ST MARY’S CALNE – FORTY YEARS OF HISTORY AS FIVE HEADMISTRESSES GATHER

  • 11 years ago
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Forty years of history and beyond were on display as five headmistresses of leading girls’ school St Mary’s Calne St Marys Calne Headmistress 40 years historyposed for a unique photograph.

The four last Heads of the Wiltshire girls’ school – including the departing Head Dr Helen Wright and the forthcoming Head Dr Felicia Kirk – met together to talk about their memories and hopes for the future.

The gathering looked back to 1972 when the then Mrs Joyce Walters (now Mrs Lyn) began her headship which lasted until 1985 when Mrs Delscey Burns began her own headship.

In 1996, she was succeeded by Mrs Carolyn Shaw, who ran the famous independent school until 2003 when the current Head, Dr Helen Wright was appointed.

Now, with Dr Wright on the brink of her own departure as she heads to the other side of the world to head Ascham School in Sydney, the four Heads met incoming headmistress Dr Felicia Kirk.

Dr Kirk becomes Head of St Mary’s Calne in January 2013, joining the school from Ipswich High School.

Dr Wright, who hosted the day and a celebration lunch, said: ‘I was delighted to host this unprecedented and unique opportunity to celebrate our great history with this distinguished gathering representing forty years of leadership, from 1972 to the present and beyond.

‘The former Headmistresses enjoyed tours of St Mary’s, revisiting special places, colleagues and friends. There was unilateral delight and appreciation of the vibrant atmosphere, the greatly improved campus, including the wonderful UVI Form House and, most of all, the impressive calibre of the girls.

‘The day was an unqualified success with current staff and pupils really engaging with the importance and significance of our special guests.

Both staff and pupils commented on the sense of history prompted by this occasion; indeed, of history being made palpable. It was the history of St Mary’s made real: our past, present and future leadership joined together on one special day at Calne.’

Photographs were taken of the five headmistresses for the new school history book which is currently being written and compiled by the school archivist and former Calne Girl, Mrs Elizabeth Christie.

As the visiting headmistresses departed, all five were met by junior and senior girls who presented them with flowers and mementos of the day.

A GATHERING OF FIVE HEADMISTRESSES OF ST MARY’S CALNE (1972-2013):

Mrs Joyce Walters (now Mrs Lynn)  – 1972-1985

Miss Delscey Burns – 1985-1996

Mrs Carolyn Shaw – 1996- 2003

Dr Helen Wright – 2003-2012

Dr Felicia Kirk – 2013-
 

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