ALUMNAE
Tormeadian
The Tormeadian
Welcome to The Tormeadian
It is a pleasure to welcome you to this special edition of The Tormeadian. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all who have contributed stories, photos, and memories. We are also grateful for your tremendous support over the past year, from attending reunions to joining us at our networking events. A special thanks goes to Claire Kissin OT for returning as our guest of honour at Prize-Giving - your words and presence truly inspired our students.
As we look ahead to the School’s 120th anniversary in September 2025, we are filled with pride and anticipation. This milestone offers a unique moment to honour our past whilst toasting to the next 120 years.
A calendar of celebratory events is being planned for the coming year, offering alumnae and the community many opportunities to reconnect, reminisce, and raise a glass (or two) to the next 120 years. We cannot wait to welcome you back.
Michelle O’Brien Deputy Head External Relations
Stay Connected
Tormeadians and former staff are a vital part of the Tormead community, who enrich the lives of both current pupils and fellow alumnae with their voluntary and philanthropic support.
By connecting with the School, our alumnae and former staff will receive our regular newsletter, copies of The Tormeadian, event information, updates on school and alumnae news and fundraising appeals.
Alumnae are free to choose which communications to receive and how they hear from us by logging into ConnecTormead at https://tormeadian.tormeadschool. org.uk/homepage or emailing alumnae@ tormeadschool.org.uk
The Development Office organises a packed calendar of events throughout the year, both at school and around the country including: Lunches
Sporting events
Drinks
Reunions
We hope to welcome you to an alumnae event very soon!
Thank You
On behalf of the Development and Alumnae office, we would like to extend our deep thanks to all our parents and donors for their support and generosity this year. We are very appreciative of everything our parent community is doing to support the school during these difficult financial times.
In particular, we would like to thank one benefactor who has been extremely generous, donating funds towards a purpose-built recording studio for the Music Department and towards the upgrading of the Urnfield clubhouse.
We would also like to extend our thanks to Andertons Music Co. for their wonderful donation of 20 acoustic guitars for the Music Department. The ongoing help and philanthropy of the Tormead community and our regular donors allow us to continue giving our pupils the opportunities and experiences they need to thrive.
And last but certainly not least, we want to pay tribute to the TPA for all their hard work and fundraising efforts, and to our parents for
attending and supporting these events. This year, funds raised by the TPA will be going towards purchasing a digital scoreboard for the Urnfield Sports Ground.
As well as continuing to raise funds for the recording studio and Urnfield clubhouse, another project that we are hoping to support, led by the Head Girl Team, is the development of an outdoor area for pupils to enjoy and relax in all year round.
If you would like to support these initiatives or any others at the school, please contact Michelle O’Brien, Deputy Head External Relations on mobrien@ tormeadschool.org.uk
Be Part of The Tormeadian
We would love to hear about any big events, such as marriages, births, moves abroad or job changes. If you would like to submit a photo to accompany your news, it can be included in the next edition of The Tormeadian.
If you would like to get involved with Tormead life once more, you could become a mentor to a current member of our Sixth Form, deliver a Beacon Lecture to our academic scholars, or attend one of our careers events.
Do you run your own business, and would you like to advertise in the Tormead alumnae newsletter?
To find out more about any of these opportunities, email alumnae@tormeadschool.org.uk
Leave a Legacy
Since 1905, Tormead has harnessed the power of education to transform lives and communities. For generations our School has nurtured young minds, helping them to grow into confident, capable individuals who go on to make a difference in the world.
By making a legacy donation, you can play a pivotal role in ensuring that this tradition of excellence continues for generations to come.
Give the Gift of Education
Legacy donations have the power to make a profound and enduring difference. Through your generosity you could:
Fund Bursaries: Provide financial assistance to talented students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend Tormead.
Support Academic Excellence: Enhance educational programmes, ensuring that our students receive the best possible education in a rapidly changing world.
Improve Facilities: Contribute to the development of state-of-the-art facilities that inspire learning and innovation.
Advance Extracurricular Opportunities: Support sports, arts, and other extracurricular programmes that help students discover their passions and talents.
Why Choose Legacy Giving?
By including Tormead in your estate plans, you are making a commitment to future generations. Legacy giving is an enduring way to express your values, ensure the continuation of excellence, and leave a lasting mark on a community that has meant so much to you.
If you are considering a legacy gift to the school, we would be honoured to discuss the options available and ensure that your gift aligns with your wishes. Please contact alumnae@tormeadschool.org.uk
Together we can build a lasting legacy.
Meet the Intern: Megan Smart
When did you start your internship?
I started in January 2025, joining the team as the Marketing and Events Intern. I also support with commercial management at the school, so my role is split between two really exciting areas.
What is your background?
I’ve always worked alongside my studies. From the age of 16, I had various hospitality jobs which taught me a lot about working with people and juggling priorities, especially during Sixth Form. I also spent some time working as a nursery assistant, which I really enjoyed. It was such a wholesome, hands-on job and incredibly rewarding to watch the little ones learn and grow, and to be part of that journey.
