Co-owner of Restaurant Hjem, Hexham Northumberland
Dear Alumnae,
I do hope that you have had a wonderful start to 2025, and that our alumnae newsletter finds you well.
Our 2024/2025 edition is full of delicious delights! I write this because our opening article is about Ally Thompson, alumna, and co-owner of the Michelin star restaurant Hjem in Northumberland. There’s also been a lot of news about our scrumptiously beautiful production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the perfect antidote to the January blues.
This year we have been celebrating a significant milestone, our tenth year as Newcastle High School for Girls, and we are looking forward to our 150th anniversary of the foundation of our school in 2026. You can read more about these and our school’s rich heritage on pages 28 and 29.
Contained within the 54 pages of this year’s magazine is the fascinating history of Chapman House, home of our Junior School, written by alumna and local history guide, Dee Pass. This article is paired with insights from our Head of Junior School, Emma Barnett, on the memories pupils are making now. See pages 14 and 16.
Additionally, we delve into the history of the Freemen of Newcastle on pages 30 and 31, the custodians of Newcastle’s Town Moor. We are pleased to learn the Freemen now include women as well as men!
For those who’ve attended our Grand Reunions, you may recall Audrey Marks and Anne Walton, whose enduring friendship began during their
school days in the 1940s. Their remarkable bond and Anne’s experience as an evacuee in Alnwick are explored on pages 18 and 19. Meanwhile, our Year 2 pupils have been enthralled to learn about how pupils from our school were evacuated to Alnwick and Keswick during World War II, a story they celebrated on their ‘Evacuee Day’ on pages 20 and 21.
We also spotlight our trailblazing alumnae throughout the newsletter, including Professor Alison Bruce, who was awarded the prestigious 2024 Institute of Physics Ernest Rutherford Medal and Prize, and the first to win this award as a single female recipient on page 26.
We pay tribute to alumnae who have sadly passed away recently, and memories are shared by family and friends on pages 42-46.
My thanks go to all the contributors to our newsletter, and to Polly De Giorgi and Isobel Care for their hard work in creating this edition.
I do hope to see you at one of our future events and reunions. We plan to hold another London Gathering in early summer, and our Grand Reunion will take place on 4th October 2025.
With my best wishes,
Janice Graves Director of Marketing and Communications
D
ear Alumnae,
The 2023-24 academic year was hugely successful for Newcastle High School for Girls GDST.
We continue to deliver our mission to ensure that here at NHSG, girls have the freedom to be themselves, to thrive in the classroom free from constraints. We are committed to ensuring that our girls have a voice and are afforded the space to share their ideas without inhibition.
NHSG is a school that is futurefacing in every sense, where no subject or opportunity is off limits as a result of gender, stereotype or expectation, and where girls are both equipped and empowered with the ambition, intrinsic-motivation, inspiration and drive to succeed in school, as well as in the future, in whichever field they choose.
Indeed, this drive to aim high among our pupils was especially noted in the ISI Inspection Report in January 2024, where it was reported that NHSG has a strong learning culture, one that is reflected in the pupils’
enthusiasm for learning and their healthy ambition to perform well.
Every day, I am surrounded by happy, focused, engaging young women who are keen to learn, who are ambitious for themselves and who are wonderfully supportive of each other.
Our ambition and innovation has been recognised by no fewer than three national award nominations this year, including national Independent Senior School of the Year and national Independent Junior School of the Year. This national recognition is testament to the outstanding education we offer.
Our ambition and commitment to excellence also led to incredible success in external examination results this summer, with over 80% of A Level grades at A*-B and almost all of our Year 13 leavers securing their firstchoice university place.
An exciting new development this year has been our partnership with Ipswich Girls School in Brisbane, Australia,
and this summer, Year 9 pupils have been offered the opportunity to spend three weeks in Brisbane, attending Ipswich High School and experiencing, first hand, life for girls of their age at the opposite side of the planet. All this is alongside the wealth of co-curricular opportunities that are offered to girls every day, allowing them to challenge themselves to be the best version of themselves and to reach for the stars.
We are grateful for the support of benefactors in allowing us to reach as many girls as possible, through selfless donations which provide transformational bursaries for girls in the region. This year alone, the Featonby Legacy is allowing us to fund six girls through school on full bursaries.
I hope that you enjoy reading our Alumnae Newsletter and seeing everything that our school community has achieved together.
Amanda Hardie Head
Ally Thompson
INTERVIEW WITH ALLY THOMPSON
Central High alumna Class of 2002
When I told my parents I wanted to pursue a career in hospitality they both were a little lost for words. Having spent four years at university, both at Loughborough and Durham, not to mention the education I received at Central High, they presumed I would continue with my goal of being a Sport Psychologist.
I began my Secondary School career at Central High School in 1995. I was awarded an assisted place, as a pupil who showed some sort of promise in my entrance exam, yet who didn’t necessarily have the means to go to an independent school.
I am incredibly fortunate that whoever was marking my entrance exam that day saw that potential in me, and the assisted place scheme allowed me to pursue my education down this route.
I absolutely loved Central High, I thrived on being part of whatever team or club I could get involved with, especially the sporting side of things, and being around my friends every day. As well as being able to study Latin, Ancient Greek and all the other subjects that crossed my path.
I very clearly remember being told at school (by Mr Beale), that we were not ‘job fodder’. That we should study what we loved and enjoyed and choose our A Levels and University based on that, rather than what we might do after. This bit of advice has always stuck with me and led me to follow my path in hospitality rather than doing what everyone expected me to.
Throughout my later years at school and then university, I always had a job in a restaurant, mainly so I could fund my social life. I continued this after graduation and found that I loved the hospitality industry, food, wine and service so much more than anything else. I travelled all over the world working in restaurants and eventually ended up in Denmark where I met my husband. We relocated to the UK in 2016 and were given the opportunity to take over the running of a country property in Northumberland.
In 2019, my husband (who is helpfully a very good chef) and I were fortunate enough to open our first restaurant, Restaurant Hjem, in Northumberland.
We opened at a difficult time as we had not yet made our first birthday before Covid
meant we had to shut down for the best part of a year. Despite the challenges, we have received some very positive reviews from some influential journalists along the way and continued to go from strength to strength. We were the first restaurant in Northumberland to win a Michelin star in 2021 which is something, as a Northerner, I am very proud of. We have now extended the restaurant so we can seat up to 30 guests, built three additional hotel rooms and a family home for ourselves, which is a relief as living above the bar was not the best.
We have just broken ground on our second restaurant, Restaurant Freyja, which will be a 24-seat restaurant with hotel rooms in the grounds of Close House, in Heddonon-the-wall. This is an incredibly ambitious project but very exciting. Building a restaurant and hotel from scratch is something I had never dreamt of doing. My husband isn’t afraid to say that he intends it to be the best restaurant in the country, if not the world. We have control over every single aspect of the build which is exhilarating and are striving to make it something very unique to the North East, and the country.
NHSG AT
Newcastle High School for Girls recently visited the acclaimed Hjem Michelin Star restaurant, co-owned by former pupil Ally Thompson, as part of their GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition studies. This exciting and creative course focuses on developing practical cooking skills while ensuring pupils gain a thorough understanding of nutrition, food provenance, and the working characteristics of food materials. At its heart, the qualification nurtures practical cookery skills,
equipping pupils with a strong foundation in nutrition. Food preparation skills are integrated into five core topics: Food, Nutrition and Health; Food Science; Food Safety; Food Choice; and Food Provenance.
The visit to Hjem provided a unique opportunity for the girls to see these principles in action. Under the guidance of Hjem’s professional chefs, the girls learned advanced techniques and the precision required in a Michelin-starred
kitchen. The trip highlighted the creativity and dedication required in the culinary world and the girls were inspired both by the commercial kitchen environment and by Ally’s inspiring success story, showing where a passion for food can take you.
NHSG is delighted to welcome a new Head of Food and Nutrition to the school, Vicki Mansueto.
NHSG SCHOOL NEWS
Here we document just some of the news highlights of 2024.
Another year of outstanding examination results
Sixth Form pupils at Newcastle High School for Girls (NHSG) celebrated another phenomenal year on A Level results day 2024 with around half of all grades being at A* – A and an impressive nine percentage point leap at A * – B grades compared to 2023, bucking national trends.
Demonstrating its continued upward academic trajectory in delivering outstanding results for its pupils, NHSG reported that 80% of grades are at A* –B, 95% at grades A – C and a 100% pass rate.
Amanda Hardie, Head, said: “We say it every year, but you really can’t deny the benefits of an all-girl education. We pride ourselves on empowering girls to learn without limits in a productive and dynamic environment. Ambitions are always strong amongst the NHSG pupil community, and I for one can’t wait to hear this cohort’s names mentioned in the years to come as they blaze a trail of success in their chosen field. We are all so incredibly proud of them.”
It was also a very successful year for our GCSE pupils. After reporting a nine percentage point leap at A Level A* – B grades, these GCSE results also saw girls
achieve outstanding success with more than one in three grades awarded at grade 9 or 8 (A*equivalent) and four out of five grades awarded at grades 9 – 6. More than half of NHSG girls in this year’s cohort achieved top grades of 9 – 7 at GCSE in Maths.
