Old Girls’ Association
How many times have you said 'I wonder what happened to...?' or 'Do you remember...?'
The Old Girls' Association is a way to find the answers to these questions!
Every year we publish a Newsletter with news of past pupils and other articles of interest to our members.
In April we have a lunch at which all past pupils are welcome. This is held in School and gives us the opportunity to have a look round the building and grounds and to relive our school days with old friends.
We have two or three fund raising events each year to enable us to fulfil our charitable aims. We originally supported a cot at the Stockton and Thornaby Hospital and more recently have raised money for local charities such as the Butterwick Children's Hospice and the Great North Air Ambulance.
In addition we give two Speech and Drama awards to the School and have given money to the School for library books and other school equipment. This year we have bought two boards to hang either side of the stage to record the Head Girls of Teesside High School.
We also organise reunions to celebrate special milestones – in 2009 we held a lunch to celebrate the Association's 110th Anniversary and there was also a reunion organised by girls who took GCSEs in 1992 and A levels in 1994.
These events are organised by a small committee that always welcomes new members or ideas.
If you would like to join the Association, find out more, or have any news for the Newsletter, please contact:
Margaret Vane, Chairman, margaretvane@talktalk.net
Dorothy Blackburn (Gibson), Newsletter Editor, dorothyb123@googlemail.com
Sue Brown at School s.brown@teessidehigh.co.uk.
THSOSA 110th ANNIVERSARY REUNION
On Saturday 12th September 2009 Teesside High School Old Students' Association celebrated its 110th Anniversary.
A year's planning had gone into this day and we were rewarded with a warm sunny day. 120 former pupils and some husbands and former members of staff - there was one 'Old Boy' too - gathered from 11am to renew old friendships, tour the School and explore the grounds. Old Girls had travelled from all corners of the British Isles and we even had visitors from Australia and Florida. Four 6th Form girls joined us to act as guides to those unfamiliar with the School and they enjoyed hearing the memories of those who had been pupils of Queen Victoria High School and Cleveland School and even the early days of Teesside High School. At noon we made our way to the Dining Room for drinks and more memories evoked by the photographs and other memorabilia displayed there that we had brought with us.
Next we moved to the School Hall for a delicious Buffet Lunch and more chat! After coffee everyone had to stop talking for a short time while I thanked everyone for coming and thanked the committee for their hard work in organising the day. We also had a few words from the Vice Presidents of the Association and former Headmistresses, Mrs Joan Hennessy and Mrs Hilary French, who spoke of the value of the education we had received from all three schools and the importance of keeping in touch, both with the School and old friends. Then Mr Tom Packer, President of the Association and Headmaster spoke a few words about the School today, reminded us that we were always welcome to visit and proposed a Toast to the Association.
A beautifully decorated cake was then cut by Vera Smith and Bruce Leng – our two oldest former pupils of Queen Victoria High School present on the day.
A short time for more chat and we made our way to the Prep School where we were treated to a short concert by current and former pupils. The concert ended with the singing of the School Hymn – Now Thank We All Our God. We had provided a sheet with the words, but we didn't need them. It is firmly imprinted on our memories!
Finally, we returned to the Hall for Afternoon Tea and a last exchange of news.
Our ages ranged from early twenties to nineties and we all enjoyed ourselves, even the Committee who still had to work hard on the day!
Margaret Vane
Chairman of THSOSA
