Development Office
Review of the Year 2025-2026 Celebrating our year, thanking our alumnae
A message from the Head . . . One of the great strengths of St Helen’s is the connection between those who once walked our corridors and the girls who do so today. This Review of the Year celebrates that partnership and the lifelong bond that connects our alumnae community with the School. As alumnae, you are not simply part of our history; you are an integral part of our future. Throughout the past year, many of you have given generously of your time, expertise and encouragement. Whether speaking as part of our Futures Programme and Sixth Form Lecture Series, participating in networking events and industry panels, supporting our Oxbridge Symposium, attending Old Girls’ Day, offering work experience placements or making philanthropic gifts, your contributions have enriched the education and opportunities of our current students. It has been another exceptional year at St Helen’s, with 91% of A Level grades at A*–B, placing us 29th in the country, and 79% of GCSE grades at 9–7. This outstanding academic success was reflected in offers from Oxford and Cambridge across a diverse range of subjects.
Beyond the classroom, our girls have excelled in sport, music, drama, debating, engineering and the creative arts. Highlights include qualification for the European Biathlon Championships representing Great Britain, a fourth-place national finish in the Schools Badminton Championships, recognition in the Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition, and success in national STEM, creative and public speaking competitions. Alongside these achievements, our pupils have continued to grow as compassionate, resilient young women through volunteering, leadership opportunities, educational visits, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the Combined Cadet Force and our Futures Programme. The year also concluded with national recognition of our pastoral provision through the Wellbeing Award for Schools, affirming our commitment to ensuring that every girl is known, valued and supported.
As you read this Review, I hope you will take pride in the role you continue to play as members of our alumnae community. Thank you for your friendship, generosity and unwavering belief in St Helen’s. Whether you have given your time, shared your expertise, opened doors for our students or supported the School through philanthropy, you are helping to inspire and empower the generations of Girls in Green who will follow in your footsteps. Warm regards,
Bridget Ward Head
Alumnae We reached out . . . and over 350 of you responded! During the past academic year, more than 350 alumnae have supported St Helen's in a wonderful variety of ways. This review offers just a snapshot of the remarkable contribution our Girls in Green continue to make to the life of the School. Whether you've inspired Sixth Form students through our Lecture Series, shared your experience as part of the Futures Programme to help prepare students for university and their careers, joined us to celebrate Founder's Day, or reconnected with friends at one of our alumnae events, however you've been involved, your time, enthusiasm and commitment have made a real difference. Every conversation, every event attended and every connection made strengthens the St Helen's community, ensuring that today's students benefit from the experience, encouragement and generosity of those who came before them. To every Girl in Green who has supported the School this year, thank you! We are incredibly grateful, and we look forward to welcoming even more of you back in the year ahead.
Alumnae Back to make a difference
(a selection of moments . . . ) Here are some of the many events that have been supported throughout the year, reflecting the lasting connection our alumnae have with St Helen’s: •
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Sixth Form Lecture Series Alumnae sharing career insights and experiences through informal lunchtime talks Next Steps Events for Yr9 & Yr11 Young alumnae sharing pathways and GCSE and A-Level advice Networking Breakfast Alumnae sharing networking skills and guidance with Yr12 Carol Concert and Calendar Sale Alumnae and the OGs Club supporting these seasonal events A-Level Certificate Collection Recent alumnae returning to collect their exam certificates Landmark Hotel Alumnae Social An evening to reconnect and catch up with fellow alumnae UCAS Alumnae Panel Recent alumnae sharing UCAS experiences and university insights 1899 Society Launch Alumnae bursary recipients sharing their stories in the 1899 Society campaign film
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Founder’s Day Keynote speeches exploring what it means to be a ‘Girl in Green’ Physics Tournament Keynote careers talk from an alumna working in STEM Careers in Law Evening Alumnae-led panel and networking event for students and parents Bitesize Futures Informal small-group sessions introducing Yr10–Yr13 to diverse careers and pathways Into the Sixth Panel Younger alumnae sharing Sixth Form experiences with Yr10 Old Girls’ Day Annual reunion for specific cohorts to reconnect and celebrate Careers Fair Connecting Year 6–12 students with professionals across diverse industries Oxbridge Symposium Roundtable discussions for Yr12 pupils keen to explore critical thinking and study expectations at Oxford and Cambridge Alumnae Uni Lunch Younger alumnae sharing university experiences with Yr12 Prize Days Keynote speakers inspiring the next generation House Arts Alumna judging the annual House Arts competition
Thank You
Alumnae The Landmark Hotel (a selection of moments . . . ) 28th Jan 2026 What a wonderful evening as our Head, Mrs Ward welcomed alumnae spanning nearly six decades – from the Class of 1965 all the way through to our newest Class of 2025 to our first Alumnae London Drinks event at The Landmark Hotel. The room was full of stories, laughter, and reconnections, with some alumnae proudly wearing St Helen’s green to celebrate their lifelong bond as ‘Girls in Green’. It was a joy to see alumnae meeting not only their own classmates but also forging connections across different year groups. Many alumnae were delighted to reconnect with staff who had once been their teachers, and it was heart warming to see those conversations pick up effortlessly as they shared updates on their lives and careers. It was a truly memorable evening, and we were delighted to be joined by former Headteachers Dr Burne and Dr Short. Please look out for your invitation to this year’s event.