NHSG remains dedicated to providing exceptional academic support, enabling each pupil to achieve their very best.
Four sensational performances of Legally Blonde
A talented cast of 83 pupils performed the stage version of Legally Blonde to packed audiences at the beginning of February 2024. Legally Blonde tells the story of sorority girl turned Law student, Elle Woods.
With professional staging, lights and audio, alongside a fabulous cast and Performing Arts team, the 2024 School Musical certainly didn’t disappoint.
We had over 1300 audience members across the four shows, and we would like
to say a huge thank you to everyone who came to watch and support the pupils. We look forward to January and February 2025 when NHSG perform the sensational new musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Tickets are on sale now at www.trybooking.com/uk/EGEL
The Lion King Jr left audiences in awe
In the final half-term of the 2023/24 academic year, pupils in Years 4, 5 and 6 came together to perform in the spectacular musical production of The Lion King Jr. The girls performed two shows to a combined audience of nearly 700 people. Months of hard work and dedication paid off, as each girl enthusiastically embraced the challenge, embodying the spirit of the characters they portrayed with a real sense of commitment and joy. Thank you to the incredible Performing Arts team for their hard work in putting together the shows. We are excited to see the 2025 Junior School performances of Shrek The Musical in June. Information regarding tickets will be released in due course.
Winners of the national ‘Step Into the NHS’ Competition
The national ‘Step into the NHS’ secondary school competition prize was awarded to three pupils from NHSG in recognition of their innovative approach to promoting careers in healthcare.
The entry, which was submitted by Year 9 pupils Hannah, Millie and Lily, was selected from 1,483 entries by 2,455 students from 145 different schools.
In response to the competition brief, the three girls created an innovative information vending machine dispensing facts and figures, as well as a short film, to raise awareness of the benefits of working as a ‘dramatherapist’ within the NHS. They were presented with the award by Annie Laverty, Director of Patient and Staff Experience at Newcastle Hospitals, at a special school presentation event. After this the pupils’ achievement and their winning film was displayed on a giant DigiVan
which toured Newcastle, stopping at iconic locations across the city.
The ‘Step into the NHS’ secondary school competition launches at the start of each school year and an overall national winner is selected from a number of regional winners. It has been designed to highlight the 350 different career pathways on offer within the NHS – one of the world’s biggest employers.
NHSG named as Finalist in Independent Schools of the Year Award
Newcastle High School for Girls was named as a Finalist in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards after having been shortlisted in July.
The Independent Schools of the Year awards are designed to celebrate and showcase the extraordinary achievements of independent schools across the country.
The School’s nomination centres around the story of the outstanding educational journey girls experience at NHSG, from their first tentative steps in Nursery, to their confident steps out into the world beyond Sixth Form as they follow their chosen path and realise their dreams. The ‘Dream making to Trailblazing’ campaign encapsulates this journey and communicates an educational experience like no other at the leading girls’ school.
International Women’s Day 2024
International Women’s Day (IWD) took place on 8th March 2024. NHSG is proud to celebrate this day with our International Women’s Day Prize, kindly donated and presented by Margaret and Christopher Vane.
The theme this year was ‘trailblazing women’, and pupils could submit their entry in whichever shape or form they liked. Three Junior School winners were selected from a really impressive and tough collection of entries. Congratulations to our Junior School prize winners:
1st place - Tabitha, Year 6; 2nd place - Francesca, Year 3; 3rd place - Abigail, Year 1.
NHSG alumna and BAFTAwinning actor, Maya Torres, class of 2021, presented the NHSG IWD prizes to our three Senior School winners. 1st place - Saffie, Year 9; 2nd place - Maz, Year 11; 3rd place - Caridad, Year 9.
Exciting, Inspiring and Empowering girls in STEM at STEMpowerment
On Tuesday 12th March 2024, we held our annual STEMpowerment Day at NHSG. It began with two brilliant workshops for Year 7 and 8 on Cyber Security from Cyber First North East, and Coding from Sage. This was part of British Science Week, and gave the girls more of an insight into the world of Computing, on top of their usual curriculum. After that, there was an opportunity for all pupils from across the school to attend our STEMpowerment Exhibition. The exhibition was designed to excite and inspire girls in STEM from an early age, as our ambition is to tackle the gender imbalance that still exists in STEM-based careers.
Our STEMpowerment Exhibition saw some big names in STEM, including AkzoNobel, Sage UK, and Cundall, alongside the universities of Newcastle, Northumbria, Nottingham and Sunderland, who came together to share innovations, offer interactive experiences and give advice on how to progress an exciting career in STEM.
Alongside these renowned organisations, pupils also had the opportunity to present their own work and STEM achievements that have taken place over the course
of this year, from robotics to sustainability projects. The quality of their presentations was excellent, and we know our pupils will be the future of STEM innovation. We also heard from Central High alumna Dr Elizabeth Bishop, who is the Deputy Programme Director for the Electro-Mechanical Engineer Degree Level Apprenticeship at the University of Nottingham, where she is paving the way for new entry routes into engineering degrees. Dr Bishop’s PhD is in Techniques and Technologies for Large-Scale Additive Manufacturing: her research stretching from developing smart 3D printers to the mass manufacture of COVID-19 face shields.
It was a wonderful day of STEM.
Another spectacular annual Prizegiving event
The annual Prizegiving ceremony for NHSG was held on the evening of Tuesday 17th September 2024, at the stunning Glasshouse: International Centre for Music. This much-anticipated event brought together pupils, staff, governors and parents in a celebration of academic excellence and exceptional achievements. Prizegiving, a highlight of the NHSG calendar, is a key event for the NHSG community to gather together to formally recognise the success of pupils from Years 4 to 13 in the previous academic year.
The evening celebrated not only the academic achievements of NHSG pupils, but provided the opportunity to reward an array of impressive accomplishments in cocurricular pursuits, including Duke of Edinburgh, Music and Drama, as well as recognise the contribution to school life through the Embodiment of School Spirit awards. Also invited across the stage were the NHSG Platinum Award winners. The Platinum Award is presented to pupils who have demonstrated exceptional behaviour, skills, effort and attitude throughout the academic year.
Each prize awarded acknowledged the hard work and determination of the pupils, underscoring NHSG’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded young women prepared to succeed in any endeavour they pursue.
The evening was further enhanced by captivating performances from NHSG’s talented pupils, showcasing their artistic abilities and passion for the arts. The audience were treated to delightful excerpts from recent school productions, including scenes from “Legally Blonde” and “The Lion King Jnr.,” performed by Senior and Junior School pupils. The performances provided a glimpse into the creative spirit of the NHSG community, reminding everyone of the vibrant talents NHSG pupils bring to the stage and beyond.
Prizegiving at NHSG is more than an awards ceremony; it represents the culmination of a year of growth, challenges, and milestones for each pupil and in particular, the opportunity to send good wishes to the former Year 13 pupils whose futures have been shaped at NHSG and who are now pursuing their dreams at University.
As the evening drew to a close, pupils, families, and staff looked forward to a new academic year filled with fresh opportunities and possibilities. NHSG remains dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and inspiring environment that enables every girl to be the best version of herself and make her unique mark on the world.
CHAPMAN HOUSE THROUGH TIME
Written by Dee Pass, local history guide and alumna.
Seven mansion houses were built in Sandyford, an agricultural area in the ancient township of Jesmond. Of those impressive houses, only one remains; Villa Real, now known as Chapman House, Junior School of NHSG.
The house was designed by the most noted architect in Northern England - John Dobson, who designed Newcastle Railway station and worked with Richard Grainger on developing the neoclassical centre of Newcastle. The house was built in 1817, set in 21 acres of landscaped gardens including a vinery shed, a melon ground, a fish pond and a fishing house. It also included two pinieries to grow the fashionable pineapple.
Captain Dutton lived in the house with his wife, Elizabeth, and children. His son, Thomas, was christened Thomas Villa Real Dutton in 1808. The name of the house is thought to be from an area in Portugal where Captain Dutton served with the Royal Anglesey Fusiliers.
The house was then bought by Sir Thomas Burdon, a wealthy mine owner, in 1826. He married Jane Scott, sister
of John Scott, also known as Lord Eldon and William Scott, also known as Lord Stowell. Sir Thomas died at Jesmond Towers, the same year that he bought Villa Real.
Sir Thomas Burdon’s son, Richard Burdon Sanderson, sold Villa Real to Russell Blackbird, a Shipbroker, in 1827. In 1828, a stonebuilt Bronze Age cist was discovered within the grounds, it contained the bones of a man and a food vessel. The vessel was donated to the Newcastle Antiquarians and can be found in the Black Gate Museum at Newcastle Castle and is the finest specimen of Northern pre-historic food vessels in the collection. Anne Blackbird survived her husband and lived in the house until 1852.
The next occupant was William Wright, a glass manufacturer. His brother, Joseph, bought the house from William. The Wright family lived there until 1865.
Robert Harrison, a tanner, lived in Villa Real with his wife, Elizabeth, and three children. In 1877, a servant’s husband stole silverware worth £2, 10s and served six months hard labour for the crime.
