The Ivy Link Summer Lunch 2023

We were delighted to welcome over 100 alumnae and former staff back to school on Saturday 24 June, for the annual Ivy Link Summer Lunch reunion. Girls from the Class of 1952 through to 2022,  joined former staff covering teaching years from 1964 to 2014. The Class of 1963 celebrated their 60th Anniversary, and the Class of 1968 their 55th.  Almost 30 from the Class of 1990, who would have attended in 2020, marked a belated 30th anniversary. Many were also former or current parents. Our guests travelled nationwide from twenty-two counties, Scotland to Devon and everything in-between. Nearly half of those joining us were attending an Ivy Link event for the first time.

Our visitors were greeted with a Pimm’s reception and an exhibition from the school’s archives. The lunch was delicious, the wine flowed, and there was a happy buzz of reminiscences and laughter.

The Senior Choir entertained us, singing For the Beauty of the Earth, Marianina and Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Ms Davies welcomed our guests and gave an update on school news and developments.

Huge thanks to our fantastic Head Girls and Prefect team, who were incredible hosts welcoming, serving and conducting school tours. For many visitors, it was their first visit to the site in Selsdon, being Wellesley Road girls, and for others, it was a chance to see their old classrooms again. Thanks also to our premises team and of course the marvellous catering team.

Once again, a really successful event, and we are all very much looking forward to next year’s reunion.

We have received a number of warm letters and emails thanking us for the day.

Thank you so much for a superbly organised summer lunch. You can talk to anyone in such a lovely atmosphere as we all have our wonderful school in common. Thank you for all you do for us.
Jean, Class of 1953

Thank you so much for a really fantastic Ivy Link lunch today – as ever, your attention to detail was just amazing.  I do not know how you manage to pander to all our individual wants and needs and remain calm and organised.
Ann, Class of  1957

Thank you so much for all the arrangements, it was so worth the trouble you must have taken, and I had a wonderful time. It was especially good to hear the choir’s performance and to have a talk from the new Head. The food and drink, the delightful prefects and the exhibition about the school from so long ago were all excellent, and it was difficult to tear ourselves away at the end of the happy afternoon.
Anne, Class of 1963

Impeccable organisation- you can tell by everyone’s happiness at the time how much it is appreciated. As Ms Davies said, it is a truly unique experience to be part of such a large and active association and to feel valued. As soon as I set foot in the building, I feel it -this is my school- I am a small part of its history and your hard work updating and including us underlines that and keeps us in the present. All my crew loved it, and we were messaging all day yesterday and exchanging photos, also hearing from those who couldn’t make it. I might try to persuade them to meet more often than every five years!
Diane, Class of 1968

We all had the best time! It was so moving meeting up with everyone, seeing the choir and hearing from the head. And then the highlight was having a tour from your wonderful head girl! Many thanks once again for all you do.
Sarah, Class of 1990

Mrs Karen Roe
Alumnae Relations Manager