End of Summer Term 2010

The Guest Speaker at Speech Day on 3rd July was Former Head Girl and OM Lorraine Trainer (1963 -1970). This was Lorraine's first visit back to QM since she left 40 years ago and needless to say she was greatly impressed by the QM of 2010 and all its wonderful facilities. Lorraine, whose career is focused on helping Chairmen, Chief Executives and top teams achieve their business goals, has held positions at many top companies throughout Europe and even took a sabbatical to learn to fly helicopters! She spoke most inspiringly to the Leavers, pupils, staff and parents and it was wonderful to have one of our most successful OMs return to QM.  

  
   







                                  

Speech Day was also a time to say farewell to Mrs Jane King who has been Deputy Head of QM for almost 10 years and to thank her for all of her support for the OMA. She is pictured above right with OMA Chairman, Adrienne Owen.

OMA – Scottish Region
Annual Gathering in Edinburgh on Saturday 20 March 2010.
 

It was a smaller number than usual of OMs that met this year in Elisabeth Hutchings house, although there were 29 apologies and greetings sent from OMs unable to attend. One of those was OMA Vice-President, Cecily Giles, who has been at every gathering for as long as I have been organising the afternoon, which is over 25 years. However a card was signed by us all and delivered by hand at the end of the afternoon.

On a happier note, one of the OMs attending was Clephane Hume, who has been ill for the last two years, but assured us she was now well on the road to recovery, now that a diagnosis has been made. Although few in number, there was plenty of talk and we are very grateful to Adrienne, OMA Chairman, for sending news from the OMA and a report of last September’s AGM in Escrick. It was agreed there should be another gathering in Edinburgh next year, possibly earlier in March. If any OM has any suggestions of the change of format in the annual gathering, which may be of interest to the newer members of the OMA, I would be delighted to hear from them.

Finally, our thanks go to Elisabeth and husband Michael for opening their house to us all again this year and makingus so welcome.

 Angela Campbell (Robertson) 1965-72


OMA AGM and Gathering



This year's OMA AGM and Gathering was held at QM on Saturday 17th October 2009.
 

The Chairman Adrienne Owen (D'Arcy) welcomed those attending and introduced the OMA's new President, Dr Paul Silverwood who is QM's new Headmaster. She also welcomed his wife Rebecca who takes over from Valerie Chapman as the OMA/QM Liaison Officer.
 

The close friendships formed at QM were very much in evidence if the noise level in the Centenary Foyer was anything to go by! 132 OMs (including 2 former member of Staff) were attending the event which commenced with a moving Chapel Service led by the School Chaplain Rev Robert Owen who was ably assisted by Rev Canon Rachel Stowe (Hall) as she led the intercessions.

Sarah Gourlay (Cliff), a former Head of the QM choir under the auspices of Mr Gerrard, sang a beautiful solo anthem.

The AGM itself took place in the Theatre and then lunch in the Dining Room followed - where the noise level rose even further. Many former pupils present that day had not visited the School for 30 or 40 years so were very grateful to the present pupils who acted as tour guides and showed them all around the School - most were astonished and really impressed by the present day facilities that QM has to offer.
 

We are grateful to those OMs who helped on the day and to those who took the trouble to organise year group reunions- the celebrations and rekindling of old friendships for some carried on that evening in York.
 

The 2010 AGM and Gathering will be held in London on Saturday 18th September 2010 - if you would like to organise a reunion for your year group please get in touch.
 

A number of OMs from the last 16 years attended the PFA/OMA Hog Roast Party held at QM on Sunday 5th July to mark the retirement of Dr and Mrs Chapman. Adrienne Owen (D'Arcy) OMA Chairman presented the Chapmans with a coffee set which the OMA had had specially commissioned. She thanked the Chapmans for looking after QM for 16 years and for ensuring that it remained such a happy and welcoming place for all old girls. Dr Chapman was made a Vice President of the OMA and Mrs Chapman an honorary OM.

