning that at her funeral, a woman, tears in her eyes, told me how she had learned Keats’s Ode to a Grecian Urn in Susan’s English Literature class at the University of Florence, in about 1980. I dare say it was her St Helen’s education that helped prepare Susan for this early side-step in her career! Susan and two of her closest friends at St Helen’s, Gill Arthur and Step Phillips, kept in touch through the years. Though living far apart they remained close, and in 2024, when Susan was by then afflicted with advanced dementia, they came to see her one last time Susan’s friends will remember her as a loyal, generous, fun-loving companion. And her life was a gift to me. Warwick Lister (husband)

Jayne was a devoted mother to two children, Joshua and Gabriella, and was grateful to have been able to participate in their graduations and to celebrate their many achievements.

St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026 | 15

Announcements / Newsround

1954 - 1958

ANN FLEMING : 1939 – 20206 (at school 1950 – 1957) I first came across Ann when she was living at Miss Maycock’s Nursery School, Northwood, where a Crusader class was held each Sunday which my sister and I attended. She came to board at St. Helen’s at the age of ten. I remember her as being exceptionally untidy and she loved horses and drawing them! She came from a broken home and did not get on at all well with her stepmother, so the Maycock sisters really became her adopted parents and she made her home base with them until they died. When they retired to live in Biddenden, Ann continued to make her base with them. After school she trained as a nurse and then midwife. Following missionary training she went out to serve as a midwife doing domiciliary midwifery in Rabat, Morocco under the auspices of the BCMS which later became Crosslinks. She retired after 30 years or so of service there around the year 2000 and we had three very enjoyable summer holidays together. In more recent years I visited her in her home in

Biddenden but sadly lost touch when her dementia prevented her from using the phone or emails. I thank God for Ann’s friendship and for being a living demonstration of how a life devoted to Him can be transformed against many odds to be a life of goodness, generosity, kindness and service to Him and to others. Ruth Coggan I was at Miss Maycock’s the day Ann, and her brother Peter, arrived after the death of their mother and marriage of her stepmother to her father. Sadly the stepmother preferred the two dogs to the two children. Her main love was horses, especially Nanette (Nan) which lived in a field opposite. Philippa Urquhart I met Ann again after school when she came to Woolwich, British Hospital for Mothers and Babies, to do her Midwifery training in the mid-late 1960s. She also went to Bible College and gained Dip Th. She then went to Morocco and I intermittently heard news of her. Over recent years I visited Ann periodically with a midwife colleague. Because of her dementia, we contacted her neighbour to make sure Ann would be at home. We used to go to the local Bakehouse in Biddenden for lunch. The last time I saw her was on her birthday last year. She was always grateful for the visits and her joy was evident when we read the Bible and prayed together. Belinda Dey

Announcements Deaths BROWNING Angela (Potterton), in June 2026 (at school 1955 – 1964) DE GARCIA Frances (Pawley), in June 2025 (at school 1956 – 1961) FATCHEN Susan (Douglas-Morris), in July 2026 (at school 1951 – 1963) FLEMING Ann, in January 2026 (at school 1950 – 1957) GALE Heather, in November 2025 (at school 1947 – 1955) HEAVEY Katherine, in March 2022 (at school 1994 – 2001)

HIRSHFIELD Jayne (Fisher), in October 2024 (at school 1976 – 1984) HOLIFIELD Christine, in September 2025 (at school 1960 – 1965) LISTER Sue (Madocks), in June 2026 (at school 1966 – 1973) ROBINSON Mary (Connell), in May 2026 (at school 1941 – 1953) SLOPER Dr Mary, in December 2025 (at school 1955 – 1968) WELLS-THORPE Ann (Belcher), in June 2025 (at school 1943 - 1946) WHITCOMB Gill (Hord), in 2026 (at school 1949 – 1953)

Births LAZARUS to Yasmin and Jonathan, a daughter, Lia, in Jan ‘26 METZGER to Leanne (Wincour), a daughter, Maya, in April ‘29

Marriages CLARKE Francesca to Jack Hardy, April 2026

Newsround Caretaker Branch Secretary 1948-50 SALLY FLEMING (Pollott) 2 Moneyhill Road, Rickmansworth WD3 7EQ email: sallyclarke25@hotmail.com JEAN NOBLE (Catterall) Ice Wood House Oxted, Surrey RH8 9DW Last September Paul and I celebrated our 70th Wedding Anniversary at our favourite hostelry together with our family. We are both 94 and have given up driving but are still able to enjoy our house and garden where we have now been for 60 years. I am awaiting a replacement hip operation and hope to get back to swimming and gardening later this summer. Our daughter, Frances, has been very helpful although she lives in Greece. Our eldest granddaughter, Joanna, lives in our lodge with her husband. Youngest granddaughter, Christina, all being well, will graduate this summer from Surrey University and hopes to find a job in the business world. I am in contact with Judith (Archer). Branch Secretary 1951 JENNIFER DEE (Couch) Wesley Cottage, Bourton, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5AT Sadly this will probably be my last contribution to the magazine as there are so few people left who send news. I went to St. Helen’s in 16 | St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026

1943 in Wales and returned to Northwood after the war. The school has been a big influence on my life, not least the wonderful life-long friends I have made. I have much to be thankful for. Good luck to you all. DEILDRE COLES (Gillies) 4 Deane Cottages, Deane, Basingstoke RG25 3AT I have just celebrated my 94th birthday. It was a very jolly affair as one of my granddaughters came to stay for the weekend with two of her four children and we had a little drinks party on the evening of my birthday. I have just given up being a Church Warden, having been one for over 20 years. I felt too old and I was finding it too stressful. Unfortunately, no one has come forward to take my place so now we have a “Festival Church” i.e. only having services at Christmas and Easter, which is very sad. I am still lucky enough to drive and much enjoy having lots of family to stay throughout the year. I am very sorry that Susan (Slade-Jones) suffered a stroke about three months ago and has gone to live in a care home in Cheshire. She is no longer able to speak on the phone and I miss our chats. MARY DAVIES (Powell) Charlwood, 11 Terry Road, High Wycombe A hip fracture the night before a planned trip to Sicily to see my daughter put paid to more than just the trip! Life certainly had to slow down. Am still hobbling but fortunately able to live more or less

as before i.e. driving, gardening etc., all in moderation. Lucky to have huge family support. Two of my sons are now retired. Hoping to visit my sister Ann in Wales in the summer. Branch Secretary 1955 ROSEMARY WASHBOURNE (Hall) Firswood, High Park Avenue, East Horsley, Surrey KT24 5DF email: rosewashbourne@outlook.com Branch Secretary 1956-57 ANN ROBERTS (Partridge) Covers, Green East Road, Jordans, Bucks HP9 2SU email: dmaroberts@gmail.com My news begins with the sadness of my husband’s death in July last year. He was 96 and still very active. He was out on the Village Green enjoying our music festival the day before and died during his sleep that night. I am so thankful that he didn’t suffer at all. It has been difficult adjusting to being alone but fortunately my Swedish granddaughter (23) is now living with me and working in London, my daughter lives opposite me on the Green and my middle son is nearby in Penn, so I have lots of support. My eldest son in Sweden keeps a close eye on me with easy modern technology. A good friend Alison (Erskine) also lives here in Jordans. JENNIFER WARREN (Bennetts) I am grateful still to be enjoying life despite the mobility issues following a fall with the subsequent diagnosis of spinal stenosis. My son, Jonathon, who lives nearby and daughter, Catherine, in Devon give me amazing help and support. Catherine telephones every day. Having lived in Pyrford for 55 years, I am also blessed with wonderful friends. We (Jonathan and family plus a cockapoo dog) are all looking forward to a holiday soon with Catherine. Branch Secretary 1958 BELINDA DEY 61 Birkbeck Rod Sidcup Kent DA14 4DB email: b.j.g.dey@gmail.com Thank you to all of you who have been in touch over recent months. I sent 51 emails and 16 letters in April and am so pleased with the response. A niece of Christine (Aldred) rang me to say that Christine is not able to communicate any longer. Sadly I have to report the death of Ann Fleming in January – there is a tribute to her elsewhere in the mag. It was good to chat to Philly Urquhart after receiving the news of Ann’s death as they spent much time together at Miss Maycock’s. I am grateful to Ruth Coggan who has mainly written Ann’s tribute. As no-one from our group was able to attend OGs Day this year through distance, caring for relatives or mobility problems, I did not go either – the first time for many years. Having cataract surgery in January stopped me from driving during the cold and wet, and buses became the method of transport for a time. Now, thankfully, I am back to driving and continuing to spend much time involved in church activities. PAT BRAZIER (Collis) 16 The Drive, Henleaze, Bristol BS9 4LD I will not be able to come to OGs Day being difficult to come on the train. I always enjoy reading the magazine when it comes. It is now so long since we first set foot in St Helen’s. I have seen Judy Traill recently and was very sorry to hear her husband died so suddenly. My son, James, lives nearby and comes round to help with things I find difficult. I live opposite the church so have no excuse for being late. Our vicar goes by the wonderful name of Mark Pilgrim – so appropriate! LINDSAY CAMPBELL (Peterson) 293 New Ridley Road, Stocksfield, Northumberland NE43 7RB We are moving to a bungalow in Stocksfield in June, to be nearer our children, who both live locally. I am still fairly well but my husband is now quite frail both mentally

and physically. Our present three storey home is no longer good for him and we will be better in a bungalow. Next year it will be 70 years since I left St Helens. In retrospect I have quite mixed feelings about my 7 years there. Some practices which were quite normal then, in post war Britain, would be frowned on today. But it is a very different world now, though I feel not markedly better. I do treasure the friendships forged then, which have stood the test of time. HELEN COLVIN (Shelton) 1 The Graylings, Rochester, Kent ME1 3HN Some good news in an otherwise not too good a year. We have just become great-grandparents, a boy at last and to be called Robin. Thank goodness for mobiles as we have lots of pictures and can hear him too. We have a local granddaughter who comes every week for supper and helps me with all the latest techy stuff which I hate so much. I have recently given up organising the flowers in Rochester Cathedral. I will still do arrangements but not have to deal with rotas, finances, events and all the paperwork. I’m still guiding in the Cathedral which is a pleasure and keeps me meeting so many different people - pilgrims, groups,U3As and those who come in just wanting to have a sit down! Though with Ian’s dementia slowly progressing there will be a time when I know all this will have to stop. But at the moment we just keep going. TRISH CONDER (Roberts) 4 Marshall’s Piece, Stebbing, Essex SM6 3RZ Edward and I have recently celebrated our 63rd wedding anniversary and have just returned from a lovely family holiday in Croatia. Age range 17 to 86 with a mixture of English, German and French all being spoken. Otherwise, grateful for good health, we continue to enjoy a busy life in our small Essex village, being involved with church, the Community Shop, U3A and TWAM etc. The latter collecting a variety of tools for the charity “Tools With A Mission”. Still in touch with Nickie (Malim) in Vancouver and Liz Crossley in Yorkshire. DIANA DENT (Cox) 1 Rosehill, Montague Road, Berkhamsted Herts HP4 3EW I have just spent a few days in Eastbourne with BJ (Blair) in lovely sunshine and we didn’t stop talking. PAMELA GAGLIANI (Martin) Via Solferino 20, Montegiorgio 63833, (Fermo), Italy. I am very happy to receive a digital copy of the OG magazine. I will not be attending Old Girls’ Day. Bill and I would be delighted to host and entertain any old girls who remember me. We have plenty of space in our new home in Le Marche Region of Italy. Our nearest airport is Ancona. BETH GIBB (Henderson) Flat N Regent Court, 15 Hughenden Lane, Glasgow G12 9XU Unfortunately, I was unable to come to OGs Day as was in Portugal that week. Hope there was a good turnout. Sorry to hear about Ann Fleming. Been rather inactive this past year as I had 2 knee replacements!! Both have been a success and I am enjoying going for walks again. Sadly tennis and skiing are not possible but at 86 what does one expect! I am still in my flat in North Glasgow. Would love to see anyone who is passing through. I enjoy meeting up with Jean (Bibby) who gives me news of her sister, Susan, Helen Colvin and Fanny Jesseman. Hope 2026 is a good year for everyone. JEAN HARGREAVES (Bibby) 56 Beech Avenue, Newton Mearns, Glasgow G77 5QP This year has been rather difficult. I have been diagnosed with “Neuropathy” with reduced sensation in my feet, but I am still driving and I am very independent. Unfortunately I am unable to do much gardening, but can still mow the lawns! My son, Simon, has now retired from his GP practice. My daughter, Ann, also medical, is kept very busy. I am in touch with Beth (Henderson) with chats and lunches out. I am also in touch with Frances (Hinks) either on the phone or text. It is so good to keep in touch with your friends. ROSALIE HERMOS (Mearles) rosealiehermos@gmail.com How I would love to return to St. Helens and meet up once again but I won’t be able to, not necessarily the distance but the timing has coincided with some ongoing heath issues. I have been having some on and off for the last few years. It is atrial fibrillation, which has led to me St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026 | 17

1958 - 1959 having to have a rather scary procedure called an ablation. What a word. I had that last week and that seems to have done the trick. Let’s hope that it lasts. Along with that my husband, John, has just been through a series of radiation treatments for prostate cancer, so neither of us is feeling very chirpy at the moment. We hope for a better summer. FRANCES JESSEMAN (Hinks) Thorpe House, 5 The Ridings, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 4LU I still keep in touch with Nelly Shelton, Jean Bibby and Beth Henderson. We called in to see Jean and Beth on our way back from The Isle of Arran which was a treat. I still have problems as a result of my stroke last year, but do get around with great help from my husband, Tony. JANE MANN (Lawton) Wychwood, Private Road, Rodborough Common, Stroud, Gloucester GL5 5BT Robert and I continue in Gloucestershire mainly healthy but much slower than of old. The house is too large for two of us, but can accommodate the whole family (14 or so) when needed. It is mid-way between two sons in Poole and Warrington where the other son has his family. The grandchildren are all great friends and love each other’s company. Four are now at university and a fifth hopefully starts next year. Number 6 is taking GCES this summer and number 7 is a keen footballer. Our sons have recently set about modernising this house and increased its showering and bedroom facilities. We are well supported by local tradespeople and both still drive. We are still trying to prune our belongings but it is slow progress. We have recently taken to cruising with Saga. We do so appreciate the Saga taxi service to and from ports to meet the ships. We used to be actively involved with local clubs and arranged holidays and day trips etc, but now leave the hard work to others. Robert still plays bridge twice a week but I admit the game never really caught my fancy. We try to go to Pilates every week and we both find it very beneficial. I hope this gives you a potted version of life over the last few years. We very much miss trips to see Janet (Gilmour) and Francis (Ramage). I will not be attending OG day, I think I prefer to remember St Helen’s in days of old and with a boarding facility. MARGARET NOTLEY 5 Farm Avenue, North Harrow, Middx HA2 7LP I am still involved in the Townswomen Guild and am looking forward to a day trip with them to Oxford at the end of the month. Like so many organisations our membership is declining but we still have 60+ ladies for whom I make and hand birthday cards to. I find it difficult to put faces to names and wish they would wear name badges to make things easier for me. I used to know everyone but now I can be hard put sometimes to remember my close friends’ names. Thank goodness they have the same problem and we all laugh about it, grateful that we have our health and independence. CELIA SANDBERG (McInnes) Hetherset, School Road, Pentlow, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 7JR I am having carers twice a day and only able to go out locally but still able to drive myself as there is no public transport in the village. VERONICA STUART (Toas) Varnells, Hambleden, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon RG9 5RT Thank you for your St Helen’s letter and the invitation to Old Girls’ Day. It all seems so very long ago but happy memories of good times and friends for life like Ali (Hyslop). Where has the time gone? I am still in Hambleden, near Henley, still enjoying life and doing the usual round of social bridge, Pilates, Opera and Ballet at the Cinema and the Arts Society. Plenty of walking round the fields that surround me. Luckily I still drive as we are cut off with no public transport so I will probably have to move sometime. A granddaughter is marrying in the village Church in September and I have my first great-grandchild due in June from one of the others so an exciting year ahead. JUDITH TRAILL (Greenfield) Agates Cottage, 6 Agates Lane, Ashtead, Surrey KT21 2NF I was in California - at my son’s house, when sending this news, although he had left to go to St Anton where he might be making a movie next year! My husband, Ian, died peacefully last 18 | St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026

1959 - 1961 November - I miss his conversation and knowledge but he had been sadly fairly immobile for a long time. My daughter took me to the Arctic Circle for a long weekend in February - we saw the Northern Lights and had a wonderful dog sleigh ride. The five grandchildren are great ranging from 21 down to 14. I keep busy walking, playing bridge, gardening and meeting for coffee. I have not been driving for 5 months because I have macular degeneration - however after eye injections, two cataract operations and some very expensive glasses I hope I will soon be back on the road. (The car needs lots of attention!) ELIZABETH VALENTINE (Cornish) 41 Falkland Road, London, NW5 2PU I do have news this year. On January 2nd I came off my e-bike on the ice (unexpected and unseen) and broke my right leg and right collar bone. I was in hospital for 12 days – they decided not to operate – and then had a care package at home for 4 weeks. It has all been traumatic. The leg has mended well but not the collar bone and my arthritic left hip is now much worse, so that walking any distance is slow and painful. I will see if I can get a replacement. I can’t cycle or swim or have a bath but can now use public transport and Ubers to get about. As so often, I have a birding trip booked for OG Day, though I won’t be able to walk very far. JUDIE WEEDON (Pickup) Chicane, Berrynarbor, Ilfracombe, Devon EX34 9TB Having celebrated 64 years of marriage, Ken and I jog along spending more time at home, taking our medication and doing the weekly shopping run! However, I still manage to fit in Pilates, art and craft and play skittles once a week. The youngest of four grandsons is just completing his Engineering Master’s at Cambridge and I was surprised, but amazed and delighted, to receive a BEM in the King’s Birthday Honours last June. As a community award, this was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, sadly not a member of the royal family! What a costly expense the postage of the magazine is, but like you, I do like to have it in my hands, pick it up and go through it at leisure. (Congratulations on receiving this Honour, Belinda) FRANCES ZAGNI (Valentine) franceszagni97@gmail.com Nice to hear from you! Us oldies still marching on! I have just celebrated my 85th! I think that when I was at school I couldn’t imagine life at that age, but it is still very good! My life continues much as before, gardening and music making although less than before. My youngest grandson is nearing 18, another is almost 20 and at Uni, reading physics. My 3 (younger) siblings all still well and joined me for a family party on the great day! Branch Secretary 1959 PATRICIA CHEESE (Holding) 53 Cedar Road, Berkhamsted, HP4 2LB email: ianandpat53@btinternet.com No fresh news this year. We are going to the Wye Valley at the end of the month for a week. It’s somewhere we have never been to so some exploring to do. In September we are going on a river cruise on the Douro in Portugal. JUDY COSTELLO (Flew) judithmcostello@gmail.com Basically I’m in excellent health (no sticks no glasses) though getting a bit confused at times. I now live in Wedmore, Somerset, where Michael, my eldest son, and family live. Andrew, my youngest son, lives in Portugal – too complicated to go there! He and family came over to stay for a week at Christmas. SUE HAMER (Roberts) Unfortunately my husband, Keith, became ill and hospitalised last November and sadly died in December. Christmas was spent in a mist for all the family but we are recovering well. Mark and family have moved to Pembrokeshire, which is not too far from the family farmhouse where I am to spend holidays in my ‘Granex’. I have been looking for hobbies in the area, as I will eventually retire there. Tried Croquet which I may continue and a folk dancing group. I am still helping with school transport and continuing Pilates and yoga classes as well as walking the dog.

SALLY LUXTON (Hilton) 4 The Mews, Gastons Rd, Malmesbury SN16 0BE Having now spent 8 yrs in this part of Wiltshire my garden is beginning to become established, very satisfying. Two years ago I had a month in Sydney catching up with friends and relatives. My brother came out for his 80th with his son and we celebrated at one of my nephews’ lovely restaurants! More celebrations and reunion with my brother-in-law and cousins, a week in Brisbane with an old friend, a great month. I spent two years as Speaker Secretary for our U3A, enjoyable but quite tiring. I continue to join several groups. I met up with Lyndall for a most enjoyable lunch with one of her sons and a friend. Rosemary and I keep in touch with each other’s news. I have 4 lovely grandchildren all busy with GCSEs and A Levels. LIS RUSHTON (Brandon) lis.rushton@talktalk.net Three weeks ago I had a new knee at my local Spire rather than wait until the end of August for the NHS! I am now getting around the bungalow and have been for walks round the block with my ‘walker’ which I find really helpful. Now looking forward to another family holiday in August on Anglesey where we have booked a large house complete with hot tub one of which we enjoyed last year in Llangollen. Hopefully everyone will be able to come for at least part of the week. GAY WILLIAMSON (Heughan) gwilliamson@zebrafish.co.nz Another year older and fortunately still living at home independently. Family and friends are good at keeping in touch. One grandchild (13) stays with me most Fridays. He has mild cerebral palsy. His two sisters are off to University next year. Mark’s eldest is starting up a face painting business while her sister is doing very well at riding. Sadly a number of my family have died or are managing health issues. Not a good year for health issues. I went to Wanganui for my annual opera visit which was wonderful. Still playing bridge weekly and enjoying the book club monthly. I haven’t been affected by the floods in New Zealand. SALLY HUNT (Nicholls) 14 River Street, W.Kempsey, NSW. 2440, Australia. We had another happy family Christmas as Kenneth was able to join us from the UK. He had to work from home during his stay. A little plus from Covid days as Kenneth, Sarah and Stephanie are all able to come and see us, staying for a few days and also working from home! Terry and I are keeping well but the wretched memory is failing us on a few occasions. We try to watch the grandchildren playing their sport, in Sydney, which is always fun. I wish you all a happy rest of 2026 and that you all keep safe and well.

1960 - 1969 Membership Secretary Dorothy Salathiel address at 1967 Branch Secretary 1960 ROSEMARY DUCAT (Coker) 24 Mayfair Gardens, Woodford Green IG8 9AB email: rosemaryducat@gmail.com My main news this year is that Timothy spent three months in hospital last summer with a urinary tract infection and delirium. The UTI resolved quickly but not the delirium. He lost a lot of weight and strength but thankfully he has made a remarkable recovery. The family were amazing during this time. All well otherwise. No OG day this year but hopefully next year. Best wishes to all. ANNE WORKMAN (Baker) (new address) 25 Birch Walk, St George’s Park, Ditchling Road, Burgess Hill, RH15 0SA anneworkman67@gmail. com I have recently moved out of assisted living to an independent living flat, all on the same 250 acre farm. I now have to cook again, which I hate, but there’s far more going on here and everyone is very welcoming. Whilst my aged car still works I can get out and have found the local U3A a good source of activities and friendship

I’m not as agile as I was and appreciate my blue badge. I see Carole Fagarazzi quite frequently and Janet Stephenson has also visited. Holidays are a thing of the past though I am eagerly anticipating 3 nights back in Bath with Cathy and granddaughter Beth. A chance to visit much-loved haunts and see old friends and neighbours. AILSA CONSTABLE (Lloyd-Davies) ailsaandtim@btinternet.com Children all fine just at the moment, touch wood. Sadly a very late frost destroyed this year’s crop at my daughter’s vineyard. Older son finished work about 3 years ago, makes me feel very old. Younger son working in the video business. Saw Stephanie Keil earlier in the year, still living in Portugal in the northern part of the Algarve, beautiful hilly countryside. ELIZABETH CROSSLEY (Collins) lizzieexey@aol.com Jo and I are at the stage in life when it seems quite normal to have at least three nonagenarians at the table. We have just had a very happy family wedding – this time our oldest grand-daughter Maisie, named after my mother for those of you who remember her, and watched our two great grandchildren coming up behind the bride in the arms of their mothers! Our son, James, took the service hoping he didn’t sound threatening when asking the groom all those important questions – so lots of laughter. I still swim outdoors in an unheated pool all winter and Joe is still stirring concrete. Happily still in contact with Nickie (Malim) and Judy (Boothroyd), the latter just having had a few days with us. So life is pretty good. Each day is a gift. ANNE GRIFFITHS 22 Brill Close, Alresford, Hants SO24 9FG I moved from NorthWood in 2003 and have since lived in Four Marks and Alresford, Hants very happily. Unfortunately my partner of 49 years died in 2017 so life is much changed. However I still keep up with the following old girls.. Sue Edmond, Anna (Squirrel), Liza (Rowe), Carol (Webster), Pam (Johnson), Wendy (Elmore Jones) and Marilyn (Saywell). Joint Branch Secretaries 1961 CAROLE BACH (Douglas-Morris) 7 Cottesmore Court, Stanford Road, London W8 5QL email: caroleannbach@gmail.com LYNN PAIBA (Conway) 34 Fairacres, Roehampton Lane, London SW15 5LX email: lynnpaiba@gmail.com CAROLE We are off to see our son Nicholas in Roatan in May and return via the USA visiting friends in Boston and New York. Anna is still in Ham, near Richmond and Christoph at the top of Ladbroke Grove. So lucky to see them often. We still see a few old girls, dear friends! Lynn managed on her 80 year birthday to have 4 of us amazing! Still love my bridge playing but certainly no more tennis! LYNN I was the last of our group to celebrate an 80th birthday last September, and enclose a picture taken at a lunch to commemorate the occasion - all still seeing each other after all these years, in spite of creaks of anno domini, and full of wonderful memories. My children and grandchildren well and progressing in life. Still singing and hoping to restart shooting later in year - and enjoying life!