The Harrisons sold the property in 1881 to Dr. Charles Gibb, who changed the name of the house to Sandyford Park. He was one of Newcastle’s best known GPs, and worked until the day of his death at the age of 92. He played an important role in the cholera epidemic of 1853. Dr. Gibb had previously lived on Westgate Road, now known as Gibb Chambers. His popularity soared after he was mentioned in Geordie Ridley’s song, The Blaydon Races. Dr. Gibb married Frances in 1866 and they had four children together and employed ten servants.
By 1917, six families had lived in the house, but now, it was to undergo a change of use and another change of name. Villa Real, now known as
Sandyford Park was bought by the Poor Sisters of Nazareth and renamed Nazareth House. The Poor Sisters of Nazareth were one of the oldest established Roman Catholic religious orders in Britain. Like other Nazareth Houses across the country, the large house became a live-in convent school where children over the age of five were looked after and educated. In 1939, the building was extended and a three-storey purpose built orphanage was opened, doubling the capacity from 70 to 140. The funds had been raised by the nuns from house to house collections throughout the area.
In the same year, a chapel was opened by the Right Reverend Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, Joseph McCormack. Relics of Saint Valerian and Saint Innocentis were cemented into the altar and 100 priests formed a choir to celebrate the opening of the chapel.
Changes in societal attitudes towards child welfare and advancements in social services led to the decline of conventled orphanages and by 1995, only three nuns remained living at Nazareth House. They were transferred to a convent in Hammersmith and Catholic Care North East took over managing the building.
In 1999, five of the original 21 acres and the buildings were purchased by the GDST for Central High’s Junior School.
It was renamed Chapman House after former headmistress, Angela Chapman (1984-2000).
In 2013, a £5 million refurbishment began.
In 2014, Central High and Church High merged to form NHSG and combined to thrive in the wonderful John Dobson building, with all of its fascinating history.
John Dobson, Architect
Dr Gibb, GP
MAKING MEMORIES AT OUR JUNIOR SCHOOL, CHAPMAN HOUSE
Written by Emma Barnett, Head of Junior School.
We celebrated 10 years of Newcastle High this year and to highlight our rich heritage, we installed a giant timeline at Chapman House, home of our Junior School pupils. This has sparked a great deal of interest and excitement among our Junior School girls and their families, especially alumnae of Central High and Church High. The timeline not only celebrates our combined history, dating back to 1876, but also provides a vivid link to the past, allowing teachers, parents and girls to reflect on the changes that have shaped our school. From the evolution of the buildings to the design of the school uniform, we see a perfect blend of our traditional values and the practical needs of 21st century pupils.
My personal journey at NHSG and Church High has been filled with cherished memories. Starting my teaching career at the Church High Tankerville Terrace site in 1996, and then moving to Chapman House when NHSG officially opened in 2014, has been an incredible experience. Witnessing the development of the School first-hand and being part of its ongoing story is an absolute privilege.
I am confident that the girls who currently attend Chapman House will, in years to come, look back on their time here with great fondness. They will recall the many events, opportunities, and moments that made their Junior School years so special.
While the education system and curriculum requirements have changed considerably since I began my career, one thing has remained constant: our unwavering commitment to providing the very best experience for every girl who walks through the doors of Chapman House. We continually adapt our approach to ensure the girls receive an education that equips them not only with academic excellence but also with the skills, values, and confidence they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
As we move forward, we remain steadfast in our mission to create a nurturing and inspiring environment where every girl can flourish. Whether through our innovative teaching methods, strong pastoral care, or the wealth of co-curricular opportunities, NHSG Junior School continues to be a place where lifelong memories are made, and the foundation for future success is firmly established.
The Junior School experience at Chapman House is second to none. Girls are surrounded by the most impressive and idyllic environment that makes their learning so valuable and an experience like no other. Being surrounded by beautiful spaces and buildings, and amongst staff who are incredibly caring and nurturing to their every need, result in girls who are happy, settled and ready to take on the world.
The Chapman House journey begins in Early Years, an experience that anyone who has visited the school will describe as magical. Girls are encouraged to take bold steps and build resilience, whether by dressing themselves in waterproofs for Forest School, constructing dens, or creating woodwork projects in the fantastic Learning Zone.
These formative experiences lay a foundation for confidence and independence, ensuring that every girl is prepared to make her mark in the rich history of Chapman House.
When we ask our girls how they feel about school, they consistently express how well their teachers know them and how deeply they care.
This strong connection inspires each girl to become the very best version of herself. Every day, they create lasting memories - whether recording a project video, leading a school assembly, embarking on a residential trip, or celebrating a perfect spelling test score. Schools should be places where children build a timeline of joyful, meaningful moments that shape their lives.
I do hope that you all look back on your school days with happy memories, ones that were made at Tankerville Terrace, West Avenue, Chapman House or Eskdale Terrace, and in time, NHSG girls will have a connection with the years they spent at Chapman House, where the timeline will continue to grow and display our rich heritage to the future generations who have experienced an education like no other.
FOCUS ON ALUMNAE CHURCH HIGH
The evacuation of Britain’s cities at the start of World War II was the biggest and most concentrated mass movement of people in Britain’s history. In the first four days of September 1939, the Government initiated Operation Pied Piper and nearly 3,000,000 people were transported from towns and cities in danger from enemy bombers to places of safety in the countryside.
Most were schoolchildren. The fear of air attack from German bombers at the start of hostilities encouraged parents to send their children to safety. The pupils of Newcastle upon Tyne Church High School and Central Newcastle High School, equipped with a gas mask and a paper bag containing rations of two heavy tins of bully beef, boarded special trains to Alnwick and Keswick respectively. Central pupils were billeted with local families (paid 8 shillings per week, per child by the Government) and shared the buildings of Keswick School. The location was a joy to many of the 319 girls who were evacuated and outdoor pursuits in the lovely surroundings made up much of their spare time. Church High pupils were to share the Duchess School and initially were similarly billeted with local families. The Duchess School was however small and timetabling two schools became a serious problem.
The Duchess of Northumberland offered Alnwick Castle as an alternative. Early in November 1940, the castle became home to Newcastle Church High School, functioning as both a boarding and a day school with 220 pupils ranging in age from 4 to 17. Day pupils lived in Alnwick (either with their own families or in billets) but the largest proportion of pupils and teachers boarded at the castle. The dormitories were situated on the first floor and some were in the castle towers. Parents sent a bed, quilt, sheets and a chest of drawers for each of their daughters.
It was not without its own issues!
An excerpt from Dr. Margaret F Yates, Headmistress 1938 - 1941 contribution to the History of Newcastle Church High School.
‘When we first arrived and the great snows had melted, our first dilemma with the little ones, housed aloft in the Duchess’s own nursery wing, was whether to let them climb the steep steps thirty feet up to the four foot wide parapets of the castle battlements. They were so dangerous but if they were forbidden the children might ascend them when no one else was about. If allowed in the early days with plenty of supervision the novelty of constant climbing them might wear off. So for about
three weeks they swarmed over the ramparts and, hearts in mouths, we watched them. Suddenly they stopped and never resumed again. There is a lesson here, I think.’
Rooms were repurposed for school use, the great Guest Hall was used for drill and physical activities (rumour has it that some pupils engaged in a game of seeing who could pull the most whiskers out of the stuffed and mounted animal heads on the walls), the long underground Kitchen Tunnel served as an air-raid shelter, the big billiard and smoking rooms on the first floor were used as staff Common Rooms and the Lower Guard Chamber as the pupil’s Common Room. The Headmistress had the big morning room, furnished in mahogany and wine red brocade in which her desk from Tankerville Terrace ‘seemed quite lost’ but from whose windows she could watch the Lacrosse and other games in the Middle Bailey and the girls on the Castle ramparts.
FOCUS ON ALUMNAE CHURCH HIGH
The last of the evacuee schoolgirls left Alnwick Castle 80 years ago this year, and a reunion of the former pupils from Church High School in Newcastle was held at Alnwick Castle to mark the occasion with an afternoon tea and music from the era. A total of 50 guests attended the event, including family members of former pupils and 15 evacuees themselves. Many brought memorabilia, including photographs and old uniforms. We were able to reunite one attendee with her old school reports!
Two of our guests, Anne and Audrey, remain close friends to this day.
Audrey Marks (James) was one of the small number of pupils to attend the school on Tankerville Terrace, which had remained open for the duration of the war, though much reduced – many rooms were left empty and gathering dust while the kitchens, dining room and gymnasium were used by the special constables and Civil Defence. Audrey started school at the age of 11 in 1941 and met Anne Walton (Hastie) when she returned from Alwnick in 1944.
Audrey enjoyed most subjects (apart from History, taught by Miss Gaunt) and took nine O Levels, including Maths, English and Latin. Audrey remained for Lower Sixth with fond memories of the common room, situated at the very top of the back stairs where there was a roaring fire and where Sixth Form pupils would have their coffee after lunch.
Audrey left school after her A Levels in 1949:
‘In 1949 I was interviewed, in my school uniform, by two Matrons at the RVI and you had to be a certain height and weight. My mother received a letter giving me a place at the RVI to start in July in 1949.’
