Forever Friends

It was with much sadness that we learned this year of She was a student at GDST’s Brighton and Hove High the death of former Headmistress Mrs Rosemary Smith. School from 1948-51, going on to read English at the Mrs Smith was a much-loved Headmistress University of London before completing her PGCE. who led the school for ten years from 1982 Once retired she lived in Manchester where – 1992, overseeing many positive changes to Wimbledon High School. As a GDST alumna herself, she believed passionately OBITUARY Rosemary she could be close to her daughter and grandchildren. In recent years, she had returned to SW19 in educating young women and inspiring energy, talent and enthusiasm in students Smith on several occasions to attend school reunions and catch up with alumnae and and staff. 1932-2020 former colleagues and was guest of honor at As Headmistress, she led the school through the school’s 135th Birthday Reunion. further expansion needed for the school to comply with the new GCSE requirement to have all subjects taught in ‘subject rooms’. The New Block (Piper House) comprising art studios, a new library, and numerous classrooms, for maths and languages was opened in November 1989 and she launched the Sports Hall Appeal in 1990 for the development of the gymnasium into the Performing Arts Centre.

This year, we have said goodbye to four much loved partnership programme SHINE with exemplary care members of the Wimbledon High School staff: and dedication. We are sure you will join us in wishing Junior teacher and Head her all the best on her move to Spain. of Science, Mrs Garczynski And finally, after six who will be familiar to many years as Head, Mrs Jane alumnae, taught in the Lunnon who will take Junior School for 33 years. on the role of Head She inspired generations at Alleyn’s School in of WHS Juniors with a love Dulwich. Mrs Lunnon of science. saw the school Not far behind was Mrs Eaves, who taught at WHS for Farewell to Long though an eventful six years and 25 years, as Head of Geography and Head of Year. Her Serving Staff was never without a word of encouragement or wisdom, it feels contribution to only right to share her final message to the the community and to the school have been students with you here: “Girls, when I say to you: extraordinary. As one of her colleagues aptly summed once a Wimbledon High Girl, always a Wimbledon it up: “She is, and always has been, the epitome of High girl, it’s because I know you will always carry everything Geography. She’s magical like the Northern the heart of this school and everything it represents Lights, sharp like a mountain and fierce like a river.” in your lives: generosity in learning, solidarity in We also said goodbye to Señora friendship, kindness in sadness, honour in all things Nullens after 22 years at WHS. An and grateful delight in the richness and variety of life. outstanding teacher of Spanish, whose We will be ‘strong in our union of loyalty and love’ and students, past and present, speak we will take our ‘onward course, cheered by our happy enormously highly and warmly of, she past’, knowing what is right and what really matters was an inspiring Head of Year and an and how lucky we have all been to be part of this organisational machine who ran our amazing school.”