Online Magazine - Celebrating 175 Years of Innovative Minds

CELEBRATING 175 YEARS OF INNOVATIVE MINDS

Acknowledgements:

With thanks to all who have contributed to the Winter edition of ONLINE magazine. The opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of North London Collegiate School.

The magazine is edited by the NLCS Alumnae team, with special thanks to Sarah Prentice, and designed by The Graphic Design House.

If you would like to share your news, update your details, please email onla@nlcs.org.uk.

#ONLCommunity

Ramune Luminaire (ONL 1974)

Sharon Grenham-Thompson (ONL 1984)

Angelie Moledina (ONL 1993)

Alexis Rose (ONL 1996)

Sonal Sachdev Patel (ONL 1998)

Tejal Doshi (ONL 2009)

Rosa Jung (ONL 2009)

Dates for Your Diary

Regional Events

Scotland

Escape Room – February 2025

If you are interested in joining future Scotland ONL events, please reach out to Ali Harris, née Bell (ONL 1982) at onla@nlcs.org.uk

Hampshire

Next meet-up planned in Hill Head, Fareham - Spring 2025

If you would like to find out more or come along, please contact Mandy Collins, née Grover (ONL 1973) at ALCollins@doctors.org.uk

Welcome from the Headmistress

“Your spirit appears indomitable and irrepressible wherever you walk in the world”

Welcome to the 2024 edition of ONLINE, the magazine for Old North Londoners. I hope you enjoy reading the many uplifting stories about ONLs, and about NLCS today. The theme of this edition is ‘175 Years of Innovative Minds’. Thank you so much to all who have contributed and shared your stories with us.

It has been an honour to meet many ONLs at reunions and careers events since my arrival at the School as its 10th Headmistress in September 2023. So many of you have reflected with such fondness over your time at NLCS - the teachers who inspired you, and the friendships that continue to sustain you. Your spirit appears indomitable and irrepressible wherever you walk in the world - you remain an inspiration to us all.

Our ONLs have always been ground breakers, known for pushing boundaries and making waves since 1850 - and long may you continue to do so. In this special issue of the ONLINE Magazine we honour that legacy, sharing

your stories along with stories of those no longer with us, all who reflect the values and vision of our School that has guided us for almost two centuries.

Our 175th anniversary is a moment to reflect on our rich history and to look forward with ambition and purpose. Throughout the year, we will mark this milestone with exciting events and initiatives. A very special edition of Founder’s Day will take place in March 2025 and will honour the vision of Frances Mary Buss and the generations of women who have followed in her footsteps. I am equally thrilled about the opening of the Ideas Hub next term, a building which will stand as the centre for creativity and collaboration with the wider community, where our students can develop the skills and confidence to innovate.

I would like to thank you all for your continued support and for being such an inspiration to our current students. From returning to Canons for Senior Societies talks, to helping at school events, the time you take to share your personal experiences, and engage with the school community is truly appreciated.

With best wishes,

Vicky Bingham

Vicky Bingham

Tara Stephens Database Administrator

Sonal R Dhadphale Alumnae Relations Manager

Joe Dunster Fundraising Manager

One term into my role as your Alumnae Relations Manager, I have been inspired by the remarkable spirit of the ONL community which includes former staff - stories of joy, resilience and the strong bonds that connect you all.

And what has captivated me most, are the lifelong friendships I have discovered - many formed in Junior School and carried through life’s many chapters - serving as a treasure trove of memories and camaraderie.

This year, as we celebrate 175, I am excited to relaunch ONLINE magazine. Now set to publish twice a year, this magazine is a celebration of YOU - the incredible individuals who make up this exceptional community.

Guided by Frances Mary Buss’s bold vision of progress and opportunity, ONLINE reflects the enduring spirit that continues to shape the lives of ONLs today - a global community that stands tall, supports one another, and remains inspired by her determination to innovate, lead, and move forward.

My vision for ONLINE is to capture what makes this community special. I want this to be your platform that connects generations, celebrates your individual and collective achievements, and inspires us with your stories. Above all, my hope is that this magazine becomes a place where you feel a strong sense of pride and belonging.

I invite you to share your ideas on how I can reach out to ONLs far and wide, and welcome you to share your news, achievements, and milestones to help bring this publication to life.

I am extremely grateful to all who have contributed to this edition: your voices embody the theme, ‘175 Years of Innovative Minds’, highlighting the many ways innovation touches our lives.

As 2025 approaches, I look forward to connecting with you and explore ways to further strengthen the ONL community.

With thanks and warmest wishes,

Sonal R Dhadphale

Meet Our New ONLs: Class of 2023

Class of 2023

This photograph have been reproduced by kind permission of The School Photography Company and can be ordered online at Photo ID: J40JSS4U / Photo key: BTYUZUTB

Class of 2023 Where Are They Now?

Top 5 most popular leavers’ destinations in 2023: UCL Oxford

Cambridge have attained their first choice university place 88%

of UK applicants into Russell Group universities 97%

Bristol Warwick

1 applicant studying in the US (Yale)

Destinations of Our 2023 Leavers

15

applicant studying a Degree Apprenticeship with JP Morgan and the University of Exeter 1

applicant is studying at the Royal Academy of Music 1

medics studying at: UCL, Imperial, KCL, Cambridge, Leeds, Nottingham and Oxford 21%

were awarded places at Oxbridge to read Philosophy; History; Medicine; Computer Science; Experimental Psychology; Spanish and Portuguese; Classics with Asian and Middle Eastern Studies; Chemistry; PPE; English; Natural Sciences; Engineering; Theology, Religion and Philosophy

Meet Our New ONLs: Class of 2024

Class of 2024

This photograph have been reproduced by kind permission of The School Photography Company and can be ordered online at Photo ID: F5T2IXJU / Photo key: 3EU84GCD

Class of 2024 Where Are They Now?

have attained their first choice university place 85%

of UK applicants into Russell Group universities

Top 5 most popular leavers’ destinations in 2024: UCL

Destinations of Our 2024 Leavers

4

applicants studying in the EU (Heidelberg, Universidad Católica de Valencia and, Thessaloniki)

applicants studying in the US (Yale, Columbia, Duke and Johns Hopkins)

5

medics: studying at Oxford, UCL, KCL, Thessaloniki, Nottingham, Imperial, Bristol and Bangor 11

were awarded places at Oxbridge to read History, Geography, Medicine, HSPS, Maths, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, English, Land Economy, Russian, Law with Spanish Law, and Engineering 20%

Interview with Robin Street | Director of Innovation

From Ideas Into Reality

1. As NLCS’s first Director of Innovation, can you share your journey into the world of innovation and what led you to this role?

I think my path to this role began in the classroom 25 years ago, where I always sought creative approaches to engage students beyond traditional methods. But the real catalyst was my 12 years at UCL Academy, a school that opened in 2012, whose founding vision was to revisit educational norms and think about schooling in a more innovative way. We worked on reimagining the curriculum structure, structure, assessment methods, schools’ partnerships and technology use – not for innovation’s sake, but to provide transformational educational opportunities for students.

When the opportunity arose at NLCS to become Director of Innovation and lead the Ideas Hub, it felt like a natural progression. The role combines senior leadership experience with the chance to think strategically about innovation across an entire school. What particularly excites me is that at NLCS, we see innovation much more broadly than just technology. In fact, it’s interesting that the Headmistress is a classicist and both the Deputy Director, and I are historians. This background helps us approach the work holistically – considering how we can enhance curriculum, facilities, research and pedagogy to develop the leaders of tomorrow.

2.As we mark NLCS’ 175th anniversary, what past innovations stand out to you as defining moments for our school?

The most significant innovation in NLCS’s history must be its very founding principle – providing rigorous academic education for young women in an era when this was far from the norm. This legacy resonates with me deeply on a personal level – my wife is an NLCS alumna, my mother attended Camden School for Girls (NLCS’s sister school), and my daughters attend girls’ independent schools with similar values. Through these family connections, I have witnessed firsthand how this educational philosophy shapes and empowers young women.

From Ideas Into Reality

While we can point to many innovative moments in our history – from the opening of the Performing Arts Centre to pioneering approaches in sports and the arts – what truly defines NLCS’s innovative spirit is its fundamental mission to address inequity in women’s education. If innovation means solving problems to create positive change, then NLCS has been doing exactly that for 175 years. Today, we are continuing this tradition by actively addressing the underrepresentation of women in STEM through initiatives at our Ideas Hub and developing forward looking curriculum approaches. It’s about evolving our response to educational inequality while staying true to our founding mission of expanding opportunities for women in every field.

3. How does the Ideas Hub honour NLCS’ legacy of innovative thinking, and what unique opportunities does it bring to the school and the wider community?

The Ideas Hub represents a significant next step in how we deliver education at NLCS. It’s designed to mirror modern university spaces, encouraging learning beyond traditional classroom boundaries and fostering innovative teaching methods across all subjects. While we are proud of our 175 year tradition of academic excellence, the Hub allows us to adapt our approach to address tomorrow’s challenges – whether that’s through interdisciplinary thinking, entrepreneurship, or creative problem-solving.

A key aspect of the Hub is its role as a bridge between our school and the wider community. We are developing the Eureka Schools Programme, which will provide systematic access to our facilities and expertise for local primary and secondary schools. This isn’t about one-off events; it’s about creating sustained partnerships that benefit both our students and the broader educational community. We are also expanding our existing collaborations with schools like QE Boys and Eton, but importantly, we are broadening the scope beyond traditional academic events to include areas like oracy, STEM, computer science, and the visual and performing arts.

This transformation isn’t just about the physical space – it’s about creating opportunities for our students to work with industry leaders, for our staff to engage in professional development with experts, and for our school to become a hub for educational innovation that serves the wider community. It’s about taking what NLCS does best – providing exceptional education – and amplifying its impact beyond our school gates.

Interview with Robin Street | Director of Innovation

...what truly defines NLCS’s innovative spirit is its fundamental mission to address inequity in women’s education

4. What real world challenges could the Ideas Hub address and prepare our students for?

The Ideas Hub is fundamentally about preparing our students to tackle complex real-world challenges. We’re designing experiences where students might explore questions like “What are the ethical dilemmas of colonising the moon?” or “How do we build sustainable cities while ensuring social equity?” These aren’t just theoretical exercises – they’re opportunities for historians, engineers, classicists, mathematicians, and artists to work together, just as they do in the real world.

We envision ‘Festival of Minds’ experiences where, for example, Year 7 students might spend a day engaging with space scientists, town planners, and religious leaders to address a multifaceted challenge. The Hub’s unique spaces – from formal boardrooms to creative studios – allow students to experience different working environments and approaches, something that’s impossible to replicate in a traditional classroom setting.

Importantly, this isn’t about replacing our existing curriculum – it’s about complementing it. We are creating opportunities for teachers from different disciplines to collaborate, helping students understand how their subjects interact in solving real-world problems. This approach maintains our academic excellence while preparing our students to be the kind of innovative, collaborative leaders that tomorrow’s challenges will require.

5. How can the Ideas Hub impact the local community potentially through mentorship or partnerships?

The Ideas Hub represents an exciting opportunity to build on our existing community partnerships in meaningful ways. The Eureka Schools Programme will be at the heart of this, creating structured opportunities for local primary and secondary schools to engage with our facilities and expertise through carefully planned workshops and activities.

Looking ahead, we envision the Hub becoming a valuable

community resource. While our primary focus will be on educational partnerships, we are also exploring ways the space could support local initiatives and community groups when appropriate. It’s about taking measured steps to ensure the Hub serves both our school and the wider community effectively.

6. Looking ahead, how do you see NLCS evolving to stay at the forefront of innovation in education?

Innovation at NLCS isn’t just about facilities or programs – it’s fundamentally about people and mindset. Having a leadership team, from Governors to Heads of Department, who are committed to thoughtful innovation while honouring our traditions and values is crucial. This has been NLCS’s approach for 175 years, and it’s what will keep us at the forefront of education.

True innovation means being comfortable with uncertainty and evolution. We cannot predict exactly what education

Ideas Hub: Update

The Ideas Hub construction is nearing completion, with the building scheduled to become operational during February and March 2025. The Art Department has already relocated to their new spaces, and the Engineering Department will follow with their equipment installation in the coming weeks.

The initial months of 2025 will focus on practical implementation. This includes finalising booking systems, ensuring appropriate internet connectivity, and establishing protocols for how different spaces can be used. Students will be introduced to the Hub through a series of guided tours, whilst staff will receive training on using the new facilities and equipment.

We plan a phased introduction during the Spring term, allowing departments to gradually begin using the spaces for teaching and learning. The formal opening event is scheduled for 6 May 2025, after which the Hub will be fully operational for regular school activities.

The building will support various uses, from standard lessons to interdisciplinary projects, with spaces designed to accommodate both scheduled classes and more flexible learning arrangements. Current progress suggests we are on track to have the Hub fully integrated into daily school life by the Summer term.

