We are pleased to report that the Tulip trees planted around the time of our Celebration Concert for Emma and Lettie Pattison are doing very well. Furthermore, the acidanthera bulbs planted on the day are already blooming; it is a very peaceful scene.

Thank you to Mr King and his young sons who made frequent visits to the site over the holiday to ensure they were well watered.

We were aware of a number of individuals taking on challenges to raise money in memory of Mrs Pattison and Lettie including:

• Former Head of Juniors, Mrs Raja
• Paul Scully, Minister for London

Winston’s Wish, who do such wonderful work supporting grieving children, is the charity nominated by Mrs Pattison and Lettie’s family and as a school we will be looking at ways to support this charity over the course of the year.

Memorial Service at Epsom College – June 2023

In June of this year, a very beautiful Memorial Service took place at Epsom College. We have just received the link to the service which the family are happy for us to share with the Croydon High community.

Why I think Jane Eyre is a Feminist Icon

Lynn Houghton
PA to Head

I studied for my O’Levels (the precursor to GCSEs, for those too young to know!) in the early 1980s. My bedroom walls were adorned with posters of Duran Duran and Adam Ant and my love of New Romantic fashion and pink hair was questionable!   The problem pages of Jackie magazine and completing the weekly  ‘pop’ quiz in Smash Hits, to discover which member of Duran Duran was most likely to be my soul mate, was my reading material of choice.

However, despite my avid reading of the aforementioned magazines, I also read Jane Eyre for the first time as part of my O’Level English Literature text. The austerity and tone of the book provided a complete contrast to the frivolity and flamboyance of the early 1980’s music and fashion scene I followed. In the intervening years I have gone back to re-read it many, many times.  In fact, I still have my original O’Level copy (which cost 90p)  – complete with pencil notes in the margins!

Jane Eyre was written by Charlotte Bronte and first published under the pen name of Currer Bell on 19 October 1847.  At that time many female authors wrote under male pen names in order for their books to be published and taken seriously in a male dominated society. 

Set against the backdrop of early Victorian England, the story follows the orphaned Jane Eyre from her Aunt’s house, to school, to employment as a governess and beyond.  Her life is hard and at times she is subject to unimaginable cruelty. The book is beautifully written and Charlotte Bronte uses evocative language that conjures a sense of darkness and foreboding; as a reader it is easy to feel the claustrophobia and lack of agency that women of Jane’s standing in life, at that time, would have experienced.

On the face of it, the novel is a romance, but over the years I have come to view it as much more.  Jane is, to me, as feminist icon.  In a time when women had no rights and were considered the property of their male relatives or employers, Jane strives to be free thinking and independent. She embraces education and demands to have her voice heard.

The story contains dark secrets and at the point when these are revealed, Charlotte Bronte allows her heroine to risk destitution and starvation rather than giving up her sense of self or compromising her values.  Throughout the novel, Jane refuses to cave to the societal norms of the time, choosing to carve out her own destiny and live her life on her own terms. 

Whilst I understand that Jane Eyre is a frustrating character from the point of view of contemporary feminist ideals and many might argue that the ending of the story means that Jane is not a true feminist icon, I disagree, Jane’s final decision is entirely her own and feminism at its very heart empowers women to have the freedom to choose their own destiny.

Jane Eyre: Feminist icon or simply pragmatic?

Sharon Murray
Lynn’s friend since High School (40 years of friendship!)

Like Lynn, I too first read Jane Eyre when I was at school and I also still have my original copy complete with pencil notes. The book is also adorned with various inscriptions describing my undying devotion to John Taylor (ask your Mum). I have revisited the novel a number of times across the years, sometimes just picking up from a favourite chapter. When Lynn asked for my thoughts on the title, “Jane Eyre: Feminist Icon,” I initially agreed with that sentiment. Having given this some thought and revisited certain sections of the novel however, I shall approach this from the perspective of a devil’s advocate. I have concentrated on the relationship between Jane and St John although I hope not to give way too many spoilers.

Jane accepts St John’s offer of employment as it offers independence rather than “servitude with strangers.” She knows that she will not enjoy the job very much. However, the post also comes with its own accommodation as well as a wage. Is Jane adhering to feminist values here or, as a woman with no money and no family, is she just being sensible?

During her time with St John, Jane considers how her life may have been as Rochester’s mistress and concludes that she was right to decline a “fool’s paradise” and follow the “free and honest” path shown by God to whom she gives thanks, “God directed me to a correct choice: I thank His providence for the guidance!” She subsequently seeks divine guidance on whether to marry St John even though she does not love him. Again, is Jane basing her life decisions on a belief in women’s rights or based on the religious diktats that were commonplace at the time?

In addition, Jane more than once refers to Rochester as “my master,” which is hardly the vocabulary of equality.

