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I S S U E 1 • S U M M E R 2020

S ENIORS MAGA ZINE

The Interview: Her Excellency Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh S E E PAG E 4

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Meet the Seniors’ Office Team Seniors vs Wycombe Abbey Firsts Lacrosse Match School Lockdown: Head Girls Team vlog Next

W ELCOME

Welcome to the first issue of The Dove

ince joining Wycombe Abbey at the start of this academic year, I have had the opportunity to meet a good number of you at a variety of events such as Seniors’ Day, the Seniors’ lacrosse match and Carol Service and Dove-Bowerman Society gatherings. The opportunities that I have had, so far, to engage with Seniors and to learn about your experiences at Wycombe Abbey have been invaluable in giving me a deeper understanding of the School. It is clear that many of you still hold the values you learnt in your School days close. During the recent months of the Coronavirus pandemic, one Senior wrote to me declaring, “In Fide Vade has never been more true.” I have been warmly welcomed by the Seniors’ Consultative Committee, led by Amanda Gibbon (Circle 149), and I am delighted to have appointed a new Director of Development and External Relations, Clare Flynn-Scarcelli, to lead the Development and Seniors’ Office. As a School, we will strive to keep the Seniors community engaged and involved, keeping alumnae close within our wider community. This will ensure that Wycombe’s legacy is passed on through the generations. We are delighted to present the first issue of The Dove, a magazine which is filled with current news from Seniors around the world. As a School, we are extremely proud of our Seniors’ achievements and your support towards

your communities during these recent challenging times. We have heard about many going above and beyond and I hope you will enjoy reading some of the stories later on in this magazine. The last few months have demanded adaptability and creativity in terms of teaching and learning here at School and I am incredibly proud of how the girls and staff have adapted to working remotely. We will welcome a new Director of Digital Learning to

We are delighted to present the first issue of The Dove, a magazine which is filled with current news from Seniors around the world. Wycombe Abbey in September who will build on all that we have learnt and continue to lead us forward in this area. As a School community we have been touched by recent events following the tragic death of George Floyd in the US. Our girls have spoken up passionately for their beliefs and I know that many in our community, including Seniors, will also have been affected. I am proud that Wycombe Abbey is a truly global community, with girls from 29 different countries currently. It is my belief that tolerance and inclusivity are values

which we share as a School community. It is also my belief that we cannot stand still and we must continue to challenge ourselves to be better – as friends, colleagues and global citizens. I will be setting up a working party with pupils when we return to School to hear views on how we can best embody our values across all our community. As we look ahead, I am very much looking forward to hosting Seniors’ events again soon. While we have had to postpone Seniors’ Day this year, to summer 2021, we are eagerly anticipating the prospect of a lively Seniors’ lacrosse match and Carol Service in December which I hope you will be able to attend. As you will be aware, September 2021 marks the 125th anniversary of Wycombe Abbey’s foundation. I am excited about celebrating the school’s illustrious history through a series of special events during this year while looking to the future with a clear vision to be at the forefront of girls’ boarding education as a world-class School. Thank you for your kind words of support during my first year as Headmistress; I hope to meet many more Seniors in the years to come. With warm wishes to you and your families. Jo Duncan MA (St Andrews) PGCE (Cantab)

Dates for the Diary Sunday 13 December Seniors vs Wycombe Abbey Firsts Lacrosse Match 14:30 Wycombe Abbey

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Sunday 13 December Seniors’ Carol Service

Saturday 12 June 2021 Seniors’ Day

16:00 Afternoon Tea 17:15 Carol Service in Chapel 18:00 Mulled wine and mince pies Wycombe Abbey

11:00 Wycombe Abbey

WE L C O M E

Welcome from the Development and Seniors’ Office

ello and Welcome to the first edition of The Dove. We are delighted to bring you this new digital magazine. New features such as Seniors Spotlight and our headline Interview aim to celebrate and shine a light on the diversity and vibrancy of the 4500-strong Seniors community.

I wish to say thank you to the very many of you who support the school’s Bursary Fund and recent Capital Development appeals. The school simply could not offer the level of support it does to Bursary pupils, or develop our magnificent 170-acre conservation listed site, without your support.

The Seniors’ Office is here to support all Seniors and we would be delighted if you were to stay in touch and tell us your news. I hope you enjoy this short Welcome video from the team. Clare Flynn-Scarcelli, Director of Development and External Relations

It has been a privilege to meet many Seniors already since I joined Wycombe Abbey in September last year. The breadth of Seniors’ talents and life experiences are testament to the uniqueness of our truly global alumnae community. Wycombe Abbey Seniors are distinctly individual, however something which unites you all are shared values and a strong sense of social responsibility, which has been evident in these last few challenging months as we have faced the Coronavirus pandemic. We have captured here just a few of the ways in which Seniors have supported their communities and sought to put others’ needs above their own.

Contents The Interview: Her Excellency Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh 4 Supporting the Community During Coronavirus 8 Fuel the Fight Initiative 10 Seniors Spotlight: Gloria Smith 11 Baroness Butler-Sloss Gives Sixth Form Lecture 12 Seniors’ Consultative Committee 13 Seniors vs Wycombe Abbey Firsts Lacrosse Match 14 Seniors Spotlight: Christine Ma-Lau 16 Seniors Spotlight: Charlotte Swift 17 Do You Have an Inspiring Story to Share? 17 A Time to Remember 18 School Closure: Then vs Now 20 Leaving a Legacy 22 Supporting Wycombe Abbey 25 Noticeboard 26 Photoboard 28 Seniors’ Website 30

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The Interview:

Her Excellency Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh

er Excellency Lana Nusseibeh, attended Wycombe Abbey from 1990-1997 (Circle 204), going on to read History at Queens’ College, Cambridge. In September 2013, Lana was the first woman from the United Arab Emirates to be appointed to the role of Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, the first woman from the UAE appointed to this role. In 2017, she was elected as one of the Vice Presidents for the 72nd session of the General Assembly, representing the Asia-Pacific group of member states, alongside being named President of the UN Women Executive Board, and became co-chair of the Friends of the Future of the UN.

What is your first memory as a pupil at Wycombe Abbey? It was September of 1990, and earlier that summer I had moved to the United Kingdom from my hometown of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. I remember not wanting the car journey to end as I drove with my mother and aunt up the winding hill to Junior House. I remember admiring the beauty of the school grounds, yet also feeling uncertain about the decision to send me to Wycombe, which was made last minute by my parents as the Gulf region heated up amidst Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait earlier that August. Upon arriving at Junior House, I recall the smiling face of Mrs McPherson and her lovely, albeit slobbery, dog Ben, who would become a welcome fixture in my dorm room and walks – especially when I felt lonely in those strange first weeks and months as I adjusted to my very large, very new world. I was relieved when my younger sister Dyala joined me at Wycombe a year later and my world started to become more familiar.

