The Roedeanian
Autumn 2017
Developments at Roedean 2017
Girls Go Gold celebrating the future of girls’ sport
A Level Art and Design visit to the Tate Britain
Harvest time at the School’s allotment
Year 10 residential trip to Blacklands Farm
Alumnae events 2017
Leavers’ Drinks
Rajha Ghazi and Kealey Harding meeting after 30 years in Vancouver
OR Late Summer London Lunch
Careers’ Fair Contributors in a Roedean minibus
School Careers’ Fair
Introduction It has been another hugely successful half-term at Roedean. The School is bustling with 570 girls, having grown by over 200 pupils in the last four years, and it has also shown very strong improvements in its academic achievements. In 2017, the Council of Roedean School formed the Roedean Group of Schools, and I was delighted to announce in September that Moira House School (Eastbourne) and Deepdene School (Hove) had joined the Group. On 29th September, the School shared with visitors the Commemoration and Founders’ Day Service in Roedean Chapel. It is very important that each generation of girls fully understands the pioneering vision of Penelope, Dorothy, and Millicent Lawrence, and the service also notes the work of former Headmistresses and Headmasters. We were joined by a large number of ORs, friends, and relations of Roedeanians who have recently passed away. We are always pleased to welcome members of our wider community back to the School. On the same day, we launched our Pitch Perfect Appeal to ask for support to transform our provision for sport. Full details of the project are noted on page 8 but, in short, the project will ensure the girls have the quality of sporting facilities that they need to compete at the highest level. I do hope you will want to help us ensure that we can provide the very best facilities for our girls. Just before half-term, I travelled to Hong Kong to meet with ORs and prospective students, and it is wonderful to be able to share with them the exciting news of how well Roedean is doing. Those we met have been really impressed with the School’s growth, excellent exam results, and the developments in facilities. Many follow what is happening back in Brighton with interest through The Roedeanian and on our website. I am immensely proud of the great strides forward Roedean is taking, and I have no doubt that you share this pride.
Contents School Highlights
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Introduction
5
Dates for your Diary
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OR Story and News
6-7
Pitch Perfect Appeal
8
Celebration & Obituaries
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With best wishes Oliver Blond Headmaster
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School Highlights Careers’ Fair
Archive Photo Project
On Thursday 21 September, the School held a hugely popular Careers’ Fair which was attended by 300 girls in Years 10-13. Parents, Old Roedeanians, friends of the School, local institutions and companies all took part to ensure this was a hugely worthwhile event. Sectors as diverse as law, medicine, and finance to publishing, film production, garden design, and fashion were represented. The event was clearly appreciated by all, and we are hugely grateful to all those who gave up their time to ensure the event was so valuable and helpful to the girls.
A group of Sixth Formers are taking some of the fantastic archive photos taken of school life at Roedean over a hundred years ago, and re-shooting them today. Each week, they have been setting any budding Roedean photographers the challenge of doing the same, and the best reproductions will feature in a calendar which will be sold to raise money for charity. We hope that lots of students will get involved, and have great fun doing so!
‘Thank you for inviting us all back to take part in the Careers Fair. It was a very special treat to be collected by a Roedean bus. I loved the fact that the vehicle was full not only with old girls and their daughters but also representatives of prestigious organisations who are seeking to encourage women to work with each other. I wish we had had a chance like this when I was at school.’ Sasha Glynn (No. 1, 1980 – 87)
If you have any photos of your days at Roedean please send them in; all of us here would love to see them. Please email them to alumnae@roedean.co.uk, or, if you prefer, you can post them so that we can scan and then return the originals.
Founders’ Day 2017 This year the School held two beautiful services to mark Founders’ Day. These give the entire school community the chance to reflect on the work of our Founders, the Lawrence sisters, and all those who have made significant contributions to developments at Roedean over the last 132 years. It was wonderful to be joined at the afternoon service by ORs, former staff, friends, and relations of those who have passed away this year, and hearing their names read out and a candle being lit for each was very moving. For the girls, the service is always a powerful link to Roedean’s ground-breaking heritage. 4
Introduction We are delighted to introduce the newest member of our team, Harriet de Bene, who will be supporting the office part time as a Development Administrator. Harriet studied History at Bristol University and previously worked for International Development charity WaterAid.
Dates for your Diary Tuesday 7 November
Governors’ Forum
6.30 - 8.00 pm
The East India Club, 16 St James’s Square, London, SW1Y 4LH
Tuesday 7 November
Pitch Perfect Appeal Reception
8.30 - 10.00 pm
The East India Club, 16 St James’s Square, London, SW1Y 4LH
Wednesday 22 November
Pitch Perfect Appeal Reception
6.30 - 8.00 pm
Notting Hill
Saturday 2 December
School Christmas Fair
10.30 am - 1.00 pm
Roedean
Thursday 7 December
Carol Service
11.05 am
Roedean Chapel – Followed by Pitch Perfect Lunch
Thursday 7 December
ORA Christmas Drinks
From 6.30 pm
All ORs are invited to Christmas Drinks at: The Antelope, 22 - 24 Eaton Terrace, SW1W 8EZ to enjoy some Christmas cheer, catch up with old friends and make some new ones.
