Newcastle Alumnae Newsletter 2021/2022 by ncl38

Newcastle Alumnae Newsletter | 2021/22

ISABELLA WEST on unravelling the threads of fast fashion

CONTENTS 06

Standing Up for Sustainable Fashion

NHSG School News

Isabella West, Hirestreet

18 Dedication to Diversity 20 The Perils of Perfectionism 24

Alumnae News

32 School Recollections Anne Kirkham reflects on

her time at CNHS

35 The Future Looks Smart Caroline Oswald talks tech

trends

38 Advice from Alumnae

Ida’s Journey

Ida Glaser shares how her journey of faith has shaped her career

Prince Philip’s Greatest Legacy

What Did the War Do For Us?

With Thanks to the Adamson Family

Giving at NHSG

In Memoriam

Dear Alumnae, It’s a delight to share with you our 2021 annual newsletter, and the second edition of our combined edition for all our alumnae groups. I do hope you enjoy reading the very many articles that alumnae have contributed, alongside news of the school. Many thanks as always to Amy Rodway and Polly De Giorgi for their work in pulling this all together. They have done a sterling job, and perhaps created the best ever edition which I appreciate is quite some statement to make.

as possible to connect. There’s more information about the online reunion on page 9. However, the best way to ensure you are in the loop on all our communications is to ensure we have your correct email address. If you are not receiving regular emails from us, then please get in touch, and if you know of friends who aren’t connected, ask them to make contact too!

It was of course a bitter disappointment that we weren’t able to hold our in-person Grand Reunion in late September as a consequence of the resurgence of Covid cases in school soon after the start of term. And while the decision was based on the safety and best interests of all, one can’t but help feel a little frustrated by the circumstances - our apologies for the impact it may have had on your plans. Alongside the regret of not being able to meet in person, it has conversely been a real joy to run our online reunions and connect with alumnae, some of whom wouldn’t easily be able to attend our traditional annual reunion event.

Finally, and another excellent reason to make sure we have your email address, we are sharing with alumnae a beautiful film of Christmas Carols and Music performed by the NHSG Choir and all members of Year 7. I hope you will enjoy this and it rekindles old memories of past school carol services.

The next occasion for an online get together, designed to beat the “January Blues”, is on Tuesday 18th January 2022 at 18.00. We appreciate the time won’t suit all but we have been rotating the time of day for the online reunions throughout the year to provide opportunities for as many people

Janice Graves Director of Marketing, NHSG

I do hope you have a very Happy Christmas and that 2022 will be a more settled time. With warmest wishes,

2021 at school has been a year of stops and starts, of optimism, and plans dashed, but the one constant has been the brilliant people in our school who have glued our community together, and our staff who have ensured that the girls at NHSG have continued to receive the best education possible whether at home or in school.

Dear Alumnae, As I reflect, it’s hard to believe that this time two years ago, the words ‘Covid’, ‘lockdown’, ‘self-isolation’ and many other pandemic related terms were not in our collective vocabulary, compared to today when barely a conversation goes by without some reference being made to the situation. Our world has changed and it seems likely that we will all be changed with it as a consequence. It has therefore been our aim this year to face head on whatever comes our way, to adapt, to be flexible and accept that we can only do our best in this ever-changing and evolving landscape.

This was particularly evidenced at the start of the Spring Term in January 2021, when, with one day’s notice the Government announced that pupils would not return to school. The whole school community would agree that this was a low point and that national lockdown number 2 was particularly tough on the girls. We managed to get our online Guided Home Learning up and running almost instantly and pupils were back in lessons, albeit from home. Everyone worked hard to keep the girls’ and their own morale high. It was therefore a joyful occasion when pupils and staff returned to on-site learning on 8th March. We remained upbeat in the face of the various restrictions and bubbles, and grappling with cases of Covid and selfisolation periods that followed and have continued on and off throughout the rest of this calendar year.

I remain extremely thankful and relieved, that while some pupils and staff have been unwell with Covid, they have all recovered, and I hope that this remains the case until this pandemic has run its course. Another positive has been the number of girls who have joined the NHSG family over these past months, with the word getting out about the excellent continuity of education we provided in our school, bringing more pupils to our doors. We have nonetheless been very conscious of the debates around educational inequality and we made the decision to make full use of the bursary funds at our disposal to offer more places than ever before. This year seemed the right time to allocate all of our generous donation from the Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust so that girls could join us in September 2021, rather than spread the fund allocation across a number of years. We are now working on filling the funding gap which that leaves for future years and Polly de Giorgi touches on that in her article on page 52. Another real joy has been the opportunity to connect with our alumnae in ways we hadn’t really considered before. Our online reunions have continued, and we also held an online NHSG alumnae business network meeting appropriately

focused on technology, with some thought-provoking facts about what the future may look like (Caroline Oswald’s article on page 35 is fascinating). Alumnae have supported events such as our mental health and diversity weeks, and on occasion have even been into school to deliver a talk. Izzy West, who is on the front cover of this newsletter, was our very first visitor to the school for very many months and it seemed fitting that it was to an alumna of our school that this honour fell. I do hope you enjoy reading this compilation of news and articles relating to our alumnae and school community and I look forward to meeting more of you online, and hopefully in person again too, in 2022. With best wishes for the festive season. Yours sincerely,

Mr M. Tippett Head, NHSG

ISABELLA STANDS UP FOR SUSTAINABLE FASHION Nataberori intre rem temovit. Rem aveheba tortas patum conicus cre quo vivendame int. Ahaet et inatque nirmant ereconime in no. Coendacit, ficonsulis cam dem invercem senenica; ina, nis nunum etint? Nihicautemus conitala Sp. Evisse clut pulabuntia iam quam comnes re condentior labulis me for iam patil vius condam us virmaiorei ia di peri cludem postrum huidicatil hilin ta ad dit, Cat. Fuid intractum audea conferrae te ad seris. Orid remorae morudem idefactorus consus ad iam te, tur. me converi buterdi terferu ntebercesse pret, nostrum omnem moressica nines, publis, nos tus ina, nostea nimilico ia adhucio nsunimu revium nemquamenat. Dum praveritia mortessedo, vid a dit L. Daci facepero, C. Iqui

te consus publicervis autum deestra rimmoenatum prox nunum sa no. Satum imur laris; nihil vasta pero vit, etrei forum ius es tanum sediurs locupiemo tes nes caedo, vid nocul hiliureo, cas oc, pliis vivir plinum iamdii poressa actum novistis hus aritabe ntilii sit. Ti, fui inculica mo habemul todiist venium noritan unulabis firit; C. Remquam erem no. Sedo, quam opulermius parebus niac te vit ventem adentil icuterv itiena, quitis averritum. Aris. Nitra nostem aurs furei praves? Pala amquastium o id morivid proximuli, C. Serfeco mantiur iculem auter hosultur, publisquam nessent ressatelum enatus cavere nent, coteris; non sultuam sentrortum egilin des pra? quamque publis nos ninat ve, Palabem inesinti, tentium orum se tabis audam sus ad morum nos orium, ubliciam et imus sa consimis caeterit. Efaucid faucons ilicaecrid senter pertastiam aperum maio es rei se tam orum P. Itam inceps, P. Ad aut invo, nonsulici public tiac mo ut esilicat, vit. Grartemus M. Aperestamqua nes ad ca; nu ertiamp onfeconsces sa nontrius ompoptiem sicae

poerte consultuus Marterevit L. Occistia nes? Untea inteatia dente, vid nos vivivivessil consum uter utur. Sus, iam etrae teris niu que rebutemur, cri spere aut Catus stalis. Nonsupio essil hactuium. Patienin ve, Catus se hore cons opubi pridea L. Mus, morecto ve, quem mihiliquam pera? Paliiss iliconsum, quo por la di, vis. Catiqui supicerio, quiti, fir us, quit, se inte nertes te, con Itarbi sim dem mori conesid effrem sciam menam hi, Catquem pritande caelaris. Lum. On atimus, que hoc te cena, nocusata, ut vivili et? Nostiuscerum publinpra sestrum mor lius, nostante nonsul hi, quis aveniam. Bonvolus dintrum visse, faci publicae mortum te culicomnos, moendam cavehem in tem det, opoterores, que cris alius finter us nihil cercesi mihilis; nimmo tamdituas ressus tem ta non tam tudefac fur uterestilis. Culvivi vastam facipim Rompoptis. Ati sesserm anteatusquam es Ahacibus opublinum pes iu que tilis, Ti. Udendum faci sendicerrae consul hinatam ist nius, nihilne manum in ia aceps, coenima nteatquodio,

It is starting to become a bit of a tradition that one of our amazing alumnae is nominated and shortlisted for the prestigious annual GDST Alumna of the Year Award. 2021 was no exception with Isabella West, founder and CEO of Hirestreet, the UK’s leading fashion rental brand, achieving this coveted accolade. Built to compete with fast fashion, Hirestreet works with leading retailers including Whistles, French Connection, Ghost and most recently Marks & Spencer. With over one million site users, hirestreetuk.com has become the British go-to for sustainable, affordable outfits. As a young entrepreneur, we interviewed Izzy to find out more about her fascinating business and philosophy on life.

Tell us more about your role(s)?

I am the CEO of two businesses in the fashion rental space. I started Hirestreet in 2018 - I wanted to build a sustainable and affordable alternative to fast fashion consumption. In 2021, using everything I had learnt from Hirestreet, I launched Zoa which basically helps large retailers to start their own rental business.

Why did you start your businesses?

As a consumer I was being wasteful - I was buying outfits and wearing them only a few times. I started Hirestreet because I believed there was a better way of consuming fashion (particularly outfits for special occasions). I started Zoa, because I realised that to truly change the fashion industry, I needed to lower the

barriers to circular business models and help established retailers launch rental offerings of their own.

What are you most proud of ?

At Hirestreet we have saved our customers over two million pounds by renting instead of buying. That’s a lot of garments that aren’t going to end up in landfill!

What did you study at A Level?

I studied Economics, Maths, English and Philosophy. I loved all of my subjects, the only thing I wish I could have added to the mix would be Computer Science - in the world I have entered into as a tech-founder that would have been incredibly useful.

What is the best advice you would give others wanting to start their own business?

Two things: Firstly start with a minimum viable product. Get something in the hands of consumers as soon as you possibly can, real life feedback from a paying customer is more valuable than 10 focus groups. Start small, gather data, learn and adapt. Do this over and over - never stop learning or listening to your customers. Secondly always have a plan A, B, C, and D. Never leave yourself with just one option it’s very difficult to be objective if you don’t have a set of good alternative actions to consider.

What about more general life advice?

Again probably two things: I believe you are the average of the five (or so) people you spend the most time with. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and who make you feel motivated. I also believe that there is nothing more important in life than your family and friends. They pick you up when you’re down and celebrate with you when you’re up. I am so lucky, my school friends are still my best friends and they have supported me endlessly over the last ten years.

What is your favourite quote?

Everything will be alright in the end, if it’s not alright, it’s not yet the end.

Who inspires you?

J.K Rowling: For the power of creative thinking. Princess Diana: For sheer strength, determination and poise.

What’s next?

We still have a long way to go to transform the retail industry. One in five garments need to be traded via circular

models by 2030 to align with sustainability goals - this means tripling the current share of the market. I think it’s incredibly important to inspire the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs to start circular, so one thing I would still love to do is to start a circular-fashion focused accelerator programme. ... We can’t wait to watch Isabella bring her plans to fruition! The future of fashion certainly feels safe in her hands.

“Everything will be alright in the end, if it’s not alright, it’s not yet the end.”

