Sherborne Old Girls Journal 2023

Sherborne Old Girls

From THE ALUMNAE MANAGER

Fiona James

As 2023 draws to a close, I am struck by how our strong bonds of friendship are so much a part of our community. We held a wide range of events, 39 in total, over the year – starting in January with the postponed South West Reunion and a fascinating talk by Olivia Acland K’09.

I am delighted that we are holding an Old Girls Concert on Saturday, 22 June 2024 to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the School. It promises to be a wonderful occasion and we are so pleased that Old Girl Ruth Rogers W’97 – “one of the most gifted young violinists in Britain” (Musical Opinion) – will be leading the orchestra. We are also very happy that former Directors of Music, Augusta Miller and John Jenkins, will be conducting. They will be joined by our current Director of Music, Mark Cracknell. A drinks reception will follow the Concert. Further details and guidance on booking can be found on page 55. This celebratory event will take the place of our Old Girls Day.

I would like to welcome our new Chairman, Danielle GrantBraham E’99, and thank our former Chairman, Alexandra White A’95 for all her hard work over many years. Their commitment to Sherborne Old Girls is testament to the strength of our community. We value and are

enormously grateful to all our committee members and volunteers who give their time and expertise.

The AGM for 2024 is being held on Tuesday, 21 May and is a virtual meeting. All our events are listed on our website, and we look forward to seeing as many Old Girls as possible throughout the year.

As we did last year, we have used 100% carbon-neutral paper from a sustainable source for the Journal. What is more, the cover has an environmentally friendly, recyclable coating and the Journal has largely moved online.

If you have received an award or have any news you would like to share with us, please do send it in at any time, either by email or post to the Old Girls Office. We love hearing from you and our contact details are on the inside front cover.

It is a privilege and a pleasure to be part of this inspiring and vibrant community. Thank you for your continued support and all good wishes for 2024.

From THE CHAIRMAN

Danielle Grant-Braham E’99

It has been an absolute delight to be appointed as your new Chairman this year and it is a privilege to be given the opportunity to continue the brilliant work of my predecessor, Alexandra White, especially going into the 125th Anniversary year of Sherborne Girls.

Having attended several Sherborne Old Girls events at the School, it has been a real inspiration to meet with Old Girls and present pupils to hear of their past tales and future aspirations. There is no doubting the spirit that runs through, brimming with optimism, determination and self-confidence. Sherborne girls, young and old, continue to thrive at the same pace as the School itself which goes from strength to strength in its capacity to shape the girls’ futures, encouraging and nurturing their growth and development.

Sherborne Old Girls are fortunate to be able to come together in numerous ways throughout the year, whether reaffirming friendships through our social events, building networks in our careers talks or listening to our Old Girls as motivational speakers. As we venture into the 125th Anniversary year of Sherborne Girls, we should be enormously proud of what we have achieved over the past years with the upholding of

values that remain important to us. To commemorate the Anniversary, we are very much looking forward to a celebration of music, conducted by former Directors of Music, Augusta Miller and John Jenkins, together with Director of Music, Mark Cracknell. The evening Concert will be held in the Gransden Hall at the School on Saturday, 22 June 2024. This will be followed by a Drinks Reception on the Avalon Terrace. We are excited to welcome you all to this celebration.

I hope you will enjoy reading this year’s Journal which reflects how wonderful Sherborne Old Girls are, particularly those who have had the initiative to start their own enterprise. I would like to thank Fiona James, Anna Anthony and Tim Gibson for their efforts in putting together this publication, as well as you, the readers, for making this such a fantastic community. I wish all of you well and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible over the coming year.

From THE HEAD

Ruth Sullivan AW’91

President of Sherborne Old Girls

Edited extracts from Dr Ruth Sullivan’s 2023 Commemoration speech

For more than a century, Sherborne Girls has been empowering young women to discover their passions, develop their talents and pursue their dreams. It has nurtured generations of resilient, independent-minded, and compassionate individuals who have gone on to make significant contributions to society.

As we reflect on the legacy of Sherborne Girls, we cannot overlook the dedication of the staff who have played an instrumental role in shaping the lives of every girl. Their unwavering commitment to academic rigour, personal growth and character development has helped generations of women to thrive.

We are not just here to educate, but also to provide the foundations for future leaders who will shape the world with their aspirations; to nurture pupils to take ownership of their personal wellbeing; to create a culture where collective responsibility is a given; and to empower each girl to have the inner strength and confidence to build productive relationships and communities.

Today, I want to talk about four areas that are deeply embedded within our ethos: aspiration,

wellbeing, collective responsibility, and community.

Aspiration

At Sherborne Girls, we foster a culture of aspiration. Last September, we developed this further by creating the post of Assistant Head Aspiration and Wellbeing, to encourage pupils to dream big, to dare to defy the limitations set by society or oneself.

We believe that every single pupil can achieve extraordinary things. Whether it be excelling academically, pursuing their passions in the arts or sciences, or making a difference in the lives of others, we encourage everyone to set audacious goals and strive for them with unwavering determination. It is not the absence of obstacles that defines us, but our ability to overcome them.

Community is the heart and soul of Sherborne Girls. We acknowledge and embrace the fact we are not solitary beings navigating the world in isolation, but interconnected, with actions that have far-reaching consequences.

Wellbeing

Aspiration alone is not enough. It must be nurtured alongside wellbeing, as we identified when creating our new Assistant Head role. Our collective responsibility as a school community is to ensure that every pupil feels supported, nurtured, valued, and safe.

In a fast-paced world that often emphasises achievement over health and happiness, it is crucial to cultivate a culture of wellness. We understand that true success is not just measured by academic accolades but by the state of our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. We are committed to providing an environment that promotes holistic development, where wellbeing is also prioritised. It is essential that we cultivate resilience, for life is a tapestry of challenges and triumphs.

Collective responsibility

Wellbeing extends beyond the individual. We are intricately connected and responsible for each other. Sherborne Girls is a place where kindness flourishes, empathy thrives, compassion prevails and collective responsibility is woven into the fabric of our school. Our journey through life is enriched when we extend a helping hand, when we lend an ear and when we lift each other up.

Last November, our commitment to wellbeing was showcased in our Press Pause Day, where our entire community of nearly 500 pupils and more than 300 staff took time ‘off’ to focus on their wellbeing. Girls and staff were empowered to explore and identify what made them feel happy, calm and well, and were given time to focus on these areas, from sumi ink art, ballroom dancing,

swimming, wreath making, talks on pensions, mental wellbeing or the menopause, to cake and a chat, or bird watching. The day brought our community closer and helped us acknowledge that together, we are stronger and healthier.

Community

Community is the heart and soul of Sherborne Girls. We acknowledge and embrace the fact we are not solitary beings navigating the world in isolation, but interconnected, with actions that have far-reaching consequences. We must foster a sense of responsibility towards each other, our environment, and society at large.

Our community consists of diverse talents, passions, and perspectives. Over the last academic year, we have seen pupils across all year groups, as well as teaching and

support staff, engaging with the significance of community and extending their reach beyond the School campus. They have challenged themselves mentally and physically, committing precious time to raise awareness and funds for local as well as international charities, running half and full marathons, completing the ‘Three Peaks Challenge’, baking cakes, clearing rubbish, and volunteering at a youth centre, a primary school or a nursing home.

Or closer to home within our own School community, sharing passions and interests with others and providing happiness and joy – perhaps through a music recital, a play, an art exhibition or a sports match. These events enrich our community and strengthen the bonds that hold us so tightly together: mutual respect and an appreciation of our differences.

To all our pupils I say: aspire to greatness, but never forget the importance of wellbeing. As you step out into the world, armed with the knowledge, values, and skills imparted to you by staff, parents and friends at Sherborne, may you find the courage to chase your dreams, the resilience to overcome obstacles, and the compassion to make a positive impact and create a better world for all.

Be a force for good. Together, let us forge a future that is bright, compassionate and filled with boundless possibilities.

NEW SOG MEMBERS

Welcome to the following ‘new’ Old Girls who left School in summer 2023

Scarlet Alers-Hankey

Julia Allen

Lizza Ashford

Alex Atherton

Raphaella Auret

Esme Beckly

Lulu Browner

Kitty Brunton

Tilly Burney

Athena Burrowes

Connie Cameron

Faye Cattermole

Lily Cecil-Wright

Nathalie Cheung

Tilly Clarke

Anna Cleveland

Selene Corran

Arabella Cotton

Scarlett Cowley

Jemma Craig-Cooper

Maddy Crawford

Amélie Crozier-Jobber

Megan Davidson

Emilia de Boehmler

Verity de Pelet

Flora Dennes

Asha Distelbrink

Amber Downer

Daisy Dunning

Lily Earl

Bea Egerton

Elizabeth Evans

Poppy Evans

Ruby George

Emily Goodison

Lexi Gray

Rosie Hanlon

Evie Harbinson

Cerys Heard

Honey Henderson

Saffron Hockley

Amelia Hope-Hawkins

Hebe Hunter

Frankie Jaques

Sally Jepson

Poppy Keith

Rebecca Kidd

Sharlott Kwok

Emilie Lawrence

Polly Ledger

Tso Yee Lee

Alice Lelliott

Carys Leonard

Eliza Lewey

Imogen Lewis

Mary Li

Lotta Lindsay

Arabella MacLeod

Parker Macrae

Matilda Manders

Electra Marshall

Sophie Matthews

Molly Mauleverer

Poppy Messervy

Maira Miliaki

Tamar Morton-Jenkins

Tilly Murphy

Charlotte Northcott

Mia Parker

Lila Paterson

Tilda Phelps

Lily Phipps

Alice Playne

Izzy Playne

Jemima Price

Alethea Pugsley

Emily Purser

Isabella Redman

Alicia Rose

Tommy Ryan

Isabella Schwinge

Jemima Scott

Alicia Shorney-Smith

Kitty Shropshire

Coco Skagerlind

Ally Smith

Cecily Snow

Lily Stanton

Constance Stock-Best

Georgie Sweetman

Kate Talbot Rice

Malena Tannaz

Ella Thomas

Dulcie Thornham

Lydia Tricks

Eve Tyurina

Alice Van Moppes

Zara Vaughan

Angel Wakayu

Beatrice Walker

Imogen Walton

Joyce Wei

Lottie Welch

Francesca Wheeler

Matilda Williams

Tilly Wood

Juliet Woodhams

Charlotte Wordsworth

Annie Xu

Cheng Yen Yap

Helen Zhang

Dora Zhao

Ekaterina Zharikova

DEVELOPMENT

Passing on the light

Our Candlelight Bursaries have the power to change lives. As we celebrate 125 years of Sherborne Girls, we have an ambitious target to increase their reach.

We have been offering our transformational Candlelight Bursaries for more than a decade, supporting girls whose challenging circumstances mean a Sherborne Girls education can be life-changing. The bursaries bring benefit to our whole community, offering inspiration and empowerment to girls from all backgrounds who live and learn alongside each other.

As we mark the 125th Anniversary of Sherborne Girls, we are launching a campaign to raise £1.25m to reach even more girls. We will continue to partner with the Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation to support girls who need our help the most. Our focus for awarding bursaries will also be talent: we’ll seek girls with great promise who need significant help with fees.

Our campaign is to reach everyone who loves the School and shares our values to help us change more lives by passing on the light of a Sherborne Girls education. Our donors make all the difference to our mission, giving us the opportunity to shape young lives for the future.

MEET THE DONOR: Donald Clarke

“My wife, Sue Cotton (Clarke) T’53, was born in 1935 and boarded at Sherborne Girls with her twin sister, Sarah T’53. Very sadly, Sarah died in the sanitorium in 1951, while Sue lived until 2014.

The family connection with Sherborne Girls began in 1917, only 18 years after the School was founded. Sue’s mother, Dorothy Pocock T’1919, was brought to the School from Australia, travelling through the recently opened Panama Canal and submarine-infested North Atlantic.

After Dorothy left Sherborne Girls in 1920, the family returned to Australia where she met and married a distant cousin, John Cotton, an officer in the Indian Army. In 1938, the family moved from India to Burma, where then-Captain Cotton was on secondment to the Burmese Army.

After the war and partition, Colonel Cotton retired with his family to Australia. But Sarah had contracted hepatitis, and they soon moved to be near the old family home in Somerset. Sue and Sarah then followed their mother to board at Sherborne Girls.

Sue retained fond memories of the School and many friendships. It is in memory of my wife and to commemorate the times Dorothy and her daughters spent at the School that I am happy to contribute to the Candlelight Bursaries Fund and help future generations of girls benefit from a Sherborne Girls education.”

To read about another of our donors, please see the obituary for Phoebe (Mary) Cotes (Ogle) K’44 overleaf. Mary was a Torchbearer, who left a generous legacy to Sherborne Girls in her will. Her donation will help us support even more girls through our Candlelight Bursaries, ensuring Mary’s memory stays alive for generations to come.

To find out more about our Candlelight Bursaries, please visit

www.sherborne.com/support-us/candlelight-bursaries

Elizabeth Ross (Davies) K’43

Elizabeth’s son Peter Masterman Davies writes:

Born in Nairobi on 22 March 1924, where her father was a senior civil servant, Elizabeth went on to become Head Girl at Sherborne Girls. She went up to Oxford during the Second World War to read Medicine, but was hand-picked after just one year to work at GC&CS Bletchley Park. Her role remained secret until 1985, when the activities of the wartime codebreakers became public.