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You were Head of Rubens and took part in the full life of Wycombe Abbey, before going up to Cambridge to read History – what were your interests at School and how did you find an outlet for these? If you had told my 11 year old self in that first uncertain year of School she would be Head of House a few years later and successfully apply to a top university, she would have laughed and said it was impossible – perhaps better suited for the other seemingly confident and more accomplished girls around her. It took time to settle in and adjust; everything was different from my experiences growing up in Abu Dhabi, including the food, the culture, and academics. It was my first time away from family and I remember reading an incredible amount in those early years, encouraged by teachers who introduced me to an exciting world of new authors. At first, classes were challenging and I worked hard to

keep up: for example, I had never been exposed to Latin – which a number of girls seemed quite familiar with – or the concept of lacrosse, including the, at first, alarming idea of early morning practices in muddy and wet weather. These were certainly new experiences. As I adjusted, I threw myself into outlets like Drama, working to get my LAMDA Awards, and performing in our school plays. The Duke of Edinburgh award was an exciting experience, as were the various sports on offer at the school in which I engaged with a great deal of enthusiasm – if not skill. I was also active in our school debating society. As Head of House, I was a conduit between the house and our housemistress, Mrs Bradley, often aggregating ideas and suggestions from the girls on how to enhance our school experience. I enjoyed this responsibility, particularly as a sounding board for girls to discuss the challenges they were facing at school or at home.

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What does Wycombe Abbey mean to you? Wycombe Abbey was a formative part of my development. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities the school afforded me, and attribute many of my roles and accomplishments to my experiences there. Specifically, the school promoted critical thinking, as well as a rigorous and academic approach to every subject, from literature to history to the scriptures and sciences. I was able to learn under brilliant teachers who were fully committed to helping each girl achieve her full potential, thrive in their chosen subjects, and develop a curiosity and passion for learning. I think boarding school is also a place where you form your most intense friendships and learn how to communicate your feelings; there’s a genuine sense of having a shared experience that makes the conversations you have with friends and peers more meaningful. You grow up together. My enduring memory is laughter – just making each other laugh and finding so much joy in our shared company is still something that makes me smile today. Especially after some of the pranks that we played… Wycombe Abbey is a place I learned resilience, independence, and friendship. We developed a strong sense of responsibility and endured the various trials and “crises” of adolescence together.

You have published on the topic of women in leadership in the Middle East. You were the first woman appointed to the role of UAE Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN – what does the future look like for young women today?

indicated a strong correlation between competent, female leadership and successful government responses to Covid-19 across several variables. I am lucky to represent a country where women are a central part of our nation’s success story.

While so much has changed for women all over the world, there is still much work to be done. How can we ever hope to achieve a more just, equitable, and prosperous society if 50 percent of the world’s population is left behind? The economic argument should convince anyone as well as the moral argument: a recent study showed that if women were to participate equally in the global economy, we could add 26 percent to annual global GDP by 2025. And in the peace and security space, we have data showing that peace agreements are significantly more durable when women are involved in the process.

You recently hosted Wycombe Abbey MUN girls at the UN – what did you enjoy most about the meeting?

One thing I have learned is that women need to pull each other up as we go. This is because years of siloed networks, boy’s clubs, and unconscious bias have created an entrenched system that disadvantages women. It will require a concerted effort to cultivate a world in which men and women thrive equally when provided the same opportunities. I was fascinated by a recent study that

The girls were passionate, articulate, engaged, and very well-prepared. I enjoyed meeting them and was delighted to find out several of them had visited the UAE! It shows how globalized the world has become. When I attended Wycombe, I had to show my friends on a map where my country was in the world. I think the MUN programme is a great addition to Wycombe’s curriculum; it brings them to the heart of the world order and shows them what the international community at its best looks like – when all countries, large and small, are negotiating around the same table. This is an incredible experience. And as historical memory fades and the reasons behind the UN’s establishment following WWII – to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” – become less clear, it is important to see the great work the UN does, both at headquarters and around the world, to offer people

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a chance in life to survive and thrive. It is a noble effort to challenge the rampant injustices and inequalities in this world. We need the UN and it is important that schools incorporate this global citizenry perspective into their respective curricula, especially at a time when nationalism, hard borders, and a fear of the ‘other’ are sadly being weaponized in global affairs. Who have been inspirational figures in your life? Many individuals, both historical and current. One piece of advice is that no matter your profession or career choice, pick out a person you admire and try to identify the reasons why you admire them. It helps you hone those traits and further develop your professional and personal skills. Humility regarding what you don’t know, as well as openness to learning from other people’s expertise, is an underrated quality. And how far does one’s school education help illuminate a future path? This is a tough question given the speed at which technology is transforming our world. For example, AI and automation will revolutionize the job market for our children and grandchildren; it’s difficult to predict how these changes 6

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will impact future professions, and consequently, how younger generations will need to learn and acquire skills. I have a 7 year old and an 11 month old, both of whom still have a long way to go in their education. And yet I already see discussions on how to prepare them for tomorrow’s economy happening in their school system, with more questions being asked than answers given. That said, I believe my father’s advice holds true today: love what you do and study what you love, read widely on every subject, and learning languages opens doors to new worlds of literature and thinking. As a diplomat, you have to resign yourself to being a generalist and move between subjects at often alarming speed. Perhaps that’s not a bad set of skills and I hope Wycombe girls will consider joining their respective diplomatic services in the future - it’s a fulfilling career that often puts you at the heart of making a difference. If you could give your 15 year old self one piece of advice, what would it be? Worry less and enjoy the time more – it’s a unique period in life when the world is laid before you to absorb and engage. Enjoy learning for its own sake, not for the sake of exam results – your class rank at 15 won’t carry weight much later. Do something that scares you

more often and then do it again until it scares you less, whether it’s public speaking, sports, or anything you’re secretly wishing to try. I remember calling my father a few hours before my Scripture A-levels, having a panic attack that I was going to fail and that I couldn’t remember a thing after revising all night. And I remember listening to his sage advice, taking a walk through town, and putting away my books! On that walk, I remember peering through the library windows at girls studying and thinking that I had gone mad. All the things we often worry about are far worse in our imagination than in reality. The best advice is often to take a deep breath and know that it will be ok, whatever the outcome. Who were your closest friends and favourite members of staff and what is your lasting memory of Wycombe Abbey? As a diplomat, it goes against the grain to call out “favourites”. I had a few very close friends throughout my seven years at Wycombe and I will always treasure the support system we provided each other. I will cherish the often intense and hilarious conversations we had about life as we continued to grow and learn from each other. As for teachers, I think they were all excellent and I am grateful to each Prev

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one who taught me. I am especially thankful to those who gave me a passion for the subjects I would pursue through A-level, university, and my professional career. I remember being tormented at the time between choosing whether to read History at university (taught by the brilliant Mrs Raraty) or English, taught by the very passionate Mrs O’Rourke in my early years. Two memories that stand out: Mrs O’Rourke looking outside our class window during my first year and declaring that it was such a beautiful day we would all run outside and act out “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on the grass, which was a magical change from the classroom. And my gratitude to Mrs Raraty for making history come alive for me, including the extra attention she gave to anyone who was interested in delving deeper into the subject and sharpening our arguments as we prepared for university interviews. I will always be grateful for her training in analytical thinking. As for my lasting memories of Wycombe Abbey – there are a few: I loved Christmas shopping in Marlow, carol services and singing in chapel, long walks with friends, getting excited right before holidays and heading home to the UAE or to London for shorter trips – and then being eager to return and share those experiences with friends.

