Shrewsbury House Parents' Association

SHA Spring term update

The SHA were pleased to welcome in the Spring term with a coffee morning and uniform sale at Shrewsbury House.

Comedy Night returned in March and was a rollicking event attended by parents and staff allowing a rare catch-up out of hours, and a very amusing night.

The SHA were pleased to support the end of term sponsored run with Easter eggs for the boys and a seasonal second hand pop-up sale for those Spring and Summer months ahead.

We pay tribute to Stephanie Cross, much loved friend, colleague, tutor and teacher to so many SHS boys across every year group, past and present. Joining SHS in 2010, Stephanie soon made her mark in the English Department, inspiring the boys in their love of English and directing many legendary performances on the assembly hall stage. Many colleagues joined Stephanie and Stephen for the celebration of their marriage and we all celebrated the birth of daughter Eloise and then her son, Nicholas. Stephanie’s promotion to Head of Drama saw her lead yet more thespian adventures and then as Head of English she further developed the English talents of our boys whilst leading our vibrant English Department.

Whilst we celebrate the public achievements of Stephanie through the visible learning outcomes for her pupils, the pastoral guidance and support of her tutees and the countless entertaining performances on stage, there was so much more that often went unseen. So many colleagues have commented about her wonderful mentoring; she was so supportive and always there with a friendly ear, giving advice and offering help and guidance. Colleagues have also reflected on the happy times, a thinly disguised wicked sense of humour, chatting and laughing and drinking tea, a colleague who was so lovely, kind and great company, with a smile that could light up the room.

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Tribute to Stephanie Cross 10th September 1983 – 1 February 2023

Stephanie loved a good idiom and never a truer word than ‘out of the mouth of babes’ rings loud through SHS; the notes and good wishes written by the boys to Stephanie’s family honour her in the exceptional manner deserved by an exceptional person. The messages received from SHOBS, their parents and excolleagues are a true testimony to the incredible respect and love felt towards Stephanie.

There are no words that adequately convey our sadness at the loss of Stephanie in such an astonishingly fast timescale, and our thoughts remain with Stephen, Eloise, Nicholas and Stephanie’s parents, Pam and Julian, whose loss is even greater than ours.

They have particularly asked us to pass on their heartfelt gratitude for all the kindness, help and love they have received from so many in the SHS Community. Donations in memory of Stephanie are invited to the Brain Tumour Charity: https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/.