Monday 19 February
Governors’ Annual General Meeting and Old Roedeanians’ Association Annual General Meeting
6.00 - 6.45 pm, and 7.00 - 7.45 pm
The Caledonian Club, 9 Halkin Street, London – Followed by a hot buffet supper
Saturday 23 June
Roedean Day
10.00 am - 4.00 pm
Our annual reunion day
For more information and booking, please contact: Grace Cather: glc@roedean.co.uk You can also call us on 01273 667398 5
Alumnae Highlights OR Story A Tale of Two Claudias The ORA London Lunch in September witnessed a very special reunion for Claudia Hutchings (Dalton, No. 2, 1970 – 76) and Claudia Finlay (Tomkinson, No. 2, 1966 – 72) who have a unique connection, and not seen each other for nearly 40 years! Claudia Hutchings describes how their paths first crossed. “I was born in Queen Charlotte’s Hospital Chiswick in 1958 with the help of my mother’s very eminent obstetrician, John Tomkinson. I was told that my mother had absolutely no idea what to call me, so when John Tomkinson visited her the next day with a 6lb 2oz little bundle (me), she asked him what she should call me.
In September 1970 I did indeed go to Roedean. One of the first people to greet me was a beautiful fifteen yearold girl in Upper V. She had a cascade of blonde curls and said “Hiya”. I had never heard anybody say that and I was impressed! It was Claudia Finlay, the other Claudia. Claudia looked out for me when I was in Lower IV. She even parted with some Rose’s lime marmalade so that I should have something to put in my tuck box. I remember her kindness and warmth and I only wish we were able to spend more than a year together at school. It was wonderful to see her again, now as Claudia Finlay, at the ORA lunch and I look forward to seeing her very soon now that we have reestablished contact. We have such a special bond!”
“I don’t know”, he said, “but my daughter is called Claudia.” “That’s what I will call her,” she declared. So that was my given name. Years later, Mr Tomkinson looked after my mother’s subsequent pregnancies and births. She gave birth to my two younger brothers, again, with his assistance. She seemed to seek John’s advice for all sorts of things and indeed asked him what school his Claudia went to. He told her that his daughter Claudia went to Roedean and was happy there. So, that’s where I ended up.
Claudia Finlay and Claudia Hutchings
OR News Camilla Bellord
Hannah Peachey-Thacker
(Corrigan, No. 2, 1986 – 94) Camilla Bellord Interiors
(Goudman-Peachey, Keswick, 2008 – 10) Peacheyboo
A UK based interior design consultancy offering high end tailored solutions to both private and professional clients in and around London, as well as further afield. Services, which can include spatial planning, bespoke furniture design and property styling, are operated with exacting standards, meticulous attention to detail and with the utmost of discretion. In addition to design services, an exclusive online shop offers a unique collection of accessories, artwork and furniture. www.camillabellordinteriors.com
Sussex-based children’s fashion label founded in 2015 by creative duo Hannah and her mother Lesley Goudman-Peachey. The mother-daughter team were inspired by their love of art and design and has since been translating their own creative work into fashion pieces for ages 0-11 years. At the center of their creative philosophy is an appreciation of how love and learning are fostered at home and are passed from parent to child (and back!) www.peacheyboo.com. Their Brighton store has recently celebrated its first birthday.
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OR News Chioma Woherem
Gloria Winquist
(No. 4, 2011 – 13)
(No.1, 1983 – 87) and
Many congratulations to Chioma, who graduated last year from Kingston University gaining an upper second class honours in Mechanical Engineering. Chioma continued her studies and recently submitted her dissertation for her Masters’ Degree - MSc in Innovation and Technology Management at the University of Bath (School of Management).
Keiko Satoh
Bee Lean Wong (Chew, No. 3, 1991 – 92) Bee is a senior partner within the audit team, and heads up the forensic accounting service, at Wilder Coe Ltd. Bee has recently edited ‘Forensic Accounting and Finance: Principles and Practice’. This book is a contributed volume covering the different aspects of forensic accountancy as practiced in the UK. It is aimed to be an accessible entrylevel guide for advancedlevel students and new or mid-level forensic accounting professionals looking to boost their specialist knowledge.
Spirit de la Mare (Pembleton-Fraser, No. 1, 1997 – 2002) Congratulations to Spirit on being made a Freeman and Guild member of The Guild of Freemen of the City of London. This is a huge honour and recognition of her many achievements over the years.
If you would like to add your business to the Roedeanian Directory, or your book to the virtual bookshop on RCN, please contact Harriet on alumnae@roedean.co.uk.
(No.1, 1984 – 89)
As a long time Apple enthusiast, Gloria has fond memories of playing Zork on her family’s home computer, and learning BASIC, her first programming language while at Roedean. In 2013, she went searching for a kid’s iPhone programming book and found that no such book existed. Hence Coding iPhone Apps for Kids was created, with illustrations from fellow Old Roedeanian, Keiko Satoh. Gloria and Keiko hope to work together on future ventures illustrating and developing mobile apps.
