Over eighty Old Girls who took (or would have taken) their A levels in a year ending in a 4, and the staff who taught them, came back to school in June for an afternoon of Pimm's, a light finger buffet, and nostalgia.

Year groups from 1954 right up to 2014 were represented, but the laurels go to the Class of 1994 with twenty representatives. They started at King's High in 1987, the same year that new headmistress Mrs Jackie Anderson took over the reins. Mrs Anderson posed with them in their year group photograph. 

Guests were treated to Pimm's on arrival and a goody-bag with a memory brochure compiled by the guests themselves, detailing favourite teachers, most memorable moments, thoughts on uniform and school dinners, and their best bits from school.   

A nostalgia room with 'long' school photographs and past copies of the Ilex  was set up for everyone's perusal in St Mary's 1.

Tour guides from the current student body showed their Old Girl counterparts round the new Banbury Road site. Our thanks are due to Alexa, Charlotte, Charlotte, Georgia, Holly, Imogen, Joana, Maren, Minnie, Rhiannon, Roberta, Tamara and Youkae. We were also delighted to have twelve former members of staff with us. In addition to Mrs Anderson there were Mrs Best, Miss Clark, Miss Coupar, Mrs Dawkes, Miss Holyhead, Mrs Lampitt, Miss Lenygon, Mrs Macdonald, Mr MacFetridge, Mrs Siggers and Miss Smith, spanning seven decades of teaching at King's High!

Afternoon tea was delicious, and our wonderful photographer Vicky Kettell of Victoria Jane Photography marshalled the guests into year groups for their photographs. OGA Secretary Polly Beidas explained about the changes at King's High since the guests were there, and Head Master Dr Stephen Burley told us about the exciting developments at the school today. Our star guest of the day was introduced: 1964's Head Girl Joan Taylor who, as a celebrated pianist and music teacher, played Jerusalem for us, in its 100th year as the school song.  The word-perfect rendition from the guests with its stunning accompaniment was truly spine-tingling. In addition to 1994's Head Girl, Dawn, we also introduced the incoming Head Girl, Joana, who presented Joan with a bouquet and our thanks.

See a selection of images from the event here.  

This was only the second time we had held an Old Girls' reunion for seven disparate year groups, but we plan to repeat the event next year, when we proceed to 'All the Fives' on Saturday 14th June, 2025. So if you took your A levels (or would have taken them) in a year ending in a 5, look out for a booking form soon.