Several participants from our first Quondam Virtual Reunion had asked for this to be a regular event and thus we held our second on Saturday 15th January which was attended by Polished Corners from Canada, Ireland, America as well as Britain. The ages span between someone who had started FHS in 1946 to someone who had started in 1982.

One by one we all shared memories of our time at school, and it was delightful to feel the warmth and interest throughout the generations. Headmaster, and our President, Mr Charles Fillingham, told us that the school was faring very well indeed despite the restrictions of Covid, and described the newly opened Classics Centre and the recently purchased Sixth Form Centre to house the ever growing Sixth Form, now at 180.  This was greeted with delight and surprise by the Polished Corners, the eldest of whom remembered there being a Sixth Form of one! 

He expressed his appreciation of the support from the Polished Corners who had donated to the Quondam Sixth Form Bursary and encouraged others to contribute in whatever way they were able.  

I, though hoping Polished Corners will see Charles again before he leaves in September, thanked him most sincerely for his huge support of Quondam and wished him well in his new position as Executive Head of Solihul School.

The AGM, having been held between the tea and drinks parties on 11th October 2021, meant Saturday’s event was purely social and after an hour we dispersed into “breakout” rooms with friends from our decades.

It was very special to have Mrs Forde, Miss Addinall, Miss Green, and Mrs Rolfe-Johnson, and Mr Stevenson, (former teachers) with us and I expect many pupils popped in to the “staff room” to say hello to them.

Here are some quotations from attendees: 
“Just a line to congratulate you on yesterday’s reunion. All organised so well and managed.”  Polished Corner

“How nice it was to be part of the Zoom yesterday. Even though I did not know anyone it was nice to be a part of it.” Polished Corner

“I thought that the reunion was really lovely. I enjoyed listening to everyone’s stories and it seems to me that they were enjoying it too.” Charles Fillingham, Headmaster

“I thought Saturday’s reunion was lovely, some genuinely wonderful memories and lovely to put some faces to names.” Claire Brazer, Alumni Relations Officer.

Written by Susanne Nedas, Chair of Quondam

Below is the list of attendees.

Former staff:  Jeannine  Addinall    
Class of: 1966  Eleanor Allen (nee Schacke Andersen)
Class of: 1960  Priscilla Bernard (nee Gray)
Class of: 1985  Andree Cooke    
Class of: 1972  Alison Edelshain (nee Day)
Class of: 1969  Carolyn Evans (nee Chapman)
Class of 1969:  Katherine Evans (nee Flower)
Class of 1965:  Caroline Faircliff  (nee Machray)
Former staff:  Felicity Forde 
Class of 1962: Anthea Grainger (nee Schacke Andersen)
Former staff:  Joanne Green    
Class of 1951: Susan Levitt (nee Falk)
Class of 1962: Robina Manger (nee Fairburne)
Class of 1970: Benita Mathews (nee Thomas)
Class of 1966: Karen Ann McKinna (nee Arbuckle)
Class of 1971: Susanne Nedas (nee Quastel)
Class of 1955: Louise Nicol   
Class of 1978: Aida Phelops (nee Dabby)
Class of 1967: Cynthia Prince (nee Haslam)
Class of 1989: Manuela Robson    
Former staff:  Elisabeth Rolfe Johnson    
Class of: 1974 Vivien Rose (nee Lind)
Former staff: Nick Stevenson    
Class of 1987: Shannon Tennant    
Class of 1981: Elizabeth Uzielli   
Class of 1960: Sally Wallace (nee Sassienie)
Class of 1960: Rosamund Wheeler (nee Machray)