In Memory of Lorna Barr

In Memory

This year, we were deeply saddened by the news of Lorna Barr’s passing and would like to take a moment to commemorate her and her impact on our Libraries. Lorna was most loved as Miss Lorna and Miss Barr in the Nursery and in the Junior School and Lower School Libraries. She delivered weekly Rhyme Time sessions to Little and Big Owls and ran a programme of weekly library visits for P1-P6 on top of day-to-day library operations. Lorna always knew the best book to recommend (including her personal favourites, like Pamela Butchart) and often went above and beyond for events with costumes and special activities.

She will have left an indelible mark on many of the girls, whether that’s from picking them up from a fall in the playground, helping them to choose a book, or scaring them with her infamous Halloween spooky stories!

We also have Lorna to thank for years of creative and eye-catching displays. She had an intuition for not only what would look great on a wall or display but also for what would spark pupils' imaginations and inspire reading. We continue to update her Bookflix display in Lower School, which gets frequent attention.

It’s obvious how important Lorna was to St George’s and in particular the girls of Lower and Junior School. She was unbelievably kind, generous with her time, and unbelievably patient with any of the children who encountered her.

In lockdown, Lorna stretched her skills even further to provide everything children were missing in the Library through story times and activities on Teams. Lorna met the challenges of lockdown and the pandemic head on and was then, as ever, an invaluable member of the team.

Most of all, Lorna was kind. She always put others before herself, including in the Library. She gave so much of her spirit and energy and enthusiasm to her work reading to children, preparing resources and sharing library skills. She always asked how she could help or contribute: for her students, her colleagues, and her friends.

We consider ourselves very fortunate to have worked with Lorna Barr. She was an unbelievably enthusiastic colleague whom we will remember as someone who was always prepared to give something a go. She always embraced a challenge with a positive mindset, a willingness to learn and good humour.

St George’s will miss Lorna, but we are also grateful to have so much of her around us in the Library, and the students and staff who encountered her won’t forget her. Chloe Elder and Duncan Wright (current and former Senior Librarian, respectively)