The Dove 2022

I s s u e 3 • S u m m e r 202 2

The Interview: Clarissa Ward, CNN Chief International Correspondent S e e Pag e 6

Inside This Issue

125th Anniversary Celebrations Seniors Making a Difference panel event An ambitious new Bursaries and Estates Masterplan

W elcome

Welcome from the Headmistress

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his year has been one of joy at Wycombe Abbey. Not only have we had an uninterrupted school year, but we have celebrated our 125th Anniversary with a host of events and activities to bring together the whole School community.

To kick start the celebrations, girls and staff took part in a special ‘colour run’ around the School grounds whilst being blasted with colour powder along the way. On our Founder’s Day itself, we unveiled a new plaque to Dame Frances Dove and we are delighted that Abbey Way has now been re-named Frances Dove Way. This was followed by a special service in Chapel for the whole School led by the Bishop of Buckingham and a celebratory party with music, cake and rides.

Girls, staff, Seniors and parents have also enjoyed the 125 Speaker Series including Liz Earle MBE, Dame Helena Morrissey, Sir Matthew Pinsent and Ben Fogle, as well our impressive Seniors panel contributing to this. Last month, on a beautiful sunny day, I was delighted to bring nearly 200 Seniors and Honorary Seniors together for a special 125 Grand Reunion for drinks, lunch, tours and much reminiscing.

much looking forward to welcoming everyone to this much-loved space again when it reopens in the Autumn Term.

As well as looking back and celebrating our past we are focused on looking forward and we have a very clear vision - to be at the forefront of girls boarding education and to be recognised globally as a world class school. Our strategic direction sets out our roadmap until 2025 under six key pillars.

The final pillar, Transformational Change, consists of two key strands.

The first is bursaries and partnerships, which has been ably led by Dr Neal Carrier (Director of Sixth Form and Head of Partnerships and Bursaries) over this past year with much valued support from Council. We are aiming to increase the number of girls receiving bursary support from the already not insignificant 30 pupils to around 80 in the coming years.

The second strand is the Estates Masterplan. We have been working with London based, female-led architects Walters and Cohen to create a site masterplan which spans approximately 25 years. The first two projects that we are now focusing on are a new Junior House and a new academic building – The Innovation and Design Centre – which will offer an exciting integrated teaching space for art, design, technology, engineering and robotics.

I am delighted to be able to share the brochure with you which provides the outline of our estates vision. I hope you agree that these are exciting times for Wycombe Abbey and I look forward to updating you as plans progress.

Jo Duncan MA (St Andrews) PGCE (Cantab) Headmistress

We have reflected on the work of our pioneering founder, Dame Frances Dove, who established Wycombe Abbey in 1896 and the girls have led Chapel services throughout this term on her and her work. She was a clearly a remarkable woman; I like the quote from the first Head of School, Ursula Farwell, who, when writing about Miss Dove in 1942 said ‘She was absolutely certain of what she wanted to do, how she wanted to do it and of the faith and convictions that inspired her.

She showed us the example of a life of courage, faith, directness and simplicity.’

I am delighted that the refurbishment of Big School is now underway thanks to the generosity of a Senior. I am very 2

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Read about our vision here

We l c o me

From the Development and Seniors’ Office I n this third edition of The Dove Magazine, we are thrilled to bring you the stories that defined the year for the School and for our many Wycombe Abbey Seniors.

The year was particularly special as Wycombe Abbey celebrated its 125th Anniversary; an occasion marked by numerous events and stories that we hope you will enjoy in this issue.

One of those events was our ‘Seniors Making a Difference’ panel (page 3) that included Clarissa Ward, who you will see is our featured interview for this issue (page 6). Another highlight was Seniors’ Day, a sold-out event that included the 40th Reunion for the Class of 1982. We were delighted that so many Seniors returned to share their memories and celebrate their lifelong friendships. It also gave attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the progress on the Big School restoration, generously supported by Mrs Patricia Thompson (Class of 1958, Campbell, C88).

Lastly, we are excited to launch the Annual Fund this autumn and continue to expand philanthropic opportunities at the School. We are thankful, as always, for your continued enthusiasm and dedication to the mission of Wycombe Abbey as we look towards the next 125 years.

As ever, the Seniors’ Office encourages you to stay in touch and let us know how we can support you. We want to thank the many of you who wrote in or emailed us this last year, so please continue to share your news and your memories by emailing seniors@ wycombeabbey.com or write to the Seniors’ Office at the School address.

Clare Flynn-Scarcelli BA (Dunelm), MSc (Bayes Business School) Director of Development and External Relations

The restoration of Big School is thanks to a generous gift from a Wycombe Senior.

Alumnae of all ages enjoyed coming back to School for Seniors’ Day 2022.

In additional philanthropic news, the School has benefitted from the launch of the Chinese Resource Centre and the Chinese Society. Thanks to a generous gift from current parents, the School can give pupils the extraordinary opportunity to be immersed in an interactive environment whilst exploring the Chinese language and culture. We are grateful for the support of our community of parents and Seniors and their commitment to keeping our history alive whilst bringing world class opportunities to our pupils.

