President
Dr Paul Silverwood
Vice-Presidents
Miss Cecily Giles CBE
Mr C S McGarrigle
Mrs Judith Cooke (Pickup)
Dr Geoffrey Chapman
Chairman
Mrs Adrienne Owen (D’Arcy) (1970-1977)
Hon Secretary and Records
Mrs Melanie Gooder (Osborne) (1973-1980)
Hon Treasurer
Currently Vacant
Magazine Editor
Mrs Leona Mani (Hewgill) (1980-1987)
OMA/School Liaison
Rebecca Silverwood
London Committee
Bridget Beilby (1962-1966)
Susan Turner (Mann) (1965-1972)
Scottish Committee
Forthcoming Events
Service of Dedication and Celebration Of Communion for OMA and Whole School – Saturday 15th June 2013, 11:30 – 12:30 held in St. Margaret’s Chapel
OMA Celebration Lunch– Saturday 15th June, 12:30 – 13:30 held in The Wenlock Library and Thompson
OMA Centenary Book Launch, compiled by QM Archivist, Cynthia Batten. Saturday 15th June 2013, 13:30 – 14:00 held in The Wenlock Library.
-----------------------
Are you interested in trying to organise a reunion? 10 years?
20 years? 30 years or more? We can help you to get in touch with your friends;
please contact Melanie Gooder, Honorary Secretary.
01653 648070
lo@theoldrectory38.fsbusiness.co.uk
The Centenary Stained Glass Windows - Work in Progress
York Glaziers Trust are still busy at work preparing two panels of stained glass windows which are due to be presented to Queen Margaret’s school by the OMA during the capstone centenary celebrations which are scheduled to take place on Saturday the 15th June.
These beautiful windows will be dedicated at the centenary service which will be conducted by the Lord Reverend David Hope, former Archbishop of York.
Further details of this exciting and prestigious event will be posted to the QM website as they come available.
Invitations to this special event will be sent out soon.
Thanksgiving Service for Mrs Rosemary Price - 3 November
On 3rd November, the QM community joined with members of Mrs Rosemary Price's family and many friends to hold a Thanksgiving service during regular Chapel service. As Head of Careers from 2001-2011, Mrs Price's contributions to QM and her influence on and support for countless OMs is truly irreplaceable.
OMA - Centenary Celebration at QM
"Friendships that last a lifetime" - Saturday 30 June 2012
On Saturday June 30 Queen Margaret's welcomed more than 200 Old Margaretians back to Escrick to celebrate 100 years of the OMA. After gathering for coffee, the OMs joined the current members of the school for a Choral Service of Thanksgiving to which we were also delighted to welcome the Bishop of Selby, the Right Reverend Martin Wallace as guest preacher. Lunch was served in the marquee and guests were able to tour the school, catch up with friends and enjoy music, drama and dance in The Chapman Theatre as well as viewing this year's stunning exhibition of examination work in the Art Department. We were delighted that some OMs had brought their families with them and the children enjoyed being entertained and having their faces painted by QM girls before taking their turn on the bouncy castle.
In the evening, the formal dinner held in the Wenlock Library began with the new school grace, specially written to commemorate the event by Head of Classics, Mr William Grant and read by the Head Girl, Alexandra Hamilton. With a professional photographer in attendance we were able to make a fantastic record of the day, which included the full reunion photograph shown above. It was a very special day and with OMs in attendance whose school careers between them spanned more than 70 years of the school's history, it was wonderful to hear their stories and enjoy their recollections.
OMA – Scottish Region
Annual Gathering in Edinburgh - Saturday 3 March 2012
Seventeen OMs descended on Elisabeth Hutchings’ house on the first Saturday in March, bringing with them memorabilia from their days at QM. These items included the brush and comb bag, straw hat, lacrosse stick, sixth form red sash and three cloaks! The years at QM spanned from 1936 to 1972 and we were delighted Cecily Giles, an OMA Vice President, was able to be with us this year.