At A Level, I studied Business Studies, Psychology and Sociology. Each subject gave me insight into how people, society and businesses work. I still draw on those lessons today – whether that’s understanding how people engage with marketing, how businesses operate and make decisions, or how events are experienced from different perspectives.
I went on to study Criminology at the University of Southampton and graduated in 2023. I absolutely loved it. University was one of the best experiences of my life - not just academically, but personally too. I became more confident, more independent, and more open-minded.
My degree taught me how to think critically, communicate clearly, and better understand different viewpoints, and those are all skills I use in my work now.
After uni, I started my first graduate job at a corporate company near home. It was a big shift going from uni life to full-time work, and the 9 to 5 reality definitely took some adjusting to (no more midweek lie ins!). That transition can be a bit of a shock to the system, and I don’t think it gets talked about enough, but once you find your rhythm, it does get easier.
The role itself was really varied - I worked across sales, marketing, events, bids and tenders, and even some philanthropy. It gave me a brilliant foundation in how different departments work together and how to manage lots of moving parts. I quickly realised that it was the marketing and events side that I really enjoyed. I loved the creativity, the pace, and the opportunity to bring ideas to life, so I began applying for roles in that area, and that’s what brought me here.
I think it’s so important to highlight that it’s okay to study something completely different at university and still find your way into a career you love. My degree gave me so many transferable skills and I use what I learned every day, even if it’s not in the way I originally expected.
What does a typical day look like for you?
It’s hard to describe a typical day because honestly, no two days are ever the same, especially in a split role. One morning I might be touring local clubs or businesses who want to hire our facilities, and by the afternoon I could be setting up a round table dinner or dressing one of our venues for an event. I might be drafting up contracts, replying to event or catering requests, or sorting admin. On other days, I could be designing posters to put around the school, or tying bows on teddy bears (yes, really!). I help take photos for social media posts, brainstorm with the team on
marketing strategy and future campaigns, and I also spend time exploring marketing opportunities or partnerships within the local area. It’s varied, creative and definitely keeps me on my toes, but that’s what I love about it.
What is the most enjoyable part of your role?
I love how diverse the role is. It’s so fastmoving and hands-on, and there’s always something new to get stuck into. Mostly though, I value the sense that I’m helping to create lasting memories for the girls here.
When I think back to my own school days, it’s the events and fun moments that really stand out, so it’s lovely to be on the other side now, helping to create those special experiences - and the girls at Tormead have so many of those. Some days we’re working on three or four different events in one day, from small touches to big, memorable occasions. There’s also a lot of creative freedom, which I really appreciate. I feel
trusted to share ideas and take ownership of things. It’s also just a really lovely team to be a part of, it’s a very supportive and collaborative environment.
How will your internship help your future career?
This internship is such a brilliant opportunity for me. I definitely want to build a career in marketing and events, and here I get to learn from a team that are so generous with their knowledge. I’m learning practical skills every day, gaining real insight into how campaigns and events come together, and getting the confidence to develop my own ideas and run with them. It’s such a great foundation for the path I want to go down next and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to take on this role.
The Tormeadian Library Opening
Wednesday 5th March 2025 saw the official opening of the recently refurbished senior library by illustrator, author and alumna, Emma Dodd. Speaking about her own time at Tormead and her career, Emma spoke passionately about the importance of the arts in schools and encouraged the girls to continue reading, writing and being creative.
Tormead Instrumental Festival
January saw the return of our annual Tormead Instrumental Festival showcasing the talents of all our instrumentalists from Grade P right through to Diploma level. Amaara opened the show with a performance of Nuvole Bianche on the harp, which saw her take home the prize for the Prelude category. The Intermediate category featured everything from piano to acoustic guitar, but it was Thami who wowed in this category playing Lenny Kravitz’s “Are You Gonna Go My Way” on the drums. The Advanced category saw instrumentalists from Grades
5 to 7 perform and Jessica’s rendition of Romance by Camilla Saint-Saens wowed our guest adjudicator, Dr Maureen Galea, and saw her receive the trophy. Our final Maestro category showcased the talents of our musicians playing at Grade 8 and above, the youngest of those being just 12 years old. In this category, Sabrina’s rendition of the Plaintive Blues on the piano proved to be the winning piece. A huge congratulations to everyone who took part and thank you to Dr Galea who had the rather difficult job of judging our entries.
Emma was joined by Year 7 to celebrate the opening of the library and awarded prizes to Addie Yr7, Lily Yr8 and Liza Yr9, winners of a creative writing competition held by the English department to coincide with the event.
The library has been named the Parsons Library after two sisters who were among Tormead’s earliest students, Betty and Claudia Parsons. Both sisters went on to publish a number of successful novels and these inspirational women also forged careers in teaching and engineering at a time when there were few opportunities afforded to women.
Year 10 Tenner Fair
Our Year 10 students produced a fantastic range of creative products as part of the Tenner Challenge. Tasked with creating a business with just £10, the teams surveyed their target market and set about making products for the Tenner Fair. The Auditorium was bustling with customers who were delighted with their newly purchased crocheted animals, charm necklaces, sea glass jewellery, candles, wax melts, stress balls and ever popular homemade cookies and cake pops.