Dates for the Diary Sunday 11 December 2022

Sunday 11 December 2022

Saturday 10 June 2023

Seniors vs Wycombe Abbey 1st Lacrosse Match from 2:30pm

Seniors’ Carol Service from 4:00pm

Seniors’ Day from 11:00am

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School News

125 Seniors Making a Difference

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t the end of the Spring Term, we invited pupils, parents, Seniors and staff to attend the 125 Seniors Making a Difference panel talk as part of our 125th anniversary celebrations. For this special talk, we were delighted to hear from Wycombe Abbey alumnae about how they overcame challenges and made a difference throughout their professional and personal lives.

the chance to ask questions. These centred around how they entered their field, their experiences in their various workplaces as well as their achievements.

As much as we would have liked to have had all four at School, Alice and Charlotte joined us in person in the Lancaster Arts Centre, whilst Sophie

and Clarissa joined us via Zoom – a truly hybrid event.

A huge thank you to the Seniors who volunteered their time to be on the panel; pupils were inspired by what they heard.

We are delighted to share the recording of this event below:

The panel consisted of Clarissa Ward, Chief International Correspondent for CNN; Sophie Daud, CEO of Future Leaders Network; Charlotte Willis, board member at Medic Alert UK; and Alice Loxton, presenter and content creator at History Hit. The Seniors spoke about their achievements and challenges following their time at Wycombe Abbey and reminisced about their fondest memories, friendships and shared experiences from their time at School.

The audience, consisting of pupils, staff, parents and alumnae, also had 4

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Watch the TALK here

S enior N ews

Seniors Mentoring

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he second year of the successful Seniors Mentoring Programme was launched in November 2021 with pupils from Upper Sixth connecting with Seniors around the world via Zoom. This year we were delighted to welcome mentors living in the UK, Hong Kong, Japan, Switzerland and the US.

Law, Medicine, Engineering and Politics. Mentors met with their mentees five times throughout the year to identify and work towards their goals. Mentors shared advice and their own experiences on entering higher education and the workplace. Seniors are currently involved with mentoring both pupils and Seniors via the Seniors’ Connect website.

The Seniors Mentoring Programme takes place during timetabled sessions within the Carrington Award, our award-winning Sixth Form enrichment programme designed to help pupils prepare for the broader challenges of life and work beyond School.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor and sharing your experience and skills, please register your interest on the Seniors website by selecting the ‘Offering Mentoring’ check box here.

The programme grew in participation from the previous year, matching 38 pupils and 30 Seniors across a range of interests, industries and fields including Business, Finance,

One of last year’s mentees Isabel Sobowale (Class of 2021, Cloister, C342), shares her experiences with other pupils in a video here.

Work Experience Finding opportunities for in-person work experience has been a real challenge for our pupils in recent years.

We’d love to hear from any Seniors who might be able to host pupils on one week placements over school holiday periods. We’d be interested in hearing from all sectors, although we do have a number of pupils who are keen on getting some lab-based experience with a view to pursuing studies in biochemistry and also a number interested in the pharmaceutical industry.

If you think you might be able to help, please email Becky Scott in the Careers Department scottb@wycombeabbey.com. We’d love to hear from you.

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the interv iew

Clarissa Ward CNN Chief International Correspondent

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larissa (Class of 1998, Pitt, C206), has spent nearly two decades reporting from front lines in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt and more recently Ukraine for CNN, ABC, CBS and Fox News. After leaving Wycombe, she graduated with distinction from Yale University, and in 2013 received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Middlebury College in Vermont. She speaks fluent French and Italian, conversational Russian, Arabic and Spanish and basic Mandarin.

From what have you derived most pleasure in your personal and professional lives?

In terms of the most pleasure, this would be my kids. Being a mother has been the hardest job I’ve ever had, but also the most gratifying. It has stretched me as a person and humbled me in many profound and beautiful ways. I am most proud of my work. It’s been painful and challenging at times and forced me to confront things about myself, how I see the world and the way my upbringing has informed the way I see the world. I have taken some

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A recipient of multiple journalism recognitions, including two George Foster Peabody Awards, two Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Awards, nine Emmy Awards and two Edward R. Murrow Awards for distinguished journalism, Ward is the author of On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist, which details her singular career as a conflict reporter and how she has documented the violent remaking of the world from close range.

big risks and worked really hard to try to connect people around the world through storytelling.

Congratulations on your many awards, how does it feel to being recognised in this way?

It’s a thrill to be rewarded and recognised from your peers for your work and especially when starting out in your career. When you become more experienced, you understand that awards are wonderful, but should not become a distraction. I find it

important to not constantly focus on external validation of my work.

A beautiful email from someone who lives in a conflict zone, or something small and sincere that speaks to a story of someone changing their life is way more important to me than any award. It can sometimes become a bit surreal when you have filmed something very painful in someone’s life and then you celebrate when you receive an award. You have had the privilege of covering that story, but it’s not a triumph or something to celebrate. It’s important to enjoy the moment, but also keep it in perspective.

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Photo credit: CNN

Do you have any reflections about your time at School?

At Wycombe Abbey you are undoubtedly really driven to please others, meet high standards and strive for excellence. Those are all really positive things if you are challenging them in the right direction. I think what the girls would benefit from is spending time in reflection, trying to understand what drives and excites them, what comes from the heart and authentic passion - as well as understanding what comes from the ego and is driven more by external validation and pride. In the long run, in order to find a career that’s really satisfying and to do your best work, you need to come from the more authentic place in finding joy and creativity in what you do. If you are more inclined to please others, then you are much less likely to take risks, so in general, in order to do great things you need to be vulnerable and take risks. As you get older and more confident, you realise that taking risks is really the birthplace of creativity, excitement and new opportunities.