In February, Wycombe Abbey pupils travelled to New York to participate in the National High Schools Model United Nations where they met with Her Excellency Lana Nusseibeh. Ms Nusseibeh provided a fascinating insight into the day-to-day realities of representing her country as a diplomat. Their discussion covered a range of topics including Middle Eastern politics and economics, the empowerment of women, United Nations reform and international law. “It was so inspiring to meet Ambassador Nusseibeh – we all want to grow up to be just like her! It was wonderful to be able to discuss global politics with someone so directly involved in international diplomacy. My committee at the conference examined development and disarmament in the Middle East and North Africa. To be able to talk to an ambassador from the region was an extraordinary opportunity. It gave us a deeper, personal insight into a complex topic and an edge in debate.” Vanessa, UV. Pupils who attended the New York conference were very grateful to Lana and the staff of the UAE Mission for their kind hospitality. At the end of the visit, the current Head of Rubens House presented the Ambassador with a Wycombe Abbey necklace, which is now given to girls at the Clarence Leavers’ Ceremony.

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Supporting the Community during Coronavirus

ycombe Abbey pupils and Seniors have been working hard to support their local communities during the Covid-19 outbreak.

UIII pupils, Genevieve and Neda, used their musical talents to keep their communities smiling. Genevieve played the ’cello outside to her neighbours in isolation as part of the National Youth Orchestra’s ‘Ode to Joy-a-thon’ as a thank you to the NHS. Neda, meanwhile, has been helping the younger generation, playing songs online for her mother’s nursery and helping to film their online lessons. Neda has also been hard at work sewing face masks at home. Rose, LVI, dropped her CV into local pharmacies, offering to help voluntarily, and since March, she has been delivering and collecting medication and prescriptions on her bike around her local neighbourhood in London. Maddie, UV, and Ahana, LIV, have been raising funds during the outbreak. Maddie launched an effort in support of TheirWorld.org a charity which helps the 1.5 billion children around the world prevented from attending school during the outbreak of Covid-19. Via Instagram, Maddie rallied her friends to cover over 12,000km from London to Boston between 13 April and 12 May, raising over £1400. Ahana and her brothers took part in a 21km triathlon in May. They swam, cycled and ran, inspired to help by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s initiative to ensure ‘No one will starve in the UAE’. Isha, LVI, has spent her weeks during lockdown helping with “Feed the workers”, a charity to provide meals for NHS workers who are not able to leave hospital to collect their own food. Isha spent several days collaborating with doctors on the frontline developing an understanding of the volume of food required each day. Toluwase, UV, has been busy hand-sewing masks out of cotton sourced in Nigeria. Toluwase said “I am currently trying to make some masks out of adire an indigo tie-dye cloth. I will be giving these masks to the factory which will then donate them to charities and communities.” Ellie, UIV, helped set up a bereavement website for people to pay their tributes to their loved ones. Ellie and her mother hope more people can get involved supporting each other through bereavement.

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Thank you and congratulations to all our pupils, staff and wider Wycombe Abbey community members for their wonderful demonstrations of support for their local communities. We are very proud to hear about how the Wycombe Abbey community has come together during these extraordinary times.

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Seniors, too, have been busy working in and with their local communities during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. Victoria Young (Circle 158), and her daughter Marnie (Rubens, UIV) responded to the ‘Scrub Up!’ campaign, sewing scrubs for the medics at Norfolk and Norwich university hospital. This photo shows Marnie cutting out fabric prior to sewing. If you wish to get involved in the ‘Scrub Up!’ campaign like Victoria and Marnie, the full details can be found at www.elliss.co.uk/life/scrubup/.

General Hospital. During the period of the Coronavirus infection, she has been working in the Intensive Care palliative care unit. Our thoughts are with Alex, and those others in our Wycombe Abbey community who have been working at the frontline during challenging times.

Jane Makower Mather (Circle 151), and her husband, have been using their home as a delivery hub for 20 local households to distribute milk, bread, fruit and vegetables every Wednesday to those in isolation.

Senior, Alex Martin, has performed a valuable service on the frontline of the UK’s Covid-19 effort. Alex is a Consultant Surgeon and the University of Bristol’s Academy Medical Dean at Weston

Alongside Seniors’ efforts, School staff were pleased to be able to produce much-needed PPE (personal protective equipment) for frontline workers in local hospitals. Following a news article in our parents’ bulletin, Wycombe Abbey was approached by Marie Curie to help provide PPE for their nurses. Mrs Sue Buxton, Director of Science and STEM, has been leading this effort and organised over 150 medical visors to be sent for Marie Curie workers.

School also responded to recent calls from NHS hospitals for oxygen cylinders, providing the Chemistry department and our Health Centre’s cylinders for use, alongside over 300 bed sheets and pillow cases for the ‘bedding to scrubs’ campaign. Our sincere thanks to all of our staff for their compassion and commitment in supporting the NHS and key frontline workers looking after the most vulnerable members of our community. The Wycombe Abbey Sports department decided to raise money for three charities: NHS Charities Together, Headway and Sport Relief, while encouraging staff and pupils to remain active during lockdown. The aim was to help girls feel part of the school community, even on the other side of the world. Having already achieved their goal of virtually ‘travelling’ the length of the UK, the Sports department organised a 67,706 km ‘Around the World’ trip to ‘visit’ pupils in their home countries. The virtual trip invites staff members to contribute to the overall mileage through their daily exercise, with 38 staff members on-board. As this goes to press, the team had covered nearly 16,000km and were heading into Africa. Thank you to Mrs Sophie Bryett-Windle, Director of Sport, and Mrs Fiona Gee, Assistant Director of Sport, for organising the activity. If you would like to keep up-to-date with their journey, please follow @wycombeabbeyPE on Twitter.

