The Anniversary Weekend 2006

This was fun! We started off in grand style by joining the girls in an anniversary concert. There was much praise for the high standard of the musical ensembles, and we OS had our moment too. Old Scholars sang Mozart’s Ave Verum with the choir and played Walton’s Crown Imperial with the orchestra, a most enjoyable collaboration.

On Saturday it rained – but OS were undeterred, and talked and laughed their way through the day. We heard a fascinating account of school life today from Rosie Evans, the head girl, and then she and her deputies joined us for the AGM. The dinner represented in some ways three ‘firsts’: joint Bootham presidents; one of them a women; and all three presidents had been on the staff. The presidents (Michael and Valerie Allen) gave lively and amusing addresses, recounting tales of their days at Bootham. Many age groups had got up parties to attend the Reunion, and there were record numbers both for the dinner and for Sunday lunch.

Sunday was a unique event. The school gave us a wonderful meal, and Christine Johnson got us all to ‘collect’ in the school hall, and walk in to lunch in the old way. This caused much hilarity and provoked a few signs of rebellion, but Christine managed the crowd control in admirable style. The afternoon was spent listening to “This is your life”, a series of anecdotes from the past, recounted by Old Scholars, and chaired by Cathy Killick, of BBC fame. We had no need of canned laughter for this show! Finally tea, and a weary return home.

Other highlights of the weekend were the display of old school uniforms and photos, and an archive display about the careers of past Lydia Rous scholars. A Register of OS was displayed, giving details of careers and qualifications, and also of family members at The Mount and Bootham. We hope to extend this further, so please send in details if you have not already done so. The finished file will be a fascinating addition to the school archives.

Joy and Jocelyn cutting the anniversary cake.

Many thanks to the school for its warm welcome and hospitality over the weekend. The large numbers who returned show what wonderful memories we have of the school, and it was good to see it in such good heart.

MOSA Chair’s Report to the AGM 2006

In this celebratory year it is, I think, fitting to take a look back to the early days of the school.     When girls came to the Yorkshire Quarterly Meeting Girls’ School in Castlegate, they did not expect to return home for almost a year as there was only one vacation – six weeks in the summer.    Their parents paid £30 and for this they received a ‘religious and good literary education’.    Tuition in French, Latin, Greek and drawing could be obtained but were extras.    The school in Castlegate was very near the Meeting House, but also not far from the prison and girls were kept indoors when there was a public execution.     Their main exercise was walking, though sometimes croquet was played.

Fifty years later – the Jubilee year in which MOSA was founded – the school looked very different.   It was then well established on its present site (having moved in 1857) and had gained a good academic reputation – pupils were first entered for matriculation in 1879.    Education had also been broadened out to include energetic games such as tennis, hockey and cricket.     Lydia Rous (headmistress) said ‘we wish our students to become vigorous and graceful women’.   

We remember Lydia Rous today because of the scholarship fund that bears her name, and it also bears the name of another headmistress – Lucy Harrison.    I’m really pleased to be able to say that Old Scholars have already contributed generously to this fund as part of a special anniversary appeal.    Now that school fees are just a little more than they were in l831 we need to increase this fund so that girls who would otherwise be unable to come to The Mount can be assisted, and also to help girls who would otherwise be unable to stay on after taking their GCSE exams.    The appeal has so far raised over £10,000 and, of course, we would be happy to receive further contributions.

Earlier this year on the school’s actual birthday in March, the school had an 1831 day and it was a splendid occasion.    Most people, students and staff, dressed up in more or less 1830s costumes, and activities were arranged throughout the day, many of them bearing some relation to lessons and leisure activities taught in those early days.    I particularly enjoyed watching Tregelles pupils making silhouettes and samplers, and older girls performing a play about escaping slaves.    Also, Christine Johnson had some fascinating things to say about how sporting activities had changed over the years. Bringing us right up to date, one group of older girls were using their IT skills and searching the internet to find out about our world family of  Friends.    We all enjoyed the special birthday cake!

This year has been the second year we have joined with the school in producing ‘Portico’.    We think it has improved on last year’s edition and hope you will agree that it makes an interesting read, but it can only be as good as the contributions Old Scholars send in.     We are always glad to receive accounts of travels or interesting activities you have been involved in during the year as well as news of Old Scholars.  This goes for the MOSA web site too.   Joy is always glad to get contributions and it is also possible to use the website to advertise any local activity you are arranging.

We’re really glad to welcome so many more Old Scholars here for this special anniversary weekend, and we hope you will all continue to enjoy coming to future annual reunions.   We hope also that some of you will feel able to volunteer to serve on MOSA committee.    It isn’t really a very onerous task.    Whether you are able to do this or not, we value the support you all give to MOSA by coming to this weekend.