Do you think that some of your creativity and risk-taking was evident at School?

I was a clever girl with lots of potential, but constantly getting into trouble and with a fiercely independent streak and I struggled with authority. Mrs Best was the first teacher I ever had that made me understand that being strongly independent and a bit rebellious wasn’t a bad thing if it was channelled in the right

A beautiful email from someone who lives in a conflict zone, or something small and sincere that speaks to a story of someone changing their life is way more important to me than any award.

way. She encouraged me to harness my energy in a productive direction.

She was the first teacher to believe in me. I think it is important for the girls to understand that even if they don’t think they are the model of the perfect Wycombe girl then it doesn’t really

mean anything as that perfect person doesn’t exist. Every girl is unique and has strengths and challenges and that is all part of life. The teenage years are tough for girls, so be patient and kind with yourself and latch on to the people and teachers who believe in you. Embrace that mentorship, it is invaluable.

Do you think your version of success as a schoolgirl is different to now?

Yes, of course. As you get older and wiser, you learn that the things that seem so important when you are at school take on less significance and you learn that the world doesn’t care how clever you are or how you did in exams! The world is a huge, intimidating place where you have to come in and prove yourself and not expect the world to lay out a red carpet for you.

There are many different ways to contribute to the world. I focus now less on getting a specific grade and more on discipline and focus and working hard on things that are important to me as well as having a passion and self-starting spirit – these are the things that are most important to achieve success later on in life.

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Is there something from your career, which you feel reflects your personal values and what you wanted to achieve in life?

The most important thing to me has always been about listening to people, especially those who are in the darkest and deepest places and giving them a platform for their voices to be heard. I enjoy forming connections with people, however brief, sharing that moment of humanity together and hopefully being able to translate that moment to a wider audience who can empathise and connect to the person even if they are speaking a different language, worship a different god or live in a different country.

It’s not about interviewing powerful people or visiting fascinating places, it’s about maintaining that humility, staying present in the moment and really listening to people and hearing their stories and helping them to connect with others. That is the reason I do this work.

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Who has been an inspiration in your life?

There are a lot of journalists and producers who have mentored me and helped me develop my craft and learn how to tell stories. I’ve been hugely reliant on the generosity and mentorship of a number of people in the industry, such as Ben Plesser, Jonathan Hunt and Hilary Brown.

There isn’t one person who stands out alone, but I think as you start out in a career, it’s important to find a mentor so you can pick their brains and they will give you honest feedback.

What do you think the future looks like for young women coming into the world of journalism today?

I think it is changing all the time.

There is more to do, but it is a much more diverse workplace than when I started. The power of technology and open source information has had a huge impact and means there are lots of different exciting ways to do investigative journalism. It’s always been

challenging, in the fog of war, to verify information, but this has become easier with geo-locating mechanisms that are pretty accessible to most people now.

I would say it is a very competitive industry and challenging to gain the public’s trust. I think it’s important to improve news literacy in young people, helping them to understand the difference between verified information and misinformation and be a little more selective about what they share and what they consider true or not.

Would you encourage young women to consider working in journalism?

There are lots of challenges, but it is also a hugely exciting time to go into journalism. It’s a great job and I believe a strong vibrant robust media is the cornerstone to any thriving democracy.

You are really contributing to society and learn so much from all types of journalism. It’s hard work but very satisfying and important.

t h e interv iew

I believe a strong vibrant robust media is the cornerstone to any thriving democracy. You are really contributing to society.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Keep an open mind and understand that you are really lucky to be at a school like Wycombe Abbey, but it’s not really a reflection of the real world we live in. It’s a privileged bubble, and that’s not a bad thing, but it’s important to recognise that and get a feel for ways in which that privilege will dictate how you see the world and the confidence you have approaching the world.

You can buy Clarissa’s book in all good book shops Order your copy here

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School News

Humans of Wycombe Abbey Volume 2

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o celebrate 125 years since the foundation of Wycombe Abbey, we are pleased to announce the publication of Humans of Wycombe Abbey, Volume 2 – a celebration of our wonderful School community; pupils, staff, Seniors and friends who make up the diverse range of experiences and memories throughout the generations at Wycombe Abbey.

The project is a follow up to a previous volume published in 2016 by a team led by Gigi Sage (Class of 2018, Campbell, C314) and Riva Kapoor (Class of 2018, Campbell, C314) to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the School and took its inspiration from Brandon Stanton’s blog Humans of New York.

This second volume was also brought together by a group of Sixth Form pupils and all interviews were conducted by the girls over the course of last year.

Isabel Sobowale (Class of 2021, Cloister, C342) said, “We wanted to create this book as a time capsule of sorts, one that pays homage to Wycombe Abbey as the School celebrates its 125th anniversary, and speaks to the community of individuals who have breathed life into the halls. What makes Wycombe so special is the way in which such a diverse cohort of people can draw together to create a vibrant mosaic – we wanted to share just a snippet of our dynamic community with you”

Buy your copy of Humans of Wycombe Abbey here

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S c h oo l N ews

“I enjoyed the Q&A sessions allowing you to ask questions tailored to your interests”

Careers Seminar A

t the end of the Spring Term, we were delighted to welcome a host of speakers to participate in our annual Careers Seminar.

