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Puzzle Corner
ALUMNAE NEWS
CNHS 50 Year Reunion
The 1972 Leavers enjoyed a wonderful 50 Year Reunion this year. A very special and memorable weekend.
Just under 40 of the group of around 55 that are still in touch with each other, signed up and apart from three, who sadly cancelled the day before, due to illness, all descended on Newcastle one weekend in September, with many coming from out of the area to visit friends, relations and explore Newcastle and Northumberland.
Having had two previous reunions at Eskdale Terrace, it was definitely time for a very different informal neutral venue, somewhere that resembled a 21st Century Sixth Form Common Room, as opposed to the Eslington Tower Sixth Form Common Room, that we all knew of the 1970s.
The Three Mile in Gosforth was perfect, it ticked all the boxes with weekend accommodation, parking and a private lounge, aka a Sixth Form Common Room!
With drinks on arrival and Central High shrieks of amazement that we were all together again, age 68, it got off to a great start. A lovely buffet and more drinks were provided and then gradually the decibels lowered slightly as we moved around reminiscing about our School days, those special and funny moments and exchanging news and hugs.
Before long it was time for the group photo, followed by a very loud rendition of The Keel Row!
“As I came thro’ Sandgate, thro’ Sandgate, thro’ Sandgate. As I came thro’ Sandgate, I heard a lassie sing:
Then the celebration CNHS 50 Year Reunion Cake was cut and enjoyed by everyone with further refreshments. And still the chatter continued for a few more hours, until it was time for the goodbye hugs and promises to do it all again, in five years!
All retired, or almost all, and now enjoying lives away from the many varied careers that everyone had and appreciative of their Central High education but far more grateful for the friendships made during the years at both West Avenue and Eskdale Terrace. Friendships that have stood the test of time, and a very special bond that our lovely Year Group has between us.
Thank you very much, Central High!
By Helen Turnbull (Central High, Class of 1972).
NEWS FROM THE GDST
GDST 150
This year the GDST celebrated a milestone in girls’ education. The GDST, or GPDST as it was then, was founded 150 years ago by four pioneering women who dedicated themselves to giving girls a first-class education. These four brave women – Lady Stanley of Alderley, Maria Grey, Mary Gurney and Emily Shirreff – dedicated their lives to making sure that girls were given the same opportunities as their brothers, at a time when opportunities for girls to be educated were scarce and hard won.
In 1872, the four founders of the Girls’ Day School Trust embarked on a mission that would change the course of girls’ education forever and their mission has burned bright ever since.
In today’s complex, contradictory and pressurised world, girls’ education has never been more important. The GDST has remained at the forefront of girls education and every aspect of a GDST education is dedicated to creating environments where girls are free from stereotypes and preconceptions, where they can express their ideas and know that they will be listened to. GDST girls can step out into the world with the confidence and creativity to take on the world as they wish and make a positive impact on others.
An Evening of Celebration
On Monday 28th November 2022, the GDST held the 150 Evening of Celebration at the Science Museum in London to mark this significant milestone in girls’ education and to kickstart the GDST’s 150th Bursary Campaign. It was also where our Alumna Ellie Cannon was awarded the prestigious ‘GDST Alumna of the Year’ 2022. Dr Grace Spence-Green (South Hampstead High School alumna) won the Trailblazer Award, given to an alumna who is achieving outstanding early acclaim in her career. Pictured left to right: Juliet Humphries (Chair of GDST Trustees), Cheryl Giovannoni (GDST Chief Executive), Dr Ellie Cannon, Dr Grace Spence-Green.
This year the GDST became a founding member of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS). The ICGS represents over 300,000 female students across the globe to create a community of shared identity, potential and power amongst girls and women and to forge a path to empower them to be ethical, globally minded change makers who lead with courage, competence and empathy. Our girls are the change-makers, the leaders and the bridge-builders, our girls are the future.
