The women – some of whom had not seen each other since their school days – were given a tour of the school and met current sixth form students and principal Daniele Harford-Fox, before enjoying a cream tea in the cafeteria.
Lynne Edwards, who organised the reunion, was delighted to have been able to gather her former peers together.
‘It’s funny how quickly you recognise some people and then don’t recognise others at all, but I’m so happy we’ve managed to get so many of us here,' she said.
‘Admittedly I had a few heart palpitations arriving this morning but it’s been lovely to see everyone again, and to see how the school has changed.’
While some parts of the school evoked memories for the women, some areas, such as the cafeteria and entrance, were new.
‘The smell of the hall is exactly the same, and the biology and chemistry labs. I remember us setting fire to the bunsen burners,’ said Mrs Edwards.
‘It’s no longer there now but there also used to be a sixth form hut which we called “the cottage” by Melrose. We’d make ourselves tea and coffee and just hang out in there.
‘The school looks great, though. The new bits are lovely and modern.’
Fellow alumna Alison Castle said the school seemed to be a more well-rounded institution now compared with how it was 50 years ago,
‘It was very regimented and rigid back in our day. There seems to be more of an emphasis now on students’ emotional wellbeing and their overall experience rather than just their academic progress,' she said.
Mrs Edwards agreed, adding that she had enjoyed meeting the current students.
‘It still feels academic but it’s got a lovely relaxed vibe that just wasn’t around when we were here.
'It’s evolved beautifully, and the girls here now have a freedom that we didn’t have.’
The group of women were set to enjoy a meal at Les Cotils and a gathering at the Rockmount with other family members as they continued their celebrations.
‘It’s a chance for us all to catch up, share stories and just have a good time,’ said Mrs Edwards.
Ms Harford-Fox, who has been leading Ladies' College since 2022, said she was delighted to welcome the women back to the school.
‘The girls here today stand on the shoulders of those who came before them,' she said.
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