The event is aimed at pupils in Upper Fifth and Sixth Form, giving them the opportunity to listen to professionals speak about their career pathways and enjoy extended, interactive question and answer sessions with them. We were fortunate to be joined by 18 different speakers from a variety of professions: law, consultancy, engineering, marketing, design and architecture to name but a few.

Speakers were Wycombe Seniors, parents and local professionals – all generously donating their time to the next generation exploring the vast number of opportunities that lay ahead of them.

Pupils attending chose two speakers they wanted to hear from after researching them before the event. Our guests spoke for 15-20 minutes and then kindly allowed a further 15 minutes for girls to ask questions – this aspect of the event was particularly successful with one speaker commenting “I was blown away by the calibre of questions I received afterwards.”.

Our aim for the Careers Seminar is to inspire pupils to consider the many different options open to them after school and allow them time to listen and ask questions and digest what they have heard.

“I really enjoyed hearing how people got to where they are now and from those who are passionate about their career”

Thank you to all the speakers who participated in the event and generously donated their time to support our pupils.

We hope to run the Careers Seminar in person next year and would be delighted to hear from any Seniors or parents who might be happy to speak to the pupils about their career pathways and experience. If you are interested, please contact Becky Scott in the Careers Office by emailing scottb@wycombeabbey.com.

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School News

Wycombe Management Conference

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n March 2022, the Lower Sixth (LVI) had the opportunity to take part in the annual Management Conference, hosted by Wycombe Abbey, in partnership with the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe.

The Conference, which is a highlight of the LVI academic year, had been held remotely in 2021 due to the pandemic, so everyone was highly anticipating the in-person experience as things were slowly shifting back to normal. The Conference is an opportunity for delegates to get a feel of the world of entrepreneurship through a two-day simulation, in which they are put into mixed teams and ‘run’ their own business (for us, coffee shops) while tackling unforeseen challenges along the way. The aim was to generate the most profit for our coffee shops whilst maintaining a high level of customer service and appreciation for our workers. This sounded like a relatively straightforward aim to me at first, but little did I know that just like in a competitive market, unintended setbacks must always be expected!

We listened to a number of presentations from influential CEOs and entrepreneurs. We heard from Lord Karan Bilimoria on his inspiring career and the establishment of Cobra Beer; I particularly valued his advice on seizing every opportunity that comes our way. Peter Higgins followed this with practical advice on becoming an entrepreneur, sharing his experience and impressive career in the field to demonstrate the ups and downs of running a business. To end on a high note, Tamsin Todd spoke about the ‘catapults’ while setting up firms, and encouraged us to take risks, even if we may not initially succeed.

The Mentors must also be thanked for their compelling answers in the panel discussion and advice during the simulation. They have, most critically, emphasised the importance of having a mentor in real life.

I was really lucky in that I had an enthusiastic and committed team to

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work with, which proved Lord Bilimoria’s words true: “if you want to get there fast, go alone, but if you want to get far, go together.” Our efficient team dynamic also meant that making decisions under pressure, including whether to raise our coffee prices or up the wages of our workers, was both thrilling and highly rewarding.

Most importantly, I was able to develop the invaluable skill of structuring my thoughts and expressing ideas in a coherent manner, especially when racing against the clock.

As a delegate representing Wycombe Abbey, it was an honour for me to deliver the closing speech at the Management Conference. It was through reflection on my experiences that I realised how crucial it is that we have these opportunities because these simulations resemble the mechanism of a competitive market in the real world. With so many of us having ambitions of setting up our own

businesses, I understood the importance of collaboration in unfamiliar situations – a skill that makes us slightly more well-equipped to deal with these situations in the future!

The future is in our hands, and it is this generation’s responsibility to carry the legacy of those we have heard from going forwards. Even for those who are not aspiring CEOs, the Management Conference taught valuable life lessons that have better prepared us for our careers (which are now not so far away!), no matter which field they lie in. I thank all the members of staff from Wycombe Abbey and RGS High Wycombe for making this event possible through their invaluable efforts. Hopefully, when we are the CEOs of big multinationals, we will be able to think back to this moment and realise how far we have come.

Kamilla, LVI

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Day at McLaren for Industrial Cadets Pupils

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t the end of March, a group of pupils who are taking part in the Industrial Cadets Award had the amazing opportunity to visit the McLaren headquarters and factory. This was to help inspire them for the green-powered car that they are making as part of their award. Read below some thoughts from the girls about their day.

“We particularly enjoyed seeing the factory as it was fascinating to see the different stages in the cars’ manufacture.

In addition, we had the chance to talk to many staff members about their experiences. Many employees did not have an engineering degree and it was really interesting to hear about the different career routes one can take to work at McLaren. Overall, we had an amazing day and definitely got a lot of inspiration and advice whilst we were there.”

Hana

“Seeing many of the old Formula One cars was incredible and we learnt a lot of interesting stories behind each one from McLaren’s first race car to the one Daniel Riccardo drove last year.

The building itself was also incredible and many times (especially when we got to go through secret doors disguised as walls) it felt like a James Bond movie.”