Physics Trip to the Rutherford Appleton
Laboratory
The Upper Sixth physics students took a trip to the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire. The day started with an introduction to particle accelerators and a lecture on particle physics theory. We got to learn about Feynman diagrams and how physicists use them to represent particle interactions. We were then treated to a workshop where we got to analyse actual collision data from the Large Hadron Collider to
see if we could spot the decay of a Higgs Boson. During lunch we got to see a cloud chamber and Zeus- part of an old detector from a facility in Germany. After lunch we learnt more about how data is managed and collected at CERN and the four different detectors they have. We also got to take a tour of the ISIS neutron and muon source and whilst we were on the tour, the accelerator was actually turned on and accelerating protons to 84% of the speed of light (about 565,000,000mph) just below where we were stood. It was a fantastic day, and it was amazing to learn more about particle physics and see it in action.
Catherine,
Upper Sixth
Tormead Talks with Richard Burrell
On Tuesday 21st January we were delighted to welcome the TV producer, Richard Burrell, to Tormead to speak about “How To Have A Career Behind The Camera – and other ways to frighten your parents”.
Pupils from Tormead, Guildford County, Godalming College and St Peter’s came together to hear Richard speak about what it is like to be a producer and how he navigated his journey to where he is today.
From being part of the National Youth Theatre and pursuing a career as an actor to being a runner at the BBC, Richard’s career has grown through the love of his work and a keen enthusiasm for creating television programmes. He is now a producer and executive producer with shows such as New Tricks, Silent Witness, Robin Hood, Waking the Dead, Alex Rider and All Creatures Great and Small under his belt.
Richard also explained in great depth the complexity of producing a television programme. From working with animals and children, dealing with adverse weather conditions or creating a jungle, it seems that a
day in the life of a producer is very varied. Not to mention timetabling and budgeting to be able to bring a project in on time and on budget, something that can be applied to many career paths outside of the television industry.
It was also refreshing to hear his perspective on both pursuing a creative career and being a parent to children who are deciding which direction they want to take their lives at the moment. Richard championed the idea that doing what you love should be taken into consideration just as much as how much money you may make.
House Sports Day
This year’s House Sports Day was our biggest and best yet, with students from across the school getting stuck into 11 different sports. From hockey and netball to dance, gymnastics, football, rowing, cycling, table tennis, rounders, badminton and swimming – there was something for everyone, and it was brilliant to see so many taking part and giving it their all.
Our newly developed Urnfield Sports Ground was buzzing with activity, hosting some seriously competitive hockey, football, rowing and cycling. It was great to see so much support from families and staff too – the sidelines were full and the atmosphere was amazing.
Over at the Spectrum, the swimming gala was incredibly close, with every race hotly contested and the final result going right down to the wire. Back on-site at school, we were treated to some top-level netball, rounders, badminton, table tennis, gymnastics and dance – with a fantastic lunchtime dance showcase that really highlighted the talent we have at Tormead.
What stood out the most though, was the spirit of the day. Everyone played hard for their house, but there was a real sense of respect, teamwork and sportsmanship across all events.
It was a great reminder of how special the Tormead community is, both on and off the pitch.
A huge thank you to the P.E. department for pulling everything together and running the day so smoothly, to all the staff who took on different roles throughout the day, and to our amazing events, marketing and catering teams for their support behind the scenes. And of course, thank you to all the families who came to cheer – your support meant a lot!
The level of performance was so high that it’s no surprise the final standings were super close. Congratulations to Livingstone who won the day with 144 points – just one point ahead of Nightingale on 143! Nelson came third with 119 points and Wellington close behind with 114.
We’re already looking forward to next year –and even more so as work is now underway on new athletics facilities and extra netball courts at Urnfield, which will be another exciting step forward for sport at Tormead.
ALUMNAE
The Tormeadian
Drama Trip to The Mousetrap
Tormead’s A Level Drama students had an amazing opportunity to step backstage at St. Martin’s Theatre in London to see the inner workings of The Mousetrap with lead performer and Tormead alumna, Lara Lemon. The world’s longest running production is now in its 73rd year in the West End and we got to witness the 29,990th performance! Seeing how the sound effects were made using props that have been used since its first ever production was a great opportunity. We then sat on the edge of our seats as we tried to figure out who’d done it in an engaging and exciting performance of Agatha Christie’s inspired The Mousetrap. We are sworn to secrecy about whodunnit!
Rydes Hill
We are delighted to announce that Rydes Hill Preparatory School & Nursery will be joining the Tormead family from 1st September 2025.
Tormead and Rydes Hill have enjoyed a strong and long-standing relationship. The ethos and values of the two schools are closely aligned, and we have welcomed many Rydes Hill pupils to our Senior School over the years.
