View from the Archive

Boiled eggs, whist drives and cigarettes!

High in the attic of Oakwood lies the school archive, organised and administered by former History Teacher, Mrs Jo Coates. In her ‘View from the Archive’ she shares some South Hampstead memories.

‘I recently come across the minutes of the Past & Present Club, the ancestor of our alumnae community today.   The minutes start in 1912 when Miss Benton was Headmistress.  Dances were held as well as Whist Drives in order to raise money. During the war, wounded soldiers were invited to tea. Entertainment consisting of singing and reciting were arranged for the soldiers who were fed with boiled eggs, lettuce, spring onions, sandwiches and cakes. Miss Benton provided the cigarettes!  These events were repeated several times during the war, with school students adding plays and orchestral performances to the entertainment.

After the war, in 1925, it was suggested that members of the Past & Present Club should wear a uniform consisting of a white flannel blazer with an orange crest embroidered on the pocket. The cost would be £2.6/6!  It was also suggested that members should wear a special tie, but this was changed to a scarf later.’

The annual alumnae reunion now takes the form of activities and a lunch at the school. The date for the next event is Sunday 12th March and we will be welcoming back hundreds of alumnae, including reunion groups for 1953, 1963, 1973, 1983, 1993 and 2003. If you would like to help us bring together a group of your contemporaries, please contact alumnae@shhs.gdst.net.

You can find further details about the Reunion Lunch and book your place here.