Sophie

“McLaren has illustrated the power of perseverance. Even when things don’t go too well, they re-evaluate. They are constantly changing and developing in order to face challenges and do not give up. Especially during difficult times such as the pandemic, McLaren was able to re-evaluate and turn its production line into a line that produced ventilators for Covid NHS patients. Engineers combined their knowledge and adapted to the situation. It was truly inspiring” Zara

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School News

International Lacrosse Selections for Wycombe Abbey Pupils

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e have had a successful Lacrosse season this year across all age groups with all our teams reaching the last 16 at the National Schools Lacrosse Championships. The U13s progressed to the semi-finals and U14s, U15s, 1st and 2nd team narrowly lost out on a quarter-final place. We were also crowned County Champions at 1st, U14A, U14B, U13A and U13B and placed second in the 2nds, U15A, U15B, U12A and U12B tournaments.

We have many pupils from U13 to Seniors who are current members of the England Regional and National Academy Pathway. They attend regular training weekends throughout the year and progress along the pathway with the ultimate ambition to represent England.

Carys Ward (UVI), Ginny Zealley (LVI) and Megan Ward (UV) have been a part of the Welsh Dragons squad this season. Congratulations to Ginny who was successful in being selected for the U21B Home Internationals team.

Megan (UV) was named a reserve for the U21B team at the age of 16 and Carys represented the U21A team receiving her first Junior Cap. We would also like to congratulate Amelia Howie (UVI), who was selected for the U21A Team, Poppy Breeze (UV) and Sophie Knox (UV) who were also selected for the U21B Team for the Home Internationals Tournament.

Outside of the Home Nations there are several pupils who have been named within their National Squads to attend the Senior World Championships 2022. Italy Lacrosse have named a squad of 18 with two travelling reserves. Francesca Pucci (UVI) has been named in the final 18 and Isabella Pucci (LV), and Caterina Vanni d’Archirafi (LV) are reserves.

Sisters, Elizabeth Fearnhead (UVI) and Victoria Fearnhead (LVI), have been selected for the final 18 for Sweden. Although teammates at School, Francesca will come up against the sisters in the group games of the Championships.

To be selected to represent their country at a senior level when still at School is an outstanding achievement.

They will be among some of the youngest players to take to the fields, and will face opponents, some twice their age, with many more years of international experience.

Elizabeth and Victoria

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Miss Ruby Smith, Assistant Director of Sport and Head of Lacrosse, and Senior Tilly Foster (Class of 2016, Cloister, C302) were selected as part of the Senior England World Cup training squad and played in the Senior A team at the Home Internationals in April.

Congratulations to Ruby on her selection to represent England in her third Senior World Championships taking place this summer. We are incredibly lucky to have her teaching at Wycombe Abbey. A true inspiration for all the girls. Tilly has also been named as a travelling reserve for Team England and will be with the squad throughout the tournament.

To keep up to date with Sport at Wycombe Abbey and any further announcements, please follow on Twitter and Instagram (@wycombesport).

Tilly and Ruby

S c h oo l N ews

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S eniors Spotligh t

Sally Burton DL (C128) Sally Burton was declared High Sheriff of Hertfordshire in April 2022.

Please give us a brief outline of your career so far.

I studied Law at Bristol University and subsequently qualified as a solicitor in London. After a short spell in private practice and working for The Law Society, I moved with my husband to Hertfordshire where my main activities have involved work in the voluntary sector. I set up and have chaired the Fighting Breast Cancer Committee for nearly 30 years, raising over half a million pounds for breast cancer research and care.

I have been a Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire since 2012 and am a Trustee of the Hertfordshire Community Foundation, chairing the Grants Committee which provides support to voluntary groups across the county.

High Sheriffs have been around for over 1,000 years, originally given the role by the King to collect taxes and enforce the law (luckily I have not yet encountered Robin Hood), but although we are still directly appointed by the Queen each year, High Sheriffs play a more representative than administrative part as head of police,

Little did I know when I qualified as a solicitor in 1981, that exactly 41 years (to the day) later I would be appointed High Sheriff of Hertfordshire.

How did you become High Sheriff?

Little did I know when I qualified as a solicitor in 1981, that exactly 41 years (to the day) later I would be appointed High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, responsible for law and order in the county. But I believe my concern for those in need – and trying to do something to help them – is the reason for being given this amazing opportunity.

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judiciary, courts, prisons and so on.

Fun fact: lady High Sheriffs can’t wear a sword like the men but can have a swordbearer. So it was an easy choice to appoint my daughter (ie female) to be mine. The first lady High Sheriff was in 1967, but for the first year ever in the history of the Shrievalty there are equal numbers of men and women for 2022/2023. I reckon that’s something to shout about!

What do you hope to bring to the role?

From the moment I arrived in Hertfordshire 37 years ago, I have thrown myself into the world of volunteering and fundraising. The discipline of my legal training has helped enormously towards achieving my aims of helping those in need and making a difference wherever I can. Life today is so demanding, but having someone to listen, encourage and inspire, and above all to acknowledge and thank you, is vital in any community.

What do you want to achieve during your time in office?

To raise awareness of the challenges faced by the vulnerable during the pandemic, especially those affected by problems caused by addiction to drugs and alcohol. I want to bring law students, addicts and charities together to talk, learn and work together. Hertfordshire is such a special county and I want to shout about it across the rooftops.

What are you passionate about?

The pandemic has had a huge impact on all aspects of life, but it has revealed the determination and dedication of those wishing to help.