From Ideas Into Reality

will look like in five or ten years, but by maintaining our commitment to forward-thinking leadership and continuing to attract staff who share this vision, we ensure that NLCS will continue to adapt and lead. In fact, we are already exploring ways to share best practices with other schools through networks of like-minded professionals, recognising that each institution brings its own unique interpretation and resources to this challenge with the launch of the Ideas Hub Substack.

The key is maintaining the delicate balance between preserving what makes NLCS exceptional while continuously evolving to meet the changing needs of our students. That’s not about following trends – it’s about thoughtful, pragmatic innovation guided by our core values and educational mission.

7.How can ONLs connect with and collaborate on the ambition of the Ideas Hub and its ongoing innovation initiatives? And what impact do you hope this will have on them and the local community?

The Ideas Hub presents exciting opportunities for ONLs to reconnect with and contribute to their school community in meaningful ways. We are developing specific programs where alumnae expertise can directly benefit current students, particularly in areas like entrepreneurship where mentoring relationships can have profound impact.

Looking ahead, we will be reaching out to ONLs with specific opportunities to engage with the Hub’s initiatives. But we are also keen to hear from alumnae who have ideas about how their expertise could support our innovation strategy. The strength of the NLCS community has always been in the connections between past and present students, and the Ideas Hub offers new ways to strengthen these bonds while supporting the next generation of leaders.

8. If you could bring any historical innovator into the Ideas Hub for a tour, who would you choose and why?

It feels apt that it would need to be Sophie Bryant. I have been struck by how important tradition and legacy is here at NLCS, whilst also recognising that the school needs to look forward. As a history teacher, learning about what she stood for and what she did as Headmistress, it feels that she would just be so excited to see that the Ideas hub was taking on her mantel in so many ways.

9. What’s one quirky or unexpected item we’d find on your desk that helps you stay creative?

On my desk sits a small engineering model of an airplane propeller – a gift from a guest who came to work with me in my previous role. It’s become something of a fidget toy, actually. It is a reminder that sometimes the most effective tools are not high-tech at all, but rather simple objects that help us pause and have a think.

2024 Results

ECF’s National Girls’ Chess Championships

Founder’s Day 2024

Cricket Nets

F1 in Schools

Duke of Edinburgh

Author VisitAnthony McGowan

Valedictory 2024

Year 7 Dance Display

Young Enterprise

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Vex Robotics Championships

Don Quixote Theatre Trip

Year 7 Eco Partnership Day with QE Boys

Fantasy Fashion

F1 in Schools

Senior Societies with Katie Perrior, Former Director of Comms to PM Theresa May

The Winter’s Tale

The Cedar Space

Netball Nationals

Ludwigsburg Exchange

Lord of the Flies Little Shop of Horrors

Canons Choir at the Royal Albert Hall

Little Shop of Horrors

Junior School Concert

Nativity Berlin

Year 3 Play - Heart Stories

Canon Follies

Valedictory 2023

One Day Film School

Nicholson Lecture Philosophy Week

Valedictory 2023

Year 6 Play - Wonderland

Founder’s Day 2024

Poet Visit - Phil Wilcox

Science Partnership Day with The Sacred Heart Language College

Summer Festival

Performing Carmina Burana at the Holy Sepulchre Church

Year 4 Play - Missing Peace

Fantasy Fashion

NLCSI MUN

Valedictory 2024

Netball Nationals

Junior School

Cervantes Theatre Trip

Les Miserables Theatre Trip

Memories of a Naughty North Londoner

NLCS was a very different place when I was a student here over fifty years ago. Some of the teachers were tough, and others were so sweet they were easy to take advantage of. And, it must be said, I was not the ideal student. I joined the final year of the Junior School in 1966, a happy and collaborative child, but as puberty advanced, so did my tendency to act outside the box.

One of my earliest miscalculations was during school dinner. The dining room was furnished with long tables and food was delivered from the kitchen on oval platters. Other than ice cream, which came once a week in a small cylinder wrapped in paper, there wasn’t much that I found easy to eat. Liver was my great fear and the day when it was on the compulsory menu, and my Form Mistress sat next to me at the table, was a double blow. As the others ate, I pushed and prodded the slice of grey offal in gelatinous gravy and then, when Miss Gare looked away, slid it off the plate and under the table in one triumphant motion. After dessert of spotted dick and custard, Miss Gare’s expression darkened. Unknown to me, she had taken off her brogues during the meal, and when slipping them back on, found my plateful in her shoe.

Memories of

Time keeping was never my forte, and over the years I developed an elaborate selection of excuses for lateness.

Time keeping was never my forte, and over the years I developed an elaborate selection of excuses for lateness. An easy one was the swans on the pond in Canons Drive, the road I had to walk on my way to school from Edgware Station. Occasionally, the swans would hold us hostage, forming a hissing line across the tarmac, too terrifying to pass. So sometimes, when I puffed toward assembly and found the doors closed and the organ already playing, I’d blame the flock of long-necked birds. Less creative excuses for lateness were weather, food, or dog related, as well as the bus breaking down, my textbook being locked in the car, and my mother needing help with her hair for an important job interview. None of these went down well. Getting (antiquated and hard) contact lenses was a game changer. Saying I’d lost one was a dependable ruse, and sometimes I’d use it to prevent entry to a classroom, getting the teacher on her hands and knees to help me look for the fictitious little piece of plastic. In the first year of the Senior School, I was proud to be crowned Nature Monitor, but the title was revoked when I failed my first duty. It was Friday afternoon, and I was supposed to make sure all the fungus projects were cleared away before the weekend, which meant staying late. But I’d been offered a lift home, meaning I wouldn’t have to slog all the way to Edgware Station and then get the bus, so I sneaked off a tiny bit early … leaving an impressive collection of autumn mushrooms on the windowsill. By Monday morning, the area was crawling with maggots, causing mass hysteria. I still remember the way the wriggling larvae slipped and squished as I tried to sweep them into the bin and dispose of them outside, a long way from any buildings. During my eight years at NLCS I learned a lot alongside the

curriculum: how to play bridge (during Latin lessons), how to slow dance (with my best friend in the corridor outside the gym), how to lose ten pounds in ten days (Cosmo magazine, hidden inside an atlas in the library), and how to smoke (behind most buildings during break). I also awed at the girl who got away with bringing her “Persian pen friend” to school. We all knew the burka concealed her boyfriend - a student at Haberdashers’ - but he came to all the lessons, for the whole day, and none of the teachers worked it out.

The only place I didn’t act up was the Art block. I loved every room: walls covered in postcards and paintings, assignments that meant having dirty hands and fun, staff who made time to talk. My favourite was the pottery teacher, Mr Henderson, who brought his ageing labrador to school. At the time my life at home was hell, and Mr Henderson would let me come to the studio at lunchtime and sit, or play with clay, while he did whatever he was doing. We hardly spoke, but his silent support got me through some hard times, and helped NLCS launch me into the world outside its gates.

Ramune Luminaire, née Burns (ONL 1974) has degrees in Sociology from the University of Sussex, Fine Art from London University (she attended Central St Martins and Camberwell colleges of Art), and a Post Graduate Creative Writing Diploma from Humber College in Ontario, Canada. She has worked as a magazine editor, TV scriptwriter specialising in “talking head” documentaries, visual artist, educator, abundance coach and, most recently, an author. Her novel Coming of Age… Again will be published in May 2025. Find out more about Ramune and her book at www.ramuneluminaire.com

Glimmers of Hope

Iam sitting in my study on a sunny October day, roses on their last hurrah nodding just outside the window. I’ve been in my new job as a country Rector in Suffolk for just over a year. My spaniel, Bruce is lying at my feet, and the golden afternoon surrounds me with a sense of peace.

But I am glad September’s over, because for the past three years September has been a month of untold sorrow. Actually, every month, every day, every hour has given me a heavy load to carry, since the day in 2021 that my 17-year-old son Leo took his life.

Leo was astonishingly clever, and he definitely had an innovative mind. I know every parent thinks their child is extra special (rightly so!) but I really thought Leo would go on to make a significant difference to the world in general, and especially in the realm of physics and maths. He was also autistic and struggled with his mental health throughout the privations of Covid. He found the disruption to routine caused by repeated lockdowns hard to navigate. As a result, he disappeared into his online world, which, although it gave him connection and global

friendships, also exacerbated his physical isolation. Unfortunately, we struggled to get adequate support for his worsening mental health, and he generally presented himself as low risk to the professionals he encountered.

Just after 4pm on Friday September 3rd 2021, officers from British Transport Police arrived to rip my world apart. In the days that followed everything seemed to melt – my family, my sense of the world, my physical and mental functioning, my faith.

After leaving NLCS in 1984 to study Law at Reading University, I initially qualified as a solicitor. I was then ordained in the Church of England in 1998. Now, any sense of either justice or hope vanished.

As a priest I had helped many families traverse the lonely landscape of grief. As a Prison Chaplain, I had been the one delivering the knock on the door on several occasions. But as a mother I didn’t see how I could survive the death of my child, particularly not one that had happened in such a terrible way. I remember driving my car at one point a few months later, screaming at God, “It’s all right for you, you got your Son back!” – referencing the story of the resurrection of Jesus in the Christian faith.

Anyone who has been bereaved will tell you about the terrible gut punches of absence that hit you when you least expect it – seeing their favourite food in the supermarket, a memory that comes at you from a Facebook archive, their scent still on their clothes, clothes which now hang uselessly in the wardrobe. And the anniversaries! The first week, month, Christmas. The first birthday after he died should have been his 18th. These days caused physical pain as much as emotional. There were, I admit, days when I wanted to die too.

So how did I make it to this October, the roses and the golden sunshine? How have I found myself still ordained, still offering comfort and support to others? How have I, dare I say it, clawed my way to some sort of restored life?

The answer lies in a four-letter word. Love.

When I first howled into the dark, only hours after hearing of Leo’s death, it was to social media. I broke the news to friends through Facebook, but I told anyone who would listen via Twitter (now, of course, known as ‘X’). Leo had been an inveterate Twitter user, and so I hoped I would reach his friends, and maybe even find out if something in particular had driven him to this terrible action.

Well, I never really have found any answers, but what I did receive was a tsunami of love and support from complete strangers around the world. Social media has a lot to answer for, but my goodness it kept me afloat for months. It

Glimmers of Hope

became a huge comfort to me that Leo’s name was spoken, and his story told, on every continent on earth, (including Antarctica, thanks to the journalist Frank Gardiner). I have not managed the International Space Station yet, but there’s still time!

These strangers online have revived in me a sense of the inherent goodness of humanity. I have even made some firm friends whom I have come to know ‘in real life’. I have become part of a community of bereaved parents around the world - people who really do understand where so many don’t. Folk send me messages and photos even now, about wolves and sunsets and cricket, which were Leo’s favourites. The young people who were part of Leo’s international gaming community still check in with me. Adherents of several faiths across the world pray for me, for him, for our family.

Love came to us in many guises, not just via the internet. My best friend drove for hours just to hug me. My sister-inlaw filled our fridge. Church congregations sent letters and cards. Leo’s teachers and friends wrote moving tributes, and school planted a tree in his memory. The cricket club held a minute’s silence, the bellringers rang a quarter peal for his 18th birthday. People came in their hundreds to his funeral, many standing outside for two hours in the pouring rain because they couldn’t all fit in the church. And the love continued long after the funeral – so important! A colleague visited every single week and just let me cry and rage and repeat myself. A friend sent flowers every month. NLCS friends visited my home, and others invited me to stay with them. This vast network of love held us up where the bureaucracy following such a death seemed almost purpose-built to tear one down. Institutions shrugged metaphorically, turned away, let us down, hid their culpability and left us to flounder. Ordinary people rallied round. Some whom I had considered friends did hide away or ignore me completely, I suspect overwhelmed by the awfulness, and unsure what to say. But their absence - even neglect - hurt more than a clumsy word would have done, and I have to say I let them go from my life.

Love. Or call it care, concern, connection. Definitely consistency. This is what got me through, this is what helped my husband, my younger son and I to find our way through the jungle of sorrow in which we had been unceremoniously dumped. And slowly it became clear to me that this love, this was the thing that my faith was all about in the first place. Not a guarantee of a good life, not a get-out-of-jailfree card for misdemeanours, not an answer to all of life’s pains and uncertainties. Love is a universal human and spiritual language – walking together on the road, even when the way seems dark, and the monsters gather in the shadows. Love is something we can all show one another, something that this world so desperately needs.

My son was loved, and is still loved, so very much. He couldn’t allow himself to see or feel that, and it breaks my

heart. But love saved me, has given me hope. I now spend my time trying to share that message – that no matter how hard and lonely and hopeless life may seem, there is still love to be found and shared, and with it, glimmers of dawn that eventually become the rising of the sun on a new day.

The Reverend Sharon Grenham-Thompson (ONL 1984), née Laine attended NLCS from 1978 to 1984. She studied Law at Reading University, and Guildford College of Law, qualifying as a solicitor in 1992. Following training at Trinity College, Bristol, she was ordained in the Church of England in 1998.

Since then, she has been a parish priest, and also a full-time prison chaplain, working in a variety of establishments, from a young person’s secure centre to a Category A male prison. Since September 2023 Sharon has served as the rector of four rural parishes in Suffolk and as a qualified Pastoral Supervisor, offering support to professionals, including clergy, in their role.