Future plans are for Rydes Hill to become fully co-educational in Year 3 from September 2027, followed by Year 4 in September 2028. This move is part of a phased plan to make Rydes Hill fully co-educational by September 2030, joining Rydes Hill Pre-Prep and Nursery School, both of which are already co-educational.
Rydes Hill will continue to have its own distinctive and unique style, offering the children in its care an exciting education and outstanding pastoral care, whilst having the added strength and benefits of being part of a wider school family.
Shuttle buses will operate between the Tormead and Rydes Hill sites, allowing parents the flexibility of a single drop-off and pick-up point for the whole family from Nursery through to Sixth Form.
“Tormead has long enjoyed a reputation for providing an excellent education and exceptional pastoral care for girls and we are excited to be able to offer the same outstanding education at our Rydes Hill campus to families that are looking for co-educational preparatory schooling in the Guildford and wider Surrey area,” said David Boyd, Head of Tormead School.
If you would like to know more about the coeducational provision we will be offering at Rydes Hill for girls and boys from age 2 upwards, then please do reach out to our Head of Admissions, Mrs Jo Drury on 01483 796 040 or admissions@tormeadschool.org.uk
The Tormeadian
VE Day
To mark the 80th anniversary of VE day, we looked back through our archives to discover more about Tormead’s history during the war years and how VE Day was celebrated in 1945.
The School navigated its way through the challenges of the Second World War under the joint headship of Miss Irene Cole and Miss Bertha Williams who had been appointed in 1935 following the sale of the school to Miss Cole’s brother, Mr Eric Cole.
Eric Cole himself made a significant contribution to the war effort through his company, ECKO, which he had founded in 1924. ECKO began life as a wireless manufacturer but by the late 1930s and throughout the war specialised in the topsecret development and manufacture of radar.
Lessons and other school activities continued as normally as possible during this time, although some lessons were interrupted by air raids, with pupils having to continue their studies in the air raid shelters which had been built using funds donated by the parents. Former students recalled how they had to take “gumboots, overcoats and gasmasks up to our dormitories at night” in case of an air raid.
In November 1940, an incendiary bomb fell on the tennis court and the staff, only having a stirrup pump, struggled to contain the flames. Miss Pryke, a member of staff, later recalled that:
“Miss Cole emerged with a spade and calmly shoveled earth onto the flames with her usual mathematical precision, reducing the fire and our efforts to nothing in no time.”
Numbers of pupils increased during the war as Tormead opened its doors to evacuees and refugees, both girls and boys, with the pupils themselves contributing to the war effort in many ways such as making jam using fruit from the orchard and knitting and sewing for servicemen. One girl later spoke about her efforts:
“All we could do was knit somewhat unwearable garments. I remember plodding through a sweater for an unfortunate sailor, which stood up by itself!”
A group of senior girls went into Guildford to give tea and food to servicemen returning from Dunkirk. A pupil at the time, Joyce Radmore, spoke about how her brother was among the
men and had spotted the blue Tormead uniforms immediately.
VE day itself was met with much happiness and no lessons! Most of the senior boarders went home and those that didn’t joined the rest of the pupils going into Guildford in the morning, waving flags that had been given to them by Miss Williams and then attending a church service at Holy Trinity Church in the afternoon.
Some of the girls were able to help the Red Cross at Dunsfold aerodrome as they welcomed servicemen back, with one girl recording an account of her experience in the 1946 school magazine.
Although the war years may have been a time of considerable stress and responsibility for the staff, pupils still managed to have happy school days, remaining high-spirited and good humoured.
“... and that night the sirens went, we woke up and scrambled into our things and dashed downstairs. I remember wondering why I wasn’t frightened, but there really wasn’t time for that.”
ALUMNAE
Teacher Interview: Peter Wilkinson
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
For the first part of my career, I worked as a biochemical engineer in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, eventually being a co-owner and director of a specialist engineering and regulatory consultancy for that sector. After we sold the company, the new owners wanted to take it in a different direction, so I was looking for a new career in this area, where my young family was settled. In the latter part of my previous career, I was doing more training, which I enjoyed. Local schools and colleges kindly let me observe some lessons and I knew I was ready to become a teacher. I was offered the opportunity to train as a Physics teacher at Tormead and I have been here ever since!
What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
That sounds like “resting on my laurels”, which I try never to do. I hope to be always learning something new or getting better at what I already do.
What advice do you have for students?
You are unlikely ever again to have so many opportunities to try new things as you do at school - if in doubt, give it a go! And keep in touch with your school friends - they become your lifelong friends.
Most memorable moment as a teacher?
Those lessons which everyone enjoys and appreciates the elegance of Physics - particularly if someone has an “aha” moment. It was a great privilege to accompany the expedition to Costa Rica in 2019 and see that wonderful country and wildlife.
What is the hardest part of being a teacher?
The long hours needed in the evenings and weekends to keep up with the demands of the job and to do the best for pupils and colleagues, which means saying “no” to a lot of other opportunities during term time.
After retiring what are your plans?
Practise the instruments I am learning between lessons. Learn Anglo-Saxon. Improve my croquet. Get better at reading and speaking German. Travel and renew links with friends and family.