These heroes must be applauded

S enio rs S p ot l ig h t

and encouraged and I will seek them out wherever I go. I love connecting people, building confidence and giving support and hope.

Any highlights so far?

In my first week I awarded a High Sheriff Certificate to HappyVanMan Colin for his help getting supplies to Ukraine, fed the sacred cows at the Hare Krishna Spring Festival at Bhaktividante Manor (given by George Harrison in the 1970s) and learned about how the Stevenage team protects victims of domestic abuse. Meeting and addressing 100 businesswomen at the Herts Chamber of Commerce Women in Leadership gathering was awe-inspiring. I find wearing thick velvet and a huge hat certainly gets you noticed, although my sword definitely needs its next outing!

During your time at school, did you know what you wanted to do as a career?

My father used to tell me that when I was about six, I announced that when I grew up I wanted to be a “Bannister”.

Although I subsequently changed my mind from becoming a “barrister” to being a solicitor, I was always interested in law and the administration of justice.

What role did the School play in preparing you for your future?

What advice would you like to pass along to pupils?

I was very happy during my six years at Wycombe Abbey and I definitely believe it set me off on my current path. It never apologised for encouraging us to be academic and high-achieving, with music, drama and sport also playing a significant role (although a slight talent at tennis was my only non-academic achievement!).

I learned how to work hard, how both to lead and to be part of a team, and to be aware of my failings whilst confident of my abilities.

To have been lucky enough to have the advantages that an education at Wycombe Abbey gives you, aim high and work hard, but never forget that with privilege comes responsibility; support those in need wherever you can. And do have fun along the way!

Were there inspirational influences at Wycombe Abbey?

I have a very strong work ethic and I believe that started with all the hours in the library at Wycombe Abbey. I can be extremely pedantic, particularly over spelling and grammar, which is certainly thanks to my English teacher Miss Flint.

I also remember the charitable work we did. I loved our Sunday visits to old ladies (we were always told not to clean their houses while there, just chat about the Queen and the old days) and I spent regular afternoons in a school for children with disabilities.

high sheriff of hertfordshire Hertfordshire Community Foundation fighting breast cancer

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Seniors News

Dame Sarah Springman (C128) awarded Queen’s Honour

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e congratulate Wycombe Abbey Senior, Professor Sarah Springman CBE, FREng (Class of 1974, Rubens, C128) who was named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year Honours List for her services to engineering and international sports administration.

Following her education at Wycombe Abbey, Sarah went on to read Engineering Sciences at Girton College, Cambridge. After five years working on civil engineering projects around the world, including building a dam in Fiji, she returned to Cambridge to read an MPhil (St Catharine’s) and a PhD (Magdalene) in Soil Mechanics. Sarah was the first female Research Fellow at Magdalene College, Cambridge, before going on to become a university assistant lecturer in 1990. Sarah served on the Governing Council at Wycombe Abbey from 1993-1996 before moving to ETH Zurich, Switzerland in 1997, becoming the first female Professor of Geotechnical Engineering in Western Europe and the first female Professor of Civil Engineering in Switzerland.

Her expertise lies in soil-structureinteraction and geotechnical aspects of natural hazards.

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Alongside a fulfilling career in engineering, Professor Springman was also a high-performance athlete,

Sarah was the first female Research Fellow at Magdalene College, Cambridge, before going on to become a university assistant lecturer in 1990.

representing Great Britain and Northern Ireland in triathlon from 1983-1993. During this time, she competed for England in the 1990

Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand and won 21 European Triathlon Union Championship medals in both triathlon and duathlon. In 1992, she was elected Vice-President of World Triathlon, serving until 1996, where she lobbied for triathlon to become a recognised sport in both the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games, and wrote the women’s action plan for Triathlon: ‘to achieve equality of opportunity, with the men’. She was reelected to the same role in 2008 and 2012. For her work in sport, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sky Sports of the Year Awards in 2013.

On 1 February 2022, Professor Dame Sarah Springman FREng took up the role of Principal at St Hilda’s College, University of Oxford.

S eniors N ews

Soma Sara, named BBC’s top 100 inspiring and influential women 2021 In June 2020, Soma (Class of 2017, Barry, C306) founded the platform ‘Everyone’s Invited’, a viral social media movement and website to support survivors of sexual abuse. The platform has provided scope for victims to share their testimonials anonymously, to condemn sexism and help eradicate rape culture in UK schools and universities.

The project has collected more than 50,000 stories, with Soma hoping to further expand her campaign beyond academic institutions.

“I want the world to listen to, support and believe survivors of sexual violence.” – Soma Sara Joining Soma on the list are Malala Yousafzai, the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Samoa’s first female Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, Professor Heidi J Larson, who heads The Vaccine Confidence Project, and acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

To view the full list, click here

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School News

Clarence Leavers’ Ceremony

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e were delighted to give our Upper Sixth a send-off they would remember during the annual Clarence Leavers’ Ceremony at the end of May. The girls attended a service led

by School Chaplain, Reverend Penny Nash, received special gifts, and enjoyed a formal dinner with staff to celebrate the end of their time at School. We are immensely proud of these girls and all their achievements over the last seven years.

We wish them the very best of luck in their next adventure! But it is not quite goodbye, they will always remain part of the Wycombe Abbey community as members of the Wycombe Abbey alumnae network.