Please share your stories with School at seniors@wycombeabbey.com. Next

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Fuel the Fight Initiative Supporting restaurants during the Coronavirus Pandemic

y name is Evelyn Booth-Clibborn and I am currently running Fuel the Fight: London, a campaign to support struggling restaurants all over London and our healthcare heroes on the front lines. Here is how it works: We partner with local restaurants that are struggling to survive to provide local hospitals with cooked meals. We use 100% of donations raised on our GoFundMe platform to feed our NHS workers. Zero overhead.  We provide as many meals to London-area hospitals as we can, from as many different restaurants as possible with the potential to roll-out to other UK cities.  10

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We have raised over £30,000, partnered with 18 restaurants, and provided 4400 meals to workers across 10 hospitals. We have many more deliveries lined up. As is the case with a lot of these initiatives, Fuel the Fight relies on donations! It would be great if you would please consider donating anything helps! If not, please consider sharing this campaign. The link to our GoFundMe page is: www.gofundme. com/f/fuel-the-fight-london Our GoFundMe page has more information. Updates can also be found on our Instagram page:  @FuelTheFightLondon (www. instagram.com/fuelthefightlondon/)

S E N I O R S S POT L I G H T

Gloria Smith C

London and had just finished my final exams when the ongratulations to Senior, Dr Gloria Smith, 2014 pandemic broke out. Unfortunately at this point, I was leaver, who qualified as a doctor at the beginning meant to go on an ‘elective’, a 6-week placement working of April. Rather than taking a well-earned break and training in a hospital in Borneo, however, the outbreak and undertaking her elective in Borneo, Gloria volunteered meant this was no longer possible. As a nearly-qualified as a Junior Doctor at the Whittington Hospital, London, doctor I was offered a position to work frontline on a Covid-19 ward. She says in a hospital linked to my university, so “starting work on the wards earlier I started at the Whittington hospital in than expected in a global pandemic I am now working North London. I am now working on a was daunting, but the resilience and on a Covid ward, Covid-19 ward, supporting Doctors and positivity learned at Wycombe Abbey Nurses with a mixture of clinical and have been invaluable to me in this supporting Doctors administrative tasks. It has been tiring experience, and of course the support and Nurses and emotionally challenging at times but every step of the way from the morale amongst the staff is amazing, my lovely Wycombe friends!” as is the public support for the NHS. Starting work on the wards earlier than expected in a global Gloria tells us about her experience in medicine since graduating from Wycombe Abbey: pandemic was daunting but the resilience and positivity I learned at Wycombe Abbey have been invaluable to me I attended Wycombe from 2007-2014 and was in Barry in this experience, and of course the support every step house (Circle 293). I studied Medicine at University College of the way from my lovely Wycombe friends! Next

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LECTURE

Baroness Butler-Sloss Gives Sixth Form Lecture We were delighted to welcome back Wycombe Senior, Baroness Butler-Sloss (Circle 75), to talk to the Sixth Form as part of the Sixth Form Lecture Series this Spring Term.

With an illustrious legal career as a candidly, sharing numerous anecdotes family judge for more than 30 years, from her personal experience the president of the high court family investigating this issue. division, and the first female Lord Justice of Appeal, Baroness Butler“Her ultimate advice; that awareness Sloss has championed the rights of and vigilance by ordinary people is children and personal autonomy. the best method we have to stop More recently, she was involved this, provided both hope and a sense in the independent review of the of personal responsibility to all those Modern Slavery present. It was a Act 2015 and it moving, thoughtis this aspect that provoking and “Her lecture she chose to speak inspiring lecture by enlightened current about by posing one of Wycombe’s pupils about the often the question “does most illustrious slavery still exist?” Seniors”. hidden scourge of the

present world that is day slavery.”

Our Spring Term modern lecture focused on Baroness ButlerSloss’s independent review of the Modern Slavery Act, and she enlightened pupils about this significant but often hidden scourge of the modern world. Ms Emma Bowen, Deputy Head of Sixth Form (Enrichment) said; “It was such an honour to have Baroness Butler-Sloss return to Wycombe Abbey. She spoke very

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Juliana, UVI added: “Baroness ButlerSloss explored the legal nuances of defining and punishing modern slavery, including the practical challenges of differentiating between criminals and slaves acting under duress. Her sharing on its pervasiveness throughout society made us all realise the need for us to advocate for reform and take action by being more responsible consumers. She also provided quality advice to aspiring lawyers, informed by her experience as a renowned jurist”.

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Seniors’ Consultative Committee Chair, Amanda Gibbon (Circle 149)

t is a great pleasure to be asked to contribute to this new Seniors magazine and I hope you are enjoying its more attractive format and the wider range of news it contains. The Seniors’ Carol service in December was as popular as ever, drawing back Seniors of all generations to Wycombe Abbey to enjoy the traditional service which retains so many elements familiar to us from our school days, while updating other aspects to reflect the needs of today’s generation. It is wonderful to join the girls for this special event which has such resonance for us all. Seniors were able to hear from the school’s chapel choir, chancel choir, and the Holst Singers, who all gave wonderful performances during the service. Several Clarence girls sang solos at this, their last Carol service before becoming Seniors themselves. In recent months, the Seniors’ Consultative Committee has been reflecting with Headmistress, Jo Duncan, and Director of Development and External Relations, Clare Flynn-Scarcelli, on how best to communicate with and involve Seniors in the future and we are looking for ideas and input from you. It is really wonderful to see news and stories about Seniors now being routinely included in the bulletin which the school sends out to girls and parents. The school is seeking to improve the Seniors website and keep it more current as well as include more information about Seniors on the main School website. We would like to know what you think and whether you would like to be more involved so please help us by completing the survey of Seniors when it is sent out later this year. Do continue to send in your news and photographs and please share with us stories about what you are doing.

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SP ORT

Seniors vs Wycombe Abbey Firsts Lacrosse Match

n Sunday 8 December Wycombe Abbey hosted the annual Seniors’ Lacrosse Match. The match this year broke previous records with a full Seniors team of 12 against the Wycombe Abbey First team. The day was a success for the Seniors who triumphed with a 10-7 victory, helped by a former England lacrosse team player. Thank you to all those who attended. We are looking forward to seeing you all again at the next Seniors vs Wycombe Abbey Firsts Lacrosse match on 13 December this year. We hear from players in the Wycombe Abbey first team, and the Seniors’ team for their insight into the day’s proceedings:

Wycombe Abbey First Team: Cordelia (UV) Tell us about your background in Lacrosse I started out playing as a goalkeeper in Junior House. It took me a year to realise I didn’t have the nerve or the reactions, so ever since I’ve been a straight defender. I joined the Firsts this year in UV – which was a huge honour.

had been part of the last Wycombe team to win Nationals in 2015 and, as a result, there was such a buzz around lacrosse when I joined in 2016. They are definitely role models, though I’m sure most of them didn’t know who we were, or how much we looked up to them.

How did the Seniors vs Wycombe Abbey Firsts match play out? The Seniors scored right from the first minute, led for the whole match, and ending up winning 10-7. It was a humbling end to the term.

What are your thoughts about the final score? In the moment, it felt slightly humiliating that we were halfway through the season and couldn’t capitalise on the fact that we had been playing together for months. On reflection, although the Seniors side had never played as a team, they had so many talented members who had played or continue to play at such high levels: it would always have been a tough game.