Delia Despair (Diana Kay, Johnson, No. 3, 1945 – 51) Delia Despair, as she is now known to her many blog fans, survived a turbulent if privileged childhood as the daughter of a globe-trotting diplomat, attending a string of convents and smart schools. Delia has penned a fascinating, warm and very funny memoir, replete with encounters with the great and good, from Somerset Maugham and Noel Coward to Fanny Cradock.
Get in touch If you would like to arrange a visit to Roedean, or would like help arranging a reunion, please get in touch with Mark Taylor and Grace Cather in the Alumnae Office on alumnae@roedean.co.uk or by calling 01273 667398. 7
Pitch Perfect Appeal
Pitch Perfect In September, we launched our appeal for an exciting development. Our contractors are now busy on foundation work to build a top quality, floodlit, all-weather pitch, a 5-a-side football pitch, resurface existing courts, install floodlighting to some existing courts, build a new tennis court, and improve paths and parking. Pitch Perfect will transform our provision for sport at Roedean. This project is crucial for us to take sport to the next level. We must inspire girls to train and compete to the very best of their ability. A new, floodlit pitch will also allow us to remain competitive with other schools. With your help, we can deliver the School’s first all-weather pitch and a range of other improvements to sport by next summer. Roedean has been fortunate to benefit from the generous support of parents, ORs, staff, and friends of the School in the past. Our Theatre and the new Science wing are good examples of transformational additions that were
completed with help from our wider community. We now need our current Roedean community to pass on the baton of philanthropy to this generation of girls. Completing this project will only be possible with your support. We need to raise £500,000 from the appeal to complete this transformational project. We hope that parents, ORs, Governors, and friends of the School will want to support by sponsoring a ‘pitch plot’ of their chosen size. All gifts will be hugely appreciated by, and directly benefit, all current and future girls. If you would like more information on any aspect of Pitch Perfect, including giving options, recognition and naming opportunities, please contact Mark Taylor via mta@roedean.co.uk or on 01273 667588.
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Celebration Vera Morley 90th Birthday Congratulations to former Head of Drama (1973 – 87) Vera Morley, who celebrated her 90th birthday in June this year. Former Staff, ORs, family and friends celebrated the occasion with a grand afternoon tea party at the Landsdowne Hotel in Eastbourne. Vera began her career at the BBC when they resumed TV broadcasts after the Second World War. On BBC Children’s Television she narrated the earliest live editions of Andy Pandy, in which she told a story as it was acted out by string puppets. She was also a TV in-vision announcer from 1955 until 1960, and later worked for BBC Children’s Television as presenter of For Deaf Children. Many remember Vera for the inspiration, glamour and joie de vivre she brought to the drama department.
“As Head of Drama, Vera was always the consummate professional and her productions were always a great mix of dramatic atmosphere and glamour! Vera in top hat, tails and fishnet tights was a fantastic sight for a staff performance! Her personality and beautiful chocolatecream voice is a delicious combination which never fails to enthral.” Sue Stanway, former Head of Art at Roedean.
Obituaries DhunMai Phiroze Dalal (Kandawalla, No. 2, 1954 – 56) DhunMai was born in Karachi, Pakistan, eldest daughter of the late Godrej and Shireen Kandawalla. After attending Roedean, she returned to Karachi for several years and married in 1961. Her two sons were born in the UK and she insisted they be educated here, as she had been. In 1977 the family emigrated to Los Angeles, were DhunMai was very proud to be an active member of the Zoroastrian community in Los Angeles. She served as Secretary in the initial years of the Zoroastrian
Muriel Aylen (Whitefield, No. 1, 1924 – 33) A woman of extraordinary charm and wit, Muriel Whitefield Aylen was born in London in 1916. She was the daughter of Margaret Ester Cinnamon and James Whitefield, Eastern European Jewish émigrés who founded the successful British chocolate company, Jamesons. After attending Roedean, where she excelled at music and sports, Muriel attended finishing school in Paris. While visiting her sister Dora
Association of California, and was one of the founding representatives of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America and on the International Board of the World Zoroastrian Organization. She also served on the board of the American Youth Symphony in Los Angeles for over 25 years. She was a dynamic, generous and loving person, who was the rock and inspiration of her family. She will always be remembered and greatly missed by many family and friends all over the world.
in Toronto, she met her future husband, Peter Aylen, a CBC radio manager. The two wed in 1938 and their only child, Peter Jr., was born in 1940. Her husband’s career in the United Nations Broadcasting Service took them to postings in New York, Jamaica, Ethiopia and Thailand. They loved their years abroad and the many fascinating stories and adventures they provided. Upon their return to Canada in the 1970s they settled into a comfortable retirement in Sidney, B.C., and enjoyed sailing and golf. Muriel died peacefully on July 26, 2017 at the age of 101.
If you would like to write a tribute to fellow ORs that have recently passed away, please do get in touch with Harriet via hdb@roedean.co.uk
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Lacrosse 1949
roedean.co.uk Roedean School, Roedean Way, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 5RQ Tel: +44(0)1273 667500 Registered Charity 307063