How Important are Alumnae Networks in Schools?

In 2011, following unanimous approval at the Old Croydonians AGM, we launched an alumnae association called The Ivy Link. This group brought together the Old Croydonians Old Girls Association members and new Ivy Link members, including alumnae and former staff, providing networking opportunities, professional connections, mentoring, support, events, news, resources, groups, societies and more to both current students and our alumnae. In this article, we explain how our Ivy Link and GDST alumnae programmes benefit both former and current students and what we can learn from being a part of a strong alumnae network. 

“To be an alumna is to be a GDST girl for life.”

So, how important are alumnae networks in schools? Alumnae networks are invaluable initiatives for both current and former students alike. Former students act as role models, advisers and mentors for current students, encouraging them to achieve their very best. Meanwhile, alumnae can expect to build life-long relationships, vital professional connections, and represent their school to their wider community. 

Read on to learn more about the importance of alumnae networks and why we place so much value on our own Ivy Link alumnae network. 

Why is Having a Strong Alumnae Network Important?

A strong alumnae network is valuable for current students, former students and staff alike. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement where current students are offered advice, support and mentorship, whilst alumnae work on their own personal development, gain professional connections and build genuine friendships for life.

Reasons why a strong alumnae network is so important include:

Knowledge, Experience and Expertise Sharing

A strong alumnae network of over 70,000 across the GDST offers a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise to share with current students. At Croydon High we organise a range of Ivy Link events, including alumnae networking events, student support and mentoring, inspirational talks, careers advice and more.

Global Presence

A vast, global alumnae network is beneficial for current and former students alike and  our alumnae span the world and every professional sector, giving access to a wide variety of opportunities.  For example, the GDST have launched a number of networking groups for alumnae including groups in the USA and APAC.

“Our network is our superpower. At 70,000 strong, we’re one of the largest alumnae networks in the world, supporting each other, inspiring and encouraging the talent of the future.” 

Employability

A strong, successful alumnae network offers a wealth of benefits to current students, both as role models and in offering careers advice, work experience, mentoring schemes and more to help give students the best start in their post-18 careers. 

Personal Development

Whilst an alumnae network is obviously beneficial for current students, it’s also beneficial for the alumnae themselves. 

How Important are the GDST Alumnae?

“Our alumnae network is one of the largest of its kind, anywhere in the world – a community of women from all walks of life and around the globe, who are there to support and inspire each other.” 

At Croydon High we have a dedicated Alumnae Relations Manager, Karen Roe, who understands the importance of alumnae connections to ensure that both our current and former students benefit from a network of strong, inspiring and professional women. Our Ivy Link alumnae community are a priority; “Once a Croydon High girl, always a Croydon High girl!”.

Karen is responsible for organising a number of school events, projects and resources including the Alumnae Spotlight in our Weekly News, the annual Alumnae of the Year competition, and archive materials to be used in classes, regular news and communications sent to alumnae, an annual alumnae magazine and more. 

Karen Roe says: “At Croydon High, we nurture our alumnae relations carefully and always offer a personal touch.  Our alumnae network feels like one big family and we welcome a steady stream of alumnae for various events and collaborations, as well as receiving many emails (and letters!) from alumnae wanting to keep in touch and support our current students.”

How do Alumnae Help Students?

Our alumnae are located far and wide across the globe and work across every professional sector. In fact, with over 70,000 members, our network could almost fill Wembley Stadium. This offers endless opportunities to our girls; from one-to-one mentoring programmes to business networking, self-development and social events, our alumnae network provides a professional community unlike any other. 

Our GDST alumnae network provides:

• Careers advice, workshops and conventions
• Work experience
• University and course advice
• Mentoring and support
• Role models, success stories and inspiration that our girls can relate to
• Business and networking opportunities
• Friends for life

What Can We Learn from Alumnae?

An alumnae network provides both staff and students with a rich history, relatable experiences and inspiration to succeed – whatever their version of success looks like. That’s why we invite our alumnae to give inspirational speeches at key school events, why we arrange mentoring sessions, and why we asked our Year 9 girls to write to alumnae over the age of 75 to learn about their school days. 

But alongside that, a network of alumnae who are in regular contact with their former school is also an opportunity for the school itself to learn; to learn from the past, both good and bad, and to plan for the future. 

Join the Ivy Link at Croydon High School

The Ivy Link is Croydon High School’s alumnae network whose mission it is to link friends of the school together. If you’re a former student, staff member or other stakeholder and wish to join our growing community, contact our Alumnae Relations Manager, Karen Roe for more information or to register.    

You can also learn more about our alumnae network online where you’ll find our Ivy Link magazine and magazine archive, member’s memories, alumnae spotlights and news from across the community. 

Register for The Ivy Link     Learn More