After the war, Elizabeth followed her life’s true passion to join the theatre. Without any formal training, she joined Donald Wolfit’s renowned touring repertory company.

Elizabeth married her fellow medical student John Davies in 1950 and moved around the world for his job as a Royal Navy surgeon. They lived in Sri Lanka, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Scotland, Malta and the UK. Their four children were born in four different countries.

In 1978, Elizabeth finally completed her Oxford education with a degree in Education and Drama. She taught for 11 years before being compulsorily retired at the age of 60. Over the subsequent 30 years, Elizabeth regularly appeared on stage and television, including a critically acclaimed performance as the maid, Edna, in two separate West End runs and a UK tour of Stephen Daldry’s West End production of An Inspector Calls

Elizabeth’s final performance was perhaps one of her most memorable: she appeared in a television commercial for Walkers crisps, starring alongside Gary Lineker. She was 92.

Elizabeth is survived by 4 children and 16 grandchildren.

Phoebe (Mary) Cotes (Ogle) K’44

Mary’s nephew Peter Cotes writes:

Phoebe Mary Ogle BSc, MB, BS, PhD, FRCP, known as Mary, leaves a lasting impression on Sherborne Girls. The eager pupil who grew up to become a highly respected research scientist and medic left a legacy in her will to the School. This is used to support the Candlelight Bursaries – meaning girls with challenging home lives can benefit from a Sherborne Girls education.

Mary’s gift reflects her gratitude and enthusiasm for her time at Sherborne Girls and her belief that everyone deserved the chance of a good education. Her diaries speak of the enjoyment she garnered from School life, with frequent references to her love of Chemistry.

Small wonder, then, that she attended the University of London to read for a first-class honours degree in the discipline. From here, she completed a PhD in Biochemistry at UCL and then moved to Cambridge to continue her research.

As well as pursuing her academic career, Mary had a busy social life. She enjoyed walking trips and was closely involved with the Girl Guides. She also loved skiing, with even the occasional fall or injury leaving her enthusiasm for the pursuit undimmed.

Mary went to the US in 1951, working in Montevideo and then Yale and enjoyed a road

trip across the breadth of the country in her free time. She returned to London and completed her medical qualification at University College Hospital Medical School, going on to become House Physician there, and then a House Surgeon at the Metropolitan Hospital.

In 1961, Mary joined the Medical Research Council, where she stayed for 30 years. In that time, she published more than 100 scientific papers, with a specialism in blood and the hormone erythropoietin. She was elected as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 2012, in recognition of her contribution to the field.

Mary married John Ogle in 1969 and they lived in London. John died in 1989 and Mary focused her energies on her hobbies, including beekeeping, walking, holidays with friends and family, evening classes in French, upholstery and woodwork. She was also a governor of her local school.

Amid her busy life, Mary was known as a person of genuine compassion, with a deep care of others. This is seen in the warm welcome she offered visitors to her home and the support she gave to many individuals in their education. Mary’s generous legacy to the School will now hopefully shape many more lives, allowing students to experience the benefits of a Sherborne Girls education.

Heather Turner (Hodges) K’46

Heather’s daughter Lynne writes:

Heather spent the last six months of her life with her daughter, Lynne, in Kent, a part of the country she had great affection for, having spent many happy holidays with her grandparents in the county.

Heather led an active life, enjoying gardening, walking, badminton and skiing until she was in her late eighties. She remembered her time at Sherborne with great affection, despite the fact she was a bit of a rebel! Her friendship with Eve Pollock (Pooley) K’45 was lifelong.

At the time of her death, Heather had 21 descendants, comprising four children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. We do miss her, but had a lovely celebratory picnic in her memory in the summer.

Veronica Goldsworthy (Dare Bryan)

E’59

Veronica’s son Paget writes:

Veronica (known as ‘Goldie’ by her lifelong Sherborne friends) arrived from Weybridge an accomplished swimmer. She continued to excel in this area throughout her Sherborne years, during which she was also head of sports. For two years after Sherborne, Veronica travelled through Europe, before starting her career in design.

In 1970, married with two children, Veronica joined the City and for the next 20 years was a banker working later in the US, Panama, Brazil and Geneva before retiring to her house in the Dordogne.

Turning 60, Veronica started her Open University degree (obtaining a First) while becoming an ‘impresario’. She established a choir and, with husband Carl, organised concerts across the Dordogne raising funds for the Chaplaincy of Aquitaine. Her concerts often saw Sherborne’s own John Jenkins conducting. For example, in 2005, members of Sherborne’s Chamber Orchestra joined the Madrigal Society in a tour across the Dordogne.

Veronica always felt Sherborne gave her the confidence and drive to take on new challenges. She was delighted when her two granddaughters started at the School.

It was testament to Veronica’s connection with her community and the depth of her friendships that, on a very cold March day, friends from across France, the UK and the US filled an abbey in the south west of France as her choir sang at her funeral.

Rio (Joan Claire)

Summerscale (Sturge)

AE’60

Claire’s daughter Annie and family write:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

The above quotation from anthropologist Margaret Mead was not only a favourite of the late psychiatrist and Sherborne Girls alumna Claire Sturge. It was also a dictum by which she lived. Claire was renowned for her altruism and sense of public duty, dedicating her life to the service of others and working with a rare diligence.

Speaking at her memorial service, Claire’s son Matthew said: “She had a magnificent career which benefited many lives.” He added that she was renowned for her directness: “Even the best restaurant could have its processes improved,” he said, “much to the embarrassment of her teenage children!”

Claire was born in Washington to diplomats John Summerscale and Nelle Stogsdall. She arrived at Sherborne in 1955 and described herself as “a show-off, a tomboy and mischievous, a rule-breaker and boundary pusher”.

Even so, she won a prize for ‘courage, enterprise, independence and generosity of mind’.

This set the tone for her career as a child and adolescent psychiatrist with expertise in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. She was much in demand as an expert witness and developed a reputation for her defence of ‘alternative’ families.

Claire outlived her husband, Richard, by seven months. She leaves her children, Emily, Matthew and Annie.

Katherine Victoria Louise Mellanby Lee (Herbert) T’87

Kate’s family write:

Katherine was born on 13 May 1971 in Stirling Royal Infirmary and died on 4 August 2023 at home in Goring-on-Thames with her family all around her.

After School, Kate read Psychology at university, became a primary school teacher, and finally a special needs teacher. Even though she only taught for 10 years, Kate had very fond memories of the students and teachers she worked with and would often talk affectionately about them as if it were yesterday, as she would about her School friends.

Kate was never swayed by public opinion. She forged her own way, never taking no for an answer. She never forgot that the world was made up of more than herself.

Kate married Stephen in 1999 and had two sons, James and George. Stephen says: “Kate was able to walk into a room full of strangers and leave with a room full of friends because she was more interested in others than herself. She was able to strike up conversation with people without passing judgement, meeting them where they were and making them feel special.”

Nicola Mundy (Butler) DH’88

Nicola’s family write:

Nicola was born on 22 August 1970. She died on 12 April 2023.

There was no university for Nickie after leaving School: she wanted to travel. She worked for a year to save money for her trip to the Far East and Australia.

On her return, she joined American Airlines as ground staff. Then it was off to Dubai as cabin crew for Emirates Airline.

Encouraged by her flight deck friends, Nickie started flying lessons in 1997, achieving her private pilot’s licence, then her commercial pilot’s licence. She had found her career. She started flying Boeing 737s and was promoted to captain after a few years. She moved to Muscat, Oman (where she had spent many childhood holidays) and became the first female captain for Oman Air – no mean feat in the Arab world.

After a few years, Nickie joined Flydubai. She regularly flew into Afghanistan, saying it was like being in a film, landing and taking off at the same time as helicopters loading troops.

She returned to the UK in 2017 with her husband and her beloved four dogs and joined Jet2 based at East Midlands Airport.

Nickie was sadly diagnosed with pancreatic and ovarian cancer in March 2022.

She loved her time at Sherborne. She was such a life force and is much missed by her family, friends and colleagues.

Camila Batmanghelidjh DH’81

1 January 1963 – 1 January 2024

For the mourners who gathered at Camila’s colour-strewn funeral in London in January, she will always be regarded as a saintly figure who transformed the lives of countless young people. As with those who knew her from her time at Sherborne Girls, they remembered her vibrancy, her compassion and her sheer lust for life.

Camila was born in Tehran in 1963, the daughter of an Iranian doctor and his Iranian-Belgian wife. She joined Sherborne Girls at the age of 13 and left after A Levels to read for a first-class honours degree in Theatre and Dramatic Arts at the University of Warwick.

After her degree, Camila qualified as a psychotherapist, soon turning her attention to the troubles faced by children from disadvantaged backgrounds. In 1996, she set up Kids Company to provide support for inner-city children. Originally based in a drop-in centre in London, the charity expanded, opening operations in Liverpool and Bristol as well as broadening its reach in the capital. Kids Company helped thousands of children and teamed up with Sherborne Girls to provide a boarding education for children from deprived backgrounds. The charity closed in 2015 amid controversy concerning its management. Many of the claims were later dismissed, and Camila was absolved of personal blame.

Characteristically self-aware, Camila kept a low profile after these events. But she continued striving to improve the lives of young people right up until her death.

Photo credit: The Batmanghelidjh family

Photo credit: Alastair Levy

Tributes for Camila from the School community

I first met Camila at a Sherborne Girls Art exhibition in London in 2005 and was struck by her energy and passion. In 2012, Camila asked us if we would support children from Kids Company who needed a boarding education. We were delighted to do this until the charity sadly closed. The support Kids Company gave these children was impressive. Camila was personally available day or night to sort out any issues.

Camila had a deep affection for Sherborne Girls and really appreciated the start it gave her. She put her tenacity into areas of social care that were neglected and was not afraid to tackle difficult issues.

I am delighted Camila’s family has set up a Foundation to continue her good work: camilabatmanghelidjh.org

Jenny Dwyer

Head, Sherborne Girls 2006 – 2018 Sherborne Old Girls President Emerita

Camila always had an acute understanding of human nature and was perceptive beyond her years. Her antidote to homesickness, boredom or incomprehensible homework was a mischievous plan and a good chat. Her art was pure unadulterated expression: a fusion of colour, humour and surprise. Rolls of wallpaper with lashings of thick, vibrant paint depicting colourful flowers and spectacular monsters filled the Art room where we worked together.

Over the years we’ve proudly seen Camila’s work at Kids Company. We’ve read about her unwavering determination and expertise to fight a broken social care system, and about the lost children she supported, loved and held hands with every step of the way.

Rachel Cordle (Stormonth-Darling) DH’81

I was so pleased to have Camila in the House - she was, of course, a great ‘character’ and used to come and chat with me regularly.

One distinctive talent was her artistic flair and mixing of bright eye-catching colours which would later be shown in her distinctive, colourful clothing. Another very memorable characteristic was her impish sense of humour which led to several creative pranks that caused both amusement and annoyance on a School-wide scale! Little did we dream about the positive use to which these talents would be put in the future.

Dawn Cuthbertson, Housemistress, Dun Holme, 1972 – 1979

Camilla was such a memorable person – full of life, cheek and she added an important diverse perspective to our Sherborne Girls world. I clearly remember the prank she played putting cling film over the staff loos one day! And her wonderfully vibrant wardrobe.

Celia Tait (Jones) A’82

Camila was the dearest friend. We studied together, played sport together (lax goalie/ attack), acted, danced and sang together. I taught Art at her first location in London. She was the most extraordinary human being: always bursting with love and jollity. Even at the lowest points in her life she managed to find positivity and humour.

Camila helped so many girls at Sherborne Girls, and so many needy children in the UK. A saint.

Emma Young (Rose) K’81

Camila made a real difference to so many lives. “Batman”, as we all called her, was a truly remarkable person. Even at School she was looking out for others and set up the Jelly Club for the junior years. Anyone could join: you had to stand in a wellington boot full of jelly and think of a silly word!

I remember performing with Batman, Juliet Lloyd-Jones DH’82, and Katerina Hoey W’85 in a skit entitled ‘Duck’s Puddle’. Three of us were dressed in white polo necks with fluorescent pink tutus and Katerina, dressed as a boy, lifted up Batman as we danced to the music of Swan Lake. It was great fun and must have looked totally ridiculous!

Other memories are of having midnight feasts in the summer sitting on the flat roof of Dun Holme, above the Housemistress’s study, and of course the time Batman attended a parents’ meeting dressed as her grandmother! She was an excellent actress and nobody was any the wiser. She had a huge sense of fun and total lack of fear. We were so lucky to have overlapped with her.

Helen McLuskie (Garton) A’82

Elena Madeleine Lorimer (Fraser) DH’93

Elena’s sister Emma Lorimer DH’92 writes:

Elena Madeleine Fraser passed away peacefully after a long illness on 24 August 2023, surrounded by her family. She was 47 years old.

Elena was a talented pianist, strings player and singer, and she thrived in the musical life of Sherborne Girls, becoming a Music scholar and head of choir under Augusta Miller. Through the School, she was a member of the Dorset Opera Choir for several years. She went on to read Music at Magdalen College, Oxford, then stayed for her MPhil in French Baroque music, drawing on her skills as a bilingual speaker. Her critical edition and translation of Bénigne de Bacilly’s treatise on singing was completed at the University of London, where she was awarded a doctorate in 2002. Her work was referenced in the New Grove Dictionary of Music. She inspired new generations with her love of music as a valued member of the Music Department at Millfield School from 2004 to 2011.