As part of their induction into this community of over 4000 women across the globe, they were given a welcome pack that included their Circle number and a very special Wycombe Abbey Seniors teddy.

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S c h oo l N ews

125th Anniversary Concert

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t the beginning of March, our fantastic musicians put on a wonderful evening of musical performance in our Archer Recital Hall as part of Wycombe Abbey’s 125th celebrations.

There was a real buzz of excitement as the musicians tuned up for a very special premier by Upper Sixth pupil Rosalie – an Overture based on the School song In Fide Vade. This concert was also special for four Upper Sixth soloists who were given the opportunity to perform with the orchestra.

They rose to the occasion, spurred on by the usual Wycombe Abbey vocal support from their peers in the Hall.

There was yet another premier, this time for Chapel Choir with O Be Joyful by Becky McGlade, a special commission for our 125 year. There were also accomplished performances from Chamber Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra and Sinfonia.

The evening displayed the amazing talent and hard-working pupils we have at Wycombe Abbey. The electric atmosphere proved that Music at Wycombe Abbey is alive and well.

Gonzalo Acosta – Head of Strings

We are delighted to share the recording of this concert below:

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S eniors Spotligh t

Sandra Leggett (C132)

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andy (Class of 1976, Pitt, C132) is a well-respected Astrophysicist working with the Gemini Observatory.

The Gemini Observatory consists of twin 8.1-meter diameter optical/infrared telescopes located on two of the best observing sites on the planet. From their locations on Maunakea in Hawai‘i and Cerro Pachón in Chile, Gemini Observatory’s telescopes can collectively access the entire sky.

Please give us a brief outline of your career and how this led to your current appointment.

I always enjoyed mathematics as a child. My three A levels, taken in 1976, were Pure and Applied Maths, and Physics. I was encouraged by the staff at Wycombe Abbey to sit the Oxford and Cambridge entrance exam, and I got into Oxford to read Physics.

During my Physics undergraduate time I was exposed to astronomy, and I did a summer project at the Oxford Observatory. I got on well there, and the Observatory invited me to come back and do a PhD with them. I did interview for non-academia jobs when finishing my undergraduate degree, but I remember only talking about the Observatory and astronomy during those interviews!

I did a four year PhD at Oxford in Astrophysics graduating in 1984.

As is still typical for astronomy postgraduates, I held two four year fixedterm positions, moving from Oxford to Edinburgh to Arizona. In 1992 I moved to Hawaii. I had a research grant and a part-time teaching position at the university. Hawaii is one of the premier sites for astronomy, and has some of the best observatories, located on Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii.

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Apart from the observatories, I loved the climate, which reminded me of my childhood in Barbados. I found I was not good at teaching, but I did well as an observatory support staff member.

These positions typically allow some time for personal research and the rest of the time is devoted to helping other astronomers use the observatory, maintaining and improving operations, etc. I moved from the university to a 3-m class, then a 4-m class, then an 8-m class Observatory, where I remain. The numbers refer to the diameters of the telescope primary mirror.

What have you taken most pleasure from during your career?

I do enjoy helping other astronomers get their science from ‘my’ telescope.

I enjoy seeing the range of science projects that come to us, needing measurements made at the telescope.

My own personal science is even more enjoyable. I like figuring out the questions and which data can help answer the questions. Of course there are always more questions, but that is OK! I have specialised in infrared observational astronomy. The infrared wavelengths are particularly suited to the colder astronomical objects.

During my PhD I worked on stars called M dwarfs, which have a surface temperature of about 3000 Centigrade. My career using larger and larger telescopes allowed me to go to cooler and fainter objects and I now work on the coldest objects known outside of our solar system, the Y dwarfs, which have a surface temperature of only 30 Celsius.

During your time at School, did you know what you wanted to do as a career?

I only knew that I enjoyed mathematics.

My mother was interested in astronomy, and would take my brother and I outside to see a comet, have us listen to the moon landing, etc. I enjoyed that but did not think of it as a career. I thought I might be a teacher, or accountant. My father was a pilot, and my brother become a pilot.

What role did your school education play in preparing you for your future?

The quality education I received got me into Oxford. Oxford has since given me the cachet I needed to get jobs in a competitive field.

S enio rs S p ot l ig h t

What were your passions and interests at Wycombe Abbey?

What advice would you like to pass along to pupils?

To be honest I don’t remember much outside of the learning environment.

I was shy and quiet, and not good at sports or music. I was all about science.

I did enjoy photography, and we did some of that as part of physics in Mrs Critchley’s Sixth Form class.

Follow your interests. Once you have identified your interest, explore all aspects of it. For example, doing maths or science at college can lead to careers in engineering, computing, teaching, industry, even architecture, and each of those in turn are multi-faceted.

Photo of my Pitt House contemporaries when we put on a play (L-R Vikki Robson, Rosemary Scholfield, Rowena Pike, Victoria Horton, Lorna Dunkels, Felicity Geidt and Sandy Leggett). The play was a murder mystery set in the 1940s or so, hence the costumes.

Where have your sources of inspiration come from in your life?

My mother has been inspirational. I did not realise at the time the seed she was planting with her astronomy interest. It was very hard for both of us each time I left Barbados for England, but she knew the School would give the best education possible. Other women in astronomy have been inspirational; when I started only about 10% of astronomers were women, now the younger astronomers are 30 to 40% female. Going to an all girls school probably helped me, I may have been too quiet to fully take part in science classes at a mixed school.