What will you miss most about your job?
Coming each day into the wonderful Tormead community of staff and pupils where there is so much good cheer, support and such a range of interests and talentsthere is never a dull moment!
ALUMNAE
The Tormeadian
120th Anniversary
It has been 120 years since the first seed that was to produce Tormead was planted. A small private enterprise that has germinated into a thriving and highly regarded independent school.
The school that was to become Tormead began its life at Glebefields, a house in Edgeborough Road which was owned by Mrs Wilkes. Wanting her own daughter to share her studies with a group of friends, Mrs Wilkes enlisted the help of Madame Wollaska to teach the girls, and so the story of Tormead began.
By the time of its final move to its current home on Cranley Road in 1915, the School had grown into a small, slightly eccentric, but happy place. From its inception, a series of formidable Headmistresses nurtured it through successive moves to ever larger houses, threats of takeover, near financial collapse and two World Wars.
Tormead continues to flourish today under the direction of its first male head, David Boyd, and we are gearing up to begin celebrations for our 120th anniversary, beginning with an anniversary ball in October 2025.
We would like to thank all of our alumnae for being a part of our community, for the part you have played in our history, and we look forward to celebrating this milestone with you.
www.trybooking.com/uk/EQUJ
The Tormeadian
Lost
As Tormead School gears up to mark its 120th anniversary in 2025, we have embarked on an exciting journey to reconnect with the many remarkable women who have walked through our corridors. To celebrate this milestone, we launched our “Lost Alumnae Campaign”, with the aim of reuniting with alumnae who may have lost touch with the School over the years.
For over a century, Tormead has been a cornerstone of education in our community, shaping the lives of countless students who have gone on to achieve incredible things in all walks of life. From doctors and engineers to artists and entrepreneurs, our alumnae have made a mark on the world.
This campaign is part of our wider celebration of 120 years of excellence. We know that many former students have moved away, changed careers, or simply lost contact with the School. With this initiative, we aim to bring our alumnae community back together, sharing stories, experiences and memories that have contributed to the rich legacy of Tormead and the response so far has been wonderful. We would like to say, “welcome back!” to all of those who have rejoined the Tormead family over the past few months.
You can help us to make our 120th anniversary truly special by encouraging former classmates to reconnect. Together, let’s celebrate the past, present and future of Tormead.
1970 Miss Clayton Miss Cole and Miss Williams
Found
Kathryn Cutting (Bonds) 1980
Thalia Nicholls 2021
Helen O’Dell (Crossland) 1982
Helen Symes (Evans) 1982
Suzanne Humphreys 1995
Cath French (Riseborough)1998
Carole Simmons (Butler) 1973
Shirley Tommos (Dawkins) 1950
Louisa O’Conner (Groves) 2006
Jackie Harper-Wray (Wray) 1967
Louise McDonald 2001
Mandy La Trobe (Sturton) 1971
Judith Beebly (Pickering) 1967
Angela Glassbrook (Taylor) 1979
Haley Lawrence (Banyard) 2003
Vicki Oldham 1994
Phillipa De Glanville 1977
Sarah Thompson (Walker) 1993
Katie Samuel 1989
Chloe Brown (Arbuckle) 1989
Lisa Goldman (Ash) 1980
Ruby Scott 2023
Sophie Steele 2007
Rachel Bailey 1993
Nicola Hammilton 1995
Isabel Van de Velde 2020
Stella Buhalis (Nouta) 2018
Nicola Connell (Potts) 1978
India Hunt 2024
Sarah Hammond 1978
Tina Thornber 1955
Hannah Fisk 2013
April Woods 2003
Shirley Smyth (Hood) 1952
Izzy Rudd 2022
Maddy Duncan 2018
Evie Tinkler 2022
Naima Saltana 2017
Tanya Johnson (Potter) 1986
Sam Rawlins (Kings) 1993
Sally Kipping (Marjoriebanks) 1965
Scilla Roe (Bosseau) 1965
Jo Harris (Childs) 1993
Laura Gribble 2010
Jenny Kirtley (Lows) 1989
Kasum Sull 2020
Katie Macadam 2014
Anna Bridgens 1995
Kris Cayrouse (Ottason) 1976
Katie Macadam 2014
Caroline Sharps (Brock) 1969
Emma Dodd 1985
Rachel Harris 1988
M-C Savage Ayman 1995
Claire James 1987
Daisy Coulson 2018
Julie Ingram (Butcher) 1999
Freya Walsh 2023
Emily Jones 2023
Eloise Whitaker 2023
Parker Jones 2023
Suzanne McQuade 1987
Angela Baird 1995
Tabbie Forbes 2020
Claire Perry 1997
Natasha Moore 2010
Charlotte Stenhouse (Hewitt) 2010
Katie Macadam 2014
Rosamund Hatfield 2006
ALUMNAE
Staff Interview: Susan Clarke joined Tormead in September 2006 The Tormeadian
How did you become a librarian?