Her courage and bravery in facing up to her illness was admired by all. She is survived by her husband Andrew and her daughter Georgina.

Patricia Champness Music teacher

Former music teacher Pat Champness died on 7 May 2023.

Pat attended Roehampton University and completed a musical scholarship, with the intent of becoming a concert pianist.

After university, much of her life was devoted to teaching the piano to people of all ages. She enjoyed her time at Sherborne Girls, where she loved the wonderful students and staff. She made many friends there and would always comment on how important the School was to her.

Pat’s artwork also took off and, for many years, she painted cards for Christian Aid and other such organisations. She also produced paintings and mosaics for private clients, once completing a big assignment for a member of the Royal Family. She wrote three books: Fabric Fun (1980), Bother That Blue Tit (1990), and A Journey to Meet Beethoven (2009).

She loved all creatures great or small, regardless of their inabilities, and she often said: “Why can’t we as a society just accept everything and everyone for what they are?” She was a caring and compassionate woman, with an unbreakable inner strength. She did things her way.

Sybella Wickham

Madeleine Townley, Mother

Theya Dare Bryan

Arabella Guy

Florence Hedderwick

Eli Benbow

Ottilie Parr

Emilia Robinson

Poppy Warner

Sophie Welch

Hannah Wood

Freya Beeny

Tacita Dare Bryan

Jemima Drummond

Milly Wills

Amy Duignan

Jemima Hodgkinson

Poppy Leask

Lucy Le Maistre

Lyla MacInnes

Eve Oliver

Emily Perry

Cici Ashworth

Tamara Ashworth

Amelia Ballard

Amelia Floyd

Bobby Henderson

Lemoni Henderson

Rose Wingfield Digby

Veronica Goldsworthy, Grandmother

Diana Muriel, Mother

Patricia Donald, Grandmother

Amanda Claydon, Mother

Katy Donald, Mother

Kate Holme, Mother

Georgie Maw, Mother

Jane Wilkinson, Mother

Fiona Stern, Grandmother

Angela Gossow , Grandmother

Caroline Swift, Mother

Veronica Goldsworthy, Grandmother

Louise Taylor, Mother

Katy Gascoigne-Pees, Mother

Catherine Owens, Mother

Jessica Smith, Mother

Camilla Pocock, Mother

Emma Campbell, Mother

Anna Spence, Mother

Philada Medlycott, Grandmother

Rebecca Knapman, Mother

Pix Bennett, Mother

Pix Bennett, Mother

Alexandra White, Mother

Katherine Gaillard, Mother

Kate Gutteridge, Mother

Kate Gutteridge, Mother

Sarah Lovell, Grandmother

If you know of other mothers and grandmothers with daughters currently at SG, please let us know by sending an email to: oldgirls@sherborne.com

DAUGHTERS AND GRANDDAUGHTERS OF OLD GIRLS IN THE SCHOOL

BIRTHS

Lucinda Gosling W’03 and Jon Binstead had a son, William Hudson Binstead-Gosling, affectionately known as Billy, on 3 March 2023

Claudia Guest K’04 and Richard Webster had a daughter, Eve Margot Lily, on 22 September 2023

Polly Hadden-Paton (Williamson) DH’07 and George had a son Wilbur Williamson, who’s the younger brother to two big sisters Winnie and Margot

Georgina Chapman AE’08 and Michael had a daughter, Sophia, on 11 May 2023

MARRIAGES

Sharon Bouch AW’87 married Robert Brown on 30 April 2022

Georgina Crichton A’04 married Edward St. John Webster on 2 December 2023

Polly Bradshaw K’06 married Christopher Scott Winsley on 3 December 2022

Lucy Cox K’07 married Edmund Saddington on 30 May 2023

April Liu AW’08 married Kevin Lee on 15 April 2023

Rosie Fry W’09 married Charlie Bradley-Hole on 7 October 2023

DEATHS

Elizabeth Ross (Davies) K’43 died on 10 January 2023

Phoebe (Mary) Cotes (Ogle) K’44 died on 17 January 2023

Margaret Lovett K’45 died on 30 April 2023

Jean Buchanan (Elrington) AW’46 died on 9 May 2022

Heather Turner (Hodges) K’46 died on 5 July 2023

Alison Ann McLintock (Foster Taylor) A’47 died on 18 June 2022

Susan Newton (Beazley) A’48 died on 14 December 2022

Dawn Chapman (Pinney) DH’48 died on 28 August 2023

Alison Margaret Donald T’49 died on 5 April 2023

Mary Metters (Crawley) E’50 died on 20 September 2023

Susan Newstead (Wilson) W’50 died on 11 February 2023

Dini Glaister (McGrath) AE’10 and Rory McGrath had a daughter, Delephine, on 3 December 2023

Isabella Graham (Vere Nicoll) AE’11 and Hugh had a daughter, Violet, on 28 September 2023

Jemima Taylor AE’11 and Oliver James had a daughter, Dorothy, on 20 November 2023

Ellie Morris W’09 married Andrew Chance on 20 May 2023

Louisa Barron AE’10 married Adam Ellesmere on 26 August 2023

Phoebe Trousdell AE’10 married Beanie Isles (OS, Lyon House) on 14 May 2022

Emily Humphreys WD’11 married Archie Warman on 27

May 2023

Emma Wurfbain K’11 married Stijn van Maurik on 2 September 2023

Sarah Wade (Bird) T’50 died on 14 February 2023

Jane Ferard (Giles) AW’51 died on 26 May 2022

Anne Nairne Baker (Myers) (Turberville) W’52 died on 16 September 2023

Fiona Haines (Bruce) T’54 died on 3 January 2023

Mary Wilshire (Scott-Miller) AE’54 died on 22 August 2023

Sara Whitehouse W’55 died on 25

December 2023

Ann Collier (Shemilt) K’56 died on 5 November 2023

Veronica Goldsworthy (Dare Bryan) E’59 died on 23 February 2023

Rio (Joan Claire) Summerscale (Sturge) AE’60 died on 7 October 2023

Gillian Clifford (Yerburgh) K’62 died on 3 July 2023

Jane Harris (Hinton) W’62 died on 9 June 2023

Fiona Strang (Kingston) (Keane) W’66 died on 16 December 2022

Jeanie Wingate (Everitt) E’66 died on 14 January 2023

Camila Batmanghelidjh DH’81 died on 1 January 2024

Katherine Mellanby Lee (Herbert) T’87 died on 4 August 2023

Nicola Mundy (Butler) DH’88 died on 12 April 2023

Elena Lorimer (Fraser) DH’93 died on 24 August 2023

Pat Champness died on 7 May 2023 (Music Teacher)

Keith Geary died on 30 March 2023 (Geography Teacher 1989 – 1996, Head of Geography 1996 – 2001, Assessment Co-ordinator and Exams Officer 2001 – 2007)

bf

Leavers

Penelope Abbott

Caitlin Barnes-Evans

Chloe Barry

Fleur Bugg

Jessie Clarke

Timothy Clarke

Carole Cole

Mollie Cole

Howard Couchman

Hayley Garnsworthy

Ryan Garnsworthy

SHERBORNE OLD GIRLS BURSARY FUND

Helen McLuskie (Garton) A’82

The Sherborne Old Girls Bursary Fund is a registered charity managed by a trustee board of Old Girls and exists to give grants to daughters and granddaughters of Old Girls attending Sherborne Girls.

Whilst we can’t pay a whole term’s fees, we can be part of a Bursary package and in this case the total is definitely worth more than the sum of the parts. If you know of any girl who could do with financial support, please make an application. Applicants should approach the Bursary for assistance and be sure to mention the Old Girls connection. They will then be assessed for financial eligibility.

An application can be made before a girl joins the School, or during her time at Sherborne Girls if circumstances change.

If you would like to make a difference yourself, you can donate to the Sherborne Old Girls Bursary Fund by contacting the Honorary Treasurer Ghislaine Fluck via ghislaine.fluck@ btinternet.com or 07970 692841.

Registered Charity Number 307421

Emilie Greenwood

Ronan Harris

Xavière Harvey

Emma Hussey

Frances Jacobsen

Simon Kodurand

Alasdair Matthews

Rebecca McCall

Joanne Moore

Eamon Newall

Jemima Owen

Emma Pascoe

Sophie Rawlings

Claire Roberts

Sophia Skowronska

Eleanor Smith

Michael Smith

Katie Taverner

Kirsty Whatley

Honor Willis

Emma Wimhurst

ANNUAL REUNIONS

5-YEAR REUNION

10-YEAR REUNION

15-YEAR REUNION

20-YEAR REUNION

30-YEAR REUNION

1991 & 1992 LEAVERS

30-YEAR REUNION

1993 LEAVERS

40-YEAR REUNION

2021 LEAVERS LUNCH RECEPTION

BATH BRISTOL

MATERIAL SUCCESS

When Gillie Alcock (Ford) AE’67 fancied a post-lockdown challenge, she applied to be a contestant on The Great British Sewing Bee. She tells us her story, in her own words.

“After lockdown, which really cramped my style, I made myself busy making face masks and laundry bags for nurses, and duplicate throws and cushions for the end of life ward at our Nottingham hospital. I decided when it was all over I wanted to do something exciting.

In the spring of 2022, with my family’s backing I applied to The Great British Sewing Bee; I had been an avid watcher of the series for years. I had always been interested in fashion and fabrics and handmade things from an early age and my mother who had been a dress designer taught me to sew and cut patterns. My application was successful and I was asked to travel to Leeds for an interview and a sewing test. I had to show them various clothes I had made over the years and talk about myself, my achievements, etc. I rather enjoyed it. I was thrilled when I heard I had been successful.

I was asked to draw and design and practise making up the items I was told to submit for each episode. Then in September I went up to Leeds and met the other 11 contestants. We have become the best of friends and keep in contact most days and

meet in London and Birmingham at sewing fairs.

I was rather out of my comfort zone in the studio and the electric atmosphere made me feel a bit like a rabbit in the headlights.

I loved meeting Patrick, Esme and Sara Pascoe. Esme gave out the patterns for the first challenge: a cross-over blouse with a twist. The next challenge was ‘Transformation’ and I loved that as I am used to making something out of nothing. We had to choose a school uniform(!) and turn it into something grown-up and what we might like to wear. Then came the made-to-measure challenge which I had practised. It is quite something to see a professional model being filmed in something you have made.

I lasted for two episodes. I think I was too slow and perhaps too conventional. I had the most wonderful time and I would encourage amateur sewers to apply.

One of my best moments was when Patrick told me I could sew and Esme said I made a statement.

Armed with this enjoyable and invaluable experience, I have been asked to give talks about my time on Sewing Bee.”

Photo credit: Love Productions

EBB AND FLOW

Jocelyn Passey (Humfrey) K’73 didn’t plan to have a career culminating in interior design. But a few chance encounters paved the way for her creativity to find expression in the world of work.

Joc Humfrey is a reluctant interviewee. It’s not that she’s short of a pleasing anecdote, and she’s happy to talk about a whole range of topics, including her admiration for professional adventurers and those who push at the boundaries of society.

She’s less keen to talk about herself, however – still less her career. Unlike some, she doesn’t see it as the result of a careful plan to achieve her ambitions. Instead, she says she’s been the beneficiary of “lots of good luck and plain hard work”, which laid foundations for her to find a niche in the professional world.

“So much of the discourse in contemporary education is about success,” she says. “That can often be rather narrowly construed to mean securing a place at a top-flight university, getting a first-class degree, and pursuing a particular type of career.

“That was never going to be right for me. I was arts oriented and very sporty at School, and greatly enjoyed participating in music. I really didn’t know what I was going to do with my life when I left Sherborne. What’s happened since has been the result of chance meetings and a great deal of good fortune.”

Like many of her era, Joc frustratingly found her first route to employment

was through secretarial work. She’d read Music at university and secured an administrative job with a record company that, unusually, specialised in recording classical pieces using early instruments and spoken word.

I’ve been very lucky. I couldn’t have set out to do the things I’ve done, partly because I didn’t know some of those jobs even existed.

“We recorded many of the ‘big’ names in places like King’s College, Cambridge and St Martin-in-the-Fields,” she explains. “It was interesting stuff… but it was just not interesting enough for me! I left after a year, with no job to go to – much to my father’s consternation.”

What happened next was serendipitous, setting Joc on a path she’d never thought of treading.

“I applied to Sotheby’s

for a secretarial job in the wine department. I didn’t get it, but they suggested a trainee expert position in the musical instrument department would suit me rather better. I was successful this time and remained there for 10 years, feeling very lucky that such an opportunity had come my way.”

This speaks of the ‘ebb and flow’ that characterised Joc’s career journey. “You can set out with the best of intentions, but life intervenes,” she says. “That’s why I feel it is important to be open to the opportunities that come your way and have a broad definition of success.”

Openness to new opportunities secured Joc’s next job: working for a

philanthropist who helped craftspeople whose skills were disappearing from society and the workplace, while also supporting museum trading. They worked with organisations including the National Trust, the Burrell Museum in Glasgow and the V&A to source and replicate pieces that were, in turn, sold through museum shops and to interior designers. She was the outgoing managing director of the business after its founder died and the business sadly closed.