BOOK HERE: www.trybooking.co.uk/BJUG

NHSG SCHOOL NEWS School community relieved to return on 8th March It was a huge relief for our whole school community when it was confirmed that, after the second lockdown in January 2021, pupils would be able to return to school from Monday 8th March. Even though our excellent Guided Home Learning programme meant that all our pupils were able to continue with live lessons and with learning, we were all very much ready to be back in the physical classrooms. One hurdle to overcome before this could happen however was the mass asymptomatic testing of all staff and all pupils at our Senior School – something that all schools had been tasked with by the Government. Every member of staff and pupil needed to have taken three lateral flow Covid tests, the first of which had to be completed before being allowed back into school. There was no doubt that this was a major logistical exercise and yet another of those situations that we couldn’t have imagined 18 months ago. Our staff and volunteer helpers were outstanding in bringing this about, not just in undertaking roles very different

to usual and in converting one of our sports halls into a giant testing centre, but also in the compassion and support they gave the staff and pupils being tested. Their work made the process as efficient and painless as possible, and also meant that all NHSG pupils could be back in school from Day 1 which we knew was so important for our families. It was an incredible achievement. Class bubbles, social distancing and plenty of hand washing were still very much the order of the day during the Summer term. Despite the challenges, the school staff went above and beyond to support the girls both in their studies and pastorally. Girls in Years 11

and 13 had GCSE and A Level studies to contend with and everyone has had to adapt to the new teacher-assessed approach to grading. The start of the new academic year in September 2021 brought more school-based lateral flow testing, but also saw the removal of bubbles and social distancing in school. This meant the whole school was able to enjoy some level of normality and it has been particularly joyful to see how much more relaxed the girls were with the reduced restrictions. As predicted, there have been, and will be more bumps along the way but as we learn to live with the pandemic, NHSG will continue to deliver the very best education for all of our pupils. The chorus from the NHSG School song seems particularly fitting here:

And we sail forth Through stormy seas and tides And we will strive with grace and pride And forward….prorsum semper honeste And nothing will stand in our way.

Phenomenal result for Freya: highest mark in the world!

Awards for our contribution in not one but two categories; Marketing Campaign and School Partnerships.

We were elated to discover that Year 13 pupil, Freya Young, was credited with obtaining the highest mark in the world for the Cambridge International AS Level in Information Technology. Freya’s excellent academic abilities were already well known to all at NHSG after she was selected for a Reece Award when she joined us in Year 12. We spoke with Freya to see how she was feeling after this impressive achievement. She said:

The TES Independent School Awards celebrates excellence and innovation across the sector so to be recognised in this way is a huge honour.

“Mr Tippett phoned me to tell me the good news, I felt so shocked and surprised that I got the highest mark! I thought the exam was hard but I felt prepared for it as I had been revising heavily and we had just completed a mock before the exam. My advice for anyone taking the exam in future is to test yourself with as many past practical and theory papers as possible.” Huge congratulations to Freya, who has shown that hard work really does pay dividends. Freya is now studying for a degree in Engineering at the Dyson Institute and we wish her the best of luck for the future.

NHSG twice triumphant in shortlist for TES awards On Friday 26th March we were delighted to receive news that Newcastle High School for Girls had been shortlisted by the Times Educational Supplement (TES) Independent Schools

Specifically, the Marketing Award recognises a powerful and effective strategy used to promote the school and the Partnership Award recognises initiatives that involve working and cooperating effectively with a state school or schools, with clear benefits to all parties. It was wonderful to see that many of our fellow GDST schools were shortlisted across various categories, evidencing the pioneering approach of our organisation.

Bringing the West End to the North East Musical fans will delight in the knowledge that we welcomed Hamilton lead, Jason Pennycooke, to NHSG in July for an intensive workshop with our Dance pupils in July. The girls rehearsed tirelessly under his expert direction and performed a spectacular version of Hamilton number, My Shot, to the whole of Senior School via video link on the last day of term.

Jasmine has decided to take time out to travel – which will see her horse-riding in Mozambique and trekking across South and Central America - before making her next career move.

Jasmine joins School Governing Board We are thrilled to welcome Jasmine, NHSG Alumna Class of 2015, back to the School in her new capacity as a School Governor. Since leaving NHSG, Jasmine has gained a degree in Economics and carved out a successful career in investment banking. Jasmine has recently returned to the North East to explore her true passion, entrepreneurship, and to support the School that Jasmine says made her who she is today. When Jasmine was eleven years old, her mum made a decision that would dramatically change her life. She successfully applied for a bursary for Jasmine to attend Central Newcastle High School. Jasmine joined CNHS in 2007 and has never looked back. “It was a wholly

encouraging environment. Being at an all-girls school meant that there wasn’t as much distraction, and success and intelligence were celebrated. I was constantly reminded that I could be whoever – and whatever – I wanted to be. Ambition was encouraged, respected and supported.” Jasmine excelled in Maths and, following a Sixth Form Insight Day with a Japanese Investment Bank in London aged 16 (owing to the opportunities within the Girls’ Day School Trust network), she decided

to apply to study Economics at university with the aim of pursuing a career in investment banking. After graduating from Edinburgh University in 2019, having been supported by a scholarship throughout, Jasmine successfully secured a position at a prestigious global investment bank based in Mayfair where she worked on numerous high profile transactions worth billions of pounds. Jasmine said: “Investment banking is hard work, and the learning curve is steep, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. I found it thrilling reading about high profile transactions that I was working on in the press, and the exposure to such senior people (for example CEOs of FTSE 100 companies and Senior Government Advisors) was fascinating. The world of mergers and acquisitions can be tough, but it’s an exciting place to begin your career.” With a couple of years experience under her belt and a healthy savings account,

She added: “With two years of investment banking experience under my belt and the skills I have gained, I am going to enjoy a few months of travel knowing I can hit the ground running when I come back to the UK. I’m keen to explore entrepreneurial opportunities when I return, perhaps working in venture capital or at a startup.” At 26, Jasmine is the youngest on NHSG’s School Governing Board, something she decided to apply for in order to give back. “I’m especially keen to support the school in regards to its bursaries and scholarships programme. There are so many opportunities out there for people like me, who might not have had the means necessary to apply to a school like Newcastle High in the traditional way. Nobody’s future should be shaped by their childhood circumstances, and I am so incredibly grateful to my Mum for the lifechanging decision she made early on in my school career. “I’d say to any young woman that, if you’ve a burning desire for success, you should absolutely look into bursaries or scholarships. Don’t simply settle for what’s in front of you – there are ways and means! And always remember that it’s cool to be clever.”

New Head appointed at Junior School In April 2021, we were extremely pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs Amanda Hardie as our new Head of Junior School. Mrs Hardie, a graduate of Oxford University, will be familiar to those who attended Church High where she was a teacher of Religious Studies and subsequently Director of Studies. Following the merger of Church and Central in 2014, Amanda became Deputy Head Academic of Senior School, a role in which she remains alongside her new appointment. With her wealth of experience and passion, Amanda has already been implementing transformational plans to refresh the Junior School curriculum and boost its cocurricular activity programme. At the time of appointment, Mr Tippett said: “Amanda Hardie made an immediate impact on our educational provision at Junior School during her time as Acting Head and I’m extremely pleased she will be taking on the role permanently. “When I took over as Head in 2018 I knew it was paramount to strengthen the academic attainment at the school and to deliver a seamless transition from Nursery through to Sixth Form. We’ve seen excellent results in this area with an uplift in GCSE and A Level grades, and

be underway in terms of the curriculum and we are already introducing exciting new initiatives which will be available immediately. From day one, we will empower our young pupils, enabling them to be leaders, trailblazers and world-shapers. Our school is the perfect size to ensure that each girl is known and valued as an individual.

Amanda has played a key role in this success. “Since taking on the role of Acting Head of Junior School in December 2020, Amanda’s rapid introduction of a new activities programme, and the robust curriculum review currently underway, are both testament to her outstanding ability and drive. I now look forward to seeing her longerterm plans for Junior School and I’m confident it will go from strength to strength.” Amanda said: “My vision for Junior School is in essence very simple – I want the girls to flourish and be supported from day one so that they become the very best version of themselves. I will be working alongside the experienced staff at NHSG so that every girl will be enriched academically and creatively and all within our truly warm, happy and caring school environment. “The heart and soul of NHSG Junior School will remain very firmly in place while at the same time a review will

Alongside an inspiring curriculum, which we regularly review to respond to a changing world, we will offer an extensive co-curricular programme that challenges girls to develop their skills, independence and confidence. Plus, our membership of the Girls’ Day School Trust offers our girls so many additional opportunities beyond those available in our region.”

Does happiness come before academic performance when children are at Junior School? Happiness goes hand in hand with academic performance for girls in Junior School. Our aim is to ensure that our girls flourish in a warm, nurturing environment where they are supported to take risks, step outside their comfort zone and develop their skills through a wide range of curricular and co-curricular opportunities. Our staff are experts in the education of girls and our curriculum is designed to encourage independence, creativity and

enquiry. When girls feel safe and happy they are more likely to flourish academically, and when they flourish academically they get a sense of achievement that brings happiness. It’s a winning formula.

Our assessment programme has allowed us to identify any academic gaps resulting from the time spent working at home and we have clear plans in place across Junior School to address any concerns identified. Well-being activities, pastoral support and opportunities for fun, laughter and happiness are a real priority for us.

Can you tell us about the impressive co-curricular provision at Junior School? We have redesigned our co-curricular programme to ensure that all girls are given the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities. A number of music clubs will run each week, including choirs, a Junior Orchestra and Samba Band. Alongside this, a programme of sport will be on offer and from Year 3 this will take place on our Senior School site so that our girls benefit from the facilities on offer there. Girls from Year 2 to 6 will also have the opportunity to participate in a carousel of creative activities (Creative Sparks) that will run throughout the year on a Wednesday evening and on Thursday evenings we will offer Year 2 to 6 an academic enrichment programme (Bright Sparks) that will inspire curious young minds. We’ve also just launched an exciting leadership programme for girls in Years 1-6.

How do you unwind away from work? Children have had a tough time over the past year. What’s been the biggest issue and how do you plan to support them to get back on track? This year has been incredibly tough on children, despite our best efforts to ensure that our girls were supported through a programme of lessons each day as part of our guided home learning provision. It was tough on parents, too, many of whom were trying to work from home alongside supporting their children with school work. Some of our youngest children will not remember a time when social distancing didn’t exist. They’ve missed out on hugs with grandparents, family and friends.

I get so much pleasure and fulfilment from my career and I have always been so grateful for the opportunity to work in such an amazing school. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. Under normal circumstances, that would include lots of travel, as I love exploring new places with my husband and two teenage daughters. Covid-19 has meant that hasn’t happened this year, but I’m hopeful that one day in the not too distant future I will need my passport again!

110 Years of International Women’s Day

The History of IWD

International Women’s Day (IWD) is recognised each year at NHSG with an annual competition to highlight the achievements of women, while continuing the call for accelerating gender parity. It gives us an opportunity to draw attention to the ongoing struggles for women’s rights, to link this with women’s struggles worldwide and to demonstrate international sisterly solidarity with working women everywhere. The day has been recognised across the world since as early as the 1900s, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialised world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies. The motivation for International Women’s Day came from two sources, the struggle of working class women to establish better working conditions and the fight for women’s right to vote. In 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote. It was the Socialist Party of America who declared the first National Women’s Day in 1908. The idea to make the day international was suggested by a woman named Clara Zetkin in 1910 at an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. There were 100 women there, from 17 countries, and they agreed on her suggestion unanimously. IWD was first celebrated in 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. The centenary was celebrated in 2011, so this year we’re technically celebrating the 110th International Women’s Day! It wasn’t until 1917 that 8th March acquired great significance. On this day, women

workers in Petrograd held a mass strike and demonstration demanding Peace and Bread, which is attributed as the flashpoint for the Russian Revolution. Lenin subsequently declared that 8th March should be designated officially as Women’s Day. International Women’s Day was celebrated for the first time by the United Nations in 1975. Then in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed. Since then the world has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in thinking around women’s equality and emancipation. Females from a younger generation may feel that ‘all the battles have been won for women’ while many feminists from the 1970s know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of the patriarchy. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women’s visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally, women’s education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men. However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts and Prime Ministers, female students are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family. Women have real choices. And so each year the world inspires women and celebrates their achievements. IWD is an official holiday in many countries and the tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends and colleagues, with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has

the equivalent status of Mother’s Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.

