Life in Lockdown – An Alumna Perspective

Kate Hilton, née Turner (Class of 2003)

Kate is Head of Membership at Business in the Community (BiTC) and Mum to (in her words) a charming, inquisitive, always-on toddler. Here, she shares some of her experiences during lockdown: “I’ve been impressed with how agile many organisations have proven themselves to be throughout the pandemic. For Business in the Community, we pivoted quickly to respond to emergent needs of local communities and set up a platform to match those needs with offers of support from our business membership. Within the first three months of its operation, we made over 2000 matches, like getting surplus food from the FMCG / supermarket supply chain into foodbanks; spare IT equipment from our many tech members to schools to support disadvantaged children learn remotely; and brokered pro-bono logistical support nationwide to all these goods from businesses to the charities that needed them.”

“Like many working parents, I found lockdown simply exhausting. My husband and I divided the day into two long shifts – dawn to lunchtime and lunchtime to bedtime - and took turns each day with one working and the other on childcare. By lunchtime you were exhausted from being on the go constantly with our daughter, yet your workday hadn’t even started. However, on the flip side, we both had 1:1 time with our daughter every day and found her development a joy to watch. Since she has returned to nursery, we have shortened her days a bit so we get to spend more time together before bedtime – it takes understanding, trusting employers and a bit more drive to start work earlier to make up the hours so you can knock off early for the nursery pick-up, but it’s definitely worth it.” “When I was at WHS, I felt the emphasis was very much on producing the career women of the future: doctors, lawyers, accountants, politicians, scientists etc. We knew that many girls’ mums didn’t work, but the message seemed to be that women could, and should, have it all - and would definitely when we were in our 20s, 30s and beyond. As the daughter of a working mum that made sense to me, but since becoming a mother myself, I think it’s important that we don’t suggest to young women that they should necessarily try to have it all, all at the same time. Sure, we can be on a crazy career ladder towards the boardroom, we can find the perfect life partner and live in a lovely big family house with the 2.4 kids and keep up all our hobbies and still see our friends regularly. But trying to do it all at once is exhausting and pretty unrealistic. We’re going to be working well into our 70s - we’ve got time and it’s ok to take a few steps back every now and then; to focus on different areas of our lives; to find enrichment outside work, or outside family… and then to find our way back to wherever we were going.”

Sue Davidson, née Huggins (Class of 1971)

Sue is a member of the Wimbledon High School Union committee.

The Wimbledon High School Union (WHSU) was formed at a meeting of the Old Girls and Staff on 6 October 1888 and consisted of the Headmistress at the time, Miss Edith Hastings, former students and honorary members. The objectives can be found in the 1889 edition of the School Magazine, which states that the Articles of the Union are:

To maintain helpful and educating intercourse among girls who have left WHS. To keep up the connection between Old Girls and the School.

Today these objectives remain the same and the WHSU has continued to maintain a connection between the school and its Old Girls for over 130 years. Through their annual lunch and newsletter and their contributions to our online archive, they are keeping the history of the school alive. Throughout lockdown, Sue kept in contact with many of our older alumnae providing a vital connection with the outside world. ‘A lot of people were cut off from the world when the pandemic happened, and even before, so the WHSU provides a more personal way of keeping in contact with the school and people love to hear from us. We send Birthday and Christmas cards, and even flowers and plants to those we know are having a difficult time. Our Benevolent Fund also allows us to help those who apply for assistance financially where we can.’

In addition, some Year 12 students also wrote letters to some of our older alumnae sharing how lockdown was affecting them. The WHSU also offer a prize every year to the WHS student who upholds the long-standing values of a Wimbledon High girl, along with a donation to a charity of their choice.

‘There is something different about girls that study at WHS, they are independent and fierce, but understand the value of putting others first, ever since the WHSU began students have been volunteering with local charities and putting something back into the community and we continue to try to do this through the WHSU today.’ If you are interested in joining the WHSU please contact us at alumnae@wim.gdst.net or write to us at WHSU, Wimbledon High School, Mansel Road. SW19 4AB.