She has also been a radio broadcaster for the past 23 years, contributing to BBC Religion and Ethics programming via Radio 2, Radio 4 and local radio. A published writer, librettist and poet, her book, ‘Jail Bird’ (about Prison Chaplaincy) was published in 2016 by Lion Hudson.

Sharon is married to Richard. She has a daughter, Ellie, who is a translator and lives in Nottingham, and a son, Gabriel, currently studying History at Cardiff University. And, of course, Leo.

She has run a marathon and several half marathons in the past, and also enjoys sailing, walking, and watching Nordic Noir on TV.

M Bridging the Past and the Future

What can we do in the present to create a sustainable future for all?

y past is rooted in NLCS. I was there for 11 years until age 18 (1993). What I know now but likely didn’t appreciate then, is how much we dealt with nature day to day: Lime Avenue, playing under the Cedar tree and the woods behind the tennis courts. My chosen career is in banking and specifically trading financial markets. I have traded most markets and products during many different crises(!) over the years at both a hedge fund and two banks. It teaches you resilience but to also trust your own judgement. What it also teaches you is that there is a cost to inaction. Lack of quick decision making in trading is a killer. I use the same approach now with the climate and biodiversity agenda: the cost of inaction is high.

After nearly 30 years in the business, I realised that there were two trends dominating the next cycle: Artificial Intelligence and the Climate/Sustainability crisis. I therefore took a secondment to the unique Sustainable Markets Initiative to try and help drive impact and deliver on the mandates of the Terra Carta and Astra Carta. It is truly an honour to be part of this organisation whose focus is on Nature, People and Planet.

Founded by His Majesty King Charles III, then The Prince of Wales, in 2020, the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) is seen as the world’s ‘go-to’ private sector organisation for sustainable transition. Its ten-year mandate (2020-2030), the Terra Carta, provides an ambitious 10-point roadmap for the private sector to accelerate a sustainable future in line with United Nations 2030 targets on Climate, Nature and the Sustainable Development Goals. In 2023, the SMI launched the complementary Astra Carta which seeks to ensure the sustainability of the growing space economy, including leveraging space-based technologies to improve sustainability on Earth. This is the future and every action we take now can determine our future for the planet. To effectively bridge the past and the future, it is essential to learn from historical practices while embracing innovative solutions. Past and present practices by indigenous

communities teach us a lot about how to work with nature and not against it. Nature itself can solve a lot of the planet’s issues: just look at how mangroves can sequester carbon. I had the honour of planting some mangroves in Samoa.

Actions we can take now, in the present, to drive a sustainable future:

1. Involve the Private Sector: they can embed sustainable practices, drive capital flows, create incentives and new markets and change industry wide business models.

2. Educate and Empower Consumers: Raising awareness among consumers about the importance of sustainability is crucial. Empowering individuals to make informed choices can drive demand for sustainable products and services.

3. Invest in Renewable and other Energy Technologies: Transitioning to renewable energy sources is vital for reducing carbon emissions and combatting climate change. Governments and businesses can invest in solar, wind, and other technologies such as fusion, creating jobs while ensuring a cleaner energy future.

4. Encourage Innovation and Technology: Embracing innovation is critical to achieving sustainability goals. Investing in research and development of sustainable technologies can lead to breakthroughs such as producing solar power in Space. Collaborations between academia, industry, and government can catalyse the development and adoption of these technologies.

5. Advocate for Policy Changes: Policy plays a significant role in shaping a sustainable market and creating the enabling environment for investment. Advocating for government policies that promote sustainability, such as carbon pricing, renewable energy incentives, and regulations on waste disposal can create a favourable environment for sustainable practices.

6. Measure, Report and Highlight progress: Establishing metrics to measure sustainability progress is crucial for accountability. Transparent reporting can build trust with stakeholders and encourage continuous improvement. Showcasing of best practice can accelerate learning across industries globally.

Bridging the Past and the Future

The Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) is resolute in its mandate to achieving a sustainable future for all. By bridging the lessons of the past with the innovations of the future, we can create a market system that allows for radical change and could indeed be the growth story of our time. The actions we take in the present - promoting sustainable practices, educating consumers, investing in renewable energy, and advocating for policy changes—are crucial steps toward realizing this vision. By working together, we can ensure that future generations inherit a world that is not only prosperous but also sustainable and equitable. The time to act is NOW.

What I have realised over the years is that opportunities arise when you least expect and you need to be bold to take them because, more often than not, they will require you to be out of your comfort zone. My mentors over the years have been so important - guiding me to make crucial decisions: the best advice I have been given is to ask questions and not be afraid to admit you don’t know. Most great leaders are continuously learning.

The issue of climate change is incredibly complex. It requires large multi-dimensional system-wide thinking and a redesigning of economic models. Progress can sometimes feel slow or at odds with cycles which are shorter term in nature. The thing that keeps me going is seeing what innovation and progress the private sector has made. Seeing is believing and there are several companies out there doing incredible things which is very inspiring. I hope these innovations and signs of progress are being spotlighted in the curriculum at school because they are showing the path for transition as the growth story of our time.

I will leave you with some key tips: Ask questions, trust your judgement, sit in the front row and don’t be afraid to wear colour!

Angelie Moledina, née Malde (ONL 1993), is currently on secondment to the SMI as the Chief Impact, Innovation & Governance Officer and Board Member. The SMI is a network of global CEOs (“coalition of the willing”) working together to build prosperous and sustainable economies that generate value through the balanced integration of natural, social, human and financial capital. Its serving mandates are the Terra and Astra Cartas.

Angelie joined Bank of America in 2000 to run European Government Bond Trading, having been a Partner and Macro Portfolio Manager at hedge fund Moore Capital from 2014–2019 and a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley where for 18 years she held various roles in Credit Trading, Managing a Peripheral Trading business through the European debt crisis and running European Linear Rates Trading. She sat on the Morgan Stanley Global Fixed Income Management Committee, European Fixed Income Operating Committee and European Rates Operating Committee.

Angelie was awarded the eFinancial News “Top 100 Women in Finance” in both 2011 and 2013 and graduated in Economics from Pembroke College, Cambridge (1993).

By working together, we can ensure that future generations inherit a world that is not only prosperous but also sustainable and equitable. The time to act is NOW.

Angelie with His Majesty King Charles III at Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa 2024

Transforming Learning

Innovations in Educational Technology

The education landscape is undergoing a significant transformation - the global educational technology (EdTech) market size is forecast to increase by USD 162.7 billion, at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 16.82% between 2023 and 2028. EdTech is becoming a key sector in the UK’s digital economy, driven by technological innovation and changing educational needs. The sector experienced a 71.5% growth in 2020, driven by the demand for remote learning during COVID-19 lockdowns, but it is now here to stay, with increased demand for digital learning solutions, including virtual classrooms and e-learning platforms.

When I left one of the largest professional services firms in the world to join a start-up during the pandemic, I didn’t set out to intentionally ‘work in tech’. A strategy consultant turned operations director, I was seeking a role where I could really make a difference, and the tiny company I joined had ambitious dreams to help people realise their potential – something which spoke to my increasing passion for learning, coaching and inclusivity. In the four years that I have been the Chief Operating Officer of BecomingX, a learning company co-owned by the adventurer Bear Grylls, we have evolved our portfolio to cover many aspects of learning, from our inspirational films to our highly bespoke and impactful corporate training programmes and team-building experiences. Perhaps the most surprising aspect for me, though, has been the eye-opening journey into how EdTech is transforming the learning experience, particularly in schools.

EdTech is in its simplest form the use of digital tools and resources to enhance teaching and learning. It includes hardware like computers, tablets, and smartboards, but the most exciting innovations are in software, such as learning management systems, educational apps, and online resources. EdTech facilitates remote learning, offers data-driven insights for tracking progress, and enables collaboration among students and teachers; it enables interactive, personalised, and accessible learning experi-

ences that engage students and supports various learning styles. Ultimately, it aims to improve educational outcomes and make learning more flexible, efficient, and effective. It’s a fast-moving landscape. In the UK, the accelerated adoption of EdTech in schools marks a transformative shift in how students learn, and teachers teach. According to recent data, the UK EdTech market is poised to grow exponentially, with forecasts predicting revenues of over £3.5 billion in 2024, and the market shows no signs of slowing down. This shift toward digital learning tools was amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced schools to adapt to remote and hybrid learning formats. Although most classrooms have now returned to in-person instruction, EdTech’s benefits are now widely recognised and investment in it has become more accepted. Digital platforms like Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams enable learning to continue outside the school environment, accommodating both remote and hybrid setups. During the pandemic, these tools allowed teachers to continue their lessons seamlessly, while students could access their learning materials, submit assignments, and engage with classmates remotely. Today, this flexibility can support students who benefit from revisiting materials at their own pace and helps bridge the gap for those who may need

Transforming Learning: Innovations in Educational Technology

additional time or resources outside of traditional school hours. It has also become a mainstay of higher learning, and training in the corporate world.

There is much more to it than remote access and flexibility. One of the primary benefits of EdTech is its capacity to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to personalise learning. Traditional classrooms, with one teacher for many students, can struggle to cater to individual learning paces and styles. EdTech addresses this gap by providing adaptive learning experiences that tailor content to each student’s needs. For example, Century Tech, a UK-based platform who we collaborate with, uses AI to analyse student performance and adjust content accordingly. This approach enables students to revisit challenging areas, work at their own pace, and ultimately fosters a more tailored educational experience.

Student engagement has also improved with the use of gamified EdTech tools. Kahoot! and Classcraft are popular examples in UK schools that integrate game mechanics like points, rewards, and challenges into learning. By transforming lessons into interactive activities, these platforms help boost students’ motivation and reduce anxiety associated with assessments. Such gamification not only makes learning more enjoyable but also encourages participation, especially among students who may struggle with traditional instructional methods.

As technology continues to advance, EdTech platforms are set to become even more immersive and collaborative. Trends such as collaborative learning, where students use shared digital workspaces for group projects and augmented reality (AR), are creating highly interactive experiences. AR, for instance, can overlay educational content on the real world, allowing students to interact with 3D models or historical reconstructions in real-time.

But it’s not just all about being in a virtual world. Social-emotional learning (SEL) integration within EdTech platforms helps students build interpersonal and self-management skills that support well-being. SEL platforms help

students develop empathy, communication, and emotional regulation; qualities that are just as critical to success - if not more - than academic knowledge.

The BecomingX Education platform places emphasis on developing the real-world skills, attitudes, behaviours and relationships needed to succeed in the increasingly complex world that young people are navigating. We have schools on the platform in the UK and across the world – including NLCS Jeju! It is a classroom-based tool designed to provide easy access to world-class lessons with minimal preparation time or teachers. With a ‘Netflix’ style interface, teachers have the flexibility to create their own PHSE programmes with full length lessons appropriate for ages 8-18, or blend activities and clips into their own lesson designs. They can also supplement lessons in other topics with film clips from the world’s most inspiring people – think Olympic medallists, Presidents, CEOs, and those who aren’t celebrities but who have overcome immense personal challenges. Teachers might choose to showcase the British astronaut Tim Peake in Physics or tell the story of Ursula Burns in Economics; they might use an activity developed with the Red Cross to discuss kindness or lead a quick debate on ‘red lines’ in form-time. Working with the BecomingX Foundation, we have also been able to bring the platform to street children in Kenya, where lessons on resilience and ambition have changed lives. The key is the use of technology to bring incredible content to children regardless of where they are in the world, reduce work needed in preparing high quality, engaging lessons, and free up teachers’ time to focus on what they do best –teach.

EdTech’s ability to offer personalised, flexible, and engaging learning experiences has already reshaped education in profound ways, from virtual classrooms to AI-driven adaptive learning platforms. As investment and innovation continue to surge, EdTech is positioned to bridge educational gaps, enhance accessibility, and equip students with both academic knowledge and essential life skills. With initiatives like BecomingX Education and Century Tech leading the charge, the future of education looks more inclusive, inspiring, and tailored to meet the needs of diverse learners around the world. The journey ahead promises to be as transformative as the technology itself, ensuring that education evolves alongside the demands of an ever-changing global landscape.

Alexis Rose (ONL 1996) is the Chief Operating Officer of BecomingX, a learning and development company that aims to create a world where everyone can realise their potential, no matter what their starting point in life. She is also an ICF ACC credentialed transformational and corporate coach. Prior to joining BecomingX, she spent nearly 20 years in Accenture’s Strategy practice, where she held a number of leadership roles including Director of Operations (Europe) and Global Inclusion & Diversity Director. Alexis is an alumna of St John’s College, Cambridge.

Redefining Generosity

How Philanthropy is Evolving

Philanthropy today is about more than just writing cheques - it’s about time, trust, and a commitment to real and lasting change. In my roles leading GMSP (God My Silent Partner) Foundation and as Philanthropist in Residence at LSE, I’ve seen how the spirit of generosity is expanding. True philanthropy connects people, amplifies voices, and strengthens communities. As I reflect on NLCS’s 175th anniversary, I’m reminded that generosity isn’t just a grand gesture; it’s woven into everyday actions and values—values I see reflected both at NLCS and in the evolving world of philanthropy.