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1962 - 1964

1961 - 1962 CILLA ALEXANDER (Crump) c.alexander3@btinternet.com Life here has changed - Johnnie sadly died last November, suddenly and unexpectedly from an unknown bowel tumour. A shock for all of us but in some ways a blessing for him - I have many friends whose partners are stricken with all sorts of dreadful problems with no quality of life. Johnnie would have hated that - he was always active and busy doing something - gardening, repairs, U3A etc, cycling, golf, swimming, sailing. We were lucky to have been able to retire at 60 and travelled to many places in the world. Grandchildren were a great pleasure for him too. So I’ve had some sharp learning curves as Johnnie dealt with all the money stuff - bills etc. I have never been so busy for a long time. I somewhat dreaded the large brown and white envelopes dropping through the letterbox, endlessly. The ‘children’ have been wonderful so I’ve been lucky in so many ways. I’m planning to stay here if possible- will just have to wait and see. TERESA BETTS (Massey) teresabetts@onetel.com Teresa has not written news herself but asked me to say that she is in the Beaumont nursing home in Chorleywood as the treatment for Acute Leukaemia, diagnosed in November last year and in remission at the moment, has left her with various side effects which means she has had falls and needs care, but she would love to see visitors if you are around her way. TRISH CHAPMAN (Scadding) trish@etchapman.co.uk Another year comes around - we’ve had a good time in general though sadly our mobility issues are gradually increasing, especially for my husband, Ernie. Last June Liz Ralph, Viv Roberts, Dreda Todd, Shirley Wyllys and I spent a very enjoyable St Helen’s mini-gathering at the Watts Gallery near Guildford. Then in March Ernie and I had a holiday in Buckinghamshire, our home for over 30 years. We thoroughly enjoyed going down ‘Memory Lane’ as we revisited many of our old haunts; I was glad to be able to catch up with Teresa Betts whom I’d not seen for a while. MARGARET HUNTER (Buckle) mehunter@hotmail.co.uk Life goes on as usual but more slowly. Looe is still in the news with Beyond Paradise. I get to France due to the kindness of my children taking me and I still enjoy it despite there always being a lot to do with an old house. GERALDINE LEIGHTON (King) g.s.leighton@gmail.com A year on, we are both keeping well – perhaps a little slower, but gardening, going for walks and outings still bring us pleasure. We spent a lovely holiday in County Donegal last June and made our way home via the wonderful countryside of the Antrim coast and glens. In the autumn, we sold our 25-year-old campervan to a couple we met there, as we were finding it less comfortable now in the confined spaces when camping. So, we have only our Citroen C3 Picasso and are re-thinking how we take our holidays and still enjoy going to the remote places we love! I still have three adult ‘cello students, play in a local orchestra, sing with a choir and play chamber music. Family all well and busy. In a troubled world, we are thankful for this lovely village where we live – it is a good place to grow even older! JUDITH PALFREYMAN (Nicholls) rognjudy@gmail.com Really this year is just a repeat of last year with the same highlights of watching young family grow and achieve, travelling north twice a year to catch up with friends and always enjoying the companionship of neighbours with get-togethers at Probus or just the morning coffee and gossip: we certainly do a lot more of the latter the older we get .... Eastern New South Wales is just emerging from dreadful floods - sister Sally and Terry completely surrounded by water and unable to travel to Sydney to celebrate the wonderful achievement of their 50th wedding anniversary. All systems go for next weekend. VIVIAN ROBERTS (Onians) Roberts.haseley@gmail.com All well here on the Isle of Wight and have been lucky to get away to Caribbean, birding, Brazil and just off to Mongolia. Still busy with the Nature Reserve (Anthony’s “pigeon” primarily of course), weddings, 20 | St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026

tennis, bridge and all the usual. Had our regular mini-OG gathering as Trish has mentioned. Oldest grandchild, Emilia, doing GCSE poor thing- makes one feel old! WENDY SMITH (Elmore-Jones) wendy.e-j@ntlworld.com We are enjoying life to the full and are as active as ever. We are very fortunate in being able to travel and already this year we have visited Cabo Verde, Tobago and Italy. One of our hobbies is to search for orchids and in April we found 32 different orchids in the Gargano area of Italy, being one of the best places in Europe to see them. Family and friends play an important part in our lives and I very much enjoy meeting school friends. LIZ SOMERVAILLE (Rowe) birdiepie2@googlemail.com Well I am still here, and have just had a Shrewsbury Arts Society trip to Suffolk. Stayed at The Angel in Bury St Edmonds. Loved Ely Cathedral, amongst other things! Ian now 82 and is a bit creaky, but like most chums, living on luck and pills!! Tim, our son, is enjoying life as Prof of Haematological Oncology at The Christy Manchester. Daughter Katherine combines her job with Valor International, and teaching credit management in the evenings, being a Magistrate, and parent governor of a school. Sister Jane (OG) busy as well! In touch with Anne Griffiths and Sue Edmond. I gather Pam (Johnson) has just gone into a nursing home. So remembering the good old days and one day at a time. Joint Branch Secretaries 1962 JILL ROSENHEIM 6 Albert House, Pittville Place, Cheltenham, GL52 3HZ email: jillrosenheim@btinternet.com LIZ WILLIAMS (Lewis) 109 Anson Road, London NW2 4AE email: eandm.williams@talktalk.net LIZ Jill continues to do the good work of contacting our group, and often meets and encourages those who haven’t been in touch. She has heard from Patsy (Marshall) and Suzanne (Freudenthal) who occasionally meets up with Jane (Alexander), Jane (Kinsey) and Penny (Hayward) - her last contacts with St Helens. We were pleased to see Scilla (Barker), and for the first time Pamela (Gee), at OG lunch at the end of May, but sad that train disruptions prevented Ro (Clarke), Jane (Alexander) and Wendy (Knowles) from joining us. The two of us have joint regular zooms with Charlotte (Witts). I occasionally see Maureen (Amar) in NW2 and Alison (Parkinson) in Wales. I’ve been trying to learn Welsh but a bit late now as we may not be going to Bala much longer. JANE GREENING (Alexander) alexjgreening@hotmail.com Reluctantly I have had to begin a new era in my life because my husband of 56 years died in November. We held a thanksgiving service for his life attended by over 200 people, so he had a good farewell. Now I’m in the midst of disposing of 5,000 books, 6 trombones (anyone want one?), a French horn, a cornet and dozens of records and CDs. Wendy (Knowles) and I meet for lunch when we can find a decent pub near us both and I have been to stay with Jane (Kinsey) in her new home in Shrewsbury SCILLA LOWN (Barker) scilla.lown@btinternet.com 2025/26 has been a very busy year. After 18 years at Coney Cottage and losing Charles 8 years ago, I decided it was time to downsize. Started the process by selling my horse and horsebox and hanging up my boots. I had ridden since I was 5. Very happy years riding, teaching and competing, first of all eventing then dressage. Then long time selling up. Found a lovely bungalow only ½ mile from Coney Cottage. Moved June last year. Dog, cat and I settled in very quickly. I have ½ acre of garden, really peaceful setting and lovely friendly community close by and can still keep in touch with my friends from before. Met up with Jill, Liz and Pam Lowe at the end of May and had a really good catch up.

PENNY WEARN (Wright) wearn565@btinternet.com Sadly, once again I was unable to join the lunch as we were in France, but look forward to hearing all about it from Wendy (Knowles) and Jane (Greening) who were there! I can’t think that anything I write to the news would be of interest, but of course I love to hear everyone else’s news! How selfish! ANGELA REDINGTON (Walker) aredington@talktalk.net Anthony had a knee replacement three months ago but we have just managed a very lovely holiday in Sorrento with perfect weather, and also had an interesting trip to Northern Cyprus last October. I’m keeping occupied with helping run a weekly Lunch Club, choral singing and playing bridge once or twice a week. Also trying to keep our large woodland garden under control! We’re putting off downsizing, timing will probably depend on Anthony’s mobility. We are lucky having our son quite close by and see our daughter often, although she teaches fulltime. Otherwise I’m keeping my fingers crossed on my recent cancer and consider myself fortunate to still be enjoying life. Remembering many happy days with everyone back in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Branch Secretary 1963 PATRICIA PORTER (Maxwell) 11 Graham Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 4BH email: richpadporter@btinternet.com Branch Secretary 1964A REBECCA HERSHMAN Baxter 1 North Lodge, Polesden Lacey, Dorking, Surrey RH4 6BB email: rebeccabhershman@yahoo.co.uk As I write this, during the overwhelming July heat wave, I am reminded of Mrs Dover’s warning all those years ago, that we meddle with our world at our peril! Also, as our news creeps ever closer to the beginning pages of the OG Mag and we are saddened by the loss of Rosalie and Sue this year, there is a realisation that, for us, the years are marching on! 80th birthdays make this a particularly special year for most. Last year was my 80th and, with the boys over from Oz together with Toby, our youngest grandson, we celebrated with a tea party. Family, friends from ‘64, family friends and longtime friends and colleagues from my 50 plus teaching years left me with many happy memories of a joyful day. A final year of teaching ended this July and now I move into what’s called, ‘retirement’, which I find somewhat daunting. No longer to have my life structured by term dates and school holidays, means an upside down world for me. Hopefully, however, more time to see and care for friends, enjoy new challenges and our garden. For Clive and me the pace is inevitably slower but we hope to trundle on. Happy Birthday, everyone, celebrate your special day! ALISON ASTON (Brailsford) peter_alisonaston@hotmail.com At 80 I was excited because of the Pension increase - how sad is that? I think of particular birthdays as achievements. I’m 17 so could learn to drive – at 21 I could afford car insurance. The years and excitement 80 of a few extra pence from my State Pension. How am I going to spend it? I’ll leave you all to decide on that important decision.

MARGAGARET BARRIE {Clayson) margaretbarrie@hotmail For the past two years I have had the challenge of a very unsatisfactory building project, a simple conversion of garage to an office room and the architect and builder have been infuriating – and I think of myself as a quiet sort of person! Interspersed in this time has been lots of singing with the Barnes Choir which has continued its annual travels to sing in interesting places, following Krakow, Lisbon and Prague, and this October we shall go to Bucharest. I went to Berlin as part of a group connected with music at Snape and Aldeburgh and Benjamin Britten. With all these travels I shall have to plant many compensating trees. I am often finding myself doing varied useful things for Joanna. And I much enjoy my occasional times with William and his family. They are great dog carers and I am good at baby sitting and clothes mending - life in a wheelchair can be tough on Arabella‘s clothes especially she says when stretching to write on a blackboard. How wonderful to have our small gathering with Patricia. Patria is wonderful and very kind. What an excellent school motto we had and school emblem we had ‘In hoc Vincite Velut illi Crescite’. MARY MONKTON (Greig) mary@wintonfarm.co.uk Life goes on, golf once a week when possible, and I do a lot of fundraising for our local church - we’ve raised almost a million over the last five years for new floor and now lighting system. I love doing it! ANNIE PATRICK (Gibbs) anniepatrickmail@yahoo.co.uk We are so lucky. This is what I, and my husband Gil (85 and well), say to one another daily. We still have our marbles, walk, do yoga, and travel. We just spent 10 days in France, travelling mostly by train. We moved here to Falmouth 7 years ago, when our wonderful barn home with garden became not such a good idea. Our apartment is right on the seafront, is modern, warm and light. I can still garden in a small way with pots on our balcony. We can walk into town, and there are buses and trains. Belinda and Scott came to visit a while back. We try to get together when they are in St Mawes. As my mum and aunt lived to 91, I guess there are some good genes there. Family are all in London, but now we live in a town by the sea, the grandkids think it’s cool, so we see them more than before. Happy birthday this year to all of you. SALLY WATTS (Kitchen) sally.watts12@btinternet.com We are still in Devon enjoying the beautiful countryside but our house has been on the market for over – not a good time to sell1 We are hoping to move back to Kent near to where our daughter lives. Our house and especially our garden, are much too big for us to manage and it takes at least 4 hours to see our son or daughter and grandchildren. I have had arthritis for several years and have had to give up golf but still see friends from the club when I visit. We had a wonderful cruise up the river Douro in Portugal to celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary and our daughter treated us to a day at The Chelsea Flower Show in May. We had a reunion with several relatives who are also celebrating their 80s which our daughter organised. Branch Secretary 1964B JAN RICHARDSON (Rees) Brockfield Barn, Lower Mawfield Farm, Allensmore, Hereford, HR2 9BQ email: dinedor@hotmail.com Joint Branch Secretaries 1965 ANTHEA HARTLEY (Castell) Lower Bassibones Farm, Lee Common, Gt. Missenden, HP26 9LA email: bassibones@yahoo.co.uk VANESSA WILLIAMS (Balch) 177, Portland Road, London W12 4LR email: vanessawilliams177@gmail.com ANTHEA Currently, all is well in the Hartley family. Time marches on and I’m glad that I do not have a crystal ball! We are taking and St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026 | 21

1965 enjoying each day as it comes, fitness and health are high on our agenda in order for us to remain busy and mobile. An exercise bike for my birthday present this year tells its own story, although it is still early days. The farm and holiday cottages keep us on our toes and are a lot easier, and more lucrative, than rearing sheep. Now Geoff is back on his feet we have resumed our passion for travel. A boat trip down the West coast of Africa was quite a culture shock: dreadful sea pollution, lack of public amenities, political unrest and acute poverty. Despite all this, the remoter communities appeared contented and welcoming, while the Roman Catholic church is doing a fine job building schools and educating the children. We also visited Japan recently, a long awaited journey which involved circumnavigating the main island for two weeks. Having first visited Japan on our honeymoon in 1972, when I was still employed by BOAC, I have witnessed enormous changes over the last fifty years. However, the Japanese people’s extraordinary sense of respect and courtesy is unchanged and acutely highlights the differences in our cultures: no littering, no graffiti, little crime, amazing motorways and NO potholes! Looking forward to our 80s party next year. VANESSA Very sadly my brother, Christopher Balch, died in March. He married Jane (Brewerton) in 1968 and Ann Doubal and I were bridesmaids in Holy Trinity Church in Northwood. Jane died tragically young in 1990 of pancreatic cancer. They met originally at a party while we were still at school which Jackie (Gough) gave. I was asked to find a few more boys! Chris married again and lived in the same village, Clifton on Teme, as Sue and Jerry Johns. Jerry gave a wonderful eulogy at the funeral. Chris had Parkinsons for many years but died of a horrid kidney cancer. GILLIAN ARGYLE (Thompson) gillian.argyle@gmail.com Well, no changes here: I’m just very grateful to be able to do all I want to do. This has involved, this year, my usual enjoyable activities and an always-interesting life here, enhanced so far by trips to the Amalfi coast in April (nicely warm, no rain, Pompeii outstandingly further developed since my last visit), and Scotland imminently. JANET BARTLETT (Spencer) pj.bartlett77@btinternet.com My news is not so different since giving a catch-up summary last year. We are settling into the community here, benefiting from facilities that help keep us strong and as fit as possible and also the local church where we are attending a small group Bible course, which is helping us to get to know better some of the members. Our delightful granddaughter (2) had a cleft surgery in Oxford last Autumn, which sadly was unsuccessful and will need to be repeated with some additional palate lengthening, vital to help speech development in future. This will be an extra challenge for her parents during a longer stay in hospital and recovery period. BRIDGET CHILD (McNamara) bridgetchild@btinternet.com I can’t believe our year are reaching 80 so look forward to meeting up for a proposed celebration. Lester and I, crossed fingers, are so fortunate doing many fun and interesting holidays. Just recently took both our families, ten of us to Lake Como at Easter this year. What precious times we had and hopefully will stick in the minds of our 4 grandkids (13, 15, 18 and 21). Great memories. Lovely still to be in touch with various old girls, cousin Pippa, Maggie Ball, Brolly, Maureen, Vanessa and Gillian R. Lucky still to be able to play tennis twice a week and Pilates also offering a bit with the church. Friends also so important. Look forward to hearing all your news. ANGELA CLUZEL (Willis) cluzel.angela200@orange.fr Another year high-lighted by times with our two grandsons: in January I’m out at Réunion Island for their summer holiday, helping driving, home-work, house-keeping … (you know what grannies do!) but what’s special is to keep up a special relationship with them: love and confidence, I would say. During their stay with us in the summer we took them to Amboise with its château and to learn about Leonardo da Vinci amongst other things. Hoping to get them across to England another year and see you all! 22 | St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026

1965 - 1966 LINDY FERRIS lindy@lindyferris.com I am still living in my lovely house in Mosman, a suburb of Sydney. Heating is on now since we are rapidly approaching Winter and anyone who says that Sydney doesn’t get cold isn’t living where I am. OK, it’s not as cold as the UK but I am very sensitive to the cold. Last year I started seeing a pain specialist for my chronic back pain but he didn’t turn out to be at all helpful. So am soldiering on, trying various other medications. Without even trying, I just picked up a new client whose thriller needs a deep development edit that is quite work intensive but I still enjoy this type of work and I get paid well!. And I can do this sitting on the couch in my living room. I pick and choose what I want to work on and these days only edit three or four books a year. My recent news is that last September I became a ‘great aunt’ when my niece, Caroline, had a baby girl in Auckland. I flew to Auckland in mid-October for ten days to catch up with the new addition to the family and also see my sister Nonie and brother-in-law Bill who live in Staten Island, NY but were in NZ for the birth. If things work out, I might be able to join many of you for a celebration lunch next year for our 80th birthdays. KAY FISKE (Waddell) kay.fiske@btinternet.com My news this year is sad. My darling husband died in November. So it has been a huge loss and I miss him terribly. Apart from that my own health is OK and two lovely grandchildren and a very dear son. SHEILA FRANKLIN (Pickin) sc_franklin2003@yahoo.co.uk I really enjoyed meeting up at St Helen’s with everyone last year, it was so good to catch up - where did all those years go? Last year I had a successful hip replacement but unfortunately after a recent fall I have been struggling to get around making life rather difficult but my wheelie does help! - waiting to see the Specialist. The grandchildren keep us occupied and we recently spent a long weekend with them in Cornwall which we all enjoyed especially with the lovely weather. They spent the week on the beach! Sadly my younger sister Gill (Pickin) died in February after a long and painful struggle with Cancer. She lived in Sidmouth so visits involved lots of long drives. Melanie my other sister and I meet up or chat frequently which we both enjoy. I am still involved with my local U3A and also Art’s group but sadly am unable to play tennis or table tennis which I used to enjoy. We are so lucky to be so close to Wisley garden which we frequently visit and also NT Polesden Lacey. My husband John manages to keep fit and healthy in the garden which he enjoys. I still help with church flowers and we have a good team. OLIVIA FREEMAN oliviajfreeman@btinternet.com I have joined Anthea’s team and am delighted to be organising a special reunion to celebrate us reaching the age of 80. Most of you will already know about this and to date there are lots of people coming. In case, you have not received the email about the reunion and would like to come, please email me. Also email if you have any ideas/suggestions. Look forward to seeing everyone in 2027. No other news, life goes on and I am busy as ever and increasingly involved in events in the local community. ROSALIE GURR (Gale) rosaliegurr@gmail.com A sad year with loss of Philippa (Bach) a great friend and my sister Heather 9 years older who was at St Helen’s. On a brighter note, I spent a few weeks in Singapore with our two grandchildren, good to often see our three grandchildren nearer to home. My time is spent visiting schools with my Pat Therapy Dog, stewarding at a Historic House - Kelmarsh Hall. Will be in Devon and Norfolk, gardening and walking with friends during the year. RAE GILLOTT (Bentley Jones) raegillott@outlook.com We have had our youngest staying with us for six weeks which has been huge fun but it is almost time for her to go home. For the last 18 months as well as my usual activities I have been helping the archivist at St. Martin-in-the-Fields prepare for an exhibition celebrating the 300th anniversary of the opening of the present church building. I remember being very excited at the 250th service of commemoration that the Revd Daphne Bennett, the first English woman to be ordained priest

in the Anglican church, took part. Where would we be without women priests now? GILL GRAPER (Trevaskis) gill.graper@googlemail.com It’s been a year where I have been trying to slow down and give up a few responsibilities, but really I should be grateful that both Peter and I are still able to enjoy life and be reasonably active. I continue to do childminding for both daughters - the twins are now 13, so helping with Maths homework is way beyond me! Our youngest grandson Edward (10) plays the violin, flute and keyboard. Both Samantha and Charlotte promote drama and music across South Holland area of Lincolnshire with their roles as a Senior Teacher at UAH; choir conductor for South Holland Singers and Mirinesse Singers; ACT 11 theatre company Director. I am PCC Secretary for All Saints, Holbeach but have retired from singing in the choir. I continue being a Samaritan at the Peterborough Branch, where I am a Trustee nowadays. Peter continues to play the organ every week at various local churches and thankfully he enjoys gardening, which has never been one of my hobbies! It is always good to zoom into one of the occasional meetings with a few of the A level music group from St Helens days - over 60 years of wonderful friendship. ANNE GUY (Grey) anneguy770@gmail.com As usual I can’t believe another year has passed since we enjoyed our 60th reunion. After 3 years since Derek’s death I am now moving into my parents old cottage across the lawn. This means endless hours turning out 4 generations of stuff!! I’m still enjoying playing tennis and golf, singing and travelling. Wishing everyone much love for all the 80th birthday celebrations over this coming year. BARBARA PATTERSON (Henderson) barbarasarah.pattison@sfr. fr Brolly is still enjoying life in Burgundy, France. It was quite a cataclysmic thing to do to relocate 22 yrs ago, but I don’t have one single regret. It’s just fab that so many of us keep in touch with each other. Friends are the best. My helping French kids with their English and doing a psychology course are now over. I’m a bit of a been there done that kind of person and only live in the present. No desire to pick up these things again. Like everyone’s, our grandchildren are pretty old but I’m not a great granny yet!!! I won’t be joining you for the grand quatre-vingt...... well not in person!! Watch this space. Very goodly wishes to anyone who remembers me! MAUREEN PHILLIPS mauphill16@gmail.com I had to come to terms with being one year away from 80 when one of my children’s friends said sweetly “Oh, I remember so well when I met you nearly 40 years‘ ago”. Even our children are middle aged and nostalgic. I have four grandchildren ranging from 15 to 19. I found a picture of some of us sitting on the roof of School House when we were in that age range and I am nostalgic too. Life in Piombino (Italy) continues to be very pleasant as is the climate (no extremes) and living on the coast, looking at the Island of Elba, is relaxing. But I am sorry to be so far away from my family. I have taken up oil painting and am a volunteer helping people with Special Needs. I finally ended my teaching career at the local High School last June, preparing two classes for Cambridge Advanced and Cambridge B2. Perhaps I will have more time now to keep in touch with old friends. SUE THEED suetheed@gmail.com My activities each year remain much the same - gardening, pottering around and an annual trip to Antigua. This last year a new knee and a couple of cataract ops mean there is no stopping me now! Looking forward to the 80 get together next year.