Audrey qualified as a nurse in 1952 while Anne went to University in London and qualified a year later. Time and distance meant that Anne and Audrey fell out of touch but both their mothers were part of the Business & Professional Women’s Society in Chester Le Street and often discussed their daughters, inviting them to each other’s 21st birthday parties, and after an unexpected meeting at Lord Lanton’s Conservative do and again at the Osteopath their friendship resumed!
We asked Audrey what she would like to say about her friend Anne:
‘Anne is very much an individual. She won’t let anyone stand in her way. She is determined and uses power tools and can do anything with the engine on her boat –she can do anything, entirely different to me! Anne says I am the brains and she is the brawn, I remember everything and she forgets everything!’
Anne joined the school in September 1940 at the age of 8 and went straight to Alnwick Castle. She remained there until the school returned to Newcastle in 1944 when she became a weekly boarder staying in a terraced house nearby.
Talking about her lifelong friend, Anne said:
‘I can’t really remember Audrey at school, as she was an academic and I was an athlete. We used to stay with each other during the holidays and I can remember cooking a slice of apple on a tin lid, over a candle in her garden hut, which was an old tramcar. We both became nurses; I went to London to train at one of the big hospitals (UCH, University College Hospital) but our mothers kept us informed of what the other was doing! We’ve both been married twice and had one child. When I came back to the North East, we just picked up and carried on our friendship. My name at school was Anne Hastie. I had a great time at Alnwick; there were the biggest cockroaches you’ve ever seen! We used to sledge down the pastures (ground from Castle to river). The old Duchess of Northumberland used to call and see us and call us “her gearls!”
We were only allowed one phone call between term and half-term and only allowed one visit under the same terms. There is one Bing Crosby song, that if I ever heard it today, it would take me straight back to the inner courtyard (where the well is). I could tell you so many stories, but I’d run out of space!’
EVACUEE DAY AT JUNIOR SCHOOL
Written by Louise Stairmand, KS1 Phase Leader and alumna
On June 25th 2024, Year 2 travelled back to 1939 to experience what it would have been like to be evacuated as part of Operation Pied Piper.
The day started with the girls arriving, proudly carrying suitcases and dressed in clothes of the time. Suddenly, an air raid siren sounded and the girls had to squeeze into the shelter constructed in the classroom. After the ‘all clear’, we boarded a steam train to Alnwick Castle, just as Church High girls did 85 years ago. Following in their footsteps, the girls learnt the importance of ‘Make Do and Mend’, making peg dolls, glove puppets and accessories. In the archives was a bag containing items Elizabeth Watson made at this time; the girls found these inspirational and we are very grateful these treasures were donated. Home Front inspired activities took place, including an attempt at a rationing recipe of carrot cookies, which led to rather sticky hands!
1940s music proved popular so a swing dance class was a must! Whilst dancing, families started to arrive to visit ‘The Year 2 World War II Museum’. Having become intrigued by our history topic ‘Life on the Home Front’, and following an assembly in which I showed a photograph of my grandfather in his naval uniform in 1939, the girls asked their parents and grandparents about their own family history. Families allowed us to display helmets, uniforms, medals, diaries, photographs…. This is a time which is slipping further and further into the past so to witness young children gaining empathy and pride in what their relatives did was a privilege. The event culminated with the girls performing a particularly touching rendition of ‘We’ll Meet Again’.
This was a day which will live long in many memories and I am sure that our grandparents and great grandparents would be very grateful that their bravery and sacrifices were being remembered and shared with such pride by their future generations.
FOCUS ON ALUMNAE
CENTRAL HIGH
What Central Newcastle High School did for me
Dr Pamela Denham CB DL, 1954 - 1961
My mother had very clear ideas for my future. “Get a good education, become a teacher and find an intelligent husband to keep you”.
I really had no idea what I wanted. I loved writing stories but was also fascinated by numbers and grew to love maths. Saying I wanted to be a teacher meant I could study subjects I liked and potentially combine a career with marriage and a family. In the Sixth Form I grew to like physics, discovering it wasn’t all about pulleys and levers but also exciting “modern” physics. Further careers advice wasn’t needed as I was destined for university, just a decision on where to go.
In the class of 61, 20 out 60 of us went on to university and several to Nursing or Teacher Training (both now degree courses). Science was a popular choice with four choosing Physics.
Crucial advice came from an old girl who returned to teach physics. She encouraged me to apply to King’s College London, then famous for contributing to the structure of DNA. I applied and in 1961 became one of four women among 36 students.
By my final year I was engaged, and the big
question was what to do next? Scientific Civil Service? Patent Office? Teaching? “Don’t go into industry – many men are treated as bottle-washers and a woman certainly will.”
The decision was deferred as I (and my intelligent fiancé) were invited to do PhDs. I was the only woman in the group and, alongside my research, was a major user of London University’s Atlas computer; accompanied my supervisor to college management committees; and worked with a small company developing new scientific instruments. All useful experience.
I married in 1965. If we’d had children, I intended to work for F International, created by Stephanie Shirley, to employ women programmers at home with small children. Longer term, we planned to set up our own business following the example of several husband-and-wife technology businesses. Who says women can’t code!
But in 1966 Harold Wilson’s “white heat of the technological revolution” intervened. I saw an advert for more scientists and engineers to join the Civil Service fast stream and help to run the country, applied and was recruited, deferring entry to finish my PhD.
In October 1967, I joined the new Ministry of Technology. Computers were in their infancy – today you have far more power in your
pocket than the London Atlas computer, then one of the most powerful around. The Ministry was set up to encourage the development and application of new technology and establish the UK as a world leader.
I had a very varied experience over the next 30 years, moving around and up as departments merged and de-merged, but mostly in the Department of Trade and Industry. My PhD proved useful, particularly aiding communication and mutual respect when working with colleagues in scientific grades and with business. My horizons broadened, working on schemes to promote economic activity and being involved in international negotiations.
The 1980s brought the microelectronics revolution, activities, including the BBC Micro Project and Computers in Schools. Exciting times, working closely with Ministers and feeling I was making a real contribution.
My final year in London was in the Cabinet Office on Civil Service Management where the highlight was heading the UK delegation to report on the UK’s performance to the UN Commission on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
Then, in the 1990s, I had the chance to come home and give something back to the Northeast region. I jumped at it. I found a more confident place than that I had left nearly 30 years before – a region.
Still with huge problems but with a will to work together to address them. Then as now, wealth and job creation were priorities and, as Regional Director of the new Government Office, my role was to work in partnership with
local people to coordinate the substantial resources available, eg European Structural Funds and Single Regeneration Budget, to best effect to meet regional needs.
In 1998 a further round of down-sizing brought a very generous offer to retire early. I didn’t fancy going back to London so took the money and stayed.
Drawing on all my experience, I became a “Portfolio Person” and remained self-employed until July 2019. Some voluntary activities remain.
My initial ideas for my future may appear very blinkered to regular readers of Alumnae Newsletters today but I know CNHS gave me confidence to seek out exciting new opportunities.
FOCUS ON ALUMNAE
CENTRAL HIGH
Professor Alison Bruce awarded 2024 Institute of Physics
Ernest Rutherford Medal and Prize
Professor Alison Bruce at CERN, Central
Newcastle High School
Alumna Class of 1979
We are delighted to announce that CNHS Alumna and world-leading physicist, Professor Alison Bruce from the University of Brighton, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Institute of Physics Ernest Rutherford Medal and Prize for her ground-breaking work on studying atomic nuclei. Professor Bruce is the first to win this prestigious award as a single female recipient.
Professor Bruce has been honoured for her groundbreaking work studying atomic nuclei. By examining the properties of these nuclei, her research provides insights into the interaction between the constituent neutrons and protons. This work helps us understand the properties of nuclei we cannot directly observe, such as those involved in solar processes and predict which might be applicable to medical uses like PET scans, bone scans, and cancer treatments with radionuclide therapy.
In its citation, the Institute of Physics (IOP) describes Professor Bruce as a ‘scientific pioneer, academic role model and highly respected international ambassador for nuclear science’.
Professor Bruce now joins a celebrated group of past recipients, including Nobel laureates Niels Bohr, John Cockcroft (after whom a University of Brighton building is named), and Peter Higgs.
The award acknowledges Professor Bruce’s outstanding body of work aimed at understanding the shapes and symmetries in atomic nuclei, achieved through innovative gamma-ray spectroscopic techniques. Her research has contributed significantly to the understanding of the forces and structures within the nucleus.
Professor Bruce was keen to emphasise the collaborative nature of her work, noting the vital contributions of students and post-doctoral researchers at Brighton:
“I’m delighted and honoured to receive this year’s Rutherford Medal and Prize for doing research that I have found fascinating and have thoroughly enjoyed. I’ve worked with some great colleagues and students over the years, and I’d like to share this award with them. Much of my time at Brighton has been spent working in the Cockcroft Building so I’m keen to give a nod to the second recipient of this prize in 1944 who was Sir John Cockcroft.”
We are immensely proud of Alison Bruce’s achievements and her invaluable contributions to nuclear
physics, mentorship, and global collaboration.