What was the most memorable part of the match? Shaking hands at the end with girls who were so inspirational during my first years at Wycombe felt like such a personal achievement. Some of them 14

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Did you enjoy the match? It was a privilege to represent the current standard of lacrosse at Wycombe in front of the most discerning Seniors – though absolutely terrifying at the same time. I hope I can play in the event for the next two years and hopefully restore some of our honour by playing at the standard of 2020 National Champions! Prev

S PO RT Seniors’ Team: Beatrice Webber (Circle 308) Tell us about your background in lacrosse I first picked up a lacrosse stick in 2010 during our ‘Introduction to Lacrosse’ camp in the first weeks of UIII. I was keen to do justice to the lacrosse legacy of my mother and her mother before her. In my early Wycombe years, I played for my year group’s first teams and from UV to UVI, I played for, and eventually captained, the school’s First XII. My School lacrosse career came to a satisfying full circle when I helped coach the UIII camp in my last year. Winning National Schools in 2015 and returning to Wycombe as ‘quasicelebrities’ was exhilarating and is still one of my fondest memories. I went on to play a few years in the South East Regional Team and I was later selected for the Under 19 National Lacrosse Team. I have travelled and played against talented international competition by virtue of the Wycombe tour to the United States, Under 19 England participation in a few Home Internationals and the 2017 World Cup festival. Most recently, I travelled to Japan with the Under 23 England team for an amazing week of playing. How did the Seniors vs Wycombe Abbey Firsts match play out? I arrived early on Sunday and enjoyed flicking through the various Wycombe magazines in the foyer and snapping some embarrassing pictures of friends who graced the pages. I was quickly joined by some of the First team girls, most of whom I knew from my time at Wycombe, and after a few more of my fellow Seniors arrived, we headed up to the Sports Centre and reminisced over our preferred changing rooms and decreased fitness levels. There was a

good cohort of the years above me, spanning almost 20 years, with many of us having played together at School, so we were keen. We were buzzing to be back on the Astro to play the iconic sport where it all began. What was the most memorable part of the match? I remember thinking my lungs were on fire after the first 2 minutes. Despite the current First team being packed full of raw talent, hopeful ambition and young lungs, ultimately ego triumphed. I’d only previously witnessed some of the Seniors run that fast in the Eton-Wycombe lacrosse match many years prior! What we lacked in lung capacity and muscle tone, we made up for in true grit and determination with a pinch of showing-off. The slightly older Seniors seemed to miraculously call upon their 18-year old selves to deliver an incredible performance that gave us the edge over the young ‘uns. Myself, and, I’m sure, a few others demonstrated that we had, in fact, aged like fine wines.

Did you enjoy the match? Overall, the match was absolutely brilliant. It was so lovely to see the familiar faces of the girls and staff of Wycombe Abbey both on the pitch and on the side-line. The taste of well-earned success was made even sweeter as we saw what looked like the players getting a few stern words from their coaches post-match for letting a bunch of old bags come out victorious. The 2020 First lacrosse team made us all enormously proud with their success in being named National Schools Champions in February, a very big well done to them. Sadly ladies, after you have reached the great heights of laughing in the faces of LEH, St Cats and Benenden (or whoever your most vexing opponents are these days) and coming home champions, it’s all downhill from there!

What are your thoughts about the final score? At the end of the day, the First team played a brilliant game. Nonetheless, the win was a credit to the effort put in by every single one of the Seniors that Sunday and their drive to keep running after each of our dropped balls, fumbled passes, and shots that wouldn’t have hit the back of a 10ft goal. I think we taught the Wycombe girls a little lesson on being too polite through a level of savagery that could only be truly learnt upon being released from the sanctuary’s gates and reinforced fences.

See the video of the Wycombe Abbey First team celebrating their win and being named National Champions here: https://vimeo.com/394980734

If you would like to sign up to be a player on the 2020 Seniors’ lacrosse team on Sunday 13 December please email seniors@wycombeabbey.com. Next

The Dove

S EN IORS SPOT LIGH T

Christine Ma-Lau

hristine Ma-Lau (Circle 214) attended Wycombe Abbey from 1997-1999. After leaving School, Christine went on to read Science, Philosophy and Economics at the London School of Economics and further went on to read for a Master’s in Education at the University of Pennsylvania.

distant dream of being able to publish the book and it came true nine years later.

“Since initially writing the story, I had become a mom and enjoyed reading rhyming storybooks with my son, so I decided to rewrite the story but the message of the story remains the same - be thankful for what you have, not what After moving back to Hong Kong, Christine has become you do not have. I love reading my book to children. I think an active member of the Seniors’ network and has that a good story is one that makes us think, challenges us organised alumnae events in Hong Kong. Now to see things from a different perspective and subsequently a celebrated children’s book author, makes us better people. I’ve since created Christine reflects on her experiences at activity kits which include discussion Wycombe Abbey, and how she came to activities, games for children, craft projects “I remember after write and publish children’s fiction: and reflective worksheets as follow-on writing it, I had a activities from the book. distant dream of being “I loved living in Pitt and getting to know all my new friends in the Lower “Among my many favourite books is able to publish the Sixth Corridor, then learning to cook new ‘Spoon’ by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. I love book and it came true dishes with my housemates in Clarence. how it teaches children to embrace their nine years later.” I would say that my favourite memories uniqueness and that they shouldn’t be like always included the wonderful people anyone else. I met at Wycombe. “To those who are interested in authoring books, I would “I published my first children’s book last year. I didn’t start say keep reading, keep writing and find something you’re out by wanting to publish a book. I had actually written passionate about sharing with others. Ask yourself what you ‘Thankful Theo’ years ago for a class of students I was want your readers to be impacted by. Be prepared to write teaching. We were looking for some books that teach many drafts and get frustrated along the way. Just know that at children the concept of gratitude, and we couldn’t find one the end of the process, you’ll have something you poured your that brought out the message we wanted, so I wrote a story energy, time and heart into that can impact and bless many for the lesson instead! I remember after writing it, I had a people, and that is worth investing in.”

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S E N I O R S S POT L I G H T

Charlotte Swift

harlotte Swift (Circle 181) attended Wycombe Abbey from 1986-1992. After leaving Wycombe Abbey, Charlotte has been living in London where she works as a journalist, specialising in travel. Charlotte writes; “Life took an unexpected turn seven years ago when a serious car crash resulted in the loss of my left foot. Recovery has been long, but since the accident I have had a baby (Ossian, who will be four in August), I have done plenty of travelling, returned to playing tennis, snow and water-skiing, and taken up triathlon. Some things are

predictably harder than they were, but thanks to incredible prosthetics and brilliant NHS care it has not changed the direction of my life all that much. “I was lucky enough to make many close friends at Wycombe Abbey, some of whom were the first to visit me in hospital (as well, of course, as my sister, Camilla Swift who was also in Airlie): Lana Salah, Carlotta Maitland Smith, Dordie (Georgina) Machray and Natasha Atherton (North). I am still in touch with others including Davina Whiteley, Melissa Weller-Poley (Dinwiddy), Marisa Lea (Chan), Claudia Hartley (Koetser) and Laura Eynon (Fallowfield).”