Jane inherits a fortune thereby negating the need to continue working. Jane’s affirmation to St John that she will not marry only comes after she had learnt that she is rich rather than from any feminist principles. (We also see at this point that Jane is no environmentalist; “…I shall go near to ruin you in coals and peat to keep up good fires in every room.”)

St John is a strange character. Seen through modern eyes, he could even be perceived as psychologically abusive, there’s certainly something of the bully about him even though his ambitions and principles are lofty. His behaviour towards Jane continues for several months whilst she, “like a fool, never thought of resisting him.” Towards the end of their time together, St John acts coldly to Jane who “would much rather he had knocked me down.” This sentiment is shocking to modern feminists.

So, the question is… is Jane Eyre a feminist icon, pragmatist or an insufferable prig? There’s only one way to find out…

Liz Tree, Class of 2017

Liz left Croydon High with Croydon High School with three A levels in English Language and Literature, Geography and Psychology plus an EPQ entitled “The Future of Small Farms in the UK”. Liz received the Sixth Form Scholarship award in Lower Sixth plus the Prize for English Language and Literature in Upper Sixth. She is now an alumna of Harper Adams University with an MRes in Agricultural Education, evaluating the work of the charity Farms for City Children, and a BSc in Agriculture.

Liz developed an interest in agriculture at an early age, first lambing at 13. In 2016, she had experience as a Lambing Assistant at Pencelli Court Farm and was Assistant Yard Manager at Farleigh Court Equestrian Centre before entering Higher Education. During her time at Uni, she was a Pig Assistant at Meadow Farm and a Harvest Worker at Home Farm Nacton. She was a Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Scholar in 2018, a Butchers’ and Drovers’ Charitable Institute Bursary recipient in 2019 and a British Poultry Council Scholar in 2021. She was a full-time Agricultural Student at Avara Foods in her final year. This involved farm placements carrying out all tasks, including working with breeder rearers, breeder layers (poultry kept to produce eggs intended for incubating and hatching chicks), broilers and turkeys. She had experience as a hatchery operative, including hatching, dispatch, candling, breakouts and transfer. Her involvement also covered commercial and sales, agricultural planning, feed mills, biomass plants, procurement and internal compliance. Liz conducted a project on phosphorus output and environmental management. She also received a Harper Adams Club Postgraduate Scholarship during her masters.

Liz is now a Sheep Technician working for Innovis (the leading supplier of sheep breeding technologies to the UK livestock farming industry), operating their Portable Accumulation Chamber as part of the Breeding for CH4nge project. Breed for CH4nge is a new project that has been awarded a £2.9m grant from Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme to carry out an industry-wide programme designed to breed sheep with a naturally low carbon footprint, which in turn should make a positive contribution to UK agriculture’s journey towards net zero. She is interested in regenerative agriculture, bringing animals into arable rotations for sustainable livestock production.

Liz is one of the National Farmers Union (NFU)’s Student and Young Farmer Ambassadors, an exclusive programme working with the NFU to impact the future of the agricultural industry. This has involved attending the NFU Conference, tours of Westminster, meeting MPs and writing for their national publications.

Earlier this year, Liz was invited to the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla by the Prince’s Countryside Fund (PCF). This charity was founded by HM King Charles in 2010 when he was The Prince of Wales. They aim to empower family farms and support rural communities in the UK and have invested more than £10 million in projects across the last decade. She became involved with this charity after taking part in research in collaboration with Aldi into the barriers young people face when entering the agricultural industry. She spoke on their behalf at the Groundswell Agricultural Conference and participated in their “Opening the Gate” webinar series, aiming to encourage school and college leavers to consider a career in agriculture. Liz’s special day ended by talking live on BBC News with Christian Fraser and Katty Kay about her involvement with the Prince’s Countryside Fund and her ongoing research with Farms for City Children, sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Butchers, evaluating the impact the charity has on young people who visit their farms. Farms for City Children enables children from all backgrounds to experience living and working together on farms, being totally immersed in rural life.

What aspects of Croydon High School did you enjoy and find most rewarding?

The supportive environment at Croydon High fostered lifelong connections, with friendships helping to shape my journey throughout school and my life so far.

What did you aspire to whilst at school?

I remember wanting to be a vet in primary school. When I moved into secondary, I considered a career in the police for a while. I first became passionate about farming as a young teenager, deciding shortly after that was where I wanted my future to be.

How did Croydon High School empower you for your future?

Croydon High prepared me for my future by giving me a strong academic background, alongside developing effective networking and communication skills, which have been extremely useful in all aspects of my career.

What has been your proudest moment?

It’s hard to pin down one single proudest moment, but I am very proud of what I have achieved coming from an urban background into a rural working environment. I am proud of using my South London upbringing to my advantage by bringing in a different way of thinking about farming and agriculture, never forgetting my roots but always hungry for new challenges. I am also extremely proud of my work with Farms for City Children.

