2 minute read
Three generations of MLC
Principal Diana Vernon sat down with three generations of MLC women from the Findlay/ Ward family – Jeanette Findlay (Gibson 1964), Louise Findlay-Ward (1990), Sophie Ward (Year 11) and Emma Ward (Year 8) – to learn about their experience of the College.
Starting with their very first memory of MLC, Jeanette recalls, “I was a very little girl and we used to travel past the school, and I used to say to my mum and dad, “I would love to go to that school!” She adds: “I look around the school today and I can see how marvellously the school’s progressed.” Thinking of that progress, Jeanette reflects that, “the changes have been extraordinary really. When I look back to education in my time, I think it was absolutely fantastic, but it’s much broader now, and I’m just overwhelmed by the possibilities for the girls.” In contrast, Louise didn’t have to convince her parents that MLC was the right school for her! “The first time I came to MLC I was about five years old. It was for my christening; I was christened with my youngest sister in the MLC chapel. I started as a student a few years later and...it was like being a child in a lolly shop – it was amazing!” Meanwhile, Sophie and Emma always knew they were going to continue the family tradition. Emma remembers the 2018 Sound and Light Festival and, “thinking that the school looks so beautiful and big… I was just so excited to go there.” All four women remark on their House pride. Jeanette recollects that, “the House spirit was very alive and well in my day. I think we were just as competitive as [students] are now. No tracksuit pants for us, of course, but we had a green tunic, and we had a cord around our waist and that denoted the colour of the House.”
Now, it’s the next generation that keep the House spirit going. “Everyone cheers a lot at all the competitions, me included,” says Sophie, “you always want to be first, you always want to be the best House, so you always try your hardest.” And what will the next 140 years bring? “I think MLC has always been a leader in education and is always striving to improve the opportunities,” Louise says. “So, I hope that continues for the next 140 years, whilst also maintaining the community connections that they encourage students to nurture.”
Jeanette agrees wholeheartedly and adds, “it is unimaginable where education will go, but I also feel that MLC will be striving to provide girls with the education that will bring them fulfilment.”
The Findlay/Ward family, Louise, Sophie, Emma and Jeanette, share their memories while flipping through Louise’s old College song book outside the Assembly Hall.