Do You Have an Inspiring Story to Share? If you have an interesting story to share about your life since your Wycombe Abbey days, we would love to hear from you. Seniors Spotlights are featured in a range of School publications such as in The Dove, on the Seniors’ Website, in the Parent’s bulletin and on our social media channels. Seniors Spotlights cover a range of topics: interesting careers, charity initiatives, achievements and awards, overcoming challenges, unique hobbies, staying resilient and much more – the next Seniors Spotlight could feature you! Additionally, if you know anybody in the Wycombe Abbey community

that you think has a remarkable story, please encourage them to get in contact with us too. In addition, we are aiming to launch a series of virtual talks and webinars for pupils and Seniors. If you have a story, talk or initiative which you think would be suitable please let us know and we can explore this possibility with you. Please continue to share your news and stories with us and the Wycombe Abbey community, please get in touch at seniors@wycombeabbey.com.

The Dove

VE DAY

A Time To Remember T

his year we celebrated the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe. We revisited some of the events surrounding Wycombe Abbey’s requisition by the UK Government in 1942, and the contribution the school site made towards the Allied victory. On Wednesday 25 March 1942 came the news that Wycombe Abbey was to be requisitioned for use by the American Air Force and the Royal Air Force. The pupils and staff had to vacate the site by 15 April. During the packing rush, a member of staff had the idea to board up Wycombe Abbey’s books behind panels in Fisher Library. This foresight, incidental at the time, acted to safeguard the girls’ educational resources and valuable instruments of learning. Staff hurriedly secreted away scientific and musical instruments on top of false ceilings in Big School.

During the American Air Force occupancy, legendary band leader, Major Glenn Miller, played a number of concerts at Wycombe Abbey. The musician performed at Wycombe Abbey on 29 July 1944. This was to be his last concert before departing for France to entertain the troops. His aeroplane took off from an airfield in Bedfordshire but was never seen again. Glenn Miller was officially announced disappeared on 15 December 1944.

The American Eighth Air Force built huts to house the American troops on the lacrosse pitches. According to Wycombe Abbey Gazette entries “the American soldiers proved popular with local girls as they had a smarter uniform than British troops... had more money, and were able to get hold of nylon stockings which were difficult to find in England”. We are thankful to have the footage above of Glenn Millers’ final concert on the school grounds, kindly donated by Trish Walker (Circle 118).

TIMELINE 1942

1942

194 4

25 MARCH School Requisition announced to staff by Miss Crosthwaite, Headmistress

30 MARCH Pupils move out

17 AUGUST Combat operations by the VIII Bomber Command begin from Wycombe Abbey

29 JULY Major Glenn Miller performs his last concert to the US Air Force troops on Wycombe Abbey grounds

24 DECEMBER US Eighth Air Force most potent air offensive is launched: 2034 heavy bombers and 936 fighters released in one day

The Dove

V E DAY

Only six pupils who had been in Junior House at the time of School’s requisition returned to School after the war. They were named the “Re-openers”, and one girl’s account of revisiting the school reads as follows: “When six of us who were Junior members of the school when it was requisitioned in 1942, arrived back two days before the rest of the school, we were all relieved to find that the Americans had left no lasting impression on the building. There were, however, rows of American huts set up in the grounds, and we were particularly sorry to see that the Lime avenue had been somewhat spoilt by concrete roads running through it… The Chapel too was undamaged, although it has been used for so many different purposes; and the ivy-covered Abbey clock still chimed every quarter, making us realise more poignantly than ever how “Time…bears all its sons away.”

During the time of closure, an underground bunker was built within the Wycombe Abbey grounds, codenamed ‘Pinetree’. It is one of the biggest purpose-built WWII bunkers in Europe. The bunker remains to this day, with a floor area of 23,000 square feet, consisting of three levels with a 10 foot thick reinforced concrete roof and above that a further 25 feet of soil. The bunker was originally built over 11 months in 1942, costing £250,000. It was subsequently used to house the central intelligence section of the Headquarters of the United States VIII Bomber Command, part of the US Eighth Air Force.

“Meanwhile, a fleet of charwomen and workmen removed the last traces of the American occupation and working miracles in the short time at their disposal… It was a strange mixture of people who filled the school on that first Thursday afternoon: parents and visitors, new members of the staff, young and inexperienced maids, girls from foreign countries, from Burma, Greece, America, South Africa, Australia and Iceland, and many more with no school uniform – all these had to be disentangled.

The photo above is the only surviving photo in the underground bunker depicting General James H Doolittle, Commander of the US Eighth Air Force. He was one of the first to earn a doctorate in aeronautical engineering and was decorated with the Congressional Medal of Honour for commanding the famous Doolittle Raid. His office in the Abbey now houses the Sixth Form team and still bears his name.

“However, in a few hours’ time, everyone was in her right house and was wearing a label bearing her name and house colour. In a week’s time the school routine was working normally, and in a month several school societies had been formed... Games were a problem at first, as there was disastrously few girls who has ever played cricket before... Finally we should like to take this opportunity of acknowledging our immense debt to all the staff, both teaching and domestic, without whose courage in the face of so many great obstacles, we should never have had the opportunity and privilege of coming back to form the nucleus of the new Sixth Form.”

TIMELINE 1945

1945

1946

25 APRIL US Eighth Air Force flies its last full-scale mission

8 MAY Victory in Europe Day. The formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender of its armed forces, marking the end of War in Europe

25 OCTOBER School Council announces intentions to re-open Wycombe Abbey School in May the following year

18 OCTOBER Details are revealed at the Wycombe Abbey Seniors’ AGM of a recent court-martial conducted in Chapel, widely reported in the press

9 MAY 170 girls, 12 teachers and four Housemistresses return to re-open Wycombe Abbey

The Dove

CLOSURE

School Closure: Then vs Now Then:

n Wednesday, 25 March 1942, the Headmistress, Miss Crosthwaite, announced to staff, in confidence, the shattering news that Wycombe Abbey had, that day, been requisitioned by the Government for the stationing of the American military forces, following the United States’ formal entrance into World War II. The decision to close the school until after the war was made by the school council on 28 March 1942. Miss Crosthwaite writes a message to pupils dispersed across the country:

Here we read how the Wycombe Abbey girls sent away spent their days in other schools: Malvern College Girls sent to Malvern College describe their weekly routine of war-work and volunteering to help the local community:

This was the first time that the school had closed its doors for pupils. The action to house the military forces was so urgent that the school had only three weeks to find new facilities. This led to pupils being scattered across 40 other schools throughout the UK. Some of the most memorable accounts come from pupils sent to be educated at University College, Oxford; Cheltenham Ladies College; Malvern College and Benenden School. 20

The Dove

CLOSURE

“Did you know?” Miss Crosthwaite came into School every day during the years of closure, insisting that Wycombe Abbey was still a girls’ school despite the US Air Force residency and the daily commotion. From her study in the music rooms, she kept in touch with over 40 schools where Wycombe girls had been scattered. Every year a Gazette was produced, testament to Miss Crosthwaite’s message that Wycombe Abbey still existed even if no pupils were on site and the optimism that School would one day return. University College, Oxford Wycombe girls stayed at the invitation of the Master - Sir William Beveridge, now famous as a forefather of the National Health Service NHS. The girls stayed in his lodgings for the duration of the war.