We made up one of the largest tables in the Dining Room. The happy times reminiscing were only marred by the din of chattering OGs which we endured during the lunch, which was somewhat challenging for our aging hearing. We were only too happy to be released into the quad again. Special thanks to Penny and Ali for organising the Memory Table – both beforehand and on the day itself. It was placed in the Entrance Hall so everyone could look at it when passing through – not only our year. I found it sad that very little of “my” old School was recognisable amongst the plethora of new buildings. I miss my annual meet up with Helen (Taylor) who died from MND in June 2025. Fiona (Leach), Pat (George), Sue (Morris) and I went to the funeral in Oxfordshire. I am looking forward to seeing Sue (Lees) and Vicki (Lucas) later in the summer. ALI CORK (Erskine) 60 years on and how things have changed?! A passion to be part of the lives of the 7 I am privileged to call my grandchildren – and am hopefully a better grandmother than I ever was mother! I exchanged running an indoor nursery school for one outdoors in the woods, changed expeditions to high altitude mountains to walking the Camino Frances and changed marathon running for tennis – regrettably not a great standard of play! How I enjoyed our 60th reunion – so great to see all and laugh at what our time at school used to be like! Despite the dining room ‘din’ am up for giving a reunion another try. SALLY HUNT (Hodge) I regret that over the past few years I have been very unreliable in sending news for the OG Magazine. Although I really have very little that will be of interest for this purpose, I felt I could not ignore Hilary’s heartfelt plea for a contribution; she does a sterling job in difficult circumstances. I am still living in Lakenheath with Les and since Donald Trump decided to wage war on Iran, the noisy US jets here have become even noisier. I still have contact with Anthea (Dobney) and it was lovely to meet up with her and her husband recently when our trips to Southwold actually coincided for a change. Trish (Moore) and I message each other intermittently and I am also hoping to see Anna (Bockris) later this summer when she visits the UK. I hope that those who made it to the “60 years on” OG Day had an enjoyable time. It is almost impossible to believe that we are old enough; although speaking for myself, various aches and pains as well as difficulty in crouching down and then trying to get up again confirm the unwelcome truth!

60 years on Branch Secretary 1966 HILARY RILEY (Allen) 9 Weavers End, Hanslope, Milton Keynes MK19 7PA email: hmriley@hotmail.com It was lovely to see old friends at OG Day on a beautiful sunny day. St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026 | 23

1966 - 1968 DIANA LOWE (Waller) It was great to see some of you at the Reunion organised by Hilary, Penny and Ali for which I thank them again. The last few years have brought some fairly significant changes in my life. I am now a proud granny to 3 sweet girls and am doing my best to see them as much as possible. We finally sold our house and “down-sized” to Norwich. Although the house is really small and I still have many boxes of ‘stuff’ to sort through, living within walking distance of our doctors’ surgery, chemist, great eateries and shops has made a huge difference to our life-style. There is also a bus stop a few minutes away so getting to know the City Centre and also the station is really convenient; I’m now able to go to London for the day and so catch up with old friends more easily. In June I went on a trip to Athens, Delfi and Andros with a friend. I’ve always wanted to do more travelling for pleasure as, up to quite recently, travel was mainly linked to work, although I did manage to go to India with a friend back in 2020. In about a couple of years quite a few of us will be reaching the milestone age of 80 so it could be fun to meet up in London for a get-together and I would be happy to help arrange such an event. KATHERINE PINCHING (Sloper) ksloper@hotmail.com It was good to see so many old friends from our school days at the Reunion. A most enjoyable day. Sadly my sister Mary Sloper died in Jamaica in December 2025 from complications after surgery. She had continued medical practice as much as possible despite increasing ill health. Thank you to the OGs who sent their condolences. Her death has left a big gap in our family, but we are pleased that she could make frequent visits to the UK in recent years, and was able to have time with her young granddaughter. JO TALBOT RICE (Manning) It was lovely seeing everyone and just being on the site at the reunion and sharing news and lifestyles. We now have a married granddaughter, one of three post-university. We still live in Oxford and enjoy all it offers, especially excellent medical facilities and a thriving church at this stage of life. I still attribute my enjoyment of reading and book clubs to Miss Leader and Miss Keddie and tennis to being allowed to play with Ali, Jane and Val in games, although I was not in the team!! PENNY WARE (Rodnight) Our lives revolve around the Little Missenden Festival (which my husband Dick manages), Chilterns Quakers (of which I’m now Clerk to the Trustees), visits to our cottage in Ireland and, even more importantly, our two grandchildren (10 and 13) who keep us grounded and forward looking. Lots of trips to London for plays and exhibitions. Cooking and gardening are my therapy and what I do when my head needs a rest! Gathering friends together for our 50 Years On in 2016 was so much more straightforward than this year’s attempt. Covid years, increasing infirmities, widowhood, loss of confidence, all contributed to people’s unwillingness to travel to OG Day. Our 28 in 2016 was reduced to 16 for 60 Years On. But what a joy it was to see each other! And we’ll do it again…… LINDSEY WEIMERS (Roberts) It was lovely to meet up with all those who managed to come to OG Day – extraordinary to think that we left 60 years ago. That’s the equivalent for those OGs who left in 2025 of us in 1966 looking back to a time pre WW1! I’m still very involved with Thame Museum as a Trustee and general volunteer working with schools, children’s activities and exhibitions. Been doing this now for nearly 20 years, and sometimes it feels as pressurised as a full-time job, so think it might be time for a change and my husband wants to get in some travelling whilst we can. Family all thriving. I regularly meet up with Jane, Clare and Lynn in London plus it’s good to catch up with Judi and Penny as well when I can. Hope to see all those who can make it at another gathering, maybe in 5 years’ time??

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1968 Branch Secretary 1967 DOROTHY SALATHIEL (Veale) 20 Twynam Way, Eastleigh, SO50 6HP (hope to replace with 3 Gilman Court, Eastleigh, SO50 6JA) email: dorothy.sm99@gmail.com Next year is our 60 years on reunion and I hope many of you will be able to join us. Charlie (Salathiel) is coming over from New Zealand in July and I am going to Sydney in December to spend Christmas with Sarah (Salathiel). We moved here 3 years ago and last year we moved to another apartment temporarily so that our apartment block could be remediated. But we have now been told the apartment blocks can’t be repaired and have to be demolished. Fortunately we have found somewhere else to buy that we like and will move there later this summer. KATIE DALZIEL My eighth granddaughter, Auri, born last November is a delight. Hal, my youngest son and his wife are thrilled. The other newcomer is Crystal, a sweet little rescue toy poodle. She is only 6 but I’m her 4th owner. She is somewhat reactive to other dogs on walks but positive reinforcement and quite a lot of frankfurters seems to be reducing her anxiety. I’ve also recently started a book group at a local community centre. As a reader and a book group participant elsewhere, I felt this was the kind of volunteering that would tick all the boxes for me and I really enjoy it. I also do Tai Chi and am a proud member of the International Taoist Society. I thoroughly recommend it as it’s great for balance and general wellbeing. ALISON ROBINSON (Onians) 2025 was notable especially for the celebration of Peter’s 90th birthday. Since then the strength and condition of his left knee have deteriorated and he is now looking forward to having a replacement knee joint, hopefully in the near future. Our other main news is that Andrew (48) and Beth are expecting a baby, their first, at the end of June. They are both busy and well as are Stephen and family. Peter continues to do some of our cooking and I play the piano and am trying to get my viola playing back to a reasonable standard. CHRISTINA KURKJIAN (Abadjian) The dreadful sciatica having disappeared after a year as mysteriously as it arrived, I am back playing tennis, E-biking, sometimes 30 km, singing in the Swiss German choir, doing a language Exchange Group (20 minutes French / 20 mins English), and playing the piano. Looking forward to a visit from Kit (Higginbotham) at the end of July. JENNY WALTERS My father died in my last term at St Helen’s and I went to sixth form as a daygirl in Lincoln where I lived. After sixth form I trained as a nurse in London, then went on to read psychology at university and to train as a Clinical Psychologist. After over 40 years in the NHS I now work for a charity, Freedom from Torture, volunteering my services to treat severe PTSD in survivors of torture. It is harrowing but also very rewarding work. I am also a carer for my autistic daughter, and have four grandchildren from my other children who I help out with. I still play a lot of tennis and am always grateful to St Helen’s for that! Branch Secretary 1968 SALLY TUCKER (Joynson Cork) 52, Northcote Road, Twickenham, TW11PA email: tuck_sally@hotmail.com Reflecting on the past year I feel the trip to Japan that Robert and I took was the highlight, a truly amazing place, though taking Olive to France, sleeping in a tent and ‘wild showering’ in the forest was an experience too! For the past couple of years Olive and I have run a ‘Vinted’ shop, great for her maths and computer skills both advanced compared to her grandmother’s! Holly had a series ‘Be Your Own Boss’ on ITV in November which was very exciting. Very sadly we lost Mary Sloper, her funeral can be viewed on You Tube and her really extraordinary life was told by those who worked with her and loved her in Jamaica. It reminds us all how precious each day is.

HELEN ARGUILE (Robinson) helena.arguile@outlook.com My life is pretty unremarkable. I had a bit of a health scare 18 months ago, but all turned out well and the good outcome is that I don’t take my health for granted as much as I used to. I feel so fortunate to still be able to play tennis, cycle and swim from our lovely beach here. I keep busy with various voluntary activities, singing, learning Spanish, walking and birdwatching and cultural things, both here and further afield. My husband Roger (82) still enjoys sailing. The weather has to be good to tempt me out now, but I do enjoy the little camping trips we can have on the boat when the tides are right. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place. We have 4 grandchildren, all miles away but we enjoy seeing them and helping out a bit when we can. Needless to say, Wells next the Sea is as much a draw for them as their old grandparents are! Thank you for keeping us in touch with each other, Sally, and for sharing Mary’s memorial service. What an extraordinarily gifted woman she was! ROSEMARY ASHTON (Tucker) rashton@tinyworld.co.uk My sister Alison and I live a quiet life in the SW corner of Scotland although in September cousins came from as far as NZ for a ‘gathering’. My mother and her three sisters had grown up in a town near where we now live and it was lovely to see everyone and share memories and photographs. I have had a few health issues which means I try to not drive long distances, but as my son John who lives in Nottingham, has become ‘freelance’ he’s now able to come up more frequently with my adorable granddaughter Tabby (3) which is great. GILLIAN BOUGHTON-WILLMORE g.e.boughton@durham.ac.uk This has been a better year health wise. My sister Ruth and I have just returned from a few days in Utrecht by Eurostar which was full of interest and very refreshing. I managed unintentionally to book a room in a seventeenth century house full of ancient artefacts with a boat in the bedroom, but it made for a few laughs. Keeping in touch with Stella Pohl on WhatsApp and meeting Sue Maguire for forays into London art exhibitions have been very good. We went to the Turner and Constable exhibition earlier in the spring. I’m still living in Durham but when in London stay at the Athenaeum Club in Pall Mall now, having become a member among a few years ago when I was in London a lot for voluntary Trustee work. I find this both very comfortable and tremendously amusing - something an eight-yearold member of 2B under the kind eye of Miss Jacobs would not have dreamt of. I’ll always remember her history lesson of the White Ship when Henry I lost his son and heir and other children and as Enid Jacobs rendered it ‘never smiled again’. I was sitting at the front and could see there were genuine tears in her eyes. Only later did I hear that she herself had arrived in England on the Kindertransport. CHRIS COATES (Shellard) chriscoates129@hotmail.com Having chosen to settle in Somerset in 2020 we are now enjoying a great life. Wiveliscombe is a wonderful small town with great community spirit. We are close to and run our own folk dance club. A great way to make new friends, have mental and physical exercise. Our daughter and grandson (8) live close by which is another way of staying young. I hope everyone is well SUSAN CRYTSER (Eyres) sue.crytser@gmail.com Have done some traveling over the past few months. Travelled to Germany & Austria last autumn with Colyer’s sister and husband who used to live over there so great guides. B&Bs and a rental car were just the ticket. We also took our semi-annual road trips to the Rocky Mountains. Not so much hiking these days due to both weather and limbs that don’t quite work as they used to but the scenery always leaves us feeling rejuvenated. In December took a trip to be with son Scott in Las Vegas. We took off for central Arizona, rented a house in the woods and other than the general tourist stuff, had a fun 4 wheeler trip over somewhat tenuous landscape. Thought I would be terrified but there must be some adrenaline junkie lurking in me still. Must try parachuting sometime before I croak! In January I went to see my

Australian brother in Melbourne to celebrate his 90th (we were each raised on opposite sides of the world). It was wonderful to reconnect with family I hadn’t seen in many many years. We now talk on the phone often. I still have 2 brothers left in England - all of us ageing rather faster than we’d like. We were hoping to travel to Europe this Autumn but have delayed until Spring of ‘27 so more news on that in the next epistle. We’ll take some road trips in the US instead, already in the planning stage. Never a dull moment here! PATRICIA GARRARD terraincognita@phonecoop.coop Greetings to you all and thanks as ever to Sally for keeping us in touch. There has been no great change for us, just learning to cope with the challenges of living past our ‘three score years and ten’, and out-living old friends and new. Recent achievement has been finding a good home for my vast collection of fabrics, having accepted that plans for creative use of it in my retirement will never happen. George and I are still finding it very difficult to thin out our library, and Devon seems to be full of wonderful second-hand books. Scaled-down gardening is a great consolation, especially seeing young trees, that we planted since we moved here seven years ago, maturing nicely and coming into flower. My sister Helen continues to care for the garden in Cornwall without much help from me these days. JANE GENT (Parker) the.gents@ic24.net We are still living in Devon and enjoying the beautiful countryside it has to offer on daily walks with our elderly spaniel. I am very involved with the local alms-houses as a trustee and president of the tennis club. I try to keep fit with regular Pilates, Aqua fit and tennis but I must admit the coffee after each activity is often a more enjoyable event!! Our family are spread around the world with all our grandchildren now teenagers. Visits to see them occupy most of our holidays but a recent River Cruise on the Danube with Saga was a wonderful experience and I would recommend it to all of a certain age. We still have our narrowboat and enjoy visiting places all over UK in her, it is a lovely slow way to enjoy the British countryside. JANE GORDON (Simmons) gordonjm210@gmail.com Sadly, my wonderful husband, Martin, died in December ‘25. Martin was diagnosed with metastatic cancer 20 years ago and had several near fatal heart events in the past 10 years. Despite his diagnoses, our married life was lived to the fullest. We were able to travel extensively and share our time between Canada and Israel, enjoying our five children, their spouses and fourteen grandchildren, and our friends on both sides of the pond. Our lives changed forever in October ‘24 when, after a wonderful trip to Europe, Martin had a brain bleed in Israel, followed by a stroke and more heart events. From then on, his health deteriorated such that we implemented our long-term plan to spend our closing years in Israel. In May ‘25, we sold our Canadian apartment and shipped our belongings. Amidst the backdrop of war, I am presently exploring how best to find meaning as I embark on a new chapter in my life. I do intend to spend part of each year at my daughter’s home in Canada, and expand my volunteer work and adult learning. I am lucky to have a wonderfully supportive family and friends, including Stella Pomeranz. ROSINA GOUGH (Porter) rosina.gough@icloud.com I retired from being an usher at my local theatre two years ago. I had been there for 10 years, and loved it, but sciatica and long periods of standing don’t mix well! But an interesting event took place at the end of 2023 before I left. The Donald Wolfit society had Patricia Hodge as the guest speaker for their annual lecture. It took the form of an “in conversation with” talk. I believe she was playing Mrs Pumphrey in ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ on television at the time. Afterwards I was able to speak to her for quite a while, and we remembered and spoke of former fellow pupils and staff. A very happy memory to finish my time at the theatre. My four granddaughters, two in the UK and two in Australia are doing well and are happy following their chosen paths.

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1968 - 1969 CAROLINE LEHMAN (Marx) camlehman@gmail.com We have had some wonderful family celebrations this past year up and down the West Coast. We were fortunate to enjoy the most spectacular 4th July firework display I’ve ever seen and this from a chemistry teacher for whom every firework display is an exquisite rendering of atomic theory and structure!! It was in the Japanese tradition, each of the 15 “sets” were like paintings in the sky! In December, I had the unexpected pleasure of being in South India. It was a fabulous experience. Not all is roses; we are aging and our friends are suffering illnesses and are dying. I spoke with Mary Sloper just before leaving for India. She was always a good friend and always too modest about her many impactful contributions in communities where she used her skills and energy to the full. Living in the US right now is challenging. I am very active with an Interfaith organisation which supports the communities, families and individuals targeted by this administration. I am also involved with a teaching and learning project, and a quilting group as well as my synagogue, with all the challenge that entails as we navigate being Jewish in this world. Fortunately there is much joy and friendship in all of these activities, as I am together with so many inspiring and resilient people who keep me going cheerfully forward. STELLA POMERANZ (Pohl) stella.pomeranz@gmail.com This has been another extremely challenging year for us here in Israel. All the family are well and hoping next year will be better for everyone. JANE REED jane212@btinternet.com As I write I am looking forward to meeting up with Sally for a coffee and a catch-up next week. Also enjoy being in touch with Stella Pomeranz and Marilyn Treacy and still see Roni Notcutt and Lou Collens as often as I can. Nothing different to report really. Enjoying deep retirement now with a combination of walking, singing and gardening and a few breaks away. Still trying to piece together an article about the history of teacher education based on my college, so get to Derbyshire fairly regularly and enjoy the archives there. Enjoyed a recent visit to family in Cornwall and the wonderful Lost Gardens of Heligan in particular. MARCELLA SMITH (Crouch) marcella0703@gmail.com My one big piece of news is that I now have two great grandchildren - Theo who was born five weeks early in September 2025 and Phoebe who arrived in February 2026. It is lovely to have two babies in the family and great for Theo and Phoebe as they live very close to each other and will be going to the same school. My life here in Aynho is very quiet but my younger daughter Kate lives nearby and I help out with her children who are now aged 16, 14 and 11. Emma and all her family live in Hampshire although the youngest is studying at university in Brussels. The three other girls all live within walking distance of each other. It is hard to believe that it is four years since Gerald died and very sad that he didn’t get to meet his great grandchildren. MARILYN TREACY (Arnold) mtreacy@gmail.com Another year has flown by and although difficult for some it has left us relatively unscathed. I was very sorry to hear about Mary Sloper. What a character and force for good she was in her community. I was taught by her father at Charing Cross Hospital Medical School. A memorable experience. We will be moving from our current house this year to another small village on the outskirts of Cambridge. This house has become too big for us to manage easily but we will be sorry to leave. We are delighted to have been able to pass our Alpacas to the next occupants as fixtures and fittings! Travel to Switzerland, our six grandchildren and making silver and gold jewellery keep me happily occupied. SUE WATSON (Maguire) sue22watson@gmail.com Nothing much has changed since my contribution to last year’s Old Girls’ Magazine, apart from being a whole year older! How did that happen? We are off to France again next week for a few days to visit family and celebrate a birthday. I still have two voluntary jobs, which keep me fairly busy. I enjoy meeting up with Gillian (Boughton) and Sue 26 | St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026

1969 - 1972 (Woolf) for visits to exhibitions and long chats over lunch. I re-read the 2025 Magazine before writing this, and it is encouraging that many contributors are continuing to lead active and interesting lives. Long may this last! I look forward to the next meeting in a couple of years’ time! Branch Secretary 1969 JANET KIRCHHEIMER (Ritchie) email: janetmritchie@gmail.com David and I have had a very busy year, which has been lovely. We had all our children and grandchildren from Singapore, Melbourne and Oxfordshire staying with us for Christmas (11 in total) and then a new grandchild, Beatrice, in December. James and Allie live in Singapore so we went to meet Beatrice in February then on to see Rachel (Kirchheimer) in Melbourne. It was complicated because three weeks before we left, Quinta (our Great Dane) suddenly collapsed and ended up in intensive care for 48 hours on oxygen. She now has GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disorder) and requires quite a rigid regime but she seems to be having fewer episodes now. We went to Italy with the Jupiter Singers on a choir tour and soon go to Derbyshire with friends. I am very proud to have been nominated for the role and am now the President of the OG Club. It is very interesting and is making me upgrade my IT skills! SUE LLOYD (King) sueking@doctors.org.uk Since last writing, I have celebrated the 90th birthday of my beloved jubilee lido in Penzance, with a very cold water swim and much cake, water temp around 12 degrees; many trips to the theatre with and without the 3 grandchildren; exhibitions around the country, mostly art and textiles and trips down to our house in Penzance, meeting up with our son Ollie who lives down there and with our Cornish friends. Richard is busy with his group of friends who are car fanatics. He is also a keen gardener and very handy at all kinds of DIY. Sadly, our last cat Bertie died before Xmas and is much missed along with his halfbrother Oskar who also died last year. However, we have now found a beautiful ginger Norwegian forest kitten from Lockerbie who is a complete delight and growing fast. He is now a stroppy teenager and called Lochlan [Lochie for short]. In April I met up with Janet (Ritchie) and Jill (Fordyce) in Marlow on a beautiful sunny day for lunch, to celebrate our joint 75th birthdays. We had a lovely time with our other halves also in attendance. So good that we are all still around. Jill and Nick had come from their home in Carcassonne, so it was lovely to see them again. I am able to catch up in person with Janet more often, as she only lives in Chesham Bois. Some more holidays on the horizon to look forward to, keep well everyone. ANGELA PITFIELD angelap7982@gmail.com Any news from me in the last few years have involved my on-going back trouble. So here goes again! In March I had more surgery on my spine after a year of pain and trying to convince a consultant I wasn’t making it up. Eventually I was referred to the Oxford Spine Unit where I saw an expert who not only believed me but operated on me. After a year of inactivity I’m now on the mend, pain free, feeling positive and looking forward to a better outcome. Learning to paint with water colours is proving a new interest for me. I’ve met some interesting people who are great fun and we all encourage each other and laugh together. I hope to start singing again in a local choral society, there are quite a few to choose from. My two grandchildren are growing apace and are a delightful pair. They live quite near to me so I’m lucky to see them regularly. JILL MARTINEZ (Fordyce) jillmartinez@hotmail.com 2026 will be an important year for us in France as we will be getting our 10-year residency cards upon renewal of our current 5-year cards (in the framework of the EU Brexit agreement). I am helping organize a very large international conference to be held in London in September. Luckily, I can do a lot of the work remotely until closer to the date of

the Conference itself which will be taking place at the International Maritime Organization with a celebratory dinner at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. Nick and I meet up with Janet (Ritchie) and David and Sue (King) and Richard when we can. We recently celebrated our 75th birthdays together. Where have the years gone! CHRISTINE JANIS Christine_janis@Brown.edu A mixed year. Travelled to Botswana and France (the Dordogne), and then unable to travel to the US for an inauguration due to health issues (lung infection that wouldn’t go away). Much of the year then spent in travel insurance limbo waiting for tests! Still, have hopes for more travel this coming year, so fingers crossed. Got do it before becoming even more decrepit. Otherwise, just staying at home, working, trying to stay fit and healthy (as best as possible!). SUE LEIGH (Wilson-North) sueleigh262@btinternet.com I look back over the past year and think of books read, writing, long walks, time spent with friends, friends lost. Last summer, I went to the Outer Hebrides, a wild, beautiful place. I saw white-tailed eagles, rare wild flowers, beaches of white shell sand. This year I return to Shetland and then go to Orkney for the first time. Perhaps islands offer a kind of escape when life on the mainland becomes too overwhelming. I am in touch with friends from school including Sue (Toller) and Jan (Roberts). MOIRA BISHOP (Macara) moiracaroline@googlemail.com This year I have enjoyed spending time with the Old Berkley Riding Club and seeing the riders achieve some really good results with their horses. They show a lovely clear and very effective knowledge of stable management and the importance of looking after their horses and ponies. Having taught for them for a long time in the past I was surprised when I was told a while ago that I was now an Honorary member! I have also been to some Vale of Aylesbury Pony Club events, where I have met some of their Instructors who I had taught when they were children. I keep up with looking after our allotment which has been difficult at times with the variations of weather that we’ve had! SUE TOLLER We are continuing to enjoy living in Leamington Spa, adjacent as it is to ancient Warwick and only 30 mins on the bus from Stratford on Avon. Being close to our daughter and her family, in Leamington, and living closer to our son and his family in Chepstow than before, has meant that we now see more of the whole family. We’re also able to go for many more country walks and can enjoy the canal system! We still visit the Gower Peninsula for holidays in the caravan, being a good deal nearer than where we used to live in London. Talking of holidays, we are taking the whole family (including 5 children under the age of 8) to ‘ Villages Nature’ on the outskirts of Paris for my 75th birthday in May!!