Alison Bruce left CNHS in 1979 and went on to study Mathematics and Physics at the University of Manchester where she completed her doctorate in 1985 with a thesis entitled “Studies of the interacting boson-fermion model in the tungsten-osmium-platinum nuclei”. She then worked at the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark, where she used gamma-ray spectroscopy techniques to determine the shapes of deformed nuclei. More recently, she has run a range of experiments at international facilities to study shapes and symmetries of atomic nuclei. Her current focus is on zirconium nuclei where there is a prediction that the shape will change from prolate (rugby-ball shaped) to oblate (smartie shaped) as more neutrons are added.
Alison joined the University of Brighton in 1992 and, in 2005, became the UK’s first female full Professor of Experimental Nuclear Physics. She leads on Global Research Challenge programmes in Nuclear Science instigating, in 2018, the first international series of Advanced Nuclear Science & Technology Techniques (ANSTT) Workshops. Between 2018 and 2024, she organised five consecutive ANSTT workshops, aimed at broadening access to technical expertise and building capacity in radiation measurement for environmental and medical applications.
These workshops focus on supporting developing nations across sub-Saharan Africa.
She has held major committee positions, raising the profile of the UK nuclear physics community internationally, including Vice-Chair of the NuSTAR Collaboration Board at the FAIR facility in Germany, Chair of the STFC Nuclear Physics Grants Panel and Chair of the European Physical Society Nuclear Physics Division Board.
Her leadership and influence have shaped the UK ’s role across leading international nuclear physics research programmes.
Professor Andrew Lloyd, Interim Vice-Chancellor of the University of Brighton, said: “Professor Alison Bruce’s recognition with the 2024 Institute of Physics Ernest Rutherford Medal is a truly momentous achievement, and we are incredibly proud to see her receive this prestigious award.
As the first female to win this medal as a sole recipient, Professor Bruce not only represents a ground-breaking figure in nuclear physics but also an inspiring role model for women in science across the globe. Her pioneering work in understanding nuclear properties, with farreaching implications, reflects the University of Brighton’s commitment to impactful, world-leading research. We are delighted that her exceptional contributions, leadership, and innovation have been recognised at this level, and we look forward to the continued global impact of her research.”
The Ernest Rutherford Medal and Prize, is awarded for distinguished contribution to nuclear physics and was first awarded in 1942. The only previous female winner, Joan Freeman, shared the prize in 1976.
The Institute of Physics (IOP) is the leading body for practising physicists, in the UK and Ireland.
For more information about this prestigious award, visit the IoP website: www.iop.org/about/ awards/2024-ernestrutherford-medal-and-prize
Congratulations, Professor Alison Bruce, on this welldeserved honour.
NHSG’S 10TH BIRTHDAY
A Decade of Excellence in Girls’ Education.
Ten years ago, we embarked on a bold journey to redefine girls’ education in the North East. The past 10 years at Newcastle High School for Girls has been an excellent foundation for empowering the next generation of women. We celebrate a decade of remarkable achievements and milestones. Over this time, the school has firmly established itself as a beacon of excellence in education, empowering young women to reach their full potential academically, socially, and personally.
Founded on the principles of girls learning without limits, Newcastle High School for Girls has nurtured countless pupils, inspiring them to become confident leaders, trailblazers and world-shapers. The school’s unwavering commitment to delivering a tailored, high-quality education has consistently placed it among the top schools in the region.
The school reflects on a decade of remarkable achievements, including its consistent record of academic excellence with pupils achieving outstanding results and gaining entry to prestigious universities worldwide. Over the years, Newcastle High School for Girls has expanded cocurricular opportunities, ranging from STEM initiatives to arts and sports programmes, enabling pupils to discover and pursue their passions. At the heart of its success lies a supportive, inclusive community that encourages diversity of thought and fosters lifelong friendships.
Throughout the anniversary year, we are hosting a series of events, including the NHSG 10th Anniversary Diamond Ball to honour its legacy and envision the future. The festivities will not only highlight the achievements of past and current pupils but also reinforce the school’s ongoing mission to shape the next generation of trailblazers.
As Newcastle High School for Girls celebrates this 10-year landmark, it remains steadfast in its dedication to providing a transformative education, ensuring that every girl leaves equipped with the skills, values, and confidence to make a difference in the world.
Here’s to the next decade of success!
THE FREEMEN OF NEWCASTLE
Newcastle Town Moor is over 1,000 acres, the largest green space so close to a city centre and larger than Hyde Park and Hampstead Heath combined. It reaches Spital Tongues and the city centre to the south, Gosforth to the north, Jesmond to the east and Fenham to the West. The Moor is Managed by the Freemen of the City, whose rights include grazing (herbage). Some parts of the moors are leased for purposes other than grazing. Over the years, these have included the parts of Newcastle University, several allotments sites, military barracks (now a business park), National Blood Transfusion Premises, the BBC studios, St James Park football stadium and Newcastle High School for Girls’ astroturf hockey pitch!
We invited Pauline Summerhill of the Freemen of Newcastle into School for our Year 12 Networking Drinks event and she kindly wrote the following article about the Freemen of Newcastle and the important contribution they make to our city:
The Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne is a charitable organisation made up of thousands of ordinary people who primarily make up a conservation body, dedicated to the maintenance and protection of Newcastle’s Town Moors and green spaces, for the benefit and well-being of residents and visitors.
The Freemen can trace their origins back over 800 years, when typically, middle class ‘free men’ were sworn to carry arms for the defence of the city. In 1216, King John granted a charter which enabled the Freemen to appoint a mayor and form Guilds, e.g. bakers, blacksmiths, coopers and rope-makers. Admission to a Guild was given after completion of an apprenticeship in the trade. Many of these Guilds still exist today. The Freemen were responsible for much of the trading in the city and many of the city improvements such as
the city walls and the quayside development. However, as time went on trades carried out by the Freemen became less important and laws were introduced to give ratepayers the rights to elect corporations, eventually leading to town councils.
The Freemen continued to evolve and modernise through time and still, to this day, have an important part to play in the life of the city. Their main focus is on preserving and maintaining the green spaces in Newcastle for public use for air and exercise. Their efforts were recognised in an Act of Parliament, The Newcastle upon Tyne Town Moor Act 1988, which enshrines in law, the responsibilities of the Freemen and the City Council.
The Freemen are perhaps best known for grazing cows on the Town Moors. They also facilitate many community sports activities including cricket, park runs and charity events. They also host large outdoor events, providing enjoyment for hundreds of thousands of people annually, such as ‘The Hoppings’ and ‘LooseFest Music Festival’. Additionally, many events promote equality and diversity, such as Mela, Pride, Eid Prayers and ‘These girls can’. One of the most important aspects of their work is their contribution towards climate change mitigation and environmental protection including biodiversity through improvements to the Moors and tree planting programmes. The benefits of outdoor space to both physical and mental well-being are well recognised. Activities of the Freemen support sustainable travel including cycling, walking and jogging. The Freemen also provide over 1,000 allotment spaces.
Admission to the Freemen is predominately hereditary, although admission through apprenticeship is still possible. For hundreds of years this was through the male line and at the age of 20 sons of Freemen were entitled to be ‘sworn in’ by the Lord Mayor. The Freemen of Newcastle were instrumental in getting the law changed through an Act of Parliament in 2009 to enable daughters of Freemen throughout the country to also take up their birth right and take up their Freelage and pass entitlement on to their children, in equality with their brothers.
On 12th April 2010 the Easter Guild sealed its place in history as being the first Guild to swear in daughters of freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne. I was proud to be sworn in at a ceremony in autumn 2010 and my two daughters followed on the tradition the following year. There are now over 600 daughters who have taken up this privilege.
Hopefully, as the Freemen continue to evolve to meet the needs of the modern world, their good work will continue and the ‘heart and lungs’ of Newcastle will remain in safe
ALUMNAE REUNIONS
The Grand Alumnae Reunion
On Saturday, 5th October, we had the pleasure of welcoming a wonderful gathering of alumnae from our founding schools, Church High and Central High, for the much-anticipated Grand Alumnae Reunion at NHSG. There was a wonderful atmosphere and it was heartwarming to see so many familiar faces reconnecting and sharing stories among friends, both old and new.
This annual event not only celebrates the rich history of our schools but also highlights and further strengthens the bonds that exist among our former pupils. Each year, we look forward to this opportunity to reconnect and reminisce, while also continuing to expand our network of alumnae throughout the school and across the GDST. Our next Grand Reunion is scheduled for Saturday 4th October 2025.
Were you in the class that left Newcastle upon Tyne Church High School in 1973 after O levels / 1975 after A levels? A few of us are organising a 50 year reunion in Autumn 2025 - it would be lovely to hear from you again and give you details. Contact Helen Whitaker (nee Brown) at: helenbethwhitaker@yahoo.co.uk
Image credit to Natalie Turner
150 YEARS OF COURAGE, RESILIENCE AND EMPOWERMENT
The education our pupils have the privilege of accessing today would not exist without the relentless efforts of women in the 19th century, who fought doggedly for educational reform for women.
Girls in 1872 faced a life with limited opportunities and significant restrictions. Most received little or no education beyond basic literacy and numeracy, leaving them with virtually no choice of career. Their lives were often short and unhealthy, with no political voice or influence over public representation. Upon marriage, any property they owned automatically became their husband’s, and they were expected to endure uncomfortable and restrictive clothing.