IWD at NHSG

NHSG is very fortunate to be the recipient of a generous donation from Christopher and Margaret Vane, parents of a former pupil, to fund an annual prize celebrating International Women’s Day. The prize asks our pupils to reflect on extraordinary women and their accomplishments and they are invited to submit an entry in any format that would best represent their chosen female, one they feel has made an exceptional contribution to a particular theme or topic.

IWD 2021

This year we asked pupils to choose a woman whose work they felt had made, or is making, a significant positive contribution to the environment and the sustainability of our planet. We were delighted that Central Newcastle High Alumna Isabella West (pictured front cover), founder and CEO of the UK’s leading fashion rental brand, Hirestreet, was able to visit NHSG to award the Prizes. Isabella is listed in the Forbes and Drapers 30 under 30 and has been recognised for being the founder of the fastest growing female powered business in the North East. While all of the entries to the competition were worthy of a prize, our panel of NHSG staff judges, including our Go Green Coordinator Mrs Edmonds, had the difficult task of selecting three finalists. Angela Lu, Year 10, was awarded third place with a powerful video about Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg. Emma Gibson, Year 12, achieved second place with her collection of five poems about five influential women, Costa Rican diplomat Christiana Figueres, Irish politician Mary

Robinson, Marshallese educator and politician Hilda Heine, twelve year old Salvi Shakvi from Fiji and Rayanne Cristine Maximo Franca, part of the Indigenous Youth Network from Brazil. Christiana Figueres has clearly made an impression on NHSG pupils as she was also the subject of our winning entry from Daisy Pass, Year 13. Daisy’s admiration of Figueres’ historical political achievements in global climate negotiating processes, climate change, sustainable development, energy, land use and technical and financial cooperation led her to choose Figueres as the subject of her entry. The resulting and extremely striking piece of artwork (pictured below) is an intricate drawing which uses pattern to represent perspective and the patterns of behaviour which are causing the greatest harm to our planet. Many congratulations to Daisy, Emma and Angela for their thought-provoking contributions and thanks again to Mr and Mrs Vane, without whom the prize would not exist. The winning girls were awarded vouchers for eco-friendly retailer, Ethical Supermarket.

DEDICATION TO DIVERSITY No one will have forgotten the tragic murder of George Floyd that sparked unrest and outrage across the world. Nor that our alumnae quite rightly contacted NHSG in June 2020 in response to the Black Lives Matters campaign. We continue to develop and implement our plans in school, and also those of the wider Undivided programme across the GDST. As well as considering racial inequality, we have been focusing on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in its broadest sense and in September we introduced an EDI Code of Conduct to which all girls and staff are required to adhere. We were also able to bring some of our work more sharply into focus during Diversity Week in June 2021 as we sought to raise awareness and build understanding of neuro, gender, cultural and racial diversity. There were assemblies, activities, films, and talks as well as our now well established stall in the hall, (or in this case stall outside of the hall because of Covid mitigations), where girls could take part in creating a giant cultural diversity paperchain and to make rainbow flags. In addition, we were delighted

to welcome one of our alumnae and former Head Girl, Davina Nylander (Class of 2015), who is studying Medicine at UCL, to give a live online talk to our Senior School pupils. Davina gave an excellent and thoughtprovoking talk to pupils in 2020 and her message resonated strongly once again. To cement the work we were doing in school during Diversity Week, and to widen awareness, we also released a series of articles on our social media channels. Davina was one of the authors and she was joined by another alumna, Liv Devine, now a successful singer and musician; Lucy Franks Doyle who is Deputy Head Pastoral and the Senior Lead for EDI at NHSG, also authored an article, as did Shruthi Singhvi, who is our current Sixth Form pupil EDI Lead. A common theme throughout the four articles was of the importance of opening minds, of learning and understanding so that we could accept, support and respect everyone in our community, and in the wider world, for who they are and who they want to be. Lucy Franks-Doyle wrote about how at NHSG we want everyone to feel included

and celebrated within the community explaining, “That is why at NHSG we embed these principles through evolving language and a celebratory programme of activities throughout the school year. Even more importantly, we don’t just implement these things for the girls, we shape them with our pupils. “We need to learn from them what they need and how they want to identify, rather than projecting our idea of what that should look like onto them. “By understanding one another better we can create more meaningful dialogue between the whole school community. As well as helping students from all different backgrounds succeed, it encourages acceptance and prepares all students to thrive in a diverse world.” In Liv Devine’s article, she shared how she came out as gay when she was 17 and of the challenges that this brought both at home and in the music industry. She wrote, “Labels such as queer or lesbian or gay are so important, because they help you find people you can relate to.”

She added, “While finding who you are and becoming part of your community is absolutely vital in the end, if I had to share one piece of advice with my younger self it would be this: go at your own pace. It’s important not to feel pressured by others and to acknowledge that you’re on a journey. If one week you think you’re one thing and another you think you’re something else that’s absolutely fine – you’re just on that journey to discovering who you really are. Be unapologetically yourself. There’s a community out there waiting with open arms.” Sixth Form pupil Shruthi contributed an excellent article to the series where she focused on the importance of being an ally. She described how she had been racially abused on a bus when she was 12 and reflected on how the impact would have been lessened if only someone had helped her. “You can be an ally even if you don’t have a lived in experience of something. And it’s easier than you think”. Shruthi went on to write about the many ways that people can show their support for a cause or a community, “...If we all take responsibility and do our little bit we can make a big difference”. She also wrote about the importance of acknowledging and celebrating our differences as well as how learning more about how diversity provides the opportunity for us to “grow as people”.

Alumna Davina Nylander also called on readers to act in her article. “We should never leave it to the victims of oppression to deal with the problem alone. Be an ally. When you’re under fire, standing up on your own and challenging it can be really frightening and make you even more vulnerable. “Commit yourself to doing the work and the reading. Listen and be aware of the people around you.”

Binding the sentiment of all four articles and Diversity Week into one, Davina concluded, “Our unique

identities should be something we are proud of celebrating, and we all need to work together to ensure that everybody feels respected and accepted for who they are.”

THE PERILS OF PERFECTIONISM For this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, we asked pupils, alumnae and staff to share their thoughts on mental wellbeing. In this interview with former Head Girl, Emma Carrie (Class of 2018), she shares her thoughts and experiences on the perils of perfectionism – something she also delivered a talk on to NHSG pupils as part of our week of activities in May. Anyone who’s been for a job interview will no doubt have come across a question similar to this one: “Can you describe a time when you failed at something and explain how you dealt with the situation?” For anyone new to interviewing you might think, as I once did, that failure is always a bad thing and that struggling to provide an example to such a question is, therefore, a good thing. But I’ve since learnt that’s really not the case. Perfectionism isn’t the positive flaw everyone thinks it is. Sometimes, it’s just a flaw. And I’ve learnt the hard way that resilience doesn’t come from never failing, it comes from being human.

Throughout my school career I was always putting pressure on myself to do the best, be the best and achieve the best results. I had such high expectations of myself that I gave myself a hard time for anything that was less than perfect. But because nobody can be perfect I ended up giving myself a hard time on a regular basis – even though I was achieving good grades. I also found it difficult to say no to things – thinking that I should be able to manage everything adequately and if I ever mooted the idea that I couldn’t cope with additional work or responsibilities it would be seen as a weakness. This is another myth. When it comes to perfection there are two main types: Selfperpetuating perfectionism (where you’re really harsh on yourself and feel a relentless need to perform at an extremely high level) and socially prescribed perfectionism (where you perceive a pressure from others to perform at an extremely high level). The latter is the kind of perfectionism I struggled with. I assumed that everyone expected me to be perfect, but in reality, that really wasn’t the case. And besides, if we never

say no to anything, how can we assume that others will see it as a weakness? There’s also a mindset you can adopt whereby you believe that always striving to achieve over and above what is expected is a good thing – but this can have a detrimental impact on our mental health and our happiness. When I was in school I never wanted to let anyone down and found myself saying yes to everything, even if I already had too much on my plate. I couldn’t drop the persona of always being willing, able and successful in everything I did. In fact, if I was asked to do something I wouldn’t even check my schedule, I’d just say yes because no wasn’t an option in my head. It got to the point that I was carrying a very unhealthy level of stress because I never felt able to tell anyone that I was struggling. I was sitting four A Levels, I had the responsibility of being Head Girl and I was playing in different sports teams too. I loved doing all that and am grateful for all the opportunities I had during school but, when I look back, I think I’d have had more fun if I learnt how to delegate or share

happy, you’re not going to be in the best mindset for writing your next piece of coursework or sitting your next exam. Perfectionism is unhealthy and it inhibits your resilience. How can you bounce back if you’ve never failed at anything? And I think that’s why the failure question always comes up in job interviews – because it’s actually a really good thing to have turned a situation around, to have learnt from it and grown from it – rather than beating yourself up over it. It’s valuable to learn how to fail well. some of my responsibilities more often. The problem is, how can people support you if they don’t know you’re struggling in the first place? This is why I wanted to give a talk on the perils of perfectionism for Mental Health Awareness Week, because I want others who might be going through what I did to know that it is absolutely OK to tell someone that you can’t take any more on or that you didn’t do so well at something. It is absolutely OK not to be perfect! I was so afraid of failing that, for a long time, I never allowed myself to. But it’s exhausting living up to that constantly and eventually, you will fail and you’ll have no idea how to deal with it. While at university recently I failed a piece of coursework.

It wasn’t a significant piece and was worth only a minor fraction of my overall grade, but nonetheless I became so angry with myself, thinking it was the worst thing in the world to have happened. I felt so embarrassed because I had this idea in my head that everyone saw me as the girl who never failed. I took this bump in the road far too seriously until eventually I stopped myself and thought ‘Emma, pull yourself together. Degrees are difficult and you failed a tiny part of it. That’s life.’ The most important thing that I’ve taken from this experience is how I eventually moved on from it. How I realised the insignificance of it in the grander scheme of things and was able to be kinder to myself. At the end of the day, if you’re under too much pressure or you’re really not

Plus, what at the time might feel like failure isn’t always a bad thing in the long-run. I’ve friends who didn’t get into their first choice university and at the time felt devastated. If you speak to them now they’ll tell you how they wouldn’t change a thing – because they love their course, they love their friends and they love the university they’re at. Experiencing failure has made me a lot better at dealing with it, and I know now that accepting failure is a positive thing. Yes, strive to be your best self, but don’t strive to be perfect – because you’re striving for the impossible. Give yourself a break. At the end of the day, the happier and healthier you are, the more likely you are to succeed.

Emma is currently in her final year at University of Edinburgh where she is studying Physics.

NHSG STAFF LEAVERS

Sadly we said farewell to some members of staff this summer. We wish them all the very best. Leigh Parry, Head of German Leigh joined Church High as a German teacher in September 2000, becoming Head of German in 2005, and then later taking on that role at NHSG. Leigh showed versatility and her skills as both a linguist and scholar by teaching Latin and Classics at both Church High and NHSG. She approached her job with dedication while also bringing a mischievous sense of humour to the department.

Christine Gadomski, Examinations and Data Officer Christine joined Central High as a Receptionist and Admin Assistant in 2004 and became the Examinations Officer in 2008. Her role was crucial for the lives of so many girls, especially when they are likely to be feeling at their most stressed and pressurised. She was one of the lynch-pins in the interface between staff, pupils and their parents. Entirely dependable, and supportive of her colleagues, Christine was always able to raise a smile.