Benenden School Benenden girls, and the Wycombe additions, were evacuated to Newquay, where the school was housed after the Benenden school estate was required for use as a military hospital by the Ministry of Health.

Cheltenham Ladies College Wycombe Abbey girls sent to Cheltenham Ladies College paint a somewhat dismal picture of their time away from School:

Now:

ycombe Abbey temporarily closed its doors on Friday 20 March 2020 in accordance with instruction from the Government, due to the Coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak in the UK. This is the first time the School has closed its doors for such a length of time, since 1942, when the Government requisitioned the school for the stationing of the American military forces. The Head Girl Team have made a vlog to record what a week in the life of a Wycombe Abbey pupil is like during lockdown. Click on the video, left, to view.

The Dove

DOVE-B OWER MAN SOC I E T Y

Leaving a Legacy

rish Walker (Circle 118) attended Wycombe Abbey from 1964-1970, in Shelburne house. She decided to leave a legacy to Wycombe Abbey and joined the Dove-Bowerman Society in 2018. Trish explains why this decision was important to her;

the Society organises events for its members and, earlier this year, I enjoyed an excellent orchestral concert given by current pupils at St John’s Smith Square.

Tucked away, I still have my boater, Shelburne tie and boot bag, but not my lacrosse stick. Sport not being my forte, it was probably discarded out of the window on the final, In 2018 when revising my will, I decided to leave a legacy ‘school’s behind, life’s ahead’, train journey to Wycombe Abbey - “Not a lot” as back to Paddington! Immediate memories the magician, Paul Daniels used to say of Wycombe? Caring house mistresses - in recognition of the fact that I was a I’d like to encourage and Matron; Tuesday evening concerts grammar school girl who, in 1963, was Seniors who have in Big School, Miss Fisher sitting up in very fortunate to be given a bursary by the Gallery in evening dress, milk and the Middlesex County Council, the last similarly good biscuits at the end of that long walk up offered before that excellent scheme memories of Wycombe to Daws Hill. Ducking out of the weekly was closed. Attending Wycombe has to join the Doveclass singing lesson to complete unfinished been of such unquantifiable benefit, I’d Bowerman Society. prep and being caught. The punishment like to think my gift might go towards helping another pupil whose parents need being to sit outside Miss Fisher’s study, repetitively writing the Beatitudes during financial support, a means-tested bursary, the running of that term’s film. Any mention since of “The in order that their daughter might also reap the same, lifelong Ascent of Everest” encourages finger cramps. Memorable benefits of an education at Wycombe Abbey. too were the sewing classes with Miss O’Brien whose colour spectrum stretched from beige to beige, occasionally Writing to the school about my intention, I was invited to daringly accented with peach. We had a difference of the launch of the Dove-Bowerman Society (impressively opinion regarding the colour of material I chose to make two held at the House of Lords) and found the attendees likebridesmaids’ dresses for my brother’s wedding. The wedding minded in their wish to support our old school. On occasion

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D OV E - B OWE R M AN S O C I E T Y

The DoveBowerman Society Any institutional success requires strong foundations. Our vision is predicated upon the need to maintain and enhance the very substantial infrastructure Wycombe Abbey has developed throughout its history. Philanthropy has paid an important role in the development of School throughout the last 125 years.

party thought the lime green was delightful but it was clearly a struggle for Miss O’Brien to display them to parents at the end of term. I could go on. Whilst languages were my strength at School, colour, fabrics, furniture, bricks and mortar have been the fulcrum of my working life. I chose not to go to university, instead I tried all sorts of jobs in advertising, as a DJ in London and various European cities, working in Spain for two years for a property developer (the development of Arenal and Magaluf in Mallorca were my boss’s idea. With hindsight, not a good one!). Back in London, an estate agency took me on and six months later gave me their blessing when one of their purchasers asked me to oversee the refurbishment of a house I had sold to him, as he liked my ideas. So that is how I started my interior design, project management business and it is still serving me well after 35 years. I’d like to encourage Seniors who have similarly good memories of Wycombe to join the Dove-Bowerman Society. I’ve explained my reason for becoming a member but others may have a greater interest in, for example, the maintenance of the Abbey, the school site, new educational facilities and so on. The Society provides support to the School in all manner of areas.

Elsie Bowerman joined Wycombe Abbey in 1901 and led a remarkable life. After surviving the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, she witnessed the Russian Revolution at first hand in 1917 before becoming the first female barrister at the Old Bailey in 1924; she later went to the United States to help set up the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in 1947. After the death of this extraordinary woman in 1973, Elsie Bowerman left the majority of her estate to the DoveBowerman Trust which supported the education of young women at Wycombe Abbey for over four decades. Benefaction helps to secure the long-term vision of the school. By remembering Wycombe Abbey in your will, either with a lump sum or all or part of your estate, you have the capability to contribute to School’s ambitious plans as they evolve over time. The school’s current strategic priorities are raising the level of support for means-tested support through the Wycombe Abbey Bursary Fund, and a transformational site development plan across our 170 acres of magnificent conservation listed grounds. All those who pledge to support Wycombe Abbey in their will are invited to become members of the Dove-Bowerman Society, which gathers annually at the invitation of the Headmistress.

For a confidential discussion about leaving a legacy to Wycombe Abbey, please contact Clare Flynn-Scarcelli, Director of Development, at flynnscarcellic@wycombeabbey.com.

The Dove

S U PPORT

Supporting Wycombe Abbey THE WYCOMBE ABBEY BURSARY FUND Happy people are successful people and it is our aim that Wycombe Abbey provides a physical, social and cultural environment responsive to the dynamic times in which our pupils live. Our aim is to provide a world-class education for all our pupils, not only academically, but also in the development of skills of communication, creativity, emotional intelligence, teamwork and leadership, which are so important in twenty-first century life. Every girl is empowered to make the most of her own personal abilities in preparation for the exciting opportunities that lie beyond School. The Wycombe Abbey Bursary Fund allows us to offer talented young women who would benefit from an education at Wycombe Abbey the opportunity to thrive at the school, no matter her family’s financial circumstances. The total value of bursaries this year was £979,000. School saw an increase of 64% in bursary applications between 2019 and 2020. This increase reinforces the need for Bursary support at Wycombe Abbey. We anticipate that, as a result of the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic, we will see a further call on bursarial and hardship support. We would like to be in a position to be able to respond to these calls.

