Hall during reception

We are delighted to copy here a report on the 2004 reunion from the 1962 leavers' perspective. Sent in to us by Elizabeth (Craig) Morgan 1957-1962

1962 Leavers' Reunion

Ten years ago when most of my year group were approaching the age of 50, or had even crossed that threshold, Tricia (Bateman) Parry organised a reunion for those of us whom she was able to contact. It was an excellent occasion and someone proposed the same again for 2004 when the age of 60 was looming or had been reached. I took it upon myself, ably guided by Tricia, to contact as many people as I could. Many responded with enthusiasm immediately, some were rather more hesitant about returning to York after what was as many as 44 years. Others in far-flung parts of the world were not able to join us. Some were not keen.

In this Internet age when so many (even those of us who class as "Silver Surfers") have e-mail addresses, getting in touch was easy. Snail mail was fine for those whose addresses I had, so in the end I was able to contact 45 of the 53 who had been in our year group. It was amazing and exciting when the phone rang and I was able to speak to people with whom I had had no contact for as many as 44 years: conversation flowed as though we had met just the previous week. Since the reunion e-mails, photographs and letters have gone in all directions as friendships have been renewed.

So what did we do? Those of us who wanted to make a whole weekend of the occasion met in York for a meal on the Friday evening. On the Saturday some attended the school's main event for the Foundation/Old Scholars weekend, the speeches and presentation ceremony in the splendid new Sports Hall where the head girl gave her speech.  In the afternoon more of us had arrived so we had tea in town before attending the Reunion dinner at the Racecourse. We were able to sit at tables as a year group so between the formal speeches there was much chatting. On Sunday there was the possibility of attending Meeting or The Minster or gathering for coffee in York before going to The Mount for lunch. The school was most accommodating, letting us move the dining tables so that we could chat even more and arranging for us to have a tour of School House. Why is it that Old Scholars want more than anything else to see the bedrooms they slept in? But could we find them? Well hardly! So much has changed! Rooms have been altered, even removed completely, to make room for the new. We were amazed at the new Tregelles building, the Art and Technology centre, the Science and Language facilities! Even the swimming pool was new to those of us who had not been back to MSY in all this time. So indeed, in the words of the school song, "Time has touched those old grey walls, Within, without is change", but it was clear we all appreciated that the ethos of the school remained as we had known it.

I would encourage others to organise a reunion. It was not an onerous task. The dates of the Reunion weekend can be obtained from Christine Johnson or from school. It just takes one person to decide to do it, and so many people enjoy it.

And to those of you who were in my year group…… we think we'll do it all again in 2009!

Elizabeth (Craig) Morgan 1957-1962