The bells of St Mary’s rang out as King’s High opened its doors to welcome back 75 Old Girls, former and current staff to the annual OGA Lunch on Saturday 28 February.

Seven decades were represented at the event, with Leavers and staff from the 1930s to the present day stepping through the blue door for welcome drinks in Landor Hall. For some, this was the first time they had returned to school in decades; for others the lunch has become a much loved annual event. Sixth formers were on hand to provide tours of the school, with the first tour emptying Landor Hall as soon as its departure was announced, and with extra tours added due to popular demand. Many former pupils expressed amazement at the wide range of facilities and activities available to today’s King’s High girls.

As soon as the door to the Headmistress’s Study opened, a steady stream of former pupils took the opportunity to wander in, many feeling that they should perhaps knock beforehand! Headmistress Mrs Surber was delighted to welcome back her predecessor Mrs Jackie Anderson, and former Deputy Headmistress Caroline Russell, and the three reminisced in her study as Old Girls came and went.

The OGA AGM took place at 12 noon, followed by a buffet lunch in the Main Hall.

Mrs Surber thanked attendees for their support, and went on to outline the success of the various reunion events of the past year, including the 1970s Decade Day last July. She challenged the 1980s Leavers to come in even greater numbers this year, to the 80s Decade Day planned for June.

Head Girl Charlotte Lavelle delivered a speech on her experiences at King’s High, from a fledgling Year 7 “new girl” to her role as Head Girl in her final year. She acknowledged the support of her teachers, recognising the privilege of the new Sixth Form Centre and, above all, the uniqueness of her school.

Caroline Russell then took centre stage as Guest Speaker. Caroline began with the revelation that she had spent one third of her adult life at King’s High, and remembered her very first day, when fellow member of staff Edna Wells showed her around the school and offered help, an act of kindness Caroline has never forgotten. From here, she developed the themes of the importance of building good relationships with staff and pupils, getting pupils really interested in learning, and developing an atmosphere of fun – providing illustrated examples of this last point! Her presentation went down so well that, afterwards, even a number of Old Girls from the 50s and 60s thanked her, wishing that Caroline had been at King’s during their time here.

1960s Leavers, left to right, Rachael Curnow (Hedges), Juliet Cox (Neale), Janet Carter (Burgess), Robina Phillips (Hammond) and Sandra Harvey (Clark).

Enjoying drinks in Landor Hall, left to right, Lucy Emsden, Margaret Rayner and Joanne de Groot (Bray).



1950s Leavers, left to right, Anne Moore (Smith), Linda Butcher (Hambridge), Susan Bridgewater (Wheatley), Anna Yelland (Warwick) and Margaret Strachan (Carter).



Former Headmistress Jackie Anderson, former Deputy Headmistress Caroline Russell and Headmistress Elizabeth Surber in the Headmistress’ Study.

Leavers from the 80s and 90s, left to right, Emily Lingard, Katie Jotischky (King) and Fiona Brown.

1933 Leaver Mary Bakewell, left, with Mrs Surber, Head Girl Charlotte Lavelle and 1942 Leaver Mary Forster (Bowley), right.

Head of Modern Foreign Languages Edward MacFetridge met up with some former pupils from the 1990s. He was the sole male attendee at the Lunch, but took this in his stride!

The team of 6^th formers who provided invaluable assistance on the day. Left to right, Prefects Ellie Houghton, Rebecca Kane, Laura Cairns, Alicia Birch, Head Girl Charlotte Lavelle and Prefect Becky Morgan.