This week’s puzzle features a picture of the school’s first science laboratory which was built in 1897 at the top of the school building. According to the Dean of Winchester this location was chosen because ‘in the event of an explosion only the operator and the students would be blown up.’ Charming.

What’s more significant about this laboratory is that it serves as a reminder of the school’s longstanding association with Science.  Science, particularly Biology and Botany was first taught at the school as an extracurricular activity but officially became part of the curriculum when the first Science mistress, Miss Fletcher was appointed in 1893. From there on every girl was taught Biology, Botany, Physics and Chemistry and how the school viewed its significance to the girls is perfectly captured in our first school prospectus from the 1890s.

St. Swithun’s were forward thinking in their approach to educating their pupils during a period where women traditionally ‘belonged’ to the home and some believed educating women stunted their growth. I like to think we broke these boundaries and the introduction of science on the curriculum had a profound effect on Mabel Clark who was the first St Swithun’s girl to receive a science scholarship from Girton College, Cambridge in 1897.

She recalls:

‘Physics we enjoyed, but Chemistry at first was to the bulk of us a mysterious jumble of symbols far more mystifying than Algebra. In 1893, Miss Fletcher was appointed Science Mistress, and proved a delightfully enthusiastic and interesting teacher. Then began what was for me the most blissful period of School life, for Botany, Geology and Chemistry all became part of our regular work. We had more thrills out of our Science lessons in those days…to me at least they are a real joy to recall, and to all who taught me I tender my grateful thanks;’

So without further ado please follow the link for the this week’s St. Swithun’s Lockdown Puzzle: https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=2201de0fdd72

Enjoy and don’t forget to send in your times!

Best wishes

Elly Crookes

Archivist

crookese@stswithuns.com

St Swithun’s School

01962 835 700