I did my first degree in modern languages at Cambridge, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Librarianship from what was then the Polytechnic of North London. I moved into school librarianship in 1999, arriving at Tormead from George Abbot School in 2006.
What is your fondest memory of your time at Tormead?
The numerous author visits and World Book Day events, the highlight perhaps being in 2017 when we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter, and transformed the school into Hogwarts, including a photo booth in the ‘Restricted Section’ of the library, and butterbeer and every flavour jelly beans served at lunchtime.
The student prefects and volunteers who brought their enthusiasm to library clubs and events.
My involvement with Lower Sixth Symposium, and the fascinating array of topics chosen for in-depth research and presentations.
What are the biggest changes you have seen in the library?
In my time here, we have operated in four different libraries. During the rebuild in 2015, we moved into temporary accommodation for a year, and then last year we enjoyed a major refurbishment resulting in our current attractive and inviting layout, with a new staircase connecting the two levels of the library. During lockdown in 2020, we ran an online book selection and delivery service so that pupils could continue to enjoy reading our books.
Generally, the trend towards digital learning has affected the way the library is used, with many of our services moving to e-resources, but there is still a keen interest in turning the pages of ‘real’ books, and it is fun to see pupils and staff exploring and recommending additions to our wellstocked library.
What are you most looking forward to in your retirement?
Having more time for the many other interests I enjoy, including church-
wardening, cello-playing, and gardening, as well as spending more time with my family!
What advice would you give to students / alumnae / the new Librarian?
Students and alumnae - keep up the reading, it is the best way to learn about the world. New librarian - Find new ways to engage with pupils, parents and staff, so that the library continues to be the ‘beating heart of the school’.
What will you miss most about your job?
I will always have very special and fond memories of working at Tormead. I will miss helping pupils with their reading and research. I will miss the easy access to new books for my own enjoyment, and I will miss the Parents’ Book Group, which has been a hugely valuable and enjoyable part of my job since 2009.
Enrichment Award
Our annual Enrichment Award is open for applications
This is an exciting opportunity to apply, or to nominate someone, for our annual enrichment award.
We would like to encourage alumnae to nominate themselves, or each other, if they would benefit from the support of the Tormead community.
The award is worth £1,000 and is available to an alumna with a talent in any field, who is looking for support with a new project, to further their own professional or educational career, or is a businesswoman or novice entrepreneur requiring our support.
We are looking to recognise the most deserving, outstanding women, who are driven to succeed in their chosen area.
This year, we are incredibly proud to be able to give our Enrichment Award to two worthy alumnae who we could not choose between. Both recipients were awarded £750 to support their professional journeys.
Lara (Class of 2006) intends to use her funds to pursue a career in film production, particularly championing female voices and stories; a message we wholly support.
* see our alumna interview with Lara on pg. 26
Sophie (Class of 2007) plans to use her funds to support her PhD in creating a lifelong love of learning for neurodivergent people who struggle with resilience, comprehension, reading and communication.
We wish Lara and Sophie the best of luck and cannot wait to hear about their successes.
If you know someone you would like to nominate, or if you would like to nominate yourself, applications for the 2025 Enrichment Award are now open. Please send submissions to alumnae@tormeadschool.org.uk
The deadline for submissions is 31 October 2025.
Lara
Sophie
ALUMNAE
Spotlight: Shirley Tommos (née Dawkins) Class of 1950
When Shirley joined Tormead in 1944, Miss Cole and Miss Williams were headmistresses and the war was ongoing.
As a boarder Shirley remembers the long Sunday afternoon walks and trips to church which were compulsory and losing several of her front teeth during a hockey match at Guildford High School.
Receiving her school certificate with matriculation exemption in 1950, she made her way to London to study at the Architectural School of Architecture. Shirley remembers the adjustment of going from an all-girls school to an establishment which, apart from Shirley and two other girls, was the preserve of boys. “We were three girls and 67 boys in my first year, a contrast to an all-girls school!”
Moving to Sweden when she was just 19, Shirley first started working with silk screen printing before being one of only eight accepted at Konstfack, University of Arts,
Craft and Design in Stockholm in 1953 to study textiles and completing two years of the four-year course in a year “to save time”.
During her career Shirley has woven around 75 pieces, mostly commissions, which hang in various public buildings in Sweden, her largest tapestry being two metres high and eight metres wide. She has also taught “Hooky” - a rug-making technique, where fabric scraps are hooked through a backing material to create a thick, textured rug - at
textile fairs and at a local school. Speaking about the materials she uses, Shirley explains that “Sweden now isn’t allowed to dispose of textiles in general – so what better use for old t-shirts than hooky!”
The original pen and ink drawing of Tormead used as the cover illustration for this edition of The Tormeadian was given by Shirley to the school in the 1980s, and we are delighted that it now hangs permanently in the Cranley Room.
Class Reunions, Afternoon Tea and Fizz
It was wonderful to welcome so many alumnae, along with current and former staff and parents, back to Tormead on Saturday 22nd March for a fantastic day of alumnae fun and fizz in the sunshine.