Alumnae Old Girls’ Day
(a selection of moments . . . ) 11th May 2026 What a Day! From guided tours of the school grounds - sparking stories, laughter, and a few happy tears - to alumnae rediscovering familiar corners and seeing how St Helen’s continues to evolve, the day was filled with moments of joy and connection. A lively drinks reception and a delicious lunch in the dining hall brought everyone together once more, with conversations flowing effortlessly as memories resurfaced and friendships were rekindled. Our “Girls in Green” reminisced fondly about their time at St Helen’s, celebrating the experiences that shaped them and the community that still binds them. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the celebration so special. The St Helen’s spirit is as strong as ever. If you’d like to see the full photo gallery from the day, visit the CONNECT page: https://www.sthelensconnect.london Tickets for our next event go on sale in late September via St Helen’s CONNECT. Book early - OGs Day is always popular, with limited tickets that sell out quickly.
Alumnae In the news
(a selection of moments . . . ) Look who we’ve spotted! Arti Lukha - New appointment as Managing Editor of ITV News
If you've been featured in the press or other media for a recent achievement, we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at development@sthelens.london. Alumnae featuring in the news in the past twelve months include . . . Arti Lukha – Class of 1992 Lucie Kon – Class of 1987 Sophie Hopkins – Class of 2023 Claudine Collins – Class of 1986
Lucie Kon – Oscar and BAFTA Winner
Paula Nickolds – Class of 1991 Elle Kaye – Class of 2010 Patricia Hodge – Class of 1964 Esme Stallard – Class of 2013 Angie Lawrence – Class of 1991
Sophie Hopkins - Selected for the Red Roses’ England training squad
Claudine Collins – Appointed Chief Client Officer of Mail Metro Media
Paula Nickolds - Named as one of the leading women CEOs shaping global retail
Elle Kaye - Multiple winner at the UK Guild of Taxidermists Awards
Patricia Hodge Attended a Windsor Castle reception honouring paid and unpaid carers
Esme Stallard - File on 4 Investigates Toxic Legacy of firefighting foam
Angie Lawrence - Fringe Theatre Special Award
Our newest Alumnae Class of 2026
(a selection of moments . . . ) Leavers’ Breakfast - 29th June 2026 Our Leaving Breakfast marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of an exciting new one for the Class of 2026. It was a wonderful opportunity for our Yr13 pupils to share breakfast, laughter and memories, celebrating all they have achieved, and enjoying one last morning together before embarking on their next adventures. Whether your next step is university, an apprenticeship, work, travel or something completely different, we wish you every success and happiness.
This isn't goodbye - it's welcome. As the newest members of our Alumnae community, you join generations of former students who continue to inspire, support and celebrate one another long after leaving school. We hope you'll stay connected, share your news, come back for events, and remember that you'll always have a place here. Once a Girl in Green, always a Girl in Green. Good Luck. Don't forget to register on St Helens CONNECT: https://www.sthelensconnect.london
Staff - Review of the Year Celebrating our retiring colleagues . . . Some members of our community leave a legacy that spans generations. This year, we celebrate the retirement of two colleagues who first walked our corridors as students before returning to inspire countless others as members of staff.
Teresa Betts – Class of 1961
Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry Teacher, Voluntary Archivist I began my long association with St Helen’s in the summer term of 1953 as a boarder at Plas Dinam, Wales. I was 10 years old. The governors had taken a lease on the property because of the increased tension between East and West in Berlin. In the autumn term, I entered 3B parallel at St Helen’s, Northwood (Y6 equivalent) as a day girl. Most of the girls had formed their friendships by then, having entered the school either in Little St Helen’s or 2B (Y4) but some of them went out of their way to be friendly and some are still friends today, Vivian Roberts (Onians) and Janet Garton (Piggott) from my form, Priscilla Alexander (Crump) and Ann Coburn (Brown - now sadly deceased) from the other half of the form and Trish Chapman (Scadding) who came in senior school. We lived in Northwood and we walked home from school, pushing our bikes, chatting away. I can’t say that I loved any particular subject at school until Miss Leader started to teach me English - and I learned to love poetry under her and to appreciate the beauty of words, that doesn’t mean to say I was any good, but I adored it ! And there were subjects I hated, especially history with Miss Bray.