However, the 1851 census identified that there were nearly 1.5m more women than men in Britain. This disparity caused moral and social panic, with the widely held belief that there would be large numbers of unmarried women who would either live in misery and poverty or rely on their own earnings. The need for highquality academic education for girls was recognised as a major social issue. Combined with the emergent women’s movement this made for fertile ground for the reform of girls’ education.
Newcastle High School for Girls is founded on two schools, Central Newcastle High School and Newcastle Church High School, each belonging to pioneering school companies that transformed female education in the United Kingdom.
The Girls’ Public Day School Trust (GPDST) was founded in 1872 by four women, Lady Stanley of Alderley, Miss Mary Gurney, Mrs Maria Grey and Miss Emily Shirreff. Academically able, largely self taught and with strong characters, they came together to establish the GPDST, determined that future generations of girls would benefit from a better formal education than they themselves had endured.
Following the success of the GPDST, the Church Schools Company was created in 1883 specifically with the aim of founding Day High Schools for Girls in accordance with the teachings of the Church of England.
Female education played a pivotal role in social reform for women. Educated women were able to articulate their demands for greater political and social rights, and their education gave them the tools to organise and advocate for change.
In the late 19th century, together, the GPDST and the Church Schools Company were very much part of the advance movement of the education of girls. Educating girls at this point in history was generally held to be, at best, a waste of time and money and at worst, there was a very real concern that those girls who were allowed to use their brains, to read and think for themselves, would be robbed of all feminine charm and grace and become socially suspect. It took many years for this idea to die and that it eventually did so is largely due to the work of the schools of the GPDST and the Church Schools Company.
Newcastle High School for Girls was launched in September 2014 and builds on the unique strengths of each of its founding schools. Both Church High School and Central Newcastle High School were founded on an ethos of providing the very best education for girls, and both were known equally for their academic excellence, pastoral care and support. Moreover, both schools should be recognised as the powerful agents for change that they were in challenging and redefining the role of women.
At NHSG, we have launched a project within school to celebrate the vital role our founding schools played in advancing equality and the emancipation of women. Our history is more than a record of our institution - it is a story of courage, perseverance, and resilience. By delving into our archives, we aim to help our pupils appreciate their place within this legacy. They are part of an enduring institution built on the sacrifices and achievements of former pupils who fought to secure the education and freedoms they enjoy today.
This deeper understanding connects our pupils to a larger movement - one that challenges stereotypes and broadens horizons. The history of a girls’ school holds a unique place in the educational landscape, highlighting its pivotal role in championing female empowerment. By fostering academic excellence alongside values of equity, leadership, and social responsibility, the school becomes a beacon of inspiration, encouraging young women to dream boldly and contribute meaningfully to society.
By raising awareness of our history, we reaffirm our commitment to equality for women. The vision and values of our past inform our future, ensuring that our school remains a driving force for female emancipation and a testament to the transformative power of education. This legacy is not merely a foundation - it is a call to action for every girl who walks through our doors.
ADVICE FROM A HEAD GIRL
Mishka Bari-Jones
NHSG Head Girl, 2023-2024
What was your favourite thing about being Head Girl?
Having the opportunity to connect with so many staff and students from every Year Group across a multitude of GDST schools. I passionately wanted to nurture a sense of community within the school environment, and I’m so grateful to have been given the opportunity to build bridges with such a wide range of people.
What was the most challenging thing about being Head Girl?
I think conflict resolution was one of the hardest parts of being Head Girl. On the occasion that there were disagreements in the team, or we felt that someone wasn’t pulling their weight, it would fall to me to have those difficult but crucial conversations. It’s important to remember that you can’t please everyone, and you must do what is right as opposed to what is easy.
Did you receive any valuable advice from your predecessor?
Eleanor wrote me the loveliest letter when the team was announced – she said the most important thing is to know your worth and be confident. You were chosen to be Head Girl for a reason, and nobody could do the job better than you. Whilst it might seem daunting to stand up in front of hundreds of people and speak or network with senior members of staff, you have the backing of the whole school and every Head Girl before you. I was really touched, and this is something I would definitely pass on to any future Head Girl.
What advice would you give to future Head Girls?
I would say the most important thing is to be resilient. The role of Head Girl can be a huge undertaking, and at times it might seem like there’s too much to balance, but you have your whole team behind you, so never be afraid to delegate. Having Olivia Platt and Laura Goldsmith as my deputies, along with the leadership team, was a blessing as they were so committed and keen to take on challenges with me without me ever having to ask! However busy it was, at the end of the day, being Head Girl was one of the most fun and rewarding things I was able to do in my school career, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
How do you feel that being Head Girl has set you up for life beyond school?
I’ve gained so many crucial skills from the role, including public speaking, time management, independence, and communication. These will set me up for not only university and a career, but they’re also so important in everyday life. Being able to lead diligently but also knowing how to effectively work in a team has been a key takeaway from my role, and it’s been a privilege to have had the experience!
Mishka is now at the University of Glasgow reading Economics and Russian.
40 100 YEARS AGO TODAY
The year was 1925...
EMPOWERING WOMEN ACROSS GENERATIONS
NHSG partners with Smart Works
NHSG is delighted to be working with Smart Works Newcastle this year as our whole-school charity partner for 2024/2025. This partnership highlights a shared commitment to empowering women and girls to achieve their full potential, whether in education or the workplace.
Smart Works Newcastle is dedicated to supporting women into employment by boosting confidence, selfesteem, and independence. Through interview coaching and providing interview outfits, the charity helps women overcome barriers to work.
The collaboration has already gained momentum. NHSG pupils have volunteered at the Smart Works Newcastle centre, assisting with day-today operations, while staff, parents, and pupils have united
for successful clothing drives, collecting professional clothing to support the women accessing the charity’s support.
Smart Works Newcastle supports women facing significant challenges, including single parenthood and prolonged unemployment. Despite these hurdles, the charity’s impact is transformative - 63% of clients secure jobs within a month of receiving support.
Helen Boyd, Centre Manager at Smart Works Newcastle, said: “We are delighted that Newcastle High School for Girls has chosen Smart Works Newcastle as its charity for 2025. We both share a mission to support and empower women, and one of our focuses for 2025 is to make sure the service is accessible for young women starting out in their careers, so this partnership has come at a perfect time.”
Looking ahead, the partnership will feature clothing drives, school-wide fundraising events, and pupil volunteering opportunities at Smart Works.
Use Fashion as a Force for Good and support Smart Works by donating your pre-loved items.
We would like to invite you to make a donation of high quality (female) clothes suitable for an interview (and perhaps provide you with the opportunity to have a wardrobe ‘sort’!).
As well as a centre in Newcastle, Smart Works has a number of other centres around the country.
GLASGOW
EDINBURGH
NEWCASTLE MANCHESTER
LEEDS
BIRMINGHAM
LONDON READING
Please scan the QR code to find out more.
IN MEMORIAM
Since the last newsletter we have been advised of sad news about the following alumnae and staff.
Katherine
Letitia Adamson (Kay Ibison) Alumna of Central High 1942 - 2024
Kay came to Central High in 1957 having spent a significant period of her life in Japan and Scotland. She joined us in L5 (Year 10) and immediately became very popular. She was pretty, clever, good at sport and spoke with an endearing Scottish accent! In the Sixth Form, she became Deputy Head Girl, Plantagenet House Captain and School Swimming Captain.
After school and college, in Durham, Kay’s working life was devoted to education. Her time at boarding school had given her a real affinity for young people who were experiencing difficulties in their lives. Her focus became Special
Educational Needs, which she believed applied to all children.
She taught in all age groups, eventually working in teacher education with students and practising teachers. One of her highlights was working with teachers in Eritrea, guiding them towards a degree award of Master in Education. After retirement Kay continued to work, supporting teachers, therapists and parents who were dealing with some of the most challenging children in Liverpool and voluntarily with the local hospice as a bereavement visitor.
Over the years, Kay had worked through her own challenging times and focused on personal growth and learning, which never ceased. She became an extraordinary communicator, in many ways ahead of her time in the field of emotional well-being.
Outside work Kay made an art of friendship and family, a key focus all of her life. She was excellent at making and maintaining connections and was always available to listen and support when needed. She loved and organised many gatherings for family and friends, and she loved a party, especially if it included live music.
She was adventurous, with a love of travel and life experience, encouraging others, especially children and grandchildren. In her early forties she moved to Windermere and the Lakes, which she loved, and for the last twenty-three years, to Ulverston and a house on the shore of Morecambe Bay. She had a lifelong love of water and the sea, being a very competent sailor and an excellent swimmer.
Kay was a “grafter”, always at the heart of the work in any project, including renovating old properties and designing and building a new house.
Kay’s approach to life could be summed up by the words of one of her favourite authors, Maya Angelou. “My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour and some style.”
Four of her school pals attended a lunchtime celebration of Kay’s life in May 2024. It was lovely to meet her family and wide circle of friends and to talk about Kay’s life. She was such a special person.