Philanthropy as a Catalyst for Women’s Rights

How Does Philanthropy Help Drive Change?

Social movements, often supported by philanthropic funding, have been key drivers of change in women’s rights. From supporting education for girls to backing initiatives that have helped advance reproductive rights, philanthropy has played a supportive role in many milestones. But it wasn’t philanthropy alone that won women the right to vote or campaign for our equal rights - those came from powerful, grassroots movements led by women themselves. Philanthropy’s role is to support and elevate these efforts, providing resources that help turn momentum into lasting progress.

NLCS has also contributed to this legacy by championing girls’ education long before it was widely accepted. This commitment to helping young women harness their own strengths aligns with what I see in philanthropy today: the goal of equipping people, especially women, with the tools to create change and advocate for their rights.

The Power of Community and Trust-Based Philanthropy

How Can Generosity Extend Beyond the Individual?

Modern philanthropy is shifting away from the idea of donors as “givers” and recipients as “takers.” Instead, it’s about creating relationships and building trust with the communities we support. In practice, that means the active

involvement of those most affected, understanding their needs, and making decisions together—what we call “trustbased philanthropy.”

The importance of community and connection takes me back to my days at NLCS, where my teachers exemplified these values. I remember when my Mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in the late 90s. It was still relatively unheard of back then - and whilst there was not the formal pastoral support that there is today, our teachers gave generously of their time, energy, and support. Only now, looking back, do I realise how much that sense of community impacted me. At NLCS, it’s clear that community isn’t just something you engage with outside; it’s a value embedded in the school culture, from student-led projects to the kindness extended between students and teachers.

Shifting Power Dynamics in Philanthropy

How does shifting power promote greater dialogue?

Today, philanthropy is shifting toward a model of shared power and decision-making, moving away from traditional, top-down approaches. This change mirrors the culture at NLCS, where students are encouraged to think critically, lead, and question. True generosity means creating spaces where everyone can voice their perspectives and shape their futures.

As a private school, NLCS does benefit from unique resources, and this often brings a range of views on what is fair and equitable. While there is ongoing debate about the role of private institutions in society, what is clear is that we need spaces for open, honest dialogue—something increasingly rare in today’s polarised world. This is where philanthropy can step in. Philanthropy has the ability to create spaces that allow for difficult conversations and foster greater understanding.

NLCS provides precisely this environment—a place where students are encouraged to express their views freely, learn from one another, and evolve their opinions without fear of being “cancelled.” Respectful debate and the ability to listen, challenge, and grow are central to a healthy community. It is a lesson for philanthropy too: to support spaces where open, respectful discussion is valued, so individuals can learn, reflect, and ultimately contribute to a more understanding society.

Reflecting on Hope and the Future of Philanthropy

NLCS’s motto, “We work in hope,” serves as a powerful reminder of the values that lie at the heart of both education and philanthropy. Hope isn’t passive; it’s active. It is a commitment to finding better ways, building more effective systems, and ultimately creating a more compassionate world.

As philanthropy evolves, it becomes more about people and purpose than power and privilege. So, as NLCS marks

this milestone anniversary, it’s worth asking ourselves: What can each of us give to help create a legacy of generosity, one that will inspire generations to come?

Sonal Sachdev Patel (ONL 1998) is CEO of GMSP Foundation, a family foundation practicing trust-based philanthropy to support frontline organisations serving marginalized communities in India and the UK. She is the first Philanthropist in Residence at LSE’s Marshall Institute and serves on the boards of Dasra and the Global Fund for Children.

Sonal co-authored Gita: The Battle of the Worlds (HarperCollins), which brings the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita to children, and her latest book, Little Wave & Other Stories (Scholastic), helps young readers and their families navigate grief. A long-time meditation practitioner and teacher, Sonal holds an MA in Economics with Management Studies from Cambridge University, where she was awarded for academic excellence.

Sonal is a coach dedicated to supporting dynamic women, guiding them through personal growth and professional transformation.

NLCS’s motto, “We work in hope,” serves as a powerful reminder of the values that lie at the heart of both education and philanthropy

Innovate Your Path

Embracing the Joy of Following Your Bliss

It was winter pre-Covid in 2019 when I heard some inner whispers crying out for some “time out”. As a conditioned millennial from a high achieving background, I had been accustomed not to pay too much heed to them and continue plodding along on the treadmill of life. I was programmed to stay focussed on my professional development, always looking forwards and working towards “the next thing”. I am sure some of the readers can relate to this. The pandemic gave us all an opportunity to reflect and that is where my little whispers started to become louder, or perhaps I could just hear them a bit better?

Fast forward a couple of years, I had agreed on a 3-month sabbatical from my places of work. This was something I thought would be impossible to organise as I had not come across anyone managing this in my profession without quitting their jobs. (Lesson: this should not be a reason to stop you! Have the conversations with confidence. More on that later).

Ever since I was a dental student, I’d always dreamt of utilising my skill overseas to help communities less fortunate. As part of my sabbatical in summer 2022, I was able to support an initiative in Ladakh. This is a historically very remote Himalayan region, over 3000m above sea level. It is situated at the very north of India, bordering China on the east and Pakistan on the west. Even now, during the winter months, rural villages in the region become completely isolated due to the harsh weather conditions making it impossible for residents to access basic healthcare. Unfortunately, there is an epidem-

ic of tooth decay due to refined sugar being so easily accessible and consumed addictively, without the necessary resources and education on oral health disease prevention. Over the years the project has managed to establish a clinic within a school in the local city Leh, with facilities to provide the full spectrum of general dental care (aside from implants). Treatment is provided to all patients, regardless of age, free of charge. The project also runs dental camps in various other regions in Ladakh. There is a resident dentist who oversees the operation of the clinic, which helps with continuity of care given that volunteers come and go. Language was not too much of a barrier as most of the patients understand and speak Hindi, which I am familiar with.

Some patients only spoke the local language, Ladakhi, but thankfully there was support available to help translate.

My days at the clinic were quite intense as there was not always 1:1 nurse support available which meant I was having to work as a dentist and dental nurse all in one.

This was tiring, but I was energised by glancing out the clinic window and seeing the breath-taking view of the snow-capped Himalayan mountains and knowing that I was contributing to a worthy cause. I was amazed at the pain threshold and cooperation of the young patients undergoing dental treatment; I really felt that I was treating “mini-adults” as they were so incredibly compliant when receiving treatment under local anaesthesia.

I stayed at a nearby guesthouse with a local family who were so warm and hospitable, it really felt like a home away from home. The evenings were spent enjoying the local food such as “momos” (Ladakhi dumplings) and

Innovate Your Path: Embracing the Joy of Following Your Bliss

“thukpa” (Tibetan style noodle soup), star gazing on the terrace (I spotted my first ever shooting star!) or playing monopoly deal with the family and other volunteers. One revelation that may seem obvious now but I didn’t quite appreciate before, was that teeth are the same no matter which corner you are in the world. And at their core, humans are also the same, again no matter where you are in the world. For me, this opportunity helped to reconnect to my core value of serving others and reminded me of the reasons I decided to enter this profession. It can be easy to lose sight of this when engrossed in day-to-day life. It also reminded me how grateful we should be for the healthcare facilities we have here. This was an incredibly humbling and fulfilling experience, knowing the little contribution I made was helping people with genuine need.

I would certainly encourage all healthcare professionals to consider getting involved in similar volunteer projects (either local or abroad), especially if service is one of your core values. There is so much need for your time and energy and equally there is so much to gain personally and professionally. I have now returned to my current role with renewed energy, purpose and vigour and hope with all my heart that I get to revisit this special place again one day.

After volunteering I was able to spend some quality time being immersed in spiritual activities in mainland India, which enabled me to connect much more deeply to myself. I reconnected to my faith in such a profound way, the ripples of which I am still feeling now. I then proceeded to travel to Bali and New Zealand. Inherently a “serial planner”, it was an unsettling and daunting prospect to travel solo without a stringent itinerary, but as it happens this was the perfect opportunity to surrender, flow and follow my inner voice in whichever way I felt called. And guess what? It all worked out. Taking time out allowed me to evaluate and observe my life from a distance and suddenly decisions that seemed difficult became easy. I knew I had to change my work pattern as it was no longer sustainable for me but cutting back (and letting go) was hard as it felt like a massive step backwards. Once I was away, I found it much easier to gain clarity and was able to confidently take the decision to resign from one of my jobs and work part-time. (Lesson: fully trusting yourself, your gut, your intuition, and your inner voice… it really knows what’s best for you).

Over a year since I returned, this decision has been hugely transformative and has allowed me space to pursue other interests, nurture meaningful connections and feel more balanced and grounded. I am more productive when I am at work; I am actually present, more engaged with my patients and have more energy to give to all those around me. (Lesson: less truly can be more).

In a society where we are constantly over-worked, overstressed, under-slept and under-nourished, it is absolutely crucial we take out quality time now and again to pause, reflect and recalibrate. This can be in the form of a full-on sabbatical or it can even be a day or part of a day with protected time just for you.

It is not always easy to orchestrate having time off work for reasons that are not maternity or medically related, especially in healthcare. I am happy to share that it was one-to-one coaching sessions that allowed me to really explore the idea of taking a sabbatical further. When I look back now the steps I took towards facilitating this seem obvious, although at the time I genuinely did not know where to begin. I had been involved with coaching and mentoring new graduates but had not been on the other side of it. Having gone through the process, I have a newfound appreciation for the benefits of career coaching and have continued with this since I have returned. It is such an effective tool to help you realise your goals (both career and otherwise) and thus lead a fulfilling life. It is now my mission to not only help coach others in a similar fashion but also advocate for coaching to be more integrated and accessible within the school and university systems and beyond.

I feel sincerely grateful and immensely privileged for the opportunity I had to further my personal growth. One of the biggest takeaways for me is that we should always have the conviction and strength to follow our individual path; that which feels whole and true for us. If we stay tuned to our authentic selves and follow our bliss, we can’t really go wrong.

Dr Tejal Doshi (ONL 2009) is a Dentist, Podcaster and helps high achieving women reconnect to themselves and their work.

Instagram – LinkedIn Podcast: Roots and Resilience (Apple and Spotify)

Because It’s the Uncertainty that Keeps Life Exciting M

y favourite pastime is to look back and reflect. Nostalgia is a strong emotion; never underestimate it. It allows you to look back fondly on your journey, but masks the negative, difficult aspects.

So, whenever you find yourself thinking “ah, I wish I was back in that amazing team, in that awesome company, in that perfect role”, don’t forget to pause, and remember why you left, or why you changed roles.

Great to have you here, Reader - let’s go on a journey of how, despite my fondness for nostalgia, I have woven many different chapters of my career together. See if this weaving resonates with you.

Era 1 - NLCS to University

As always, let us start from the beginning – What was I like at NLCS? I was the type of student that wanted to be involved with everything - lacrosse, different types of orchestras - string, cello octet and more), tennis, Senior Societies. That’s my good side; the other side was that as a result, I was not the best at anything.

Did that matter? No - I was content with exploring, and continuously discovering. And that has been the theme of my life, as well as my career. Big kudos to NLCS, for nurturing that side of me, normalising and making it possible for me as well as for others to never lose our curiosity.

During my Gap Year part-time jobs became my foray into “the world of grown-ups” - where I tried different roles, from selling tea and coffee on Portobello Road, to being a cashier at the infamous Abercrombie & Fitch. Was I interested in the food & beverage sector? Or fashion? I wasn’t quite sure yet, at the tender age of 18.

Starting university, I was fully on the exploration train but on an even bigger scale and looking for opportunities to participate in internships during summer holidays to widen my horizon beyond the UK. I tried selling magazines about tractors in France, driving around the French countryside; determined to play on my French knowledge, I interned at a fashion house during Paris Fashion week; fully intending to pursue fashion, I joined a smaller fashion company in

London, only to realise that I would then have to live at home for a long, long time on meagre pay. Apparently, my burning desire to be in fashion was not so burning anymore.

Era 2 - Post-University Career Chapter 1

At Business School during my Masters, I discovered new sectors I had not considered before, which would realise my “monetary dreams” - management consulting and investment banking. Many online tests, case studies and interviews later, I also decided that earning so much money but not having any time to spend it was not my jam either. But in the process of applying to many roles for interview practice, I got accepted into a logistics graduate scheme. My reasoning in going into this role was: “Every sector needs operations, right? Can’t be a bad bet!”

Within my two and a half years with DHL Logistics, I had three placements, rotating between customer facing (JCBBritish manufacturer of construction equipment), internal projects (payroll), and lastly at the innovations arm, otherwise known as the Business Venturing team. This was my first taste of startups, based out of WeWork, mingling with exciting projects that seemed to move astronomically faster than the corporate counterparts. And still being very junior, the chain of command I had to go through to get approvals made me decide it was time for a new adventure. You guessed it, at a startup.