1970 - 1979 Membership Secretary Wendy Durrant address at 1975 55 years on Branch Secretary 1971 JANE MAYHEW (Plumbly) Ugford Farmhouse, Wilton, Salisbury, SP2 0EB tcmayhew@talktalk.net Communal news this time from the class of 1971. Credit to Debbie Wills (Pearce) that no fewer than 17 of us came to the same place at the same time. First came the identifications – through grey-hair disguise. Some easier than others – it’s 55 years since that school photo. And then we talked and we talked and we talked – several

hours of happy re-acquaintance. So here we all are – left to right: Gill Cooper (Walters), Annie (Cole-Hamilton), Rosemary (Lees), Charmian (Davies), Jane (Plumbly), Jenny (Janet Bruce), Nicky (Robertson), Mary (Ravenscroft), Carol (Smith), Jeannie (Holifield), Pam (Baker), Debbie (Pearce), Elspeth (Owen), Nicki (Parker), Raglan Sanders, Daphne (Marston) and Esther (Back). Dorothy (Bowyer) lifted a glass with us, but in North Devon. Four of us subsequently made it to OG Day and further photos and reminiscences flowed to and fro on WhatsApp.

Branch Secretary 1972 JANE COVERDALE (Riddelsdell) 1 Court Cottages, Overstone Park, Northampton NN6 0AP email: janecoverdale27@gmail.com A big ‘thank you’ to Jane Weitzmann for undertaking the 1972 Branch Secretary role for many years, often with little response on our part! I wish her well for the future. In April I sent emails to the 18 OGs on my list to request input for the 2026 News. I was delighted to hear from 9 former classmates, with news for inclusion from several of them. It is very likely that contact details are way out of date, so if you are reading this, and are a member of our cohort, please send me your name and contact details so we can keep in touch. In 2027 it will be 55 years since we left St Helens, so it would be great to see if a group of us would like to meet for OG Day on Saturday 8th May 2027. Retirement continues to be remarkably busy and fun. ROSIE ALLEN (Campbell) I have been happily married to Peter for nearly 50 years now and have three children, all of whom have partners and are parents themselves. We are lucky (or unlucky depending on your perspective!) to all live in South London so see and care for our 8 grandchildren (ages 2-12 yrs) regularly. I ran my own market research company, Campbell Keegan, for around 40 years but am largely retired though do occasional business coaching. My ‘working time’ is spent as a Samaritan Listening Volunteer, a very rewarding commitment: I am a Vice Director and run Training for my branch. Peter and I are lucky to be relatively healthy, so we spend a lot of our time playing tennis, golf and skiing. I have returned to painting regularly, exhibiting (even selling!) quite a few artworks once or twice a year.

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1972 - 1973 SUE MACKENZIE (Emerson) suemac1812@btinternet.com All is good here in Edinburgh. We continue to see our children and grandchildren weekly as we still help with childcare in limited stints so that we’re not overwhelmed, thankfully, most of the time! We’ve had another great year of holidays - in summer of 2025 we had a 6-week staycation in England in our campervan. We visited many interesting places, many lovely friends enroute, and had great weather too. Our adventures this year have been in Sicily and Morocco - both new to us and much enjoyed. We will be away for the 2026 summer school holidays in our van again - to Sweden this time. PENNY LEWIN (Marston) pennylewin6@gmail.com Now retired from being a Library Assistant after 17 years and concentrating on having fun (plus a little volunteering at local museum as well as delivering books to housebound readers). Moved from central Poole to Parkstone about 3 years ago, so near mum Hazel (Carr) (now 102 years old) and sisters Leonie and Daphne, plus their gorgeous families. Otherwise kept busy with Pete, plus walking with various friends, art/historical visits and as many exotic holidays as possible. CAROLE LUCAS (Pleming) carole.lucas@icloud.com This is the first contribution I have made in the 54 years since I left! Having worked at the IFS, and the CBI I spent time at Arthur Anderson before giving up work to have children. My husband, Neil, and I moved out of London to Buckinghamshire in ‘86 on the arrival of our first son, Edward (now 40). Emma arrived 2 years later and James 3 years after that. Now with 5 young grandchildren and both families living under an hour away we are very lucky to participate in their lives. James has an American fiancée so we will soon be venturing across the Atlantic more regularly. I have kept in touch with Fiona (Treacher), Sally (Croydon) and Susan (Gray) though this is less frequent than I would like! JANET MORRIS (Cumming) janmmorris54@gmail.com Since our 40 Years On reunion John and I have started a new chapter of our lives. After 32 years in Harpenden we moved to Ashburton, on the southern edge of Dartmoor. With the moor on our doorstep, and the coast within easy reach, we find ourselves spoilt for lovely places to walk. Meanwhile Scottish Country dancing, a local choir, various U3A activities plus a large garden keep me busy. With our eldest daughter and 3 grandchildren (7, 9 and 13) living near Taunton and middle daughter in Exeter, both are close enough for frequent visits, although our youngest and 2 grandchildren (4 and 7) are further away in Hertford. Recent holidays to Sri Lanka and Norway (Northern Lights), and a return trip to New Zealand on the agenda, make for a good life! SUE RUSSELL (Sandhurst) peterandsuerussell@btinternet.com We’ve had 20 blissful years in North Herefordshire, opening our garden to the public and creating 4 acres of wild flower meadows. I retired from paid employment 10 years ago and have since been a cook/waitress in our community café, a trustee of our church building, and director of our village community plays. Music is a major part of my life and I play with several early music ensembles. I still can’t believe how lucky I am. JUDIE SIMMONDS (Evans) The last 50 years plus in 100 words… After leaving St. Helen’s, I went to Swansea University and read History. After this, I wasn’t sure what to do but ended up going to Bristol Polytechnic to take my Solicitors exams and then to West Sussex to do my Articles. In the same month as I qualified, I got married. We went on to have 4 boys, now 41, 39, 33 and 29 and I also have a granddaughter of 18 months. I still live in West Sussex but am divorced. Would love to hear from anyone who knew me from school. ALISON SLOAN (Jenkins) alisonhsloan@gmail.com Summary of the last 19 years. Peebles 10, Stranraer 8, Cumnock 1. The last move was a snap decision to be nearer to family, 7 minutes downhill. Since my brother‘s unexpected death in ´23 we have been travelling while we can. Japan, S Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Laos, Sicily, Ecuador and Galapagos 50th wedding anniversary treat, Trinidad 28 | St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026

1973 - 1976 and Tobago. Just back from Copenhagen and trips to Canada, Bali, S Australia, Tasmania, Singapore booked. After years of community engagement we’re taking a backseat spending our time here and our lodge near Dunoon. Our granddaughter Molly (14) pops up. We can’t help with Physics but German and English possibly. JANE WEITZMANN (Parker) Was making good health progress but fell off a car transporter. Turns out a drug I have been on for 35 years causes Osteoporosis, so the neck of my femur was obliterated. Hence partial new hip! Before that, a now ex-friend who stored his caravan here for free, decided his soon to be ex-wife wasn’t getting half of it – so torched it. Took out my entire workshop building – all tools, including sentimental ones from my late husband, Dad and Grandad, one vehicle (the 30ft American RV), all the car keys, my kids’ toys kept for sentimental reasons and my jewellery in the key safe in the building. Unfortunately, the contents of the building weren’t insured as I was in the process of downgrading my business and was looking for alternative insurers. At least the building was and is just being rebuilt 9 months on. Year finished on a similar note with my dear cousin having had a very nasty fall down her stairs, now living with me with onset dementia and the aftereffects of her best friend’s coercive control. So legal shenanigans to extract the woman from her life! Branch Secretary 1973 SALLY FLEMING (Pollott) 2 Moneyhill Road, Rickmansworth WD3 7EQ email: sallyclarke25@hotmail.com Reluctantly I have had to step down from being Secretary of the OG Club after 26 years, but will still be editing the magazine and, of course, your Branch Secretary. It was so sad to hear of Sue Madocks’ passing, although as she had suffered from Alzheimer’s for a decade probably a relief for her and her husband. On a more cheerful note I had a lovely long weekend in Bilbao with Susie last Autumn and have travelled to South-East Asia, Bhutan and Nepal (and climbed up to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery at over 3,000m) and Greece (yet again) in the last year. Susie and Julie continue to provide vital friendship and support through thick and thin.

JULIE PERKINS (Macfarlane) Another busy year for us, full of travel whilst we are able. In May we went to the Mediterranean where David fulfilled his ambition in Barcelona to see the Sagrada Familia, truly magnificent! We also visited some amazing Bronze age ruins in Sardinia. Next, it was Casablanca and the fabulous Hassan 2nd Mosque which is absolutely huge, with gorgeous marble floors and walls. In July we cruised to the ‘Northern Cities’ including Stavanger, where we viewed ‘Pulpit’s Rock’ from the Fjord in fabulous sunshine. How people can hike up there and stand on the top beggars belief! In Olden we went to a Norwegian Horse Stud where we met some gorgeous mares! In Gdynia, we took a trip to Stutthof Concentration Camp Museum,

which was extremely sobering. October took us to the East Coast of Canada, visiting St Johns in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec. On the 2nd day, we visited a First Nation Heritage Museum which was really interesting and informative. We spent New Years’ Eve in Amsterdam where the fireworks were fantastic! We returned to Amsterdam and Bruges in April to celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary!! David continues to sing with his Choir and is well. The Hospital are extremely good at following up any little concern, so we feel we are in good hands. PENNY SPARROW (King) pjsparrow2@gmail.com A very full year, travelling every 3 weekends or so to see our granddaughter - a drive of 330 miles each way. We were lucky that she, along with her parents who were on parental leave, stayed with us for about 6 weeks last summer at our lake-house in New Hampshire. We decided that the ratio of 4 adults to one new-born was the right one for everyone to get some sleep. Other than those visits, the year has held a gentle routine. SARAH FINCH sarahfinch1@yahoo.com At a time of life when people are thinking of retiring, I seem to be busier than ever! This year I have toured to Austria with ‘Etty...in transit’; a play that looks at the past, through the lens of the present. The past being WW2, and the amazing diaries of Etty Hillesum - a Jewess who refused to hate, and somehow her diary survived. This will have a further tour next spring, and a probable return to Austria. I am also doing a new play ‘Mr Moore’s Bizarre Secret Society’, which plays at The Bridewell Theatre in London this autumn - it is a charming family play, and, among other things I’ll play Queen Victoria!! I also have 2 upcoming directing commitments, one in Spain, and one in Somerset! So, I’m keeping fit and busy - and one day hope to get to a reunion! SUSAN PARKER susanparker610@gmail.com Had a busy year travelling visiting the amazing camellia gardens in Galicia, a cruise to Madagascar, Reunion, Aldabra, Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. Am looking forward to visiting Bhutan in October. Also seen Janet Kelsall, Di Levinson and Naomi Moskovic during the year. DOT BROOKE-TAYLOR 2025 turned out to be a very busy year and as I expected the summer was one of significance. Four family events in four different counties over six weeks. My four day 70th birthday SuperFest, brother Dave’s 75th, Dave & Anne’s Golden Wedding and three days in Bakewell and then son Martin’s wedding. My friend of significance, Owen, and I also had trips to Northumberland, Snowdon (the Mountain & Zip World), Ben Nevis (and quad bikes in Aviemore), another week in Wales and we celebrated Hogmanay on Edinburgh’s Princes’ Street. We took a diversion en route from Pembrokeshire so he could show me where he grew up and lived (& worked) on a farm as a teenager – it was only the adjoining land to Tregoyd where my Mum was with St Helen’s during the Second World War. Coincidences!! I had my first trip to France since 1973 when I went to Geology Symposium in Nancy – what a lovely, historical & unusual city well worth the trip even without the Nuclear Waste Disposal Facility day trip and all the fascinating lectures. Lizzie gave me a second grandchild born in late December. I am also back to daily dog walks as I’ve just taken on her special needs dog, Billy. STEPH PHILLIPS MORGAN (Phillips) phillips@pc-q.net The second half of last year gave me the opportunity to see friends and family. In September, I managed to get most of my university flat-mates together for a weekend here in mid Wales which was a lot of fun. In November, I shared 70th birthday celebrations with my cousins and

some of their youngsters near Shrewsbury which was also special. The beginning of this year has been quite hectic with a week spent at the European Figure Skating championships in Sheffield and then in February, a ‘spa crawl’ through Germany, the Czech Republic and Belgium travelling with Euro-rail passes. ‘Letting the train take the strain’ is highly recommended! I’ve joined a local Welsh language group which has been enjoyable and has helped Graham and me to use more Welsh and to feel part of the Welsh-speaking community here. We still live in the Upper Severn Valley with plenty to keep us occupied around the house and in the garden, although a trip to Ireland in the autumn is also on the cards. GILL ARTHUR Sadly Sue Madocks died on 5th June in Florence. She had Alzheimer’s. I would describe it as complications that arose from that. She went into a coma with a serious pulmonary infection. Before that she was no longer recognising Warwick, her husband, and had long lost the ability to speak. It was so, so sad as the last 10 years of her life were so difficult. SUSAN NORTHCOTT (Poyser) snoozenorthcott@gmail.com Indeed, it has been a bountiful, bumper Northcott year with a pigeon pair – a girl and a boy born within 2 months of each other to respective daughters in law. Total joy and so special to be in London near to both of them. We would not want to be anywhere else in the world. We love our new home and life here in SW19 and the Championship will see me continuing as Honorary Steward – hopefully on Centre Court again and Simon driving the players around in his luxury liveried Range Rover. I am working part-time in local solicitors which is very enjoyable and am about to become a member of the Framework Knitters Livery Company. Branch Secretary 1974 Vacancy for Branch Secretary To contact the year group or join the WhatsApp group, please contact Eilean Harper (the group’s Admin.) on 07760131664 or contact the school via the school Alumnae portal @www.sthelensconnect.london. This is run by the school development office. Branch Secretary 1975 WENDY DURRANT (Hinds) 10 Hedgeside Road, Northwood HA6 2NX email: wendydurrant@yahoo.com

50 years on Branch Secretary 1976 ROSEMARY LENO email: rosemary.leno@gmail.com OGs day 50 years on was a great success, it was lovely to see Margit Beck, Isobel (Hanton), Helen Nicholas, Anne (Buckeldee), Catherine (Longman), Julie (Dudmesh), Jane (Thornley), Nikki (Kalman), Jo (Crump), Sarah (Dawes), Angie (Paterson), Janet (Parsey), Clare (Tollit), Juliette (Hindson), Yvonne (Kingsley Brown), Jane (Collins), Ingrid (Sandom), Sally (Mason) and Jane (Pollard). I heard from several who were unable to make the day as well as Sue Turner who lives in Australia and Charlotte (Hilton) who was elected MP for Ely & East Cambs in July ’24 which is keeping her busy. JO GILLETT (Crump) jogillett@talktalk.net I am trying to get as much out of life as possible as we all should! Still working part time doing beauty therapy which I have so enjoyed over the years. My son, Rupert, remains working in Singapore so another trip there and on to Vietnam last November which was fabulous. Helping my daughter Francesca with her 3 little ones is also a joy, I have also taken up ballet and ballroom recently, not sure how I’m fitting everything in but somehow it works! St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026 | 29

1976

ISOBEL BURTON (Hanton) iburton036@gmail.com I’ve enjoyed another wonderful year of retirement and have recently joined a choir, something I haven’t done since the days of Miss Croll! Everything we sing is in Latin which is very definitely challenging my ‘O’ Level Latin! I met up with Jane (Buckeldee) in October and had the most wonderful day of reminiscing whilst walking in a beautiful country park …in the pouring rain! I unexpectedly ended up having knee surgery yet again after doing something silly whilst out running but am still reluctant to recognise that the big 70 is looming far too closely. DEBBIE FRAZER deborahfrazer9@gmail.com I’m still living on the coast in Northumberland and enjoying life in this beautiful, wild and windy part of the country. My time is spent with family in London and Staffordshire and volunteering locally. I have recently started painting again (first time since A levels at St Helen’s) and am enjoying it immensely. I am hoping to qualify as a Spiritual Director this summer. HELEN NICHOLAS helennicholas38@gmail.com Finally retired! The final 7 years were spent working for Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands (former MD of John Lewis). Holidays in Corfu, France and Wales followed! Now having work done on the house – being at home rather than out at work means you see what has been neglected! I volunteer for the charity MND Association (my father died from this horrific disease). Both my sisters (Hilary and Alison) are still working. My mother will be 95 yrs old this year and is off on a river cruise to Portugal to celebrate! Keep in contact with Isy Hanton. CATHERINE HARER (Longman) harer@btinternet.com We have had a highs and lows year with an amazing trip to Vancouver and Vancouver Island to see whales etc and saw loads of Orca, Humpback and sea otters. Sadly we came back to hear my little sister had a terminal cancer diagnosis and she died early January, then a day before her funeral my sister-in-law died of a heart attack doing a swim so we were all in shock. I have several swims myself this year so not good preparation! I’m doing several challenges this year including

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1977 - 1979 Swimathon 5 km in March, Dart 10km in July and then Thames half marathon in August just before our family holiday. Our eldest grandson (9) and his brothers are living in a caravan while their home is gutted and an extension built. Not sure the boys so bothered but it will be lovely for them to live in a house again after 2 years! Our son still working near Cambridge as a battery chemist. YVONNE SANDERSON (Kingsley Brown) yksanderson@yahoo.co.uk It was lovely to see so many from our year at OG Day and to catch up with everyone. I still live in South Oxfordshire, teach a few German classes to adults mostly online, and I’m loving being granny to our three grandchildren in the USA and Herefordshire - sadly not close by, but a great excuse to travel. Here at home, I sing in a choir and enjoy trying out new languages - Finnish being the latest ahead of going to Lapland with the children before Christmas. My mother (99) lives near us and is currently recovering from hip surgery. Hoping to be able to celebrate her big birthday next year in appropriate style. LESLEY GOLDBERG (Reynolds) lesley.g@outlook.com Another busy and fun year. Our daughter Alexandra (28) continues living in Brighton which she loves. She’s in the process of setting up her own business which is very exciting. My husband Stewart and I love to travel and we have done some incredible trips recently. In particular we loved Puglia in Italy, Ibiza, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. We also did a few short trips which included Paris, Amsterdam and Florence. My mother (93) is amazing. She’s completely independent and leads a very full life. Her diary is way busier than mine! Sorry to have missed the reunion. 50 years! CLARE BRODERICK (Redman) clare.broderick20@gmail.com Life continues here in the East Midlands. I see the two grandchildren every week on school pick up duties (10 and 8), and through the holidays which keeps me on my toes. Also looking after our daughter Eleanor’s little Romanian rescue dog gets us out and about walking daily. We are lucky to be so close to open countryside and to the beautiful Peak District. I go open water swimming weekly throughout the year. Did an ice swim this winter which was quite exhilarating!! Back from the Outer Hebrides after a week of mixed weather but wonderful scenery and beaches. Visited my brother in Texas in June and met up with Rosemary in July. I was sorry to miss OG day, looked like a good gathering. LIZZIE ELHAMRI (Bishop) elizabethelhamri@virginmedia.com I’m happily retired now. Tending my allotment, going for walks in the countryside, meeting with friends and looking after two cats. Occasionally painting. SARAH GRIFFIN (Dawson) sarahmgriffin@googlemail.com I married Phil in 1978. We are still living in Reading and are very fortunate to have our three children and four grandchildren close by. As Chair of the Reading Interfaith Group for many years, I have some very committed and diverse friends. We work for peace by providing opportunities for greater knowledge and understanding of our different faith traditions. ANNE EVERETT (Buckeldee) anneeverett44@gmail.com It was lovely to see so many familiar faces at OG day for our 50 year anniversary. Rosemary does so well to keep us all connected. My news is much the same: I’m still living on the Kent coast where there are so many interesting and historic places to explore with the friends and family who come and visit. I help at a few voluntary organisations and keep fit with Pilates classes and a lot of walking and gardening! Last September I became a grandmother for the first time which has been wonderful. SARAH CUIGNET (Brocklehurst) scuignet@aol.com I retired 2 years ago and I’m still living in Cornwall - for the moment anyway! We visit France a couple of times a year and shall be visiting again this summer for a month, driving through France enjoying the scenery, good food and wonderful weather, as well as visiting family. I’m still in touch with Rose (Plackett).

Branch Secretary 1977 LYNETTE BOARDMAN (Peet) 28 The Glade, Fetcham, Leatherhead , Surrey KT22 9TH email: lynette.boardman@talktalk.net This year has flown past. We are now settled in Fetcham and have enjoyed creating a more productive garden alongside wildlife friendly areas. It is great to have the North Downs so nearby to escape for walks. I wondered if any of the other members of the successful 1976 Ten Tors Team still enjoy walking as much as I do. I completed 45 years of working as a pharmacist for the NHS at the end of last year but am still currently working part-time at small private hospital in Guildford. Next year it will be 50 years since leaving St Helen’s in 2027 & Old Girls’ Day will be on Saturday May 8th. Please spread the word among those you are in touch with. This function is based at the school as my family no longer have a home in Northwood though I would be very happy to give anyone a lift from Surrey/Kingston areas. Meantime take care and enjoy your retirement if you have got there! Branch Secretary 1978 NICKY WILKINSON (Sleight) Westmoreland, 29 Linersh Wood, Bramley, Surrey GU5 0EE email: nickywilkinson1307@gmail.com I’ve decided to retire in September 2026 after 19 years in my job. Thoroughly enjoying being a Granny to Phoebe with another one due in October. Please do email be if you would be interested in a 50th reunion, coming up in 2028. I would be grateful for ideas and support if we are going to do something. SUSAN BRUCE susanbruce409@gmail.com After nearly 40 years working in Higher Education, I fell victim last year to the current crisis affecting most universities in the UK and took voluntary redundancy from Keele, where I’d lived and worked as a Professor of English Literature for several decades. I am just completing a complex move to Bristol and figuring out what to do next. I became a grandmother in the spring, so that will occupy some of my time. Happy to be contacted by anyone living in or near Bristol or passing through. MARIA YAZDANBAKHSH maria.yazdanbakhsh@gmail.com I am living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and working in Leiden, the Netherlands. It is so nice of Nicky to keep this going. Am terrible in keeping in touch but I have lived in the Netherlands for the last 40+ years and saw a few of you at the reunion in London, which was great. Almost getting to retirement from the University of Leiden Medical Center where I Maria with her sister, Karina enjoy heading a research group that studies the human immune system and developing good vaccines against parasitic infections. This takes me all over the world for field studies in Africa and South East Asia. Have two wonderful children who are grown up but no grandchildren yet. My husband is retired and my parents (both 93) are living close by. If anyone finds herself in Amsterdam, let me know and we can meet up if I am home.