I was in two of Miss Leader's productions which were staged outside on the grass by Longworthe “A Winter's Tale”, “The Merchant of Venice” and then “Richard of Bordeaux” (about Richard II) staged in what was then the first hall aka the gym (later Old Hall). We used to use thick stage makeup, grease paint, and if you were a shepherd without any brown tights, grease paint was applied all down your legs, which left a terrible tide mark in the bath - I bet our parents loved that. But what I really liked doing was working behind the scenes of the school productions, “Murder in the Cathedral” in the newly opened RBH was the last production I was involved with as a pupil. When I returned later as a member of staff, I did a lot of costume work with the bursar Miss Joan Williams, she made the most beautiful costumes and later still with Mrs Margaret McIntosh. I particularly remember the pink satin bomber jackets for “Grease”. I left school in 1961 and went to Westfield College, part of London University. After that I went to work for Selfridge's on their trainee buyer scheme. I felt I needed a few corners knocked off having been to an all-girls school and university college. It was a tough environment, and after several years I was advised that I had to choose between marrying Selfridge’s or my husband-tobe, so I left Selfridges. I became a member of St Helen’s staff in 1966 when a maternity leave vacancy came up in
the maths department. I contacted Miss Leader, now Head Mistress and she offered me the job straight away. When the maternity leave cover was over, I stayed on as permanent staff in the autumn of 1966, I started teaching middle school science and maths. I married in 1967 and I stayed at St Helen’s until 1971. At this time there were several young married women on the staff and we often included our husbands in school life including sixth form dances. The boys from Merchant Taylors’ or from Aldenham would come across as a group to partner the girls who were boarders as well as some day girls. These younger staff members and their husbands sometimes had their hands full!
Gillian and I worked well together: she taught me the computing side of the archive, while I knew the people and the stories. I was hooked—a love of history that had found its focus: people. When Gillian moved on, I took over the archive as a volunteer. Initially housed in a cupboard in the eaves of the RBH library and I’ve lost count of how many times it has been moved since 1999. Finally, when Dr Short became Head, she gave us two rooms in Gwyer as the archive’s permanent home. I also loved returning to school to talk to Year 7 students about my time at St Helen’s for their ‘History of St Helen’s’ projects. They particularly loved trying on the school uniforms from the archive.
My daughter Anna was born in 1972 and not long after I got a call from Miss Leader asking me to be a cover teacher for around 6 weeks. But I soon realised I couldn’t teach full time with a small baby. My daughter Helen was born in 1975 and my life revolved around two small children and coaching (mostly 12-year-old boys) and helping with the St Helen’s Brownies.
My husband and I moved from Northwood to Chenies in 2004, so I came to school less often, but I came when needed. I kept duplicate magazines at home, which proved invaluable during the Covid pandemic, allowing me to deal with archive enquiries from home. I often used my personal Ancestry accounts to research census records from 1901, 1911, 1921 and 1939 for boarders and residential staff, as well as electoral registers once women had the right to vote. I also found the marriage certificates for both Miss May and Miss Doris Rowland Brown. Old Girls generously donated their St Helen’s memorabilia, which I would drive to collect or receive at Old Girls’ Day reunions. These included pre- and post-World War II magazines, photographs, drama programmes, uniforms and much more. It is always lovely to receive a box of memorabilia that sheds light on gaps in our records.
I returned to St Helen’s on a permanent basis in 1986 which was the year that Miss Leader retired. My daughters were both pupils and I came back to teach the bottom set for maths, to make sure they got their grade C. I loved this job, it was really rewarding. I was known for my lucky balsa-wood parrot earrings and at exam time the girls would ask, “Mrs Betts you will wear your lucky earrings, won't you?” I replied, “As long as you read the question”. I also ran Calendar Sale for several years under Dr Burne’s headship and reorganised it into one Saturday instead of the previous two which made things easier for the PE staff organising Saturday matches. I left in 1993, the same year my younger daughter, Helen, left St Helen’s I continued coaching until January 1999, when Rebecca Hershman (Baxter) invited me to join the Old Girls’ Committee for the Centenary celebrations that May. I was introduced to Gillian Hill, then the part-time archivist, and was soon sidetracked to work with her on the archive display. We created an incredible exhibition in the Linkway, with large boards of photographs and maps, donated uniforms and photograph albums. The archive grew rapidly, and we soon needed a larger home.
