Well I had several other ideas for today's post - until I read the last ever school magazine, from my old school.


My school is/was Bedford High School, an all girls private school. I attended between 1973 - 1983 and I was definitely a High School Girl ..... it stayed with me, through the friendships I made to my involvement after leaving in the Old Girls' Association (the Guild) and the Foundation (a charity set up to help with funding for all sorts of things). 


The School always had a school magazine titled "The Aquila" which was edited  and produced mainly by the girls - with articles written by them and staff regarding each year's events etc.


Now, the School is merging with it's sister school - Dame Alice Harpur School - and becoming Bedford Girls School. This merge has been "happening" for the last 2 years and most of the practical stuff has been completed with everything moving to the Dame Alice School site and the use of the High School site being arranged for the local College to commence at the beginning of the September term 2012.


So we (the old girls) have had plenty of time to come to terms with the merger, the emotions of our old school not being our old school any more and to hope that the new school will be carrying on with the ethos and traditions as much as is possible. Some old girls have been angry, others upset,  others just not that bothered really. I had thought I was in the latter category........ slightly upset when we initially heard the news but accepting that it was inevitable and assuming that all would be done in the best interests of the pupils in the long run.


Until we had our last Guild Committee meeting last night when I took home a copy of "The Eaglet". This was NOT the Aquila (yes there was one of those ... a joke "anti" "Not the Aquila" one year) but it was a slimmer version and a tribute to the last 2 academic year groups that remain on the old school site - the Upper 5's and Upper 6 forms. (16 and 18 year olds doing their exams this summer)


Actually - I was even fine after the meeting, it was later on today when I began reading the magazine ......... and I have to admit ....... a tear came to my eyes.


I am still not quite sure why? ..... what am I grieving for? ...... my school memories will  remain as they were - no change there - the school ethos will be carried on in the new school - it is still a Harpur Trust school after all. The buildings will probably change, although the main building is listed so will have to remain looking the same even if internally changes are made. So why?


I don't know - perhaps it is that I thought maybe my granddaughters may go there - it is a family tradition - my Mum went there and so did my girls. BUT - No - I don't really think that is it.


I think it is just a moment..... to reflect on all that was good about the School - (yes of course there were some not so good things too) and just that it really did help make me who I am . The School and staff certainly acted as a strong support and continuity for my girls that I will treasure - they were nurtured there as I am sure they would not have been elsewhere and they needed it in their circumstances. I will be forever grateful for that. A child builds resilience through many areas in life and the opportunities provided by the High School helped them build on their existing resilience.


So I shall be a little sad for a moment and then focus on all the positives of past, present, and future.


"Alta Petens" - Seek higher things !