New Joint Branch Secretaries 1979 FIONA MOOK-DEWEY email: fiona.mookdewey@gmail.com KAREN SEWELL email: karenrees92@yahoo.com KATIE MACAUSLAN (Lachlan) After 20 years as joint Branch Secretary, Sally and I are handing over to Fiona Mook-Dewey and Karen Sewell who have kindly agreed to take it on. Thanks to everyone who has supported us during our stint. On the home front, looking forward to the wedding of our younger daughter, Louise, to Richard in October this year. During the year I have met up with Sally, Gill Hawkins, Julia Gobert, Judy Gerlings, Elaine Fricker, Catherine Sugarman and Kim Knight. Also witnessed Jac Easton’s remarkable rowing success first hand. In the Scullers Head (uniquely for single scullers), Jac won her age group in a 6.8km time trial event from Mortlake to Putney, impressively beating an ex-silver medallist Olympian. As Jac continues to pursue her love of rowing, her medal collection keeps on growing. SALLY WELLS (Collings) Visited my daughter in New Zealand last year, plus husband’s many relatives and explored some family history. Highlight of the trip was completing the Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail. Ruptured my Achilles tendon playing Pickleball in October, then spent many weeks on the sofa! Now back walking, cycling and swimming, which is a relief. Made redundant in March, decided it was time to retire. Recently became a Granny so being kept very busy! Regular contact with Katie and Jac, have also seen Julia, Sonia and Gill. LYN WEBSTER (Griffin) Thanks to Katie and Sally for their hard work keeping us all in contact - you have done a fantastic job. I’m still playing tennis, the occasional golf game and swimming. Life as a granny is a real pleasure and I enjoy time spent with my daughter’s two (5 and 3 year old) in Brisbane and my son’s little girl in the USA. He has another one on the way late September. Still enjoying life traveling but sadly my Mum passed away at the end of January so my next trip to Spain will be very different. Hope to make a 50-year reunion! KAREN SEWELL (Hart) We’ve had a good year with all the family based back in the UK. In the autumn we had a once in a lifetime trip to the Canadian Rockies. During the year I’ve seen Elaine Fricker, Lesley Beer, Jane Saunders and Gill Hawkins and have caught up with Fiona Dewey and Lydia Schaverin online. LAURA COLLYEAR (Verden) Still living in Cobham, Surrey, and thoroughly enjoying retirement from insurance. My husband returned to work as he was missing the city life, but I keep busy with three energetic grandchildren, the garden and this year, planning our daughter’s wedding in British Columbia. She lives in Vancouver and has chosen a vineyard in the Okanagan region for the occasion. A good excuse to visit Canada. I keep fit with adult ballet and jazz dance classes. I was enjoying padel too until padel elbow hit! I can’t believe we are approaching our 50th anniversary! Thank you, Katie and Sally for all your hard work over the years. FIONA MOOK-DEWEY (Dewey) Although I stopped working in 2024, I am still involved with a small company that offers mentoring programmes for women in leadership. I plan to fully retire in 2027 and spend more time travelling. Recently, I spent a week in Madeira, where I enjoyed the beautiful gardens and the flower festival. I am now planning a trip to Perth, Australia, to visit my sister. From there, we are hoping to continue to New Zealand to meet up with Stephanie (Thompson). I still travel regularly to the UK to visit my mother, and I caught up with Katherine Paley and Karen Swell. St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026 | 31

1979 - 1981

1981 - 1983

KIM KNIGHT www.artofhealth.co.nz My first contribution 50 years after leaving! I’ve been living in New Zealand since 1990, predominantly working in natural health. I loved my time at St Helens from 6 to 16, and remember my boarder friends including Lisel, Lynn, Sally Bax, Mai, Annabel and more, plus many day girls, a few of whom I caught up with for the first time in 50 years last year. If any of my past buddies wishes to make contact, I’d love to reconnect, easiest way is through my website If you’re in NZ, let’s connect!

1980 - 1989 Membership Secretary Jessica Redman address below Branch Secretary 1980 JESSICA REDMAN (Chilton) 3 Middle Road, Higher Denham UB9 5EG email: jessicaredman7@gmail.com This year has brought many changes to our family with the arrival of our gorgeous grandson, Pippin, last September and the departure of our son, Charlie, this June to start a new adventure in Japan. The former event is a continual (and growing) delight and the latter event has been challenging emotionally but we have our first trip to Osaka to look forward to this August. With all this going on coupled with governor duties at my local school and volunteering at church, I have failed in my OG role to remind you to send me news for the magazine. I promise to do better next year and in the meantime I wish you all health and happiness.

Branch Secretary 1981

45 years on

FIONA BLISS (Jackson) Daisy Cottage, Mid Holmwood Lane, Mid Holmwood, Dorking, Surrey RH5 4HB Email: Fiona@roybliss.com Life for me continues much the same, helping clients with new planting schemes in their gardens and floristry work on the side. My Christmas wreath workshops are more popular than ever and I have six weddings booked in this year – all of which I absolutely love doing. Travel is an added bonus, Vietnam and Montenegro so far this year, but with one grandchild (a gorgeous little girl called Bobbie) just turned one and two more expected this year things are going to change somewhat. I want to be a hands on Granny as much as possible. A highlight also this year was attending Old Girls Day at school in May, with a small contingent from our year, It was great to see all the new buildings and improvements at school, although sad to see the old library gone and what looks like a modern classroom in its place, plus no more lacrosse pitches which was worse! Lovely to catch up with Seema, Helen, Lisa, Rebecca, Mary, Nicki, Liz, Corin, Amanda, Naomi, Libby and Antonia – all on great form. Hope to get a bigger group together in 5 years’ time, in London perhaps, for our 50 Years On Reunion!!

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NICKYE MURPHY nickyenickye@gmail.com I retired and moved up to Devil Lake and have a chocolate Labrador and black labrador who keep me more than busy than ever. Then I started my business Hellotallow which is a small batch hand crafted whipped tallow skincare care line. I have lip balms, cracked heels balms etc. I also make soaps and hand sanitizer. I have an online store and am a fixture at the oldest public market in Ontario. So far this year it has hovered around the freezing mark and in May weeks ago we had snow...not much fun at an outdoor market!! My boys are both out west in British Columbia one in Sparwood in the coal mining industry and one in the wine industry in Kelowna. My daughter (35) is still in Oakville close to Toronto (3.5 hrs away) SHARRON CATTON (Holmes) thecattons@gmail.com Not much changed for me other than catching up with developmental changes in my grandsons when I see them every couple of months!! Still working, currently as a Business Analyst for Electronic Health Records at St James’ Hospital, Leeds. Hear from Corin Doregger and Fiona Bunford on a regular basis. DEBBIE SWIFT (Sclaeter) peternswift@btinternet.com I’m in touch with Emma James, Nicola Neale and Caroline Dow. I’m still living in Cheshire in a village outside Knutsford. I retired from being an NHS speech and language therapist 5 years ago. My husband Peter and I bought a motorhome 10 years ago and now we’re retired we spend the spring and autumn travelling in Europe - off to the west coast of Ireland next week and the Normandy beaches in France in August. We also go to music festivals and the Edinburgh fringe. I have a son who married a Colombian girl and they live in Bogotá so we have frequent trips there and are learning Spanish to try and communicate with my daughter-in-law’s family. Hope everyone is well and I’ll try to make the 50th reunion. EMMA MOYEN (James) emmac.moyen@gmail.com I’m still settled near the Atlantic coast of France, a couple of hours north of Bordeaux. Retired from international insurance just a few weeks ago, just getting used to have time to take time as the saying goes - what a relief! Various travel plans on the cards with my husband Olivier, and we’ll be over to the UK more often as we still have the family home in Northwood for the moment. Our eldest son is living in Paris, the youngest just got married last year and lives in the south of France so family reunions take a bit of organisation but we’re managing! LIZ WEBB lizwebb@aol.com It was a lovely event at OG Day and so great to catch up with those that came. RBH still had that wooden plaque up that says ‘I am, I can, I ought, I will.’ - I still say that to myself sometimes! I stopped being a BBC producer in Radio Drama during Covid as there were no productions and started writing psychological crime novels. I’ve published two so far: The Daughter, and The Saved. They did OK here and were bestsellers in Germany bizarrely. My third one will hopefully get a publisher soon, and it’s called ‘The Man In My Freezer’!!! ANTONIA SCOTT (Del Tufo) antoniascott@btinternet.com In my 20s I wanted to be a cranial osteopath but had years in and out of hospital for three major operations for a bone tumour so I could not then have undertaken such a physical training. I later became a homeopath and have enjoyed that for over 30 years. Spurred on by a

webinar I randomly listened to in lockdown, I realised now was the time to fulfil a wish I still had so I trained for two years as a craniosacral therapist. I am slowly setting up my practice for CST and really loving it and it combines very well with homeopathy. I continue to find people and the stories they bring completely fascinating! It was lovely to catch up with old friends at OG day and I occasionally see Corin, Naomi and Rebecca. NICKI AKERMAN (Wilson) nickiakerman@hotmail.com It was so lovely to catch up with everyone at OG day. It had been a long time since I’d been back - so much has changed. For the past 14 years I’ve been working at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School in Amersham - I look after everything to do with the 6th form. Sadly no sign of retirement just yet unlike several of our cohort, in fact I also have a second job working in Downing Street in hospitality and events, so I frequently head there after a school day for an evening. It’s an incredible place to work in and I never know who I’m going to bump into, I still get a buzz going through the famous front door. Both my kids are still at home - property prices in London have put paid to that for the time being. Jasper and I are celebrating our 27th anniversary later this year, so I guess that’s a cause for celebration. Branch Secretary 1982 VIVIEN COTTERILL-LEE (CURRY) 17 Uplands Close, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3BP email: vivienjanelee@me.com In 2025 we had a 4-week holiday to visit our son Freddie, who was studying for a year at the Universidad del Pacifico, Lima. With a week in Ecuador, including a 5 day Galapagos trip, Bolivia for the Salt Flats and Peru for Machu Picchu and the Amazon, it was an amazing trip. Spending 4 weeks with Fred was a real treat. Our daughter Tallulah missed out as she was in Coral Bay, Western Australia! Easter weekend 2026 was spent in Ibiza with Nicky & Suna (and husbands) showing them all that the island has to offer! So much fun.

NICKY MASON (Stewart) Life is full! Guy and I love being grandparents to our son’s daughter. She is a joy. We will celebrate 35 years of marriage this year! I am lucky to have a father, mother and stepfather in my life still so we travel to Scotland and Somerset regularly. Our beloved campervan will take us to hike the Hebridean Way this summer with our daughter. Running continues to be an important part of my life (which amazes me as I did not have the sportiest of reputations at school…) and I have made many good friends through it. A highlight of this year was an hilarious long weekend in Ibiza with Vivien and Suna! So many laughs and so much wine! It is a place where growing older can be forgotten: joyful! SUNA REYNOLDS (Septekin) In April ‘25 Sandy’s FB account was hacked and it was implied she had shuffled off this mortal coil. Luckily Barbara quickly established that Sandy was still very much alive and kicking. Sandy’s unhappy hacker unwittingly provided me with an

excuse to hold my very own Unofficial Reunion and celebration of life in Regents Park on a gloriously sunny day. I think those present were Helen Biscoe-Taylor, Helen Dewey, Jo Dolman, Debbie Gaulter, Sandy Hall, Barbara Kalu, Ruth Northcott, Sonia Pearson, Roma Phillimore, Caroline Price, Lorraine Ufland, Susie Urquhart. If I have left anyone out, it’s because I was slightly squiffy by the end of the day. For me, these reunions have been a joyful opportunity to get to know even more of these interesting, educated, intelligent, welltravelled, open-minded, well-rounded, confident, witty, and incredibly funny women who have this unique, shared life experience of St Helen’s. Branch Secretary 1983 CLAIRE PUGH (Roberts) 4 Kyneton Way, Chippenham, Wilts, SN14 6RF email: clairejpugh@gmail.com I am still keeping busy playing tennis, pickleball and padel along with various volunteering roles – not sure how I ever found the time to work! My main news is that Stephanie has got engaged so we are starting to plan for 2028. However, my daughter has expensive tastes, and I had no idea how much a wedding can cost these days! Do I sound old? I think so. Thanks everyone for sending in your news. ANNIKA ROBINSON (Cowper) Can’t believe Mark and I have been in Canada a year now and are very much enjoying living out here in Revelstoke in the Rockies with our eldest, his wife and 2 granddaughters. Our youngest is also currently out here but probably heading to Australia soon so all very spread out. We are still back and forward to the UK to visit my mum and the other two boys still in London. Our third son got engaged last month so we have another wedding to look forward to next year. Seems a long time since our 60th catch up but was fantastic to see so many there. SUE JACKSON (East) Family life ticking along, and I have completed another challenge in Nepal in October for Ed’s charity M2M, with my youngest son - good but tough. I am taking a year off treks now (must be getting old!!) However, still enjoyed what should have been 3 weeks in Sri Lanka with friends but turned into 3.5 and then 3 nights in Singapore trying to get home, all due to the Gulf war. Mark was unable to come out to join me which was a bit disappointing. Seeing a few St Helen’s girls Claire (Roberts), Carrot, Liz (Parnell), Suzy Holmes, Suzy (Pelling), Helen Northcott, Susie (Sleight), Adele (Robinson) and Kate (Baxendale) so quite the catch-up year! LIZ BURY (Parnell) Still based here in the Cotswolds it’s always such a blast to meet up with Carrot, Claire (Roberts), Sue (East) and now Corinne (Symes) who all live nearby. Lovely Vicki Newbury visited, and I read Kate Beales’s debut novel Broken Horses – brilliant, absolutely recommend. Printmaking is still fun, and I’ve been exhibited now. My eldest (26) working in Leeds has opened a whole new part of the country to us while my youngest (23) is still nearby in Tetbury. You can get to see us all from years ago on our 15 mins of fame on Antiques Roadshow Greatest Finds Part 1 (2006) at 29mins Arthur’s haircut is disastrous but it was all great fun! St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026 | 33

1983 - 1984 LUCY STANCER (Mundy) We are still enjoying life in Somerset and have recently become grandparents to Rory. We are very lucky as they also live in Taunton, so we see lots of him. I am still working as a PA to a couple of doctors, running their private practices. I still run a couple of times a week with a Club and completed the Taunton half marathon this Spring in my fastest time yet! Turning 60 must agree with me! It was lovely meeting up with everyone last summer to celebrate our milestone birthdays. KATE BEALES It was so lovely seeing familiar faces at our gorgeous 60th birthday party, very kindly hosted by Corrine (Symes). Such a happy afternoon. One unlooked for outcome has been closer FB contact with various people I love seeing Liz (Parnell) and Helen’s (Northcott) artwork and following Adele (Robinson), Julie (Griffin) and others on their travels. I see Jo (Saunders) and Rebecca del Tufo in person, and occasionally Vicki Newbury - all three came to the launch of my novel, Broken Horses, in September. Big focus on theatre and storytelling projects with wounded veterans, which I adore - and on more writing, including running workshops, and hosting creative retreats in Italy - last November we were joined by Tiffany (Jolowicz) whose beautiful novel will be published next year - hooray!! LUCY BULLEN-SMITH (Bishop) Busy trying to retire but that seems to be eluding me; I have had another busy year as SENDCo at a school in Bishop’s Stortford and in the meantime have secured my dream job as education advisor at a Country Park on the outskirts of Cambridge. Also delighted to be a grandparent. Are we meeting for our 65th Birthdays? JO LE GRICE (Saunders) It was lovely to get together last year to celebrate our big birthdays. In recognition of my advanced age, I am keeping myself busy with skiing in the winter and increasing amounts of hiking/walking trips when the ski season is over. I have decided to say yes to all invitations so this year I am off to walk in Sicily, Slovenia and San Sebastian. I used to make fun of people who went on these sorts of holidays and now it is me! Between holidays I am working for a fantastic company called The Homemover helping people to downsize and prepare to move into smaller homes or retirement flats. I am basically a paid daughter, and it is really rewarding to work with lovely clients who appreciate the help. I now have a raft of new friends all over 80 years old. In other news my younger brother John is sadly battling Leukaemia which came out of the blue last year, he is halfway through a very gruelling treatment programme. Another reason to get on and do things while you can because you never know what is around the corner. I have enjoyed seeing St Helen’s friends recently, Susie (Sleight), Maria (Moore) and Caroline (Ward), Jess (Vieyra) and Kate Beales and I am looking forward to seeing Rachel Whittingham to behave badly together at a mutual friend’s party in June. SUE RAYNSFORD (Baker) Thoroughly enjoying Oxford and practising my stand-up Venetian rowing (so that I can go with the club to Venice next year - well I can dream!). I seem to have accidentally retired, so I work from time to time as an extra for film and TV. It’s a good way to acquire stories about the strangeness of people. Sadly, Pierce Brosnan did not see fit to sweep me off my feet...in fact he didn’t register my existence. Next time! TIFFANY BRENINKMEYER (Jolowicz) In celebration of turning 60, I held a small gathering in Scotland with some of my “oldest” friends. It gave us all the chance to reflect once again on the gift of friendship and especially those friendships which took root during our formative years. Jessica (Vieyra) and Annika (Cowper) were in Scotland to celebrate. I cherish so many memories of our times at St Helen’s, our lacrosse obsession, falling asleep in the library and I am forever grateful to Annika and Jess for being there when my father died unexpectedly. And now, all these years on, Annika and I share stories about our granddaughters! Thank you to St Helen’s for its part in that. On another note, the dream I never dared dream seems 34 | St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026

1984 to be coming true: I have just signed with a traditional publisher in Minnesota to publish my first historical fiction novel in Spring 2027, titled, Red Earth, White Lands. I can feel those English grammar lessons reverberate through me as I sit and type and form sentences with confidence. And finally, a thanks to Claire for keeping our year in touch. When I tell other friends that we have a WhatsApp group with school friends, some of whom I have known since 1971, they can immediately understand the joy that brings. CORINNE KNOESEN (Symes) The highlight of my year was reconnecting with so many old(ish) friends at the St Helens 60th birthday party. Made all the more fun by having it in my back garden - it also provided the much needed impetus for me to finally landscape the front drive after building work that finished before covid! I’ve also really enjoyed fairly regular meet ups with Helen Northcott, Carrot, Claire (Roberts) and Liz (Parnell). Apart from that, I’ve been entertained by the usual joys of having a 9 year old son, working on the ongoing house project and the garden. Last year we went to Spain by train which was a lot of fun - plus a bit of camping. Joint Branch Secretaries 1984 SUZY HOLMES email: suzy_holmes@hotmail.com FI LAWRENCE (Jelley) email: fionalawrence1966@googlemail.com FI It’s a Big Birthday Year for many of us and we have plans to celebrate later in the year (in fact, probably around the time you read this!). This could only happen thanks to our Facebook and WhatsApp groups: thank you to everyone who contributes to keeping our year in touch. On the home front, family are well, I’m still running, working in a primary school and suddenly receiving letters about pension pots! SUZY Still living in Salisbury and still working full-time for the Army’s national charity, the Army Benevolent Fund (near Victoria, London) – is this what Groundhog Day means?! SALLY COX 1sallycox@gmail.com It’s a big year for us all! I was 60 in March and had a fabulous surprise party at home which Andy organised brilliantly. Sam Curtis flew in which was very special. I’m planning on making the celebrations last longer than usual and have lots of mini celebrations organised. My son Ollie got married last year and they are expecting a baby in October, my first grandchild which is super exciting. My daughter, Georgia, was 30 the week after my birthday, so lots to celebrate. Work-wise, I have stepped back from a full-time job (Marketing in technology) and am now working parttime as an International Relocation Specialist, which keeps me busy (and gives me a great opportunity to nose around some lovely flats and houses). I play tennis, golf, and gym, and walk our gorgeous dog, Lola, in my spare time. KAREN KELLOCK (Davidsen) karen@klockwork.co.uk Married to Jamie for 27 years and Mum to Gina (25) who lives in Clapham (renting Sarah Robinson’s flat!) with her boyfriend and to Sophie (23) who is graduating this year from University of Edinburgh. I work as a freelance Animation Producer in TV mainly but am currently working on an animated Feature Film which is exciting. Dividing my time between our flat next to Battersea Power Station and our cottage in Somerset. BELINDA NEWTON belinda.newton@uwclub.net Having decided, after 14 years, to sell my HR business in 2024, I am now enjoying semi-retirement. I still do some ad-hoc freelance HR work, and I seem to have become Treasurer, on a voluntary basis, for a couple of local community groups. I also now have more time to get out and about in the Devon countryside, some of which I have never explored despite living down here for 25 years – all in all, I have no idea how I ever fitted working full time in! Looking forward to our “Class of ’84” reunion in September.