I was a pupil at St Helen’s from 1953-1961, a teacher for various terms between 1966-1993, a parent of two pupils from 1977-1993, and in 1999 I became the voluntary archivist which has kept me happily occupied for over 25 years. During this time, I knew so many of the staff personally and they became friends, alongside my childhood friends from my younger years at St Helen’s. I look back with fond memories.
Thank you, Teresa, for your exceptional work behind the scenes in building, preserving and maintaining the school archives. You have helped safeguard an important part of St Helen’s history for generations to come.
Andrea Cawthorne – Class of 1990 Prep School Teacher
I joined St Helen’s at age seven and from the very beginning felt welcomed and supported. My years as a pupil were filled with friendships, sport, trips, House activities and wonderful opportunities to grow in confidence. I particularly valued the strong sense of belonging and the belief the school instilled in us that we could achieve anything we put our minds to. St Helen’s set me on the right path, so returning as a teacher was incredibly rewarding. Teaching has now been woven through half my life: ten years as a pupil and sixteen years as a teacher. Some of my happiest memories are of trips and residentials, Speech Days, 120th Anniversary celebrations, DT days, and running Phab and DofE. As I retire, I leave with enormous gratitude for the people, friendships and experiences that have shaped my life at St Helen’s. Now, new adventures await – starting with cycling and seeing where this next chapter leads.
Interested in getting involved with the St Helen’s archive? We’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch to find out more: development@sthelens.london Fancy exploring? Visit our digital archive and take a look around: St Helen's | Digital Archives
In memoriam Pippa Hurd (member of staff from 1970-1991)
Mrs Pippa Hurd dedicated 21 years to St Helen’s, joining the Art Department in 1969 and becoming one of the school’s most inspiring and valued teachers. A gifted artist with an infectious enthusiasm for creativity, she inspired generations of students through her teaching, led the Art Club, and generously shared her talents in every aspect of school life. Beyond the classroom, Pippa designed sets and costumes for school productions, supported the school magazine, and accompanied cultural visits to Italy and Paris, enriching the artistic education of countless pupils. Her creativity was matched by her warmth, kindness and unwavering commitment to the school community. Described by Headmistress Yvonne Burne as someone whose "commitment was never less than 100%." Pippa will be remembered for her passion for fine art, her generosity of spirit, and the lasting influence she had on the students and colleagues whose lives she touched.
Paul Vines (member of staff from 2014-2019) Paul passed away peacefully on Monday 1 June following a battle with cancer.
Paul joined the school in 2014 as Head of French, inspiring students with his passion for the language and culture, his exceptional teaching, and his commitment to helping every pupil succeed. He later served as Deputy Head of Upper School, where he was respected for his calm leadership, compassionate pastoral care and memorable assemblies, which combined humour with thoughtful messages. A warm, kind-hearted colleague with a wonderful sense of humour, Paul was admired for his legendary organisation and unwavering Christian faith, which shaped his life and the care he showed to others. He will be remembered with great affection and gratitude by all who knew him. If you would like to share any stories or memories of Paul, please forward them to paulmemories2026@gmail.com as a keepsake for his family.
The 1899 Society Thank you to all of you whose financial generosity is helping to shape the future of St Helen’s. Our 1899 Society celebrates and recognises all members of our community who make a financial contribution and brings together donors who support St Helen’s through oneoff or regular gifts. Funds raised can be directed towards capital and operational projects and, for this year, will support the expansion of our Transformational Bursary Programme. Thank you to all of you who share our commitment to providing life-changing opportunities to more girls and widening access to a St Helen’s education. Click here to find out more: The 1899 Society | St Helen's Connect or email: development@sthelens.london
“Receiving a Bursary enabled me to stay on in Sixth Form and finish my studies with peace of mind that the financial side of my education was taken care of. I was able to finish my A Levels with the support of teachers who have known me for most of my life.”
The Rowland Brown Club Your Legacy, Their Future Leaving a legacy to St Helen’s is one of the most significant ways of leaving a lasting imprint on the School. It costs nothing in your lifetime but provides future generations with the impact of your support. For those of you who intend to leave a gift to St Helen’s in your Will, please do get in touch. We’d love to thank and recognise you during your lifetime. Here is the link to find out more: The Rowland Brown Club | St Helen's Connect
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