The Ivy Link Summer Lunch 2022

After a three-year wait, we were delighted to welcome alumnae to the Ivy Link Summer Lunch 2022. We met groups from the classes of 1952, 1962, 1972 and 1982 celebrating notable anniversaries, including 14 ladies attending an Ivy Link event for the first time plus six former staff. Despite the rail strike, guests travelled from Scotland, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Devon and the Sussex coast.

Our visitors were greeted with a Pimm’s reception and an exhibition from the school’s archives. After a delicious lunch, Year 7 Lara entertained us beautifully by playing Bartok Rondo (no. 1 from Three Rondos on Folk Tunes). After Mrs Pattison’s speech, in which she talked about how much we value the relationship with our alumnae, some of our current prefects introduced themselves and shared their goals and ambitions for the years ahead.  Their confidence and natural charm was remarked upon by many in the audience, and we greatly appreciate the girls who gave up their time and represented the school so impressively.

Sadly, this was Mrs Pattison’s last Ivy Link event, Verity Jones (Bates), Class of 1961, thanked her for the support and care she has given the Ivy Link community, and one of the youngest alumnae, Tasia-Jade Bogle, class of 2021, presented a beautiful bouquet on behalf of the network.

Then there was time for tours, and so many memories flooded back as alumnae walked through the corridors and classrooms!

What an amazing group of women; we should not be surprised by that, of course, as they are Croydon High girls and always will be.

We have received so many messages of thanks, including the following:

The event was simply perfect and made me remember all the things I love and miss about Croydon High. It was so lovely to see so many alumnae from different year groups who walked the same corridors as myself and 1000s of other girls. 

Tasia-Jade 2021

Just to thank you very much for the super lunch and the whole well-managed event yesterday. The meal was delicious, the company very good, and the displays of great interest. The tour we had with Deveshi needs a special thank you – we seemed to be an unruly group – a mixture of 1972 and 1982 leavers, yet she managed us all very well, with lots of information, and all with very good grace.

Hazel 1972

Thank you so much for organising the splendid lunch. I had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed the reunion with old school friends. The food was delicious and it was so nice to have Emma Pattison on our table. I am sure you will all miss her next year.

Daphne 1953

The summer lunch was an amazing event which allowed me to listen to the stories of what Croydon High used to be like in Wellesley Road and then in the current building. Once we started the tours, it was hilarious listening to the events that took part in certain areas and how the walls of our school are covered with many memories. 

Yasmin, Head Girl

It was incredibly touching to see women from Croydon High reuniting with each other and how they managed to maintain their friendships that have lasted for over 70 years; this reinforced our school’s sense of community. It was also fascinating to talk to women with similar interests and to learn where their career paths took them.

Ciara, Prefect