Pauline Hartigan (néeMorrogh, Class of 1942) Before the First World War, my grandfather, John Kelleher, and his chauffeur Collins, took the ferry over to England to find a suitable school for his daughters, Nellie and Charlie, (Charlotte). He said that there was no school good enough for them in Ireland. They travelled the length and breadth of England eventually arriving at Mayfield where he was overwhelmed by the welcome he received from the Holy Child sisters; he consulted Collins as to his opinion of the school and the response was favourable. So my grandfather sent a telegram to my grandmother, saying that he had found a wonderful school for their daughters. And so my mother Charlie and in due course aunt Nellie came over and had 5 happy years at Mayfield - they never looked back.
And subsequently I, Pauline, also went to Mayfield. There was no school to equal the quality and education that I received during my time there. The spirit of the Holy Child nuns was second to none, everyone was made to feel welcome whether brilliant academically or just normal, like me! I threw myself into the hockey and tennis. During the war, we could look up and see the dogfights between the RAF and the Germans when we were playing hockey. It never came into our minds to be afraid, as we had no real concept of what was happening. We knew there was a war on, but it was a long way away.
The nuns were all very well educated themselves and they could be very amusing and funny. They were an inspiration to me in my faith, which has stood by me all these years. All I learnt at Mayfield has stood me in good stead since. I made some wonderful lifelong friends there.
On the strength of my experience, other Cork families sent their daughters to Mayfield as well. One of my contemporaries at Mayfield, was Therese Vanier, who after working as a Doctor went on to found the L'Arche communities, where my youngest son, James has been a member for many years. And another contemporary was Myra Poole. Through a set of wonderful coincidences, we met up years later, and her daughter Jackie eventually married my son David in the chapel at Mayfield in February 1985. I will visit soon and pay my respects to the nuns to whom I am so grateful.
Kirsty Kay‐Russell (néeGraham, Class of 1992) I am now living in Cranleigh, Surrey having moved back from Hong Kong 7 years ago for medical reasons. I have 3 children, Leini (9), Callum (8) and Eli (1). Baking and decorating cakes and cookies, home made jams, marmalades and curds, as well as potting, drawing and painting whenever I can. A bit of a change from PR and Marketing for 5 star hotels! If anyone is visiting the area drop me a line on Facebook either to Kirsty Kay-Russell Graham or ohcrumbsuk or on Instagram @ohcrumbskkr.
Janie Briggs (née La Coste, Class of 1965) I am still working as a GP in Cheshire teaching medical students at Liverpool university. I am also an interviewing and examining Medical Officer for a local school. I have recently seen Veronica Leisk (nee Coupland), Hilary Coulson (nee Croft), Bridget Garvin (nee Tolhurst) and Terry Lawrence (nee O'Donnell). We are all about to have a reunion with Joanne Larreche (nee Frazer) who lives in France.
Hannah Dearden‐Watts (néeDearden, Class of 1995) I have completed my PGDip in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing and am now working as a registered SCPHN with a School Nurse/Health Visitor team in Devon. I am currently on maternity leave with my 3rd child, I have 2 daughters and 1 son.
Janie Caesar (néeDees, Class of 1963) I had an incredible 70th birthday celebration held at Home House in Portman Square the alternative to the Queen's bash and at least we were dry! It was full of 53 ladies and Peter. My great niece, Hannah Poulsom who is an opera singer, sang "Summer Time" as we went in to lunch. My brother and the grandchildren made a surprise entrance with the cake! Old Cornelians included Sarah Browne, Veronica Bailey (néeGiles, Class of 1964), Marina Robjent (née Flint, Class of 1964), Meg Radford (née Considine), Laura Terrell (née Simmons, Class of 1990) and Amanda Savage (néeNash, Class of 1989) and my sister Sue Charles (néeDees, class of 1962) who was at St Leonards.
The Old Cornelian SUMMER 2016
Memories of Mayfield 1937 - 1942
Victoria Jones (née Simpson, Class of 1994) This picture was from Hartpury International CDI last year, where I had been selected to compete in the Small Tour with my horse Tijs H. Last year was my first year competing back competing seriously again since my Junior and Young Rider team days...quite a while ago now! Hartpury was special as it was my first selection to ride for GB as a senior, and we were well placed in the Prix at Georges, Intermediate 1 and then qualified for the Intermediate Freestyle in which we were also in the prizes!
Anne Schotte (néeMitchell, Class of 1990) After 12 fantastic years in London, we moved to the Netherlands in 2013, as my husband, who is Dutch, got a new job in The Hague. We have settled here well, and my daughter Elizabeth (4) and my son Alexander (3) speak much better Dutch than I do! I am still in contact with Karen Heil (Cheng), Helen Cuthbert (Basset), Lucy Chappell (Burnham) and of course my cousin Mary Cameron (Kirby); as well as a number of others on Facebook all from the class of 1990. Lucy and I went to the 20 year reunion in 2010, so looking forward to the next big one in only 4 years!
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