From the OGA
Welcome to the 2023 edition of the Old Girtonians’ Association Newsletter ‘Under the Peppercorn Tree’.
We are excited to share with you alumni stories, the latest school news and tales from the archives. For those who enjoy staying informed on OGA and school activities, reported in this issue are some highlights from 2022.
The OGA has been bringing together members of the School community for over 100 years, fostering friendships well after students have departed the School.
This year the OGA was steadfast that no reunion would be missed from the previous two years and ambitiously hosted reunion events for 20 cohorts, ranging from the 1-Year reunion to the 60-Year reunions. Some reunions were stand-alone events, whilst others combined two or three years of consecutive graduating years. We are proud to have facilitated reunions for over 400 former students and teachers in 2022.
These events created a buoyant atmosphere of fun and friendship and are an important part of the OGA’s intent of bringing together old friends and supporting new ones.
The 20, 30 and 40-Year reunions were all preceded by school tours, where names were recognised on honour boards and inside Girtonian magazines. The classes of 1970-1972 and 1960-1962 enjoyed a morning tea in the Jean d’Helin Building followed by a nostalgic tour of the School with Head of Junior School, Mr Don Thompson, where many memories and tales were shared.
Combining many of our reunions in 2022 resulted in some wonderful feedback and has instigated a review of how we schedule our reunions, with some of the later-year reunions to be combined in the future. Listed in this newsletter is a calendar of forthcoming reunion events in 2023, so please save the date!
The annual OGA Careers event for Year 12 students was held in May, 2022. Guest speakers were Old Girtonians’, Audrey Scott (Clinical Embryologist), Dean Armstrong (HR Lawyer) and Andrew Collins (Farmer and former AFL Player). This event provides students with a first-hand account of what life after school entails and our guests spoke openly about the trials and tribulations of establishing a career and life beyond the comfort of the school gates.
The OGA extends a hearty congratulations to Old Girtonian and former Vice-Captain, Alessia McCaig (Jenkin, 2021) who competed in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games in cycling. It was a delight for the entire Girton community to watch Alessia make her debut in the Commonwealth Games.
Congratulations to Benjamin Greenall (Riley, 2022) who is the proud winner of the 2022 OGA Departing Girtonian Scholarship.
Ben was a Riley House Captain, Captain of Girton Racing Team, Captain of Tennis and he was the recipient of the McWaters Medal for citizenship. He has shown enthusiasm and a commitment to Community Service, Co-curricular activities and academic studies during his six years at Girton Grammar School. The OGA Scholarship will assist Ben in his aspirations of travelling to the USA to play Tennis for an American College and the OGA wishes him well in this pursuit.
In Term 4, Board member, Mr Broughton Snell, received a Life Membership to the OGA in recognition of three years of service on the Board.
Four staff members, Mrs Linda Arnel, Ms Lynden Francis-Wright, Mrs Carmel Hamilton and Miss Michelle Gilkes were welcomed as Honorary Associate Life Members for 20 years of service to the School.
The OGA was delighted to award academic prizes to ten students who were awarded at the Speech Night events and will continue to support students in their pursuit of academic excellence.
As we enter 2023, Girton will hold various celebrations across the year in honour of its 30 Year milestone since its transformation in 1993 from an institution under the management of the Anglican Church to an independent, co-educational school overseen by a Board of volunteers.
This anniversary prompted a review of the Old Girtonians’ Association logo and after a consensus via an online survey of OGA Life Members, an updated logo design will be launched this year to align with our 30-Year celebrations.
The OGA moves into 2023 busily preparing historical documents, footage and photographs in honour of forthcoming celebrations for the 30-Year anniversary of Girton Grammar School, the 140-Year anniversary of Girton and the 110-Year anniversary of the OGA.
Wishing all of our members a wonderful 2023 and we look forward to the prospect of connecting with you at future OGA events.
Ms Kristi Mitchell
OGA Alumni Manager
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