ALISON BARRASS (Taylor) quantumleap@xtra.co.nz Another full year for my family in New Zealand. Our eldest left for Canterbury University in Christchurch, on the South Island. He is really enjoying it, and our house is also tidier now that we are 1 teenager less! It’s been a year of a lot of travel - I had a trip to the UK in April to visit my Mum (90) who has been in hospital. She’s recuperating well at home, and it was lovely to be able to spend some time helping her. I’ve also got an amazing trip planned for the big 60 in August. Off to Vietnam with 6 of my friends to do cooking classes, shopping and no doubt the odd rooftop bar. Vietnam is one of my favourite places amazing food, culture and people so it will be a wonderful and unique place to celebrate. Can’t wait to see everyone in September when I’m back over. We have an amazing class of ‘84 group and catching up with everyone is always a highlight of the year. ANDIE BIGNALL andiebignall@gmail.com I moved to the New Forest area in January as I’ve finally sold the house in Berkshire (took just under 3 years!). Currently jiving the night away several times a week as well as church stuff and getting to know the area. I cleverly chose to live somewhere I don’t know as holidays were mostly Devon or France, so lots of exploring. Still doing the odd craft fair, although currently no workshop while I find a permanent home. SALLY-ANN D’ATH (Skinner) sallyanndath@aol.com Thanks to a tube strike, a catch-up with Alison Swede, Pru and Karen failed to materialise. Looking forward to September though. Still living in Scotland close to Edinburgh, where both my daughters work, so I am lucky to see them lots. Sadly, my son is in Bristol so not quite so close but I’m grateful for what I do have. My passion for teaching maths remains but the disruption on my social life is less fun so I’m not sure how much longer I will continue. There is a lot of the world to see and people to catch up with before I hit 70 which I’m sure will be here in the blink of an eye given how quickly the big 60 has snuck up. I’ve mostly given up horse-riding and being a groom to keen equestrians but have discovered that horse-racing allows you get your horse fix without having to do the hard graft, so I’m now part of a racing syndicate. EMMA GROSE emmavgrose@gmail.com I celebrated my 60th in May with friends in our house in Fairlight, Sydney. Had a band and a chef who made my favourite food - Chinese! My travel business is going well and, almost 2 years into building it from scratch, I have some good clients, referrals and repeats. I had a familiarisation trip to China and climbed the Great Wall - amazing! I’m off to cruise the Kimberley, Western Australia in July and to Egypt for a Nile Cruise in September. Michael and I are enjoying our recently renovated home, and our rescue dog Soldier keeps us busy with walks. I still do my ocean swims, beach group exercise and continue in the local choir. I’ve recently joined the Northern Beaches Orchestra, playing my flute! Memory is an amazing thing! Looking forward to seeing Fi (Jelley) when she heads down under soon. SYLVIA SAGE (Beck) sylvia.sage@cantab.net Our son is working in Brighton, and our daughter is about to graduate from Bath Uni... where has the time gone?! For myself, having completed my Chopra Meditation Instructor certification last year, I’m about to embark on another - besides needing it for work, learning gives me so much joy, I don’t think I’ll ever stop! Still working for UNICEF and for local governments in Dorset and London and really loving what I do. Also still renovating and repairing our old thatched-cottage in Dorset and learning about gardening! I’m also a member of a local artists’ group, doing art in bursts for exhibitions, and still working with donkeys at the Donkey Sanctuary. I’ve just restarted piano lessons, which are such fun. Looking forward to reconnecting with everyone in London to celebrate our coming of age! SARAH SUSMAN sarahsusman@btinternet.com A brief update from me after quite a long time. After university (studied architecture), I lived in Berlin for a couple of years, got married, then returned to London where I’ve been living and working ever since. I have no kids

but now horse ride and have my own horse having learnt to ride about 15 years ago. We also like to spend time in Italy when we can, where it’s good food, wine, speaking bad Italian with our friends and hiking in the hills. Learning new languages, although speaking them badly, and learning to horse ride have been the two major surprises post-school I would never have dreamed of! DIANA WILSON (Birch) malcandpip@hotmail.com A busy year for all of us as we celebrate our 50+10 birthdays! I am still working, although I’m only in school one and a half days a week. I still enjoy my teaching and it gets me out of the house, which is good now that Malcolm has retired! We are spending more time out on my days off, going up to London, and can often be found in a garden centre (where there’s always time for a coffee!). My dad passed away at the beginning of January, which was obviously a sad time, but he made 100 and his death released him from his battles with dementia. Over the last few years, I visited him most days so have suddenly found myself with free time, which has taken some getting used to. Malcolm and I have planned a 3-week holiday to Spain in October, where we will work our way down from Madrid to Granada, where I am very excited to stay in the parador in the Alhambra. Retirement beckons at some point but not just yet! ALISON KING (Lines) aking15b@icloud.com At the time of writing, I have 5 weeks to go until retirement. That’s only 15 school days, as I am part-time, and I think it’s just 31 more sleeps until I can stop trying to teach the perfect tense to year 8! Is it obvious that I am limping to the finish line? Literally, as it happens, with a fractured ankle. I also had a detached retina in September, so I think my body is trying to tell me something. I was genuinely inspired by Fiona Jelley’s 60th birthday run, so the plan after July is to take up running again, play more tennis and do more long-distance walking. Pete has been retired for 4 years already so I have got serious FOMO. We have already got 3 safaris booked and we are looking forward to heading out with the dogs in our van. SUSI WATERS (Pelling) susi.waters@btinternet.com Well, not much to report again this year, apart from turning 60 in January. For those of you who are still clinging on to your 50’s it’s really not that bad. To celebrate we went to Norway for 6 nights in early Feb. It was freezing cold, but that was the whole point! The highlight for me was a trip down a fjord (partly frozen), something which has been on my bucket list since doing O.Level geography with ‘Geog Smith’!! It was a magical break and one I would definitely recommend. We also went to Lisbon last Autumn for a long weekend with our son Matthew and his partner Billy- we had beautiful sunshine- what a fabulous city. I have managed to catch up with Suzy, Pinky, Julie and Sue (East) and if timings permit, I may be able to catch up with you all later in the year. Wishing you all very happy 60th birthdays! HELEN ALSOP hnalsop@gmail.com I see my sister in London regularly and get some culture at art exhibitions which is nice. I have taken part in a premier league prediction league and for the last 2 years have come 2nd and 5th, earning me some money to put towards a charity supporting bereaved children. It’s a family thing with my brother and cousin and nice to have the banter that goes with it. I’ve been to Pembrokeshire for some surfing and walking and continue to play tennis. I stay involved at church; see friends and take part in my tennis club quiz evening. I always enjoy hearing everyone’s news which is probably more exciting than mine. Recently, I had a zoom call with Samantha Fohsz, Alison Fogg and Jane Whitaker and see quite a bit of Ruth Mugglestone and am in touch with Nicky Brown. LESLEY FRANCIS (Scott) lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com I was lucky enough to celebrate my 60th birthday with good friends at a private dinner at our London club, Home House, when we visited England and then again with family at Savannah’s Chatham Club, on our return. I keep reminding myself that growing old is a privilege not granted to everyone. Last September I checked off one more item from my St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026 | 35

1984 - 1986 bucket list by going to Botswana on safari which was awe inspiring. I am trying to take off Fridays now I am in my 7th decade and have worked for nearly 40 years since graduating Bristol University in 1987. Running my own business makes this easier in some ways and harder in others! EMMA ADEBAYO (Dirken) emzeevogel@icloud.com Enjoying living mostly in Suffolk by the river with trips back to London as necessary. Hoping to make it more permanent and downsize in London. Still working but thankfully just part-time now, remotely for 111. Definitely a much better work life balance and it’s great to have long walks every day with the dogs. Can’t believe we are 60! Looking forward to a meet up later this Summer. DEBBIE BADMAN (Lassman) ddjbadman@yahoo.co.uk After 30+ years abroad in Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and Oman, we decided to return to the UK. It took some getting used to, but we are finally feeling settled in Torquay, Devon and loving our new life (no, it’s not all Fawlty Towers, but you do have to get your cream and jam on the right way round!). Our gorgeous daughter, Darya, has caught the travel bug and, after graduating from Cardiff, is now off to Norway to do a PhD. Looking forward to the road trip later in the summer! Still see Helen Amstell regularly but looking forward to catching up with everyone else in our 60th year! JENNY BLASINGAME (Johnston) vdrjjb@gmail.com I’m still working in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Whangarei, New Zealand - I feel lucky to live in paradise! Our eldest, John, is a computer programmer. Genie married in November 2024 and has since begun a PhD in Psychology in Christchurch. So glad they are close! For retirement planning, I’ve also bought a bookstore with some friends that came with a cat (the cat being the priority) it’s been a learning experience but it’s so cool! At home we still have one elderly Chihuahua, who is blind, deaf, opinionated, and completely in charge. I also still have my husband, Tom, who remains generally reliable. SAMANTHA JAFFONI (Fohsz) samantha.jaffoni@gmail.com Celebrating my 60th in January felt surreal, but my focus was truly on gratitude. Last May, I took a major tumble down our stairs, resulting in a severe head injury, severe bruising, and six months of double vision that kept me out of work. It was a long road, but my sight slowly returned, allowing me to get back to a normal life. Today, I only deal with double vision if I spend too much time on screens or get exhausted, and I am still following up with my neurologist. Professionally, I’m back at work and navigating the changing world of advertising and AI. David is still enjoying his work at the architecture firm. Isabel got engaged to Jay, and they are deep into planning a June 2027 wedding! Angel earned her associate’s degree and is currently looking for a new job. SARAH BEADSMOORE (Rouse) sarahbeadsmoore@icloud.com Last year was a mixed bag: I lost my dad last June whilst away in Sicily and tore my meniscus that same month walking Devils pass in Aberystwyth. I recently had an operation to repair it, but recovery is slower than expected, with more treatment required. In June this year, I celebrated my 60th touring South Africa: such an amazing country and lovely friendly people. I am still in Reading, though planning on downsizing later this year. My daughter Martha is off to Hamburg for a year as part of her illustration and animation degree at Kingston Uni. I see Linz regularly for lunch. She’s still in Bristol and making fantastic jewellery which she sells on Etsy. Branch Secretary 1985 LOUISE RICH (Littlewood) Foxley House, Green Road, Rickling Green, Essex CB11 3YD email: louise.rich0@icloud.com No Oscars here (many congratulations, Lucie) but, as I write, I have recently started a new job, one daughter is in the middle of GCSEs, another is deep in A Levels and the eldest will be collected from Newcastle at the end of her first year of university at the weekend. 36 | St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026

1986 - 1987 So, no chance either of slowing down yet in the Rich household! If any of you would like to join our 1985 WhatsApp group and are not yet on it, drop me an email with your number and I will add you to it. SARAH STOCKFORD (Ingram) I am still enjoying the odd WhatsApp with photos and memories from 40 years ago. Keep them coming! Since our wonderful reunion, I have retired from teaching. I am hoping to do some more travelling in our motorhome, if my husband ever stops working. At the end of March our whole family celebrated our mum’s 90th birthday. It was a weekend full of fun with Mum active and vibrant with her family around her. Unfortunately, following a fall a few weeks later, Mum spent some time in hospital and passed away in May. She has left a huge Mary Robinson (Connell) 1953 & Sarah hole in the family and will be greatly missed by all. Stockford (Ingram) 1985 However, we are so grateful for her wonderful 90 years and we will embrace all those amazing memories. She was also an OG so we have shared many ‘School Memories’! DAWN HEAFFEY Quite a lot has happened (for a change!) since last year and since many of us saw each other in May. Steve and I are now investors in a bar in Old Beaconsfield which opened in July and is going really well. It is called Vinny & Ted (the first one opened in Chalfont St Peter in 2022). Please pop in if you are in the area - great afternoon sun outside! Our daughter Francesca got engaged in April to lovely Josh - so wedding preparations are beginning. Apparently having a few people over for celebratory drinks and a vol-au-vent is not popular anymore!!! Our son Archie is now a fully-fledged Met police officer - definitely seeing a side of life that he was unaware existed. He’s loving it - although it is very challenging at times. As we turn 60 next academic year maybe we should have another get together? Let’s put suggestions through SNOGS WhatsApp.

40 years on Branch Secretary 1986 AMANDA ARMOUR (McKelvie) email: thearmours@dsl.pipex.com Wonderful to see everyone in May, although missed some faces, hopefully see you next time, or in-between. Huge thanks to Ruth Amos (Barrett) for taking over as Branch Secretary next year. (ruth.elizabeth.amos@gmail.com).

JANICE GOHNS (Hawkins) Sorry not to make it to the reunion, everyone looked amazing and made me smile remembering the old days. Where did the years go? Oldest Harry returned from the UK Oct 2025 as he figured out the grass is not always greener. He’s been living back at home, it brought back memories of me after Uni, and we have made memories together although it’s now time for him to move on as I make the move to a smaller place myself soon (fingers crossed). George, the youngest got engaged in February and they are now looking ahead to their future too. Had a visit from my US family to celebrate a milestone birthday in March 2026 and remember her sister, my Mum who has been gone 30 years this year. Time flies indeed. Still working full-time but hope to cut hours when bills are not so high in the new place. Working on renewal of UK passport application but the information they want to change back to my maiden name is ridiculous! ANTONIA LEAK It was great to see so many of our year group at the 40 yrs on reunion. I’m currently surviving the GSCE zone, after a difficult year at work (redundancies etc.), so I’m very much focusing on seeing friends, having treats and holidays! ANNABEL LINDSAY (Knight) Very disappointed not to join you all for our recent 40 Year On reunion. I think tickets sold out early and I was placed on a waiting list which unfortunately didn’t materialise. Anyway, loved seeing the photos of you all, looking amazing, so many thanks for sharing. Have been teaching at an IB school, St Leonards in St Andrews, for the last 10 years (where lacrosse started!), so do get in touch if you are ever up here. Married for 26 years. Millennium wedding. Lucky enough to have three children at various stages in their 20s. They have largely fled the nest, except for when they happily reemerge for a little R&R, and of course feeding. Love having them back, when they make it home. Time off spent tackling a wild garden; walking on the coast with our lab (down to one after having nine pups), reeling and the odd creative project. Hoping there will be another opportunity to meet up before too long. SUSAN MOREMAN (Parry) Lovely to catch up with everyone at our reunion in May. Last November I tripped down a single stair dislocating my foot and breaking my ankle in three places. The last six months have been spent trying to build up strength and heal although I am still very restricted in where and for how long I can walk. I now have two children at university - one completing a MSc in Edinburgh and the other just starting out on Physiotherapy in Leeds. Our youngest is in the middle of GCSEs. This year I stood down as a Brownie Leader after 10 years but I continue to be Chair of Governors for our local Middle School and sit on the of a couple of charities. I still sing a lot and, in addition to the two choirs I sing with, I had a minor solo in a local production of La Boheme which was fairly terrifying. The rest of my time is spent walking our two dogs. WENDY REYNOLDS Am slowly winding down, easing myself out of my teaching career after over 30 years in the profession. Still atHeathfield School in Ascot, but am down to three days a week, plus weekends here and there. As from September 26, I am relinquishing my SLT role and solely teaching 10 academic PE lessons before pulling down the curtain and retiring in July ’27 after 36 years non-stop. I will still have plenty to do and will develop my England Lacrosse Officiating Lead role, as well as being able to get back into more tennis, golf and perhaps some padel and hopefully keeping up my music. Am off to Poland in July to be the Lead Educator (basically in charge of all the umpires) at the World Championships Div II event (teams ranked 16 up) and then fly to Japan for the World Championships Div I (teams ranked 1-16). Sorry to have missed so many of you at our 40th reunion, but the photos looked great. NATASHA RODIKIS rodikisnatasha@gmail.com It was wonderful to have been part of our school reunion and so glad that many girls from our year made such a great effort to come to school. The photos

on the school site were so enjoyable to look at. Looking forward to our 45th reunion, fingers crossed!! Words are not enough to describe the happiness and surprise on seeing many friends after 40 years. As always it never feels that so many years have gone by, a scary feeling. It was such a joyful occasion amidst all the absurdities going on in the world at the time of writing. All the more reason for the importance of making memories. Well done to the school for the excellent organisation and for this magazine that keeps us connected. Anyone coming by Athens Greece please get in touch. Good luck to our new branch secretary Ruth Amos (Barrett) and a big thank you to Amanda for keeping us so well connected in the previous years. MIRVETTE RUSSO (Makar) We are mid GCSEs in our house, and Lara and Luca are both being very resilient. We have planned a good summer of walking in the Dolomites followed by sun, sea and sand in the Costa del Sol with my mum. My sisters are going out to our home from home much earlier as they aren’t tied to the most expensive school holidays this year - lucky them! My mum made the brave and wise decision to downsize from our family home of 45 years in Hallowell Road. Much decluttering later, she is now happily ensconced in a light, bright downstairs garden flat surrounded by friendly neighbours (plus affectionate cat) and beautiful lawns that make me envious every time I visit. Lara and Luca are hoping to stay on at Nower Hill where they have been very happy and really well supported by their teachers. I am still loving teaching English at Watford Grammar Girls. Other than that, Riccardo and I spend much of our time chauffeuring Lara and Luca to athletics competitions come rain or shine so no chance to be bored. JENNIE URQUHART It was so lovely to see everyone (and the school too!) at the OG day. No new news from me - family and dog well, and house and work all fine - still living and working in Vienna, Austria. Branch Secretary 1987 GILLIAN SIMSON 31 Maxwell Road, Northwood, HA6 2YG email: gillysimson@hotmail.co.uk I am so grateful for the friendship of my school pals who are in fact more like sisters. We have known each other for 50 years and hopefully for another 50! Still meet up with Amanda C (Love), Nikki K, Helen A, Giz, Christina R (who got hitched this May!), Orly D, Julia L and Tor Wilks. I retired from the Met after 20 years and threw myself into full-time Reservist mode with the RAF. Currently in the Falklands (why, I keep asking myself) but I do my bit. However, I become a grandma this year too which is exciting and definitely unbelievable. Date for your diaries – 8th May 2027 will be our 40th Reunion. I’ll send some info once all is confirmed. GIZ CRAGG (Schram) thecraggs@rogers.com It’s been a bit of a whirlwind year so far. Started a new role in February as Chief Administrative Officer at University College. Lots of learning, digging in, long weeks, but I’m really enjoying it. I was so sorry to miss my now-annual spring visit. Hoping to make it happen in the autumn instead. Grady is still in insurance and recently promoted so we’ve both been having long days and comparing notes over dinner. Bron is still in Bucharest finishing his PhD in Romanian history. He copublished a book on anti-Semitism in interwar Romanian politics (in Romanian, so I’m just impressed from afar!), and doing some work on Jewish history/genealogy also. Gray is second year Master’s in Political Science. Always so grateful to still be in touch with St Helen’s friends — it really does mean a lot. TRICIA CRISPIN pabondnzuk@gmail.com After almost 20 years in NZ and following a second call in less than a year (May) that started with “don’t worry but…”, I made the decision to move back to the UK in Oct and moved in with my sister. By the end of June and with the support of a great team sold the house at auction. Odd having a one-

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1987 - 1989 way ticket from Wellington airport for the final time. Since being back I have been able to have regular catch-ups with Caroline Brode and Jo Keen, which is definitely better than a chat via Teams/WhatsApp. More importantly supporting my parents and making the most of only being a short drive from them. After 7 months, I am still getting used to the volume of people and traffic and missing regular walks by the sea, but being with friends and family is worth it. REBECCA CRAGGS (Bradstock-Smith) becky.j.craggs@outlook.com Been living and working in North London since my 20s. Now living in Cockfosters with Steve, two grown up kids and an elderly greyhound call Joe. Evie’s Oxford years flew by in a heartbeat and she’s now working in publishing as an editorial assistant (basically following the dreams I should have followed myself, grrrr). Tom’s at uni doing computer science. Mum’s still doing her thing, happily riding her bike and going to the opera at 83. My brother lives nearby, so do my tight knit group of besties. I’m an Assistant SENCo at a mainstream primary with a deaf unit, which basically involves fighting tooth and nail to get the kids the support they need to thrive. Colleagues are fab - kids are a bonkers bunch who make me laugh every day. NIKKI ROSSNER (Kettlewell) nikki.rossner@gmail.com Still living in SW London – over 30 yrs in SW14. Still married to same guy - how lucky is he! Two adult children who are fully enjoying life but not yet fully off the books!!! Big news - retired from the big full-time proper job at the end of 2025 - so now working out how to fill my time but feeling very happy. Regular contact with a good few OGs - which is the best thing the school gave me - lifelong friends. Gilly and I still make each other laugh until we wee! Roll on big reunion next year will be there. LISA SILVERBECK (Engel) lisa.silverbeck@yahoo.co.uk We live half our time in the UK and half our time in Israel, where our three children have made their lives – biostatistician, a teacher and one in international relations. My husband has retired from work so we also do a lot of travelling. I do voluntary work with special needs adults. Joint Branch Secretaries 1988 CATHY BALDWIN (Palfreman) New Address: St Elmo, Bellingdon, Chesham, HP5 2UR email: cathybaldwin1@googlemail.com LIZ HALL (Boswell) 27, Beechwood Cottages, Heronsgate Road, Chorleywood, Herts WD3 5BP email: liz.hall69@outlook.com CATHY Our big news this year is our move to the other side of Chesham. We were supposed to be downsizing, but that didn’t happen, because we saw a project that we loved and so we are getting stuck into clearing a 5 bed house left almost fully furnished by the previous owner, something of a 1980s time-warp, and creating a garden out of one enormous bramble patch. I am still teaching at Chiltern Hills Academy in Chesham, but hoping to reduce to four days per week from September, and Neil is happily servicing boilers throughout the local area as he looks forward to retirement. In addition, I have started training to be a Licensed Lay Minister in the Church of England, which has been an interesting process. I have a panel interview in July to see if I can progress to Year 2. We still have our youngest at home, but the others are spread across the South East and pretending to be fully-functioning adults, so we are effectively empty nesters, but school terms mean that we are still stuck with short, expensive holidays. One day soon, hopefully, we will be free... I haven’t had much contact with anyone this year thanks to moving house, but I did catch up with Sallyann Keizer which was great. LIZ Still Primary supply-teaching and running Beaver Scouts. Teaching-work is steady and full of variety! Richard has had a year of teaching for one day a week and finally retires completely this July. This is apparently an excuse for more beehives! James (26) is in his last year of his PhD in Nuclear Engineering, sponsored by Rolls Royce. 38 | St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026

1989 - 1991 Ben (24) completed his Masters in Quantum Physics in June with a First and moved to Bristol, but was unable to find any work or further study opportunities, then secured a place on a software engineering graduate programme which he is really enjoying. George (20) continues to study Philosophy at Manchester Met. We all returned to the ski slopes this January, to Paris at Easter and will again be heading to the Isle of Wight for August to sail. Funny how they come if we pay! Still in constant contact with Orley (Denman) and Dilly (Cole) and others. We still need addresses for Gabrielle Cousins, Tessa Denham, Sally Hawkins and Sarah Taylor, and Shazia Siddiqui and Margaret Thornton have gone AWOL. I regularly chat to loads of OGs on Facebook and add me or Cathy (we can hook you up with loads of people you may have lost touch with!) Our next reunion is 40 years on: mid-May 2028 but meanwhile, keep in touch and Make sure you tell us if you move/change emails! Joint Branch Secretaries 1989 SARA MACLEAN (Llewellyn) email: macleancomms@gmail.com FIONA GRACE (Farquharson) 104 Thornleigh Road, Bristol, BS7 8PJ email: fi.grace104@googlemail.com FIONA I have had fun year of pursuing my painting, designing stage sets/props and flitting around Europe ballet auditions with my daughter Bea. She’s staying on in London at ENB, sharing flat with her brother Felix. Fortunately they get on amazingly well, he’s studying opera at Guildhall so they share the ambition of treading the boards! It’s such a bonus having somewhere to crash out in the capital as my husband and I still live in Bristol. Sara (Llewellyn), Annette Kendall and I have continued our art exhibition meet ups, the latest being ‘Turner & Constable’ at Tate Britain - so much to discuss, it’s great that this has become a regular thing! I’m also in touch with Peta (Hosking) and Jeanna (Johnston) and recently had a coffee with Susannah (Dornton). I’m looking forward to my brother’s wedding this summer and celebrating my aunt Sarah Walsh (Tewson)’s 80th birthday, another OG!

SALWA KELIDAR Empty nesting combined with online tutoring has had its advantages for me this year as it has allowed me to travel with my husband on his work trips to Guinea-Bissau and Italy. Bissau is buzzing with creative, kind and lovely people and the Bijagos Islands are truly wonderful. Italy never disappoints, especially with all the delicious food. The “witches” WhatsApp group is constantly pinging with news, memes and virtual hugs and I have been lucky enough to catch up with a few friends in person in the last twelve months including Vikki Friedman, who lives on the other side of the planet! Still hoping to meet up with Sonja Bailey in Helsinki this summer… fingers crossed! VICKI SHIELDS I spent a couple of lovely days in Norwich with Jo Hewitt (Curtis) catching up. Eve has her GCSEs and if you can believe it I am working in the exams office at a 6th form college, organising the rooms, papers, invigilators. Busy summer of holidays for the family and also festivals for Eve. Trying to catch up with Helen (Scragg) in person. Have chatted to her and Nels (Helena Panayides). Thinking of everyone who has been living in the Middle East this year. GERALDINE DAVIES I’m still living in the Netherlands but now just me and my sausage dog Casper. Getting used to a new life but all positive. SALLY ESOM I’m still enjoying my job and have branched out a bit now to training new teachers, coaching and developing organisational culture. It involves a mix of travelling to schools and working from home. I was very honoured to be nominated for my services to education and safeguarding this year and had a very special day at Buckingham Palace for a Royal Tea Party. We’re looking forward to a Christmas trip back to Australia to meet our new granddaughter who was born in May! Still in touch with the “witches” for wine, food and a good old natter whenever we are all in the same country!