“After a spell as an assessor for a conservation and restoration business, as a family we decided to move to the country and I set up as a selfemployed interior designer,” says Joc. “Even this happened as a result of a chance meeting with a friend, who asked if I’d source a four-poster bed for their house. I did so, including designing the hangings, and the result was a client base built up by word of mouth.”

That client base remains in place today, with Joc continuing to pick up work by referral and recommendation. “As I say, I’ve been very lucky. I couldn’t have set out to do the things I’ve done, partly because I didn’t know some of those jobs even existed.”

All of which leads this reluctant yet fascinating interviewee to conclude with the advice that, whatever your age, “Think in broad terms about your career and take your chances. Don’t worry too much about other people’s conceptions of success. Concentrate on finding your role in life – your own selfexpression.”

jhtinteriors.co.uk

UNCOMMON SUCCESS

Lucy Jameson AE’89 has always been driven. After working for some of the world’s top ad agencies, she co-founded her own creative studio – and it’s growing by the day.

“Sherborne helped me to be fiercely independent. I always wanted to stand on my own two feet and make my own way in the world. School planted that seed, and it’s certainly flowered throughout my career.”

These are the words of Uncommon Creative Studio’s co-founder Lucy Jameson. If you don’t recognise the name of her company, you’ll almost certainly be familiar with its work, for clients including ITV, B&Q and Google.

“We’ve grown significantly since we launched in 2017,” Lucy reports. “There are now 200 people working for Uncommon, and we’ve recently opened an office in New York. The business is certainly making an impact and we’re looking to continue our global expansion.”

That’s not to say Lucy and her co-founders have had it easy, mind you. “There’s a huge amount of hard work and a great deal of risk involved in founding a start-up,” she says. “We didn’t pay ourselves to begin with, so that we could pour all of our revenue back into the business. And we were contractually restricted by our former employers about when we could start trading, so that led to a delay in our launch.”

In Lucy’s case, those former employers include some of the biggest agencies in global advertising. She was, for example, CEO of Grey, a WPP agency in London. “I had a team of 500 people and we worked on some of the biggest campaigns for the biggest brands. It was quite something to step back and go it alone with Uncommon.”

This speaks of the focus that has characterised Lucy’s approach to life. “I am happy to take risks, because I know I’ll work hard to ensure they pay off,” she says. “My work is pretty much all-consuming and I don’t have capacity for hobbies. Any spare time is spent with my daughter and husband.

“I always knew that was the deal: you don’t grow a business like this and get to have loads of leisure time too. But a lot of the stuff I do for work feels like fun, so it’s a bit of a blurry line!”

Lucy’s role in Uncommon is to help clients think through their brand strategy. She works at a senior level with large companies to ensure they’re saying what they want to say about themselves, with clarity, precision and flair. She says the critical skills gained at Sherborne Girls and Oxford University play an important part in her success.

“Sherborne helped me get to Oxford, and

that opened all sorts of doors,” she reflects. “I read History, which taught me to think critically and conceptually. The Oxford experience was also great for broadening my networks. It definitely helped me secure opportunities at the start of my career.”

For all that an Oxford degree burnished her CV, Lucy was more than happy to work from the bottom up in her chosen industry.

“I knew I didn’t want to follow the tried-andtested routes of management consultancy or law,” she says. “Advertising seemed like a great place to be, so I joined BMP’s graduate scheme. I think around 1,500 people applied for the position I got –which shows how competitive the industry was in the 1990s.”

What’s changed in the intervening years is the power of technology to enhance the ways brands connect with their audiences. Uncommon Creative Studio exists at the cutting edge of these developments, offering a full service that includes advertising, content, strategy, design and production.

“Unlike a lot of agencies, we make a lot of our own stuff,” Lucy explains. “We also run projects like feature films and music videos, so our scope is pretty broad.”

Such breadth has facilitated Uncommon’s rapid growth in the six years since launch, and Lucy and her co-founders have plenty of plans for further development.

“We take an interdisciplinary approach,” she says, “which means we pull together the right creatives for the task at hand. We’re moving into immersive spaces, including retail design, and I’m excited to see where new technology leads us.”

Meanwhile, the company has celebrated success in winning both UK and global advertising industry awards over the last three years. This has come off the back of high-profile campaigns for the likes of Nike, JD Sports and EA Sports.

“It’s been gratifying to receive recognition from within our industry, but the real success is the growth of the company and our client list,” Lucy concludes. “It’s hard work, but so rewarding.

“The UK is a creative nation and advertising is one of our fastest-growing sectors. I’m in the industry at an exciting time – and running my own studio makes it even more stimulating. We have bold plans. I’m looking forward to the future.”

uncommon.london

TREASURE HUNTER

Beanie Major K’04 owns a London-based fine jewellery concierge. She explains how she uses people skills and extensive industry knowledge to match clients to exactly the right pieces.

Some people look at you, and some people really see you. Beanie Major falls firmly into the latter category – which explains why she’s proved so well-suited to her career as a fine jewellery consultant.

“Every piece of jewellery has a story,” she says. “My task is to help clients find the item that will become a part of their story, so that it fits them and their lifestyle perfectly.”

It is a task that involves close listening to the needs of others. That can be easier said than done, because some of Beanie’s clients are the partners or family members of the end user: they’re looking to buy a gift, or an engagement ring, and need her expertise to guide them in making the right decision.

“I have to get under the skin of the person who will be wearing the item I’m sourcing,” Beanie explains. “I need to know as much about them as possible, and develop my understanding of their personal style. Then I use my knowledge of the jewellery industry to help the buyer make a good decision.”

That knowledge has come from roles at every level of the trade, from shop-floor assistant in a

retail jewellers to designer, maker and buyer.

“I was always interested in jewellery and knew it was where I wanted to focus my career,” Beanie explains. “At Sherborne, I was inspired by Anne Legg, who’d studied jewellery design at the Royal College of Art and taught me for GCSE and A Level DT. We had access to incredible facilities, and I went from school to an Art foundation course at Oxford Brookes, then on to Edinburgh to study jewellery design.”

Beanie then secured a run of jobs in the industry, and decided to launch her own jewellery blog in 2011. It was a move that would prove vital to her current career.

“My blog took the form of a series of interviews with designers and other people working in the jewellery industry,” she explains. “During the time I ran it, I built an extensive network, as well as establishing a significant readership for my website.

“Eventually, people started asking if I would advise them on jewellery purchases. I soon realised this was a business in its own right: matching people and pieces.”

Beanie’s business model is straightforward:

Photo credit: Jack Margerison

To succeed in what I do, you need to take quick readings on people, some of whom you don’t even get to meet.

clients give her a brief and she draws up a shortlist of recommended products, receiving a commission from the maker or seller after she has purchased a piece on behalf of her clients.

“I charge the same commission to all my suppliers, which ensures I always offer impartial advice,” she explains. “What’s more, it means my clients pay the same as they would if they went directly to the jeweller – so their full budget goes towards the item of jewellery they choose.”

Impartial, well-informed judgement is of huge value to Beanie’s clients – as is her discretion. “Not everyone wants to broadcast the fact they’re using a jewellery concierge, especially if they’re spending a significant sum of money. I pride myself on offering a discreet service and giving the very best advice to my clients.”

Beanie’s success is seen in her large client base, which features several repeat and family clients who trust her to advise on their jewellery purchases. “I love building a relationship with people over the long term,” Beanie says. “People tend to buy jewellery to mark a milestone moment in their lives, or because they are collectors. Whatever the circumstances, it’s a privilege to help with such important decisions.”

Such is the popularity of Beanie’s concierge offer, which goes by the name of In Detail, she no longer runs her blog. “The blog had its moment, but I have so much to do with my client work that

my public-facing stuff has taken a back seat. I’m still proud of it – and I certainly wouldn’t be where I am now without it.”

While Beanie’s current role feeds her enduring enthusiasm for jewellery, she says the biggest thrill is the sense of personal connection it engenders. “To succeed in what I do, you need to take quick readings on people, some of whom you don’t even get to meet. I like that sense of getting to understand someone. It’s very rewarding.”

For all that, Beanie is quick to acknowledge that jewellery concierge sounds like a ‘made-up job’. “It’s hard to advise on a suitable career path that leads to it,” she laughs. “My advice would be to get as much experience as possible in the industry and build a really good network. It’s a small sector, so you’ll make connections really quickly.”

That has certainly been Beanie’s own experience. But, when you consider how skilled she is at forming relationships, her success is hardly surprising. In Detail is founded on Beanie’s deep industry knowledge and well-developed people skills. You could say that, like the service she offers, it’s a perfect match.

Indtl.com

TRUE COLOURS

When Melissa Kettlewell (Nicholson) K’86 left Sherborne, she wasn’t sure what to do. Now she runs a successful fashion business that she founded with her husband in 2004.

Turn right off the old A30 between the Somerset towns of Chard and Crewkerne and you’ll see a cluster of grey warehouses set among the rolling green hills. Step inside the first and you’ll be confronted by a veritable rainbow of colours: clothing racks on every side displaying gorgeous garments that pop with vibrancy and sing quality.

This is the Colour Studio at Kettlewell Colours. It’s where the fashion company’s customers come to sample its range, following a consultation with an expert to find the colours that best suit their complexion, personality and time of life.

It’s a place of joy. Not only because of the brilliance of the colours displayed within, but because it’s where women build their confidence, have their sense of self affirmed, and discover how to dress in a way that suits them.

“Having your colours done can be lifechanging,” says Melissa Nicholson, the managing director and founder of Kettlewell Colours. “My husband John and I had ours done many years ago and the experience shaped our decision to set up the business.”

Kettlewell Colours was founded in 2004, after Melissa and John sold their London house and invested the money in their own fashion brand. Melissa had worked in the fashion industry since leaving Sherborne Girls, working her way from a secretarial job to a marketing role and establishing her reputation through a mix of hard graft and creativity.

“When I left school, I didn’t have a clear idea of what I would do,” she explains. “I wasn’t the

most diligent pupil and didn’t get brilliant grades. I remember going off into a field to revise for a Biology exam and falling asleep with the textbook as my pillow!”

Even so, Melissa knew she was artistic and had an abiding interest in fashion. So she secured a job with a fashion company and gave it her all. After several years, she was ready to set up her own label, and Kettlewell Colours was born in a pig shed near Crewkerne.

“It was quite a risk to set up the business, and our first line didn’t do very well,” she remembers. “We got to a point where John was considering going back into employment, but I begged him to give it one more shot. I felt I had to keep going, and, thankfully, he supported that decision.”

Nearly 20 years later, Melissa’s commitment has clearly paid off. Behind the Colour Studio is a suite of warehouses, which the company moved to in 2016. Inside is one of the cleanest and most efficient packing lines you’re likely to find.

Kettlewell Colours employs 38 people and has a loyal and growing customer base. Its clothes are beloved by women of all ages, renowned for their elegant simplicity and the positivity they engender among those who wear them.

“I love seeing women enjoying dressing,” says Melissa. “Most of our sales are through mail order, but when customers come to the Colour Studio, it’s a genuine joy to see the transformation that can take place.”

This enthusiasm is what drives Melissa to this day. She and John sold the company to

the Refined Brands group in 2022, meaning it continues growing as part of a family of brands committed to sustainability. While John took the chance to exit the business, Melissa decided to stay on as managing director, joining the Refined Brands board of directors at the same time.

“This felt like a significant step up,” she says. “I didn’t think of myself as a board director and was keenly aware of joining these very bright people in meetings. But now I see the strength I bring with my creativity, and an ability to think outside the box. The whole experience has been very empowering.”

It seems fitting that empowerment would be a feature of Melissa’s experience, given all that Kettlewell Colours has done to empower its customers over the last two decades. And at its heart, Melissa says the company’s success has been down to drive, determination, and oldfashioned hard work – all values that were instilled

during her time at Sherborne Girls.

“You need a can-do attitude,” she says. “That’s a lot easier if you’re working in a sphere that interests you. So my advice to people building their career is to find something they feel passionate about and pursue it. Show employers what you bring that will benefit them. And be prepared to put in the hours.

“The rewards are there, so long as you have the drive to succeed.”

Melissa is offering Sherborne Old Girls a special deal on a colour analysis at the Colour Studio. Book a personal colour analysis at our Colour Studio in 2024 and receive £50 off (normally £150) @ kettlewellcolours.co.uk

Use special code KCSOG24 at the checkout. For group bookings, email: events@ kettlewellcolours.co.uk

Photo credit: Jake Ball

BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Anna Sturdy (Maclean) K’90 founded her sustainability consultancy, SRE, in 2005.

As she explains, she leads a team of 20 specialists, helping the building industry work smarter and greener.

“I co-founded SRE in 2005. It was the UK’s first sustainability consultancy dedicated to the built environment. Now, as managing director, I lead a team of 20 sustainability and building physics consultants who advise architects, developers and contractors on how to build sustainably.

SRE has worked on more than 3,000 development projects across the UK, including residential blocks, schools, university accommodation, office buildings, care homes, storage facilities, research centres, film studios, football stadiums and airports.

With the relatively recent recognition of the importance of cutting greenhouse emissions and reaching Net Zero by 2050, SRE is increasingly being asked to advise on and provide workable solutions for reducing the environmental impact of existing buildings.