Emma Peach, Senior School Art Technician

Gary Burton, Groundsman and Caretaker

Emma joined Central High as the Art Technician in 2004 and continued that role at NHSG. Emma was known for her creative and caring approach, and the support she gave at some of the school’s major Art and Design events. Emma also had two spells as a parttime Art teacher at the school. Emma was the creator of the very many art displays of the girls’ work that have wowed pupils, staff and visitors alike.

Ever the flexible member of the Facilities team, Gary began working for Central High as Groundsman and Minibus Supervisor, before adding Caretaker to his title in 2014. He was responsible for keeping our extensive grounds and site in good order. His wit and charm meant that he was well liked by all, and who could forget his many appearances as Father Christmas and the Easter Bunny.

Nadine Strettle-Brown, Junior School Teacher

Gill Montague, Spanish Teacher

An alumna of Central High, Nadine returned to school as a teacher in our Junior School in 2005. Nadine’s conscientious teaching and hard-working approach won her the respect of her colleagues straight away and she built strong relations over the years with parents, girls and staff. Nadine has had a positive impact on the education of so many girls who have passed through our doors.

Gill joined Church High as a part-time teacher in September 2008 and then was appointed as part-time Spanish teacher at NHSG in September 2014. She was described as a real gem by her Modern Foreign Languages colleagues and many girls benefited from her teaching during her time at the school. We are sure that Gill will enjoy a very active retirement.

Debbie SummersonFenwick, Head of ICT, Head of Year 12 Debbie fulfilled a number of roles since being appointed as Head of ICT and ICT Development Manager in 2009. She continued to head up the ICT department throughout her time at the school, and in addition was appointed as Assistant Director of Sixth Form, before becoming Head of Year 12 in 2020 when her meticulous organisation was a boon. Her strong interest in Art and the History of Art also led her to deliver numerous enrichment activities for the benefit of the girls.

Joyce Anderson, Joint Head of RS and Philosophy Starting out at Central High as a supply teacher in Spring 2011, Joyce became a permanent member of the RS and Philosophy team later that year. Later at NHSG, she led the department, a role she shared with her colleague Laura Dodd. Joyce was very caring about girls and colleagues and meticulous in doing her job.

Lynne Hawley, Data Manager and Team Leader Initially appointed as an invigilator in 2015, Lynne

accumulated quite a number of support staff roles before leaving us this year and had an excellent understanding of the operations of the school. With a positive attitude to life in general, Lynne was both professional in her approach to work and supportive of her colleagues.

Sue McElrue, EYFS Phase Leader Setting the foundations for our very youngest of pupils, Sue expertly led the EYFS (Nursery and Reception), bringing her organised, dedicated and passionate approach to this important phase in the educational journey.

Katy Tricoglus, Nursery Teacher Katy joined NHSG as a Teaching Assistant in 2016, working in both Reception and Nursery then more recently as a part-time teacher in Nursery. Katy established strong relationships as a result of her thoughtful and warm personality.

Steph Whitling, Junior School Teaching Assistant Joining NHSG in 2018, Steph supported both Nursery and After School Club and was a cheerful and willing member of the team.

Andy Harland, Junior School High Level Teaching Assistant Since 2018, Andy supported Junior School in his Teaching Assistant role and was a key member of our After School Club team. His time with us did not deter him from pursuing a teaching training course!

Monica Costa, Reprographics Officer Monica joined NHSG on a temporary contract in 2019, and quickly embraced school life and supported many of the functions in school.

Oliver Perry, Art Technician Oliver’s skills in both Art and Technology meant he was perfectly placed for his new position as full-time Art Technician at Newcastle University.

ALUMNAE NEWS A trip down Tankerville Terrace

Memories of Brenda Bird (nee Coats) Church High, 1936-1943 I was evacuated in 1939 with School to Alnwick Castle. I tell the great, great grandchildren that Harry Potter had nothing on us! We used the weekends to explore high, and low the Battlements and yes, the Dungeons too. One thing for sure that being evacuated taught me and quickly, was how to bounce back, Resilience. The only way to survive without help, and a hug from parents. Yes it was tough, but my, it has stood me in good stead throughout my life, especially now.

Update from Jenny Dodd (nee Smith) Central High, 1948-1958

Rachel Fleming and Jane Wainwright took a socially distanced walk down Tankerville Terrace in March to celebrate 25 years since leaving school. They said “We don’t look much different but behind our school building it had all changed!” Rachel and Jane left school in 1996.

I’m Jenny Dodd, used to be Jennifer Smith, and I left school in 1958, after a couple of years in Junior School then the next years in the High School. Then followed 3 years at the University of Durham and a month after graduating I got married and went out to Nigeria with my husband who was an Agricultural Officer there. We were out in the “Bush” so it was quite a cultural shock. After returning to the UK in 1963, I went into the family farm where I farmed with my husband and had three daughters, for 25 years, then left to throw myself on an unsuspecting world, working in various companies until I could, thankfully, retire at age 60. Since then I’ve been living in Spain. Love the lifestyle and the weather isn’t bad either!

Carol Graham (nee Turner) Central High, 1958-1968 At the age of 70, Carol, has, most admirably, published a new book! Twenty six years since her last, Carol decided to write a memoir of life in the high North Pennines of Upper Weardale where she has lived for the last twenty years, entitled ‘A Shoulder on the Hill’, published by Wagtail Press. It is a collection of true stories – some amusing, some poignant – which have arisen from the more eccentric B&B guests she has had to stay, the very characterful animals that have shared her life and her hardy hill farming neighbours who have so enriched her family’s lives there. It is also a tribute to the privilege of living in such a wild place with its unique bird life and seasonal rhythms. The book is available to purchase online via Waterstones and Amazon and is a heart-warming read and antidote to all that is going on around us at the moment.

Anniversary News for Audrey Watson (nee Allan) Church High, 1943-50 On Thursday 25th March, John and I celebrated our Diamond Wedding Anniversary at Tea Tree Gully Golf Club Restaurant (Dimples), South Australia with our two sons and their wives, together with two of our three grand children and their partners. The eldest grandson lives too far away in Perth (not Scotland but West Australia).

Michele Guinness (nee Gilbert) Church High, 1956-1967 Michele has released a new book this year; “The Contemporary Woman: Can she really have it all”, published by Hodder and Stoughton.

At a time when the status of women is still being debated and challenged, how can women play a leading role in society, the workplace and the Church? Michele Guinness has been there and done that – not without opposition and not without compromise. In this all-embracing, honest reflection on womanhood, Michele uses her own upbringing in the Jewish community to re-examine the views and counterviews on the role of women throughout the Christian tradition and culture, drawing inspiration from Scripture, history and personal experience. The Contemporary Woman celebrates a host of women through the ages – from the great biblical matriarchs to the modern-day trailblazers – who have inherited a passionate determination to pursue God’s radical call. Michele will encourage women everywhere, of every age, to follow their hearts and inspire a new generation to discover what it means to be a woman.

ALUMNAE NEWS Book Coming Soon for Rachel Bowlby! A history of shops in all their historical variations, Rachel Bowlby’s Back to the Shops is a fascinating exploration of how and why they have mattered. Here are pedlars and pop-ups, mail order catalogues and mobile greengrocers’ shops. Here too are food markets open till late on a Saturday night, and tiny subscription libraries tucked away at the back of the sweet shop. There are lots of specifically Tyneside stories – from 1950s Gateshead supermarkets to South Shields corner shops that never closed. Oh, and a Gosforth bakery called Greggs.

R AC H E L B OW L BY

Ann Katharine Torday Gulden Central High, 1961-1971 Fifty years since leaving school, Dr Ann Torday Gulden (pictured above shortly after leaving school) is living in Oslo, Norway and would very much like to hear from Old Girls in her Year Group (Class of 1971). Please do get in touch with her via email (atgulden@gmail.com).

CK BATO THE SHOPS the H I G H S T R E E T i n H I S T O R Y a nd the F U T U R E

Rimka Puri’s latest venture NHSG, Class of 2017 Eagle-eyed Sam Fender fans may have spotted Rimka (alumna of both Central High and NHSG), in the official music video for coming-of-age track Seventeen Going Under. Rimka is still completing her Masters in Civil Engineering at the University of Edinburgh but made time to help out her old friend, Sam! For those that don’t know, Sam Fender is a 27 year old musician from North Shields and his debut album in which this song features entered the UK Albums Chart at No.1.

ALUMNAE NEWS

60 Years On - The Class of ’61 Meet Again Written by Pamela Denham (Dobson). Alumna of Central High, Class of 1961 As 2021 dawned in Covid lockdown, Ros Anderson (Hall), Sue Hofmann (Neligan) and I were wondering if we would be able to hold the fifth and

final reunion weekend for the class of ’61 in July as planned. In the event we had to accept that July would be too risky but, recognising we are getting “older and older”, we decided it was now or never and fixed the date for the weekend of 23rd/24th October for the Reunion. I’m pleased to report that on 23rd October “60 Years On” opened at noon. Here we were at Café 16 (pictured below), the new

community café in Newcastle Cathedral. Ten of us sampled the delicious food – if you need a quick bite in pleasant surroundings, Café 16 is worth a visit. The cakes are especially gorgeous. In the second photograph (overleaf) we were at Ponteland Golf Club. At dinner we drank a toast and remembered our friends who sadly have passed away, and yes we did sing 40 Years On. We looked at photos

and memorabilia spanning 60 years but unfortunately the cake and balloons were mislaid en route (!) and so were postponed until... Seaton Delaval Hall on Sunday 24 October (pictured bottom right)! We lunched in the new café after enjoying the lovely gardens and visiting the Hall. The brown and gold cake made by Ros Anderson’s granddaughter had been found and was quickly eaten up. Our final act was to burst the 60th anniversary balloons on the steps of the Hall. The fifteen who were there for some or all of the weekend had a great time and were sorry that more of the 45 classmates with whom we are still in touch were

not able to join us in person. We can all enjoy reading their messages with best wishes and news. It was the final reunion of the five special anniversary

weekends we’ve held between 1994 and now. We hope some of us will still be around for the School’s event in 2031!

Teaching takes Holly from North East to South East

When you left Church High, did you think you would train as a teacher? No, I was looking forward to studying Educational Psychology modules at University but had not considered teaching. Whilst at university, I decided to apply for Teach First to gain experience working with children and in the education sector to see if Educational Psychology was a route I wanted to go down. Once I entered the classroom, I knew I wanted to be based in a school - I love building relationships with my pupils and never have a dull day!

Why did you apply to the GDST? Ten years since leaving Church High School, Holly Cuthbert has been appointed Assistant Headteacher at Sydenham High Prep, a GDST school in South East London. Holly left Church High in 2011 and went on to study Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford. Whilst at Oxford, Holly specialised in Education, Child Racism and Mood and Anxiety Disorders. After University, Holly completed the Teach First Programme in London and has been working in schools ever since. We caught up with her in the Summer term of 2021:

When I saw the advert three years ago, I was working in a large academy - there were lots of rules, policies and restrictions. I wanted a small school with a family feel to it. When I visited Sydenham, it had a lovely atmosphere - the pupils were happy, engaged and confident; the school’s motto, ‘Nyle ye drede’, meaning ‘Fear Nothing’, was evident. The girls are encouraged to have a wide range of talents and passions, which results in an exciting and diverse school community. Despite being a small school, the school community benefit from being part of a larger organisation. At my first GDST CPD event, it was lovely and surreal to see Mrs Harrison and Mrs Thew - I’ll never be able to

call my teachers by their first names!

What similarities have you noticed between Church High and Sydenham High Prep? Assembly: Before COVID, all assemblies started with hymns. I remember my first assembly at Sydenham, and all the girls started singing ‘Autumn days and the grass is jewelled..’ and the memories of being in the Junior School hall with Mrs Brown playing the piano and finding the songs in our two hymn books came flooding back. Mascot and School Songs: At Sydenham High Prep we are Giraffe Girls - We Stand Tall, Stick Our Necks Out and Try New Things. We have several school songs with giraffes in, and when we sing the songs (before COVID!), the volume usually gets particularly loud when we sing the word giraffe - ‘We are Giraffe Girls, We are Giraffe Girls, It’s up to us!’. The songs remind me of Church High’s motto ‘Giving Every Girl a Voice’ and the famous song ‘The Church High, The Church High, always the best and here’s why......’. I remember us singing the song on ‘Muck Up Days’ and school events at the top of our voices. School Dinners: On days when we have flapjacks and brownies, I can see my girls have pushed two together on their plates or have crumbs spilling out of their pockets

or sleeves but struggle to tell them off when I was definitely guilty of this trick back in the day!