What are your hopes for the future?

I am thoroughly enjoying the innovative research that I am currently part of. I hope to continue to inspire young people from any background to consider a career in agriculture and farming, a vast and diverse industry with plenty of opportunities.

What would you say to your 15-year-old self?

I would tell my 15-year-old self to take every opportunity that comes, even if you think it might not be something you’re interested in. I would also highlight the importance of networking – who you know is just as important as what you know!
Liz’s Masters thesis, for which she received a distinction, is due to be published very shortly. Her graduation ceremony happens on Friday, 22 September, the same day we celebrate Liz in our weekly Alumna Spotlight in NewsLinks.

Huge congratulations from us all at Croydon High; we are very proud of you, Liz!

Mrs Karen Roe
Alumnae Relations Manager

Six of our new Year 7 pupils share their memories from the Skern trip:

Last week, the Year 7s embarked on their first residential trip together as a year group, and it was an unforgettable experience filled with amazing activities and countless memories. New friendships blossomed, and our heartfelt thanks go out to all the dedicated teachers and staff who joined us on this adventure.

Each of us had our own favourite moments from the trip, but some highlights stand out. Rafting and surfing, with the added thrill of pushing our teachers into the water, brought endless joy! Hartland Day and the obstacle course fostered teamwork and left lasting impressions.

Overcoming fears played a significant role at Skern, as many of us confronted heights, spiders, and climbing challenges. Our proudest moments included completing the hike, conquering climbing walls, and discovering hidden talents for surfing.

From the journey to Skern and back, to navigating the incredibly narrow rocks on the Devon beaches, this trip was a highlight of our entire year. We all had different memorable moments, from competing in the house cheerleading competition to attempting to outwit Mr. Baker in Top Trumps. Each day offered a variety of new activities, and waking up to the cheerful sounds of Mrs. Webb’s morning music filled us with excitement. Surfing was a crowd favourite, and learning to stand up on a surfboard was a challenging but rewarding endeavour. Our evenings were filled with marshmallows and movie nights, creating cherished memories.

Personally, my favourite activity was climbing and abseiling, where trust and friendship blossomed. Skern boosted my confidence and allowed me to forge new connections at Croydon High while having an absolute blast.

In Year 7, Wide Games in the evening were a hit. Witnessing bats flying overhead added a touch of magic to the experience. The campfire was a highlight, with singing, a stunning sunset, and the joy of roasting marshmallows for many of us. During our free time, girls played games like ring-a-round-a-rosies and various card games. We even had the hilarious experience of pushing Miss Butler into the river while rafting! Surfing, zip-lining, and the assault course stood out as favourites for some, with many conquering their fears with the support of friends. Some even mastered the art of standing on surfboards, which was truly impressive. Skern was a whirlwind of adventure and fun, complete with movie nights and sweet treats.

For me, climbing and abseiling topped the list of favourite activities. On the way back, our teachers surprised us with a screening of Pirates of the Caribbean, adding a delightful finale to an unforgettable trip. Skern provided a chance to form new friendships and embrace new beginnings.

Whether we were soaring through the sky on a zip-line or navigating pathways on Hartland Day, every moment was filled with fun. We mingled with fellow students, collaborated in large groups, and tackled a wide range of activities, from archery to riddles. Without a doubt, my personal highlight was surfing, even though I had never attempted it before. I pushed my boundaries and made wonderful new friends. This trip will forever be etched in my memory.

In 7BA, we particularly enjoyed rafting, surfing, and the assault course. Surfing was a hit, with many managing to stand up or catch some impressive waves. The assault course brought intense team challenges, from wall climbing to silent birthday order organising and tyre climbing. During rafting, we teamed up to push Mr Baker into the river on more than one occasion. This trip will be remembered throughout our school years.

The week offered a range of activities, including zip-lining, rafting, abseiling, and, of course, surfing, a Skern favourite. Throughout the week, we faced our fears, whether it was defying gravity on the zipline or bravely abseiling backward. The assault course challenged us with mini ziplines and seesaw balancing, and we even managed to help Mr Baker and Mr Loveday take a plunge into the river. After a tiring and exhilarating week, we are all so grateful to all the teachers who cared for us during this unforgettable adventure!

Naomi G, 7L
Abigail P-G, 7KM
Zaynah C, 7L
Sophie W, 7BA
Diya S, 7KM
Sofia S, 7BU

Three of our Sixth Form pupils attended the Aerospace Engineering Conference organised by the School’s Aerospace Careers Programme Charity and hosted by Bromley High School. The aim of the afternoon was to encourage the interest of students and inform them of the wide range of opportunities available in the aerospace and aviation industry.

