OGA NEWS
Death of former Headmistress Mary Abraham
M
iss Abraham started her teaching career in a boys’ school where she stayed for 3 years until she began her career with the GDST. In September 1944 she moved to Manchester High School for Girls, teaching history at all levels and French for middle school and from January 1946 she was Senior History teacher, dropping the French teaching and in 1950 she became Deputy Headmistress. In 1951, at the invitation of the UNESCO UK Commission, she attended a five week conference at Sevres on the teaching of History in relation to international understanding. She joined Belvedere school as Headmistress from September 1955 and, following an interview in February 1960, she succeeded the outgoing Mrs Stoker at Blackheath, taking up post in January 1962. She soon felt that Blackheath was resting on its laurels and set about making changes to shake things up, taking the decision to revamp the kitchen by replacing the potato peeling machine in January 1964 for a cost of £103! She was extremely committed to her role as Headteacher overseeing the building of a New Hall at Wemyss Road, conversions which gave the school a library, several subject rooms, an extension to the games pavilion and modern labs. She also established a bursaries fund which stood at more than £127,000 when she left Blackheath. During 1966, she spent a grace term at Berkley University
California and in 1974 she had another grace term when she visited Merseyside & Belvedere, Wales. There she cruised the Mediterranean and Aegean, visiting Greece and Turkey. During that same year she received a number of accolades: she was appointed a Fellow of the College of Preceptors, invited to become a Member of Council for newly formed City University, and was a guest at the conference of Somerville College former students conference to discuss educational topics (she was MA Oxon). In 1976 she was chosen as Chairman of the London Branch of the Association of Headmistresses and at the end of the summer term 1978 she chose to retire, a year before the school Centenary, returning to the area of her childhood, to live in Chichester. Miss Abraham died peacefully at the age of 96, after a short illness. A number of former pupils attended the funeral, which was held in Chichester on 1st June 2015.
BHSOGA AGM & Lunch
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HSOGA’s next annual reunion will be on Saturday 7th November 2015. This is a departure from the usual September/October dates, avoiding the tail-end of summer holidays, half term and Christmas. At the last 2 AGM's there has been discussion about changing the timing of the AGM and although we realise that there is never likely to be a date that will suit everyone, it is also hoped that by changing
the date to November we may see an increase in the numbers attending. The OGA (and the school) would love to hear news from Blackheath High alumnae on their educational achievements, career paths and other significant developments. Please email news@bhsoga.org.uk – we look forward to receiving updates from our alumnae.
ART GALLERY
Chloe Neil Year 12
Maya Gunn De Marcos Year 11 Spring 2015 Blackheath High School 23
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