1990 - 1994 Membership Secretary Andrea Cawthorne - address below Branch Secretary 1990 ANDREA CAWTHORNE (Croad) 33 Cedars Avenue, Rickmansworth, Herts email: andreacawthorne@hotmail.com

35 years on Branch Secretary 1991

Fiona, Annette and Sara JEANNA JOHNSTON SCULLY I have some exciting news to share this year: my son, Brandon, is getting married on Jan 2nd 2027!!! Jo (Curtis) is going to be my neighbour (not next door but much closer than ever before since 1989!). I have much to look forward to! My youngest, Evan, is working as an EMT and Carl and I are both still working but starting to think about retirement in the next few years. Still chat with Fiona (Farquharson) and Peta (Hosking) regularly and I hope to make it back to the UK for a visit in the next year or two (before we all turn the big 6-0 YIKES!!)

ANGIE LAWRENCE 64 Monarch Court, Lyttelton Road, London N2 0RB email: amlawrence1973@yahoo.com What a great time was had at our 35 Years On Reunion, with a record turnout of 26, including some OGs who hadn’t been back to the school since leaving and some who had travelled from far and wide: Laura from Greece, Paula (Casey) from Canada, Louise (Minett) from Cincinnati and Claire Walters from The Netherlands. Many thanks to Sophie (Jolly) for helping me rally the troops. Also huge gratitude to Punu for offering her parents’ lovely home in Moor Park for the Saturday evening Pizza and Karaoke party (which 23 OGs attended and where Paula Harrington was able to join us for a WhatsApp Video call from New Zealand). I am still enjoying working on an eclectic mix of Fringe Theatre shows, most recently two new musicals, ‘Entertaining Murder’ and ‘How To Make A Mess: A Totally Unauthorised Love Letter to Nigella Lawson’, both at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate. I bumped into Lucie Kon there recently and also saw Judi Herman a couple of times. I occasionally bump into Emma Bloomfield at the theatre. I was very honoured to win

a Special Award for my work in theatre, in the inaugural Fringe Theatre Awards in May. It’s always lovely to be appreciated. Josephine Buchan is on the Executive Team. The Zemel Choir continues tobe a big part of my life and in the last year, we have done concerts not only in London, but also in Manchester and Brighton, as well as International Jewish Choral Festivals in Paris and Prague (in 38-degree heat)! I am happy to be in touch with many OGs on a regular basis. Also still in touch with many OGs (and Lynda Landsman) via Facebook and our ever-growing Class of ’91 WhatsApp group (do let me know if you’d like to be added to it). Good to catch up with Cathy Baldwin and Sallyann Keizer for lunch in Northwood in March; go to watch a touring musical with Emma Britten; and see Sophie (Nawarski) in May. It’s lovely seeing Olivia Johnson when schedules permit. She is now living in Marlborough (with her daughter Charlotte) and running a successful Pilates business. CHARLOTTE ALEXANDER charlottealexander@doctors.org.uk Still living in Westminster with Joe and a Cavapoo called Mr. Darcy. I am working as a GP having taught English for 6 years. I think I just love studying. EMMA BLOOMFIELD emailemmabloomfield@me.com It was so special to catch up with so many of the class of ‘91 at our 35 Year On reunion and toast absent friends. Still regularly see Natasha Shapiro and Emma (Dantzic). I also take Pilates classes from the wonderful Julia Richardson (class of ‘86), who was also at the reunion celebrating 40 years. My Mum still lives in Northwood, so I am often there and so much of it still feels the same! My daughter Olivia (14) has a particular love for music and playing the ‘cello. My partner Bernie and I relish cooking for friends and family. I am still really enjoying being an Actor’s Agent and it’s lovely to see Angie at the theatre. Thanks to Angie for being the wonderful force of nature that keeps the class of ‘91 connected. Thanks also to Punu for hosting the evening party for our school reunion.

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1991

JO FINBURGH jo.finburgh@hotmail.co.uk We had an amazing 35 Years On Reunion for the class of ‘91 in May. It was brilliant to have Paula (Casey) come and stay from Canada, and see long lost old faces like Catt Baum. Such a joy to see so many old faces and to see the school looking so shiny after all these years. Punu brought us all together around a fine spread and karaoke for the evening. I still see lots of the old gals but having everyone together was gorgeous. I’m in my 24th year of working as Philanthropy Manager at Friends of the Earth, one of the most influential and impactful charities in the environmental sector. I’ve never given up my passion for protecting the planet for future generations and am lucky to work with the most dedicated and brilliant minds around. My amazing girls (14 and 12) are a chip off the old block. I still live by the marshes in Hackney and am still nuts about festivals, the countryside, horse riding, BMX and walking the dog. ELIZABETH KESSES-DELPORT (Kesses) ejkesses@hotmail.com Cannot believe another year has flown by - when we were at school time seemed to creep by! I have been ping-ponging between London and Paris for mum and sister visits and work. Also spent a lot of time at our beach house in Normandy, which has turned me into the avid gardener. I have managed to grow David Austin roses in French soil. I also have two TV shows going into production end of the year, one in the UK and one in France - flying the entente cordiale flag! My husband got a Legion d’honneur from Macron in March, which was a wonderful occasion for us all. Am in touch with Juliette (Evans), Kate English, Paula (Casey) and Anna (Betts), amongst others. JO LAKEY (Greening) jo_lakey@hotmail.com For the past ten months I have been studying for an A Level alongside working fulltime! I wasn’t allowed to do Classical Civilisation A Level 35 years ago (something to do with combining it with Theatre Studies - maybe the timetabling?). So last July I signed up and have been reading Homer and Virgil, learning about Ancient Greek religion and theatre and writing essays. I completed my exams on 2nd June. It’s been an amazing experience and I’m so glad it did it. I’m about to start a new job at Imperial College London, back in research management working on REF, which I’m looking forward to. My Ed (22) is working on his Master Dissertation in Primate Conservation and should be finished in September. SOPHIE LOVELL-SMITH (Jolly) s_lovell_smith@hotmail.com Another busy year chez Lovell-Smith! The highlight was undoubtedly 40 | St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026

1991 - 1994 OG Day with the fabulous Class of ‘91. It was wonderful to reconnect, celebrate friendships that have stood the test of time, and prove that our reputation as the “naughty year” remains firmly intact! Huge thanks to Angie and Punu for making it such a success, and to Paula Harrington for joining the fun all the way from Auckland. Quick round up on the family front … Ben (26) is now a qualified teacher, Josh (23) is thriving with Schindler, both are enjoying rugby still playing for the same side now they’re grown up. Oscar (16) is tackling GCSEs as I write this and off to 6th Form College next year. I’m currently enjoying a new job with much-improved work-life balance and busy propping up my menopausal self with lots of exercise, a dose of daily HRT and a mountain of supplements. Life is easy at times and also hard at times, but that’s normal. Justin is still around too, 27 years married now, so that’s a cause for celebration - ha! PENNY LYONS (Lacey-Smith) penny_lyons@hotmail.co.uk Truly fabulous to meet up with so many OGs at the reunion in May; thank you to Angie, Sophie (Jolly) and Punu for organising us and making it so special. Also awesome to see some beautiful faces that I hadn’t seen since school, and kudos to those who flew in from abroad - what a lovely group of women we are! I am still working in finance for an oncology biotech in Guildford. Our two boys (19 and 17) one just completed his first year at Bath, the other just finished L6. Will have adult children soon and I’m now the shortest one in the house, which is weird. Want to play more tennis and travel! And see more of the OGs. JO MOWLE (Harris) joannaharris63@hotmail.co.uk It’s been a busy year. I’m still an interior designer and also have another passion, so have a company called Playcation Padel and take groups of people on padel tennis holidays abroad in the sun and run corporate padel tennis events here in UK. My husband and I still own and run The Big Bed Company, it’s been over 20 years now. Live in Bucks and my daughter is in the middle of her A Levels now and my son in his 2nd year at Loughborough. Had an amazing day at our 35 Years On reunion - so great to see so many faces, with so many good memories. NISHA NATALIA (Parekh) nisha.natalia@outlook.com Although I didn’t attend the recent OG Day, I briefly joined for the after party at Punu’s parents’ house. Memories of hanging out there after school flooded back 35 years on! Meeting so many familiar faces and listening to all the stories felt like being in the Sixth Form common room again. Both my daughters (18 and 16) are leaving school this year and have been planning Prom and other leavers events. I showed them our Leavers’ video, which they found quite amusing, especially the hairstyles and dress sense. Apart from parenting, I have continued my career in IT and also work with schools to promote more Women in IT. PAULA PALLARIA (Casey) ppallaria@gmail.com The older I get, the more grateful I become. Attending our 35 Years On school reunion this year was an incredible reminder of that - the connections are stronger, the laughter is genuine, and the hugs are tighter. Special thanks to Angie for keeping us united, and it was wonderful to see Lisa (Hawken) and Catt Baum after so many years. Life in Toronto remains wonderful. I am still managing a busy community cardiac clinic, while Isabella just graduated as a nurse and Thomas is pursuing plumbing. We also moved my parents closer to us, which has been a true blessing. With the kids grown, Tony and I are prioritising travel. After hosting Jo Finburgh and family last summer, we jetted off to London in December and Sri Lanka in February. The world is big, and our bucket list is long! KIM RABIN DAVIDSON (Davidson) kimdavidsonuk@yahoo.co.uk I have to say how much I LOVED our 35th Anniversary Reunion in May this year. It was so wonderful to see all those fabulous ladies again, some of whom I haven’t seen since school. I think we must have been so lucky to have such a great year full of lovely people. Thank you so much to Angie, Sophie (Jolly) and Punu for all your fabulous

organisation and hospitality. In other news, still juggling job (Business Advisor for a Work Avenue charity helping people earn a living), business (Kidaktive Exercise classes for children), amateur dramatics hobby and my relentless love of festivals (which makes this my favourite time of year!). Still have both girls at home with us (23 and 21), which is lovely and our ageing doggy Dayz, whom we all adore. KATE ROWLEY (Reynolds) katerowley72@googlemail.com Had a thoroughly wonderful day celebrating our 35 Years On reunion and catching up with everyone. A big thank you to Angie for organising it all and for all the wonderful photos!!! Since last writing, I am now Head of Languages Department in one of United Learning’s Academies, which is very rewarding and absolutely love the school environment, albeit its challenges at times. Our son Thomas (fingers crossed) will, at the time of reading this, be getting ready to go to York University to read Chemistry and Bella will have just returned from Salamanca on her 2nd tour with the Dark Peak orchestra and going into Year 11. Still absolutely love living on the edge of the Peak District, going to the theatre and spending time with friends and family. LOUISE VAUGHAN (Minett) vaughanl@countryday.net Still in Cincinnati and loving our American adventure, nearly 17 years in! Zac (19) is at Northeastern University in Boston; Thea (17) is heading into senior year at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire; and Eli and Nessie (14) are off to high school at Cincinnati Country Day School, where I still work. And not forgetting Jez, who remains a senior partner at EY! With the children getting older and life shifting gears, we’re downsizing, starting with a renovation of our new home, and then, all being well, building a family summer retreat on land we bought last year in northern Michigan. Bring on breezy summers, lake life, and a simpler existence! It was fabulous to see everyone at OG Day, to compare wildly different memories of life as a “Girl in Green,” and to conclude that, despite the passing of 35 years, we are all essentially unchanged! Joint Branch Secretaries 1992 YASMIN KASSAM email: yrkassam@yahoo.co.uk ARTI LUKHA email: artiandcraig@gmail.com Branch Secretary 1993 MIRIAM HARLEY (Bamford) 61 Milton Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex. BN21 1SN email: miriamharley@yahoo.co.uk Branch Secretary 1994 THALIA CASSIMATIS email: cassimatis@hotmail.co.uk I’m still Head of Art at Rickmansworth School and continue to enjoy it immensely, despite the very long hours! My eldest daughter Ianthe (13) started Year 7 at Ricky last September. She is loving secondary school life, has made lots of wonderful new friends and has thrown herself in a variety of sports clubs. She continues to excel in football outside school, playing for Chesham United and now training at Chelsea’s Player Performance Centre in Cobham, Surrey - a commitment that sees me driving her there every Wednesday after school! Meanwhile, Nephele (10) is continuing to pursue her love of art, singing and dance. She will be performing with her peers from Castle Street Dance Studios at the Wycombe Swan in High Wycombe this September, which we are all very excited about. I celebrated my 50th birthday in May and my husband Steve organised not one but two small ‘surprise’ parties, which made the occasion very special. We’re now looking forward to a family holiday in Greece this summer. I hope everyone is well and happy. If you’d like to join our WhatsApp group, please do get in touch.

YVONNE CHEUNG vonne_cheung@hotmail.com No internet when we walked out of the school gates in ’94, and now I’m using AI to write this. Oh yes. it’s like my new brain cell. Thirty plus years on, I’m living in Clapham with my partner. After trading a 10-year marketing career to retrain, I am now working in Hackney as a children’s physiotherapist. Working with these brilliant kids feels like a full-circle moment - it completely brings back all the chaotic fun, energy, and rewards of our St Helen’s PHAB days! Speaking of which, every year we fundraise to take about 8 families to participate in the Superhero Triathlon. Would love your support if possible! Cheeky link here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/harksuperherotri2026 ALINA CONGREVE alina@congrevemail.co.uk This year seems to be one of those in which many us are celebrating significant birthdays. I’ve been catching up with friends and family in small groups over several months. A highlight has been meeting Jo Plumridge over lunch and a visit to the Heath Robinson Museum in Pinner. Work is mixture of projects rather than a single job title. Recent months have involved training for the professional body for ecologists, supporting university researchers, and research projects connected with sustainability. The variety suits me well, although it does make answering the question “So what do you do?” difficult. SHIVALI DHALIWAL (Popat) shivali69@hotmail.com Not sure how many of you remember me! I left before 6th form - probably because I was boy crazy! Formally known as Achal, hated my name so changed it as soon as I turned 18. Now Shiv. So, married with 2 kids. My daughter Simran (22) has her own beauty business - she’s a lash tech and nail tech (earns more than me btw!). My son Dylan (19) finding his feet but doing security work at football matches so currently in his element! I turned 50 earlier this year like many of us in this year group. Decided not to splash on a party but focused on mini trips this year. Spent some time with my daughter in Marrakesh in January, did a family trip to Romania to an amazing spa for a couple of nights in March for my birthday, few nights in Spain last month, and off to Egypt tomorrow for a summer trip with hubby and kids. Love reading the old girls’ news, really takes me back to simpler times! NABILA GORDON (Nizamudin) nabilagordon@hotmail.com I start my tenth year of teaching at St Catherine’s School in Bramley. It’s been a whirlwind and as we all know teaching is hard work but ultimately, most rewarding. The responsibilities of teachers have changed since we were at school. Not only do we impart knowledge, but we are also in charge of helping our students navigate this world where thoughts, feelings, opinions, data and images are created, shared, gleaned and erased at a touch of a button, at times without a second of reflection for what the consequences may be. Teachers and schools are also now putting students at the centre of decision making and practice, which in my opinion make us all better. One of my daughters has just sat IGCES and one of her A levels. It’s been a busy few months but thankful it’s over by the time this goes to print. SHIRLEY JAMES (Duenas) shirljames@icloud.com I’m still happily based in Bradford, where life has been full of adventure. My husband and I are now pastors at Life Church Bradford, a role we absolutely love. Over the past few years, we also took on our biggest project yet, building our own house from the ground up! It was a huge challenge but incredibly rewarding. If you’d like to see a bit of that journey, you can find us on Season 2 of Derelict Rescue on HGTV. Love hearing all the updates from St Helen’s! JOANNA LAWLOR (Twining) joannalawlor@hotmail.co.uk Whilst life continues as normal with no major job change, house move or pivotal news for me, I find myself grateful for ‘normal’, knowing it can change from one moment to the next... So I’m still in Chalfont St. Peter, I’m still at AstraZeneca (coming on 19 years!) and the kids keep doing that growing thing!!! Every new age is a new challenge but I wouldn’t change it for the world. My mum, (Ann Twining - French teacher 1990 - 2006), still lives in Northwood and continues St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026 | 41

1994 - 1996 her wonderful travels and Italian lessons and being the best grandma anyone could ask for! She recently went on a cruise to the Norwegian Fjords and bumped into Gillian Furphy (Junior School teacher when I was in 2B back in 85/86!) who was on the same ship! Small world.... CLAIRE LEWIS vorlina@hotmail.com After 20 years at EY, I finally took the plunge and joined the partnership at KPMG, specialising in Fund Flows. Still chilling in Harefield with three cats and one husband. The latter is now running the London Distillery Company, leading the charge for the new whisky generation. ANDREA TOLVE andreaanatolve@gmail.com After many years of twists and turns, I’ve settled into a rhythm that feels very much like mine. I live alone with my dog Kaika in a small town tucked between mountains and the Mediterranean, just outside Miami Platja and L’Hospitalet de l’Infant on the Catalan coast and honestly, it’s as lovely as it sounds. My dog Kaika keeps me company on morning runs and lazy evenings. I’m still working as a teacher trainer for Cambridge University Press & Assessment, supporting teachers from kindergarten all the way through to university level, which keeps me busy and genuinely fulfilled. Outside of work, my free time is dedicated to training, day in, day out. Last April I completed the Istria 100km ultramarathon in Croatia, and this September I’m heading to Slovenia for the UTMB Julian Alps 120km. Next year, I’m setting my sights on my first 100 miler. Mountains, sea, a good dog, meaningful work, and miles of trail ahead. CHIARA WILLIAMS chiara.williams@gmail.com Writing this on my birthday, en route to Venice - thanks for the WhatsApp group prompt Thalia! Many of us are half a century old now and for me there is ambivalence: gratitude, grief, joy and many fewer f***s given. I have just celebrated my nonna’s 104th and presented my film (in which she stars) at the Asolo Art Film Festival. I look forward to being back in the studio soon: painting, editing, writing and brewing up lots more magic. As I cross the lagoon - to celebrate life as indulgently as I can I’ll just add: many happy returns to all of us! ERICA WOODHOUSE (Garton) ericawoodhouse@gmail.com I am grateful to be turning 50 this year, time marches on and I am glad for all the various moments. We celebrated Edie turning 20 at the end of April; she and Stephen celebrated by cycling 65 miles around Loch Ness - each to their own! Edie is rapidly staring real adulting in the face as one year left at Birmingham Uni. Connie has finished her A-levels is planning Social Sciences at Birmingham or Cardiff Uni but wondering if she wouldn’t prefer the world of travel, work or an apprenticeship. Pippa has done her GCSEs. She is hoping to stay at St Clement Danes to study Psychology, Sociology and Geography A-level. The girls all have a lot of fun planned for their long summers, with some part time work planned to fund all the frolicking! All of us are looking forward to a holiday together to celebrate all the birthdays and 21 years of marriage. Stephen is still doing stuff in the world of IT, none of which I really understand. I am still part time nursing, which I do understand. Stephen and I relish the freedom of increasing pockets of time when it is just the two of us and love all the girl crazy for the rest of it. Ned and Ollie (the spaniels!) keep us walking. I am focusing more and more on staying healthy, fit and strong so I can live and age well - 50 is a great time to take stock and recalibrate. SALLY WRIGHT (Precious) sjw0209@icloud.com We’ve been in Wells, Somerset, for two years now and love it. I have been enjoying writing a chapter for an anthology and am also working in the field of spiritual accompaniment for women. Toby had a health scare last summer, but he is in good heart at present and is very happy working as Dean of the cathedral here. As I write, Caspar is about to finish his A-Levels and then turns 18 two days later, so we’re getting ready for him to head off to university, or whatever comes next, this September. Felicity is Y10, heading into Y11: I wouldn’t say that she’s loving GCSEs, but she’s really happy at school, so that’s good! Libby, our lovely little Cockapoo, is her usual sock-stealing, fluffball self! 42 | St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026

1996 - 1999 Branch Secretary 1995 TRACEY BRAVO email: traceybravo@gmail.com

30 years on Joint Branch Secretaries 1996 JOANNA MORRISON (Galinsky) email: joannalmorrison@yahoo.co.uk KATE BRADLEY-KIDD (Ogden) email: katebkidd@gmail.com

ADA SHUM It was great to see everyone and to talk about the good old times at the reunion in May ’26! I was thrilled to find out I live very close to Anjana, and already am looking forward to Michelle (Igoe)’s awesome idea of a ‘joint 50th’ birthday gathering in 2028 (open to all). My youngest starts secondary school this coming September, and luckily she will be at the same school in Barnet as my eldest. She just fractured her thumb this week, which is ironic given that she plays so much contact rugby and does sparring in karate without getting hurt. Hope her thumb will have healed by the time this is published! Joint Branch Secretaries 1997 SARAH MORGAN (Bater) “The Cedar” 2 Fringewood Close, Northwood, Middx, HA6 2TB email: sarahabater@yahoo.co.uk JO MORRIS (Packman) 7b Bourne Road, Bushey, Hertfordshire, WD23 3NH email: joannamorris@live.com

KATE Great to see those of you who could make it to the reunion in May! It really didn’t feel like 30 years since we were last sitting in the quad. And thanks to Michelle (Igoe) for her excellent suggestion that we arrange a joint 50th birthday celebration in May ’28. If you’d like to join the celebrations, please let me or Jo know, and we can add you to the new ‘Class of ‘96’ WhatsApp group. Hope everyone is well. DONNA KWOK For the first time in three decades, I returned to the quad! A number of us came back for our 30th reunion in May. It was amazing to see how some places looked the same as just how I remembered it, and yet to see so much more had changed (impressively) elsewhere – infrastructure wise and amongst the girls showing us around. It’s unbelievable how time flies, and to think how much has happened - yet it felt just like yesterday that we were all there. Looking forward to the next reunion planned in London somewhere, when we all turn 50! LAUREN OSMOND (Hill) We are living in a village north of Newbury still. Ella has just gone through GCSEs and Jacob is in Year 8. I am working for WSP leading the Environmental Impact Assessment business. Had some lovely meet ups with Oggy and Alex this year and really enjoyed the school reunion and seeing everyone that made it. The day brought back so many memories and the school has changed so much!