To celebrate the OMA Centenary Elisabeth Hutchings, Scottish Area Chairman, cut the celebration cake with the OMA shield on the top. Adrienne Owen, OMA Chairman, had kindly sent an update from the OMA, which was then read out. The formalities of the day over, the tea and cake were served accompanied with plenty of reminiscing from us all. The time went all too quickly and we left hoping some of us would meet up again to continue the celebrations at Escrick in June.
Finally, our thanks go to Elisabeth and husband Michael for opening their house to us again this year and looking after us so well.
Angela Campbell (Robertson) 1965-72
Former QM pupils present lecture on Modern Languages in the working world.
On Monday 6th February former QM students Jennifer and Eleanor Kerfoot returned to their old school to talk about how the study of languages can pave the way to a successful future. The study of languages has led to exciting careers for both sisters, who have applied their learning to the fields of fashion, retail, banking and commerce. Jennifer and Eleanor shared their knowledge and experience with an audience of Modern Languages and Business Students from Year V and the Sixth Form on Monday night as part of this term’s exciting programme of lectures. All at QM would like to thank Jennifer and Eleanor for their enlightening and energetic presentations and look forward to welcoming them back in the future.
QM welcomes Embryologist and former pupil Emma Dunkley.
The Lent term’s lecture series started on 1st February with a talk from embryologist and OM Emma Dunkley.
A-level Scientist Anna Will reports:
We were all amazed to see a video tour of the lab where it all happens, fully fitted with many specialised microscopes and tools concealed within incubators containing the optimum conditions for fertilisation. We learnt of the two different courses of action taken; IVF and ICSI, both resulting in the production of a zygote. This zygote is then examined as it divides into several cells forming an embryo. An embryo is selected and inserted into the womb, and if successful 9 months later the baby will be born. Seeing a video of Emma herself injecting a single sperm into an egg cell really brought the process to life, but this was only one of the 450 babies that she had produced! As well as us discovering the basics of embryology we also gained an insight into training to be an embryologist (and similar professions) and the different travel opportunities you can take throughout your career.
QM would like to thank Emma for taking the time to share her fascinating experiences with us.
October OMA Gathering at QM
On 8th October 2011 around sixty Old Margaretians and former staff returned through the doors of Queen Margaret's for the OMA Annual Gathering. Following coffee in The Wenlock Library the OMs joined current members of QM for a Service of Thanksgiving in the Chapel. A splendid lunch followed the AGM and the day was rounded off with tours of the school given by current QM students. An enjoyable day for old and current Margaretians alike we now look forward to celebrating 100 years of the OMA later this year.
OM Amanda Staveley Returns to QM for Speech Day 2011
Many thanks go to Amanda Staveley for returning to QM for Speech Day 2011. Miss Staveley, who left QM in 1989 having taken her A-levels a year early, encouraged pupils to live their dreams and not to be put off by the seemingly impossible.
Photographed from left to right, Mrs Rebecca Silverwood, Mrs Melanie Gooder (Osborne), Hon Secretary and Records, Miss Amanda Staveley and Mrs Adrienne Owen (D'Arcy), Chairman.
OMs Encourage Girls to Follow their Dreams
Two OMs, Rachel du Preez and Amanda Lees visited QM on Wednesday 2nd February and address current students. Rachel, who was at the school from 1985-89 and Amanda, former Head Girl, who left in 1987, gave inspirational presentations and encouraged girls to follow their dreams.
Amanda Lees with members of the Sixth Form
Rachel du Preez with members of the Sixth Form
A small group of five of the 1997 Leavers visited QM on Saturday 9th October photographed here in the Library reminiscing with Mr Giles!
From left to right: Caroline Brooke, Mary Nicoll, Amy Herring, Katie Horsfield, Mr Giles and Ali Kidd.
The same group of Margaretians outside the main enterance to Queen Margaret's School.
The OMA have now set up an Old Margaretian Facebook Group - please feel free to join! See what is happening at QM and keep in touch with your old school friends.
If you have any difficulties please Facebook message Melanie Gooder or Rebecca Silverwood.