Old Girls

                                                 May 2008 Bulletin

This is the Old Girls’ page, for all past pupils and staff of Lavant House. We have a special email contact for Old Girls, lavantexchange@aol.com, through which you can update your news for our school records and also make contact with each other.  Terry Carlysle (Mum of Felicity, 1998-2006) is Old Girl – School Link person and is having great fun fielding your messages and putting those who want to regain contact in touch with each other. She will be delighted to hear from you. There is a regularly updated bulletin posted on this page to help you keep up to date with news from other Old Girls

What Are they Doing Now

Iona Mathers (née Kirby), a Lavant girl 1977-1981, is keen to hear about Mrs Bodimeade who made such an impression upon her as an inspirational teacher. She is married to James and they have two sons called Rory (aged 18) and Alex (aged 15). Since moving to Pickering, in North Yorkshire, eleven years ago she has been studying horticulture at the local agricultural college and puts this to good use working as a gardener when she is not acting as a lollipop lady on the A170 in the morning.  Iona is very interested in the Old Girl reunions and would love to hear from Jane Harrold, Heather Chisholm Adams, Uche Ogbue, Isobel Brigham, Sally Milligan and Sophie Wilson to name but a few. She sends her very best wishes to all who remember her.

Natalie McCarson (née Schiff), an American boarder at Lavant for the year 1979 (before going on to Business College in Kent), contacted Terry recently asking about Old Girls from her time at school and has already been put in touch with several old friends.  After finishing College, over here, she returned home to Long Island, New York, where she is still living today. Natalie has been working since 1992 as a Property Manager in the East Coast region of the US. Ten years ago she married Matthew and they have two wonderful children, Samantha (7) and Aidan (4) whom she clearly adores. She says of herself 'My passions are entertaining, cooking, travelling and having a blast....I would love to hear from anybody who might remember me.'

                                                     Past Staff

Dr Amanda Vance, Head of English (and renowned animal lover) at Lavant House from 2001-2004, is overwhelmed with cats! Last September she rescued two half-tame (neutered) feral cats whose 'carer' had died.  They are now in a pen in her garden and desperately in need of a quiet rural home with plenty of space. Along with them came a starving cat who immediately produced a huge litter of 7 kittens.  The kittens are now young cats who have taken over Dr Vance's conservatory.  Her own 5 cats are fine, but would like their conservatory back soon.  Only quiet homes would be suitable, but if you would like more information, do get in touch.  Even Dr Vance has to admit that this 'good deed' has got 'somewhat out of hand'!  She sends her love to all ex-pupils and would love to hear their news.

                                             Stop Press

Congratulations to Heather Chisholm Adams (née Heather Chisholm) a Lavant girl from 1977-1981 whose career after school was described in the October 2007 bulletin. She has just been in touch to let us know that she has been offered a place at Oxford to do a Masters in International Human Rights Law.  This is exactly what she wanted to do so she is delighted. We hope she will find time to come and visit the school when she is over here.