The strength of SRE’s reputation for working proactively with clients to deliver optimal outcomes has meant most of the work we do is for return or referral clients. Our clients include the likes of Savills, Storage King, Bidwells, Portsmouth City Council, Legal & General, Taylor Wimpey, Abri Housing Association, HUF HAUS, Southend Football Club, British Airports Authority and CBRE.

My role includes strategy, business development, management, finance and people development. Other than fighting climate change, I am passionate about seeing people fulfil their potential. I am a trained Executive Coach and a Colour Insights Practitioner. I help interview for every position in the business and remain involved in people development as employees progress

their careers with us.

As a result, I was proud when a recent assessment by Investors in People, in which SRE received one of the highest scores for a company of its size, stated: ‘We have met a strongly valuesdriven team, committed to a common purpose, working in an engaged and productive manner and striving to develop themselves and the company. But it is the shared commitment to a positive, open and supportive culture which makes your way of working stand out. It is clear the team are strongly motivated by a shared purpose. Your team really care about sustainability, and it shows.’

After leaving Sherborne Girls, I studied Geography at Edinburgh University and then worked in television and radio before co-founding SRE in 2005. I have three boys, aged 24, 19 and 16, and I live in Hampshire.

I have loved every job I’ve done, which has made my career really fulfilling. It’s important to enjoy the work you do. For me, it’s also important to know I’ve been, in some very small way, making a positive impact on the world we live in.

When asked for advice from people setting out on their careers, my reply is that there is so much choice. The key, I think, is to be true to yourself. It’s important to be clear in your mind about what you value, what you enjoy, and what you want to achieve with your career and wider life. If you’re clear on those things, and stay true to them, you’ll find yourself in your dream job.”

sre.co.uk

CREATIVE INDUSTRY

Photo credit: Regina Messen

Filmmaker Lillian Kibedi AW’92 came from a family of bankers. Combined with her creativity, she says it laid strong foundations for her career in a notoriously tough industry.

“When I first arrived in LA, I realised the film industry is a business like any other. Yes, you need to be creative. But, to really succeed, you need to think like an investor.”

These are the words of Lillian Kibedi. She’s enjoyed a 30-year career in the film industry, so knows what she’s talking about. And she says her success lies in her combination of creative energy and business savvy – along with a healthy dose of good old-fashioned hard work.

But before all that, let’s loop back to Lillian’s childhood. She grew up in Uganda, where she attended Gayaza High School. The school had a link to Sherborne, and, when Lillian’s parents decided to send her to the UK for her education, Sherborne Girls was top of the list.

“I soon settled in at Sherborne,” she says. “I have such fond memories of my time there.”

Lillian especially enjoyed music, and says she joined every choir for which she was eligible. She has maintained close friendships with many of her fellow alumnae, saying this reflects the strong bonds they formed during their school days.

From Sherborne, she read for a degree in Chemistry, during which time she was heavily involved in the university drama society, then moved into the world of work.

“I soon noticed that, whatever job I did, I ended up taking responsibility for clients in the entertainment sector,” she reports. “I’ve always had an interest in keeping people stimulated and amused. I suppose that explains my interest in films.”

That interest was evident to the people Lillian met – including the client of a law firm she worked for, who ran a talent agency in LA. “She told me to look her up if ever I went to Los Angeles and she’d do what she could to help. So I took her at her word. I gave up my job, moved to LA, and went to her office.”

A period spent in the assistants’ pool of the agency yielded Lillian’s opportunity to shine. She soon realised her real passion was production

and secured a job working on a sketch show. Over time, she established herself in Hollywood, working on several high-profile movies and deepening her knowledge of the sector.

A result of this was that Lillian came to understand how film financing and business works in a creative industry. She concluded she could make a difference by establishing her own production company. So Akoberwa Films was born, amid the first Covid lockdown, with Lillian as CEO.

“Having completed an MBA after my first degree all those years ago, I knew I had the business training to run my own company,” she says. “Plus, my family being bankers, my mother insisted I develop a fairly hard nose for business from a young age. You need that if you’re to succeed in the film trade – just as you would in any business.”

Nowhere is the business side of the sector seen more clearly than at the international film markets Lillian regularly attends. “Here you have a load of films, many of which may never be made, all seeking investment,” she explains. “Whether you’re going as an investor or someone in search of funding, you need a commercial instinct to understand what will sell, and how to sell.”

With that in mind, Lillian has a clear idea of the films Akoberwa will make. “I want us to create films that will be loved,” she says. “It’s back to my enduring interest in entertaining people, I suppose. I want us to be a big studio making movies everyone wants to watch.”

That drive to entertain, which Lillian felt so keenly all those years before filmmaking even featured as a potential career path, ensures she’s working hard to make Akoberwa a success.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about this industry, it’s that you have to work hard if you want to thrive,” she concludes. “You need talent and huge commitment. Then, if you put in the effort, you can carve out a really fulfilling way of life.”

Akoberwa.com

THE CHANGE-MAKER

Emma Taylor (Morgan) DH’93 is on a mission to help the business community embrace change. She’s set up a network of professionals to shape the future, together.

When Emma Taylor left Sherborne Girls, she didn’t have a clear idea of the direction her professional life would take.

After some surprising GCSEs, her A Levels hadn’t gone to plan. Neither her first- or secondchoice university was available, so she packed a rucksack and headed to Edinburgh in the hope of securing a place through clearing on its MA Economic and Social History course. She managed to do so – learning a valuable lesson about resilience that would shape the rest of her life.

“You have to be adaptable and embrace opportunities,” Emma says. “That’s a mindset Sherborne Girls has always been great at instilling. It’s stood me in good stead throughout my career.”

This career has taken several twists and turns. It includes spells in public relations, recruitment and events management. But it has culminated in Chief Disruptor, a professional community that brings business and technology leaders together to envision and embrace the future.

“I always enjoyed building networks and connecting fascinating people,” Emma reflects. “Chief Disruptor is a natural evolution of that. I set it up in 2005 and we now have a database of 20,000 people and 16,000 LinkedIn connections.

“It taps into the latest technologies,

disruptors, change-makers and innovators, and provides a place where people can come together and talk openly about the challenges they face, the things that excite them, and their plans for the future.”

The key feature of Chief Disruptor is that it’s non-hierarchical. This reflects Emma’s approach to life, ensuring the community is characterised by honesty and a mutually supportive ethos.

“Sherborne Girls taught me a lot about the importance of humility and team spirit,” she says. “These are important to Chief Disruptor’s culture. We deliver research, events and summits at the intersection of business and technology. But, fundamentally, we’re about bringing individuals together and showing them the value of connecting, learning and disrupting, for a better future.”

The Chief Disruptor community consists of leaders from a broad range of industries. What they have in common is a desire to drive their teams and organisations so they are ready for whatever the future may hold: leaders who herald new ways of thinking and working for the betterment of society, commerce, their customers, teams and the environment.

“The rapid emergence of generative AI is obviously the big news in technology this year,” says Emma. “What its acceleration shows is that

succeeding in the workplace is about adaptability. When talking to current pupils at Sherborne Girls about careers, I point out that many will end up doing jobs we haven’t even thought of yet, and some of the jobs of today will be replaced by AI and other technologies very soon.

“Rather than training for a specific role, they need to develop skills and ways of being that equip them for a world of fast-paced change, so they can embrace whatever opportunities and setbacks come their way.”

That has certainly been the maxim by which Emma has lived. She knew she enjoyed bringing people together and hearing their stories. So setting up a professional network felt like an obvious step.

Emma has a team of 10 people and operates on an agile basis, meaning a number of the team work remotely but come together for in-person and virtual events, and regular check-ins at the company’s Hampshire headquarters.

“Covid changed everything for employers and their employees,” Emma observes. “We’re modelling the new behaviours that many of our members are trying to adopt. Technology makes it possible to work from anywhere, at any time. That’s an example of the sort of disruption we celebrate.”

Even so, Chief Disruptor remains a people-

centred brand. Its biggest events are in-person summits and Emma is always keen to build meaningful and long-standing relationships among the membership.

“It’s when we come together with other people that we learn how to be more fully ourselves,” she says. “I’m committed to diversity and inclusion – these are the hallmarks of a flourishing society.”

They are also the hallmarks of a Sherborne Girls education – which may well explain why the School has been a productive recruiting ground for Emma and her team. “Sherborne Girls pupils have the confidence, humility, resilience, team spirit, creativity, communication skills and encouragement to be themselves,” she opines. “That’s just about the most important set of attributes you can instil in a young person.”

Despite the uncertain start to her own career journey, Emma has certainly ended up finding her niche. She puts it down to a mix of good fortune, great team members, a love of bringing people together and a willingness to take risks.

“Sling that rucksack on your back and chase your dreams,” she concludes. “You never know where they might lead.” www.chiefdisruptor.com

A PERSONAL APPROACH

Olivia James (Coughtrie) AE’05 is cofounder of Oriel Partners, a boutique PA and administrative recruitment agency that helps clients get the support they need to thrive.

“I left Sherborne Girls in 2005. Once I graduated with a Business degree in 2008, I started temping in London to gain experience.

This led to me securing my first permanent role, at a property company. When the time came to move on, the recruitment agency I registered with asked if I’d consider joining them as a consultant. Funnily enough, the founder of that business was another Sherborne School alumni, so we had something in common.

That experience fired my passion for recruitment. I love dealing with people every day and being exposed to the vast array of talents and perspectives that come from industry leaders and senior managers.

I worked for a couple of recruitment firms over subsequent years, building my experience and developing my knowledge of the industry. In 2018, I co-founded Oriel Partners. We’re a boutique PA and administrative recruitment consultancy based in Central London. Now a team of eight, we source temporary, contract and permanent candidates across all industry sectors in both a business and private capacity.

People are our product. In essence, we operate as a match-making service for our clients, finding them not only the right skills, but also the right ‘fit’ for their organisation or business.

That’s why we’re ambivalent about the power

of AI-driven recruitment. We recently published a report into the use of AI in tailoring candidates’ CVs to specific roles. While we concluded that the technology increases efficiency, we were mindful of the importance of a personal approach to getting the right people into the right roles. That’s the thing that drives me, as I love the interactive aspect of the industry.

Recruitment is an exciting career. We get to meet influential people every day and make a real impact on their lives. It’s hard work but can be very rewarding – both financially and emotionally. Consultants work on a commission basis, so the harder you work, the more you can earn, and your salary is uncapped which is a great motivator for many!

The best thing about my job is having such an impact on people. Job hunting can be a very daunting prospect and when a candidate secures their dream role, it is hugely satisfying. As my business is growing, my role is changing, and I am taking on a more operational function.

I am a strong believer that you should do something every day that takes you out of your comfort zone. That’s how you continue learning and developing. I love the different challenges I face as we try to grow Oriel Partners into a bigger business, with even greater impact.”

orielpartners.co.uk

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The career of Kate Stronach RH’13 has formed around her interest in nutrition, communication and community. She explains how she carved out a niche to find an audience all of her own.

“Today, with an audience of almost 100,000 across various platforms, it is interesting to reflect on the unexpected turns and choices that led me here.

After just one term studying Global Politics at university, I made the transition to Journalism, where I spent my summers interning with local newspapers. This experience taught me the profound strength of communities.

After university, my first job was in marketing. I swiftly realised that selling a product I wasn’t passionate about was far from fulfilling. I was working for a fruit juice brand that often disregarded health considerations, something that struck a chord with me. This realisation prompted me to begin studying to become a nutritionist.

Living in London at the time, and with rent to pay, I took up a job as a private nanny. I loved this role, and the experience exposed me to a gap in the market: there was so little out there for parents looking for simple nutritional guidance.

I began sharing the recipes I was creating for the children through a social media page. Over two years, this platform grew into a thriving online community with more than 20,000 members, predominantly women.

In a few months, I launched my first product: a children’s kitchen print that related the benefits of foods to animal traits. Since then I have launched multiple other products and my combined audience, spread across various platforms, has reached almost 100,000.

Right now, I’m in the process of launching a women’s wellness planner. This endeavour arose from my observation that many clients in my clinic often lacked a comprehensive grasp of how daily

observations can offer valuable insights into their health, ranging from tracking menstrual cycles to assessing stool consistency.

Collaboration has been a cornerstone of my journey. Both my time working for the local newspaper and my time at Sherborne demonstrated how the support of a community can help drive something so much further.

As my social media platform grew, my fiancé, a tech entrepreneur, constantly challenged me to innovate. When I decided to launch my children’s kitchen print, it was my sister Jo’s graphic skills that brought my vision to life. My father’s legal expertise, a marketing-savvy friend’s guidance, and brainstorming sessions with fellow nutritionists have all been instrumental to my success.

I will always jump at the chance to help others with their own endeavours. One of my most cherished collaborative experiences was assisting my mum. In the past five years, she had sold a handful of her paintings. However, working together, we managed to sell 200 pieces in just three months! I know little about art, but by sharing what I knew about social media, we were able to leverage the power of it to boost her sales.

My days are now split between product development meetings and working with clients through my online nutrition clinic. I see children and women for a range of reasons, including allergies and intolerances, fertility, gut health, and skin issues. The combination of both allows me to work on new products that I think will resonate with my audience, while supporting clients through one-to-one appointments.”

