Precious legacies

In the first whole school assembly of the academic year, on Friday 11 September, the focus was on the accomplishment of our reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, as she became the longest serving British monarch. Having acceded to the throne in 1952, then aged 25, Wednesday 9 September marked 23,266 days of Her Royal Highness’ rule, surpassing that of her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria. The underlying tenor of the assembly was to celebrate and reflect upon Her Majesty’s illustrious and great moral example over these 63 years.

The school was very moved recently to hear from Gina Lawrie, daughter of alumna Vivienne Lawrie, who sadly passed away in November 2014. Gina wanted to get in touch in remembrance of her mother’s fondness for Mother Paul, the first headmistress of St Mary’s School, Cambridge. Vivienne was given a rosary by Mother Paul as a student, and Gina wanted to return the rosary to the school as a symbolic gesture. Ms Avery was honoured to accept on behalf of the school the rosary from Gina during assembly.