Era 3 - Career Chapter 2

I became the General Manager of Karma Kitchen, a cloud kitchen startup, still a very new concept back in 2018. I was the first hire, with two female co-founders, and this was the fresh energy I needed after DHL. From building decks, I went on to being the plumber, electrician and salesperson in building and selling the kitchen spaces to F&B companies who needed a space to experiment, cook and sell via delivery platforms. As a foodie, I was in heaven - back in a familiar world where it was female centric (once an ONL…), where no two days were the same, and where there was a direct and clear result to all the work put in. In the two years I was General Manager, I helped raise their Series A Funding (Series A: usually referred to as first round of fundraising from investors between £2-20 million), as well as expanding physically into three sites.

Another plot twist and a new chapter incoming - my partner had been in London for two and a half years and we were both itching to leave for a new adventure. This was 2020, and Covid-19 was among us - but Brexit was moving ahead as well. With the uncertainty of not knowing how

Because It’s the Uncertainty that Keeps Life Exciting

long this might last, it made me even more determined to carve my next chapter.

My forte was fast becoming operations, especially in food - so I naturally played into this in finding my next role. I believe that no matter how good you are at something, luck always needs to play a hand. A fast-scaling e-commerce grocery store in the Netherlands, Picnic, was hiring for operations managers and despite my not speaking Dutch, was a perfect match. I sum up the next move as: forwards pivot diagonally up.

Era 4 - Move to Amsterdam

The city pivot to Amsterdam was beyond perfect - beautiful canals, amazing work-life balance, cycling no more than fifteen mins to get anywhere (which was a heavenly change from forty-five mins on the Tube being a “good commute”). However, I had outgrown the sector. Supply chain was my bread and butter, but I had moved on and was itching to do a complete pivot. At this point, I was at mid-manager level, allowing me to jump into a breadth of roles; but given the change I wanted, I had to go out there, to see what new sector I wanted to tackle.

Again, as luck would have it - this time I landed in the venture capital world. The job description sounded so apt to my personality, that despite me not coming from finance nor consulting, I leaned into my operational and start up experience - and most of all, I leaned into the personality I had nurtured, which shone through in the role of running residencies at Antler Netherlands.

With this role, I grew to manage more locations, opening new locations in Portugal and Spain, assisting new locations opening up, and hiring and training fellow program managers. After two and a half years at Antler, I calculated that I worked cumulatively with six hundred founders in helping their entrepreneurial journey from day zero, seeing their startups come to life, struggle, pivot and succeed.

I had 10 destinations planned for the next three months. Highlight? Climbing to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. Having summited Kilimanjaro in Kenya back in 2015, Everest had always been on my bucket list - what better time to search for meaning of life while hiking up to 5,400m? What did it feel like up there? The route was breathtakingly beautiful. Base Camp, on the other hand was quite underwhelming. It was a beautiful experience I highly recommend.

Era 6 - Post-Sabbatical and Onwards

While searching for my next role, I am freelancing for the Dutch Consulate in San Francisco, helping Dutch companies scale to the US. It is a role that comes naturally to me, given the similarities to Antler - and at the same time, I stay mindful that I left Antler for a reason, and so the search continues. On sunny days, the opportunities seem endless, exciting and hopeful. On rainy days (of which Amsterdam has quite a few!), I ask myself why I have not figured out my path yet. My learnings for 2024 are to be patient, kind to myself, and realise that life itself is an epiphany.

Collaborations with Google have seen the start of Female Founder Brunch editions that have now spread to other Antler locations around the world, inspiring and connecting amazing future entrepreneurs.

Era 5 - Sabbatical

2023 was a busy year for me - I got married in Korea, we moved homes, and career wise I was starting to think ‘what next’. At the same time, I was feeling an itch - to travel, to take a break. This was the classic mentality of “I see others taking a break, good for them! But who am I to deserve one?” and it plagued me for a few months, until I wrestled and won. I resigned from Antler February 2024, and

What Are the Takeaways From This and What Lessons Do I Hope To Pass On?

There is no correct or right path to one’s career. Never be afraid to journey out of your comfort zone and out of the path you thought you should stay on. And if it doesn’t work out, there is absolutely no shame in going back, if only to realise again that you need a complete change. Or that you’re happy to be back - but with zero regrets, no what-ifs. Post school, university if that’s the path you’re on, there are decades left of your life. How do you want to spend them? Carve out each chapter with the certainty of your desire for a life worth living.

Although it is the uncertainty that keeps life exciting!

Rosa Jung (ONL 2009) was born in Korea and lived in Paris before moving to London at the age of 10. She grew up in London, later attending the University of Manchester, followed by Imperial College Business School. Her passion for travel was sparked at NLCS during a trip to Zambia and a World Challenge expedition to Peru, where her love for mountains began amidst the stunning Andes. Since then, Rosa has visited 70 countries and has no plans of stopping anytime soon.

With an international family - her mother is an artist in London, her father a businessman in Asia, and her sister currently pursuing an MBA in the US - it’s only natural that Rosa met her Swedish husband during a year abroad in Beijing. Now happily settled in Amsterdam (for the time being), she is excited to embrace whatever adventures the future holds!

Event Highlights

We were delighted to host a variety of ONL events. Visit the NLCS website for updates on upcoming events or email us at onla@nlcs.org.uk to join our mailing list.

50 Year Reunion: Class of 1973 (20 September 2023)

Decades Reunion: Classes of 1984, 1994, 2004, 2014 (11 May 2024)

Event Highlights

Half Decades Reunion: Classes of 1979, 1989, 1999 and 2009 (9 June 2024)

ONL Lacrosse and Netball vs NLCS Senior Team (5 September 2024)

Event Highlights

50 Year Reunion: Class of 1974 (23 September 2024)

Former Staff Reunion (20 November 2024)

Event Highlights

Regional Events: Scotland

Visit to Dundee V&A

On Saturday 7 September 2024, six of the Scotland ONLs met in Dundee for a visit to the V&A museum and a tour of RMS Discovery. If was a great day with plenty of opportunity to catch up and share news, since our last gathering in March. The photo shows those present, with the iconic V&A Dundee Museum building as a backdrop.

From left to right: Janet Mundy (ONL 1973); Linda Majcher, née Clare (ONL 1973); Ali Harris, née Bell (ONL 1982); Nora Mogey (ONL 1979); Hilary Hines, née Staple (ONL 1983) and Gillian Sweetman, née Fletcher (ONL 1970).

We try to meet up twice a year as a group, around Founder’s Day for a lunch and in September for a different activity, although after a request to get together more frequently, we currently have a plans in place to tackle an Escape Room in February 2025. If you are in Scotland and are interested in getting involved with future Scotland ONL events, please contact Ali Harris, née Bell (ONL 1982) at: onla@nlcs.org.uk

Founder’s Day Lunch

On Saturday 23 March 2024, ten Scotland ONLs met for lunch to celebrate Founder’s Day. Of the 10, three ONLs had not attended one of our previous events, so it was great to see new and old connections being made. The restaurant now call us the Daffodil Ladies, as they enjoy us turning up every year with daffodils in hand!

Working from bottom left in a clockwise direction around the table we had: Ali Harris, née Bell (ONL 1982); Mary Cranston (ONL 1974); Nora Mogey (ONL 1979); Janet Mundy (ONL 1973), Linda Majcher, née Clare (ONL 1973); Vanessa Glynn (ONL 1978); Shereen Benjamin (ONL 1983), Ruth Law (ONL 1974); Gillian Sweetman, née Fletcher (ONL 1970); and Elizabeth Holt, née Glass (ONL 1966)

Event Highlights

Regional Events: Hampshire

12 Hampshire ONLA members met at Helen Jex’s (ONL 1983) house back in October 2023. For many, the first significant get together since COVID. We ate delicious food and caught up with all sorts of news, including tales from those who had been hosts for Ukrainian refugees - some good, some less so.

Helen had hurt her knee badly the day before, but insisted we carry on - true ONL spirit. Due to long journeys from some parts of the county to outlying members’ homes, we decided to try to host meetings centrally in the Winchester/Southampton area for a while.

Our next meeting was held in April 2024 in Cathy O’Connor’s home in Winchester, then Helen once agreed to host in October.

ONLs who have been attending these meetings agreed to try a visit to the east of the patch for Spring 2025, in Hill Head, Fareham.

Photo caption: Marilyn Ayres, née Swallow (ONL 1963); Lorna Fitzpatrick, née Hamlin (ONL 1986); Cathy O’Connor, née Giagnoni (ONL 1978); Timandra Nichols (ONL 1965); Sue Griffiths, née Morgan (ONL 1966); Jean Wissett-Warner, née Stratton (ONL 1952) and Helen Jex (ONL 1983)

Would you like to organise a sector specific event for your field? The NLCS Alumnae Office is here to help! Contact us at onla@nlcs.org.uk – we would love to support you!

ONL Dentists Networking

Organised and hosted by Dr Tejal Doshi (ONL 2009) and Dr Nehal Doshi (ONL 2012), it was wonderful to spend the morning connecting with ONL dentists and dentists to be. The event provided an opportunity to share experiences which resonated with one another, exchange ideas and collectively tackle challenges that some of us are dealing with.

ONL News

1940s

Eileen Degenhardt, née Pegley (ONL 1945)

At 98, Eileen has been knitting blankets for premature babies since moving to a care home five years ago. Now living in Warwick, Eileen’s daughter, Helen, delivers batches of the blankets to the Special Care Unit at Warwick Hospital. These beautiful creations provide warmth and comfort to newborns embodying the spirit of care and compassion that defines the ONL community.

1950s 1960s

Maureen Fox, née O’Connor (ONL 1955)

The Borstal Girls

Does anyone remember 1955/1956 friends Mary Elizabeth Hoskins (left in 1956 to go to Cambridge) and Maureen, AKA ‘Connie’, O’Connor ONL1955? Connie would dearly love to be in touch with her old partner in crime Mary. Connie remembers their time at NLCS fondly and recounts hiding in a cupboard with her friend to avoid a gym lesson. Their antics discovered, they were hauled up in front of the formidable Headmistress, Dame Kitty Anderson. Dame Kitty was not amused. She looked the pair up and down and told the naughty duo, in a severe manner, that from now on they would be marked ‘borstal’ in the register”. The shame!

Connie is now just shy of 90, informs us that she now “lives in sin’ with her life partner, having been widowed at 40. She has five grown-up children and holds two academic degrees along with a Masters Degree from the Centre for Medieval Studies at Reading University. Maureen worked as a teacher for many years, in some very deprived areas. She now lives in the UK, having travelled extensively, living for periods of her life in Pakistan and Iran.

Margaret Archibald BEM (ONL 1967)

Taking live music into the wider community has been Margaret’s passion since her time at NLCS when she took her clarinet into Edgware General. In 1989, as Sub-principal Clarinet of the London Mozart Players, she was invited to pioneer the orchestra’s musical outreach work and over the next 21 years she developed projects for all ages that were rolled out UK-wide. On leaving the LMP she set up Everyone Matters to continue to work with a group of wonderful musician colleagues to deliver projects including informal concerts for older audiences in care settings, hands-on music workshops for children and young people with special needs, interactive shows for early years and lecture-recitals for music-lovers. She was thrilled to be awarded the British Empire Medal in the King’s New Year Honours List 2024, particularly in recognition of her work bringing the generations together to share music and conversation in projects that give young musicians the opportunity to rehearse and perform alongside experienced professionals to give pleasure to older people in nursing homes and day centres.

1970s

Babs Horton, née Scott-Whyte (ONL 1972)

This summer, aged 71, Babs took a play to the Edinburgh Fringe. ‘In the Lady Garden’ was chosen as part of the Pleasance and Theatre Royal Plymouth partnership and Babs reports that it was a truly amazing experience to play to different audiences every day. The team were all over 60 - actor Julia Faulkner and Director Deborah Edgington. In 2025 the play will be on tour across the UK.

Dame Judith Weir CBE (ONL

1972)

Named Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to music in the Kings Honour List 2024, having received a CBE in 1995 and the Queen’s Medal for Music in 2007.

Margaret Fingerhut MBE (ONL 1973)

Awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Music and Charitable Funding in the King’s Honours list 2024.

Jane Gould Smith (ONL 1974)

Loving retirement! Having returned to golf last year after a gap of 15 years and taken weekly lessons, Jane has cut her handicap by 13 strokes so far. This year, she has won a club annual pairs trophy, the Ladies Pairs Ping Qualifier and topped it all off by winning the season Ladies Eclectic competition. Also managed to lose 4 stone in the process, so feeling much healthier and more energetic. In addition, Jane is enjoying performing in operatic productions again, even having a small solo part in Gianni Schicchi earlier this year.

1980s

Caroline Kenyon, née Brandenburger (ONL 1981)

Launched newly rebranded World Food Photography Awards in Madrid recently with headline sponsor, BIMI.

Founded in 2011, the Awards are now regarded as one of the world’s top 10 photographic awards, with entries from 100 countries, 80 judges and ambassadors round the world and 30 categories. Partners include UN World Food Programme, Fortnum & Mason and the Royal Photographic Society.