What impact has COVID had on you as a teacher? This has definitely been my most stressful year to date. After Boris’s evening announcements, I will never complain about being given short notice in a school again. Announcing schools were closing the night before the Senior School Entrance Examination and the Spring term starting was a particular low - not sure what Boris thinks our working hours are! The GDST has worked incredibly hard to ensure a top education has continued to be provided throughout the school closures, and I think all teachers within the Trust should be incredibly proud of how we managed to change our way of working so quickly and adapt. We provided live lessons in all subjects and ran competitions, virtual schools trips and clubs. At the start of the first lockdown, I never imagined that we could have had every girl in Year 6 across the Trust taking part in an opera project and performance or a PE competition. It is great having the girls back in school and working to try and create a memorable and enjoyable summer term. Young people have missed out on so much, and we want to ensure they can experience as

many important milestones as possible. We are currently rehearsing our Year 6 Shakespeare play, which will be performed on our outside stage (just like The Globe!) in bubbles - it will be different but still great fun! Things I’d like to keep from lockdown: Online parents’ evenings, virtual school trips (we’ve been all over the UK!), online learning platforms and having pets in class!

How do you think schools and parents can help to undo the negative impact that lockdown and the pandemic has had on young people going forward? In terms of mental wellbeing, I believe we need to share our feelings with children and agree that the last year has been far from ideal and think about what we have to be grateful for and look forward to. On the first day back after the second lockdown, my Year 6 girls and I wrote down on sticky notes all the things we had missed/were angry about from the last year, scrumpled them up, sang Let It Go from Frozen, and threw the sticky notes in the bin Elsa style. We agreed to try and have a positive mindset and brainstormed strategies we could use if we’re struggling to think positively. Now, restrictions are lifting, I’d advise parents and children to do normal things over the holidays - organise play-dates,

visit family, go to a restaurant. In terms of learning, teachers need to get pupils back into routines and continue to have high expectations whilst being supportive. Children are worried that they have fallen behind and need to be reassured that they will be okay. Teachers know how to get pupils from A to B we just need to ensure the pupils are happy and ready to learn and have them in the classroom.

How would you describe the ethos at Church High during your time there and what are your fondest memories of the school? Having worked in several schools, I feel incredibly lucky to have gone to Church High. Church High was a very happy place where everyone got along and did what they wanted to do. My closest friends are still my Church High girls - I’d love a day back in the Common Room now.

RECOLLECTIONS OF CNHS 1943-1952 After reading the Alumnae newsletter last year, Anne Kirkham was reminded of her time at the Central High Senior School and was inspired to put pen to paper. Here are her recollections... I arrived at CNHS at the age of 10 years and two months, having sat what was then known as “The Scholarship” the previous March. There was some discussion between my parents and Miss Leale, the Headmistress, as to whether I should start at the Junior House in Gosforth because I was so young, but Miss Leale was of the opinion that if I could do the work I should be allowed to enter the school in Form 3A. I didn’t realise at the time that the school had only recently returned from evacuation, nobody seemed to mention it at all. We were all told that we had to keep up the reputation of the school when out in Newcastle by dressing immaculately at all times and we were inspected by prefects on leaving the premises to make sure that we were wearing both hat and gloves. I was humiliated in the Summer term by having to wear my grandfather’s old Bowls Club genuine panama hat which my mother had cut down and altered for me, while my contemporaries all had a kind of imitation panama

which actually fitted them. In addition to this and winter felt hats with elastic under the chin we had a little hat called a ‘storm hat’ although it was ill suited to protect one from any kind of rain. Some allowances had to be made on account of clothes rationing and there was even an occasional sale of second hand clothes from one of which my mother triumphantly returned with some of Rosemary Graham’s vests. The school had had to drop the requirement for each pupil to have a white party dress for special occasions and it was never reinstated in my time there. Shoes were another problem. Our feet were measured periodically by the gym mistress and if they had grown we were allotted extra coupons. My feet stubbornly refused to grow for a long time and my shoes became progressively shabbier. At last the gym mistress (I think it was Miss Thorp), took pity on me and seeing that my foot still did not reach the line in front of it gave me a sharp crack on the back of my ankle so that my foot

shot forward and crossed the line to make me eligible. Meals were another wartime problem for the school. The puddings were the most memorable. We had boiled sultana (rather nice) baked sultana (rather dry), and occasional rice pudding (tasteless) which involved a Chinese whisper type question passed down the table “Does anyone want rice?” Once a week we were given semolina with a dollop of concentrated orange juice. When I eventually became a dinner monitor I discovered that the large cat belonging to the cook, Miss Bailey, was in the habit of sleeping on top of one of the piles of plates. Sport. We had some form of exercise every day, two sessions of gym, one of netball, a whole afternoon of hockey and swimming lessons. Hockey and its summer counterparts, tennis and rounders, were played on a field out at Paddy Freemans in High Heaton which belonged to the Sports Club of one of the Banks. We had to make

Form VA 1948

Back row L-R: Joyce Blackburn, Anne Hardy, Pat Robinson, Marjorie Hall, Audrey Varley, Dorothy Dodd, Sheila Pringle, Vera Johnston. Centre Row L-R: Jean Lamming, Avis Welch, Cecily Smith, Valerie Phillips, Eileen Wilson, Anne Hildreth, Marion Scott, Edna Gow. Front row L-R: Anne Fawcett, Lilian Cherry, Joan Bowie, Marie Rickard, Miss Calvert (later Mrs. Greener), Dorothy Fowler, Mary Laws, Isabel Davison, Sheila Walker. our own way there on the bus. In the early years of our time at the school we used to go in a crocodile to Jesmond Baths. This was usually supervised by Miss Calvert (later Mrs. Greener), and a friend and I always tried to walk with her because she was so interesting. It was she who gave me the good advice on leaving school “Never let me see you wearing ankle socks with a skirt”. More memorable and useful than any serious homily. She also urged us to visit a travelling exhibition known as The Belsen

Train which visited the Central Station soon after the War which showed photographs of Bergen-Belsen camp after liberation. I have never forgotten them. Later when the RGS returned from evacuation we were allowed to use their swimming pool across the road. Another favourite mistress was Miss Linfield who took the VIth and was a disciplinarian and fearless commentator. She passed through the playground one lunch hour

and observed some of her form sitting in the sun with their dresses turned up over their knees exposing a few inches of leg. When next we saw her she observed “I came through the playground today and thought to myself ‘Flesh is very cheap this afternoon”. Prizegiving. One of the year’s big occasions. My first Prizegiving took place in Trinity Church on Northumberland Road which I knew well as my grandmother’s family were members, but later ones

were held in the City Hall. The school entertained the audience with choral singing and we all took part whether we could sing in tune or not. The platform party would enter the stage to the tune of the Keel Row, which caused many of them to adopt a curious hopping gait in time with the music. The prizes were usually presented by a local dignitary, preferably titled, but there were two delightful exceptions, namely Esther McCracken and Miss Tanner, then Headmistress of Roedean school which had been

evacuated very near the Central High in Keswick. Miss Tanner delighted us by advancing to the front of the stage, saying “Now gels” in stentorian upper class tones and giving a short and sensible speech. Old Girl Esther McCracken did even better by coming forward and asking the audience “Can you hear me?”, then adding “Mother”, to complete the catchphrase of popular comedian of the day Sandy Powell before her amusing address.

End of term assemblies were less enjoyable and involved sitting on the floor for hours while the end of term marks of every girl were read out. Singing was a feature here too. We had borrowed the Eton school song Forty Years On, and sang with great gusto the line “Visions of boyhood shall float them before you” Another staple of the day was Heroes (words by Browning), and we ended up by singing Blaydon Races. Interesting that this continued under two southern headmistresses, Miss Leale and Miss Belton.

CNHS Prefects 1950-51

Back Row L-R: Anne Fawcett, ( ?), Shirley Drape, Beth Scougal, (?), Margaret Macintyre, Doreen Watson (?), Vera Johnston, Sheila Bannerman, Joan Bowie. Centre Row L-R: (?), Jean Lamming, Rosemary Bilton, Anne Hardy, Jennifer Thompson, Marion Scott, Elspeth Seggie, Sheila Walker. Front Row: L-R: Avis Welch, Pat Wardropper, Betty Duns, Margaret Baister, Helen Tulloh , Shirley Bell, Barbara Walton. Seated in front: Sheila Oliver (?), Irene Harris.

THE FUTURE LOOKS SMART

In every sector, 2020 brought about the loss of predictability. Businesses of all kinds were driven online at an unprecedented rate. Caroline Oswald (nee Legg, Central High, Class of 2000), Director of Business Development at Revlifter, an award-winning e-commerce personalisation platform, recently presented at our NHSG Inspiring Alumnae Business Networking Group. Caroline has carved a highly successful career in creatively-led technology and is uniquely placed to give us an insight into what the future of technology looks like and the impact it will have in the workplace and home. If you asked me 20 years ago whether I expected a seismic shift in the technology that we use every single day, I would have been a little disbelieving. Modem dial-ups; dong, dong, bing, bing, beeeeeeeeeeep... were still very fresh in my mind. Having three television channels hadn’t faded from my memory. Searching through a 32-volume set of Encyclopedia Britannica to find an answer for my homework to this day holds fond and vivid memories (I can still smell the beautiful books). I got my first email address in GCSE IT at CNHS and what a faff it was to access it, not to mention the queue for the shared computers (a little ironic seeing as some of the aforementioned are, in themselves, seismic shifts in technology). So how did we get to where we are, via Teletext Bamboozle, 7K games of Snake on the Nokia 3210, at least 7K tangled videotapes, the very first (rather chunky)

iPod, and the moment you realised it would take at least two hours to decide what to watch on Netflix (even after using the power of social media and asking your ‘friends’ to guide you)? Well, in my case, it hasn’t felt like major step-change overnight and truth be told, I am a little disappointed that we are nowhere near the Jean Paul Gaultier wardrobe and flying taxis depicted in The Fifth Element (we have a few years yet, it was portraying 2263). I am sure some of you

reading this disagree and there is a huge amount of discomfort with the abundance of technology in our lives now, my only defence is that I am a child of one of the very few 1970s Computer Science graduates, so I was immersed from birth. If you ask me now, do I expect to see a seismic shift in the technology we use every single day in 20 years? My answer would be quick and bold in response, without a shadow of a doubt!

able to overlay a more exciting view in front of you when you go for a run, they will be your own personal sat-nav and they will even help you to find things more quickly in shops.

Smart Appliances

At first, I thought it would be best to refrain from going too far in my examples, remain conscious that not everybody was playing on an Apricot computer (I promise they were real and not a rip-off or relative of Apple computers) when they were six years old, but then I remembered running an open innovation workshop in c.2010 and we were talking about paying with smartphones, at the time it was so far beyond the realm of normal... Now, my cards just gather dust. Last year saw a supersonic adoption of online technology by all walks of life, it was no longer a line on a to-do list or something you could avoid. To stay connected everyone had to adopt and adapt. I have summarised five things to expect next as tech continues to meld into our homes.