PEER GROUP NEWS

1930 – 1965

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Daphne MaGuire (Thomson) T’59

The builders have nearly finished here. The “garage” will have a utility room at one end, and storage at the other. The extended hall/sunroom with the new entrance will be done soon. Then the garden will need a major renovation. I am hoping to come to the Old Girls Concert on 22 June.

Bridget Molesworth (Heyworth) E’49, Alison Watney (Parkinson) E’49 and I recently attended the Celebration of Life Service for Mary Metters (Crawley) E’50 at a church in Bristol, where one of her sons saved this now flourishing church.

Gillian Bower (Banwell) A’54

My daughter and I visited the School in September. We so enjoyed meeting the girls from Wingfield Digby and looking around. The girls’ sitting room and cubicles seemed more homely and the new Hall is magnificent.

Hazel Fielding (Gibbs) AW’50

At 92 I am definitely retired but have still not mastered the internet! But am still active in local amateur dramatics and recently enjoyed a cruise around the British Isles. I am a very proud greatgrandmother.

Shirley Down (Gladman) AW’52

I have an active life seeing my friends and family. Last Christmas we all went to Val-d’Isère for a skiing holiday. I was not skiing! I belong to two book clubs and am lucky to live in a friendly village in Surrey and I will be delighted to see any OGs coming this way.

Alison Lansdown (Copeman) DH’53

I now have 15 great-grandchildren with one more on the way! I am very blessed by my family. I have been able to see most of them over Christmas.

Brigid Hamilton AE’54

My daughter-in-law, Meredith Wilson, and granddaughter came and looked around Aldhelmsted East and the School during the Christmas holidays. They had a wonderful time and so enjoyed looking around.

Marion Edmonds (Rebbeck) DH’56

We have been living in Oxfordshire since 2006 within a very warm and friendly neighbourhood. Alas, the family is far flung including grandchildren in Dubai, Jordan, Hull and Birmingham.

Rosemary Northcott (Sharpe) E’57

I continue to support the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Slimbridge, both financially and breeding endangered species of wildfowl.

Priscilla Forester (Vereker) AW’57

I live very happily with my husband in North Devon on the edge of Exmoor and I recently saw Jenny Wingfield Digby (Rowe) AW’57. What a time for a gossip! Also I have spoken to Nicola Roper (Barraclough) AW’56 quite a lot. What an enterprising person she is, joining a cruise and going walking with groups she did not know before.

Philada Medlycott (Oliver) DH’58

It is very nice to have my granddaughter Eve Oliver at the school.

Ann Cundy (Jones) T’62

Enjoying the countryside and sea and still living in the same house for 50 years.

Hilary Root (Pearson) A’62

As one of the first six women to be admitted to the London Stock Exchange on 26 March 1973, I was invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary by opening the Stock Market on 27 March 2023. Later in the year, I was awarded Honorary Freedom of the City of London which was conferred at a ceremony in the Mansion House on 13 October 2023.

Georgina Lambert T’62

I remember seven very happy years in Thurstan, our Housemistress was Miss Williams. Our inspirational Head was Dame Diana Reader Harris. I am still in touch with many friends from School.

Sue Stanford (Buxton) A’63

Anthony and I are very proud grandparents of Hazel Elizabeth and Kyle Fraser who live four to five hours south of us in Callander, Perth and Kinross. We visit as and when we can – but sadly too far away to help with childcare on any regular basis! Last winter, over their move and settling in we were down for a week/10 days each month. Now we are all off down under to our younger daughter’s wedding in New Zealand to a lovely New Zealander. Our first great travel trip after a Canadian trip pre-Covid to Anthony’s family. We live in a beautiful spot on the Moray Firth, we look out across to the Caithness Mountains. The great storm passed us by this time!

Dione Wright (Johnson) A’65

I live in Hartley Wintney in Hampshire, close to both my daughters. I spend an afternoon a week after school with my seven-year-old granddaughter, Hattie. We do art, sewing, carpentry, chat; and she does imaginative playing which requires only my close attention, no speaking or intervention! And violin lesson, and then Brownies!

I rejoice in a Ballet Fit class once a week. Another morning I volunteer with Year 2 hesitant readers in the local primary school. For three hours each week I submerge myself in a wonderful art class. I drive people who can’t drive to hospital appointments. Just occasionally one of my letters is published in The Spectator! I rejoice in seeing friends and regularly see Harriet Morgan (Tupper) A’66, Anne Longfield (Young) A’65 and April McCormick (Bueno de Mesquita) E’65

Sometimes I travel: this year to Morocco.

PEER GROUP NEWS

1966 – 1970

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Anne Whately-Smith (Agnew) K’70

It has been an eventful year in the Agnew family with the house succumbing to flooding in early December and as I write this, we are currently “drying out”. I still see a lot of school friends, with Susie Ingram (Penrose) DH’70 and Joan Drew (Bond) K’69 living close by. I lunched with Jeni Heard (Atherton) K’70, stayed with Marnie Teesdale (Cripps) K’69 and I regularly holiday with Susie and Vicky Vaughan-Lee (Scarborough) K’68 in Menorca.

Earlier this year I am proud to report that my younger brother heroically walked the Santiago de Compostela in aid of Parkinson’s, raising in excess of £50,000.

My daughter Jo Agnew (Leeman) K’99 and her husband James live in Dubai and we have one grandson, Louie, aged five. She keeps up with a lot of her peers.

Gillie Alcock (Ford) AE’67

On 1 December at a 70th birthday party I met Elizabeth Drew (Tidswell) K’70 Rosamund Peck (MacFarlane) DH’66 emailed me about an Old

Girl and about being on Sewing Bee. I met Jane Cray (Clayton) A’86 at an organised Sherborne lunch in Nottingham on 14 February. And Circle 13B, of which I am a member, met on 11 January for a lunch organised by Jo (Hepburn) Blake A’69 Pru Nahum (Tatham) A’63 was there and Buzz Blandy (Francis) E’62, Sally Mackie AE’75, Liz Cruikshank (Thorold) K’71 and Judith Hoare (Sweny) A’61. I keep in touch with Romie AE’67 and Maggie Leveritt AE’70

My other news is I am a granny again. Hudson Forest Ford was born in May.

Linda Griffith-Jones (Collett) DH’68

I have been married for 51 years, have two children and five grandchildren. I was a JP for 22 years and a kindergarten teacher and dyslexia therapist.

Jane Elton (Parry-Billings) AW’70

Here is a photo of us celebrating our 70th birthdays.

We had a fabulous four days exploring Dublin and County Wicklow, visiting Trinity College, art galleries, eating and drinking well.

From left to right: Jane, Jan McArthur (Fuller) AW’70, a friend, not an SOG, Emma Rodney (Guest) AW’70 and Jane Lalonde (Bretton) AW’70. We also met up with Susie Watts-Russell AW’70, who is sadly not in the photo.

1971 – 1975

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Jocelyn Passey (Humfrey) K’73

Having moved during the Covid lockdown to Norfolk, after more than 20 years in glorious Gloucestershire, my new life has taken a bit of time to get used to. After renting from dear kind friends I now have a cottage which is set in from the north Norfolk coast with the villages of Raynham nearby. Far enough to escape the busy summer throng but close enough for those marvellous walks along the beaches which are deserted on a Sunday evening in the summer and most days in the winter months. A county so different to my previous country life so there is much to explore although I have yet to find a choir – which I miss very much.

Not least also to search out any Sherborne friends. I bumped into Vicky Cook (Keith) AE’74 at a lovely evening lecture. We had a laugh about how we were allowed home a night early at halfterms owing to living in Yorkshire. If anyone feels like a get-together, do let me know as I am happy to organise something. Gillie Bryson (Scoular) E’73 is up here too I hear.

I continue with my interior design work which is absorbing and takes me into many different aspects of history, conservation and architecture which is wonderful and for which I am grateful.

Sarah Roberts (Dixon) AE’74

On a recent visit to England with my husband, Ross, we visited Sherborne Girls for the first time in many years and were given such a wonderful welcome. For Ross it was a first visit to an English boarding school. I left Sherborne Girls in 1974, almost 50 years ago and had been Head of House in East. Both the House and the whole School had changed considerably, but the School appeared to be flourishing and I was so impressed with the range of opportunities now available to the girls. East, now amalgamated with what used to be Kenelm, offers the girls so much space and I loved the large dining room. I was amused that the cubby holes we used to put our napkins in are now used for storing mobile phones! The Merritt Centre is impressive. I enjoyed locating the chair to which I had contributed along with my East year group.

I moved to New Zealand in 1985 having married a Kiwi and my son is in the NZ army. It definitely feels like home. The bulk of my career has been spent working for a New Zealand Government department. However my Sherborne Girls friends are still among my very best friends. The seven of us can’t meet up regularly, but with social media and the ease of communications it’s surprising how often exchanges take place. Based on conversations with those I met during my visit to the School, along with what I saw, it would appear that community and friendship remain as relevant today which bodes well for future generations of Sherborne Girls.

Below: Sarah and Ann Fortescue (Simon) AE’74 in the Gransden Hall, Merritt Centre

PEER GROUP NEWS

1976 – 1980

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Jane Digby (Auer) AW’80

Diana Noble E’78

Somewhat to my surprise and delight, I’m working as hard as ever at 62. I have five fascinating and challenging Board seats:

• Deputy Chair of Bank of England (the equivalent of the Board of Directors)

• Chair of The Children’s Society

• Governor of The Wellcome Trust

• Non-Executive Director – Brookfield Asset Management

• Non-Executive Director – MedAccess Guarantee Limited

My mother is still going strong at 92 - she went skydiving on her 90th birthday! And my two children, Georgia and William, are pursuing very different careers (a rock musician and an AI Director) but showing absolutely no sign of giving me grandchildren...

Jo Gornall (Wright) W’78

Going up Yr Wyddfa (formerly Snowdon) in July in a wheelchair was an extraordinary experience. A wonderful team comprising lawyers from Shoosmiths and my kids and their friends got me up there with other wheelchair users to raise funds for the wonderful Back Up Trust, a charity close to my heart as it supports people who are

affected by Spinal Cord Injury. It was a particularly cold summer’s day with sub-zero temperatures at the top so we were immensely grateful for the Hog Roast party that Back Up had organised in the campsite after the climb. Undertaking challenges like this not only raise much needed funds, but also remind us wheelies that there is so much we can still do despite a life-changing injury. (Although to be honest I still prefer 5 star hotels to cold campsites!)

Anna Crawford (Seton Coad) T’79

On the right is a picture of our Thurstan gettogether in December 2023: some of us went to the Christmas market in Sherborne and then we had lunch nearby and a lovely catch-up.

I’m still working in anaesthetics at the Royal Cornwall Hospital and now have a group of grandchildren, two of whom came to stay for Christmas. Life is busy on the farm: my husband is involved with several environmental schemes and we have 40 horses at livery here.

Once a week I volunteer with a social club for adults with learning difficulties with my cousin Josie. We have about 70 members and a dozen volunteers and we have music and craft. It’s wild and uplifting and I have taken over as Chair this year. We have quite a successful model and have been asked by a neighbouring town to set one up for them, which will open in January 2024.

Pictured from left clockwise: Anna (in green), Fizzy Hillman T’79, Caroline Bellman (Rutter)

T’79, Kathy Bracken (Gibson) T’79, Elizabeth Spencer T’79, Pippa Hollington (Duncan)

T’79, Judy House (Barnes) T’79, Philippa Read (Cowles) T’79. Sadly Rosemary Hyam (Wintle)

T’79 and Cara Matheson (Horwich) T’79 couldn’t make it to the lunch reunion.

1981 – 1985

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Emma Burrows AE’83

Liz Rawle (Birkett) W’81

Just retired early from over 20 years of running the family farm, so finding my way a bit with more time to spare and enjoying it.

Fiona Philips (Saunderson) AE’81

I live in Cambridge and work part-time with my husband who runs a financial services company. I have 4 almost grown-up children – my youngest

(17) finishes school this summer whilst my daughter is doing a year of university in Sydney before returning to Edinburgh in September for her final year. I have two older sons currently based in London.

We are involved with a wonderful church in the centre of Cambridge, helping to run Alpha courses and meeting students at the university. My sister Scarlett Philips (Tice) AE’83 lives in Ireland and has just welcomed her first grandchild.

Jane Bowles A’84

In April, together with Emma-Jane Stokely (Wyatt) DH’84 and Anna Gordon (Hutt) DH’84 we sang with the Parliament Choir, The Dream of Gerontius, in the Papal Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, in the Vatican City. It was so exciting and a fantastic experience. It is our 40-year reunion in 2024 and it would be great to have a good turnout. If you haven’t received your invitation, please do get in touch with Fiona in the Old Girls Office.

Frances Drewett (Hewitt) W’84

After 39 years in London, I’ve very happily moved back to Somerset. I’m the Chorus Manager of Dorset Opera Festival, created 50 years ago by Augusta (Gussie) Miller and Patrick Shelley, Directors of Music of Sherborne Girls and Sherborne School. Why not come and see this year’s operas: www.dorsetopera.com is where you’ll find all the details.

1986 – 1990

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Antonia Foster (Plant)

AE’91

A busy 12 months or so both at home and at work, with a house move and 10 minutes of fame after being asked to do lots of media on the Wagatha Christie (Vardy v Rooney) libel trial. All good fun and not exactly how I expected a career in law would pan out! Our (delayed) 30-year school reunion with the boys’ school was huge fun, and so wonderful to catch up with friends again after all this time, but we missed those who were unable to make it.

