We are delighted to invite all students, staff, parents, alumnae and school council members to an Open House Event to celebrate the opening of the Jill Isaac Study Centre.

Monday 24th January 2022 - pop in any time between 4pm and 6pm.

Please park in the gravel car park behind Harvey Hall and approach the Jill Isaac Study Centre between the Chapel and Finlay (opposite the second hand uniform shop). The entrance door is on the left hand side of the building.

Please note, due to space restrictions and COVID precautions, guests will be limited to 30 in the building at a time, which will be managed on the door. All guests will be asked to sign in and out.

We look forward to welcoming you. 

Jill Elisabeth Isaac, née Clarenbone (V 1949)

Jill, who sadly passed away in 2017, spent eight years of her life at St Swithun’s, firstly in the junior school when it was still at the original school site in Winchester city centre and later at the senior school on Alresford Road. Her first visit to the senior school was when it had been commandeered by the US Army Medical Core as a hospital for the wounded.

Jill enjoyed her time at St Swithun’s and was a vibrant member of the school community becoming head of Venta. As well as being known for her mathematical ability she played lacrosse for her house.

Her great sadness was that she was not able to apply for Oxford or Cambridge as, although she had an excellent Higher School Certificate, unfortunately she was advised to give up Latin and take up Spanish, when Latin was a necessary requirement for Oxbridge. This was a great pity as she was an excellent researcher and would have been a prodigious scholar. She loved books throughout her life.

Following a secretarial course and subsequent work for an estate agent, Jill met Malcom Isaac when she moved to Vitacress, a company which he owned, in 1966. They were married in 1983 and enjoyed 34 happy years together.

Jill’s last wish was to give something back to the school she loved so much.

Through a personal gift of great magnitude and generosity, Malcolm enabled St Swithun’s to design and build this beautiful building, completed in 2021, that will be a lasting and fitting tribute to his wife, Jill.

It is a place of focus for university candidates, particularly those aspiring to Oxford or Cambridge - an inspirational space for study and quiet reflection.