HOW TO SUPPORT US One-time donation Thank you for considering your support to School. A one-time donation can be made via bank transfer, credit or debit card or cheque. Pleasecolours download a Clarence donation Updated fonts with new corporate ( Dark Blue and Rose ) form here.

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Regular gift by Standing Order An ongoing contribution through regular instalments will help us to achieve our vision now and for years to come and affords you the convenience of giving over time. A gift in your will Our benefactors help to secure the long-term vision of the school. By remembering Wycombe Abbey in your will, with either a lump sum or all or part of your estate, you have the capability to support School’s ambitious plans as they evolve over time. All those who pledge to support Wycombe Abbey in their will are invited to become members of the Dove-Bowerman Society.

CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

The support of donors, who invest in Wycombe Abbey’s future at the leadership level, and who inspire others to give, is critical to the success of the school. We are delighted to invite our most loyal and generous supporters to join the 1896 Society. Members of this group are invited to events and gatherings at the invitation of the Headmistress and Chair of Council.

Over the next decade, we are committed to investing in a transformational site development plan across our 170 acres of magnificent conservation listed grounds. Through this plan, we will provide world class, contemporary facilities for the immediate and direct benefit of every pupil at Wycombe Abbey.

To discuss your gift to Wycombe Abbey, please do not hesitate to contact Clare Flynn-Scarcelli, Director of Development, at flynnscarcellic@wycombeabbey.com

Fit for purpose, contemporary and built to last, these new facilities will ensure that Wycombe Abbey experience will be preserved for future generations to come.

The Dove

N OTICES EW S

NOTICEBOARD Wycombe Abbey Dating App My name is Imogen Malpas and I graduated from Wycombe Abbey in 2013. I have some exciting news to share! I am in the early planning stages of designing a Wycombe Abbey-centric dating application. I would love some feedback from potential users. The idea for the app was generated during a discussion with friends: whilst we were lamenting the decline in quality of available dating partners since the days of Wycombe socials, we imagined a world in which like-minded people from similar schooling backgrounds and with a shared appreciation for the joys of the boarding house could easily meet and get to know each other throughout their twenties, thirties and beyond. Criteria for acceptance to the app’s database would simply be attendance at Wycombe or one of a select few schools (Eton, Harrow and the like) and an appreciation for the finer things in life - nothing more, nothing less! At this stage, I am therefore looking for potentially interested singletons (of any age or sexual orientation) to be involved in the first focus group to flesh out the particulars relating to design and logistics. Participants would, of course, be compensated for their time. Please contact me if you are interested in being involved in a focus group at imogen.malpas@gmail.com

Looking For Eliza My name is Leaf Arbuthnot (Circle 273), I attended Wycombe from 2003-2010. I have recently written my first novel titled “Looking for Eliza” and published with Orion. Looking for Eliza is a story about an unlikely friendship between two women: Ada, a widowed poet in her 70s, and Eliza, a 25-year-old PhD student at Oxford. Both women are lonely though for very different reasons, and the book charts their attempt to find meaning in Oxford. Ada launches an eccentric business where she rents herself out as a grandmother for hire (she attends weddings, teaches etiquette etc). Eliza meanwhile thrashes on with her doctorate, though she’s struggling to see the point of it and is hung up on an ex-girlfriend. Everything changes for the two women when they meet. The book is about loneliness, Primo Levi, the longing for community, intimacy and more. You can get yourself a copy of Looking for Eliza here: www.waterstones.com/book/looking-for-eliza/leafarbuthnot/9781409185796 26

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N OT N IECW ES

Professional Coaching for Personal Development and Wellness My name is Katrin Roskelly (Circle 151), I was in Pitt and attended Wycombe Abbey from 1976-1982. I have fond memories of the school and loved my time there. Community spirit was something which I left Wycombe with as a deep value. Also, as a mother of two, parents, families and wellbeing have been on my mind a great deal recently.

Human Time by Duncan Forbes As some of you will remember, I was Head of English at Wycombe Abbey from 1996 to 2009, when I retired from full-time teaching. Since then, we have moved back to Cheltenham and I have been an RLF fellow at Worcester University. I continue to write and publish poems and my latest collection called Human Time is just out. Please spread the word. I have gone indie and published it myself under a new imprint, Voicemail Press. Further details appear on the newly updated website www.duncanforbes.com

I have been working on something that I wanted to share with the Seniors Community and the school to see if anyone might benefit in the current environment. With a background in marketing communications, engaging with one’s community seems to be more important than ever in the new normal. The pandemic continues to affect us all. These are extraordinary times and everyone is dealing with a lot of different issues at the moment. There are a wide range of issues affecting the wellbeing of individuals and families right now and sometimes just getting safely through the day will be an accomplishment. I have been working on certification as an ICF Professional Coach with a focus on Personal Development and Wellness. Inspired by my children’s school who have put together a Wellbeing Hub for the children, it struck me that the wellbeing of parents, as part of the community, is equally vital. Self-care is more important than ever in everyday life, especially when we find ourselves in isolation. My mission is to listen, support, encourage and even inspire people to find meaning and purpose as they find their feet and a new work/ life balance. It strikes me that people might welcome support at this uncertain time. If anyone you know is interested, I would be more than happy to have an exploratory chat, please email kroskelly@kcomms.co.uk

Book Publication My name is Julia Abel Smith (née Wolton) and I attended Wycombe Abbey from 1971-1977 in Campbell. My Circle number is 135. The History Press has recently published Forbidden Wife, my biography of Lady Augusta Murray (1761-1830), the tragic story of the unlawful wife of Prince Augustus, 1st Duke of Sussex. Please email me at jabelsmith@icloud.com if you would be interested in buying a copy.

The Dove

N EW S

Photoboard From the Archives - VE Day

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visit the Headquarters of the United States Eighth Air Force at Wycombe Abbey on 11 May 1945.

Major Glenn Miller performs with his band at Wycombe Abbey on 29 July 1944.

The King inspects the Guard of Honour of American servicemen as part of his visit to Wycombe Abbey on 11 May 1945.

Seniors’ Day 29 September 2019

The Dove

NEWS

Seniors’ Carol Service 8 December 2019

Seniors’ Lacrosse Match 8 December 2019

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K EEP IN TOUCH

Seniors’ Website

eep in touch with the alumnae community and receive weekly news and updates about School events and Seniors’ activities on the Seniors’ website. Look up a long-lost friend from School or sign up to mentor other Seniors. If you are part of a society, keep in touch with members via our groups tool. The Seniors’ website is the perfect way to plan reunions and events, and reminisce with others about your days at Wycombe Abbey. REGISTER FOR AN ACCOUNT HERE

+44 (0) 1494 520381 seniors@wycombeabbey.com