1991 – 1995

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Holly Joint (Bishop)

AE’94

I am still living in Abu Dhabi with my husband, Karl, and two children, Jemima and Caspar (aged 10 and 8). I run a company called Digital Fluency which offers advisory services in digital transformation, emerging tech and cultural change. I also work with

my husband on his family food business which provides delicious and wholesome ready meals. I recently started Women4Tech UAE – a network which unites women across backgrounds to shape technology for global good. I regularly see Katie Taylor (Sweeting) DH’94 who lives up the road in Dubai.

1996 – 2000

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Alexa Ramsay (Laryea) E’00

Millie Allen (Fox) T’00

I’ve been living in London since 2006. I got married to Harry Fox (Milton Abbey boy) in 2017 and we have two sons – Toby (2019) and Robin (2021). Still living in Richmond, London, working in the travel industry. I am training for the marathon in 2024 in aid of Evelina London Children’s Charity, as my son Toby was looked after by them when born prematurely.

I thought I’d also tell you about my sister Claire Allen T’96. She has been living and working in Bristol since 2006, running cookery schools and water charities! On 8 August 2023, she set out from John o’ Groats to walk the coast of Great Britain. She’s given herself a year to complete the approx. 5,000-mile distance.

This is in aid of two charities, Shelter and Only a Pavement Away, and has raised over £10k.

Claire has got as far as North Devon and she’s really enjoying the challenge so far. You can follow her progress here: @clairesgreatbritishwalk.

2001 – 2005

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Tess Cavendish A’02

Philly Fraser A’01

It was 22 years ago that I sang O Holy Night in Sherborne Abbey, with the rest of the choir singing beautiful harmonies beneath me.

When I studied Art at the University of San Diego during my degree at Lancaster University, I had the pleasure of meeting Gregory Porter, who at the time was an unknown artist, searching for a record deal in sunny California. He became a mentor to me as I took quite a few jazz credits out there with Gregory’s first producer, Kamal Kenyatta. We have been firm friends ever since and over the years I have seen his musical empire grow into something extraordinary. He is now a two-time Grammy winning jazz giant with fans all over the world.

I now live in North Devon with my husband and our three children and on a rainy old afternoon I rewrote one of my songs and decided to take it to London where I knew Gregory was going to be for a fleeting amount of time. I persuaded a children’s choir to add harmony to the chorus and persuaded Gregory to drop in and have a listen. The dynamics of the choir and their choir master reminded me so much of Mr Jenkins conducting the Madrigals back in the day! Gregory very soon jumped on board and soon after recorded his part in New York. The main lyric of the chorus, “Sing for the Children”, is especially relevant today with so much conflict all over the world.

Gregory invited the choir boys and me to debut the song at his sold-out Royal Albert Hall gig in December! It was a real highlight of the concert and as I stood in the wings, I thought

back gratefully to Sherborne Abbey, Mr J making jokes to keep us calm and remembered Mr Price’s advice before my grade 8 violin, “Sock it to ‘em Philly!”

Make Believe can be downloaded on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify. To keep up with Philly’s music, you can follow her on instagram @phillyfrasermusic

Milla Chaplin (Rae) W’02

I currently live in Mumbai, India, where I have been for around 18 months and I am delighted to share the news that I have just published my first book: a memoir entitled Not Quite to Plan, about my first year as a mother. It was a year which saw me navigating the global pandemic and the Myanmar military coup with my newborn baby.

I have been living abroad as an expat on and off pretty much since I left Sherborne to study Chinese and German at Leeds University. After stints in Taipei, Beijing, New York and London, I found myself in Yangon in 2015 and spent six

PEER GROUP NEWS

very happy years there. Unfortunately, in 2021, just two months after my son Jasper was born, the Myanmar military overthrew the elected government and threw the country into turmoil – which led to the experiences I describe in the book.

I am finding the story resonating with so many women, mothers and travellers. I have come back into contact with various old Sherborne friends through social media when they have seen me talking about the book and have even bought a copy.

If you’d like to find out more, please visit: // Instagram.com/millarae_writes

I would love for other old girls to get in touch, my email address is: millachaplinrae@gmail.com

2006 – 2010

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Alex Pentolfe DH’06

I am self-employed, working as a Care Professional with adult and elderly care in private homes around Sherborne. I love what I do; uplifting the lives of the people I work with is hugely rewarding.

Polly Bradshaw (Winsley) K’06

I got married to Christopher Scott Winsley on 3 December 2023 at The King’s Chapel of Savoy in London. Lots of old Sherborne girls (and boys) joined us to celebrate. (See photo above right.)

I am currently heading up the Placemaking department at Knight Frank working with numerous estates and developments in London.

Polly Hadden-Paton (Williamson) DH’07

We’re living in Buckinghamshire and I’m still running www.youneedapa.com but enjoying some maternity leave at the moment!

Lucy Cox (Saddington) K’07

I married Ed at St Thomas’s Church, Salisbury on 30 May. We met through singing together, and as you might imagine, the music at the service was a highlight of the day! Speeches and cake followed, and then a reception and ceilidh at the village hall in Coombe Bisset. Steph Hislop RH’07, Mieke Dale-Harris K’07 and my sister Susie Cox DH’11 were bridesmaids.

We live in Oxford and have busy schedules

Photo credit: Ash Mills

Photo credit: Stuart Dudleston

as professional singers. I have been touring the world with various ensembles (the next trip with the Tallis Scholars encompasses China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan), as well as performing as a soloist with choirs and orchestras closer to home. I also have a lot of fun teaching the girl choristers at Merton College.

Georgina Chapman (Leigh) AE’08

I’m living in London and enjoying my last few months of maternity leave with my daughter Sophia before I rejoin The Hoffman Agency, a global technology PR firm, in late March. I keep in touch with lots of Sherborne friends, but most recently saw Nancy Daniell AE’08, Angharad Ball DH’08 and Alice Busby AE’08 for a reunion weekend in Bristol!

April Liu AE’08

I visited Sherborne Girls in April 2023 and had a great time looking round. I couldn’t believe how much has changed! I also got married in April 2023 and was pleased to show my husband around my old school. (See April and Kevin in photo above right.)

Rosie Fry W’09

5* international three-day event rider running a competition yard at my family home in Halstock, Dorset. Completed Badminton 5* in 2022 and aiming to go back there with my top ride, Romantic, in 2024.

Photo credit: Will Hartop

Rosie and Charlie on their wedding day

PEER GROUP NEWS

Phoebe Trousdell (Isles) AE’10

I married Beanie, an OS, on 14 May 2022. We live in South West London and I have been working at United Agents since 2015. I’m an Actors Agent and represent a variety of brilliant actors working across film, TV, and theatre. I still see many of the Sherborne girls from my year - particularly my “Easties”. It’s a total joy when we all get together for a catch-up. Nothing really changes!

Susanna MacRae K’09

I continue to work as a freelance opera singer with work taking me all around the country. I am the Co-Director of Liberata Collective, an opera company that stage productions in Baroque Gesture. I live in a village called Melbourn near Cambridge with my husband, Haley, and our lively fox red Labrador. Haley and I are expecting our first child in February and feel very excited for the year ahead!

2011 – 2015

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Louise Moseley K’11

Four years on and I am still working as an EA to the CEO/Founder at Trinny London.

Really exciting, fast paced role and every day is different!

Emma Wurfbain (van Maurik) K’11

I got married on Saturday, 2 September and had my best Sherborne girls by my side. It was the happiest day and is so special to have all my School friends with us after all these years!

We were married at Milton Abbey and had the reception back home in Woolland, Dorset.

Photo credit: Steve Gregson

Photo credit: Christopher Jelf

Hebe Jenner DH’12

At the end of 2023, I took a three-month sabbatical to travel to Jordan, the Philippines and Australia. A few highlights of the trip included scuba diving with turtles and thresher sharks in the Philippines, seeking out the holy grail at Petra in Jordan and snorkelling with whale sharks in Coral Bay, Australia.

Laura Jardine Paterson WD’11

Laura, on the right, winning a Women in Tech award in Dubai.

I am based between the Middle East, Dubai and Europe and have been running my own business CONCAT, since 2021. CONCAT is the first refugee and female digital consultancy. We design and develop websites mainly for clients

all over the world whilst employing women and refugees through long-term and sustainable employment.

CONCAT works with international clients, corporates, start-ups or VCs looking for high quality yet affordable websites, whilst bridging the gap between the East and the West and ultimately creating a more inclusive tech sector.

I have been very fortunate to win multiple awards for innovative and impactful work which I am enormously proud of and was recently nominated for Forbes 30 under 30. I want to encourage other female entrepreneurs to start their own social enterprises looking at the model of profit-for-purpose. The frequency of the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur, particularly as a woman, never ceases to amaze me; be prepared to ride the highs, and get back down to work in the lows. Don’t give up every time someone tells you no, or that what you are doing will never work.

If you or your business need a new website or are looking for more developers to join your in-house team, please feel free to reach out to Laura on LinkedIn, www.linkedin.com/in/laurajardine-paterson/. You can see more of their work at https://concat.tech

Pictured above: Emily Humphreys (Warman) WD’11, Victoria Worthington RH’11, Emma, Stijn, Laura Jardine Paterson WD’11 and Sophie Keith K’11

PEER GROUP NEWS

Emily Humphreys (Warman) WD’11

I married Archie on 22 May 2023 and it was wonderful to have my friends with me.

2016 – 2020

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Imogen Andrews WD’16

I’m currently working as a senior physiotherapist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust in London. After several years focusing on patients with respiratory illness, I’m now predominantly looking after patients with complex rehabilitation needs. I’m very much enjoying the challenges and opportunities that come with working in such a large influential Trust; however, having spent nearly five years working in the NHS including through Covid, I am looking forward to taking a bit

of a break to travel in the coming year. Outside of work, I have recently retired from rugby union and am now playing more and more tag rugby which is great fun and results in far fewer bruises!

Rebecca Stagg K’17

I was a Music and Drama Scholar (2012–2017) and have just started working with Wiltshire Creative on their large outdoor production of The Tempest, as their Assistant Musical Director. The production is the main event of Salisbury Festival this year and is being performed into early June. https://www. wiltshirecreative.co.uk/events/the-tempest

Amelia Etherington RH’20

The dates between 31 August and 5 September were a shaping, reflective, blister-filled time for me. I walked the 70 miles from Sidmouth to Kimmeridge along the infamously steep South West Coast path. I was doing this in aid of MND (Motor Neurone Disease), which my father was devastatingly diagnosed with in June 2021.

So far there is no guaranteed cure and support for research into MND is desperately needed. Of the £55,000 we managed to raise, half will go towards these crucial research developments and the rest to MND S-W who have

Pictured left to right: Millie Russell RH’11, Eliza Hamer RH’11, Isabel Carless RH’11, Emily, Georgie Kerridge AE’11 and Char Roe RH’11

been a lifeline for our family over the past two years.

The path I set out to tackle has always been particularly special to my father and me and is something we had always hoped to do together but (as I joked in my Just Giving blurb) “The bright-red mobility scooter now says otherwise.” It was a wonderful section to choose as the geography and landscape changed dramatically each day, and, apart from one very wet day (see photo on right), I was beyond blessed with the weather.

As I marched (!) up the hills and stumbled along the shingle beaches, I met the most wonderful people, ate the most delicious food (The Anchor Inn in Seatown is a firm recommendation) and had endless time to reflect on the reason behind it all. On day two, my right knee started to give me a lot of grief and luckily various friends and family came to my rescue to provide sufficient distraction from the pain and more importantly to stuff me full of Starmix and Tangfastics which greatly helped my energy and endurance!

It was a very special time for contemplation and to think about what my dad, and my whole family, has been through the last two years. There have been ups and downs, which echoed some of the brutal terrain I encountered on the path, but he has carried on with his sense of humour still wry, his abundant love of life still shining through and his overwhelming enthusiasm still very much present. Although he could not join me along the walk itself, his encouragements at pitstops along the way made it all the more special. To have him there, experiencing it as much as he could, was incredibly special and I have created memories I will cherish for ever.

If you would like to find out more, or donate, please visit: www.mndassociation.org

Sylvie Hammond RH’18

I have started a new role working with someone I met at the Old Girls Media Careers Networking Event back in September. It is a project management role at a marketing company.

Charlotte Bailey K’20

I have recently graduated from Durham University with First Class Honours in Archaeology and History, writing an architectural analysis of Hampton Court Palace’s Tudor and Baroque features for my dissertation. I am now in my first of two years studying a part-time Masters in Building History at the University of Cambridge. I have also recently completed a second internship at Jersey Archive.

PEER GROUP NEWS

Annabelle Martin K’20

Over the past year I graduated with a degree in Journalism and Communications from Cardiff University while seeing my hobby from the age of 13 become my career! A year ago, I was lucky enough to start my job at BBC Radio Bristol, working two days a week on the mid-morning show with Presenter John Darvall I have had the chance to undertake a range of different roles: Breakfast Journalism Coordinator (JC), Reporter, Sunday Afternoon Producer, Saturday Breakfast Show Producer, Afternoon JC, and I also had complete editorial control over the Rewind Hour for the mid-morning show! I have started presenting the breakfast show on Radio Cardiff and also volunteering at Bristol Hospital Radio.