Mixed Reality

A blend of virtual and physical environments e.g. a virtual

tennis ball bouncing on a real table, typically delivered through a smartglasses-type headset. Truth be told, this isn’t something that is widely reported as a trend for 2021, but from smart factories (where machines react to their environment and fix themselves) to architecture, H&S training to collaborative working, Mixed Reality as beautifully executed by Microsoft with the Hololens 2 has so many business applications. The reality of the Hololens shifting quickly into the home is unlikely at £3.5K per unit plus license costs but the Facebook and Ray-Ban smartglasses collaboration is sure to bring Mixed Reality into the mainstream! What will these smartglasses do, well apparently they’ll help you find your keys (as a Mum of two small children this sounds exciting… although I do worry about what will help me find my smart glasses), they will be

Your washing machine, fridge, heating system and oven having more smarts than your smartphone. The Internet of Things might not be a phrase you are all familiar with but you are all likely to have interacted with it. As our phones, tablets and watches continue to evolve, so will our homes and it will all be linked. Instead of sending your order to Starbucks in advance, you’ll be ordering a cold glass of water with ice from your very own fridge, it will be there waiting for you at the optimum moment. AI and Machine Learning also means that your appliances will get to know you, your movements and habits making things convenient and your life easier (you just have to turn off the internal alarm bell that makes you wonder what the big data companies will do with all of this insight).

Location Independence

Much more freedom on where we work, rest, shop and play as technology allows us to have our day-to-day wherever we are. COVID-19 has shifted where employees, customers, suppliers and organisational ecosystems physically exist.

Members of my team travel whenever they want now, they can work from anywhere with an internet connection. Amazon has opened their first contactless check-out stores where beacons, sensors and cameras allow you to put your items in a bag and just walk out, your Amazon account charged at that moment (I thought 1-click checkout was dangerous for my bank account)!

Crypto Rewards

Currency disruption will continue. Retailers and payments companies are looking to roll out rewards and loyalty programmes using blockchain technology and crypto-currencies as an alternative to traditional points or cash-based systems. What would you do if your M&S Sparks Card started rewarding you in Bitcoin? It may sound futuristic but Lolli.com are already doing it and Nike and Groupon are among many early adopters. Then there is BlockFi, a credit card that offers unlimited 1.5% back in bitcoin on every purchase.

Smart Fabrics and Paints

The development of teeny tiny technology is enabling usually fluid materials to become technological. Nanotechnology in paint development is at an experimental stage right now but scientists have already

developed paint that can turn a wall into an interactive surface, antibacterial paint and my favourite, paint that can change colour with less effort than using a dimmer switch (the interior designer in all of us unleashed in a micromoment). Smart fabrics have been around since the 1960s when DuPont launched Lycra. Things have moved on a bit since then and, now, textiles can provide multi-sensory experiences using lighting and sound. Google and Levi’s have already delivered a smart denim jacket (a beautiful juxtapose there, denim rarely gets the accolade of smart). Fabrics to increase performance (keeping you cool on a run) are commonplace but with conductive yarns becoming available, soon

performance wear will be analysing you, your body and your actions and evolving right there and then to control and support you. I could go on and on, tell you about my recent ride in a Tesla Model X (a modern-day DeLorean with wing doors for my fellow Back to the Futurewatching comrades) where the driver put the car into selfdrive mode… It was driving! Or about Japanese toilets that analyse your bodily fluids but I’ll leave you with the hope that some of this technology will blend seamlessly into your life and doesn’t feel like stepping on Lego for you!

ADVICE FROM ALUMNAE

Dear school a ge self...

You may remember we reached out to you in June with a survey to ask about your strongest memories of school. The response was overwhelming so we thought we’d share some snippets of your wonderful reflective advice to your school-age self. Enjoy! • • • •

Grab every opportunity with open arms and cherish your time at school because it flies by. Keep the end in sight, get the qualifications, get a job you are okay with and pays you what you need. Believe that you are intelligent regardless of how you are treated. Enjoy learning for pleasure.

• Don’t worry so much. When you’re 70 you won’t remember your exam results! • • • • • • • •

Work harder. Could do better! Everything passes in the end - good time and hard times. You will always have the strength to deal with the things life throws at you and you will always make it out of the other side knowing more about yourself than you did before. Have more confidence in yourself. There is a huge world outside of school, go explore and have fun. Stress less. Yes, it really doesn’t matter what people say or think about you, and however cruel the bullies are, they will look back and regret their actions in the future. Stop messing around, stop being the class clown, work harder and make the most of your school days.

• You will always be grateful for the education you received and the friends you made. Believe it. • • • • • • • • •

It’ll all be fine in the end- enjoy it and don’t worry. Keep on throwing yourself into every opportunity as time is such a precious resource in real adult life! Make the most of being with your friends day in day out as they can be friends for life and you will all live apart! Just make the most of this time, it’s precious. No one can see 95% of your nerves. Keep going and don’t tolerate men talking over you. Don’t treat yourself worse than you would treat a friend. Appreciate your enormous luck in living now and here and being given this chance. Have confidence and make the choices that you want to make. You’re doing better than you realise! Try to relax a bit. Yes exams are important, but they’re not the end of the world. Cherish every carefree moment. Learn your French vocabulary with some form of discipline!

• You may never be the top of the class but you will find something that you are amazing at and then it is your time to shine.

• • • • •

Take every opportunity offered. If you don’t understand, say so, and ask ask ask straight away! Which, having not done it myself, I constantly told my daughters to do. Would have worked and tried harder academically. Stick in and seek advice for future career prospects. Don’t take notice of what bullies say and enjoy school life.

• • • •

Be yourself and don’t worry about what other people think or say. Enjoy life but work harder. Stop being bitchy for no reason. It will all be fine in the end.

•

Read more. Find some good mentors. School is very much about formal education but learning how to be an adult is an art not taught. Work harder. Don’t mess about - it determines the rest of your life. Just be yourself and don’t worry so much about what other people might think. Don’t be afraid to admit your dreams and desires. Just enjoy it all more, goes by in a flash.

• Read more. Don’t stop reading when the internet starts dominating lives. Learn how to ask for help. Go abroad and learn a language. All the mistakes you make now aren’t the end of the world - you’ll figure it out.

• Try and understand “why”. • • •

• It doesn’t matter if everyone likes you. What matters is that you like yourself. • • • • • • •

We can’t be good at everything but we can be kind to everyone. I wish I hadn’t been so sensitive and naive and stood up more for myself. Try your best. Believe in yourself. Also, just because you struggle with something, you are still clever. Stop caring what everyone else thinks! Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to be who you are! Grades aren’t everything, just try your best at what you enjoy. Be gracious to yourself, there’s a lot going on and you’ll learn more about your mental health in time. Believe in yourself.

• Life is full of ups and downs, just make the best of what you’ve got and don’t worry about what’s around the corner. • • • • • •

Care less what people think of you! Keep at it but enjoy it too. Listen and take advantages of the opportunities and experiences. They will never come again and you were very privileged to have them offered to you. Be more confident and appreciate what you have at school. Be brave and don’t worry what others think. Have fun! .

•

Follow your dream and be brave. I did and was, as time went on.

• Work harder. Ignore your mother! Ask for help.

FOOD glorious FOOD

On a lighter note, we also asked you what you thought about the food while you were at school. Girls at NHSG often cite lunchtime as a favourite part of their day - it appears some of your experiences were a little different! Here are some of your responses (warning - it may put you off your next meal!)...

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

BEST!

Geoff’s ham and cheese baguettes Shortbread biscuits Spotted dick Lemon meringue pie Mrs Marfett-Smith’s meat pie Ice cream and wafer sandwiches Otis Spunkmeyer cookies - lots of giggles there Chips - I liked them soggy! Smartie cookies Buns with icing on - I used to put chips in them! Chocolate pudding with chocolate custard 2p garlic bread Beef and yorkshires Steamed ginger pudding Christmas dinner Cherry tart Syrup sponge and custard Jam roly poly and custard Cookies Lasagne Trifle Cheese and biscuits with coffee

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

•

WORST!

Roast potatoes like ice hockey pucks Corn beef hash - it was horrible Stew - I still feel sick if I think about it Processed peas and white sauce with fish on Fridays Sombrero shaped beef burgers and liver Stewed prunes and tomatoes in juice Lumpy mashed potato - with onions Semolina/tapioca pudding - fondly known as ‘woodpecker poo’ Gristly mince Spam fritters Custard with inch thick skin on top Lamb chops Green jelly - sometimes with crunchy bits Rice pudding with jam - it looked like pink sick! Suet pudding Cannonball peas Massive portions of butter beans Undercooked rice Fish fingers every Friday for 7 years All disgusting if you were vegetarian! Plain pasta Cold salad - limp and unappetising Cheese pie Quiche Custard - the cook tested the temperature with her elbow... They were all absolutely awful. When the dining room was upstairs in Eskdale Terrace school dinners were only compulsory for Upper III (Year 7). There was a convenient hole in the wall where plaster and brickwork had come away. I always tried to get to sit next to the hole or next to the radiator. All of my school dinners landed in one or other of those places for my entire UIII year! Everything in gravy!

KEEP IN TOUCH You can now update your contact details and personal information directly using the new alumnae self-service portal, via the web address below:

using this same address. If you have never received alumnae communications via email then please ‘Sign up’ to the portal and create a new record.

If we have an email address for you then please ‘Log in’

If you know of friends or colleagues who are not receiving our communications but would like to, please share this link with them to ‘Sign up’ or ask them to contact

https://gdstprod. smartmembership.net/

the NHSG Alumnae Team (a.rodway@ncl.gdst.net). Please also use this email address if you are are having any issues with the portal.

IDA’S JOURNEY Ida Glaser (Central High, 1959-1968) has accomplished great things in her lifetime, but not without a great deal of early trauma. Writing from her home in Houston, Texas, Ida explains how her journey of faith has shaped her career. From the age of 12 (LIV), I had no doubt that I was going to be a pure Mathematician. At 16 (LVI), the new Physics teacher (Mrs Silipo – she had a basset hound called Emma which trod on its ears when negotiating stairs) said she thought I should do Physics instead. Being a contrary teenager, I rejected the idea, but then thought, ‘Pure Maths is a wonderful game with ideas in my head; but maybe I should do something which will apply the game to the world outside me’; and Physics I did, eventually getting an MPhil in theoretical space physics from Imperial College, London. By 66, when I took formal retirement, I had spent a decade as a member of the Faculty of Theology and Religion in the University of Oxford and an associate staff member at Wycliffe Hall. I had been on the founding team of the independent Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies, Oxford, as its academic director and then its director. I had published four books and an edited volume, and more papers than I can recall,

and, at 70, I continue to head two writing projects. One is producing a series of Bible commentaries from Muslim contexts, and the other is developing the ‘Routledge Reading the Bible in Islamic Context’ series. As I write this, I am also writing the introduction to the next volume: a collection of papers around the topic of ‘Reading the Gospels in Islamic Context’, which I am co-editing with a Muslim from Iran and a Christian from South Africa. Oh yes! And I am writing this from Houston, Texas, where I am, with my husband, launching a new Center for Muslim & Christian Studies. In response to COVID restrictions, we have taught three online courses with 82 students from 14 countries – ‘Qur’an and Bible 1: Torah’, ‘History of Muslim-Christian Dialogue’ and ‘Contemporary Issues in Muslim-Christian Dialogue’. Watch the website for developments! CMCS Houston, the Center for Muslim & Christian Studies. People often ask how I made the journey from Physics to

the study of the Qur’an and the Bible and Muslim-Christian relations (I did a PhD in comparative theology from Durham on the way). I usually cite the well-known physicist-turned-anglicanpriest, John Polkinghorne, in his observation that the main difference between physics and theology is that physics is easy and theology is difficult. Both are observing reality and seeking truth; but physics is the study of material which we transcend, whereas theology is the study of what transcends us. If you like, I have continued to use that mathematical brain of mine to study reality, and have moved step by step towards applying it to increasingly complex systems. I’d like to record here my

“There is nothing like deprivation and difficulty for building an amazing community.” appreciation of the school Latin and French which gave me a basis for much of the language study I had to do on the way. I had about a decade of teaching Physics in the UK and in Asia, and thinking about education and how human beings of different backgrounds learn. Then I spent seven years working for a small church in Elswick, reaching out to the new immigrant families from Pakistan and Bangladesh, opening my home to local children most afternoons, reporting crimes for victims who were too afraid to contact the police, running street parties, visiting homes and thinking about all the problems

facing humanity in what was then the most ‘deprived’ parish on Tyneside. It was during that time that people started to ask me to preach the Bible and to teach about Islam and Christian-Muslim relations. I continued to live in that wonderful Elswick community (yes – there is nothing like deprivation and difficulty for building amazing community!) as I went on to direct interfaith work in the UK for Crosslinks (an Anglican mission agency) and to teach more widely, and it was in that context that I disciplined my thinking by doing a part time PhD on Genesis 1-11 and parallel Qur’anic narratives.