Professor Alison Shell, née Hunt (ONL 1982)

Elected a Fellow of the British Academy. She is Professor of Early Modern Studies in the English Department of University College London, and works on the inter-relationship of English literature and Christianity. Her most recent books are Shakespeare and Religion (2010) and the co-edited essay collection Anglican Women Novelists: Charlotte Brontë to P.D.

James (2019). She is currently working on two monographs: a study of Shakespeare’s response to Counter-Reformation thought, and a survey of the drama written by British Catholics after the Reformation. She remembers with enormous gratitude the teaching she received at NLCS from Laurel Barker (Glockner), Margaret Flemington, Penny Howell, Margaret Hunt (Weidemann), Robin Townley (Myers), and the other remarkable members of staff who were responsible for English, History and Latin during her time.

Julie

is

this

season. A diverse panto written and directed by Susie McKenna, this tale of warring kingdoms Lewishtonia and Westminsteria runs 4th31st December with an Olivier Award-winning cast.

Plus Play On! comes to Lyric, Hammersmith 28th January - 22nd February. This musical is an updated Twelfth Night, set in the Cotton Club to the music of Duke Ellington. Also playing at Birmingham Hippodrome and Bristol Old Vic.

We’d love to see some ONLs there! More at https://www.julieclare.co.uk/.

Professor Carly Fertleman (ONL 1983)

A consultant paediatrician for twenty years at the Whittington, Carly completely loved her role but decided that she needed to fulfil her dream of living in Israel.

Once she had persuaded her hospital to annualise a part time contract (40%) and her youngest child had finished university, Carly set off to live with her dog in a small garden apartment in Jaffa, Israel. Carly returns to the UK for half terms and the summer for clinics. In Israel, she pursues a more creative and leisurely lifestyle. Carly has her Israeli medical license but reflects that it’s pretty quiet on the medical front without tourists! However she has been super busy with many art and craft endeavours. At the recent 40 year anniversary meet up, Carly bought the NLCS monopoly board and plans to take it to her great aunt Sheila Kritzler, née Oster (ONL 1947) who was Head Girl and joined the school in September 1939.

This October, Jackie matriculated at Oxford University, a mere 36 years after graduating from Exeter University. She is now reading for Master of Studies in Literature and Arts, an interdisciplinary humanities degree. It’s part-time, so Jackie can study while holding down a full-time job as Head of E-Learning for an HR software company. After a career including one decade at the BBC and another at the National Trust, she is very excited about this next step. Best of all, another old North Londoner from the class of 1983, is one of her tutors

Dr Gillian White, PhD in Renaissance Studies. ONLs really do get everywhere!

Jenny Brown, née Cullen (ONL 1987)

Jenny Brown was recently interviewed on the Women of the Future podcast, after being named in the Kindness and Leadership 50 Leading Lights awards in 2023. Sponsored by KPMG, the awards seek to spotlight leaders who impact others through kindness. Within the podcast episode Jenny explores the importance of kindness in leadership, and how that in turn permeates throughout the school community at City of London School for Girls, where she is Head. The podcast is available to listen to via Spotify.

Anna Marks, née Maxwell (ONL 1988)

Appointed Chair of the Deloitte Global Board of Directors in June 2023.

Julie Clare (ONL 1983)

Theatre Producer

Clare

producing Sleeping Beauty at Broadway Theatre, Catford

festive

Jackie Finlay (ONL 1983)

1990s

Susan Fang (ONL 1992)

This year, Susan fulfilled a long-time dream by completing the Marathon des Sables in Morocco - a multi-stage, self-sufficient 120km journey through the Sahara Desert, often called the toughest foot race on earth. Over four days and three nights, Susan carried everything she neededsleeping bag, food, trekking poles, and even a venom pump - enduring blazing sun, sandstorms, and, unexpectedly, the heaviest rainfall Morocco has seen in 19 years. Marking her 50th birthday, this race tested Susan’s resilience and focus, proving that age is just a number. Susan was deeply grateful to her incredible team, who kept her business running seamlessly during this extraordinary challenge.

Dame Antonia Romeo DCB, née Rice-Evans (ONL 1992)

Antonia, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath (DCB) in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours for Public services.

Annabelle

James (ONL 1994)

Awarded a Doctorate in Education earlier this year. Annabelle’s thesis explored the impact of a hybrid teaching and assessment strategy, adopted by a post-1992 university in response to the Covid-19

pandemic, on student achievement in a first year Public Law module. Annabelle reflects that it was fantastic to share her graduation day with her mother. Sadly, Annabelle’s father passed away during the pandemic but was there in spirit!

Professor Sophie Fuggle (ONL 1996)

Writer Emma Gordon’s debut feature film, JOY, launched globally on Netflix on 22 November, following its premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on 15 October. The film tells the story of the British pioneers of IVF and stars Bill Nighy, James Norton and Thomasin McKenzie.

Virginia Gilbert, née Farnon (ONL 1998)

Virginia Gilbert’s second feature film as writer-director, “Reawakening” opened in UK and Irish cinemas on September 13th, and will be released on digital late November. Starring BAFTA winner Jared Harris, BAFTA nominee Juliet Stevenson and Erin Doherty. The Guardian called it, “Carefully constructed, robustly performed... it’s the kind of grown up, approachable movie designed to be talked about afterwards over dinner... The film has intelligence and force” and The Times said, “Sophisticated screenwriting and two knockout central turns … Jared Harris and Juliet Stevenson are powerhouse performers sublimely cast.” The film has been longlisted for two British Independent Film Awards.

2000s

Maya Gudka (ONL 2000)

The Executive Coach Podcast, hosted by Maya, offers weekly tips on designing your career and life in a way that is aligned to your personal dreams & wellbeing. Drawing from her 1000s of executive coaching sessions with high-achieving leaders across various fields (and

Appointed Head of Languages, Cultures and Film at the University of Liverpool.

Emma Gordon (ONL 1996)

businesses & organisations ranging from Sony Music, to M&S, to HSBC, Google and the NHS), Maya addresses the real issues facing high achieving leaders today, intertwining career ambition with home, health and the diverse interests of a typical ONL!

The podcast has featured brilliant ONLs like Meera Manek (2001) and Aarti Thapar (1997), and it consistently ranks in the Apple Podcast Career and Business Charts, and as a top 2.5% podcast globally.

It appears to particularly resonate with, and has a loyal audience of ONLs - maybe it speaks to us in a more nuanced way than the standard self-help advice!

Listen here on: Apple or Spotify

Marina Bradbury (ONL 2002)

Married Arnaud Bansard in 2022. They have two children, Gabriel and Juliette, and live in the Paris region. Having worked in communications for over 15 years, Marina is focusing more on drawing and illustration. Her latest work can be found on Instagram, @marinabartist.

Kate Hofman (ONL 2003)

In July this year Kate was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Bath Spa University for her work in Entrepreneurship and Sustainability. 11 years ago she co-founded GrowUp Farms, an award-winning vertical farming business that now sells its sustainably grown salads in retailers across the UK including Tesco, Sainsburys and Lidl.

The doctorate was in recognition of Kate’s championing of innovation and sustainability in the food system, where her work has cemented her as one of the UK’s leading and inspiring purpose-driven entrepreneurs. This summer she left GrowUp to embark on her next food adventure, and is currently building a software platform to help food and drink brands unlock profitability and build more sustainable supply chains.

2010s Mica Keeney (ONL 2010)

It’s been a busy year for Mica Keeney, class of 2013 after 14 years at NLCS, as she became both a mother and a founder, now living in New York. Having worked in marketing and communications for over a decade, Mica started her own agency Keeney + Co working with high-profile global brands. While entering this new chapter, Mica also had her first baby, which inspired the launch of Substack, Motherhood Muses. Her blog is a bi-weekly source of inspiration as women navigate the journey of motherhood. Think chicken soup for “mommy brain”. Mica is eager to learn from ONL’s about their motherhood experiences and also support if brands need marketing or comms services. Get in touch at mica@keeneyandco.com

Lauren O’Donnell (ONL 2010)

Founder of Oatsu, has been named Consumer Brand of the Year in Foundervine’s Future Awards. Lauren left a career in banking to launch Oatsu in 2020 after struggling to find healthy, convenient breakfasts near her office. Oatsu’s overnight oats are available online and will launch in Ocado in February 2025.

Nadia Odunayo (ONL 2010)

Founder and CEO of The StoryGraph, Nadia was featured on the front page of Apple’s UK App Store in October 2024 as part of the “Black, British and Brilliant” Black History Month campaign.

Sophia Halberstam (ONL 2011)

In addition to her day job as Senior Marketing Manager for GAIL’s Bakery, Sophia sings with a choral/folk band, Mediaeval Baebes, which has won an Ivor Novello Award and received two Emmy nominations for its soundtrack on ITV’s Victoria. The band is currently touring the UK.

During her time at NLCS, Sophia was a member of both the chamber and the main choir, taught by Miss Summers, who still teaches at the school.

Priya Gopaldas (ONL 2016)

Recently completed the Polar Circle Ultra. It was a marathon and a half through the

artic tundra in Greenland. The temperatures got down to -20°C, with participants battling icy winds and mid-shin deep snow. It is the only race route in the world that crosses the artic ice sheet. This part was technical, with all participants having to run with microspikes on their shoes to avoid slipping and being extremely careful to stick to the route to avoid falling into a crevasse. The most difficult part was keeping covered whilst running which is necessary to prevent frostbite. Staying adequately hydrated and fuelled during the marathon was also challenging because everything would freeze! In true NLCS girl style, Priya was the first woman to cross the line and is looking forward to her next challenge in January - summiting Aconcagua, South America’s highest mountain.

Arjuna Keshvani-Ham (ONL 2017)

Awarded the ASC free studio award for emerging artists in London (2024) and the DAAD scholarship (2022).

Sailee Khurjekar (ONL 2017)

Earlier this year in May, Sailee got married to Alexander Davies at the Old Marylebone Town Hall. Her bridesmaids included Lucy Bannatyne (Maid of Honour), Aashni Chohan, Riya Patel, and Jennifer Wheldon — all from the Class of 2017.

Sailee has continued to develop her passion for Philosophy, which was initially sparked in her first Religious Studies lesson in Year 7, and is currently studying for a PhD in Philosophy at Birkbeck, University of London.

Perhaps most exciting of all, Sailee is also a Theology and Philosophy teacher at a (rival) institution: Haberdashers’ Boys’ School. It’s very much a school-family affair though, as her old teachers, Robert Sykes and Hazel Bagworth-Mann, are the recently appointed Headteachers of the Boys’ and Girls’ schools respectively!

Ava Siena Cohen (ONL 2018)

Started a funded PhD at Durham University in October. Her project, ‘Artemisia’s Art: Rescuing the works of Artemisia Gentileschi from her sexual assault’ is funded by the Joanna Barker Doctoral Scholarship. It is affiliated with the Italian Department of the School of Modern Languages and Cultures and supervised by Professor Ita Mac Carthy and Professor Stefano Cracolici.

Bryony Orr (ONL 2018)

In February 2024, Bryony was awarded the company award and accompanying bursary from the Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters, for undertaking a knitwear project of value to the industry. Her project was titled: “Playtime”, and explored how play is used to shape our identity, through childhood all the way to adulthood. Bryony aimed to focus on hand craftsmanship, stressing the importance of tactility and tangibility within our garments, to combat the ever-growing digitisation of the fashion design space. Bryony also had further opportunity to join the Framework Knitters Company, where she was exposed to the historical significance of livery companies and their ongoing significance to the knitwear industry in the UK.

Sophie Scrimgeour (ONL 2018)

Graduated from Edinburgh Vet School (R(D)SVS) this summer where she completed her undergraduate research project at the Roslin Institute on “The Association between Glial Reactivity and Dementia in the Feline Brain”.

Sophie won the Best Student Research Project Prize at graduation, along with the MSD Animal Health Research Bursary Award for her project. This November, bursary recipients from all UK vet schools were invited to present their findings to a panel of judges, and Sophie was awarded 1st place.

The funds were invaluable in supporting Sophie’s laboratory project, where she gained valuable skills in immunohistochemistry, brightfield microscopy, and statistical analysis. Her research uncovered similarities between feline dementia and human Alzheimer’s disease. Presenting her findings and networking with industry professionals has motivated Sophie to follow her passion for One Health - a collaborative approach to animal, human, and environmental health.

Sophie now works as a small animal veterinary surgeon at Snoots, a London-based start-up and members-only clinic with a mission dedicated to making high quality primary care accessible and affordable.

Cara Chedid (ONL 2019)

Started a Masters in Acting at GSA (Guildford School of Acting).

2020s

Mia Borgese (ONL 2020)

Since completing a Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mia has been working in their dream job as a Software Engineer at Amazon Prime Video. The role offers opportunities for growth, involving coding in multiple languages, working on exciting projects from design to launch, and collaborating with an incredibly intelligent and supportive team. Mia is loving working in a dynamic and vibrant environment, and looks forward to staying connected to hear about everyone else’s adventures too!