 

 

Scottish Region - OM Gathering 
 

The Scottish Region had their annual gathering on 28th March in Edinburgh. Elisabeth Hutchings (Henderson) very kindly opened her house to the 12 OMs attending. The years ranged from 1937 to 1972 and included Margaret Newton, who was a member of staff from 54-60. Meeting her again brought back memories for three OMs, who had been taught classics by her. As the OMA AGM had been held in Edinburgh last year, most OMs had been brought up to date with the developments of Queen Margaret's School. Adrienne's greeting to the Gathering was much appreciated and it is hoped there will be a representation at Escrick for this year's AGM.
 

We are grateful to Elisabeth for her hospitality and it was also recorded at the Gathering, the Scottish Region's appreciation for all the hard work she had put in to ensure last year's AGM ran smoothly and successfully. There will be another Gathering next year in Edinburgh, earlier in March. If anyone would like further information please contact Angela Campbell (Robertson). Email address: bill@benchil3.fsnet.co.uk 

 

Sixty six OMs and former staff attended the AGM and Gathering held on Saturday 20th September 2008 at the New Club, Edinburgh.

The event had been splendidly organized by the Scottish Committee led by Elisabeth Hutchings (Henderson) and a great time was had by all in a wonderful setting overlooking the Castle.
Alison Salter (Morley) and some of her year group were celebrating 50 years since they started at the Dower House (see photo right)

This was Dr Chapman's last meeting as our President and we will be saying our farewells to him later in the year.
 

Dower House Reunion

Diana Carr (Booth), Hazel Wager (Bowe), Kate Edgar (Lowden), Judy Scott (Willink), Penny Howie (Broadbent), Carolyn Robinson (Howie), Jeanie Jones (Hamilton) and Alison Salter (Morley)

 

1998 Leavers Reunion 

The 1998 Leavers 10 Year Reunion was held on Saturday 10th May 2008 at The Hollywood Arms Chelsea, London.
Attending were-
Alice Clarke Maxwell, Annabel Hudson, Amanda Jennings (Scacchetti), Amy Smeaton, Anthea Cree, Becky Hewitt, Becky Mosey, Claire Wright (Tully), Didi Unsgaard, Francesca Dickinson, Hannah Blackwell, Hannah Glenville (Foster,) Hannah King, Hannah Wood, Hayley Parker, Jenny Wilkinson, Juliet Hewish, Libby Entwisle, Lottie Gunn, Lucinda Consett, Lucinda Crabbe, Mara Thompson, Marissa Hoyle Rhodes, Nicola James Duff, Penny Stockdale, Sophy Grindell, Susannah Parker (Price), Vicki James, Vicky Bailey, Vicki Gourlay, Vicky Tate, Victoria Knyvett, Kiki Dugdale, Debbie Gould, Pippa Caley, Jo Lee and Joanna Wood. 

 

…..and it seemed like yesterday as we walked through the front door and down cloaks corridor but at the end of cloaks corridor, that's where the changes started. What was the gym for us at the bottom of the stone steps is now a purpose built Chapel, Theatre and drama auditorium and there was still more to see. 
That's why, after leaving in 1987 and it being our 20th anniversary, it was a very good reason to track down everyone and get as many of us as possible to the OMA reunion at QM. After a few months of detective work we had tracked down all bar 6 of our year!

A newsletter was sent out notifying everyone of the reunion and urging them to return to QM to meet up with old friends and see the changes! The result was fifteen of us at the reunion. What an excellent opportunity we had to gossip over a delicious lunch, enjoy a leisurely stroll round the school to see all the changes and additions as well to recall many happy memories as we returned to familiar places. As we all left to go our separate ways I think we all agreed that it was good to desert our kids for the day and catch up with old friends!! We certainly won't be leaving it for another 20 years! 
Alison Ross (Falkingham) Amanda Lees (Leslie)