A group of Old Girls outside the famous blue door

Sixty-five Old Girls and members of staff attended the 90s Decade Day on June 26 2010. On arrival, prefects escorted Old Girls to the new Sixth Form Centre, where they were welcomed by OGA secretary Polly Beidas, and drinks were served. Many comments were heard about how luxuriously the sixth formers are catered for today, compared to the facilities available in the 90s!

Mrs Surber with Caroline Russell

In addition to the Old Girls, many of whom were returning for the first time since leaving school, it was a pleasure to welcome back members of staff from the 90s, including Daphne Clifford, Ruth Court (still teaching of course), Gillian Hall, Rosemary King, Edward MacFetridge, Caroline Russell, Julia Sarson, Margaret Siggers and Christine Watts. Especially welcome was 90s Headmistress, Mrs Jackie Anderson.

Alumnae Relations Assistant, Alison Lima, had trawled through back issues of the Ilex to find many references to Decade Day attendees, and these were on display in the Sixth Form Centre.

Guided tour of the Creative Arts Centre

Prefects then took groups of guests on guided tours of the school, including the fabulous new Creative Arts Centre, with its world class music and drama facilities.

Pimms on the School Lawn

The glorious weather added to the wonderful atmosphere that permeated the day, and enabled us to serve pre-lunch Pimms on the school lawn.

On taking our seats in the hall, Headmistress Elizabeth Surber welcomed everyone to the event, and introduced two sixth form stars, sopranos Amy Walsh and Phoebe Jeans, who treated us to a short recital of duets and solos, ranging from Schumann, through Gilbert and Sullivan, to Rogers and Hammerstein, accompanied at the piano by Alumnae Relations Manager, Ron Gellért-Binnie.

A superb lunch enjoyed by all

An excellent lunch was served by Mrs. Dudley and her team, ably assisted by the prefects on duty. After lunch, Ron Gellért-Binnie welcomed Mrs Jackie Anderson who gave an excellent speech, which, judging by the applause, was much appreciated by the assembled company.

Jackie Anderson gives post lunch speech

It so happened that, a few days prior to the event, the geography department had been having a general ‘clear out’ and had discovered an A-Level project by Kathryn Squires (1992-1999). Kathryn was pleasantly surprised to be invited up on stage to be presented with her project by 90s geography teacher, Mrs Julia Sarson.

Chatting in the Sixth Form Centre

Throughout the day friends were reunited, friendships rekindled, and there was much reminiscing about times past, and catching up on what had been happening since school days. The following email from one of the 90s Old Girls sums up the event:

“A quick note to thank you very much for a superb day on Saturday. ...Everything ran very smoothly from the welcome, to the tours of the school, to the delicious lunch.

It was really enjoyable to be able meet up with old friends and teachers – I certainly won’t wait another 10 years between reunions!

Please could you particularly extend my thanks ... to the current sixth formers who gave up a precious Saturday to show us round, serve and entertain us. It was extremely kind much appreciated and made all the difference. They may not currently realise what a special experience visiting your old school and meeting current pupils is – hopefully one day in the distant future when it is their own turn they will understand.”