‘OLD’ GIRLS CELEBRATE REUNION
It was a trip down memory lane for one group of ladies who travelled the globe to attend a 50 year reunion at their former school in Jesmond, Newcastle.
32 ladies, all in their sixties, made the one off trip from across the UK and abroad, some from as far afield as Canada and the USA, to visit their old friends at the Church High School in Newcastle.
32 ladies, all in their sixties, made the one off trip from across the UK and abroad, some from as far afield as Canada and the USA, to visit their old friends at the Church High School in Newcastle.
The ladies, who are better known as the class of ‘57’, were given a special tour of the Senior School, including a look around the latest home economics and arts blocks, a tour of the most up-to-date technology in the learning resources centre and a quick chat with pupils and teachers about changes to Church High.
The group were then taken through to the Junior School where they were entertained by two of the ‘old girls’ who donned school uniform and sang school songs from their era during a special cabaret performance.
Judith Shaw (Moat), 67 from Chester-le-Street, organised the reunion and with Judith Baird (Robson) entertained the group with their cabaret singing. They said: “It’s been a wonderful day with really special memories from the past. The school has changed so much but still has the same wonderful, friendly atmosphere it had when we were at school.”
Sandra Worrall (Renwick) left the school at 16 and flew over from Washington DC in the USA with her daughter especially for the reunion. She said: “It means so much to see all my old friends again. I haven’t been back since I left all those years ago and it feels very surreal to be here but also very exciting as well.”
Brenda Robson, 67, is originally from Heddon-on-the-Wall, but now lives in Canada. She made the trip across the Atlantic for the get together. She said: “The school has changed in so many ways, it’s difficult to take it all in. The uniforms are very different, we wore high necked tunics and these days the girls are in cute blouses and skirts. There is certainly a lot more technology than there ever was in my day, I think the computers and interactive blackboards are wonderful.”
The reunion was arranged through the Alumnae, the 700 strong network for former pupils which enables pupils to keep in touch after leaving and to catch up with the latest school happenings and news through the website and newsletters.
Sarah Timney, an Old Girl of Church High, is the coordinator of the Alumnae: “It’s been a wonderful day and so lovely to see so many ladies attending the reunion. We encourage our girls to stay in touch as we enjoy hearing tales of what they are up to.
“All the ladies have enjoyed swapping stories and remembering fun times at school and we’ve celebrated with a big 50th cake. I think the highlight of the day has to be seeing the ladies singing songs in uniform!”