The day started with alumnae netball against our current pupils’ team, with great team spirit and camaraderie shown by all. The pupil team had a close win of 43-28 but the bacon butties certainly made up for it for the alums. We then took the alums and their parents to visit our new Urnfield development. They were incredibly impressed with the transformation of the site and were excited for our current pupils to have the use of such an amazing facility. Everyone was looking forward to a return trip to Tormead next year for our 120 years of Tormead Sport celebrations hosted at the Urnfield site.
The afternoon saw a further 80 alumnae returning for afternoon tea and tours whilst reminiscing with their former classmates and teachers. They relayed stories about their time at Tormead including one alumna who, with her friend in Prep School, decided to leave the site
and go on an ‘adventure’ without letting any of the teachers know. Needless to say, staff and the police sent out a search party to find them.
We also hosted three reunions from the classes of 1995, 2010 and 2020 celebrating their 20, 15 and 5-year anniversaries respectively. We are thrilled that everyone came back to say hello and look forward to welcoming you all back again soon for Tormead’s 120th anniversary celebrations.
The “Class of 1995” Reunion that Tormead organised was such a super afternoon. It was lovely being treated like royalty with delicious afternoon tea and fizz flowing in the impressive new “Dining Room”. The tours of the school left us all reminiscing and giggling and it was a really special treat to meet up with some old girls and teachers that we hadn’t seen for 30 years! The special “Class of ‘95” mugs for us to take home were the cherry on the cake, we didn’t get leavers hoodies in the old days!
Thank you very much Alumnae team!
M Webb, Class of ’95
Alumna Interview: Lara Lemon Class of 2009
How did you get into acting?
I did a bit of acting at school and even though I was painfully shy (I was once cast as a statue in one play in primary school!), I knew that it was what I wanted to do. I attended a local youth theatre, and although in hindsight I wish I had tried for drama school, I didn’t have much knowledge of how to get into acting. I attended the National Youth Theatre after I left school and went on to a college to do a one-year course. From there I got my Equity card and started trying in earnest to get seen for work.
How do you prepare for a role when you get it?
It depends so much on the project and the director. Sometimes you have no time, and you have to rely purely on instincts - particularly for film and TV. Ideally, I want to get the lines learnt as quickly as possible to have more time to play and get to know who I’m working with, so we can create a bond and level of trust. Really understanding where my character has come from and what their relationships with others are like, helps me enormously. If it’s a period piece, I want to get some idea of that time - who was in power, what role did women play in society, what challenges did they face? A lot of this information might not be playable, but I’ve always thought, even subconsciously, it’s of great help. I’ve also loved getting into costume too. It’s an incredibly important puzzle piece.
What is the most memorable character you’ve played?
They all stick with you for one reason or another, but one of the only real people I have played was Anne Frank. It was incredibly challenging, deeply emotional but rewarding to get to know her on a more personal level.
Who would you most like to work with and why?
There are so many people I want to work with - a myriad of actors, directors, producers. Far too many to list. People who love the art and want to tell exciting stories. People who truly love and enjoy what they do. People who want to play and take risks.
People who want to change the world. I’d love to work with more female directors. It’s getting better but in 17 years on stage and screen, I have worked with precious few.
What has been the highlight of your career to date?
I’m grateful to say I have had so many but moving from Witness for the Prosecution over to The Mousetrap is pretty bloody special. I’m a big Agatha Christie fan (or as she is known in my house, the woman who pays the rent!), so to be working on this in the West End is a dream come true. I keep pinching myself and asking, ‘How is this my life?!’.
What advice would you give to fellow Tormeadians wanting to get into acting?
Do it. It’s the best job in the world. There will be a lot of people telling you what a bad idea it is, that you should add another string to your bow first, but if you know it’s what you want to do, go for it! Try for the National Youth Theatre, try for drama schools but don’t be deterred if you don’t get in. Make your own work, write letters; there’s always another way.
What is your fondest memory of your time at Tormead?
It has to be the plays. My favourite was Daisy Pulls It Off playing the deliciously awful Sybil Burlington. It was the first time I thought that this was something I could do.
ALUMNAE
Tormeadians Go Global!
Lucy Solomons
Class of 2002
Canada (Vancouver Island)
What motivated you to move abroad?
Lots of different reasons, but the quality of life here and the availability of opportunities were significant factors. Also Vancouver Island is very beautiful! I was living in Dublin before we moved here and Canada offered excellent work opportunities for both me and my husband to continue our careers.
What do you enjoy about your life there?
In my job as a school-based ELL teacher I am lucky enough to work with children from all over the world. When I’m not working, we live in a place where we are by the ocean, a short drive from mountains and there are beautiful places to
explore. Canadians are really friendly and I love how diverse the society is here. We also have beautiful dry summers which last at least four months so that’s lovely too!
What do you miss about the UK?
My family of course. But also British TV and snacks!
Is there anything else that you would like to tell us about moving overseas?
Canada is actually the 4th country I have lived in since leaving Tormead- I have also lived in the USA, Spain and Ireland.