The pupils listened to a range of presentations from representatives from a wide range of organisations which informed them of the emerging technologies of the fourth industrial revolution, such as artificial intelligence, the internet-of-things, quantum computing, virtual reality which were brought to life by videos and a demonstration which included a robot!

The speakers ranged from someone who had recently retired from the aerospace industry, a research student involved in developing hydrogen-powered aircraft, director of a company specialising in drones and AI, and a recent graduate working at a company involved in finding technological solutions for many associated industries from the military to commercial airports.

After the presentation the students had an opportunity to speak to the representatives face-to-face as well as try out some of the equipment. Our pupils really enjoyed finding out more about this fast developing sector as well as using VR to fly a drone.

Here are a few comments from the pupils:

‘It made me realise how broad engineering is and inspired me to look into paths in the engineering sector. The robot was also very cool!’

The talk about engineering was extremely interesting and I got to learn more about artificial intelligence and how it is affecting our future. I enjoyed seeing a real-life robot walking around and trying to fly a drone for the first time. This experience was very useful in widening my knowledge in aerospace engineering.

‘Such a great experience and I loved how interactive it was. It allowed me to develop my understanding of aerospace engineering and ask various questions regarding the composition of the materials used in one of models presented.’

Ms Rachel Conrad
Head of Science

Every week, Miss Pendleton will be sending out special invitations to the girls whose birthdays fall within the week, to share their celebrations on Friday at an Alice in Wonderland themed afternoon tea party.

Last Friday, was the first of many celebrations, and as the girls entered the room with beaming Cheshire cat smiles, which grew bigger as their eyes scanned the room in awe of the decor and treats, they were finally seated. Miss Pendleton handed out birthday cards to the girls which had one of the three winning designs.

The winning designs were by Lily F (2C), Charlotte C (1H) and Raaiyah (Y5). Congratulations girls!

They went around in a circle sharing their birth date and what they did/will do for their birthday. After sharing the news, the girls went up to fill their cups with pink lemonade and their plates with cupcakes, biscuits and breadsticks.

Returning back to their seats, the girls would joyfully natter away, all comfortable in each other’s company, and would casually go and top up their drinks or request for more cupcakes! Then, with sudden squeals and bouncing in their seats, the game of Pass the Parcel was due to commence. Miss Pendleton definitely proved that her wrapping skills game is strong, especially as the girls first started off coy and gentle trying to peel off the sellotape, to quickly realising that was no longer cutting it and would tear open each layer with determination and vigour. The afternoon ended with Keya winning a cuddly Jellycat unicorn.

The Art & 3D Design department are so happy that we can finally share the photographs from our wonderful GCSE and A level summer exhibition 2023. The work on display was a true testament of all of their hard work and dedication over the two years.

We had huge, exciting pieces inspired by our trip to St Ives to small intricate pieces and everything in between. Students explored a variety of mediums including glass, enamelling, textiles, wood, ceramics, papercutting, painting, printmaking and even concrete!

Their ambitious designs and ideas were a true inspiration, our KS3, 4 and 5 students have already been busy making, recording and designing and we can’t wait for another successful year in Art & 3D Design.

‘Creativity takes courage’

Henri Matisse

Mrs Liz Smith
Head of Art & 3D Design
Director of Teaching & Learning

Hedera Helix, our science research and reporting society, met for the first time this academic year last week. We were delighted to welcome Choi, a former student, who founded Hedera Helix in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, after being inspired by the opportunity presented by the GDST STEM Writing Competition. Choi talked with A level Science students about her inspiration which led to development of Hedera Helix along with her peers, as well as how she felt that research and continuing to learn and engage with Science beyond the curriculum is so important.  Choi outlined some of the skills which students can develop while writing for Hedera Helix, along the lines of researching, editing, learning to communicate in a journalistic style and developing deeper understanding of complex ideas. Choi also shared some of her university experiences, now being in the 3^rd year studying medicine, and talked about her reasons for pursuing her passions in medicine.  Year 12 were inspired to take the baton with Hedera Helix.  Look out for more scientific insights from our Science A level students this year!

Mrs Harriet Howgego
Head of Chemistry

Task: Create a beautiful Christmas card for Croydon High

We would like your designs to reflect:

• Our school
• Our values
• Our branding

The winning cards will be professionally printed and sent out by Ms Davies to our local community.

We are also hoping to print the winning cards to sell at our Christmas Fayre and raise money for
charity.

How to enter:

• Open to all years (Reception – Upper Sixth)
• Scale: A5
• You can use any art materials, but these will be printed so please keep your work flat (buttons, ribbon can be used but only on one layer).
• All entries to Mrs Smith in the Senior School and Mrs Bird in the Junior School, make sure your name, form/year group and house is on the back of your entry.

Deadline: Monday 30 October

We are so pleased and grateful to Jemca Toyota Croydon for sponsoring our Netball and Hockey Tour of South Africa later this year.