Those 13 years in Elswick were also taking me back to home territory: I could see the house in which my mother grew up from my back window. I had spent little time in Newcastle since I left my childhood home in Gosforth for university in London, and returning gave me the opportunity to reown my personal history. I even attended a face-to-face Central High reunion! Why ‘reown’? Because I had, at a very deep level, disowned it. At the age of 15 (LV), about a month before my O Levels, we had a car accident and both of my parents and my only grandparent died. I guess that, if something like that happened today, the

school would be flooded with counsellors. In those days, we all just muddled on as we could. School was, for me, a refuge of stability in a world which had shattered, but I still left as soon as I could, and started afresh in London and pushed the past out of my mind. The journey since then has been long and painful, but with huge positives: this, as well as the fact that my father was a Jewish refugee who named me after his mother who had died in Auschwitz, has been at least as important for my work as have been my educational and community experiences and my academic studies. Academics on this Muslim-Christian interface are useless if they do not relate to real people and their pains! Here, I want to say that I am deeply grateful for the teachers and classmates who coped with me through those last 27 months of my school days. Many years later, one of those teachers told me that she now realised how little they had known of how they might have helped, and how hard it was to guess how they should react. But I want to say that they did what they could, and gave me a measure of stability and care which was invaluable. School also had a great impact on developing the roots of faith which have been foundational to my whole career. It was writing

an RE essay in the LIV which convinced me of the existence of God and that, if He existed, that should make a difference to my life. It was my best friend (Barbara Colebrook, now a poet in Canada) who persuaded me to go on a Christian holiday in the summer following my parents’ death; and it was the teacher who organised the small Christian group (Miss Graham) who let me talk about my home situation. It was during those difficult months that I understood that, if my shattered life was to mean

anything, it would have to be through God using it, so I handed it over to Him, to do whatever He wanted with me for the rest of my life. I wonder what He will lead me into next!

Ida Glaser July 2021

Ida with the Archbishop of Canterbury at the launch of The Sanneh Institute, Ghana.

Ida visiting former students in Malaysia.

PRINCE PHILIP’S GREATEST LEGACY

Open to all backgrounds, cultures and abilities, the D of E Award raises young people’s aspirations and resilience. No other programme offers the same range of experiences and opportunities. Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, was born in 1921 and died this year at the age of 99. He married Queen Elizabeth II in 1947 and during his 65 years of public life, Prince Philip undertook 22,219 solo engagements, gave 5,496 speeches and wrote 14 books but his greatest legacy is the establishment of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Prince Philip was one of the first pupils to attend Gordonstoun School. Established in 1934, the School offered the Prince a stability and security previously unknown to him following a largely nomadic and lonely childhood. The School was founded by German educationalist Kurt Hahn who later became a personal friend to the Prince and it was at Hahn’s suggestion that the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was established in 1955. The award was intended to bridge the gap for young men in the post-war era leaving formal education at 15 and entering into National Service at 18. The award aimed to encourage these men into making the best use of their

free time, to find interests and develop new skills as well as a sense of purpose and selfconfidence that would support them into their future and help them become well rounded citizens. Led by Sir John Hunt (later Lord Hunt) the Award had four sections; Rescue and Public Service, Expeditions, Pursuits and Projects and Fitness and proved so successful that by the second year of its existence the project was rolled out to girls and overseas. Over the past 66 years more than eight million people have completed their D of E and almost half a million youngsters in over 130 countries and territories are currently enrolled at either bronze, silver or gold level. The Duke was a lifelong advocate for young people, believing in each individual’s potential and the transformational impact of the Duke of Edinburgh Award on thousands of people across the world will be his everlasting legacy. In 2020, over 330,000 young people continued with their D of E activities, a huge force for good dedicating 1.8million

“It’s what I like to describe as a do-ityourself growing up kit.”

RIP His Royal Highness Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh hours of volunteering from sewing PPE at their kitchen tables to delivering food parcels to those who needed them most. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has always been extremely popular at NHSG with a large percentage of the Year Groups taking part. As School D of E Co-ordinator and Silver Award Leader I have the pleasure to work alongside Mrs Laura Hall (Gold Award Leader) and Mrs Nina Cameron (Bronze Award Leader) who are amazing in

ensuring the smooth running of the programme. In true NHSG spirit, our girls have always risen to the challenges at all levels of the Scheme. They undertake a huge variety of activities for the three sections – Physical, Skills and Volunteering. These range from different sporting activities, musical and performing arts qualifications, helping out at Junior School or charity shops and completing First aid courses. The expeditions always create a plethora of emotions from tears to laughter. The ever changing weather is usually the main cause of tears. We have undertaken expeditions from beautiful sunshine one minute torrential rain, sleet and snow the next. It’s comforting to know that laughter and smiles far outweigh the tears usually at the expense of teachers or other pupils. Incidents such as pupils moving teachers’ tents to another field or on top of vehicles, falling in cowpats, being chased by various forms of wildlife, losing boots in bogs and toilet tents falling over whilst occupied. The list is endless.

The start of the Pandemic meant that the normal running of the D of E Programme in school became a huge challenge. Different rules and regulations set by the D of E allowed us to change our usual routines to the benefit of our pupils. Regardless of the easing of these rules the dreaded Covid inevitably affected the implementation of our scheduled trips. After numerous postponements and cancellations the D of E team along with a regular cohort of staff spent a solid two week period at the end of the Summer term out in the hills with pupils from Years 10 and 11 finishing their Bronze Qualifying and Silver Practice expeditions as well as Years 12 and 13 finishing their Silver and Gold Awards. This was a monumental task and everyone rallied together in true NHSG style ensuring the girls successfully completed their expeditions. Luckily, for most of the fortnight, the weather was perfect (sometimes too sunny!). However, the final day for the Gold Expedition on the Simonside Hills proved challenging due to very thick fog and poor visibility but that

did not stop our Sixth Formers who continued on with grit and determination. The next chapter for 2021-22 will, fingers crossed, be back to normal. That means camping under the moonlight, cooking in Trangias, and carrying a full pack of essentials. However, there is always one constant and that is the commitment of our girls and the sense of achievement they feel when they have finished their routes and are back on the coach looking forward to a hot, relaxing bath. A huge thank you to all the staff who regularly sacrifice their valuable time including weekends, office staff behind the scenes, and to my wonderful D of E team for making the programme at NHSG such a huge success.

Dr Kay Gray

Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator and Silver Award Leader

WHAT DID THE WAR DO FOR US? 100 years ago, 1921, the nation is reeling from WW1. We reflect on this pivotal period in time and what it meant for women. Between 1914 and 1918, the lives of millions of women in Britain were overturned by the first world war. With hundreds of thousands of men away from home, women filled manufacturing and agricultural positions on the home front, finding work opportunities that were not only better paid but also far more rewarding. The number of women in paid employment increased during this period from 4.93 million to 6.19 million. The suffragette movement – which had caused such a stir before the outbreak of war – was diverted by the onset of conflict – and campaigned instead for women’s right to be at the heart of the war. And so by 1917 a move to create a Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps was put in place. A short while later it was followed by a Women’s Royal Navy Service and Women’s Air Force. So amid the anguish of loss of the war years there was definitely the exhilaration of emancipation for some women. But the many gains were offset by some depressing losses as

the war drew to a close as, with the declaration of peace, came a predictable backlash. In 1918 women over the age of 30 were given the right to vote and a year later the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act made it illegal to exclude women from jobs because of their sex. But the very same year, the Restoration of PreWar Practices, meant that men should be given priority in employment and in 1918 750,000 women were made redundant to make way for the demobilised troops. Many women found themselves pushed back into the home and into caring roles for husbands, fathers and brothers maimed and incapacitated by the fighting. Women who resisted were vilified in the press, described as “ruthless self-seekers depriving men and their dependants of their livelihood”; others as “leeches” and “parasites”, determined to “have the time of their lives” at the expense of the returning men and of wider society. Cultural conservatives were keen to see these women

return to more ‘traditional’ areas of work, making women ineligible for unemployment benefit if they refused to take up available jobs in domestic service. Even women’s football was banned. Tolerated by the Football Association (FA) during the war, with the men’s game largely shut down and money being raised for servicemen, women’s football flourished, drawing extraordinary crowds of 53,000 people. But in 1921 the FA banned its members from allowing women’s football to be played at their grounds and forbade its members from acting as referees or linesmen at women’s games, effectively killing the women’s game overnight. Explaining their decision, the FA released a statement in which it concluded that football was “quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged”. Newspapers expressed deep concern at the unsuitable conduct of post-war women, particularly despairing of those that served in uniform ‘In some cases Army life has not been an unmixed blessing, they

700,000 British men had been killed during the conflict, exacerbating an already unequal distribution of men to women in the population. The 1921 census revealed that there were 1.75 million more women than men in the UK. These ‘surplus’ women were patronised and treated as if their predicament was of their own making. Labelled as ‘Spinsters’ and ‘old maids’ and less benignly ‘manhaters’, ‘militants’, ‘shrews’ and ‘cigarette-smoking hoydens’, options were very limited for women in this situation. Those women unable to find satisfaction through marriage and who remained at home with their parents or married siblings were powerless, naïve and desperate to be kind and useful so they could retain their precarious toehold in the household. Higher Education was still rare and accepted professions (secretarial, nursing, teaching) were poorly paid.

show a tendency to avoid the home and sever their home ties; the efforts they make to appear ‘bold’ and masculine, whether it be in excessive cigarette smoking or the thrusting of their hands deep into their side pockets, all go to indicate the loss of grace and

charm which in the old days caused their fathers to espouse their mothers.” Even had they displayed the correct amount of grace and charm to attract a husband, many of these women were destined to remain single.

Undeniably the Great War changed Britain’s society and despite the efforts of some to return women to their pre-war roles, British women had gained new social and economic options and stronger political voices – empowered and more confident their lives would never be the same again.

WITH THANKS TO THE ADAMSON FAMILY In 2004 the School received an immensely generous legacy from the Adamson family who held the School in high regard for over 100 years. Born in 1876 to William and Celina, Florence Elizabeth Young enjoyed a privileged and enlightened childhood. The family firm, Thomas Young & Sons, enjoyed great success supplying napiery to ocean liners at the height of the romantic and remarkable age of ocean travel, servicing great Tyne & Wear built liners such as the RMS Mauretania and Carpathia. Her Mother, Celina Young, was a champion of female education and enrolled her daughter Florence at Central Newcastle High School when it opened on Park Terrace in 1895. She became a stalwart friend of the School, maintaining a vivid and tireless interest in its welfare. Florence too was devoted to the School. Appointed Head Girl in 1900 she remained very much part of the School community as Secretary of the Old Girls’ Guild and subeditor of the School magazine. Remembered for her sympathy and sweetness as well as her organising power and method and the way she ‘mildly but grimly’ extracted donations of garments for the poor

from members of the guild for institutions such as the infirmary and the orphanage. She vigorously encouraged old girls to join the guild and stand by the School they believed in, its methods and its results, in the friendships established and its ability and commitment to support the needy. Her retirement on marriage to Mr David Adamson in 1913 was greeted with great despondency by Miss Moberly, the in-dominatable Head Mistress upon whose character of integrity, tolerance and generosity the School was built. David and Florence had two children, Yvonne on 5th November 1917 and David Frederic (Fred) on 4th June 1919. Both children were

enrolled at Central High Kindergarten, Fred until he turned six and the School became girls only. Yvonne stayed throughout her School career, winning prizes for her peppermint creams, poetry, botany and swimming and followed in her mother’s footsteps to become Head Girl in 1934. Yvonne was awarded a place to study Modern Languages at St. Hilda’s College, Oxford, completing her degree in 1939 just as Fred took up a place at Oxford. Fred’s career as a student was however short lived. At 11.15am on Sunday 3rd September 1939, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declared the Outbreak of War

against Germany and by 1941 Fred, now trained and part of the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division was sent to North Africa to fight in the Western Desert Campaign. Between 1941 and 1942 the 50th were stationed in Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Lybia where Fred was captured during the first battle of El Alamein by the 21st Panzer Division and remained a POW for the rest of the War.