In October, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to shadow BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. I shadowed Lottie Garton WD’14, a fellow SOG, who gave me the chance to see how Woman’s Hour works, from pre-production to live broadcast, while helping out with postproduction!

2021 – 2025

Peer Group Co-ordinator

Alice McCormick K’21

Lauren Carty DH’22

I am currently in my second year studying Law at UCL, and have been lucky enough to receive the Faculty Undergraduate Scholarship for Excellence from the university following my firstyear achievements. Outside of my academic studies, I have taken on the role of treasurer for the UCL Caledonian Society. I am also a journalist for the Justice Gap newspaper, and am currently undertaking a 6-month placement with the law firm Dentons. Over Easter, I am involved in an exciting project to recreate my greatgrandfather’s retreat from Jessami to Kohima in commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Kohima. The walk is 125km in 39 hours, and I’m sure the skills that I learnt during DofE will come in handy.

Lara Tomlin RH’22

After having the most incredible Gap Year

I am now loving my first year at Newcastle University. Aside from my studies I am thoroughly enjoying being a member of the Northumbria University’s Officer Training Corps and a member of the university lacrosse team.

Imogen Lewis K’23

I am currently volunteering and travelling around India as part of my year out before embarking on a BSc Geography degree at Manchester University.

Sherborne Old Girls

125 Concert and Reception

The Gransden Hall

The Merritt Centre, Sherborne Girls, Bradford Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3QN

Saturday, 22 June 2024, 6.30pm

We are delighted to invite you to our Sherborne Old Girls 125 Concert – an exciting celebration of music, our Sherborne Girls community and the 125th Anniversary of the School. We are so pleased that former Directors of Music, Augusta Miller and John Jenkins, together with Director of Music, Mark Cracknell will be conducting this Concert.

The Concert will include two parts: the first, solo performances and the second, a selection of choruses from Handel’s Messiah

It promises to be a wonderful occasion and we are delighted that Old Girl Ruth Rogers, “one of the most gifted young violinists in Britain” (Musical Opinion), will be leading the orchestra. We do not have an email address or contact details for everyone so please do let your friends know about this exciting celebration. To attend, please either visit our website (www.sherborne.com/alumnae/ sog-events/old-girls-events ) or call the Old Girls Office on: 01935 818329.

We hope you and your guest(s) are able to join us to celebrate the strong bonds of friendship that are so much part of our Sherborne Girls community and the School’s musical heritage.

Old Girls Day

Our Old Girls Day was held in sunshine on Saturday, 13 May 2023 starting with a beautiful service in Sherborne Abbey before enjoying drinks and lunch back at School. After lunch, Old Girls were taken on tours of their Houses which were so enjoyed by girls and their guests. The day ended with tea and cakes.

CAREERS EVENTS

MEDIA CAREERS EVENT

Lottie Welch K’23 attended this event. Here’s what she had to say about her experience:

“I left Sherborne Girls after my A Levels in the summer of 2023. I was therefore really pleased to attend one of the many networking events Sherborne Old Girls organised during the following months.

This event focused on the media and communications industries. Old Girls and Old Shirburnians from a diverse range of careers came together for the evening, including people who work in areas as varied as marketing and screenwriting.

It was a brilliant occasion. I learned a huge amount about the realities of different careers, from a fabulous group of people.

I left with an invitation to intern at a fashion magazine. I took up the internship in October and gained loads of valuable experience, such as attending frieze fair, and creating content for the magazine itself. I went into the internship eager to learn more about the creative industries. It certainly delivered: my understanding has grown immensely.

I would encourage any other SOG to take up other valuable opportunities like this. They make a considerable difference to your perspective on the world of work.”

CITY & FINANCE CAREERS EVENT

A wide range of professions were represented at this informal event which was hugely helpful to our undergraduates and graduates.

SOUTH WEST REUNION

Secretary: Anne Walsh (Colquhoun) E’69

We were delighted to hear from Olivia Acland K’09 who gave a fascinating talk about her work as a journalist and foreign correspondent. Olivia has had work published with the BBC, Al Jazeera, The Times, the Telegraph and The Economist. Olivia spent three years in Sierra Leone working as a multimedia journalist and covering the West African region. Currently she is working as an investigative journalist investigating stories on corruption, democracy and climate change and collaborates with mainstream media to publish the stories.

Circle 13B

LEICESTERSHIRE, RUTLAND, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE AND LINCOLNSHIRE

Secretary: Josephine Hepburn (Blake) A’69

At the last moment, we met for our annual Circle lunch at The Hare and Hounds in Fulbeck, Lincolnshire. In our very large Circle area we all enjoy catching up once a year. If you have moved into the locality, please do get in touch via Fiona in the Old Girls Office.

Pictured from left to right: Pru Nahum (Tatham) A’63, Liz Cruickshank (Thorold) K’71, Jo Blake, Elizabeth Blandy (Francis) E’62, Gillie Alcock (Ford) AE’67 and Jane Cray (Clayton) A’86

On Monday, 13 February 2023, Sherborne Old Girls and the Old Shirburnian Society held a lunch in Manchester and the following day in Nottingham.

MATCH V CLC

It was a dry and mostly sunny day, (which made a change!) for our annual match against Cheltenham Ladies College at Sherborne Golf Club. It was our home match and I was delighted

to get 10 players. It was valiantly contested, but our opposition came out with a win this year. We will try and rectify this next year when it will be a CLC home match.

Report from Katharine Martin (Stringer) DH’78

From left to right: Hilary Peterkin (Younger) W’64, Susie Pym (King) DH’68, Anne Whately-Smith (Agnew) K’70, Barbara Dalrymple (Savill) W’70, Ali Preston (Aldred) A’81, Jane Castle (Small) AW’85, Jane Close (Hon OG), Katharine, Valerie Worth (Thomas) E’73 and Lizzy Hext (Pudner) T’83

THE SILVER TASSIE (NATIONAL COMPETITION FOR ALUMNAE OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS)

This was played on a gorgeous sunny day in May at The Berkshire. There were 26 teams, but sadly we were unable to retain the cup that was won last year. It was a treat to play on such beautiful courses and the day was much enjoyed by us all.

AUTUMN MEETING

We were treated again to a beautiful day of weather on 9 October at Sherborne Golf Club. Due to some injuries, we ended up with a smaller field than normal, but a fun and social game was thoroughly enjoyed, ending up with a delicious tea and a lovely surprise visit from Fiona James from the SOG office.

The winners on the day were Susie King, Jane Kinnersley K’69 and Josie Kemp (Mather) DH’62. Runners-up were Bar Savill, Katharine and Fiona Stern (Corben) E’62. The longest drive was won by Hilary and nearest the pin was Anne

On a personal note, I have very much enjoyed my five years organising the fixtures, getting to know people and playing at different venues. Thank you to everyone who has supported these events. I am delighted to hand over to Ali Aldred who will, I know, not only be hoping to entice new

members to the SOG golfing society but will rely on us ‘older’ members to keep playing. If there is anyone interested in joining us, please either get in touch with Fiona James in the SOG office or get in touch directly with Ali at Aldredhome@ googlemail.com

Left to right: Liz Pendered (Edwards) W’75, Susie Pendered (Dawes) W’76, Anne and Katharine Josie, Susie and Jane

Top row left to right: Josie, Susie, Anne Kinnersley (Boyle) K’67, Jane, Bar and Katharine. Bottom row: Fiona, Hilary and Anne

NEWSFROM HONORARYMEMBERS

“In 2015, after 12 extremely happy and fulfilling years as the Housemistress of Aldhelmsted East, I retired! It had been such a privilege to be part of the dynamic East family and the vibrant SG community. I was so fortunate over the years to have such an inspiring group of ‘Easties’. We truly were an extended family: the girls, the Assistant Housemistresses, the Matrons, Tutors and the hardworking domestic staff led by Michaela (36 years in East and counting!), and not forgetting the girls’ families. I knew I would be sad to leave, but it was made easier knowing I had left the House in the very capable hands of my good friend, Debbie Miller. I took with me the East motto: Hoc Tempus Faciendum Est – ‘This is the time to do it.’ I literally did take it with me as Sarah Haslam had given me a beautiful embroidery of the East motto, in shades of purple of course!

‘This is the time to do it’ has definitely been my mantra. So, what have I been up to? Well, I moved back to my hometown in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons and renovated a house… not that ‘hands on’, more directing operations! It has been great fun hosting old school friends, colleagues from SG and many Easties too.

I now have two adorable grandchildren, Cosima aged 5 and Zachary aged 1, and yes, I have become a doting Mamgu,

as we say in Welsh. I have enjoyed many visits to see them in Singapore – they recently moved to Hong Kong, and I will visit next month. My old school friends have also retired and we have been on many holidays in the UK and further afield. It does sound as though I am constantly on holiday, but I am also involved with many organisations in the community and serve on several committees. I enjoy the challenge, meeting new people and helping others along the way. It is incredible how initiating small changes can make a huge difference to so many.

Many of my happiest moments of the past eight years have definitely been the occasions I have caught up with my Old Girls. The fact that many have been to stay with me or visited for the day has been the best of times. The privilege of being an HM is being able to

be part of the lives of so many. I used to say I had two sons and many many daughters! I love hearing my Old Girls’ latest news, meeting their partners and my East family is definitely expanding, the latest additions being babies Dolly, Sophia and Violet. Wherever you are in the world, I wish you every happiness for 2024 and remember, whatever age you are, Hoc Tempus Faciendum Est!”

Liz Poraj-Wilczynska

Bertie, Livvy, Dini, Baz, Tia, Daisy and Phoebe

CONGRATULATIONS

Hilary Root (Pearson) A’62 was awarded Honorary Freedom of the City of London.

Diana Noble E’78 CBE was made Deputy Chair of Bank of England.

Laura Jardine Paterson WD’11 won a Women in Tech award in Dubai.

Sophia Hutchinson AE’16 graduated from the University of Sheffield with a Merit in her Master’s in Architecture.

Allie Hurst WD’17 graduated from the University of Bristol with a First Class Honours degree in Management.

Valerie Tsoi WD’17 graduated from King’s College London with a First Class Honours degree in Chemistry.

Olivia Andrews WD’18 graduated from the University of Nottingham as a doctor with BMBS (Hons) and also with a BMedSci 1st class (the first three years of the degree). She was top decile overall for her performance across the medical degree and this ranking represented 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th years as there is no ranking in the final year.

Aisling Taylor AE’18 graduated from the University of Bath with a First Class Honours degree in Business Administration.

Ella Beaumont AE’19 was awarded a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Harriet Wright WD’19 graduated from the University of Newcastle with a First Class Honours degree in Ancient History & Archaeology.

Charlotte Bailey K’20 graduated from Durham University with a First Class Honours degree in Archaeology and History.

Eleanor Miller DH’20 was awarded a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Annabel Biggart RH’22 was awarded a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Lauren Carty DH’22 was awarded a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Lara Tomlin RH’22 was awarded a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Millie Van Moppes RH’22 was awarded a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Lily Phipps K’23 was awarded a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

President

Ruth Sullivan

Presidents Emeritae

Mrs Geraldine Kerton-Johnson

Mrs Jenny Dwyer

Vice-Presidents

Mrs Patricia Barker

Miss Augusta Miller

Mr John Jenkins

Executive Committee

Chairman

Danielle Grant-Braham

Treasurer

Lindsay Taylor

Alumnae Manager

Fiona James

Circle Secretaries’ Co-ordinator

Jane Nicholson oldgirls@sherborne.com

Old Girls Ambassador

Alice Richardson

Co-opted Member

Anna Lort-Phillips oldgirls@sherborne.com

Under 30 Representative

Zainab Kyari

Sherborne Girls Head

Ruth Sullivan head@sherborne.com

Senior Management Team Representative

Katherine Massey K.massey@sherborne.com

Sherborne Girls Alumnae

Sherborne Girls

Peer Group Co-ordinators

1930 – 1965 Daphne MaGuire (Thomson)

1966 – 1970 Anne Whatley-Smith (Agnew)

1971 – 1975 Jocelyn Passey (Humfrey)

1976 – 1980 Jane Digby (Auer)

1981 – 1985 Emma Burrows

1986 – 1990 Antonia Foster (Plant)

1991 – 1995 Holly Joint (Bishop)

1996 – 2000 Alexa Ramsay (Laryea)

2001 – 2005 Tess Cavendish

2006 – 2010 Alex Pentolfe

2011 – 2015 Louise Moseley

2016 – 2020 Imogen Andrews

2021 – 2025 Alice McCormick

Trustees of Sherborne Old Girls Bursary Fund

Joanna Gornall (Mrs Wright), Helen McLuskie (Mrs Garton)

All correspondence should be addressed to:

Miss Ghislaine Fluck, 16 Conifer Drive Meopham, Gravesend, Kent DA13 0TL ghislaine.fluck@btinternet.com

Development Officer

Laura Windsor development@sherborne.com

Sherborne Old Girls Office, Bradford Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3QN

Tel: 01935 818329

Email: oldgirls@sherborne.com

www.sherborne.com/Sherborne-Old-Girls

Main school tel: 01935 812245

Email: office@sherborne.com

SherborneOldGirls sherbornegirlsconnect.com

www.sherborne.com/Sherborne-Old-Girls