Rowena and I remain close friends. We bonded because, amongst other common interests, we were the two “foreigners” in that year at Pitt House. Rowena’s parents were in Iran, and mine were in Barbados. Here is a photo of Rowena and I at the astronomical observatory where I now work, the photo was taken in 2008.

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Support

Why we need your support

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he School does not have a large endowment and consequently, our ambitious plans for academic, recreational and pastoral advancement can only be achieved with the financial support of our community of Seniors, parents and friends.

The continued support of our valued donors will ensure that future generations of Wycombe Abbey girls also experience a world class and ever-improving School.

Donations help support the School in three key areas: Bursary Provision It is our belief that every girl should be empowered to make the most of her abilities. We wish to ensure that entry to the School is available to more girls who would benefit from an education at Wycombe Abbey, no matter her family’s financial circumstances.

The Bursary Fund enables us to offer talented young women the opportunity to thrive at the School. We would like to increase bursarial support significantly, so that it is available for 12.5% of our pupil roll (around 80 girls each year).

Ensuring that our bursary pupils thrive at the School remains a priority and we will apply careful consideration to the selection of bursary pupils based on ability, potential and financial need, alongside a dedicated pastoral care programme to support them during their time with us.

Learning and Living Facilities Having world class facilities throughout the School site creates an environment for our girls to pursue academic

excellence and for our staff to provide outstanding teaching, enabling each of our pupils to flourish and fulfil their potential.

We have developed a phased, long-term Estates Masterplan that will see us build state-of-the-art teaching, learning and living spaces, in line with the best schools in the world.

Today, Wycombe Abbey is recognised as the leading girls’ boarding school in the UK. High quality, fit-for-purpose facilities that benefit our current and future pupils is an important element in enabling us to remain in this position.

Area of Greatest Need Unrestricted donations can make a significant and immediate impact on the School. They allow the School to direct funds towards the areas of greatest priority, and support a broad range of projects.

Every gift makes a significant difference: • If 100 individuals donated £10 per month, then it would provide laptops for 10 pupils from a disadvantaged background.

• If 100 individuals donated £30 per month plus Gift Aid for five years, it would provide a full transformational seven year bursary.

• A single gift of £125 could fund karate lessons for a term for a talented girl in receipt of financial support.

How to Support Us Make a one-off donation Set up a regular direct debit (UK bank accounts only) You can also make a donation via bank transfer, credit or debit card, or cheque.

Tax-efficient giving from Overseas

The Wycombe Abbey Hong Kong Foundation has charitable status in Hong Kong. Donations made to the Foundation are eligible for tax deductions subject to normal restrictions.

If you live in the USA, you can give tax-effectively to the School via CAF America and British Schools and Universities Foundation (BSUF). more information

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S uppo rt

The Dove-Bowerman Society - A gift in your will Our benefactors help to secure the longterm vision of the School. By remembering Wycombe Abbey in your will with either a lump sum or all or part of your estate, you have the capability to support the School’s ambitious plans as they evolve over time.

In recognition of two remarkable women, the School created the Dove-Bowerman Society in 2017 to recognise and thank all those who indicate an intention to leave a legacy to the School.

Thank you for helping Wycombe Abbey continue to nurture the next generation of pioneering women.

If you would like a confidential conversation about legacy giving, please contact Clare FlynnScarcelli, Director of Development and External Relations, at development@wycombeabbey.com or 01494 895552.

For more information, please see here

The support of donors, who invest in Wycombe Abbey’s future at the leadership level, and who inspire others to give, is critical to the success of the School.

We are delighted to invite our most loyal and generous supporters to join the 1896 Society.

Members of this group are invited to events and gatherings at the invitation of the Headmistress and Chair of Council.

To discuss membership of this society and your gift to School, please do not hesitate to contact Clare Flynn-Scarcelli, Director of Development and External Relations, at development@wycombeabbey.com or 01494 895552.

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K eep in touc h

Seniors’ Website

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eep in touch and read the latest news and updates about Seniors’ activities and School events. The Seniors’ website is the perfect way to connect with the Seniors community. If you are part of a society, use the group tool to keep in touch with members.

Careers • Find a mentor • Post a job vacancy • Search for positions • Meet other people in your sector • Support Seniors and pupils as a mentor Events • Register for upcoming events • Share and view photos Connect • Search the Seniors’ directory • Connect and message friends • Dedicated group area for your Circle • Groups by country, region, city and university

Sign up here

Do You Have an Inspiring Story to Share?

If you have in interesting story to share about your life since your Wycombe Abbey days, we would love to hear from you.

staying resilient and much more – if you would like to nominate a feature for the Seniors Spotlight series please do get in touch with the Seniors’ Office.

Seniors’ Spotlights are featured in a range of School and alumnae publications, and across our social media channels. They cover a range of topics such as interesting and unusual careers, charity initiatives, achievements and awards, overcoming challenges, unique hobbies,

We would also love to hear from Seniors who would be willing to speak at one of our events, with backgrounds in sustainability, technology, engineering, entrepreneurship, diversity, equality and inclusion, creative arts and media.

+44 (0) 1494 520381 seniors@wycombeabbey.com

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