The school hosted our annual Old Girls’ Day last Saturday. It was the third gathering of the Old Girls in recent months, following get togethers in London and Cape Town.

The day began in our chapel where we celebrated the Eucharist, followed by tea and tours of the school, which were led by the marketing girls in the Senior School. The jazz and marimba bands entertained the gathering where the class of 2013 broke into spontaneous dance and song. This created a celebratory atmosphere which continued on the sidelines of the sports field with basketball, hockey and tennis matches.

The year groups from 1973, 1983, 1993, 2003, 2013 were gathering to celebrate anniversaries and our class of 2023 were welcomed as the newest members of the association. What emerged in the speeches and focus of the day is how St Mary’s School maintains a keen sense of tradition and yet embraces innovation in education. A highlight of the day was a farewell to Ros Howell as she retires from her role as senior deputy head in the Senior School. Ros joined the staff of St Mary’s in 1986. Laura Dube (2013) interviewed Ros – an interview which elicited amusing anecdotes and a strong sense of the love that Ros has for the school and all who have attended over the decades.

Ros will assume a position as advancement co-ordinator next year working with the Foundation and leading the Old Girls’ Association to encourage stronger financial support for our Foundation and to further the network of the SMOGS association for the benefit of generations of women to come.

DEANNE KING
HEAD OF SCHOOL