We are very fortunate to have in our archives a comprehensive collection of Fred’s communications with home during the War. The importance of communication with home for POWs cannot be overstated and is overwhelmingly evident in Fred’s letters. His gratitude for letters, photographs and parcels from home and his deep yearning for his family and his Northumberland home are palpable on every page and postcard. Fred, a much reduced man in both mind and body, (‘a bit of a bag of bones’) was liberated or ‘De-Bagged’ by the 30th American Division of the US Army at 0921 Hours on the 12th April 1945. He returned to his beloved family cottage near Alston and slowly recuperated, at first only able to eat Horlicks granules out of a jar with a teaspoon. The collection is an extraordinary, poignant

account of one man’s War, it details the slow inexorable erosion of a young man’s resilience under conditions of cold, constant hunger and unimaginable mental duress, relieved only by letters from home. The collection can be viewed at newcastlehighschoolforgirls. daisy.websds.net Communication was equally important to Yvonne who by the end of the War in 1945 had established herself as a freelance journalist and was working for the BBC in Newcastle. Yvonne became a highly respected producer, remembered particularly for her pioneering work in developing and using recording in the field. Travelling to the remotest parts of Northumberland to record the sounds of the country and its people, she felt it both to be a responsibility and a privilege to represent Northumberland and its inhabitants: ‘You know, there isn’t a hamlet nor a remote valley, nor a little farmhouse that hasn’t some living soul in it who has something original, something interesting to write… These are wonderful people’. Both Fred and Yvonne were interested in people and were loyal, kind and generous but they never overcame the devastation wrought by the War on their lives. They determined to leave their fortune to an institution they believed would teach future generations the skills of communication and the

values of tolerance and understanding that would make the world a better, more peaceful place.

The Adamson’s legacy to our School was made in 2004 and supports bursary places for intelligent, determined girls, regardless of financial circumstance, to receive an education from an institution that their family held in high regard for over 100 years. Their legacy funds are invested and their gift will support bursaries here at NHSG in perpetuity. The enduring support and loyalty of Celina, Florence, Fred and Yvonne, three generations of the Adamson family, will continue to support a constant stream of bursary places at NHSG for generations to come. So far their legacy has supported 29 girls through Senior School and those that have completed their education have gone on to become medics, scientific researchers, religious leaders, engineers and historians, amongst other things. Our most recent graduate achieved three A*s at A Level and is studying Biomedical Science at a Russell Group University and a National Centre for Excellence. There are three girls attending NHSG today supported by Fred and Yvonne’s legacy to the School.

GIVING AT NHSG We have empowered and enabled generations of women. These women have informed and shaped the world we live in today and it is our mission to continue to educate the young women of the North East, equipping them with the knowledge, education, skills, values and ability to lead and the courage to make a difference in the world. In an ideal world all young people would have access to an education that offers this extraordinary start in life. The reality is that this opportunity is open to very few. NHSG is committed to building a fairer society, one that will guarantee a better future for the next generation. Our bursary programme opens doors, hearts and minds, creating a diverse school community that fosters social mobility. Currently 15% of our pupils are in receipt of financial support through our bursary programme. Since NHSG was founded in 2014 we have invested over £6million in our bursary programme which has

supported almost 100 girls through the School and a further 68 pupils currently in school. Four out of nine of our most recent bursary programme leavers achieved three A* grades at A Level, one receiving the highest mark worldwide, an extraordinary achievement. Bursaries have been a fundamental part of our School since it’s earliest foundation in 1872 and we know the programme works. We have several notable bursary alumnae. Miriam Stoppard has had a ground-breaking career and in 2010 was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to healthcare and charity. Yvonne HeslopHarrison was the second woman to receive the Royal Society Darwin Medal in recognition of her major contribution to plant physiology and was instrumental in the establishment of the first world seed bank at Kew. Jo Ashbridge is founder and director of Architecture Charity, AzuKo. Her projects change

lives, building homes and improving access to sanitation, writing global guidelines for shelters post-disaster and championing communityled approaches to rural development. Isabella West is a tech entrepreneur and a champion for sustainability, tackling wasteful ‘fast fashion’ and changing the way fashion retail works. The number of bursaries we are able to offer is only limited by the funds we can raise. Our bursaries are currently funded from a variety of sources: The GDST, The Catherine Cookson Trust, The Reece Foundation, legacies, regular giving and occasional donations. Many old institutions have a strong tradition of philanthropic gifts and for generations have built significant endowments, with girls’ schools being the notable exception. Financial control has been male dominated throughout our history but with the rise of women in control of their wealth the face of philanthropy

is changing. In 2021 approximately 67% of women in England advised they had given to charity, compared with 59% of men. Forbes statistics show that women give almost twice as much of their wealth away as men and are more likely to invest in long term solutions than immediate aid. Women have never been in a stronger position to lead, change and shape the economic, social and political landscape. The young women of the North East need your support. We are asking you to invest in an institution with over 300 years of combined experience in educating young women, instilling in them the values and ethos on which the School stands and preparing and inspiring them to become leaders. Each and every gift, large or small, makes a transformational difference. You will be putting the future in the hands of the most talented and brilliant young women of our region, irrespective of their background.

Legacies

Legacies are critical to our bursary programme. Leaving a gift in your will to NHSG is a generous, far sighted act that will provide for the future of the School and enable us to continue to shape and mould the leaders and trail blazers of tomorrow, offering an education founded on honour,

fairness, kindness and integrity to the brightest young women of the North East, regardless of financial circumstance. Compassionate, educated children are the most powerful legacy we can leave behind. We are now pleased to be able to offer a free will writing service (with no obligation to leave us a gift). If you are considering leaving us a gift in your will, please do get in touch.

Regular Giving and One Off Donations

If you would like to consider supporting us now, donations at all levels truly make a difference. Each and every amount donated contributes

towards the education of an exceptional young woman. The simplest way to make a single or regular gift is online at www.gdst.net/donate/

Newcastle

Please use capital N! Alternatively, please complete the enclosed gift form and return it in the prepaid envelope. 100% of all donations go directly to support pupils at Newcastle High School for Girls. Contact Polly De Giorgi, Philanthropy Manager. Tel: 0191 201 6549 Email: p.degiorgi@ncl.gdst.net

IN MEMORIAM

Since the last newsletter we have been advised of the sad news of the following alumnae and staff. Dorothy Powell Alumna of Church High 1930-2020 Dorothy taught in Church High Junior School until the late 1980s. She passed away peacefully on her 90th birthday in February last year.

Elizabeth Martin Former Staff, Central High 1936-2021 Elizabeth Anne Watson married William Martin in 1961 and worked at Central High as school secretary between 1961-1966 until a brief move to Peterborough in 1966. Paul was born in Carlisle in 1969 and they moved back to the North East in 1972. They lived in Ponteland until she passed away peacefully at Marie Curie Hospice on 17th April 2021.

Vivienne Bruce Charleton Alumna of Church High 1939-2021 Vivienne sadly died in February of this year having lived for a number of years in Lowick, near Berwick upon Tweed. She had been a pupil at Church High School and, until recently, met regularly with friends from her year group. Vivienne will

be missed for her beautiful contralto singing voice and her unique personality. She gained her Private Pilot’s Licence in her twenties, and was very well known for her love of all animals. Her funeral at West Road Crematorium was attended by many friends.

Elizabeth Bird Alumna of Church High 1945-2021

Dr Elizabeth Bird, pioneering feminist academic, has died of cancer aged 76. As head of continuing education and Dean of the Arts at Bristol University, she was a key figure in the development of women’s and gender studies within the University and nationally. Born in Gateshead, she became Head Girl of Church High. After a short cultural course at Perugia Univeristy, she studied PPE at Oxford followed by an MA at Sussex University, then a year Cornel in the USA

(where she was known as the red haired English Bolshevik!) before returning to Sussex to attain a DPhil in the Sociology of Art and Literature. Her first salaried post was at Glasgow University, researching the Glasgow school of artists before moving to Bristol. Her first task there was to inspire ambition for further education in rural communities. For this she was awarded her MBE. An enthusiastic commitment to wide-ranging cultural work brought her the admiration and support of hundreds of colleagues and students. Fearless and energetic she stood up for women’s rights through the Senate and UAT and fought for women’s and gender courses against strong opposition. Always a keen artist, after retirement from Bristol she gained another MA in Fine Art from the University of the South West and exhibited her work throughout the region. Liz’s personal kindness and down-to-earth generosity are recalled by everyone from porters to secretaries and even Vice Chancellors and senior academics. She was a loyal and imaginative friend to many and a committed mother and grandmother.

France, where she owned a second home in rural Brittany, always had a special place in her heart. Watching tennis and cricket as well as writing her memoirs occupied her final days. She is survived by Brian - they married in 2008 - by her son Francis, grandchildren Sam and Iris and siblings Michael and Victoria.

Angela Milner Alumna of Church High 1947-2021

Angela was born in Gosforth, and educated at Church High. Her interest in the natural world began at an early age and led her to pursue a degree in Zoology at Newcastle University, with the goal of becoming a microbiologist. However, a series of lectures from Alec Panchen inspired her to pursue palaeontology, and she began her PhD research at Newcastle in 1969 under his supervision. After a stint in academic publishing, Angela was appointed to a curatorship

at the Natural History Museum in 1976, with responsibility for fossil amphibians, reptiles and birds. During her time at the museum, Angela rose through the ranks, reflecting her expertise and administrative prowess, eventually becoming assistant keeper of palaeontology, a post she held until retirement in 2009.

in July 2020 and had a long illness during which she was tended by close family. She died on 17th October 2021. She leaves three adult sons and her devoted partner, Jeremy.

Harriet Gayner Alumna of Central High 1991-2021

Several extinct animals have been named in her honour – including the dinosaur Veterupristisaurus milneri – and her influence on her colleagues and on the development of the subject, both in the UK and internationally, has been immense. Angela died on the morning of 13th August 2021 following a short illness at the age of 73. She is survived by husband Andrew.

Rebekah Swift Alumna of Central High 1959-2021 Rebekah joined Central High as a pupil in the Junior School around 1966 and moved up to the Senior School in 1970. She left the school at Easter 1974 when her family relocated to the south of England. Rebekah was diagnosed with cancer

We were deeply saddened to hear of the recent passing of Harriet, aged 30, on Friday 17th September following a battle with breast cancer. Our deepest sympathies are with Harriet’s family.

@centralhighalumnaeandfriends @tankervillehouse @NHSGAlumnae newcastlehigh.gdst.net/alumnae/

Newcastle Alumnae Newsletter 2021/2022

Articles inside

In Memoriam

What Did the War Do For Us?

Giving at NHSG

With Thanks to the Adamson Family

The Future Looks Smart

Advice from Alumnae

Prince Philip’s Greatest Legacy

School Recollections

Standing Up for Sustainable Fashion

NHSG School News

Ida’s Journey

Dedication to Diversity