Tormeadians Go Global!
Libby Hill
Class of 2002
Brisbane, Australia
What motivated you to move abroad?
I was lucky enough, over the Christmas holidays of 2017/18 to visit Australia with my family. I fell in love with the country and the lifestyle and knew at some point in my life, I wanted to move there. So, a few weeks after finishing my A Levels in July 2022, I moved to Australia. I then had an 8-month gap year where I worked and travelled down the East Coast (from Cairns to Sydney) with a friend from Tormead. Then, in February 2023, I started a Masters of Engineering (majoring in Civil Engineering) at the University of Queensland in Brisbane.
What do you enjoy about your life there?
The lifestyle in Australia is excellent. As someone who loves being active and playing sport, Australia is the place for me. I enjoy going for a swim in the university’s 50m outdoor pool early in the morning or taking a walk along the Brisbane river. The weather is also definitely a plus, with the temperature barely dropping below 20° all year round and world class beaches only a 45 min drive from uni. Additionally, studying civil engineering, there are so many opportunities for me as Brisbane prepares for the 2032 Olympic Games.
What
do
you
miss
about the UK?
I obviously miss my friends, particularly my Tormead friends. I also didn’t appreciate living so close to continental Europe when I lived in the UK. When in Australia, I am so far away from any other country and I miss travelling around Europe in summer.
Is there anything else that you would like to tell us about moving overseas?
My piece of advice is if you ever have the opportunity to go to university overseas, whether that is a semester abroad or a full degree, 100% do it. The experience is very different to a British university but the opportunity to meet so many new people and experience a completely new place is something that shouldn’t be missed.
ALUMNAE
The Tormeadian
Careers Networking: STEM
We had a great turnout for our STEM careers networking event in October, with 132 attendees joining our 42 guest speakers (made up of alumnae, parents and alumnae parents) to find out more about working in STEM, medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, law, business and finance.
It was a bustling evening of conversations where students and speakers alike forged new connections and learnt about the vast array of knowledge and expertise in the Tormead community. Whether our attendees were interested in the engineering behind a Formula 1 car or how space science is impacting our day-today lives, our guest speakers had the information.
From anyone interested in debating being able to visit the two rooms we had dedicated to the legal profession, to those with a love of horses wanting to know how to make a career out of gaining insights from veterinary professionals, all bases were covered.
We had psychologists, GPs, dentists, CEOs, actuaries, engineers, entomologists and more! The Tormead community truly gave back on this evening.
Careers Networking: Creative, Theatre, Design and Sport
At our Creative, Theatre, Design and Sport careers networking evening in March, we were delighted to host an exciting range of guest speakers from our alumnae and parent community and local businesses.
Spread over four themed rooms, 124 attendees from local Surrey schools heard invaluable advice and fascinating career journeys from our experienced panelists.
To those that love buildings and design, our architecturally trained experts talked about creating stunning, impactful interior and exterior designs taking into consideration everything from how a space is used, its colours, the acoustics and ultimately how it makes people feel.
Our budding writers and artists were treated to a wealth of insight and experience from a children’s author/illustrator, a book publisher, a journalist and a playwright. The audience left inspired to pick up their pens and make an impact on people’s lives just as our speakers have.
If you had ever wondered what a music therapist does, how to start a talent agency, what’s important when dealing with a national cancer charity’s corporate sponsors, or how to make it in the theatre business, you were in the right place. With themes such as how studying your ‘craft’ gives you the language and understanding to work within the creative arts industries, our budding performing artists were inspired to pursue their passions with confidence.
Finally, women in sports careers were strongly represented by two Tormead alumnae who have forged a path for themselves as the first ever female World Cup football commentator and as a sports marketing director working with the Lionesses. Complementing their successes with his own experience as an Olympic athlete, was a sports club director who demonstrated how building an award-winning coaching programme can inspire the next generation.
ALUMNAE
The Tormeadian
University Speed Networking
On Friday 25th April, we welcomed 25 of our alumnae back to Tormead, as well as 140 pupils from Tormead and other local schools including St Peter’s, Guildford County and George Abbot, for our annual University Speed Networking Evening.
Guests were invited to speak to our alumnae in a speed-dating style format, and they had five minutes to ask them about any aspect of university life. From questions about the university itself or a particular course, or what the social scene in a city was like, to what it was like to leave home for the first time – our alumnae were on hand to answer them all.
Representing 21 different universities including Exeter, Nottingham, Oxbridge, Durham, Edinburgh, Newcastle, York, and even the University of Vienna, there was a fantastic variety of experience and advice on offer. Guests were also encouraged to speak to alumnae attending universities or studying courses that they may not have considered, and they took full advantage of the opportunity.
The Development and Alumnae Office would like to thank all the alumnae speakers for generously giving up their time to talk to pupils at our event, and also thank all who attended for their enthusiasm and keen questioning of our Old Tormeadians. We very much look forward to inviting you back to our next events.
ALUMNAE
This photograph has been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers and can be ordered online
CRANLEY ROAD, GUILDFORD