Isabelle Brand (ONL 2021)

Discovering a passion for lacrosse during a PE lesson at school sparked a journey that, ten years later, led to a place on the Senior England Women’s Performance Squad. In May 2022, Izzy made her Senior England 6’s debut at the Six Nations Cup in Germany - a significant milestone in her career. This was followed by a first international tour with the Senior Team to the USA in September 2023, competing against elite Division 1 colleges.

Currently, preparing for the World Cup in Japan 2026 with aspiration for the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. Representing England is a privilege like no other. Wearing the England badge serves as a reminder of the years of dedication, sacrifice and hard work that have led me to this point. The honour of representing the country being a profound mix of pride and responsibility and serves as motivator to give 100% every time Izzy steps onto the pitch.

Tammy Berman (ONL 2024)

In the summer following Year 13, Tammy founded Wavelength Theatre. With a close-knit production team formed of close friends – mostly ONLs and… still NLs – together they turned a crazy idea of Tammy’s into a company and, more than that, a family. Over two months, they auditioned, cast and rehearsed Tammy’s original play, ‘What’s Funny About Oxbow Lakes?’ This play is a dedication to her school, teachers, and friends exploring youth, friendship and identity through the story of a sixth-form class stranded for 13 hours on a remote island during a Geography field trip gone wrong.

In August 2024, they shared this story with sold-out audiences during the Camden Fringe Festival. The experience was magical, as the team saw their creation built from scratch come to life so vividly and joyously onstage.

Since then, the Wavelength family has been busy with their individual pursuits - University, school, work - but this is just the beginning. Stay tuned for what’s coming in summer 2025!

Tammy and the company are so grateful for the support of the ONL community!

Former Staff News

Stephen

Palmer Physics Technician (1989 to 1995)

My most recent book, “I Am Taurus,” got six superb reviews from people in the anthropology and history fields. I did various local (Shropshire/Wales) bookshop visits, all enjoyable. My next book is very different - a book on punk rock. This will be published in August 2025. It was enormous fun to write! I’ve seen the cover design, and it is pretty striking. My publishers have recently commissioned me to write a book on Pink Floyd - something of a change!

Jane Wedlake

P/T Biology Teacher (1988 to 1989)

P/T Biology & Chemistry Teacher (1995 to 2000)

I took early retirement in 2004, after teaching in a mixed sixth form college, although continued with private tuition with an increased number of pupils. Unfortunately, home tuition had to stop at the onset of the Covid pandemic.

In April 2020 I applied to do further study in biology to update my knowledge and to indulge my passion for the subject. In September 2020 I began a two-year MSc in Biomedical Science studying Immunology at the University of Westminster. This included the study of vaccine development, the latest research into RNA manipulation and future cancer treatments. In July 2022 I graduated with Distinction.

We love hearing your news. If you have an update you would like to share, please email onla@nlcs.org.uk.

ONLs in Print

Dr Gita Ralleigh (ONL 1988)

Stepped down from clinical practice after thirty years working in the NHS to focus on writing. Gita has published two poetry books A Terrible Thing and Siren and two children’s novels, The Destiny of Minou Moonshine (2023) and The Voyage of Sam Singh (2024) both published by Bloomsbury. She also lectures in creative writing and medical humanities at Imperial College and runs workshops in schools, libraries, hospitals and other community settings.

Gita’s latest novel, The Voyage of Sam Singh, is her second magical middle grade adventure set in a parallel colonial India. Young land-pirate Sam Singh sails to an isle teeming with spirits and secrets on a perilous journey to find the truth about his missing brother. The Guardian described it as ‘a rich, bold historical fantasy’. Both her novels are aimed at ages 9-12 and were written because Gita couldn’t find fantasy adventures with South Asian characters for her own two children, who are now teenagers.

Natasha Walker (ONL 1984)

Major (retd) Nell Mead (ONL 1996)

Story of Resistance

Recently published Before the Light Fades: A Family

After her mother took her own life at the age of 75, Natasha was at first devasted by grief and guilt. But as she started to explore her mother’s life as well as her death, she recognised the courage and determination that Ruth Walter had always shown in living life on her own terms. This fascinating story takes the reader from anti-Nazi resistance of the 1930s Germany to the nuclear disarmament movement of 1960s London, and up to the present day.

Edmund de Waal called it a ‘fierce and beautiful book,’ while Sarah Waters said it is a ‘fascinating story of courage, doubt and defiance across three generations.’ Old North Londoners might be particularly intrigued by Natasha’s depiction of attending the school in the 1980s.

With 20+ years’ experience as a physiotherapist including 10 years in the British Army, Major Mead has developed the Health & Performance Pyramid – a revolutionary approach to understanding how the body works. Her new book “How To Be Your Own Physio” takes you on a journey through the Foundation Layer (hydration, nutrition, sleep and stress), exploring how the vascular system supports cellular health. Moving up through the Health Layer (alignment, biomechanics and control), she tackles the nervous system’s response to pain and dysfunction using her Release, Stabilise and Move model. The Performance Layer builds musculoskeletal capacity through strength, flexibility and endurance, and finally the Sports-Specific Layer helps athletes optimise their movement patterns. Whether you’re managing chronic pain or aiming for peak performance, this systematic approach will transform how your body moves and feels.

Dr Susie Orbach (ONL 1962)

Expanding Psychoanalysis explores the work of the acclaimed psychoanalyst, writer, and activist Susie Orbach.

The book studies Orbach’s multifaceted career in five sections, examining her multitudinous contributions to the mental health profession, from the creation of feminist psychotherapy to the enhancement of media psychology, to the growth of political and social consultation. The book contains clinical, historical, and personal chapters, examining Orbach from a range of perspectives. Each chapter investigates a key aspect of Orbach’s work and its impact on the professional, the social, and the personal level. The book concludes with an epilogue by Orbach herself.

Jane Corry, née Thomas (ONL 1974)

‘I DIED ON A TUESDAY’ (Penguin) tells the story of Janie, a cyclist whose hitand-run attacker is revealed twenty years after the accident. But not all is as it seems. Jane, who was at NLCS from 1961 - 1974, has had seven novels in the top ten of The Sunday Times in recent years. They include ‘My Husband’s Wife’ which was also a Washington Post best-seller.

Margaret Rooke (ONL 1979)

Meet the Dyslexia Club! Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, this is a book written largely in the words of children to inspire and encourage primary students with dyslexia. In the book I’ve created characters who talk about their talents and skills as well as their struggles and their everyday lives. They talk about how adults can help them and how they can help themselves. It’s a perfect way to give them a boost, and the illustrations are fantastic.

Roma Agrawal (ONL 2001)

Seven Small Inventions that Changed the World

Technology and engineering surround us. From HUGE things, like spaceships and skyscrapers, to much smaller things like the toaster in our kitchen and the shoes on our feet. But all of these things only exist because of seven small inventions: the nail, the wheel, the spring, the magnet, the lens, the pump and ... string. And each of these inventions has a fascinating story to tell.

In this children’s adaptation of Nuts and Bolts, award-winning engineer turned bestselling author Roma Agrawal makes STEM accessible, intriguing and aspirational, and encourages children to be endlessly curious about the ‘things’ that make up our world.

A Celebration of Vision and Community The Legacy of Philanthropy at NLCS

The changed status of the School was confirmed when a scheme for its administration was prepared by the Endowed Schools Commission.

The number of free places increased from 10% to 25% to qualify for a new additional annual grant of £1 per pupil introduced by the Board of Education

Funding from London County Council received in exchange for expanding the allocation of places for London County Scholars to 10% every year.

Nearly a third of the School consists of London County Scholars.

1926 Frances Mary Buss House Appeal raises £1k

From its founding in 1850 by Frances Mary Buss, North London Collegiate School (NLCS) has always been more than a place of learning; it is a community of generosity, ambition, and lasting impact. This is a story of resilience and innovation, where each generation has built upon the school’s legacy of philanthropy, enabling NLCS to offer an exceptional education to all its pupils, regardless of background.

19th Century Beginnings: A Foundation of Vision

In the early days, Frances Mary Buss transformed her private venture into a pioneering grammar school for girls, grounded in a commitment to accessible, high-quality education. By 1872, just two decades after its founding, NLCS launched its first endowment appeal, raising £20,000 with the support of City institutions like the Clothworkers and The Brewers’ Company. This early success set a precedent for philanthropic engagement, providing an enduring foundation for the school’s growth and mission.

20th Century Growth: Navigating Change and Broadening Access

As the school evolved, the need for more expansive facilities. Throughout the 20th century, NLCS continually adapted to the evolving educational landscape. The Direct Grant Scheme in the 1940s offered a route for nearly a third of pupils to attend the school via funded places. By 1976, following the abolition of the scheme, NLCS solidified its future as an independent school with charitable status. During this period, fundraising increasingly focused on bursaries to support students from diverse backgrounds. The introduction of the Assisted Places Scheme in the 1980s provided further access for pupils with talent and ambition, allowing NLCS to continue its mission of inclusivity and access to education.

NLCS founded by Frances Mary Buss

Miss Buss transforms her private venture into a public grammar school for girls by transferring ownership to a trust.

NLCS becomes a Direct Grant Grammar School

414 of the 754 Senior School students (55%) were holders of free places.

Direct Grant Scheme: 25% of places are funded by central government, while the remainder attracted fees, some paid by the Local Education Authority and some by parents.

A Celebration of Vision and Community

Assisted Places Scheme: free or subsidised places to eligible children based on the results of the 11+ entrance examination.

1996-1998

Sports Hall & McLauchlan Library Campaign raises £1.8m

2012-2014

Extending Excellence in Education Appeal –Indoor Teaching Space (ITS), Classrooms, Science Labs, Dining Room refurbishment & IT Suite raises £1.2m

Bursary Fund renamed the Bernice McCabe Bursary Fund to mark the extraordinary contribution of Bernice McCabe OBE to NLCS over her 20 years of Headship

Madeline McLauchlan handles the response to the Public School Commission and abolition the Direct Grant Scheme, replacing it with a combination of bursaries and the new Assisted Places Scheme. NLCS becomes an Independent School with charitable status

Embracing Modern Needs: Capital Projects and Enhanced Facilities

1976-1978

Bursary Fund

Endowment appeal raises £1m to support students after the withdrawal of the Direct Grant Scheme

As the school evolved, the need for more expansive facilities led to ambitious capital projects. The 1988 Jubilee Appeal, raising £1.1 million, funded new science labs, design technology classrooms, and all-weather tennis courts - underpinning NLCS’s commitment to modernising its offerings. In the 1990s and 2000s, the Sports Hall, McLauchlan Library and the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) and were added, raising £1.8 million and £1 million, respectively. These projects marked an era of enriched learning spaces, each one further strengthening NLCS’s ability to provide a well-rounded education, balancing academic excellence with inspiration, resilience and a sense of community.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch becomes the first corporate sponsor of the Bursary Fund

1998-2000

Bursary Fund Appeal raises nearly £1.5m

21st Century Vision: Bursaries, Endowments and Innovation

NLCS celebrates 175th anniversary Ideas Hub Capital Campaign raises £1m

Entering the new millennium, NLCS has furthered its dedication to inclusivity and modernisation. In 2017, the school renamed its bursary fund in honour of Bernice McCabe, celebrating her outstanding contribution to NLCS and the impact of bursaries on countless pupils. Recently, our Ideas Hub campaign, which has raised £1 million illustrates NLCS’s commitment to preparing pupils for a rapidly evolving world.

Looking Ahead: A 175th Celebration of Our Community

As NLCS celebrates its 175th anniversary, we are reminded that we are more than just a school; we are a thriving community of alumnae, parents, and friends who share a commitment to providing transformative educational experiences. From our earliest endowment appeals to today’s initiatives supporting bursaries and state-of-theart facilities, every gift, large or small, has played a role in shaping NLCS into the institution it is today.

Uniformity

1850

In at least the first fifty years, the school did not have a formal uniform for its pupils. However, certain dress conventions were encouraged, such as wearing “warm boots” during winter and aprons during science lessons.

Above: Early pupils at NLCS

The Evolution of the NLCS Uniform

1890

The 1890s saw the introduction of “gymnasium dress” to facilitate exercise, which included 30 minutes of specialised calisthenic routines twice a week and daily musical drills of 15 minutes. Over time, this dress evolved to meet the growing demands of physical activity.

1906

The school prospectus, for the first time, featured a dedicated section on dress protocols, formalising the guidelines already in place.

1913

Sixth Form Pupils

1980s

Pupils in the Buss Library

Pupils wearing aprons with their hair neatly tied back during Science class

Above: School uniform across year groups

1918

From the Archives Uniformity: The Evolution of the NLCS Uniform

With the appointment of Isabella Drummond as Headmistress, significant changes were made to the school uniform. The gymnasium dress was refined to become the official school uniform, and a separate uniform was introduced specifically for sports.

1919

By this year, all pupils were required to wear tunics, adopting a standardised uniform across the school.

1922

Minutes from a staff meeting held on 18 September 1922 reveal detailed discussions about changes to the school uniform. A notable outcome was the decision to make brown tunics compulsory starting from September 1923.