Phyllis Margaret Beattie (nee Dick)
Alumna of Church High 1931-2024
Phyllis was born at the Vicarage in Longframlington, the younger daughter of the Reverend William Dick and Margaret Mills Dick. Despite losing her mother when she was a teenager, she spent a happy childhood growing up in rural Northumberland along with her six siblings, who she remained close to throughout her life.
Phyllis attended Church High School between about 1942 and 1949 and enjoyed playing hockey, netball and tennis alongside her studies. She went on to train as a Primary School Teacher at St. Hild’s College, Durham, where she met her future husband, Jim,
who was also training to be a teacher at St. Bede’s. As well as having teaching in common, Phyllis and Jim shared a love of classical music and went to many concerts together. They married in August 1958 and set up home in Ryton, where they stayed for the rest of their married life.
Phyllis began her teaching career at the Walling school in Blakelaw, leaving in 1960 to have her first child. 10 years and two more children later, she returned to teaching, working at Ryton Infant School for 18 years until her retirement. She was popular with both children and staff, in some cases teaching two generations of local children.
Being a working mother in the early 1970s was less common but no less challenging than it is today, but Phyllis always managed to devote time to bringing up her own children alongside her teaching responsibilities. She also had a creative side and enjoyed working with her hands. She was a competent knitter and dressmaker and like many of her generation she made a lot of her own clothes.
She was also an avid reader and had an extensive general knowledge.
Children were always a source of great pleasure for Phyllis, as well as enjoying her own children and grandchildren, her nieces and nephews and their children, she was always interested in her friends’ children and hearing about children that she had taught over the years.
Phyllis enjoyed the early part of her retirement, travelling with Jim in Europe and Scotland and having days out closer to home, often with friends. Having had a lifelong interest in plants and gardening, she was able to spend more time in her garden and greenhouse. She also enjoyed making trips to gardens and gardening events. Phyllis was also one of the original members of her local U3A. She had a particular interest in history and enjoyed researching topics for the history group meetings.
In more recent years, Phyllis began to lose her mobility, largely due to osteoporosis, and needed help to get about.
IN MEMORIAM
In the last few months of her life she became very frail, and was tended by carers. Despite this Phyllis remained a very contented person and never complained about her situation. She died peacefully at home on 29th January 2024, aged 92. She will be remembered as a kind and much-loved mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, teacher and friend to many. She leaves her devoted husband Jim, her children Trevor, Rosamund and Angus, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Hilda Gray
Alumna of Central High and former staff
1928 - 2024
Hilda joined CNHS in 1939 as an 11 year old and was evacuated on 1st September 1939 to Keswick until 1942 when the school returned to Newcastle. Hilda became Head Girl 1946 -1947 before leaving for Girton College and successfully pursuing a degree in Natural Sciences and Physics. In 1953 she returned to the school as a member of staff before departing for the Methodists Girls’ High School,
Sierra Leone, where she taught between January 1958 and July 1961. Hilda returned to the UK in 1962 .
She passed away early in January 2024.
Dorothy Thelma Smurthwaite (nee Williams)
Alumna of Central High 1932 - 2024
Dorothy was born on 3rd December 1932 in Newcastle upon Tyne, the youngest of two children.
Dorothy was academically gifted and won a scholarship to attend Central Newcastle High School for Girls and excelled in languages, achieving General Certificates in French and German (A Level standard).
After school, she left home and took up employment in an Architect’s office in a secretarial capacity until she married George William Hall in December of 1958. The couple had two children, Gerald Ross Hall (Gerry) in 1962 and Judith Ann Hall (Judy), in 1963. Family outings to Jesmond Dene Pets Corner, Paddy Freeman’s Park, and annual events such as the Town Moor Military Tattoo and Hoppings are remembered fondly, as are the variety of family pets, including goldfish won at the Hoppings, gerbils, a black cat named Sooty and a tortoise.
In 1974, Dorothy remarried and she and her husband purchased and ran the village shop in Cornhill on Tweed until Ian’s death in 1982, when Dorothy moved first to Widdrington Station and later Cramlington, where she enjoyed gardening, decorating, and living independently. Dorothy worked as a cleaner until her retirement, but remained closely connected with her family and developed a close bond with her grandchildren.
In her later years, Dorothy continued to travel, enjoying
holidays to Menorca, Mallorca, and Australia, where her daughter Judy and family had emigrated to in 2004. She visited Judy and her family several times, and even celebrated her 80th birthday there. She loved the adventures of snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef, hot air ballooning over the Tablelands, and the beauty of Queensland’s coastline. She also cared for Judy’s dog, Taz, for 12 years after they emigrated.
A lover of nature and the countryside, Dorothy spent many days driving around Northumberland, walking Taz, and visiting places like the Otterburn Ranges, Kielder for the ospreys, and the Northumberland Coast. She enjoyed trips to Barter Books in Alnwick to pick up new books and loved spending time with family, particularly at annual birthday parties and Christmas dinners hosted at Gerry’s home.
Dorothy’s creativity was expressed through her love of crafts. She was a talented sewer, crocheter, knitter, and embroiderer, and she created beautiful cushions and framed pictures for her home.
Dorothy will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She is survived by many extended family members and friends, her children, Gerry and Judy; her nieces and her grandchildren, Stacy, Richard and Emily and Sarah who attended Newcastle Church High School.
Daphne Sprague Alumna of Church High
1924 - 2024
My mother, Daphne Sharpe Sprague (Nee Magee), was born in 1924 in Wallbottle and attended Church High School until she was about twelve. During this time, she made many friends; she remained in contact with two in particular till the end of their lives. These were Sybil Scott (Nee Simpson) and Katherine Burroughs (Nee Perrot). She was obviously very good at needlework as she won
several prizes for this. Her father was a Colliery Manager and when she was thirteen, he was appointed to a pit in the Forest of Dean. Mum was then admitted to Cheltenham Ladies’ College on a bursary; this is one of the reasons I have made donations from her estate to the various educational establishments she attended.
After Cheltenham, she studied medicine in Newcastle. In those days, the Newcastle Medical School, King’s College, was part of Durham University so although all her studies were all in Newcastle, she was a Durham graduate. She qualified as a doctor in 1948. She married my father, who was also a doctor, in the year above her in 1950 and they eventually settled in Jarrow where my father, was a GP. My mum never described herself as a “women’s libber” - she was in no doubt that she was the equal of any man! She was, in fact, well ahead of the game deciding that as she wanted a family she would work part time in Community Child Health and Family Planning which was then in its infancy.
IN MEMORIAM
Gradually, the Family Planning took over and she trained many doctors in the North East and lectured throughout the country. She eventually became the Regional Medical Officer for South Tyneside.
She had always been interested in the Law and became a Justice of the Peace in Hebburn in 1978. My parents both maintained an interest in learning throughout their lives. My mum studied various languages whilst she was still working and they both enjoyed studying Geology in their retirement. They also both enjoyed travel and Mum reckoned the only country she hadn’t visited that she would have liked to go to was Japan.
My mother died aged 99 after fracturing her hip in a fall. She was ready to go having had a long, happy and fulfilled life. I hope her legacy to NHSG will enable others to follow in her footsteps.
Written by Daphne’s son, David Sprague.
Margaret Wheeler
Alumna of Central High 1932 - 2023
Last year, I had news from Edith (née Wheeler), telling me that her elder sister and my former class mate and friend Margaret Wheeler had died.
Many years after we had left the then CNHS, Margaret phoned me. She was trying to gather as many contemporary class mates as possible, and in this she succeeded. About 30 girls gathered joyfully at her home. Thereafter each year she collated our news from Christmas cards into a news letter for all.
I felt Margaret was the unlikeliest person to do this. I regret to say I was a goody goody, who missed some of the fun, so different to Margaret who was always in trouble, and encouraging others to get into trouble too with her dares. Underneath all that, there lurked a heart of gold, a brilliant sense of humour, a quick sharp wit, and a double dose of kindness and concern for others.
As Margaret’s manual dexterity failed she had to give up the newsletter, which no doubt saddened all the girls. I always read it over a coffee, savouring each word.
From Roz Brown (nee Bilton) CNHS Class of 1950.
Roz would be interested in hearing from any of her former classmates. If you would like to get in touch please do let us know and we will pass on any communications to her.
Maureen Waller (nee Jeffrey)
Alumna of Central High, attended between 1950 - 1957
Died 8th August 2024, Maureen was at Newcastle Central High School from 1950 to 1957. After school she qualified in Newcastle and worked as a Physiotherapist in Harrogate for the greater part of her life. Always good company with a busy social life she was still playing tennis the day before illness struck.
REMEMBERING GILL FEATONBY (YOUNG)
A legacy of Community and Generosity
We are honoured to share news of a legacy gift from Central High Alumna, Gill Featonby. Gill passed away in April 2022 and left Newcastle High School for Girls a significant sum. An extremely generous legacy which will support NHSG’s bursary fund.
Gill attended Central Newcastle High School from 1952 to 1962, becoming Senior Prefect in her final year – the first of many community leadership roles she was to undertake during her lifetime. After completing her time at school Gill went on to study Agriculture at Newcastle University, graduating with First Class Honours.
Following her degree, Gill met and married David Featonby, the third generation to run Featonby Auctioneers, a family business established in Whitley Bay in 1926. After a short period living in Whitley Bay the couple moved to Middle Moor Farm near Longhirst, Northumberland.
