‘This is Your Life Mary Christie’ Assembly Script Written by Chloe Deane (Y13 C7) and Hannah Still (Y13 N6)– Wycombe High School’s Heads of Guild.
Character List: • Presenter – Rochelle Jack (Y13 N9) • Miss Jessie Sprott - Miss Christie’s first Head Mistress – Scarlet Halton (Y12 C1) • Miss Bathie – Miss Christie’s Best friend – Cecilia Alexander (Y12 A6) • Bishop of Buckingham - Vicar of High Wycombe – Cassie Green (Y12 N5) • Miss Margaret Bowers - Teacher when Miss Christie was Head teacher – Esther Levin (Y12 A10) • Miss Evans – Teacher when Miss Christie was Head teacher – Kara Nugawela (Y12 B8) • Student 1 – Isabel Priestly (Y12 T9) • Student 2 – Esme Nichols (Y12 N7) Presenter: Welcome to ‘This is Your Life’. Today we are celebrating the life and achievements of Miss Mary Christie, the first Head Mistress of Wycombe High School. For those of you who have not seen the show before, we will be joined by significant individuals from the life of Miss Christie, who will be telling us key information about her, her personality and achievements. First of all, we are joined by Miss Christie’s first Head Mistress, Jessie Sprott, who became a life long friend. So Miss Sprott, what was Mary Christie like as a pupil? Miss Sprott: Even in Mary’s early years she was to be considered a keen little scholar. She was so clever, so persevering and so painstaking one could not help loving her. My first impression of her was soon justified, as she was quick to become head of the school in English, Latin, French and German - even finishing ahead of local boys schools. Presenter: That is certainly an achievement to be celebrated, what do you think about Miss Christie’s role as Headmistress at Wycombe High School? Miss Sprott: I attribute her almost unprecedented success to her sunny disposition, her unfailing tact and her indomitable perseverance. She was certainly a pioneer in the teaching profession and her legacy will always be evident here at Wycombe High School. Presenter: Thank you Miss Sprott! Next, we are joined by Miss Bathie, who was Miss Christie’s best friend. They were described as being inseparable, and were both members of the ‘Eleven Pioneers of St Andrews’, meaning that they were 2 of the first women to ever graduate from University. Miss Bathie, tell us about your early years with Miss Christie. Miss Bathie: Mary and I went through both school and college together, and when St Andrews opened its doors to women, we were sent up together. In spite of studying no mathematics at school, Mary tackled the subject with success. Her college career was marked by a steadiness of purpose, and an earnest desire to live up to the college motto of ‘ever to be the best’. Presenter: Much like Wycombe High School’s Motto ‘Fortiter, Fideliter, Feliciter – Courageously, Faithfully and Joyfully’ ! Now, what do you recall about Miss Christie’s role as a ‘Head Mistress’. Miss Bathie: I’ll never forget the precious years I spent with Mary, and I’m so proud of everything she accomplished at Wycombe High School. There were many applications for the post of Head
Mistress, and once appointed, everyone’s confidence in Miss Christie was justified. In just a few years, she had raised the School to the highest efficiency, and I believe that she has left an influence upon the life of Wycombe, which many people, even now, will be and are grateful for.
Presenter: Thank you very much Miss Bathie. We are now joined by the Bishop of Buckingham who was also the Vicar of High Wycombe in September 1901, when Miss Christie became Headmistress of Wycombe High. The Vicar played a key part in Miss Christie’s career, approving her application as Headmistress. Why did you find Miss Christie more suitable than all of the many applicants for this role? Bishop: Miss Christie’s bright and cheerful disposition, which is now becoming a clear character trait, bought happiness to all about her. She was quiet with courage and she quickly set to work to do what was to be done. She loved the school with single hearted devotion and was trusted by parents and governors, loved by colleagues, pupils and friends. It is impossible not to sound some note of triumph for a successful life.
Presenter: Thank you Bishop, and it would now be appropriate to hear from fellow teaching staff at Wycombe High, Miss Margaret Bowers and Miss Rose Evans. Miss Bowers, what was it like to work with Miss Christie? Miss Bowers: Miss Christie always attributed the best possible motives to people’s actions. When she entered a room, it was as if the sun had began to shine, there was such a radiant hopefulness about her. The girls would do anything for her, and we came to feel that Miss Christie was the school. Her genius for organisation was striking, and her character was so much greater than her intellect. Miss Evans: Looking back over my time with Miss Christie, what strikes me most is how very human she was. She added charm and unfailing kindliness, and showed such sympathy to everyone, both mistresses and girls. There was a wonderful teachability about her, and she was ready to learn from everybody. Miss Christie created an atmosphere of appreciation and encouragement, and always strived towards perfection. The war had claimed many victims, other than those heroes in Khaki, and I regard Miss Christie as one of them. Presenter: It seems as if Miss Christie is to be remembered as a woman of action rather than of words. Now, it appears fitting to hear from students who were fortunate enough to have had such an amazing role model as their figurehead. Student 1: When Miss Christie was introduced to us as our Headmistress, her charming manner, fascinating accent and the interest she took in each one of us drew us together. Her principles and ideals were high, and by pure force of character we felt bound to strive for them ourselves. Student 2: Miss Christie knew how great to a child are the little things that matter so much less as the mind matures. She never hinted at the insignificance of little troubles but educated us on judgement which gave them, in time, their proper value. Presenter: Those who belong to the first few years of Wycombe High School can and do look back to the these inspiring days of special happiness. Miss Christie possessed that wonderful and mysterious power of making the wheels run smoothly in spite of real difficulties. No remembrance of a single punishment is evident and her success lays in her power of inspiring love and loyalty. We hope that Miss Christie’s morals and beliefs live on in today’s pupils at Wycombe High School, for she cared not only for the school but for each and every one of us as individuals.