1974

Brown trousers were formally introduced as part of the school uniform, reflecting a shift towards practicality and modernity.

1970

School uniform became optional for Sixth Formers.

Above: Letter to Parents from Mrs Madeleine McLaughlan)

Above: Pupils in the Greenhouse Classroom

1936

Below: School Prefects with Miss Drummond in 1936

1940s

Below: Science Class

1950

Founder’s Day: Celebrating 100

I The De StainedMorgan Glass Windows

f you have visited the school since 2016, you may have been fortunate enough to see two William De Morgan stained glass windows which have been installed in the atrium, behind the Richardson Hall. The windows, depicting Esther and St Cecilia, are on permanent loan from St Lawrence’s Church in Little Stanmore.

William De Morgan (1839 – 1917) was born in London, into an intellectual family of French Huguenot descent. He studied at the Royal Academy where another student introduced De Morgan to William Morris; they were to become lifelong friends. Between 1863 and 1872, De Morgan designed stained glass, furniture and tiles for Morris & Co and it was his experimentation with stained glass which led to his discovery of the lustre finish for which his later ceramic creations made him famous. From the 1860s onwards, stained glass enjoyed a major revival as Morris and his contemporaries re-popularised the arts of the Medieval period, providing stained glass windows for both church restorations and domestic buildings. De Morgan made windows for at least fifteen churches and other establishments, showing how effective stained glass could be as a means of communicating complex and subtle ideas on a grand scale. However, despite his success, there is little scholarship on his stained glass.

St Lawrence’s Church in Little Stanmore has stood on the same site since the early 16th century but the main body of the church was substantially rebuilt between 1714 and 1716 for James Brydges, the first Duke of Chandos who had recently purchased the Cannons estate. The Duke was an early patron of George Frederick Handel and parts of Handel’s organ and the organ case designed by Grinling Gibbons still remain. The Victorian renovation of the church included the installation of five new stained glass windows, one of which was dedicated to Sir Thomas Plumer which suggests that they were funded by the family of Sir Thomas Plumer, Master of the Rolls, who owned Cannons 1805-1824.

By the 1970s, the church was once again in need of substantial repairs and funding was sought from The Georgian Group, a British charity and the national authority on Georgian architecture in England and Wales. It was a condition of their financial support that the Victorian windows be removed and plain glass windows reinstated, in accordance with the original 18th century Baroque architectural design. The stained glass windows were duly taken out and put into

Stained glass window, Esther created in the 1860s by the Arts and Crafts artist William De Morgan. Kindly loaned by St Lawrence Church, Stanmore

Part of the Esther window

The De Morgan Stained Glass Windows

storage where four remained, in pieces, for the next thirty years or so. The fifth, of King David and readily attributed to William de Morgan, was gifted to the Stained Glass Museum at Ely Cathedral in 1978. Stuart Cawthorne, a local historian and church guide told me that, unfortunately, no church documents exist to show who commissioned the windows, how much they cost or when they were installed. The sole clue is a quote by Edward Cutler, a grandson of Sir Thomas Plumer. Writing in 1895 he said, “ …. The stained glass windows are an anachronism. They ill accord with the character of the interior, and are not found in its continental models. They only date from the sixties.”

How two of the windows then came to be restored and installed at NLCS was largely a matter of happenstance. The Rector, Fr Paul Reece believed it was Caroline Powell, a former parishioner and Deputy Head of Junior School, who had alerted school to the existence of the windows. Stuart Cawthorne recalled a visit to the church by students from the senior school, accompanied by the Head of Art who asked to see the windows and who subsequently appealed to the governors for the cost of restoration.

The restoration work was carried out by Chapel Studios who identified the theme of the windows and the designers – not all were the work of De Morgan. The window designs were based on Handel’s oratorios, Israel in Egypt, Messiah, Saul, St Cecilia and Esther, the latter three designed by William de Morgan.

The two windows the school has on loan, of St Cecilia and Esther, were installed by Chapel Studios who also designed the back lighting which shows them to wonderful advantage. The windows were revealed to guests at the Christmas Carol concert on 10 December 2015 and were blessed in their new home by Fr Reece.

St Cecilia was a 2nd century Roman martyr whose feast day has been celebrated since the 4th century, and is the patron saint of music. In the window she is shown surrounded by the titles of various hymns and tunes, one of which is As Pants the Hart, one of the Chandos Anthems. Written by Handel in 1717-1718 for the Duke whilst under his patronage at Cannons, these anthems were based on religious texts and were performed at St Lawrence Church. Later, in 1739, Handel also composed a cantata called Ode for St Cecilia’s Day.

Esther was a queen of the Persian King Ahasuerus, and her story is the basis for the Jewish festival of Purim. Handel’s Esther began in 1718 as a masque, or chamber drama. Written early in Handel’s career, it was the first oratorio to be written in the English language, and borrows heavily from his Brockes Passion (1716). It was probably first composed and performed at Cannons, and was a significant achievement in Handel’s career.

Restored to their original splendour, the windows celebrate the important historical links between North London Collegiate School, St Lawrence Church, Handel and the Duke of Chandos.

Research: Karen Morgan, NLCS Archivist (1992 – 2017)

Jane Worsnop, née Cole (ONL 1972), first attended an ONLA event in 1990, where she was recruited to help organise the 20-year reunion for the Class of 1972. This led to her joining the ONLA Committee, where she has served continuously, eventually becoming Vice President. After leaving NLCS, Jane embarked on a career in the Civil Service, working across various departments, including the UK medicines regulator. She later pursued studies with the Open University and retired in 2014.

Stained glass window, St Cecilia created in the 1860s by the Arts and Crafts artist William De Morgan. Kindly loaned by St Lawrence Church, Stanmore

Broken window in the cupboard in the Crypt

In Memoriam

All death notices and obituaries featured in ONLINE are based on notifications received by the Alumnae Office. If you would like to notify us of a death, or submit an obituary, please email onla@nlcs.org.uk

Death Notices

We are saddened to share the news of the deaths of the following ONLs:

Ethel Hostler (ONL 1945)

Barbara M Watt, née Knott (ONL 1946)

Anthea Fortescue, née Higgins (ONL 1948)

Valerie Ross, née Munro (ONL 1953)

Pamela Clunies-Ross, née Ingram (ONL 1954)

Ann Shepherd, née Harrison (ONL 1954)

Joan Thompson, née Hinkley (ONL 1958)

Daphne Gadd (ONL 1965)

Jill Cooke, née Ezard (ONL 1967)

Esther M Yabbacome, née Jones (ONL 1972)

Sophie Butler (ONL 1973)

Kate Durkacz, née Woodham (ONL 1980)

Nina Barnett (ONL 1983)

Natassja Dellemann (ONL 2007)

Norma Rinsler, nee Lee (ONL 1946) 1927 - 2023

Norma Rinsler belonged to a generation who paved the way for modern women to be both mothers and successful professionals. Early on, she balanced a young family with teaching: eventually at King’s College London. At that time, even clearly brilliant academic women were not promoted – it took years to gain tenure. However, a new head of department brought a rapid rise to Reader, then Professor. Her administrative and personnel skills meant that she became vice-principal of the College and then Dean of the University Faculty of Arts.

Her interests were wide: a major achievement was to secure for King’s the archive of the Adam International Review – priceless original artwork and manuscripts by key figures of the 20th C. She sub edited Modern Poetry in Translation. The French Government named Norma Officier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiquies in 1989 – for contributions to French culture. Translation: she loved the right word in the right place, the way a teacher can fade out as the pupil becomes more confident. Translation: a supremely intellectual, yet personal and generous act, to which one brings one’s whole self, but as invisibly as possible. Norma was a generous, persistent and very skilled teacher. When my father had a stroke at 70 she spent hours with him, day after day, teaching and encouraging him until he spoke and walked again. Their contented retirement meant holidays in their caravan. They were always avid concert-goers. After my father’s death in 2019 she remained strong and incisive, completing the Times crossword daily and offering her quietly passionate love to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Sharp-minded until the last day, she died peacefully on 10th May, 2023. Alas. Miriam Rinsler

Carol Smith (ONL 1955) 1925 - 2023

My cousin Carol Smith, who has died aged 84, was a literary agent and author best known for her thrillers Kensington Court (1996) and Unfinished Business (2000).

Born in London to Winifred (nee Mapleston), a teacher, and David Smith, a businessman, Carol attended the North London Collegiate, after which she could not wait to get straight to work so took a shorthand course and flew to New York at the height of the Mad Men advertising era. Funny, charming, clever and ambitious she quickly found her first job with the publisher Arthur Rosenthal, who took her under his wing and moved her around every department of his company.

After a stint as a story editor for MGM she returned to London in 1965 and joined AP Watt literary agency. She built up a wide friendship circle of authors and publishers, including Arianna Huffington, Bernard Levin, Edward de Bono, Stephen King, Roy Hattersley and Miriam Margolyes. In the early 1970s she sealed her first million-dollar deal and celebrated by buying herself a large diamond ring. Another celebratory purchase was a luxurious wolf jacket and, with a wardrobe full of Armani, she was always extremely stylish.

A selection of Carol Smith’s thrillers, which she dubbed ‘creepy weepies’

After making a lot of money for her employers and authors she launched the Carol Smith literary agency and bought a large rambling flat in Kensington, where she liked nothing more than bringing together a disparate group to introduce young editors to their opposite numbers and authors to each other. She had an endless curiosity about people, and what made them tick, and took that with her when she reinvented herself as a novelist after selling her agency in 1998.

Her expertise as an agent advising authors on how to create tantalising storylines meant that her own stylish brand of blood-curdling thrillers were an instant hit. She even invented her own genre: the “creepy weepy”.

Susan Fletcher, the former deputy managing director of Hodder & Stoughton and a longtime friend, said: “Carol was a glamorous presence, with her blond hair, a husky voice that spoke of a 50-a-day cigarette habit – though in fact she never smoked – and the diamond rings she awarded herself for every mega deal. But that flamboyance came alongside a terrifically perceptive eye for talent and formidable negotiating skills.”

She is survived by a niece, Asta, and nephew, Karl.

Ruth Betts

Staff: Teacher/Head

of Biology 1981 – 2019 1959 – 2024

The whole school community was shocked to hear about the sudden death of Ruth Betts (Biology teacher at NLCS from 1981 to 2019) in July 2024. Ruth died in a tragic hiking accident in the Scottish highlands, not far from Glencoe. Ruth was a highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic Biologist and her enthusiasm, both for her subject and her love of imparting her knowledge, spilled over, not just in her lessons, but in every activity she took part in, whether it was a walk in the Chilterns with some friends or a Duke of Edinburgh Gold training session.

It is impossible to list all the numerous contributions that Ruth made to the school during her 38 years of service. She joined as a teacher of Biology during the time of Madeleine McLauchlan, was promoted to Head of Biology under Joan Clanchy in 1988 and in 2011 during Bernice McCabe’s time, she became the Duke of Edinburgh co-ordinator. These are some of the most significant roles that she took on but more interesting are all the things that do not come with a prestigious title or extra remuneration. She loved being in the classroom, she never wanted to take on responsi-

bility that led her away from teaching and her love of the natural world manifested itself in so many ways, providing excellent stories for ONLs to discuss over their WhatsApp groups. Members of her form group from the 80s have been discussing her animated explanations of enzyme actions using coloured plastic on an O.H.P., her peristalsis demonstration using a pair of tights and ping pong balls and her complete straightforwardness and sense of humour.

Knowing that she was practically part of the fabric of the building when she retired, Ruth put together a scrapbook that she wrote over a period of about a year. She talks about her experiences of Canon’s Follies in the 1980s, the introduction of computers, Founder’s day in 1982 and even describes how Ruth herself was the first ever NLCS Health and Safety Officer in 1986! It is a wonderful souvenir for us to remember Ruth and remember what the school was like over the thirty eight years of her service. In 2019 she was also interviewed by three students who asked her about her career in the school, what it was like being by far the youngest member of staff when she joined and how the school has changed. There is a special container in the archives with her name on it filled with photos, Duke of Edinburgh scrapbooks, extracts from her own mark book and register and a list of books she borrowed from the library. In her retirement Ruth was making the most of every second, she qualified as a Mountain Leader in 2017 and since then climbed nearly all of the Wainwrights in the Lake district, walked the Cumbrian Way, climbed over forty Munros in Scotland and led countless ramblers groups, local to her home and beyond. She was a leader with HF holidays and led many groups of all walking levels all over the UK. She and her husband, Geoff, had started to adventure abroad on walking holidays in more recent years.

Ruth adored her family. Her husband and two children often accompanied and helped on Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and the family welcomed two new additions recently, two grandchildren. For her family the loss of Ruth has been devastating.

Ruth’s students remember her as a brilliant, committed and hilarious teacher, a tireless expedition leader and a person for whom teaching was a calling, not a job, who gave herself wholeheartedly and unselfishly to every lesson, fieldwork study, project, expedition and event to help them build their futures. The impact she has had on the lives of so many people is something that we can all be thankful for even though she has left us too soon.

Helen Rice

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