Middle Moor Farm was ideal for Gill and David who both loved living in the countryside. Gill described herself as ‘a very small farmer’ with a menagerie of animals including horses,
border terriers, sheep, cattle and the famously protective ‘guard geese’!
A passionate horsewoman, Gill competed with her Arabian horses (winning the Arab Horse category at the Royal Highland Show in 1978) and judged equestrian events across the North East.
Gill loved the community spirit of the village, with regular visitors coming round to help out, especially around lambing time. In return Gill devoted a great deal of her time and energy to her community and countryside as the Life President of the Longhirst Parish Association and Vice Chairman of the Northumberland National Park and County Joint Local Access Forum, where she helped guide the future of the region’s natural resources and access to the outdoors.
Gill had many friends from her time at school and University and through longterm membership of the Longhirst Golf Club. She was a profoundly capable woman, successfully managing both the farm and Featonby Auction House for several years after David’s death in 2012.
She is remembered for her commitment to protect and advance the communities she loved, and her extraordinary generosity will have a lasting impact on those communities that meant the most to Gill; her school, her village and the countryside she loved so much.
Gill’s legacy gift to NHSG will fund full Senior School bursary places for six bright pupils who would not otherwise be able to attend NHSG.
Compassionate, educated children are the most powerful legacy we can leave behind, they hold
our future in their hands.
Legacy to NHSG from Helen Turnbull (nee Bates)
I have drawn up a Will leaving a Legacy of 10% of my husband’s and my joint estate, to be used for Bursaries at NHSG.
I started my education in Kindergarten at Central Newcastle High School in September 1959, when I was five years old, and I left CNHS, age 18, after A Levels in 1972. Some of the happiest days of my life were spent at Central High where I met lifelong friends. Friends that I am still in touch with as I write this.
Amongst them, many had “free places”, because of the Direct Grant system that was in place at that time. At age 11, when entering Senior School, many of us whose parents had easily afforded the school fees in Junior School, soon became friends with the girls who had benefited from having a free place. Within weeks, the difference was not noticeable, and these girls (about one quarter of the entire Year Group) received the same excellent education and opportunities that I did.
I embraced everything at Central, being a Form Prefect and House Captain (Stuart) and joined in with everything
that was offered! I studied Dietetics in Edinburgh at Queen Margaret University for four years and returned to Newcastle to work as a Dietitian in Newcastle Hospitals. I married Malcolm, a Chartered Accountant, in 1977. It was around this time, being a member of CNHS Old Girls’ Guild, that I returned to School.
In 1989, I became Secretary of CNHS OGG, a voluntary position, and remained as Secretary until 2014, for 25 years! During this time, I met and communicated with a great number of alumnae from every decade whilst organising and hosting events and reunions and compiling the annual newsletters. In addition, I spent time in School with past and current staff and pupils and I also assisted the school with various building fund-raising appeals. This was an enormous benefit, as not being able to have children of my own, I missed out on the experience of educating children at CNHS or an equivalent boys’ school!
I am sad that being the third generation of my family to be educated at CNHS (now NHSG), I was unable to continue the lineage. My grandmother and her six sisters (yes six) were all pupils
in the early 1900s and my aunt was a pupil (1928-41). My father was a kindergarten pupil in 1931-32, in the days when boys attended the school, for a maximum of two years, in kindergarten and transition forms! My grandmother and my aunt both went on to study Medicine at University, as did my father.
I am passionate about an all-girl education and the opportunities that it gives them and I embrace the bursary system that the GDST has to give girls who do not have the same family financial circumstances that I had, and who can be educated at the wonderful school that NHSG is.
LAUREN BALDWIN
NHSG Alumna Class of 2015, bursary recipient
Lauren joined CNHS from Newbiggin Middle School in 2009. She writes of her experience here.
I visited several independent schools in Newcastle and what stood out for me was that Central seemed to help girls become confident and independent.
My previous school was a mixed state school in Northumberland with much larger student:teacher ratios and a lot more disruption in every lesson. Central High enabled me to learn without interruption and among other girls with a similar mindset and abilities which meant I could be challenged more in lessons.
I received a 95% bursary throughout my time at CNHS. Without it, I would not have been able to access to the outstanding education that laid the foundation of a passionate belief in the transformative power of education and led me to my current career – mentoring students to overcome barriers to education.
For my A Levels, I chose a STEM pathway, a choice I would not have had the confidence to make without an all-girl educational background. (Lauren is too modest to say but she achieved A* in all her four A Levels in Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths and Physics!). I went on to study Physical Natural Sciences at Peterhouse, Cambridge, achieving both my Bachelor’s and Master’s at the University (also too modest - both First Class).
On completing my Masters, I wasn’t sure whether to pursue a PhD in Chemistry or go into teaching. Instilled with a sense of being able to choose any pathway that I might like, I decided to explore options in education, working first in a pastoral role for Year 12 in a girls’ boarding school in Worcestershire and subsequently as Deputy Director of University Access for a leading comprehensive school in East London. These experiences led me to realise my passion for widening access to education and I returned to Cambridge to work as the Outreach Officer at Fitzwilliam College. (Fitzwilliam College traces its origins back to 1869 and the foundation of the Non-Collegiate Students Board, a venture intended to offer academically excellent students of all backgrounds a chance to study at the university).
I now work for Crimson Education (Crimson was founded with a vision to ‘equalize the university admissions playing field’, serving as the launching pad that equips students across the globe to overcome barriers of geography and legacy to compete on the world stage). I am able to work remotely so I have been solo travelling all around the world while mentoring students on their university applications.
I always felt encouraged to make a positive impact on society where possible and have been involved in Plan International (a development and humanitarian organisation based in the United Kingdom that works in over 75 countries across Africa, the Americas, and Asia, focusing on children’s rights and equality for girls) since school. The charity promotes, among other things, education.
Education has been an important part of my life and has given me freedom of choice and I am pleased that I am in a position to be able to help other people access the education they deserve regardless of circumstance. I would strongly encourage anyone considering a bursary donation to the school to make one – supporting a girl to be able to attend Central, or NHSG as it is now, has an invaluable impact and allows girls to reach their full potential by attending a school that gives them confidence and support throughout all their years of education.
FUNDRAISING
The gift of education through our bursary programme
We have first opened our doors as Gateshead High school in 1876 and we have been opening doors, hearts and minds ever since.
Our bursary programme has made our education open to promising girls, regardless of their financial means, for nearly 150 years and we are proud of our philanthropic history and the diverse and meritocratic school community it has created.
Our bursaries are supported by the generosity of the donations made by the wider community.
We were delighted this year to acknowledge the Adamson family and the Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust for their significant contributions to our endeavours to widen access to our education, formally naming the ‘New Building’ at Senior School (after eight years!), the ‘Adamson Building’ and commissioning new signage and artworks.
The Adamson legacy was left to the school in 2004 to support bursaries for intelligent, determined girls to receive an education that would make the world a better place. The legacy is invested in an endowment fund and has supported 28 bursaries to date. The fund will continue to do so in perpetuity.
The Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust’s longstanding partnership with NHSG has enabled us to award 19 bursaries, reflecting Catherine Cookson’s own belief in education’s power to change individual lives and communities, and we are proud to continue her legacy through the girls who attend NHSG.
We want a more equal world for everyone and our mission is to reach as many bright, talented and dedicated girls as possible from all walks of life. Where possible we award full bursaries which cover fees, uniform, school equipment, travel, lunch costs and other miscellaneous costs to ensure that our bursary pupils are able to partake fully in school life. Our education changes lives, not just for the recipients themselves but for the communities they go on to serve. We are proud of the amazing women our bursary recipients have become and
Our bursary alumnae have founded charities and influenced government decision making in everything from medicine to AI. They are lawyers advocating for social justice, scientists developing sustainable energy and engineers designing and delivering the infrastructure to get it to us. These women are our future and thanks to our bursary donors we have helped put them in a position where they can change the world for the better.
the wonderful things they have gone on to achieve around the world.
A DECADE OF GIVING
14% of NHSG Senior School pupils are in receipt of a bursary.
The national average is 7% (across all ages).
Since the merger of Central Newcastle High School and Newcastle Church High School to create Newcastle High School for Girls in 2014 we have supported many pupils with bursary places.
Currently, 14% of NHSG Senior School pupils at NHSG are in receipt of a bursary. The national average is 7%.
We are outstanding not only in the awards that we make but in the nurturing and empowering environment that we offer our pupils. Strong evidence allows that girls-only education leads to higher academic achievement, greater diversity of subject choice, stronger self-confidence and resilience and enhanced career progression. Our bursaries widen access to an education specifically designed for and dedicated to the development of
confident, courageous, creative and resilient young women.
You can help us continue this important programme to create truly enabling opportunities. All contributions of any size to our bursary fund are very welcome.
If you would like to make a contribution you can do so by using the QR code below or by contacting our Philanthropy Manager, Polly De Giorgi at p.degiorgi@ncl.gdst.net or on 0191 201 6549.
@centralhighalumnaeandfriends
@churchhighalumnae
@newcastlehighschoolalumnae
newcastlehigh.gdst.net/alumnae/
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