Joint Branch Secretaries 1998 MONICA BHANDARI (Chowdry) 3 Linksway, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2XA email: monica.bhandari@hotmail.co.uk ASHRINA PARMAR (Patel) 85 Woodland Drive, Watford, Herts WD17 3LA email: ashrinaparmar@gmail.com MONICA Still living in Northwood and running Fruity Fresh on Green Lane. We are deep in the trenches of teenage life with two girls, one doing GCSEs this year, so a lot of hormones and tantrums between the three of us…lucky husband! Lovely catch up with the usual gang on our annual holiday, great to nourish the soul with good friends, food, and even a bit of dancing! If you’re ever in Northwood do pop in for a coffee at the shop and say hi! ASHRINA Less travel this year with the children preferring an allinclusive resort however we’re driving around Scotland this summer with my parents which should be an adventure. I’m still working in change management but now self-employed so I’m working part-time for the first time since graduating! My eldest is a police cadet and has just returned back from a residential in Wales, it reminds me of my weeks spent on RAF bases as a CCF cadet. My daughter and I went to the St Helen’s Open Day last September and randomly, I sat in the RBH on the chair my parents donated to the school in 1993! Amazing for me to come across that exact chair that day and see them still in use, after all these years. EVA ADUSEI (Amonoo-Kuofi) Life has been full, busy and full of change, but I’m still very much here and finding my way into a new chapter. Work continues to keep me on my toes in financial services, where I lead a supplier relationship management team. Outside work, I’m still singing regularly, which remains one of my happiest places, and I’m enjoying theatre, live music, Pilates, travel, good food, and time with friends and family. I’ve also formally changed my first name to Eva, which feels significant and grounding. It’s been a lot, but I’m hopeful, more myself, and looking forward to what comes next. HELEN DOKELMAN Still living in Limoges and managing a private English school. Kids are growing; Gionata (16) and Amelie (13). I try my best to go back home to see family in England as much as possible. Don’t hesitate to look up me up if you are in this neck of the woods. CLARA HEIMERDINGER I’m Director at Nice N’ Spiky and Comedy in the Office, we deliver bespoke comedy shows for businesses, parties, hotels, private members clubs, festivals and breweries across London and the UK. Collaborating with top comedians and having a laugh for

a living, what’s not to love?! I won a Silver in Best Creative Business at the Best Business Women Awards 2025. I live in St John’s Wood and can’t get enough of Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park. DENISE IGOE I’m writing this in the middle of GCSE chaos, doing my best to keep my eldest motivated and revising, easier said than done. How on earth is it 30 years since we did ours? All being well, Harry will be heading to college in September to study engineering with motorsports, and then we get to do the whole Year 11 rollercoaster all over again with Daisy! When I’m not navigating teenage hormones, I’m still working as the office manager at a local primary school and sitting on the board of governors at the kids’ secondary. I squeeze in running and walking whenever I can and in October, Nick and I will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary! If you’re ever in the Midlands, genuinely feel free to pop in - the kettle is always on. JOANNA KENNEDY (Leigh) This year has been one of significant change and new beginnings. I was delighted to be awarded a Master of Laws (LLM), specialising in intellectual property and data protection, a challenging but hugely rewarding achievement. On a more personal note, the year also brought major life changes, including my divorce, which marked the start of a new chapter. Happily, it was balanced by a wonderful addition to the family: becoming an aunty to a gorgeous little nephew, who has brought enormous joy and perspective to us all. CLARE MILLER My nieces Alice and Eleanor are thriving at St Helen’s in Years 8 and 6. I now get to return for Calendar Sale, sports events and drama performances without the pressure of having to man a stall or remember lines! As for me I’ve had a busy few years at ITV in Current Affairs, where I look after The Martin Lewis Money Show Live brand. It’s such a positive programme to make and I’m incredibly proud of its continued recognition especially this year at the BAFTAs what a night! It’s always lovely to keep up with everyone’s news. CAROLINE OSBORNE (Wheeler) Life ticking along nicely and almost clear of the 11+ nightmare, bring on September and Y6 for my youngest. Eldest will be heading into Y9 which is mad, considering it really wasn’t THAT long ago we were picking our GCSE options. Particularly enjoyed seeing Jacqui Trisk on the Take That Netflix documentary. I remember being SO cross that my parents wouldn’t let me bunk off school to go with her that day (sorry if I’ve just outed you, Jacqui!) I will look out for you at The Circus Tour this summer! Still in touch with the usuals from school and looking forward to the next reunion to bump into more of you! EMMA SCOURFIELD (Harrison) I decided to take a step away from TV last September as the industry was getting quieter. I tried working at a local school as the office manager. However, I miss the TV environment so back to looking for TV roles! I’ve also been playing clarinet in Chiltern Concert Band for the last year and absolutely love it! We even won a Platinum Award at the National Concert Band Festival recently at the Royal Northern College of Music! Kids are doing well (13 and 9) with various interests including clarinet, oboe, tennis and musical theatre! KATE YOUNG Another year has flown by and kids are getting bigger and bigger. I am definitely now the shortest with two teenage boys eating us out of house and home. I am still working as an oncologist at the Royal Marsden, living in Gerrards Cross, looking forward to a lovely summer holidays after the dreaded GCESs are finished. Joint Branch Secretaries 1999 SARAH WHITE (Chandler) email: sarahwhite100@me.com PIPPA WILKINS (Durrant) email: philippaann@yahoo.com

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2005 - 2006

2000 - 2004

2000 Membership Secretary Kim Carr email address below Branch Secretary 2000 KIM CARR (Fishman) mrskimcarr@hotmail.com Not sure how another year has passed us by! It is lovely having a Class of 2000 WhatsApp group- if you would like to be added, please message me your number. All change here this year, as both kids started new schools in September. Josh started Year 7 at St Albans and Bella Year 5 at RMS. Lots of OGs are fellow parents at RMS and it has been lovely to reconnect with them all. TESSA LWANGA I’m still doing photography and recently exhibited at the Hillingdon Business Expo where I bumped into Jilna (Shah), Hena’s sister. Was so great to reconnect. Also launched a bi-annual editorial magazine called Mulage. Centred on celebrating the Afro, style and culture. Any magazine people please reach out! It’s @ mymulage on Instagram or mulage.co.uk on the web. ROXY SHARLAND (Shariff) A year into our Godalming adventure! Andrew and I are currently juggling historic house renovations, happy kids (10, 7, and 3) who are loving their new schools and the green spaces, and discovering the realities of countryside wildlife (hello, ticks). Having Isabel (Simpson) living just down the road is fabulous. Hoping for life to slow down a little in a couple of years!

25 years on Branch Secretary 2001 EMMA ARCH (Young) 31 Denham Lane, Chalfont St. Peter, Gerrards Cross, South Bucks SL9 0EP email: emma.young@cantab.net It was so lovely to see some of you at our 25 year on reunion in May! Whilst I am still in denial that we left school so long ago, I am also coming up to 20 years working at Bain and my eldest son is starting secondary school in September so I guess I need to start to accept that I am perhaps well and truly a grown-up now! Still living in Chalfont St Peter and managing to catch up with Esther, Lucy, Laura and Zahira a couple of times a year – including a lovely BBQ at ours with all the partners and kids the other week. Hectic but fun! KATHERINE SUCHET I live in Marlborough in Wiltshire, have two kids (6 and 3), and have been working as a physio specialising in women’s and pelvic health. Lately I have closed down my private practice and concentrated on the digital arm of my business Hatch Athletic where, as a collective of healthcare professionals, we educate athletes and fitness professionals via a global digital platform on women’s health and fitness through the life stages. I absolutely loved being back for the St Helens 25yr reunion and to see some old faces things really haven’t changed that much. Will definitely be coming to another in the future. MOLLY BYHAM (Calam) I’m still a GP in Cheltenham living with my husband and 2 children. Have seen Penny, Sajni and Lucy with all our children who get on like a house on fire! We also met for a girls’ weekend in Jan. Was sad to miss the 25 year reunion but had a lovely catch up with Kat Suchet last summer and will definitely attend

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any others we get chance to go to and if anyone is passing through Cheltenham please get in touch - I would love to see you! Joint Branch Secretaries 2002 CAT ANDERSSON Seaton Cottage, 33 West Common, Gerrards Cross, SL9 7RE email: catandersson@gmail.com ANGE HOUSE (Balakrishnan) 2 Brackendale, London, N21 3DG email: angebalakrishnan@gmail.com CAT In this age of social media, where moments are shared quickly and then just as quickly forgotten, it’s nice to read the news of those who write in. It’s not so instant but a snap shot in time that stays in print for years above and below to read. I must therefore wish a big thanks to Fi Maclay who always rallies her pals to send news. I have known her and Emily since Kindergarten with Mrs Gosling, it’s lovely to have known people for so long. I met Ange, Mel, Sam, Nirvana and Pandora in Year 7 (maybe a bit later for Pandy, I remember meeting her at a rounders match at Northwood College first) and it is heartening to know that 30 years later we still know each other. If you’re reading this now, next year let us know what you’ve been up to – it could be your unpublished novel, a new hobby or even keeping a house plant alive. I am incredibly smug that I can now get my orchids to reflower… I’m so cool. REBECCA GONSALVES I can’t believe it’s now half a decade since we relocated to Broadstairs! I’m still loving coastal life and being part of the community, raising my little beach bums, building my business Kinder Collective (we moved into a gorgeous bigger store this spring, very proud!) and knitting in my spare time. Wish I saw school pals more regularly but looking forward to a summer of catch-ups with some besties and their kids! EMILY RUDGE I am now Managing Director of a commercials production company called Prettybird. We did the last commercial for Netflix ‘The Future is On Its Way’ (which was a personal big achievement) - and our sister company called Ventureland runs long form documentaries and just released the Kylie three part doc on Netflix. I have a son called Zaël (3), three step-kids and I found a long lost half-brother in 2019 which is amazing. Joint Branch Secretaries 2003 SHOSHANA WHYBROW (Abrams) The Ramblers, High Street, Barley, SG8 8JA email: shoshanawhybrow@gmail.com MARIANNE FULLER (Wilkerson) 146 Delaware Mansions, Delaware Road, London, W9 2LL email: mariannewilkerson@msn.com Joint Branch Secretaries 2004 ROSIE TOWERS (Driver) email: rosie_44@hotmail.co.uk RIDHIMA PATEL email: ridhimavpatel@gmail.com SARA SHARMA (Cooper) I so enjoy reading the OG Magazine each year so after far too long decided it was time for an update. Our girls (9 and 11) are both at St Helen’s and thriving in their own unique ways. The school is the same in so many ways but also completely different from our time. I still get disorientated as the layout is much changed. Definitely more flashbacks now our eldest is in senior school. I am still working for Sodexo in my 4th and most enjoyable role yet with the company. Grateful for the flexibility it gives me to be there for the girls as teen years are fast approaching as well as the travel and development opportunities. In touch with Yvette, Paulette, Samira and Katerina.

Joint Branch Secretaries 2005 JENNIE HOLLOWAY (Morgan) email: JennieHolloway1@gmail.com ANNIE TAYLOR-GOOBY email: annietaylorgooby@gmail.com JENNIE As I write this, I’m preparing to attend the St Helen’s Careers Fair, promoting civil engineering to 500(!) current pupils. In branch news, the Class of 2005 Facebook group is closing. Please email me to join the mailing list and WhatsApp group. HARRIET RHODES (Wilson) Quite surreal, but my daughter starts secondary school in September, surely I only just left school myself? I’m kept very busy running Holly & Co, a marketplace championing female founders and UK makers that’s growing fast, and I love every minute. I still see my St Helen’s best friends regularly and feel truly lucky for the friendships that school gave me. It also does seem that you are only ever one or two connections away - the founder of my company, her mum, is also a St Helen’s girl, Sally Tucker (‘68), and we can be regularly found together with a glass of wine in hand, putting the world to rights! NATASHA WATSON Still at Buro Happold in Bath, working as the Climate Emergency Change Manager for the UK Business; essentially being ‘professionally difficult’ in trying to get the company to be sustainable and low-carbon in everything that we do. In January I got engaged to my long-term partner Connor; looking forward to our wedding in Bath in 2028! It will come around a lot sooner than I think. Looking forward to celebrating turning the big 4-0 with everyone else in the class of 2005! Hope everyone gets spoiled and either parties hard or gets the early night that they’re looking forward to!

20 years on Joint Branch Secretaries 2006 CASSIE LLOYD PERRIN 33 Sunnydene Lodge, Wembley, HA0 1AT email : hrcassie@gmail.com PHILIPPA GOULDE 13 Holme Park, Borehamwood, WD6 4SX email: pjgoulde@gmail.com CASSIE It was lovely to see so many people at OG Day this year! I’m just finishing a year’s maternity leave with Tommy, born June ‘25. Back to work as Head of Industry Impact at Level 20 - a non-profit founded to increase the number of senior women investment professionals in private equity and VC. (The cat is glad to have home quiet again!) Otherwise, though I recently reduced my extracurriculars somewhat stepped down from school board chairing and a journalism nonprofit board - I’m involved with Safe Screens campaign, learning Hungarian, and regularly meet up with Philippa and Deveka, and with Mrs Vann. PHILIPPA It was so lovely to see so many of you at the recent reunion. I am living in Borehamwood with my son Myles (3), and expecting his little sister in August (still as a solo mum). I’m working as an in-house lawyer for a global consumer goods company, working on lots of the products that you’ll find in your kitchen or bathroom cabinets. Still regularly keep up with Cassie

and Deveka, getting together as often as we can. AMY BREWER I still live in Edinburgh with husband Raymond, who is now a sports photographer, and I’m proud to work in communications for leading homelessness charity Social Bite. Our flagship project is the Social Bite Village model, which provides high quality supported temporary accommodation as part of a community. It’s attracted some big name support, including George Clooney, Bob Geldof and Rob Brydon! I also enjoy travelling regularly, with a goal to visit 100 countries before I turn 50, and play drums in a band. EMILY CHARLES (Krimholtz) It was lovely to see so many of you at OGs Day! I now live in Watford with my husband Dave and our two kids Dylan (7) and Chloe (2), and I work at WBGS as a Payroll/ HR Manager. I’m still involved in my musical hobbies - I sing in a choir and am learning swing & jive dance. LUCY CHANDLER I’m living in Amersham with my partner Rob, having moved from Kilburn in late ‘24 before welcoming our gorgeous daughter Grace. I’m working at WHSmith (separate from TG Jones) in their London head office as a senior manager in the Audit & Risk team. I had my 5 year work anniversary in January this year. It was lovely to catch up with people at the 20 year reunion in May (although scary it’s been 20 years!). CHRISTINA CHIANG After having lived in China for over a decade, my family and I moved to Singapore about 2 years ago. It’s been a great experience so far, let me know if any of you are in town! ROSEMARY CRONIN I’m still an artist! I was commissioned by Tate Britain to create an immersive learning space that was up from May 2025 - May 2026. A quick moment to catch my breath before working on new work with funding from Arts Council England. I still live in Hampstead but have my studio on the Thames in East London so feel like I have the best of both worlds! Still teaching at Chelsea College of Arts and now signed to art agency Gertrude. LYDIA GREGORY This year has brought new chapters… we swapped the city for a village outside Geneva, Switzerland where I’m living with my husband, Ben, our 8 month old son, Julian, and labrador, Genepi. We’re loving life here for the moment with access to the mountains and city, and deer in the garden. Career-wise, I’ve spent 10 years working in AI music and have seen the space evolve. Most recently, I co-founded a music search company, which was acquired last summer by a music technology platform. I’m now working on responsible AI implementation because I don’t want to leave the future to the tech bros. I’m really pleased to be connected with everyone again! BELLE GRENVILLE-MATHERS In 2025, I published my very first academic journal article on former president and general Ulysses S. Grant and US Civil War memory of Reconstruction. It’s free to read in the Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era (volume 24). I’m still working as a quasi-academic-lecturer in a university library in London but I’m hoping to move back into academia proper in the future. I’m also working on making 2026/27 the year I buy a house! And when I’m not doing boring adult things, you can find me climbing big walls with ropes! NATALIE HEAWOOD (Limbrey) So nice to catch up with lots of you at the 20 year reunion! Enjoying a very busy and full-on life in Chiswick, West London, with my husband Chris (aka Tiggy, old MTS boy) and our 6 year old twins, Theo and Sienna, and two cats. I’ve been working in the city for 16 years (aside from a secondment to Johannesburg), as a Portfolio Manager at Barings in the High Yield and Leveraged Finance markets- it’s been an incredibly interesting and rewarding career path, and I would love to see more young women enter the industry. Still in touch with lots of lovely St Helen’s girls and glad to have reconnected with many more at the reunion!

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2006 - 2012 To opt in to receiving an electronic version of the Old Girls’ Magazine, sign up at http://eepurl.com/gj7Vu5 You can opt back in to receiving a paper version at any time FRANCES HERITAGE (Bennett) I’ve been working round the corner from St Helen’s as a Primary school teacher in Pinner for the past 10 years. I always tell the Year 6’s headed to St Helen’s that I’m an OG! I have a son and daughter that keep me busy the rest of the time and still manage to see friends from my St Helen’s days. ALEXA MARENGHI (Glick) I live in St Albans with my husband Paolo, two kids Esme (9) and Leo (7), and our Cocker Spaniel x Golden Retriever Kaiyo. I am an HR Director at a global cybersecurity company called Zscaler, after previously being at Microsoft for 12 years. I am currently leading the company’s AI Talent Strategy which is a lot of fun! Hope everyone is well! LAUREN KING (Thompson) After almost 7 excellent years in Belfast, I’ve moved back to Ruislip with my 1 year old, husband and dog (chocolate labrador). I miss the Northern Irish scenery and accent but am excited to be home and to be starting teaching French in my old primary school. Lovely to see so many people at OG Day. Branch Secretary 2007 NEMESHA PATEL (Balasundaram) Email: nemeshab@hotmail.co.uk Joint Branch Secretaries 2008 ABBIE WOODROW (Phillips) Email: abbie722@hotmail.com TAMMY JANSEN (Clark) Email: Tc8963@my.bristol.ac.uk TAMMY A few updates - I did another Ironman last July in Spain and managed to shave an hour off my 2023 time. After a bit less triathlon training, Marc and I were delighted to find we were expecting a baby – due June 2026. I’ve also started some evening French classes to try to reinvigorate the hazy memories of A-level French! I hope everyone is well. ABBIE Been enjoying swimming one morning a week before work, when all the childcare stars are aligned. It was at my local pool that I had the pleasure of bumping into Madame Gerry, who retired 20 years ago after our GCSEs! EMILY MARTINEZ Still living in Switzerland and am in the process of obtaining naturalisation. Travelled quite a bit last year and have discovered my fave country…Costa Rica! Another highlight was a road trip along the West Coast of the US which was fantastic. Currently working on my music with a 4th single, “Cruel” coming out on streaming platforms this Friday, under the name Emily Jane. Looking forward to summer which will be full of music concerts including Ricky Martin (my first crush) coming to the small town next to mine near Lausanne! Still in touch with Tammy Clark and got back in touch recently with Roshni Dalia which was lovely! Joint Branch Secretaries 2009 LOUISE BURFITT Email: louise@louiseburfitt.com AMY WALTER Email: amywalter_1@hotmail.com 46 | St. Helen’s Old Girls News | 2026

2013 - 2025 Joint Branch Secretaries 2010 JAIMINI MEHTA 22 Ardross Avenue, Northwood, HA6 3DS Email: jaimini_22@hotmail.co.uk LAURA WILSON 10 Nower Hill, Pinner, HA5 5QU Email: laurawilson@hotmail.co.uk

15 years on Branch Secretary 2011 SAMANTHA SIMON (Phillips) 2 The Broadwalk, Northwood, Middlesex, HA6 2XD Email: samanthaphillips276@ hotmail.com Joint Branch Secretaries 2012 FRANCESCA HARDY (Clarke) 41 Chapman Close, Stannington, Sheffield S6 5BX Email: francescaclarke@hotmail.co.uk RACHEL MAHONEY (Hallet) 20 Dale Close, Stanway, Colchester CO3 0FG Email: rachel_hallet@hotmail.com FRANCESCA For the first time I am writing my update as a married woman, which feels crazy to say. In April I married Jack on a glorious sunny day here in Sheffield. We celebrated with a mini-moon in Italy and are looking forward to our honeymoon in South Africa and Mauritius later this year. Before that though, I’m off to Italy again to celebrate Pooja’s hen with Tash, Izzy, Zahraa and Helen ahead of her wedding in the summer. DIARY DATE: 15 Years on Reunion on 8th MAY 2027 RACHEL I’m still living in Colchester and working for Cancer Research UK, a role I continue to love. One highlight from the past year was being part of the Stand Up To Cancer live show over the Christmas period, including spending a memorable night in the Channel 4 studios as part of the production team. Family life remains busy and rewarding. My children are both thriving at nursery and school, and by the summer, Violet will have completed her first full year at school – a milestone that’s hard to believe has come around so quickly. Time really does fly! We’re all keeping well and enjoying life, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the next year brings. HELENA DREWETT (Theo) I hope everyone is doing well. It has been an exciting year for me as I gave birth to a baby girl in November ‘25 so I am currently on maternity leave and really enjoying motherhood. I have been a qualified solicitor for 7 years which has flown by and I received a promotion last year which made all my hard work pay off. Hopefully see some of you at our 15 year reunion next year! ALICE KING After 7 years living in Sydney Australia I’m starting to reconnect back with the UK and thought it would be nice to contribute an update. I’m entering my second year of freelancing as a Cultural Insight Strategist & Semiotician. Freelance has provided me the freedom to live and work nomadically, I’m living between Sydney for half the year, and the other half between London and Berlin following the sun and trying to foster a sense of home and community in each. It’s been a welcome transition moving out of the pace of agencies and becoming independent. The extra headspace I’ve put towards a few different projects. As an armature DJing, a life highlight was me and my partner playing a set at Afrika Burn last month. We are also slowly renovating a 1930’s house in Saxony Germany, and a lot of the year has been planning for our wedding at the end of May that we will be hosting at my parent’s garden in Seer Green.

Joint Branch Secretaries 2013 YASMIN LAZARUS 21 Elgood Avenue, Northwood, HA6 3QL Email: yasmin@yasminlazarus.com CHARLOTTE GREIG (Caine) 41 Five Heads Road, Horndean, PO8 9NU Email: c-caine@live.com YASMIN It’s been a very exciting year in the Lazarus household (I convinced my husband Jonathan to take my very cool surname) – we welcomed our gorgeous daughter Lia into the world in January. Motherhood has been everything I dreamed of but also nothing like I expected. I continue to work as a Child and Educational Psychologist (you’d think that would prepare me for being a mum - think again!) and I resume after maternity leave soon. And I hope to be back on the climbing wall soon as well, although the disabled climbing charity that I co-founded has not been neglected and we run our 4th annual competition this year. CHARLOTTE Another exciting year! Baby girl number 3 is due to join us this summer, I’ve officially done 10 years as a maths teacher and got lots of opportunities to see my girls in green as we celebrate Caoimhe Sweeney’s wedding! LEANNE METZGER (Winocour) In April, I was blessed to have my beautiful baby girl Maya. I’m settling into motherhood well and very much enjoying this special chapter.

Joint Branch Secretaries 2019 UMA GURAV Email: uma14@hotmail.co.uk PRIYANKHA KHINDRI Email: p.khindri@icloud.com Joint Branch Secretaries 2020 MAYA KATELI Email: maya.kateli@gmail.com LUCY MEADE Email: lucmeade@gmail.com

5 years on Joint Branch Secretaries 2021 VERITY LEAKE Email: verity.leake@outlook.com RAKHEE SHAH Email: rakheeshah67@hotmail.co.uk

Joint Branch Secretaries 2014 ELEANOR DOKE Email: dokeeleanor@gmail.com OLIVIA CHERKAS Email: olivia.cherkas@icloud.com Joint Branch Secretaries 2015 GRACE ANDREWS Fogaback, Chenies Hill, Latimer, HP5 1FF Email: gracedvandrews@gmail.com HARSHANA SHAH Shanta Nivas, Sandy Lane, Northwood HA6 3ES Email: harshana.shah32@gmail.com

10 years on Joint Branch Secretaries 2016 SHIVANI ANATH Email: shivani@anaths.co.uk YASS RAD Email: yass_rad@hotmail.com Joint Branch Secretaries 2017 EMMA BROWN Email: emma@madisonbrown.co.uk RIA GAGLANI Email: ria.gaglani02@gmail.com RHIANNE ADAMSON Email: rhianneadamson@hotmail.com Joint Branch Secretaries 2018 BETHAN WILKINSON Riverglade, Riversdale, Bourne End SL8 5EB Email: bethanw17@gmail.com BETHANY BROWN 1A Sonia Close, Watford WD19 4PD Email: bethanyalixbrown@gmail.com

Joint Branch Secretaries 2022 ASHA KATELI Email: ashakateli@icloud.com MAARIYA KHALID Email: mnkhalid@icloud.com LAYLA LADAK Email: layla@kadal.org.uk 5 YEARS ON REUNION: Saturday 8th May 2027 (paid for by the OG Club but you still need to book to get a space for your tickets to your first reunion) Branch Secretary 2023 RHEA WASANI Email: rheawasani@outlook.com Joint Branch Secretaries 2024 DIYA SHAH diyashah06@icloud.com TANUJA HANMANTGAD tanuja.hanmantgad@gmail.com Joint Branch Secretaries 2025 ANA CHATOO anachatoo@icloud.com and RHEA SHAH Rhea1712@icloud.com

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St. Helen’s Old Girls’ Club St. Helen’s Old Girls’ 2 Moneyhill RoadClub 2Rickmansworth Moneyhill Road Rickmansworth Herts Herts WD3 7EQ WD3 7EQ