21 Mar 1926 - 21 Jun 2020

We were very sad to hear of the death of Miss Davies at the age of 94.

From the words of Ms Jane Gandee, Headmistress

Olwen Davies was headmistress at St Swithun’s from 1973 to 1986 and oversaw some significant changes to school, including the construction of the glass corridor, which might now seem rather eccentric but at the time was a cutting edge covered walkway to get from the former dining room to the main school.

Perhaps her biggest challenge though was when the junior school burnt down. At that time, Miss Davies lived on the other side of Alresford Road and she saw the fire through her living room windows. Rushing out of her room and across the road, she forgot in the dark that there was a small chain link fence over which she tripped breaking her arm. Heedless of the pain she carried on trying to save the junior school. However, sadly almost all of it was destroyed and Miss Davies had to find temporary buildings in which to teach the girls and money for the new building. However, a much better equipped school rose from the ashes.

She was a woman of great vision and whilst she was headmistress she was also President of the Girls’ School Association with the honour of representing 250 girls’ schools. 

Miss Davies was a remarkable, much respected woman and a firm but fair headmistress who inspired and influenced so many.