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We were delighted to welcome Old Girls in person and online for the 2021 reunion
On the 24th January 2022, St Swithun's School was delighted to officially open the Jill Isaac Study Centre
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 Corps 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.
Fabulous to be back together again in 2021 on a cold but bright November day
The St Swithun's community came together in spirit for the St Swithun's Way Challenge 2020
Our inaugural St Swithun's Way Challenge event!
Thank you to the Loudon family
On Wednesday 24 March 2021, the Bramston Bursary Foundation was thrilled to hold an online event:
In Conversation with Alex Perry
Alex Perry is a non-fiction writer. He is the author of The Good Mothers, The Rift, Falling Off The Edge, and Lifeblood, as well as several ebooks, and ghost-wrote Long Shot for Azad Cudi, a British-Kurdish sniper. His journalism has appeared in The New Yorker, Outside, Harper’s, The Guardian, TIME, Newsweek, Roads and Kingdoms, The Sunday Times magazine and others.
Alex’s journalism has won a number of awards and his investigation into Boko Haram’s use of beheadings was requested as evidence by the International Criminal Court in The Hague. At times, he has been recognised in other ways. In 2002, the Indian government tried to deport him when he questioned the state of the Prime Minister’s health. In 2007 Alex was held in jail in Zimbabwe for five days for working without accreditation before being convicted of being a “determined and resourceful journalist”.
Born in Philadelphia and raised in England, from 1999-2014, Perry lived and worked in Asia and Africa. He now lives in Hampshire, England.
Alex was interviewed by L6 student Beatrice Watson.
Photo Credit: burlisonphotography.com
Memories of Old Girls' Day 2019
School update by Headmistress Jane Gandee
Le Roy Boarding House Virtual Tour
Hyde Abbey Boarding House Virtual Tour
High House Boarding House Virtual Tour
Hillcroft Boarding House Virtual Tour
Earlsdown Boarding House Virtual Tour
Finlay Boarding House Virtual Tour
Student Music
St Swithun's Question Time
M5's dramatic interpretation of the Bramston Bursary Foundation’s goal, performed at an assembly 2019
Gaudy!
Old Girls' Virtual Choir